That irritates me too. Otherwise, they'd be perfect for snipping zip-ties off of wiring harnesses.
Anyone know why they're that way? I can't think of a situation where I needed a set of dykes to NOT have a pointed end.
By the way, I saw where you posted that they were releasing a new line of hand tools with only red handles. I was in Florida this weekend and saw them in an HD there. Flew home today, and going to check my local HD to see if they still have any of the red/black stuff I haven't picked up yet.
any of the red/black stuff thats being replaced has all been marked down and last i saw was on the clearence rack. that includes all of their "core" hand tools.. linesman pliers, diagonal cutters, needle nose / long nose pliers, electrician pump pliers, and regular pump pliers too, - these include all three sizes of each.
all of the vise grips and clamps seem to be hanging around for the moment. the notch in the old dykes were "suppose" to be for pulling nails and staples. i think it was a fatal error for them, combined with the fact they made every size only available with an angled head.
its really a shame the first generation is so innovative, almost to a flaw, like the primiary purpose was forgotton for some.. i think they are great for some work - just seems not mine, i was hoping the tips of the dykes wouldnt be such an issue for me - but even just using them for one job up in the air, i was getting annoyed and reaching for another tool to "fill in" for the underdog Milwaukee.
all that being said - the new line looks really great too. alots been changed, and they are all now more professional looking. seems any small issues have been addressed, with one exception (for me) - that being how wide the handles of the new dykes are.. for myself, its still a problem trying to fit them into an individual pouch of a leather tool holder. this was a problem for the old sets as well. they are much wider than a comparable set of channllocks, crescents, or Kleins.
im a HUGE fan of the cresecnt compound cutting linemans pliers and cutters.. they REALLY are great. seems like thay are the only set that can give you compound action AND still give you a wide jaw opening. i dont even know why im looking for anything else, but i guess i just wanna see what else is out there. i gave Milwaukee their shot - unfortunately its not a fit for what i do.