Weird. Knowing the intended purpose, I see a bit too much plastic, both in the construction and controls. Those jaws cantilever quite a ways off of fairly slim guide rods, and screw. It would need a single stalk to swivel, but it's tall and offset, the whole thing looks a bit springy. Three hundred bucks doesn't seem to go as far as it used to, maybe this is one of those things to see up close? You are spot on about some people, though.