Smart ideas in 2 Handee Angler's Utility Tool
A few weeks ago we spent some time with Toyota Tundra prostaffer Gerald Swindle of Alabama, and he turned us on to a cool little utility gizmo that obviously has had input from anglers.
A lot of Bass Junkies will buy toenail clippers at the store and use them for clipping line or spinnerbait skirts, or maybe notching a soft plastic bait to add more action to appendages. But the clippers, while useful, are pretty much one-dimensional.
Swindle showed us the new 2 Handee Angler's Utility Tool, which is produced by 2 Handee founders Tim "Buck" Reid and Sha "Beel" Fister of Nicholasville, Ky. Because we are Bass Junkies and like to check out anything new or different, we were all over this like a deer on ripe persimmons.
"I came across their booth at the ICAST show where I was looking at everything and anything," Swindle said. "I liked their product and told them I always was looking for quality tools to use in my boat. I think that's important because you need things that will work, stand up over time and will get the job done you need at that moment."
Swindle said he talked more with Reid and Fister, and now Swindle is promoting the 2 Handee Angler's Utility Tool. We think he made a smart choice because it's a very good item to have in your boat or tackle bag.
What you have is a toenail clipper with a replaceable, grooved sharpening stone for hook points, a non-slip grip, a small notch and large notch for tuning crankbaits, and a little point to clean the line-tie eye on jigs or hooks. There also is a hook degorger and a stainless steel knife blade with a smooth and serrated edge.
"That thing will cut you, too," Swindle said. "I just found this to be a very good item, good for the guy who needs all these things in one unit and it's reasonably priced. You can put it in your pocket, in a vest, in a bag or keep it in the boat with your pliers or other accessories."
The unit we've tried has done everything we've wanted, although we have had a little struggle clipping braided line. But we've had trouble using other similar clippers with braid, so that's common. Having the 2 Handee with us has been a blessing to touch up some dull spinnerbait hooks on the stone and eliminate paint on more than one jig eye.
The Inside Scoop
The 2 Handee Angler's Utility Tool is on sale for $19.45 at www.2handee.com, which also has links for dealer locations and for potential distributors interested in carrying it in stores.