Grant Lamontagne
Head Turd Polisher
Administrator
Absolutely No Life Club
   
Offline
 Canada
Posts: 22,013
Optimus Instrumenti Est Inter Vestri
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« on: January 23, 2010, 07:29:47 am » |
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These were released last year, but due to some manufacturing errors, were quickly recalled and re-released.  The new version has Zytel instead of regular plastic and so should stand up to more punishment and still look good.  The design of the SL Plier is interesting, with a one handed opening blade, pliers and two double ended screwdriver bits. The pliers have a spring with helps the jaws pop back open during use.  When closed they are actually quite sleek looking and quite manageable with only the pocket clip as a carry method.  One double ended bit slips into a slot on the outside of the body wheil the other rides in the bit holder, and tucks into a recess when folded, allowing you to have both bits handy at all times.  The drawback to these bits is that they are not a standard 1/4" size, so you are pretty much stuck wit hthe ones that are included. I am sure Bob will have more information on these eventually as he's more familiar with them than I am. Def
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Freudian Frog
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« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2010, 07:39:27 am » |
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So what changes were made? Is my memory correct that it used to have fixed drivers instead of those bits? 
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Don't take me seriously! What is wrong with you people?!
Gadget <3 Guy! And sometimes Chako too. ^_~
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J-sews
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« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2010, 07:53:18 am » |
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The cruddy fixed drivers  which I found so appalling in my review from a few months ago, was exactly why the original models were sent back. (it appears I somehow obtained one that slipped past the recall) Here's my old one:  The new model, done up properly with hex bits of proper-looking geometry, should be far superior.  I have a sample of the new one to put up against my old one when I get home, with the expectation that my review will need to be updated.
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Freudian Frog
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« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2010, 07:54:44 am » |
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Now it seems like a proper plier+knife tool! I may have to get one. 
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Don't take me seriously! What is wrong with you people?!
Gadget <3 Guy! And sometimes Chako too. ^_~
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hawkchucker
Hawkchucker
No Life Club
  
Offline
 United States
Posts: 4,509
Ill make you my Bitch
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« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2010, 11:32:07 am » |
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I really thinlit is Neat, but not my bag. It just looks too "clunky" for me to use.
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Semper Fi.
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Raukodur
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« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2010, 11:33:52 am » |
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is it just me who things this is an incredibly ugly tool?
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"That is not dead which can eternal lie, and in strange aeons even death may die..." 
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Magnus
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« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2010, 12:00:41 pm » |
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is it just me who things this is an incredibly ugly tool?
ugly and plasticky.
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If the primates that we came from had known that someday politicians would come out of the gene pool, they'd have stayed up in the trees and written evolution off as a bad idea. Hell, I always thought the opposable thumb was overrated. - "Babylon 5: A Distant Star"
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AHB
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« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2010, 12:03:50 pm » |
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I'm not gonna comment on how it look, but I really don't like springs... 
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 Needed: Pocket Clip for Leatherman Kick - Allan |
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J-sews
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« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2010, 04:54:24 pm » |
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Best part about the SL Plier is its AUS8 knife blade, which is a useful shape, folds out smoothly, and locks securely. In knife mode the entire tool feels like a good medium-quality folder and is quite comfortable in hand. The pliers and drivers I think have to be viewed as secondary accessories, and therefore are somewhat of a compromise. The SL Plier is sort of a missing link between typical plier multitools and Swiss Army Knives. The SL Plier's knife blade is bigger and more useful than any blade typically found on a similar sized multitool, yet the pliers are bigger and more useful than those typically found on a SAK. 
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Raukodur
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« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2010, 05:33:59 pm » |
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Best part about the SL Plier is its AUS8 knife blade, which is a useful shape, folds out smoothly, and locks securely. In knife mode the entire tool feels like a good medium-quality folder and is quite comfortable in hand. The pliers and drivers I think have to be viewed as secondary accessories, and therefore are somewhat of a compromise. The SL Plier is sort of a missing link between typical plier multitools and Swiss Army Knives. The SL Plier's knife blade is bigger and more useful than any blade typically found on a similar sized multitool, yet the pliers are bigger and more useful than those typically found on a SAK.  I agree with all that Bob  But, the look of a tool is quite important, to me especially, and there are so many different ugly aspects to that tool... If they had got the looks right, I think I may have even preferred it to the skeletool, but as it stands, I wouldnt touch it with a bargepole.
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"That is not dead which can eternal lie, and in strange aeons even death may die..." 
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WhichDawg
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« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2010, 05:57:56 pm » |
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nice that they improved it, good effort  but the serrated blade (I really don't care for that style and serrations placement) and the non-standard size bits will keep me from buying it.
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trickknife
Full Member
 
Offline
Posts: 169
Deputy Dog
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« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2010, 03:08:05 am » |
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Looks are just okay on it, but the one handle looks like a juice and holds bits like a skeletool. Folded up though with the knife out, it doesn't look too bad.
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-Rick
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1jump2many
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« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2010, 11:34:44 pm » |
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I'm not gonna comment on how it look, but I really don't like springs...  Good eye AHB, I didn't notice the spring until you mentioned it. I totally agree, I don't like them either.
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nuphoria
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« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2010, 01:13:40 am » |
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I really like the concept of this tool a lot, but I think they have let the side down a bit with aesthetics and really missed the mark with the bit sizes  Maybe they'll make a Mark II without these problems eventually 
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J-sews
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« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2010, 02:59:26 am » |
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I really like the concept of this tool a lot, but I think they have let the side down a bit with aesthetics and really missed the mark with the bit sizes  Maybe they'll make a Mark II without these problems eventually  Hmmm, can someone check the bit size on a Vic Cybertool for me? These look to be the same thing.
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