On Fri, 25 Dec 2020 06:38:55 -0800 (PST), Tricky Dicky
wrote:

snip

So, whilst it's a bit late for today, can anyone recommend some nut
-crackers that will do all nuts nicely please?

The results from nut crackers that work on leverage are very hit or miss as wether the nut survives whole, due to the pressure you put on it followed by the sudden lack of resistance as the shell succumbs.

I was wondering if there was something with a compound (or ratchet)
mech that would allow you to apply the load but in a more controlled
way?

There are types available that work on a screw thread which I imagine would allow greater control at the expense of taking longer to operate.

That's what I was thinking (and getting the nut in / out etc).

It needs to be something like an engineers quick vice where it gets to
the nut (size) quickly (spring tension?) and then allows you to
provide the required force quickly but controllably (and easily).

The longer pair of conventional nut crackers I have here (170mm) only
open to 90mm at the end of the handle. It has three 'openings' and
whilst *I* could probably still get say an almond in the first 'jaw'
(near the hinge) and still be able to encompass the end of the handle
(large hands), I can't because the opening is restricted (and it's not
easy to adjust)?

The shorter pair (150mm) can be opened to any angle, only has two jaw
spaces but are lighter built and seem to be on the edge of breaking
when I grip them hard.

If they worked more like a pair of pliers but with longer handles that
limited the 'close' (without pinching) to the smallest likely for a
nut kernel and with a fast closing 'jaw' that coped with any sized nut
you are likely to find (excluding coconuts etc). ;-)

Cheers, T i m