Lineman's Pliers

Lineman's pliers, also called combination pliers or side-cutting pliers, are used by electricians, lineworkers and other tradespeople to grip, twist, bend and cut wire, cable and small metal components, multiplying hand force through their leverage. They are distinguished by flat, serrated gripping jaws, with bevelled cutting edges near the jaws and, on many models, an additional gripping, crimping or wire-shearing feature at the crux of the handles. They are typically machined from forged steel with a heavy-duty rivet joining the handles, so the joint keeps its accuracy even after repeated heavy use on thick wire.