'Les Stroud' Engage Multitool TEST TO DESTRUCTION!

[HarleyXJGuy]

This is me being 100% honest. If you don't need the pocket clip, OHO blade,  and can afford a little extra, get the Rebar. It's an overall better tool.

+100

This is where I would drop a photo bomb of Little Boy if I was not onthe work computer. Just use you imagination.

[Lynn LeFey]

How's this?




I have been increasingly impressed with what the Sidekick can handle, but I know it is a 'budget tool'. It's a REALLY GOOD budget tool, but some of the shortcuts, like no locking tools, 2d philips, and anvil style wire cutters, really become obvious when you switch up to the Rebar.

Then again... I always miss the pocket clip and OHO blade when i go from the Sidekick to Rebar.

[HarleyXJGuy]

How's this?

(Image removed from quote.)


I have been increasingly impressed with what the Sidekick can handle, but I know it is a 'budget tool'. It's a REALLY GOOD budget tool, but some of the shortcuts, like no locking tools, 2d philips, and anvil style wire cutters, really become obvious when you switch up to the Rebar.

Then again... I always miss the pocket clip and OHO blade when i go from the Sidekick to Rebar.

Hmm some of the things you point out as budget issues have me interested in the Sidekick. Non locking tools are easy to deploy and redeploy for light jobs plus it has the OHO blade and pocket clip. Prolly some weight savings too?

Off to LMs website.

[Lynn LeFey]

The Sidekick and Rebar are essentially dead even in weight. About 6.7oz each.

[HarleyXJGuy]

The Sidekick and Rebar are essentially dead even in weight. About 6.7oz each.

Yeah and only an ounce or so lighter then the Wave. So umm no Side/Wing action in this guys future. If I want OHO I will go with my trusty Wave and of not well you know the answer to the 7 oz question already.

Hint it is Little Boy.

[Lynn LeFey]

I completely agree that the Wave is the best option if the weight and budget allow. Then, unless oho/pocket clip are needed the Rebar, again, assuming the budget is there.

However, as this thread is intended to be about the Engage, and alternatives in its price range, If I have to pick between Engage and Sidekick, the Sidekick seems to be the winner by a VAST margin.

And, at this point, I'm thinking there isn't a lot of difference in ability between the Engage and the Ozark Trail MT from Walmart. And THAT MT is $10, not the $25 for an Engage.

One other note.

On the flashlight's run time. I ran it 10 minutes to test water resistance. After that, I turned it on, and left it on. After 10 more minutes, it is at best half as bright as it was initially. So, I'm not expecting a great total run time.

Comparing that to the 14 hours of the Bear Grylls flashlight... sure, it's bigger, but compact and 'cute' doesn't help a bit if you need a frickin' light.

[HarleyXJGuy]

I am looking at a Rebar on Amazon right now for $43 with free shipping.

Can not see any reason to get something for what $7 dollars of savings that is junk? I mean really how badly does one NEED oho blades?

Like you say if you have to have that there is the Sidekick/Wingman or just skip Starbuck for a week or two and get a Wave. This is something you will have and use for many years, pony up the extra what $40?

[Higgins617]

I am looking at a Rebar on Amazon right now for $43 with free shipping.

Can not see any reason to get something for what $7 dollars of savings that is junk? I mean really how badly does one NEED oho blades?

Like you say if you have to have that there is the Sidekick/Wingman or just skip Starbuck for a week or two and get a Wave. This is something you will have and use for many years, pony up the extra what $40?

While it may not be as good as the Rebar, the Sidekick is nowhere near junk. I think Lynn has done a good job of illustrating that even if the Sidekick wasn't the real subject of the test. Mine was 19 bucks after Christmas last year, that's 19 bucks for a tool that can hang with things three times more expensive. It is certainly not the best tool on the market but the last thing I would call it is junk

[zoidberg]

I am looking at a Rebar on Amazon right now for $43 with free shipping.

Can not see any reason to get something for what $7 dollars of savings that is junk? I mean really how badly does one NEED oho blades?

Like you say if you have to have that there is the Sidekick/Wingman or just skip Starbuck for a week or two and get a Wave. This is something you will have and use for many years, pony up the extra what $40?

While it may not be as good as the Rebar, the Sidekick is nowhere near junk. I think Lynn has done a good job of illustrating that even if the Sidekick wasn't the real subject of the test. Mine was 19 bucks after Christmas last year, that's 19 bucks for a tool that can hang with things three times more expensive. It is certainly not the best tool on the market but the last thing I would call it is junk

If I could get over the uncomfortable handles then I would carry the Wingman.

[Syph007]

The rebar is the best MT Leatherman has put in out ages IMO.  Good compact package, fair price and lots of tools.   

[AimlessWanderer]

I am looking at a Rebar on Amazon right now for $43 with free shipping.

Can not see any reason to get something for what $7 dollars of savings that is junk? I mean really how badly does one NEED oho blades?

Like you say if you have to have that there is the Sidekick/Wingman or just skip Starbuck for a week or two and get a Wave. This is something you will have and use for many years, pony up the extra what $40?

