This unusual-looking tool is a fireman's hose clamp, also called a Wildland hose clamp, named for its first manufacturer (like "Crescent" wrench).

It's used to pinch off the flow of a pressurized hose so that you can change nozzles, or replace the nozzle with a coupling so you can add an extension hose. Here's an example of how it's used (I've cued up the video below to the right moment):

I'm not sure how long the tool has been around, but firefighting equipment manufacturer C&S Supply reckons it was due for a redesign:

The closed-loop handle is large enough to fit a gloved hand into, and prevents your knuckles from getting smashed. The clamping area is curved, which the company says does a better job of collapsing the hose. They also point out—I totally missed this—that the bottom handle is a tad longer, so that you can step on it "to assist opening while on a charged hose line." Lastly, it's painted in a high-visibility color.

I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.

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