Bulldogs are a kind of shank laster resembling lasting pliers, whose curved bottom handles serve as the fulcrum for leverage, rather than a hammer face below the jaws. Applying leverage therefore also works to tighten the jaws, which helps keep the upper clamped, even when pulling with more force. Bulldogs are often used on heavy boots and shoes to draft or last the waist.
Alternatives
Bulldogs have a similar function to, but different design than, crab-style shank lasters. Bulldog-style pliers are sometimes referred to as shank lasters, but shank lasters of the other design aren’t referred to as bulldogs.
As Lasting Pliers
Some makers use bulldogs as general-purpose lasting pliers for lasting entire uppers, not just specialized tools for the shank areas.
This is especially common among lasters in the Pacific Northwest producing hybrid nailed-stitchdown work boots. Many of those lasters:
- practice stand lasting
- hold a hammer in the non-dominant hand for driving lasting tacks and clinching nails, since the bulldogs have no anvils
- grind the square jaws of their USMC bulldogs to a rounded points, for clearance pleating toes and heels
