Hey Everybody, found these yesterday at an estate sale and could find out very little about them online. I understand their usefulness for squeezing master links together, but I’m sure someone here could enlighten me on their other uses. Some of them listed for sale mention tire repair, but I can’t imagine you’d want to get these near a tire. But what do I know? Thanks for any info!

For repairing tire chains in snow country.
Brent

Aha! So not a bike tool. Someone has been trying to sell a pair on Craigslist for a while in the bike parts category, so that was my only point of reference. Thanks!

If I had looked a little harder:

It’s a bike tool now, albeit an ugly one!

I can't remember where I got these, nor how many times I've been glad I did, they are so often the best tool for the job; and cheap, and still available on that auction website.

Wide open they are just right for squeezing removable links.

The venerable ignition pliers from the days of mechanical points distributors. Can't say I ever really used them for that but they can do a lot of other work, very handy when you need them.

I also have a Channelock version of the thin ignition pliers, and surprised how often I need them to snap the "no tools needed" master links that never seem to work without mechanical help. Maybe I just don't have the hand strength the average bike mechanic is expected to have.