The Secret Life of Pliers - Revealed!

[@sdecarlo]

I spent my career at Bell Companies. The pliers you showed were used to compress splicing sleeves for connecting/splicing pieces of wire twisted wire. This splicing method was still in use when I started working as an installer at New Jersey Bell in 1972.

[@jeremylastname873]

AKA the “Barrel Splice.” We had a surplus outlet here in the Dallas area and you could go there and buy all sorts of surplus items, including tools. As a ham radio operator, I would buy zinc-plated copper wire and use it for ground radials in my antenna installations.

[@calebmack7652]

Sorry for your loss, and thanks for the great info!!!

[@mythguard6865]

I got a pair of these pliers from my grandfather. They are by far my favorite pair!

[@Driftwood740EvSide]

the real ones appreciate you and all of your work sir

[@Traderjoe]

I have a few Utica brand tools. My favorite is a pair of ignition pliers that I kind of EDC’d for a few years and had rubber bands holding the handles together and functioned as a self tightening clamp when needed. The steel is great.

[@JeffreySherk]

Great story. I wish the company in Utica was still making those pliers today.

[@jamesperkins9833]

Cool story!

[@theunknownatheist3815]

I bet that phone installer job was enough to support him and his whole family, back in those days. A guy with that job today probably would barely be able to survive by himself.

[@twatmunro]

It's scutwork today. They get paid barely more than minimum wage. This was a fantastic video though.

[@duuuude3208]

Don't worry, they are printing more money !

[@christurley391]

Thanks again

[@dinoprice1440]

I've got some of those pliers and they're my favourite tool

[@00Klingon]

I inherited my grandfathers tool box when my dad passed away. The box looks a lot like that ammo can and I’ve got several side cutters and other tools that have handles just like that. They feel so great in the hand. Smooth metal, no squishy rubber or cheap plastic.

[@theunknownatheist3815]

I inherited my grandfather’s tools 🛠 🧰 too. Which included an original WW2 Navy Kabar type knife 🔪. Plus lots of good quality hand tools.

[@Fred4hp]

Your video inspired me to look at a pair of pliers my father had for many years and that I inherited. They are very similar to the ones in your video but mine are stamped MANSCO 35-8 on one side with nothing stamped on the opposite side. I really enjoy your videos and this one made my pliers even more special. Thanks for the great video.

[@GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz]

The picture on the page caught my eye immediately, and when you turned them over and it said Bell System I immediately knew why. I have a similar pair that don't have the divots, and do not go to a point on both sides. If you lay mine flat the bottom of the tip would lay flat on the surface. They taper to a point, but only on two of the four sides. The inside of the tip is flat as well as the tip. I still them often, especially to flatten contacts that are bent and to straighten small gauge wire. My Father got them from a Bell System employee in the 1950's so I don't really know the age, but they are still in great shape.

[@rodgerklindt3165]

Now that is some great info. Thanks, enjoyed the history lesson.

[@kennethomeara9848]

Very cool piece of history. Thank you

[@johnkillebrew6822]

Other tools were purchased by Bell and marked Bell Systems - brace for drilling by Stanley was another.

[@MyKnifeJourney]

I have a bunch of old pliers from my grandfather. Mine are tools from the 20s-50s

[@lunkydog]

I've got some Utica diagonal cutters and they show the 4 stakes, but everything is ground flush.

[@garycallahan7867]

Great tool history. Did he have the Utica Electrician’s knife as well?

[@bigernbladesmith]

I stopped the vid, pretty sure I'm right, but those were used for telephone work. Bell Systems, and it looks like a tool that would be helpful working with switchboard cables.

[@bobrees4363]

No idea on the pliers, but that .50 cl ammo can could have come home with Al in his duffle bag. I knew a Korean War veteran that had a similar side opening .30 cal can that he kept his Army mementoes in.

[@daveh777]

I have a Utica 777 -6 needlenose pliers.

[@redcruben]

Would the groves been originally been to let the oil into the cast iron ring

[@grndzro777]

I have a pair of these.

[@chrisj4570g]

I’m wagering your way overthinking those repair marks. I’m of the opinion they got wacked with a hammer and punch to tighten them. I doubt the tools were sold to employees, probably more of a gift. Whether or not the higher ups approved such gifts, I can’t say. I’ve been on the receiving end of such gifts, and that’s all I’ll say about that. 🤫

[@jeremylastname873]

The early Signal Corps is a story in itself.

[@evolancer211]

The secret, it's a needlenose model lol

[@KarlPoorbaugh]

America!😢

[@mikebirmingham1291]

Now I know why I unsubsribed. You have changed, just not interesting anymore.

[@Jack_Lange]

No need to announce your departure sir

[@chrisk5454]

You are still here just to complain? Self-important much?