The Byrdrench multi-tool adds a few twists to the typical knife and pliers combo we’re all familiar with. One difference: you get a pair of slip joint pliers rather than the standard needle nose pliers you find in most multi-tools. And the Byrdrench splits apart into separate tools, which really sets it apart from the pack.
Does your multi-tool have an adjustable hydrant wrench? How about a non-sparking hammer, or a gas valve shut-off tool? Next time you need a spanner wrench or a sturdy pry blade, you’ll wish you had the EMI 511 Tool on your belt.
Just over a foot long and weighing one lb, this special-purpose tool will normally set you back about $50, but the Fire Store sells it for $30.
EMI 511 Fire/Rescue Tool [Lab Safety Supply]
EMI 511 Fire/Rescue Tool [The Fire Store]
When you’re trying to outrun the retched remains of humanity on your way to Bartertown you just can’t pack that much gear. The ATAX multi-purpose survival axe will likely give you the most bang for your survival buck. With this little wonder you can cut down a tree, shoot an arrow at a deer, skin that deer, tell time, and estimate distance, as well as single-handedly rebuild a just and noble human civilization.*
Badass survivalist Ron Wood, whose badassedness rivals that of even Chuck Norris himself, designed the ATAX. You can either use it as a knife or lash it to a stick and use it like an axe. The high-carbon steel main blade measures 4-1/2″ with the tool’s overall length coming in at 5-1/2″.
With the various metrics laser-etched on the blade, you can tell time (like with a sundial), measure angles, and judge distances. With some slingshot tubing, you can turn the ATAX into an arrow launcher for hunting game. The micarta handle conceals a small storage area for various survival items like matches and twine and MacGyver brand paper clips.
If you can’t remember all the uses, the ATAX actually comes with an instructional DVD to show you how to use it. As Mad Max can tell you, survival doesn’t come cheap — the ATAX runs about $150 to $200.
ATAX [Survival.com]
ATAX on sale [OsoGrandeKnives.com]
ATAX on sale [Hoods Woods]
*Your results may vary.
I hate having a ton of junk in my pockets, even when that junk is useful, so this cool Kershaw carabiner caught my eye. It incorporates a little serrated blade into the body as well as two screwdrivers and the obligatory bottle opener. “Cool, I can clip my junk outside my pockets,” I thought. Then I saw the asking price: around $35. That seemed a bit steep — and after doing some shopping I found out exactly how steep it was.
To make cutting flexible duct easier, Malco makes one wicked looking cross between an insulation knife and a pair of wire snippers. Simply grab the non-slip vinyl handles and use the double-edged stainless steel blade to easily slice through the insulation. Finish the cut by snipping the inner rib coil with the compound action wire cutters.
At $30 or so, this might not be for just anybody’s toolbox, but if you’re installing an HVAC system this tool could save you some time. Just be careful carrying this bad boy in your tool pouch.
Flex Duct Cutter [Malco]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon
LoggerHead Tools, makers of the Bionic Wrench and the Bionic Grip, now offers the ImmIX multi-tool with Bionic Wrench technology. The ImmIX 10X combines a Bionic Wrench with two retractable, stainless steel blades, a bit driver, and ten bits — slotted, Phillips, Torx, and Robertson — in a rubber carrier/grip. Replace the knife blades with ten more bits in a second rubber carrier, and you have the ImmIX 20X.
After a hard day slogging through the woods, you may want to swap your normal pocket knife for the French Army Bivouac Knife. Standard issue in the French Infantry, this knife unfolds to give you everything needed to eat your hard-earned meal.
Everyone loves a quality combo tool. But here’s a combination tool that I don’t quite understand: a multi-driver/saw blade holder. I can’t think of a job for which I’ve ever needed just a saw and a screwdriver without also requiring a box full of tools. Also, I’m not exactly how they get four (”Quad”) tools out of this device. I only recognize two: a multipurpose blade holder, and a multibit screwdriver.
I do like the fact that its handle locks into both straight and pistol grip positions. At one end of the handle there’s a quick-change locking chuck that holds standard recip saw blades, and there’s a magnetic bit holder. The cap at the other end holds seven insert bits inside the handle. All the blades, the magnetic bit holder, and the handle fit into the handy carrying case.
