Cheapo Multitools...

[Biru]

I must have used the incorrect search terms originally because I missed that thread somehow. I'm not sure how best to do that, but feel free to move them if you'd like.

Regards, Bill.

[Zed]

I must have used the incorrect search terms originally because I missed that thread somehow. I'm not sure how best to do that, but feel free to move them if you'd like.

Regards, Bill.

mine was more of a picture post to see what cheapo MT's folks have, i actualy like a few of my cheaper MT's , your whazzit is like my trail and my smaller talon, my trail has a file on the saw has the whazzit ? i guess these all must come from the same chinese factory, i like the solid pliers on these, 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Some cheapies are quite good- you just have to wade through a lot of junk to find them, and I don't like to point people looking for a good tool to cheapies because finding a good one can be difficult.

Def

[Zed]

Some cheapies are quite good- you just have to wade through a lot of junk to find them, and I don't like to point people looking for a good tool to cheapies because finding a good one can be difficult.

Def

I agree Def plus its good to have some good ones to compare the cheapos to, the 2 pictured above i like as very well and well worth the money, although drivers are fiddly as not inline, i also removed the springs on both these as dont like spring loaded pliers, for me this is a good tool box tool for use of the hefty pliers and the other tools as backups, the smaller model is a handly pocket carry if you need pliers as these open pretty wide for a smaller tool, and only need drivers now and then, for me as well i like the look of these type of tools and cant afford the sog or Al-mars alternatives,

pros
solid tool with hefty pliers,
good serrated saw

cons
fiddly to use drivers,

[Grant Lamontagne]

Here's another couple of cheapos I had kicking around.  The first is a neat looking one I got at Canadian Tire for about $10 with a knife.  It's pretty crappy.  The hinges actually rotate easier than the plier pivot, so when you try to open the head of the pliers to grab something the handles try to rotate shut.   







I will say this much for it- it has the absolute best Phillips I have ever seen on a cheapo, and it's better than a lot of big brand phillips screwdrivers too.



This next one came in a set that my brother got me a number of years ago.  It came in a giant sheath that also had a lighter and something else in it, although I can't rightly remember what that something else was off the top of my head.

 

It's marked Mountain Gear, although I have seen a number of very similar type tools with a variety of names, and many more that were just blank.



There are a few interesting points on this tool- for example, the rubber handle covering is actually really nice.  Since it's held on with a metal plate screwed into the frame I wouldn't guess it is good for insulating it, but it is quite comfortable in the hand.



It also has a good array of features, and like the blue one above it has all outside opening implements.  Oh yeah, and the whole thing is screwed together, so it's almost as moddable as a SOG!



And yes, you aren't seeing things- it does indeed have two can openers.  It came that way.  I don't know why- it could have been a screw up at the factory, or it could have just been made that way assuming no one cares.



This is the other feature of this one that I like- the wrench is a handy thing to have.  I know most companies assume that pliers are good enough, but they aren't, and sometimes you want a wrench.  While the big names are busy making fancy cutouts to make a tool look nicer, it would be nice if they actually put some thought in and made nice wrench cutouts like this.   

Def

[Lynn LeFey]

Do you have a rough price estimate on that second one?

I've shown some pictures of another Sheffield I own (model 12010). This is the larger version, model 1200E. I'm assuming it's a knockoff of the Leatherman PST, but don't have one for comparison. I got it at a pawn shop for $5 and in all fairness, think it's worth that. Weight is about 5 oz. Every tool I've used on it has performed adequately. It doesn't have the over-rounded pieces common to cheap multitools. Tool retention is fairly good on one side (the side with the blade), and weak on the other. Most everything is okay on this tool, but earning exceptional merit is the can opener. I just put it head-to-head with my cheapo Husky 14-in-1 tool, a SOG Powerlock, and Leatherman Wingman, and it straight up blew them all away. Weird.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I would imagine that if you could find that second one (and I've seen similar but not the same) it would probably be in the $10-15 range.  I didn't buy this one so I can't say for sure, but I think Dan (Chako) has some similar ones, and he may remember what he paid.

It's got some neat design ideas, but it also suffers from someone not thinking things through- like the two can openers.  The scissors also constantly try to jump out of the handle. 

Def

[badwolf]

badwolf, must ask:

Your tool does indeed look like my BJ copy. If it is, I think you'll find it a very good tool. What I'm wondering is where do the bits fit? My tool has no bit receptacle so I just wondered.

I've got to find my Sheffield. All I remember about mine was that the handles didn't close perfectly parallel (but then I have a $50 US Bear Jaws that doesn't either...).

Well, its here, not as nice as your BJ copy, has a fold out standard size bit holder, will add pics asap

[Biru]

From the pic it looks nearly identical. I wouldn't doubt the same manufacturer produced both.

Funny thing about cheapos, when I first got into MTs, my friends who did lighting and truss work all adored the Gerber Multiplier because of its easily-deployed plier. No matter how I try, I just can't get into Gerber (my Legend included). But I did find a $10 Chinese copy which bears the Gerber patent numbers on its side- suggesting that it was not merely a ripoff, but licensed. Later, after Gerber went to Chinese manufacture, I started to wonder whether my Sino multitool might have been a Gerber essay, and that perhaps they were trying this manufacturer to see how they did. One really great thing about that plier- no matter how wimpy the Phillips screw, the faux-Gerber's screwdriver will round off!  It will also pinch the H#*@ out of your hand.

One peculiar quirk I've noticed about these tools is the ubiquitous fish scaler/hook remover they seem to like to put on the tools. It's somewhat like the faux saw on the back of USAF survival knives- it looks like a saw, but that's not exactly its purpose. I've got a LIGHTWEIGHT (read flimsy) "Executive" MT with one of those in it. I suppose even executives go fishing...

[Lynn LeFey]

In order of usefulness in tools on an MT, I think Fish Scaler is dead last, just below corkscrew. I know some folks use corkscrews, and having them on an MT for some folks is actually useful. I have never in my life needed a corkscrew... but I will admit the possibility of needing one somewhere, somehow. I'm dead certain I will never need a fish scaler.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Even if you don't use the corkscrew for opening wine it can still be handy for picking apart knots or carrying a small screwdriver. Victorinox makes on that you can get for almost nothing and it fits in the corkscrews of a variety of different worms from different manufacturers.

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

[dks]

Here are a few..
Apart from the SAK lookalike the rest are quite useable. The Bahco and Ganzos are not that cheap...

The two bigger ones, Ganzo, have been reviewed by me; see the review section for more.

[user24]

Apart from the SAK lookalike the rest are quite useable.

I've yet to find a SAK-alike that's actually any good.

[Sazabi]

Apart from the SAK lookalike the rest are quite useable.

I've yet to find a SAK-alike that's actually any good.

I've found a couple older, mainly Solingen-made pieces, though I didn't get them, they did appear to be rather well-made.

[50ft-trad]

My German and British utility knives have been perfectly usable, as was my Case Camper with pliers that I had a while back They don't feel like a Vic or Wenger, but they do exactly what they were meant to - cut things, turn screws, poke holes .... and I'm happy using them.

They're not SAKalikes anyway, we started doing them before them