Sampling what eBay has to offer.

[babola]

OK, cool. I may do that soon.

cheers.

 

Not that soon, mate...I ain't ready for something like that yet. 

[zoidberg]

OK, cool. I may do that soon.

cheers.

 

Not that soon, mate...I ain't ready for something like that yet. 

        

[Chako]

Well I sincerely hope you show us your collection someday.

[Sazabi]

Dan, how much was that little black tool circle, anyway (and do you have a link to the seller)?

[Chako]

Sure, it was a whole 5.49 US and the eBay seller is jnjfunlandhk

Looks like he has 0 available with 13 sold.

However, just search using this and you should find a few more...

Outdoor Survival Camping Cycling EDC 10 in 1 Multi Tool Screwdriver Keychain

[Sazabi]

Sure, it was a whole 5.49 US and the eBay seller is jnjfunlandhk

Looks like he has 0 available with 13 sold.

However, just search using this and you should find a few more...

Outdoor Survival Camping Cycling EDC 10 in 1 Multi Tool Screwdriver Keychain

Squee!  Thank you Dan.

[TheAverageJoe]

I will be honest, really looking forward to your opinions and views on a lot of these tools, not that I plan on getting any but its always interesting to see how bad some of the knockoffs are compared to the real things!

[Chako]

Anytime Rex. 

I got the pair of scissors in today. Neat concept. Photos will be posted at a later date.

[AaronX]

The 2-piece titanium tool by EDCgear is a copy of the "WTF" (Wrench That Fits), a Kickstarter project. I've seen the inner part for sale as a cheap titanium prybar and suspected it's from the wrench, now I know it is!

[enki_ck]

Yup, the maker used to post here a while ago.

[Chako]

Well a few more came in today. I noticed I bought quite a few from another seller, and I haven't received that package yet. I hope it comes in as I have till the 14th to put in a claim. Got to talk to the seller first to see what is going on with the lot.

Another EDC Gear item...this one is large and heavy. Oddly enough, no edges were beveled to make it a better pry bar. Uniform thickness throughout. 







And this EDC Gear item.

[Kampfer]

That is huge WTF !!!

[Chako]

Yes, you can use it to deal some damage. 

[Tofty]

This EDG Gear lot will rip-off anything, especially tools that have been successful on Kickstarter. I counted 6 on their ebay shop.
I look forward to seeing even more familiar pieces in the future.

[Syph007]

Yup more china knock off / rip off crap.  Sadly there will always a market for those that shop based on cheapest price only and dont know or care what they buy.

[Chako]

Ouch.

[Kampfer]

Can you blame them?
Some /most brand name OPMT are way over priced....

[enki_ck]

This EDG Gear lot will rip-off anything, especially tools that have been successful on Kickstarter. I counted 6 on their ebay shop.
I look forward to seeing even more familiar pieces in the future.

I feel there's a sarcasm smiley missing here.

 

So far every tool I saw by them was a knock off of a bigger or less known maker. They seem to be quite knowledgeable in the OPT market to find so many designs to knock off. Probably browse the forums too.

I bought the Pocketwrench 2 and Uncle Bill's Sliver Grippers from them to compare. NOT EVEN CLOSE. One of the Pocketwrenches was OK, other had the teeth ground off and unusable as a wrench. But the tweezers were terrible, not one out of three had tips that aligned, I spent 10 minutes on one just trying to fix that, but the grippiness was non existent. Stay away from those.

[Noa Isumi]

As for the usefulness of EDC brands knockoffs I found one problem. Living in the US most bolts I deal with are SAE/Imperial not Metric. Guess which unit the Chinese use when they copy something? You got it, their home Metric units.
Now I understand we are seen as backward for being the last country using Imperial here. And it has to be just as frustrating when someone from some ware else gets a tool in our units. But be aware of your units if you live in the US and order EDC products. For that mater pay attention any time ordering tools and parts across international boundaries. No mater what direction its going.

Unfortunately even the "wrench that fits" is just a smaller copy of the "what-a-wrench" that sold on QVC and HSN in the mid '90s. That screw/pry bar in the center is a new addition though.
Funny how the Alligator wrench gets reinvented each generation; and is just as lousy each time. I've handled examples going back to the 1890's and I'd rather use an antique than what they're stamping now. Of curse the new style has slots instead of teeth cause bolts are HEX now not SQ, oblique corners are harder to grip than a sharp 90.

"What a Products" made a ton of this kind of stuff, including the early folding canvas chairs that are now common and a folding bow saw which has been copied more than you can count. The brand was completely gone by early 2000s there is almost no remnant of its infomercial glory or products. So here's the only product photos I could find. I honestly haven't heard this brand name used in over a decade if even this century.



