Because its shaft bends, the Magnetic Pick-up Tool: Flexible allows one to pick up small metal items (e.g., nut, bolt, screw, wrench, pliers) from areas otherwise not reachable by hand or even with a telescoping magnetic tool. To prevent the magnet from sticking to other metallic objects during retrieval, most models have a fingertip controller or plunger mechanism whereby the magnet either stays inside the shaft until exposed or is energized (i.e., turned on) when the target item is reached.