If you want a single cutter for silver that can handle heavy wire and still give you a nice flush cut, these are a really great choice because you can go from the smallest size wire all the way up to 14 gauge silver and copper. Keep them away from hard metals. Do not use with memory wire. These are designed for metals that are not hard. Steel is hard and will ruin the jaws instantly.
Wondering what a sprue is? A sprue is created by the channel where molten metal pours into a casting. Once the metal is cooled and solid, the channel is filled with excess metal and is now called a sprue. It looks like a branch coming off the cast piece. This must be cut off with heavy duty pliers and the nub filed and sanded away.
The blackened finish makes it so easy to see what I'm doing.