Side cutters, also known as diagonal cutters or side cutting pliers have sharp diagonal cutting edges which intersect the joint rivet on the cutters diagonally. Side cutting pliers use a lever action which provides the force required to cut through wire. The force applied on the handles is magnified through the pivot point so the force on the wire is higher than that applied on the handles. The 'cutting capacity' of the cutters increases the further from the pivot point the handles are squeezed. Side cutters cut wire by making an indentation then wedging the cable apart as opposed to shearing them like scissors.