Different Channellock Cutters #308

[kcmap]

I picked up a number of Challellock tools at the flee market yesterday, including this nice #308, I don't have a pair of these so into the toolbox they go after some more cleaning. Question, what are these used for and are they still made? Markings are "Channellock, Meadville Pa, USA, No 308" Thanks in advance.

 

[neophyte]

I picked up a number of Challellock tools at the flee market yesterday, including this nice #308, I don't have a pair of these so into the toolbox they go after some more cleaning. Question, what are these used for and are they still made? Markings are "Channellock, Meadville Pa, USA, No 308" Thanks in advance.

“SHORT NOSE SHEARING PLIER
308-G
Length 8". Weight 8 lbs. per doz. Full polished finish. Blue dipped plastic grips. High leverage design permits easy cutting of channel iron flanges. Pocket size, handy to use. Packed 34 dozen per carton.”
From a 1967 Channellock catalog.

Tools by Channellock : Catalog No. 68 : Channellock, Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

20 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

“Shearing Pliers” have long been a niche tool though.
Sometimes the shearing pliers are used to cut without leaving a sharp ridge on the edge of material.
Other times they’re used for specific tasks like BX cutters for steel spiral shielded cable. (BX cutters are usually more pointy)

 

[Hakeem]

Shearing cutters like that are typically used for cutting larger stranded wire. Cutters where the blades come together, as in your traditional diagonal cutters, don’t leave as clean of a cut.

The downside of shearing cutters is reduced strength of the cutting blades. They are best reserved for cutting soft metals like copper and aluminum.

 

[sparky 1971]

Shearing cutters like that are typically used for cutting larger stranded wire. Cutters where the blades come together, as in your traditional diagonal cutters, don’t leave as clean of a cut.

The downside of shearing cutters is reduced strength of the cutting blades. They are best reserved for cutting soft metals like copper and aluminum.

Those are only 8" long, if someone's using them to cut larger sizes of wire they're gonna have forearms the size of five gallon buckets. I have Greenlee 727's and don't use them for anything larger than #4 but back when I was younger and had superhuman strength I'd show off by cutting 2/0 copper one handed with them. And on top of that, Channellock cutters **** to begin with.