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A Family Handyman report describes extra functions found on some common tools: pliers that cut wire, wire strippers that shorten machine screws, can openers with bottle openers, and nail clippers with files. These features vary by model, so users should check their tool’s design and instructions before relying on them.
A Family Handyman report has highlighted four less-obvious features on everyday tools: some pliers can cut wire, some wire strippers can shorten machine screws, some manual can openers include bottle openers, and many nail clippers have a fold-out file. The functions are model-dependent, so the presence and design of each feature should be checked before use.
On some pliers, a cutting edge sits near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws. It can be used to trim soft wire, potentially avoiding the need to reach for a separate cutter. The report cautions that not all pliers include this edge. It also distinguishes wire cutters from wire strippers: strippers are designed to remove insulation without cutting through the conductor, and some tools combine both functions.
Some wire strippers have threaded holes near the handles for cutting machine screws to a shorter length. The user places the screw in the hole sized for it and squeezes the handles. Family Handyman says this can be useful when installing electrical fixtures or other hardware that requires shorter screws. The source does not give a universal method for every tool, so users should follow the specific tool’s markings and instructions.
Some manual can openers have a bottle opener built into the handle or near the cutting mechanism, sometimes in the form of a notch or hook. Other can-opener designs use a magnet to lift a cut lid, reducing the need to touch its sharp edge. Nail clippers may have a small metal file that folds out from beneath the lever or sits along the body. Some also include a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails, though the location and design differ between models.
Small Features, Fewer Tool Changes
Recognizing a built-in function can save time on a small repair or household task: a suitable pair of pliers may cut soft wire, while a can opener with a bottle-opening notch can serve another purpose without adding a separate item to the work area. A nail clipper’s file can also smooth an edge immediately after trimming.
The practical benefit depends on having the right feature and using it for its intended purpose. These secondary functions do not make every tool interchangeable, and a feature that is absent or unsuitable can lead to damaged material or an unsafe result. For electrical work, users should follow the product’s instructions and applicable safety requirements; a built-in screw cutter is not a substitute for proper electrical precautions or professional help where needed.
combination pliers with wire cutter
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Features Depend on the Model
The report’s central qualification is that designs vary. It cites product information from Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling, among other sources, while describing functions available on some versions of these everyday tools. Those references do not establish that every product from a brand, or every tool in a category, has the same extra feature.
Several examples are easy to miss because they are compact or positioned away from the tool’s main working area: a cutter sits close to pliers’ hinge, screw-sizing holes can be near wire-stripper handles, and a file may be folded against a nail clipper. Checking the tool itself and its manufacturer’s instructions is the practical way to confirm what it can do.
wire stripper with machine screw cutter holes
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Which Models Include Each Feature
The source describes features found on some tools, not a complete inventory of products or models. It does not specify how common each feature is, how many owners use it, or whether every example is suitable for every material or task. The headline’s reference to functions “most people never use” is not supported by usage data in the supplied material.
It is also unclear which specific models readers own or whether their tools’ instructions permit a particular use. The report does not provide a comprehensive safety assessment or model-by-model guidance. Users should confirm the feature’s purpose, capacity and correct technique from the manufacturer rather than assume that a similar-looking notch or opening has the same function.
manual can opener with built-in bottle opener
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Check Before Putting It to Use
No further announcement or product change is described in the source. The practical next step is to inspect the tool and consult its instructions: look near the pliers’ hinge for a cutter, check wire strippers for screw-cutting holes and size markings, and examine a can opener’s handle and cutting assembly for a bottle opener or lid magnet. On nail clippers, check beneath the lever or along the body for a folding file.
If a tool does not clearly have the feature—or its instructions do not explain the intended use—use the appropriate dedicated tool instead. That is especially relevant when cutting screws for electrical fixtures or handling sharp wire and can lids.
nail clippers with fold-out nail file
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Key Questions
Can all pliers cut wire?
No. Some pliers have a cutting edge near the hinge, but the report says this feature is not present on every pair. Check the tool’s design and instructions before using it to cut wire.
How do wire strippers shorten 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 cut it. Follow the tool’s markings and manufacturer instructions.
Do manual can openers have bottle openers?
Some do. The bottle opener may appear as a notch or hook on the handle or near the cutting mechanism. Other models may instead include a magnet to lift a cut can lid.
Where is the file on a nail clipper?
On many models, a small metal file folds out beneath the lever or sits along the clipper’s body. Placement varies, and some clippers also include a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails.
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