I usually go out and buy a tool when I need it. But in the case of a Chain Snap Cutter it's not going to happen. Question is why is this tool so expensive? When I look at this tool I for the life of me can't see 4 or 5 hundred dollars. Is these things made of some rare alloy?

Unless you're in the business you rent a snap cutter you don't buy one.
When you're out in the field roughing a job with cast iron they are a necessarily,
But I never carried on on a repair truck and I've never had a set in my private tools. I don't know why they cost so much. No special metal's used.
I'll look into it. I still have a connection with a few wholsalers.
Later, Tom

Like all specialty tools of a trade, they are an important part of doing a professional job, that's why your not going to buy one for a do it yourself project.