Jefferson Tool - The Extractor Extracting Pliers

Editor's Review: A Better Grip on Errant Nails

In the past, I dealt with errant nails by using the same tools as everyone else: pliers, Channellocks, Vise-Grips, or whatever else happened to be lying around at the time. I pretty much had decided that end nippers were the best tool for the job because they're small, compact, and effective at gripping thin-gauge pneumatic trim nails. The only downside to a good pair of end nippers is that they're sharp, meaning there's a risk of snapping off the nail, which creates more problems. When I first saw The Extractor, I was keen to give it a go.

The tool looks like an offset version of standard Channellocks, but it needs only about 1/8 in. of exposed nail to get a good grip. And the curved, broad shoulder on the tool makes for a smooth nail extraction without marring the surface of the wood.

I'm a little hard-pressed to find any downside other than size (just shy of 11 in. long), which, frankly, is another reason why it makes pulling nails so easy. My tool belt weighs enough as it is, but The Extractor certainly will stay in a bucket close at hand. If I have a pile of nails to pull, that's what I'm grabbing.

Editor Test Results: