4 Common Tools With A Hidden Second Function Most People Never Use

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A Family Handyman report describes four common tools that may have a second function built in: pliers with wire cutters, wire strippers with screw-cutting holes, can openers with bottle openers, and nail clippers with files. The features vary by model, so users should inspect their tools and follow product guidance before use.

A Family Handyman report highlights four everyday tools that may include a second function: pliers with wire cutters, wire strippers that shorten machine screws, manual can openers with bottle openers, and nail clippers with files. The practical point is that features vary by model, so checking the tool already in hand may save a search for a separate implement.

Some pliers have a cutting edge near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws, that can trim soft wire. The report cautions that not every pair includes cutters. It also distinguishes cutters from wire strippers, which remove insulation without severing the wire itself. Users should check the tool’s design and intended use rather than assume every pair of pliers can perform both jobs.

Some wire strippers have threaded holes near the handles for shortening machine screws. The screw is placed in a hole of the appropriate size, then the handles are squeezed to cut it. Family Handyman says the feature can help when fitting electrical fixtures or other hardware that calls for shorter screws. The holes are for particular screw sizes; the tool’s markings and instructions matter.

Some manual can openers add a bottle opener as a notch or hook on the handle or near the cutting mechanism. Other designs use magnets to lift cut can lids, which can help avoid handling a sharp edge. Many nail clippers include a fold-out metal file for smoothing nails after trimming; some also have a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails. The report notes that placement and design differ across products.

Small Features, Fewer Tool Searches

The report’s practical value is straightforward: one tool may cover more than one small task, reducing the need to stop a project to find a separate implement. A plier cutter can handle suitable soft wire, a stripper’s screw-cutting holes may help with a fitting, and a can opener or clipper may already include a familiar accessory.

These conveniences are not universal, and they do not make tools interchangeable. In particular, cutting wire and modifying screws should be done only with a tool designed for that purpose and materials it can handle. Recognizing the built-in feature can help users make better use of what they own, while checking the tool’s instructions helps avoid damage or injury.

Four Tools, Features by Model

The source is a Family Handyman roundup titled “4 Common Tools With a Hidden Second Function Most People Never Use.” It frames the features as easy to overlook and emphasizes that the examples are not present on every model. Its listed product references include tools from Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling; those references do not establish that every product from those brands has each feature described.

The article focuses on built-in secondary functions, not a new tool launch, safety regulation or change in industry practice. Its examples span home repair and household use: wire handling, hardware installation, opening bottles and cans, and nail care. The source material provides no survey or usage data to establish how many people overlook these features, so the headline’s “most people” wording should be understood as the article’s framing rather than a measured finding.

““Some everyday tools have other tools built in, but those extra features are easy to overlook.””

— Family Handyman report

Which Models Include Each Feature

The supplied report does not identify how common each feature is across tools sold today, nor does it quantify how often owners use or miss them. Availability depends on the individual model, and some tools may have none of the listed extras. The source also does not give detailed operating limits for every feature, such as wire types or screw sizes; owners should consult the markings and instructions for their specific tool.

The headline’s claim that most people never use these functions is not supported in the supplied material by survey figures or other usage data. It is not clear whether the examples represent a broader trend or simply useful features found on selected products.

Check the Tool Before the Task

No further development or product announcement is described in the source. For readers, the next step is to inspect the tool already available: look near plier hinges for cutters, check wire strippers for threaded screw-cutting holes, examine a can opener for a bottle-opening notch or lid magnet, and see whether a nail clipper has a folding file.

Before using any extra feature, confirm that it suits the material and task, and follow the manufacturer’s directions. That is especially relevant when trimming wire or screws. The report provides no broader testing or follow-up findings, so whether these features save time will depend on the tool and the job.

Key Questions

Do all pliers have built-in wire cutters?

No. Some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge, but the report says the feature is not present on every pair. Check the tool before using it to cut wire.

How do wire strippers cut machine screws?

Some models have threaded holes near the handles. A machine screw is placed in the correctly sized hole and the handles are squeezed to shorten it. Follow the tool’s markings and instructions.

Can a manual can opener also open bottles?

Some can openers include a bottle-opening notch or hook, often on the handle or near the cutting mechanism. Designs differ, so check the particular opener.

What extra features might a nail clipper have?

Many models have a fold-out nail file for smoothing rough edges. Some also include a pointed tip, but the feature and its placement vary by model.

Does the report show that most people overlook these features?

No usage figures are provided in the supplied report. The headline describes the features as overlooked, but the material does not quantify how many people know about or use them.

Source: rss