Lasting pincers
Lasting pincers grip and pull leather into position during shoemaking. The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts describes examples combining pincers and a hammer. The pincers pull or stretch leather, while the hammer section can be used when securing parts with wooden pegs.
The tool relates to shaping the shoe's upper and joining its components. The museum also describes using the pincers to pull off an old sole during repair. Consider the hammer section and gripping function together. Ordinary cutting pliers or nail pullers cannot confidently be identified as shoemaking tools solely through resemblance.
When assessing older examples, examine jaw shape and wear, play in the joint and any maker's marks. Compare the complete tool against documented examples. Rust, wear or an old workshop appearance cannot supply a precise date. Documented provenance from a shoemaker's workshop is more useful than an unsupported age estimate.
