Case Fixxit

[J-sews]

Anybody ever heard of this thing? It's an oddball for sure. The only device from Case I'm aware of that could be called a multitool.



It basically consists of three sliders, each held in place by a knurled screw on the back.



Loosen the screw, extend the tool you want, then tighten the screw.



It's simple and basic. It's also very clumsy and slow to access. 



Useful in a pinch, but not if there is anything else nearby to use instead. Certainly not one of Blackie Collins' better designs. 

Bob

[J-sews]

I seem to remember that it was he who designed the Sog paratool , probably what I regard as his best design . Then the Case fixxit . And then the Meyerco paradox .

( Was the Paradox on the timeline thread ? )

Nope. Yet another one that I was unsure of the intro date. 

[supratentorial]

...The only device from Case I'm aware of that could be called a multitool.

I suppose it depends on one's definition of "multi-tool" but the Scout and Hobo patterns could also be considered multi-tools.  Victorinox calls their SAKs "multi-tools" and the Scout pattern isn't much unlike a SAK.

....Blackie Collins designs seem to have not been vary successful in the multis . ...I seem to remember that it was he who designed the Sog paratool , probably what I regard as his best design...

According to the patent, Spencer Frazer invented the Paratool.  He was given patent rights in 1993 (applied in 1992): http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT5267366

[supratentorial]

(photos)

[J-sews]

According to the patent, Spencer Frazer invented the Paratool.  He was given patent rights in 1993 (applied in 1992): http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT5267366

Here's Blackie Collin's original patent on the design, from 1991   
Link: http://www.google.com/patents?id=nlYeAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=5062173

[supratentorial]

According to the patent, Spencer Frazer invented the Paratool.  He was given patent rights in 1993 (applied in 1992): http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT5267366

Here's Blackie Collin's original patent on the design, from 1991   
Link: http://www.google.com/patents?id=nlYeAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=5062173

I'm having a hard time deciding which of the designs I like least!   

[J-sews]

Kinda makes me wonder what the relationship was back then. As you point out, Spencer Frazier (president of SOG) has his name on the later patent, yet Blackie Collins' name is emblazened on the front of those early plastic sheaths that came with the ParaTool.   

[supratentorial]

Frazer's patent application does reference the Blackie Collins patent but I'm not sure how that works.  Frazer's design is a bit different but it obviously borrows from the earlier patent.

It would be interesting to generate a patent timeline as well as an intro date timeline.

 

[David Bowen]

That's a pretty slick sheath, bet those are majorly hard to come by nowadays. 

David

[supratentorial]

That's a pretty slick sheath, bet those are majorly hard to come by nowadays. 

David

They still show up on ebay every once and a while.  An auction just closed yesterday:  http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-SOG-Paratool-multi-tool-knife_W0QQitemZ300152744772QQihZ020QQcategoryZ88920QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They don't go for very much but they are a bit less common than the nylon sheaths.  So there's still hope for a collector to find one.

[NeitherExtreme]

That's an interesting tool(Fixxit)... What's it made of and how much does it weigh? Seems like they should have put the knife in one of the side slots (so the blade faces out), and the most used screwdriver in the middle. Could you rearange it to suit your own taste?

[NeitherExtreme]

Yeah, I figured as much... Too bad too, because using either the knife or screwdrivers seem like it would be awkward.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yeah, I figured as much... Too bad too, because using either the knife or screwdrivers seem like it would be awkward.

I think the whole design is awkward ;D

Did they sell many of them

[CQC-7]

Those are some neat tools.  Although I would not buy one because I dont like the design or look I do respect them.

[J-sews]

Those are some neat tools.  Although I would not buy one because I dont like the design or look I do respect them.

That is the best way to look at these devices; interesting from a historical design standpoint, not something to carry.

As weird as the Fixxit is, it is surprising that a super-conservative company like Case would purchase the design and market it. All of their other products are soooo traditional. 

[CQC-7]

I do not think of case as a company that makes anything that is "innovative" in any way.  I love their knives.  I like that classic look and feel of a good slipjoint.  They are mass produced wrks of art.