What is a throatless shear used for?

A throatless shear is a specialized cutting tool designed primarily for making irregular cuts and notches in sheet metal or other materials. The throatless design allows for greater versatility as the material does not have to fit into a confined throat, enabling the operator to maneuver the cutting blade freely for intricate shapes.

This flexibility makes it particularly useful for contours and detailed work that would be more challenging with standard shears that have a defined throat or frame which restricts the size and shape of the workpiece. As a result, throatless shears are commonly employed in tasks where precision and accuracy in cutting unusual angles or curves are essential.

While throatless shears can cut straight lines, this isn't their primary function, and other tools may be better suited for that task. Similarly, the tool is not designed for sharpening edges or specifically emphasizing bend lines, which are tasks more appropriately handled by other types of tools in the metalworking process. The ability of throatless shears to effectively create notches and follow irregular outlines showcases their key role in intricate fabrication work.