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A Family Handyman report describes extra functions available on some familiar household tools: pliers can cut wire, wire strippers can shorten certain screws, some manual can openers open bottles, and many nail clippers include files. These features are not universal, so readers should check their tool’s design and instructions before using them.
Some familiar household tools can perform a second task beyond their main purpose, according to a Family Handyman report covering pliers, wire strippers, manual can openers and nail clippers. The extra features may save a trip to the toolbox, but they vary by model and should not be assumed to be present on every tool.
Pliers may have a cutting edge near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws. On models with this feature, the cutters can trim soft wire. The report says some pliers may also include wire-stripping capability, which is intended to remove insulation without cutting through the wire itself. Those are different functions, and users should check the tool’s design rather than assume every pair can do both.
Some wire strippers include threaded holes near the handles for shortening machine screws. A screw is placed in the appropriately sized hole and the handles are squeezed to cut it. The report says this can be useful when fitting electrical fixtures or other hardware that requires a shorter screw. It does not mean every wire stripper has screw-cutting holes.
Some manual can openers incorporate a bottle opener, often formed as a notch or hook in the metal. Certain designs also use a magnet to lift a cut can lid, reducing the need to touch its sharp edge. Nail clippers commonly have a small fold-out or attached file for smoothing nails after trimming; some designs also include a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails.
Extra Functions Can Save a Tool Search
Knowing what a tool already includes can help with small household tasks and reduce the need to find or buy a separate implement. A built-in wire cutter, screw cutter, bottle opener or nail file may be useful when the appropriate feature is available and the task is within the tool’s intended use.
The practical limit is that a feature’s presence and capability depend on the specific model. For electrical work, a wire cutter or stripper is not a substitute for safe procedures or suitable expertise. Users should follow the manufacturer’s directions and, for electrical repairs beyond basic tasks, consult a qualified professional.
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Four Tools, Four Model-Dependent Features
The report is a practical inventory rather than a study measuring how often people use these features. It focuses on details that can be overlooked: cutting edges near plier hinges, threaded holes on some wire strippers, opener shapes on can openers and small files attached to nail clippers.
Family Handyman lists product sources from Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling. Those references provide examples of tool makers and products, but the supplied material does not establish that every product from those brands—or every tool in each category—has all the functions described.
“features vary by model”
— Family Handyman report
Which Models Include Each Feature
The supplied report does not say how common these features are across all tools sold, or how many owners use them. It also does not provide model-by-model instructions, cutting limits or compatibility details. Whether a particular tool has an extra function must be checked on that tool, and users should consult its markings or manufacturer guidance before trying it.
The report gives examples of potential uses but does not assess their safety or suitability for every job. In particular, shortening a screw or cutting wire may require the right tool size and technique; the article’s summary is not a substitute for product instructions or professional advice.
Check the Tool Before Using It
No further announcement or scheduled follow-up is identified in the supplied material. For readers, the practical next step is to inspect the tool they own: look near the plier hinge, around wire-stripper handles, along a can opener’s body and beneath a nail-clipper lever. Confirm the feature and its intended use in the manufacturer’s instructions before applying it to a task.
Key Questions
Can all pliers cut wire?
No. The report says some pliers have cutters near the hinge, but the feature is not present on every pair. Check the tool’s construction and instructions.
How do some wire strippers shorten screws?
Some models have threaded holes near the handles. The screw is placed in a matching hole and the handles are squeezed. Check the tool’s instructions and use the correct hole for the screw.
Do manual can openers also open bottles?
Some models do, using a notch or hook built into the metal. Other can openers may not include this feature.
What extra features can nail clippers have?
Many have a small file for smoothing nail edges. Some designs also include a pointed tip, but its placement and availability vary.
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