FlipGrip: Flip, Grip and Pinch
By Sean O'Hara
As tired as I am of gimmicky multi-tools, Allied’s latest offering — the FlipGrip dual jaw multi-tool — still caught my attention. Apparently “flip grip” means that the grip flips back to expose a dual-headed set of pliers at the center pivot point.
The pliers look fairly useable and are much less ridiculous than some others I’ve seen. The Flip Grip also carries the standard array of saws, bottle openers and blades as well as a bit compartment in one of the handles that holds four screwdriver bits of various sizes.
The whole rig streets for around $20, and it actually looks a lot better than its name makes it sound. In fact, when you play with one it brings back visions of high school when I spent hours trying to master a stupid butterfly knife – only the FlipGrip is a bunch more useful and probably wouldn’t get confiscated so quickly.
FlipGrip Multi-Tool [Allied Tools]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
March 26th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Fascinating! It’s similar to the SwitchGrip pliers that Radio Shack’s been carrying for a few years, but adds the typical multi-tool accessories in the handles. I think I like it.
I don’t know if I like two sets of pliers, though. One set of pliers, and one set of diagonal cutters, strikes me as more useful. Still, it’s good to see manufacturers moving in this direction!
March 26th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
I like the idea of two types of pliers / tools in one and this design is not bad. I would have a pair of the Switch Grips that Nate mentioned except the fit and finish was so bad, I couldn’t bring myself to spend the money on them.
March 27th, 2007 at 12:33 am
It’s funny, RadioShack’s own site had some embarrassingly bad reviews of the SwitchGrip pliers/cutters. Said the jaw alignment was poor, among other things.
Maybe mine were from an early or late batch, before the quality went to crap or after it was straightened out, but I adore them. They’re not *precision* cutters, but they’re more than good enough for trimming tyraps and general work. I carry them in my backpack where size and weight preclude separate cutters and pliers.
Perhaps it’s telling that none of the big multi-tool names have picked up this flip idea. I can see how it’d be a bit tricky to build a seriously strong flip joint, but I actually think the way torque is applied should make it *easier* to make fairly precise jaws that don’t skew one way or the other when they’re under load. Not unlike the “box joint” pliers I like so much!
Whether existing flip pliers are crap or not, one thing’s for sure: I’d like to spend some time with more tools of this type, as hopefully the design gets improved and refined.
September 26th, 2007 at 8:45 am
I’ve carried them all(multitools), and I’ll tell ya this….Flip-Grip is one kick-ass great tool. I’ve carried Leathermans {hurts your hand when you use the pliers}, Gerber {would have been better had it been a Flip-Grip!, still love’em tho}, Swiss Army Knife {sorry, but I love MacGyver, but it just dosen’t go far enough}, Flip-Grips {I’m a Dumpster Diver by trade, and its been a life saver!} other than all that……..I’m quite happy with my Flip-Grip, Thank you very much.
If by chance you have other opinions ’bout this, please feel free to write:
ricHard Tymes
hardtymes@Gmail.com
{I love you Minneapolis, MN!!}