VADO SL Shimano SLX CN M7100 Chain question

[GuruUno]

Wishing to have a spare chain as I reach 2,000 miles on the Vado SL I ordered 2 and am bringing 1 of them with me to Florida, just in case...(bike is already shipped, chains were not available prior to shipping of bike)
I use hot wax and am prepping it.
I measured the original chain prior to shipping when I took it off the Wahoo Kickr earlier in the week.
With the quick link removed, it is 61". (photo supplied for reference)
The new chain (128 links) is 62-1/2"
I need to remove 4 links to match the old chain.
In October 2020 I got on Amazon a 1 to 12-speed chain tool to break links.
It does not accept the Shimano chain (it doesn't fit the tool).
(see https://www.amazon.com/Universal-To...3512871&sprefix=pro+tool+chain,aps,92&sr=8-13)
Is the Shimano chain an oddball 12-speed chain that the tool does not work with a 1 to 12-speed tool or needs a special tool??
Is the tool not correct and do I need to buy a different tool?
Can I leave it at the length it is?
Finally, this article says do this do that, is there any validity to the references made?
See: https://dansbikeblog.com/article/how-calculate-correct-chain-length-shimano-12-speed-drivetrain

 

[fooferdoggie]

it should though it says it wont work with kmc and sram 12 speed. is the pin too large? does it have a extra pin or maybe the one flips around? looks like the older one had issues this one seems to not be a problem. usually one tool cant work with all chains. https://www.amazon.com/PRO-BIKE-TOO...&sprefix=bike+chain+tool,aps,276&sr=8-21&th=1

 

[mschwett]

there are mixed reports of which chain tools work with the “new” shimano 12 speed chains, the sure bet is shimano‘s TL-CN29. park CT-3.3 also specifically states it works with shimano 12 speed chains, and is cheaper. these should be more common now that bikes are shipping with 12 speed dura ace and ultegra, for which shimano used the same chains as the MTB 12 speed.

personally, i‘d size it to match the original even if it would work with a longer chain.

 

[GuruUno]

It's the link not fitting in the cradle of the tool