Lets tally the included pieces: three reciprocating saw blades (drywall, metal, wood), seven insert bits, a 1/4” socket adapter, a 4” magnetic insert bit holder, dual position locking handle, and travel holster with belt clip. That’s 14 pieces if you include the holster. All this can be yours for $17.
But is this multi-tool something you’d use, or is it just another poorly thought out marketing gimmick? Let us know in comments.
Quad Saw/Driver [Manufacturer]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon
Yep, the LagPull is just a stupid bucket handle. But if you deal with buckets and pails all day long, your hands will thank you for taking the time to learn about this product. Manufactured from a durable polyethylene plastic, the Lagpull 4-in-1 Bucket Tool makes carrying one to five gallon cans and buckets more comfortable, and the stainless steel lid-lifter tool lifts the tabs on five gallon plastic buckets and opens pour spouts.
Sometimes the easiest way to connect your TV to the incoming cable is to drill through the floor. Is it the best way? Heck no! But can you imagine how much longer it would take to get your cable installed if installers actually fished the wire through the wall and terminated it in a clean-looking receptacle.
When drilling a hole through carpet it tends to fray and the fibers wrap around the drill bit. Instead of a clean hole, you’re left with a tattered mess. Cable Prep, a company that specializes in tools for the Telcomm industry, manufactures the right tool for the job: the 4375 carpet cutter and drill guide.
Why spend the money to buy a separate laminate trimming router and spiral cutout saw when you can purchase one tool that will do both? Marvel — an MLCS brand — makes a motor-driven cutting tool with interchangeable bases and collets that allow you to route, cut, grind, and even engrave.
The ultimate way to break s$#! is to blow it up, and the folks over at Gerber offer a multi-tool designed especially for the trained demolition techicians whose job we all covet. The Gerber Multi-Plier 600 Demolition Explosive Technician Tool is the only multi-tool certified for explosive ordinance disposal units and follows U.S. miltary specifications.
The tool includes a non-reflective black coating, a blasting cap crimper, and a universal saw coupler with remGritT saw. You also get a standard cross point screwdriver, large, meduim, and small flat- blade screwdrivers, a file, a bottle opener, a lanyard, and a nice ballistic nylon sheath.
And right now you can pick one up from Snapberry for just $79.05 with $8 shipping.
G7400 DET Tool [Gerber Tools]
Gerber G7400 DET [Snapberry]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Firefighters know about speedy demolition — because their lives (and sometimes yours) depend on it. And one of their faves for getting through a structure fast is the Truckmans Axe. Over at firestore.com you can get your own Truckmans axe for just $55 — and just $75 if you get want a fire-retardant belt scabbard, too.
Check out Amazon’s sweet 10% off knives and multitools sale. A few gift-worthy items include the Gerber Paraframe set, Leatherman Micra and Squirt tools, and SOG’s combo-blade Flash, all also eligible for the 4-for-3 sale.
You can’t really go wrong with this kind of selection in tools. They are all solid toolbelt options for on the jobsite or around the house.
Gerber Paraframe Set Via Amazon 
Leatherman Micra Amazon
Leatherman Squirt Amazon
SOG Flash Amazon
Leatherman’s new Skeletool is a stripped down, lightweight (five ounces!) multi-tool with all the tools you expect from a Leatherman: a screwdriver, a knife, and pliers. And unlike with previous Leathermans, the knife and the bottle opener (the hook at the back) are accessible without opening the tool. Oh yeah — it also looks bad ass.
It’s refreshing to see a multi-tool that doesn’t try to be all things to all people. Instead, the Cabinet Jack focuses specifically on cabinet making needs, assisting in tasks like cleaning up hinge mortises and ease edges. Carrying the ‘Jack in your pocket might save you a walk to dig out a corner chisel, plane, marking knife, or some other unitasker.
Paratech’s Biel tool incorporates a lot of the features found on their larger forced entry tools – which are popular among firefighters – but it’s small enough to carry in your turnout gear. It’s a multi-tool by definition, but it’s designed for forcing open doors, windows, hasps, and locks. It can also be used for chopping through drywall, pulling down lathe and wires, and pretty much any kind of general destruction.
www.flickr.com
|
