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The TSA-approved multitool myth: I tested it on a plane so you don't have to

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NexTool Mini Multitool ZDNET's key takeaways The NexTool multitool is blade-free, making it TSA and airport security friendly.

The tool is compact and can be attached to a keychain

All the tools are decent quality, and can actually do the job they claim to be able to do. $21.98 at Amazon

I like my EDC (everyday carry) gadgets, but when I travel by air, I almost always end up having to empty my pockets of a lot of useful stuff. I find it handy and convenient to have a screwdriver, scissors, and a pair of pliers close at hand, but most multitools are a no-go at airports and on commercial aircraft, often confiscated.

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So, I was intrigued when I discovered that NexTool had a mini multitool called the Mini Sailor Pliers Lite, which was labeled as TSA-friendly.

NexTool's mini multitool fits the bill perfectly. It has no blade and features needle-nose pliers with wire cutters, tiny scissors, a bottle opener, a SIM extractor, and Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers. There's also a handy keyring for attaching it to your keys.

The tools are made from wear- and corrosion-resistant 420J2 stainless steel and are packaged into a multitool that measures 2.78 x 1 x 0.52 inches when closed and 4.1 inches when deployed, weighing just 2.38 oz.

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All the tools are functional: the pliers handle all the tasks I'd expect from a similarly sized tool, the screwdrivers fit a wide array of fasteners, and the bottle opener and SIM tray eject tool are nice touches for a tool designed with travel in mind.

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