For frequent travelers and tech enthusiasts, the struggle is real: essential multitools often get confiscated at airport security due to their blades, leaving you stranded without screwdrivers, pliers, or scissors mid-journey. This gap in everyday carry (EDC) gear prompted ZDNET Senior Contributing Editor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes to investigate the NexTool Mini Sailor Pliers Lite—a multitool marketed as TSA-friendly. His real-world experiments across international flights reveal not just compliance, but a surprisingly robust solution for on-the-go fixes.

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The NexTool multitool in action, showcasing its compact, blade-free design.

The NexTool Mini Sailor, priced at $21.98, eliminates the blade entirely to meet TSA guidelines, which prohibit knives but allow scissors under 4 inches. Instead, it packs needle-nose pliers with wire cutters, functional scissors, a bottle opener, a SIM ejector, and both Phillips and flathead screwdrivers into a 2.78-inch stainless steel frame weighing just 2.38 ounces. Kingsley-Hughes notes, "All the tools are decent quality, and can actually do the job they claim to do," highlighting the scissors' effectiveness for tasks like cutting medical tape and the pliers' utility for luggage repairs.

The true test came during flights from Manchester, UK, to Alicante, Spain. Initially, the tool passed through Manchester's scanners unnoticed in a carry-on. On the return trip, Kingsley-Hughes deliberately carried it in his pocket to provoke inspection. After triggering alarms at Alicante Airport, security staff examined the tool but returned it immediately, deeming it harmless. "This tool shouldn't have a problem traveling alongside you," he concludes, emphasizing that while security protocols vary, the blade-free design consistently avoids confiscation.

For developers and tech professionals who juggle travel with on-the-fly gadget fixes, the implications are clear: this multitool bridges the gap between airport compliance and practical functionality. Its affordability also reduces the sting of potential loss. As Kingsley-Hughes advises, it’s a worthy addition to any travel kit—proving that innovation in EDC doesn’t require compromising on security or utility.

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Close-up of the NexTool's tools, demonstrating their durability and design.