While it may not be as good as the Rebar, the Sidekick is nowhere near junk. I think Lynn has done a good job of illustrating that even if the Sidekick wasn't the real subject of the test. Mine was 19 bucks after Christmas last year, that's 19 bucks for a tool that can hang with things three times more expensive. It is certainly not the best tool on the market but the last thing I would call it is junk

If I could get over the uncomfortable handles then I would carry the Wingman.

Yeah, the ergonomics are one of the worst aspects of that tool for me too.

[styx]

The rebar is the best MT Leatherman has put in out ages IMO.  Good compact package, fair price and lots of tools.   

and don't forget it fits the classic LM image

[Toolslinger]

The rebar is the best MT Leatherman has put in out ages IMO.  Good compact package, fair price and lots of tools.   

and don't forget it fits the classic LM image

Gotta love those classic lines.

[styx]

kinda like Ingrid Bergman, Ava Gardner, Betty Grable.. the classical lines

[JAfromMn]

Another test.

What happens when you drive a Hundai Santa Fe over the Engage, and his pal the Sidekick?

http://vid105.photobucket.com/albums/m208/lynnlefey/IMGP1932_zpsmfq8tnxz.mp4

Description of results to follow...

EDIT: Also, yay! my first video of the thread! You can see the tools run over in live action!
EDIT AGAIN!: So much for the 'no posts over the weekend' thing, huh?

Awesome

[Lynn LeFey]

Just wanted to give an idea of the true bulkiness of this tool.

It is as thick as a Leatherman PST is WIDE.


And about the volume of 3 PSTs side-by-side.


Yes, I know, that's only ONE PST, and two knock offs. They've for visual representation. Use your imagination.

[Lynn LeFey]

Okay, after the scissors, maybe the tool I hate the most on this thing is the philips. It is, as far as I could tell, more or less completely useless.

So, I think at some point I said that the philips on the Micra is better. Well, I just tested that, on wood screws.

And it's true. with enough effort, I could get the Micra to unscrew a wood screw. The Engage would just cam out every time... and leave little bits of metal behind.

Okay, so what about as pry tools? I'd also said that the shaft on the philips of the Engage didn't look any thicker than the Micra, so...



Would you prefer your tool to bend or break? 

Please, do not lament the damage to the Micra. This was a complete beater of a tool, almost frozen solid with rust and gunk.

Engage's philips as a screw driver: Fail
Engage's philips as a pry tool: Fail

Micra's philips as a pry tool?:   

EDIT: I thought I'd also mention, that stupid smurfing philips collapsed on me again, and I raked my knuckles on the bench that had the screws I was testing on. I smurfing HATE the Engage. Smurfing pile of Smurf! 

[jerseydevil]

That's an impressive bend right there.  Thanks for the pics with the PST's, really gives a better idea as to how fat that sucker really is. 

[JAfromMn]

Micra abuser

[HarleyXJGuy]

So at some point Lynn do you plan to give us an idea of how you feel about the Engage?

Seems to me that you like it but just wish it was maybe a little less in price?

Maybe if you was more clear is all I am saying, thanks. 

[Syph007]

Les must have a facebook page.   We need to get show him the quality product he's endorsed!

[JAfromMn]

Les must have a facebook page.   We need to get show him the quality product he's endorsed!

Now that's a dam good idea.

I'm going to search fb now

[JAfromMn]

Les must have a facebook page.   We need to get show him the quality product he's endorsed!

Now that's a dam good idea.

I'm going to search fb now

Done.

I don't think his fb page is very active though.

[scattergun13]

Les must have a facebook page.   We need to get show him the quality product he's endorsed!

Now that's a dam good idea.

I'm going to search fb now

Done.

I don't think his fb page is very active though.

Ha! That's exactly what needed to be done, nicely played Joel.

Great review Lynn, thanks for the hard work.

Stew...

[Lynn LeFey]

Maybe if you was more clear is all I am saying, thanks. 

Oh, yeah, you definitely NEED to own one. Not everyone. Just you. 

In all truth, I think my overall impression is that not every single function is a fail, but overall, it's abysmal. Pliers seem pretty good, and the saw is adequate. The firesteel works pretty good. The rest ranges from 'meh', to downright dangerous.

So... TLDR... 

I know you were joking, but I just want to be very clear.

[Chako]

I own one...and it shall be a hanger queen...as I would never want to be caught out in public wearing it! 

No surprises here. It does't even try to resemble something of quality.   

[Aloha]

Needless to say as it's been said and we understand the reasons why but really?  I wouldn't put my name on that POS, surely there were other offers for him to consider.  Money can be a smurf so again I understand but WOW what a sad sad, dare I call it "tool". 

[Cupboard]

https://www.facebook.com/thereallesstroud

[Grathr]

https://www.facebook.com/thereallesstroud

Cant find any comments about the tool there, but I suck at facebook.


Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk

[Higgins617]

Stuff like this really is sad, especially for us. People sell out like it's not even a concern, I would refuse to put my name on anything that didn't far exceed any expectations I had because the last thigh I want is my name sullied.

On the other side, it's a real let down for us because there was so much potential. It could have been the revival of a historic brand and another serious entry into our favorite market. But instead of something for us all to get excited over, we get trash.