PocketTool X Piranha. My Experience

[Mr. Whippy]

I've been wanting to try out the PocketTool X Piranha since I first saw it.  Being a little uncertain about the size and what I would think of it, I've been hesitant about spending money on a new tool from a new company.

I put out the call for a trade or sale of one of these and David graciously sent one to me.   

The Piranha is a little bigger than most Atwoods, but it is packed with wrenches, pry tips and has a clever slot for a combo flat/Phillips driver.

I slipped it in my pocket today for farm work.  It occupied the front pocket opposite my Atwood Croconut.

I fiddled with a couple Phillips screws, and the driver arrangement worked fine.  Not as good as a Charge ALX, but then again, it's a single piece pocket tool.

Then disaster stuck. 

I needed to remove the fill plug on the rotary tiller, which I do twice a year, when this happened:



Here's the problem:



Through and through break.   I felt it go and honestly, I didn't think I put much torque on it.

Needless to say, I'll contact PocketTool X about this.  I'm hoping it's an isolated failure, but honestly, it looks like it failed at the thinnest part of the wrench.  I'll update this with the final outcome.


(btw, I finished the job with the Croconut).

[enki_ck]

I read about this happening on at least 3 instances over at edcf. I believe it was a common problem with the first batch. People were all sorted out and got new ones from the company.

Edit: here is a link to one of those

http://edcforums.com/showthread.php/81349-PocketToolX-Piranha-snapped-in-half-ugh....

[MultiMat]

Bummer mate  .

Hopefully they send you a replacement that is a lot stronger.

Keen to hear how it ends up 

[Gareth]

At least it looks like they'll replace it.  Still a PITA it happened in the first place.

[AHB]

Not good at all...  Hopefully the next one will perform better..

[Mr. Whippy]

At least it looks like they'll replace it.  Still a PITA it happened in the first place.

Update:  Prompt CS.  They contacted me for shipping address and they're including a prepaid envelope for return of the old tool. 

I'll let you know when the new one arrives.  My plan is to take pictures of the two side by side and see if there have been changes to the design.

[Gareth]

The fact they are footing the bill for postage with a pre-paid envelope gives them 10 out of 10 for service IMO.

[Xelkos]

I was just looking at the review of the older one, thinking in might fill the need instead of carrying a crescent wrench - since no multitool companies want to get a wiggle on and make a quality one.

When you get the new one in, are you going to give it the filler plug test?

[David]

Nate thats what happened to the first one I had in exactly the same place. I had used that tool quite a bit with no problems so thought it was good to go. Here is a pic of the first one.

[MultiMat]

Nate thats what happened to the first one I had in exactly the same place. I had used that tool quite a bit with no problems so thought it was good to go. Here is a pic of the first one.

So David they sorted out a replacement for you 
Any issues with the replacement tool 

 

[Mr. Whippy]

David,

That's very interesting!  I wonder if they moved the wrench over nearer the edge if it would help.  Alternatively, they could decrease the wrench sizes by 1 and thereby increase the distance to the bit slot.

The other tools seem to be pretty well made however...

[David]

Nate thats what happened to the first one I had in exactly the same place. I had used that tool quite a bit with no problems so thought it was good to go. Here is a pic of the first one.

So David they sorted out a replacement for you 
Any issues with the replacement tool 

 

Mat yes they sent a replacement. Its the one I gave to Nate in the pictures above. Since I had used it off and on for about ten months with no issues I thought it was good. I guess it did have issues.     All thought they showed up later. The first one gave out on the first nut I tried to loosen with it. Hopely the newer ones are better.

[David]

David,

That's very interesting!  I wonder if they moved the wrench over nearer the edge if it would help.  Alternatively, they could decrease the wrench sizes by 1 and thereby increase the distance to the bit slot.

The other tools seem to be pretty well made however...

It would help to have more metal in high stress areas. It could all so be a bad heat treatmemt that causes it to be brittle.   

[MultiMat]

Nate thats what happened to the first one I had in exactly the same place. I had used that tool quite a bit with no problems so thought it was good to go. Here is a pic of the first one.

So David they sorted out a replacement for you 
Any issues with the replacement tool 

 

Mat yes they sent a replacement. Its the one I gave to Nate in the pictures above. Since I had used it off and on for about ten months with no issues I thought it was good. I guess it did have issues.     All thought they showed up later. The first one gave out on the first nut I tried to loosen with it. Hopely the newer ones are better.

I wonder if they have a permanent fix for the problem 

[Xelkos]

Is the first edition better, the one with the situational nail puller?

Piranha Pocket Tool

Source: CoolThings.com

Are there any of these floating around for sale?