Diagonal pliers, also known as wire cutters, diagonal cutting pliers or dikes, are pliers intended for cutting wire or small stock rather than for grabbing or turning. The plane defined by the cutting edges of their jaws intersects the joint rivet at an angle, or on a diagonal, which gives the tool its name. Their angled head shape also adapts them for use in inaccessible places where a straight-jawed cutter would not fit.
Facts
OriginDiagonal pliers take their name from their jaw geometry, not from any inventor or maker: the plane defined by the cutting edges of the jaws meets the joint rivet at an angle, on a diagonal, rather than square to it as in ordinary pliers. The jaw edges are ground to a symmetrical V shape and made of tempered steel, often inductively heated and quenched to harden them, so the tool cuts wire by indenting and wedging it apart rather than shearing it as scissors do. 1 Open Questions
Introduced When (Circa)not dated in source consulted
The Wikipedia Diagonal pliers article gives no invention date or year; no date found in the source consulted. Sources
1. Diagonal Pliers (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLede and Action sectionQuote, Lede and Action section
The plane defined by the cutting edges of the jaws intersects the joint rivet at an angle or "on a diagonal", giving pliers their name.
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