Pincers (tool)

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Selection of pincers in a mock-up blacksmiths Selection of Pincers in a mock-up blacksmiths.png
Selection of pincers in a mock-up blacksmiths
Carpenter's pincers Klieste klasicke.jpg
Carpenter's pincers
End-cutters Knibtang.jpg
End-cutters
Medieval pincers found in Hamburg-Harburg (15th/16th century) Kneifzange HH-Harburg.jpg
Medieval pincers found in Hamburg-Harburg (15th/16th century)

Pincers are a hand tool used in many situations where a mechanical advantage is required to pinch, cut or pull an object. Pincers are first-class levers, but differ from pliers in that the concentration of force is either to a point, or to an edge perpendicular to the length of the tool. This allows pincers to be brought close to a surface, which is often required when working with nails.

Pincers are primarily used for removing objects (typically nails) out of a material that they have been previously applied to. Carpenter's pincers are particularly suited to these tasks.

Sharpened pincers are also used to cut away natural calluses, also called chestnuts, from a horses body. [1]

Further use of pincers is the trimming of the edges of horses hoofs. [2]

If the pincers have perpendicular cutting edges, the pincers are often called end-nippers or end-cutters. They're often used in jewelry making, for trimming flat wire or cutting off the end of an ear stud. [3]

Pincers, often red-hot, have also been used as an instrument of torture [4] since ancient Roman times or earlier.

Pliers are a similar tool with a different type of head used for squeezing, rather than cutting and pulling.

See also

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References

  1. The practice of removing chestnuts
  2. The practice of trimming the edge of a horses hoof
  3. "What are End Cutting Pliers and how are they used?". maunindustries.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  4. "Example of the use of pincers for torture in mediaeval Italy". Pbs.org. Retrieved April 16, 2018.