Summer is in full blast, and I was outside putting the NexTool Camper Plier CP10 through its paces — a camping-focused multi-tool that had me genuinely impressed by the time I was done. If you’ve ever wished your toolbox could shrink down to pocket size without losing the tools that actually matter around a campsite, this might just be the answer.
What’s in the Box
The CP10 arrived in NexTool’s usual clean packaging, with the back of the box listing out the full tool roster: needle nose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, saw, bottle opener, can opener, tent stake puller, fire starter, flathead screwdriver, knife, clip, pocket clip, and scissors. That’s a solid lineup for a camping-oriented tool.
The specs were worth noting too. The main body materials are 420J1 and 30CR13 stainless steel, with the blade made from 5CR15 steel. Dimensions came in at 106 x 40 x 21 mm, and the weight was listed at 194 g (plus or minus 5 g) — a comfortable, pocketable size.
Inside the box, the CP10 came nestled in a pouch. The pouch material felt decent quality, though it was a simple design — Velcro closure, a belt loop for vertical carry, and nothing more. Functional, but nothing fancy.
First Impressions and Build Quality
The CP10 came in a really attractive black and khaki (or sand) colorway — very military in feel. NexTool’s workmanship was solid as expected, and the tool had a good weight to it without feeling excessive. It made a strong first impression right out of the pouch.
The Pliers
The pliers were spring-loaded, which made one-handed use much easier. Up close, they weren’t razor precise, but there was no play in them, which mattered more to me. The jaw offered needle nose sections, a bolt gripper area, and both hard and soft wire cutters — though there was no crimper.
I tested the pliers on solid core copper wire and they handled it well. Stranded wire was a bit of a struggle, which honestly was pretty typical for pliers of this style. I’d call the plier performance average overall — not a standout, but perfectly functional for camping use.
The Scissors — A Highlight
The scissors were probably my favorite part of the whole tool. The CP10 featured NexTool’s Next Scissors 2.0 system, which I had previous experience with on the NexTool K30. On that tool, the scissors disappointed me — the edge was straight and performance suffered. I was cautiously optimistic going into this test.
The CP10’s scissors were a completely different story. Cardboard — no problem. Packaging strap — no problem. String — the exact thing the K30 stumbled on — handled it without any fuss. Webbing cut cleanly. Even a zip tie was no match for these blades. These were genuinely excellent scissors, and exactly what the Next Scissors 2.0 system was supposed to deliver all along.
For what it’s worth, I did reach out to NexTool about the K30 issue, and they confirmed it was a bad batch. I was apparently unlucky enough to get one of those units. The CP10, however, showed me what the system was truly capable of.
A small bonus: the handle of the scissors doubled as a ruler, marked in centimeters up to about 6.75 cm. A nice touch for camp use.
The Knife Blade
The knife blade was outside-accessible with one-hand opening via a thumb hole — convenient and practical. The blade shape was a sheepsfoot profile, which was typical of NexTool’s lineup. It came sharp out of the box, which I always appreciated. Locking was handled by a liner lock, and closing was straightforward — just press the liner in and fold the blade down.
The Saw
The saw had aggressive, sharp, and pointy teeth — the kind that meant business. I did note that the finish would almost certainly wear off with regular use, but the cutting performance was what mattered. Like the knife, it locked in place with a liner lock. Solid and reliable.
The Ferro Rod Fire Starter
One of the more cleverly designed features was the ferro rod. It was removable, which made striking it with the saw much more natural and effective. Getting it back in place was a little fiddly — I had to line it up carefully, push it in, then fold it back — but once I got the hang of the motion, it became second nature.
The Rest of the Tools
Rounding out the tool set were a bottle opener and a tent stake puller, which worked on both metal and plastic pegs — a thoughtful inclusion for campers. There was also a can opener, which I was genuinely happy to see. A lot of modern multi-tools have dropped the can opener entirely, and having one here felt like NexTool actually thought about real camping scenarios.
A flathead screwdriver and a pocket clip rounded things out. The pocket clip was a welcome addition that made everyday carry much more practical.
Final Thoughts
The NexTool Camper Plier CP10 turned out to be a well-thought-out camping multi-tool that covered almost every base I could think of. The saw, fire starter, pliers, knife, bottle opener, can opener, and those stellar scissors made it a genuinely compelling package. The military-inspired colorway gave it a clean, purposeful look, and the build quality matched NexTool’s usual standard.
I found myself thinking this wasn’t just a tool I’d throw in a camp bag — it was something I’d seriously consider for everyday carry as well. The scissors alone elevated it above a lot of competitors in this space.
If you’re heading into camping season and want one tool that handles the essentials without bulk, the CP10 deserves a serious look. Have you been considering a camping multi-tool for your kit? Would you take the CP10 out into the field — or even make it your daily carry? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — I’d love to hear where you’d take this one.
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