TL;DR
A Family Handyman report points out four secondary features that may be built into common household tools: wire cutters on some pliers, screw-cutting holes on some wire strippers, bottle openers on some manual can openers and nail files on many nail clippers. The features are not universal, so users should check their specific tool before relying on them.
Family Handyman has highlighted four secondary functions found on some common household tools: pliers that cut wire, wire strippers that shorten machine screws, manual can openers with bottle openers and nail clippers with built-in files. The report’s practical point is that a tool already in hand may handle a small task, though features vary by model and are not guaranteed to be present.
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Some pliers include cutting edges near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws. Those edges can trim soft wire, according to the report. It advises checking the tool rather than assuming the feature is there; some pliers may also include wire-stripping sections, which remove insulation without cutting through the wire itself.
Some wire strippers have threaded holes near the handles for cutting machine screws to length. The screw is placed in the correctly sized hole and the handles are squeezed. The report says this can be useful when fitting electrical fixtures or other hardware that calls for shorter screws. It does not say every wire stripper includes the feature.
On some manual can openers, a notch or hook serves as a bottle opener. Certain models also use magnets to lift a cut can lid, reducing the need to touch its sharp edge. Many nail clippers include a small folding or body-mounted file for smoothing rough nail edges; some also have a pointed end for cleaning beneath nails. Both features depend on the design.
Small Features, Fewer Tool Searches
The roundup offers a modest but practical reminder for household repairs and everyday grooming: some tools combine more than one function, which can save a trip back to a toolbox or drawer for a small job. The benefit depends on having the right model and using the added feature for its intended purpose.
Checking for built-in cutters, screw-cutting holes or files may help people make better use of tools they already own. That does not make a secondary feature a substitute for a dedicated tool in every situation. Users should confirm that a feature matches the material and task before applying force, and avoid using a tool in a way its design does not support.
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Four Familiar Tool Designs
The report frames these as model-dependent features, not a claim that all tools in each category have the same additions. It cites product information from Channellock and Klein Tools for pliers and wire strippers, along with examples from OXO and Zwilling for a can opener and nail clippers. Its cited sources also include a Milwaukee Tool utility knife, although the supplied report excerpt does not describe a fifth feature.
The core examples concern compact tasks: trimming soft wire, shortening a machine screw, opening a bottle, lifting a can lid and smoothing a nail edge. The report does not provide measurements of how common the features are or evidence that most owners overlook them. Its headline’s suggestion that many people never use them is not quantified in the provided material.
“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 widely each feature appears across products, nor does it compare the performance of built-in functions with dedicated tools. Availability and placement vary by model, so readers should inspect product documentation or the tool itself. The report does not provide a complete safety guide for using these features or specify limits for every material or task.
The headline says the features are ones most people never use, but the material provided does not include survey data or other evidence measuring how often owners notice or use them. That description should be read as a general framing, not a quantified finding.
Check the Tool Before Using It
No follow-up study, product launch or other next milestone is identified in the supplied material. For readers, the immediate next step is straightforward: check the specific tool’s markings and instructions to see whether it includes the feature and how it is meant to be used.
For electrical work, users should follow applicable safety instructions and not treat a built-in screw cutter or wire stripper as a substitute for safe work practices. The report’s examples are small conveniences; it does not establish that any one of them is suitable for every repair.
Key Questions
Do all pliers have wire cutters?
No. The report says some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge. Check the specific tool before using it to trim wire.
How can wire strippers cut machine screws?
Some models have threaded holes near the handles. A screw is placed in a correctly sized hole and the handles are squeezed to cut it to length. Not every wire stripper has this feature.
Can a manual can opener open bottles?
Some manual can openers include a bottle-opening notch or hook, but the design varies. Look for the feature on the specific model.
What extra features may nail clippers have?
Many include a small nail file for smoothing edges. Some designs also have a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails.
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