Another "What's this tool."

[Skyman]

This was in a box of antique tools that I salvaged from my mom's garage. I'm sure there are folks here who can identify it. It appears to be unmarked. Guessing maybe a farrier's tool?

TIA.

 

[Copymutt]

Two out of 3 ends indicate a fencing tool. Point levers out staples & nails, plier to grab flush staple or nail.
can‘t figure the ball end.

 

[landrover bodger]

those are what we call carpenters pincers.

 

[Farmer J.]

those are what we call carpenters pincers.

Yup. Not uncommon around here...

 

[Skyman]

Thanks, guys. I seem to learn something new (or old, as it were) nearly every day on this forum. Do any of you have any idea how old these are? And what the intended purpose of that ball end might be?

 

[Jacko264]

Yep spot on I must have 2 or 3 pairs in the garage

Yup. Not uncommon around here...

 

[Farmer J.]

Thanks, guys. I seem to learn something new (or old, as it were) nearly every day on this forum. Do any of you have any idea how old these are? And what the intended purpose of that ball end might be?

You'r welcome.
I guess some of mine must be around 70 or 100 years old as they were my Grandfather's. I suppose the ball end is to save hurting your hand, but would be interesting to learn if someone knows otherwise. Some have plain ends, some have a tack pulling claw on one end and some have a spike, for lifting a clenched nail or for gouging and digging in to wood around a nail so as the pincers can get in to bite on to it.

 

[gmcgeo]

thats not what i see, i see a Farriers horseshoe tool. carpenters pincers do not have a sharp end to pick the shoe dirt and grime

​

 

[disston]

Farrier's tool makes more sense. I'm not a farrier and don't even own a horse but I think I've seen that tool in videos of working on horses hoofs.

 

[Farmer J.]

Farriers pincers don't have a claw on them. They're usually a lot longer, ****** and heavier. These are 'Ball and Claw' carpenters pincers.

Stanley 2-84-184 8.3/4" BALL & CLAW PINCERS 2-84-1| at Zoro

Stanley - 2-84-184 8.3/4" BALL & CLAW PINCERS available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

The Knipex website explains the various types and uses down the bottom of this page

https://www.knipex.com/products/carpenters%27-pincers

 

[Skyman]

Gotta believe somebody here knows the purpose of the ball end on this critter...

 

[RTM]

Well, I suppose you could look up the patent and it would tell you.

Or maybe find it in a vintage catalog.

Well, maybe not, here and following

Sargent Tool Book : Mechanics' Tools 1911 : Sargent & Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

264 p., illus., 20.74 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[Zeus36]

Gotta believe somebody here knows the purpose of the ball end on this critter...

The ball serves as the end of the handle when you open the pincers and use the claw to pull nails.

 

[RTM]

Gotta believe somebody here knows the purpose of the ball end on this critter...

R. A. Salaman doesn't know either.

 

[marinusdees]

thats not what i see, i see a Farriers horseshoe tool. carpenters pincers do not have a sharp end to pick the shoe dirt and grime

​

For pruning horse's toenails.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The carpenters' pincers evolved from ancient pincers, found as early as the Roman and Hellenistic ages, which had the claw and ball or knob ends. I've read the ball was for tapping or hammering, continuing the multi-tool theme of the cutting and the pulling. I'll have to re-find the references. Some patterns have a sharp point instead.

 

[Jacko264]

The first photos look like carpenters pincers
farrier hoof trimmers are longer and open further

 

[Skyman]

I should have included something for size reference in those photos, but didn't think of it. Overall length is just short of 8 inches.

 

[Jacko264]

Here is a pair of mine they are carpenters nail removing pinchers
but I have seen them been used by furniture trimmers to remove old material
mine are 8in long

 

[Jacko264]

Sorry I missed this photo

 

[Cleave]

I have a pair like that but with the little claw on one handle and a flatblade screwdriver on the other handle. Definitely carpenter's pinchers. We had a horse, I have farrier's hoof nippers (great for pulling big nails when needed), but we use my little carpenter's pinchers for trimming goat hooves. Its just the right size to get in there, and the flathead is good for picking hooves. I'll buy the next pair I see.