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.
Bulldogs have a similar function to, but different design than, 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.
