As anyone with limited hand function knows, stuff ends up on the floor — frequently. I function on my right side as a weak C6 and on my left as a decent C7 with a tricep, and over the years, reaching for dropped items has grown more difficult, especially since my power wheelchair sits higher off the ground. So I was excited to review the Grip-Free Grabber by KFK Designs. It is one of the adaptive tools designed by Kelly Ferguson, a C5 quad with a degree in mechanical engineering. The company’s website says its grabber “allows anyone with weak or limited hand function to use a reaching device.” 

The Grip-Free Grabber comes in three lengths: Youth (30 inches), Standard (36 inches) and Long (48 inches). I tried both the Standard and Long versions. Pushing down a plunger at the top of the grabber opens the pincers at the bottom, and my left hand could easily do so. However, operating the Standard-length grabber from my power chair proved difficult and time-consuming. For me, the Long grabber was quicker and easier to use. It’s definitely a better option for power chair users. 

Other aspects to consider about the Grip-Free Grabber: 

• The Grip-Free Grabber’s grip. The grabber pincers close as you let off on the plunger. If you can maintain a decent amount of pressure on the plunger, you can keep them open enough to grip an object gently. If not, they may crush more delicate items like food, paper, pills, etc.  

• The Grip-Free Grabber is affordable at $48 for Standard, $42 for Youth and $55 for Long.  

• The Grip-Free Grabber requires use of both hands, one to stabilize the grabber and the other to push the plunger. It can be used in either hand. The functionality of the Grip-Free Grabber will vary from person to person since no two SCIs or disabilities are the same.  

Overall, I found the Grip-Free Grabber to be a well-designed and lightweight reacher for people with limited hand function, especially considering its affordable price. However, I feel it requires more function, strength and balance than the QUADTOOLS Reacher (reviewed below). The makers of the Grabber say that since I demoed the product, they have removed an internal spring, which they found was making it difficult for many users to opens the grippers. They are offering 100% refunds for anyone who isn’t satisfied with the product and say they can add the spring back for customers who’d prefer. For more information and ordering, visit the KFK Designs website. 

QUADTOOLS Reacher: More-Expensive and More-Functional 

Before trying the Grip-Free Grabber, I’d been using the QUADTOOLS Reacher. It too is an extended-reach grabber that can be used by people with limited hand function. It is made from lightweight aluminum and steel, and available in lengths from 17 inches to 48 inches.  

You open and close its gripping mechanism entirely through wrist extension. I find it easy to use and to modulate the amount of pinch, letting me pick up delicate items without crushing them. Since the QUADTOOLS Reacher requires only one arm and tenodesis, the other arm is free to move your chair or stabilize your upper body.  

The main drawback to the QUADTOOLS Reacher is the cost. Depending on length and whether you’re getting the lightweight or heavy-duty model, it runs from $229-$299. Visit the QUADTOOLS website for more info and to check out their other products, like wrist-activated BBQ tongs and a quad-friendly kitchen knife.