Alligator shears are a type of scissors or cutting tools often used in the scrap industry to cut thick metal objects such as pipes, beams and cables. The name "alligator" comes from the shape of the blades, which resemble the jaws of an alligator. Alligator shears typically have a large, strong cutting blade on one side and a smaller, opposite blade on the other. The blades are attached at a hinge point, and the operator squeezes the handles together to cut through the metal. Alligator shears are typically used to cut scrap metal into smaller pieces for recycling or remanufacturing, and they are available in different sizes and cutting capacities depending on the specific application.