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A Family Handyman report points out secondary features built into some common tools: pliers may cut wire, wire strippers may shorten screws, can openers may open bottles, and nail clippers may include a file. These features are not universal, so users should check their specific tool before relying on them.
Family Handyman has highlighted four secondary functions that may be built into familiar household tools, including wire-cutting edges on some pliers and files on many nail clippers. The report offers practical ways to use tools already at hand, while noting that features differ by model and should be checked before use.
Some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws, that can trim soft wire. The report says not all pliers include them. It also advises checking whether a pair has wire-stripping capability: strippers remove insulation, while cutters sever wire, so the two functions should not be confused.
Some wire strippers have threaded holes near the handles for shortening machine screws. The user places a screw in the appropriately sized hole and squeezes the handles to cut it. Family Handyman says this can be useful when fitting electrical fixtures or other hardware that needs shorter screws. The article does not describe this as a feature on every wire stripper.
Other examples are found outside the toolbox. Certain manual can openers include bottle openers, often shaped like a notch or hook; some instead have magnets to lift cut can lids without handling their sharp edges. Many nail clippers have a fold-out metal file for smoothing nail edges, and some include a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails. Designs and feature placement vary.
Small Features That Save a Tool Search
Knowing what a tool can do may save time during a repair or routine task, particularly when a separate cutter, bottle opener or nail file is not immediately available. The practical point is not that every tool can replace a dedicated one, but that checking for built-in features can prevent an unnecessary search or purchase.
That convenience has limits. A feature should be used only for the job and material it is designed to handle. For example, the report specifically describes the plier cutters as suitable for soft wire; it does not establish that they can safely cut every wire type or size. Inspecting the tool and its maker’s instructions helps avoid damaging the tool or workpiece.
multi-function pliers with wire cutting
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Four Tools, Several Designs
The report groups the examples across household maintenance and personal care: pliers, wire strippers, manual can openers and nail clippers. It also notes that additional features are easy to overlook, especially when a tool has been used for years for only its main purpose.
Family Handyman lists product references from Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling among its sources. Those references provide examples of products, but the supplied report does not say that every model from those manufacturers has each feature. Model-specific design matters, so the examples should be treated as possibilities to check rather than universal specifications.
“Some everyday tools have other tools built in, but those extra features are easy to overlook.”
— Family Handyman report
Which Features Your Model Includes
The report does not identify a particular model for every example or establish how common each feature is across products. It also provides no survey data showing how many owners already use these functions, despite the headline’s broad wording. Availability, placement and intended use remain dependent on the individual tool’s design and manufacturer guidance.
For any specific task, users should confirm the tool is intended for it rather than assume that a similar-looking feature will work. The report’s description of screw-shortening holes, for instance, does not specify compatible screw sizes beyond saying to use the appropriately sized hole.
Check Before the Next Repair
No product announcement or follow-up study is described in the supplied material. The immediate next step for readers is simply to inspect the tools they already own: look near plier hinges, around wire-stripper handles, on can-opener bodies and beneath nail-clipper levers. Consult the tool’s instructions if the feature or its limits are unclear.
For future repairs, choosing the correct tool remains more important than relying on an overlooked extra. The report provides reminders, not a claim that secondary features replace dedicated equipment in every situation.
Key Questions
Do all pliers have built-in wire cutters?
No. Family Handyman says some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge, but the feature is not present on every pair.
How can wire strippers shorten a screw?
Some models have threaded holes near the handles. The screw is placed in the correctly sized hole and the handles are squeezed to cut it. Check the tool’s instructions before using this feature.
Can a manual can opener also open bottles?
Some models include a bottle opener shaped like a notch or hook. The feature varies by design, so inspect the specific can opener.
What is the extra metal piece on a nail clipper for?
Many nail clippers have a fold-out file for smoothing rough nail edges. Some designs also include a pointed tip, but placement and features vary.
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