ow many times have you tried to cut open a rigid plastic blister pack or slice through heavy rope with tiny, pathetic scissors that barely catch the material? Typical pocket tools cram a dozen useless gizmos into the handle while leaving you with garbage blades for actual work. The new NexTool Flagship F20 fixes this by ditching the fluff and putting cutting tools front and center. Priced at $44.99, the NexTool F20 packs spring-loaded pliers, full-sized scissors, and a locking blade into a steel body just 3.2 inches long, according to the source.
The secret is a restructured layout. NexTool proved that a pocket multi-tool can actually cut things if you drop the junk tools and include normal scissors. Available on NexTool and Amazon since October 2026 for $44.99, the device weighs roughly 5.2 ounces, making it practical for everyday carry without dragging your pockets down.
Engineering layout and working parts
To squeeze proper cutting tools into a compact frame, the manufacturer used a three-handle design. Each primary tool operates independently while the others stay folded, providing separate gripping surfaces within a single metal chassis. A return spring automatically pushes the handles apart after you press them, saving you from manually prying your fingers open with every single movement.
They are crafted from 5Cr15MoV stainless steel and feature a serrated edge—a wavy tooth pattern that bites into material and stops it from sliding around while you cut.
The scissors use 5Cr15MoV stainless steel blades about 2.3 mm thick, featuring serrated cutting edges and a spring-loaded mechanism.
This safety margin lets you chew through stubborn packaging, strapping bands, and ropes without worrying about bending flimsy metal plates.
Knife, screwdriver, and format compromises
Beyond scissors and pliers, the kit includes a folding blade with a length of about 2.4 inches made of 8Cr14MoV stainless steel. The advertised blade hardness sits at HRC 57–59, and a reliable lock holds it open during work to protect your fingers from accidental folding. For minor repairs, there is an extended folding arm with a reversible double-ended bit made of S2 steel, covering flathead and Phillips drives. In its folded state, the gadget measures roughly 3.21 by 1.32 by 0.79 inches, with a weight of about 147 grams.
Of course, you cannot fool the laws of physics, and a compact format brings limitations. Because the handles are short, the tool gives you less leverage than full-sized alternatives, so serious mechanical repairs are out of the question. On top of that, the design lacks a standard saw and a can opener, which limits its usefulness on long camping trips. The manufacturer backs the whole thing with a 10-year limited warranty against defects in materials and assembly.
For this kind of money, you get an honest tool for everyday tasks where cutting takes priority over a marketing bullet-point count. If you constantly tear open packages, strip wires, and tackle quick fixes without lugging a heavy bag around, the F20 fully earns its price tag.
Against the field
Buyers gain genuine cutting leverage for everyday packages and small repairs at the direct expense of backcountry readiness after NexTool chose to streamline the F20. The designers deliberately excluded the customary saw and can opener, dedicating the metal chassis entirely to spring-loaded shears, pliers, and an independent locking blade. While the three-handle layout delivers solid handling for trimming cables and zip ties, its compact form factor fundamentally lacks the leverage needed for heavier mechanical tasks. Will NexTool’s $44.99 three-handle cutter convince buyers to permanently drop heavier traditional multitools in favor of dedicated shears and a knife?