Locking plier with wire cutter

A locking plier and wire cutter, comprising

• a handle having parallel flanges with top edges extending across a cutting zone, said flanges defining a space therebetween;
• a notch in the top edge of at least one of said flanges;
• a fixed jaw secured to said handle between said flanges at one end of said cutting zone;
• a movable jaw connected to said handle between said flanges for pivotal movement about a first axis between a closed position contacting said fixed jaw and an open position spaced therefrom;
• said movable jaw having a cutting edge arranged to traverse said cutting zone;
• spring means for yieldably biasing said movable jaw into said open position;
• and
• actuating means for urging said movable jaw from said open position toward said fixed jaw and across said cutting zone to shear a wire seated in said notch, said actuating means including an operating lever pivotally connected to said movable jaw at a second axis parallel to said first axis, and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end to said operating lever at a third axis parallel to said first and second axes, and in engagement at its opposite end with an adjustable element carried on said handle;
• wherein reference lines connecting said second axis to said first and third axes enclose and angle of between 89.degree. and 112.degree. when said cutting edge initially engages said wire.