If anybody is buying pliers specifically for bike work, get some linesman's pliers. They're great for cable pulling and some have a cable cutting feature as well. Here's a nice Craftsman pair:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

For cable cutters, I recommend these Craftsman cutters (they go through spokes too):
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00945074000

or

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes