Ditto all the other comments, and plus, they're good if you just want to use them as a measuring tool for a swaged hose. We all know how frustrating (and expensive) it is to have to get a swaged hose done 2-3 times, because you can't seem to get the length "just right".
So you make up the socketless hose to your satisfaction, make sure it fits and gets dressed into place just right, then you bring it to the Aeroquip dealer (or local Parker shop) and have them make the same thing with swaged ends. And if theirs doesn't work because it's longer or shorter than yours, they get to eat the mistake.