The nut tool, in the entire history of its existence, has pretty much been an incomplete piece of climbing equipment. Manufacturers provide the tool, basically a narrow hook that can withstand frustrated climbers beating the shit out of it while trying to push, pull and yank stubborn chocks and cams out of cracks while following climbs and cursing their partner. But until recently, they've always left it up to you to figure out how to not lose it, should you drop it.

I'll tell you, few things are worse than coming up on a stopper that your partner placed, then set, in an awkward stance, or a cam that he/she jammed in there in a fit of desperation. Then you have to get it out, hanging onto that awkward stance for 10 seconds to 5 minutes. And you can't drop that nut tool. Most people just clipped a carabiner on the non-business end of the nut tool, and clipped that to their harness. Or you clipped a shoulder-length runner to it, and another carabiner, so you had some insurance while you were hacking away at that f%$*ing stopper. But then you still only had about two feet of freedom.   

Enter the $3 hardware store plastic coil keychain. Clip a hardware store, not-for-climbing carabiner to one of the key rings, clip the other end to your nut tool, and you've got a piece of pure dirtbag awesomeness in your hand. Hang off a finger lock with your other hand, stretch that nut tool out there and hack away, no limits on how far you are from the offending piece of pro. If you're pumped by the time you free it, simply let the nut tool fall to the end of the coil keychain and climb up to a better rest before you clip it back to your harness.

No need to figure this out, Metolius, BD, DMM -- my neighborhood Ace Hardware store has me covered.