If you imagine the pliers lying flat on a table, one handle will fold up while the other would fold down through the table. So if you open a blade, then unfold one handle 180 degrees, you have an 8-inch handle. Or if you unfold a handle 90 degrees, you have a T-handle. These hinges, and somewhat lightweight construction, make the handles flex when you squeeze the pliers, and you could pinch your palm between them if the jaws slip off the work. Also, vigorous twisting while squeezing the pliers could cause a handle to fold accidentally.
All blades lock open and unlock easily.
Twisting pliers while gripping might fold handles accidentally. Instead, the head retracts into and slides out of the handles. Since the blades open from the insides of the handles, the Gerber is exceptionally comfortable in your hand. The handles can pinch your hands if the jaws slip off the work, however. The pliers are too blunt to be called needle-nose, but the tip is so carefully machined that when you close the jaws, the line between them actually disappears.