I even saw a kick starter for a new What-a-Saw that someone has "invented' even folds out the same. Materials and build look better, but the same saw. Kind of like the US trfold entrenching tool vs. the Wal-Mart copy in reverse, same shovel different execution and quality.

[Chako]

I haven't been impressed with any of the EDC gear I have in my possession so far...but waiting for the rest to arrive before I make the big article.

[Freaver]

Well, this has certainly helped put me off from buying some of the EDCGear. I do like the look of the 'grenade' though.

[Tofty]

I'm certainly not having a go at anyone who has bought these tools, either through lack of knowledge of the design's origins, or just to see what they're like.

In the case of things like Atwood clones, I think it actually benefits Atwood. It potentially turns new customers toward the more prestigious brand when they discover what their clone's origins are. Atwood has sold everything he's ever made, so I don't see any real harm there.

As for other tool designers and manufacturers suffering because of them, it's hard to tell, but perhaps I will be able to give a less speculative answer in the future, as I may see my own work, sold as an EDC Gear tool for $10.

My earlier statement; "I look forward to seeing even more familiar pieces in the future." wasn't meant to be sarcastic (maybe a little ironic), as it would be interesting to see things I've designed manufactured by someone else. To some extent it would be flattering that someone thought it was worth the time to copy my design and also interesting to see whether they got it right and reverse engineered everything properly, rather than just copying the shape and missing the function, which they have certainly done a few times.

The original Bottle Grenade can be purchased here: http://tacticalkeychains.com/?post_type=product
(I'm wondering if we should have a rule that when discussing clones, we should add a link to the original tool, or item.)

[Chako]

I will never be part of Atwood's clientele. I still view them as overpriced hunks of metal. Yes, i did buy a selection of very cheap tools...but then I am not a big fan of this genre to begin with. I do have a strong curiosity however...and for the price, I though it was worth at least getting a few and writing an article on them for educational purposes...if nothing else. It is just taking a lot longer then I thought to get them all in.

[Lichtbote]

I will never be part of Atwood's clientele. I still view them as overpriced hunks of metal.

That´s what i think of all the OPTs i´ve seen - someone sitting on a programm for some time, then having the more or less same tool than most other but with a new interesting shape printed/lasered/cnced from some cheap flat metal.

Manly keychain danglers at best (at least for me), useless stuff/weight that fills the pockets most of the time.

At least the chinese stuff is closer to a reasonable price for that what will be delivered.

[Tofty]

Indeed, I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions on the tools, when they all finally arrive.

I'm also not a fan of the Atwood tools, nor of the way Atwood sells his items in very limited quantities, to keep demand well above supply. In this situation, for someone who does like that very small form factor, getting the Navy clone may be the closest you can ever get to the Prybaby design, without spending over $100 in an inflated market.

I remember a thread a year or so ago, when someone posted an article about the Navy clone and was attacked quite unpleasantly by another member, for "supporting the knock-off makers". I missed my chance to add to that debate, but thought I'd give my slightly alternative view of the issue here.

[Etherealicer]

Well, at least they don't pretend to be the original. At least as a consumer, you know your not getting the original. And seeing what EDCGear has made off the bottle grenade I think its for the best if they stick to copying designs and not try to do the designs themselves

[Tofty]

Now I really want to start a kind of library thread about clones. I'm sure there's a load of stuff whose design origin I was not aware of.

[enki_ck]

Indeed, I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions on the tools, when they all finally arrive.

I'm also not a fan of the Atwood tools, nor of the way Atwood sells his items in very limited quantities, to keep demand well above supply. In this situation, for someone who does like that very small form factor, getting the Navy clone may be the closest you can ever get to the Prybaby design, without spending over $100 in an inflated market.

I remember a thread a year or so ago, when someone posted an article about the Navy clone and was attacked quite unpleasantly by another member, for "supporting the knock-off makers". I missed my chance to add to that debate, but thought I'd give my slightly alternative view of the issue here.

Yes, in the SRM Love thread. Which resulted in a parallel comparison of the Navy and Atwood by Nate. Even a waranty return if I remember correctly.

[Kampfer]

Those band name OPMT makers price themselves out of the market, I think.
How many people willing to pay such price for a piece of clever designed metal...
$20 is pretty much my threshold. 

[Syph007]

The only OPMT I own and like is the pocketwrench II.  They can be bought in retail stores ( leevalley ) for $15 and I think that is perfectly reasonable.  I would not choose the knockoff version for $7 (that EDC store on ebay has them) as I'd rather have the original.