This item is great for working with old nails and screws. It grabs and pulls nails much better than a clawed hammer or nail puller, or cuts them off with one hand. He can grab the screws and even unscrew or cut the plug with one hand. Not *completely* flush cut - maybe a 1/16" stub left, but 95% of the time when I'm grabbing a nail instead of cutting it, I'll pry it sideways and pull it out. Amazing to remove shit sticking out of nails and screws from how to remove the ceiling and prepare new walls in a room in an old house.