Just Wanted to Show Off My Favorite Accessory. (The Pliers)
You can tell a lot about a person by the tools they keep close. Some people treasure their watches, others their rings, maybe a well-worn pair of sunglasses. For me, it’s a humble set of pliers—unassuming, weathered, reliable. Not flashy, not trendy, but endlessly useful. And yes, I’ll say it: my favorite accessory.
These pliers have been through it all. They’ve pulled nails from stubborn wood, twisted metal wire into shape, fixed leaking hoses, bent bolts into submission, and pried open jammed lids when no jar opener could. They’ve been the hero of countless last-minute fixes and impromptu repairs. More than just a tool, they’ve become a sort of talisman—representing self-reliance, grit, and the quiet satisfaction of solving a problem with your own two hands.
I didn’t always appreciate pliers. When I was younger, I didn’t think much of tools in general. They were things my father kept in the garage, lined up on a pegboard or rattling around in a rusty red toolbox. Back then, I thought they were just part of the background noise of adulthood—like taxes or car insurance. But one day, while trying to fix a broken lamp cord, I reached for his pliers, and everything changed.
They weren’t fancy. Just a basic pair of needle-nose pliers with chipped handles and a faint smell of engine grease. But when I used them to strip the wires and twist them back together, it felt like magic. In that small moment, I realized that power didn’t come from perfection—it came from utility, and these pliers were full of it. Since then, I’ve kept them close, packed in my bag, or tucked into my glove compartment. They’ve become a kind of security blanket with teeth.
There’s something satisfying about holding them. The weight is balanced, the grip firm but not rigid. They fit in your hand like they were always meant to be there. I’ve upgraded a few times—different styles for different jobs—but that first pair still holds a special place. I’ve learned that every person should have a go-to tool, something that makes them feel capable. For me, it’s not a smartphone or smartwatch—it’s steel and leverage, pure and simple.
It’s also about mindset. Wearing pliers on your belt (yes, I’ve done that) sends a subtle message: I’m ready. I’m prepared to fix, to tinker, to lend a hand. And honestly, in a world of instant gratification and throwaway culture, there’s something quietly radical about that.
So yes, I just wanted to show off my favorite accessory. Not a Rolex, not a designer bag—just a pair of pliers, worn and wonderful. They may not turn heads at a dinner party, but they turn bolts, solve problems, and get things done. And that, to me, is the very definition of cool.
In a society obsessed with image, I’ll take function any day. And in that regard, nothing beats my trusty pliers.
