Raker Ring Tool

David Bowen · **on:** October 02, 2009, 10:52:17 PM

Hey everyone, this is the review for the Raker Ring Tool. It's had the approval from Ray Kirk (from rakerknives.com) and since the section for the site is not open yet I am posting it here first. I try and have all my reviews go here first so it can be read by forum folks as well as those who visit the page. You guys always get a crack at it first.

Raker Ring Tool

When you think of pocket and key chain tools the first name that comes to your mind is Peter Atwood. There is such a following for these miniature works of art that they become incredibly hard to find and sometimes you pay more than you would if you get them directly from Peter. I knew there had to be some folks out there besides Peter and I went on my quest to find other pocket tool manufacturers. What hit me were there a quite a few folks who either make tools full time or dabble in them a little as a side project. Most of them are folks who no longer make them and getting your hands on one is next to impossible. But alas there is hope; I came upon a gentleman named Ray Kirk who runs rakerknives.com. Ray is a custom knife maker who makes fixed blades as well as some folders; his new found love though is for a tool he called the Raker Ring Tool.

The Ring Tool is a nice little key chain tool designed to serve a couple different functions and is made out of several different materials. The Ring Tool comes in Damascus, ATS 34, 440C and 52100 carbon steel. I have never seen so many options to choose from in materials for a pocket tool and it's nice that they can be chosen by the customer and not restricted to one specific choice. The Damascus model is the thickest and heaviest of them all, while the 440-C was slightly over sized at 1/8". The 52100 was the correct size that he wanted the tool to be and the ATS-34 was 3/32”. The ATS model is by far the lightest and is recommend as the better of the four tools due to its weight as well as edge retention.

Ray's idea and dream for the Ring Tool is to have a tool that will be on your person at all times and assist you in some daily tasks as well as the possibility of saving your life. The Ring Tool features a pry/screwdriver on one end of the tool which serves quite well for light prying as well as flat and some Phillips screws. In the center of the tool we have an oxygen wrench that depending on the model can also serve as a tool for removing a broad head arrow. At the opposite end of the tool is a ¼ inch cut out that can be used for virtually anything that will fit in there. I found it works pretty well as an impromptu hex driver. The real meat of the tool and its primary function is that it's a cutting tool. On the underside of the tool is a seatbelt cutter, this cutter works for a variety of materials as well as seat belts and comes in rather handy for those time you either don't have a knife or don't want to pull one out due to scarring certain folks.

The Ring Tool is born out of necessity; Ray wanted everyone to be able to have an affordable rescue seatbelt cutter that would be as popular as your car jack you keep in your trunk and as close as your ignition. The market for emergency seat belt cutters and other various types of rescue tools is quite huge, yet there are millions of folks out there who don't have one. Ray feels everyone should have such a tool and know that if needed it can be called upon to save your life or someone else's. The cutting area of the tool works well not only on seat belts but other materials such as braided fishing line, para cord and pretty much anything you can fit in there that may need cutting (within reason). I really think the tool shines with this feature in the respect it can be used in many situation when opening and using your pocket knife would defiantly be out of the question.

The other main feature of the tool I want to focus on is the pry end or screwdriver tip. The Ring Tool originally featured an angled tip that was suppose to be designed to work well on Phillips head screws as well as flat heads. The tool however does not do well on Phillips but does real well with the flats. Ray is going back to his original design for now where the tip of the tool (like on the Damascus model) and it works quite well on both the above mentioned screw types. There is still are some changes that Ray is going to make to this tool since he is constantly looking at feedback from his tools and finding ways to make them better at what they do. His current focus is changing the pry end of the tool and making it excel at both screw types while still being strong enough for prying tasks.

The Raker Ring tool is an excellent little key chain tool that does what it is intended to do in spite of some minor tweaking that still needs to be done. Ray offers them at a pretty fair price on his website and it's quite a bit cheaper than tools made by some of the other pocket tool manufacturers. For those folks interested in getting the Ring Tool in a bulk order he has let me know that people who buy 50 or more will have the option of making a modification to the wrench opening to fit the customers needs. If your interested in a having a nice custom piece key chain tool that won't break the bank (and sure to raise some eyebrows) check out rakerknives.com and tell him we sent you.

David Bowen · **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:55:22 PM

More..

David Bowen · **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:56:41 PM

even more...

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:01:15 PM

That does look like a cracking bit of kit

Gadget Guy · **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:03:12 PM

That is very cool! It's on my short "To buy" list.

Benner · **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:05:12 PM

Cracking review and pics mate.

Freudian Frog · **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:06:01 PM

Think we could get a forum run of 'em stamped with Multitool.org?

AHB · **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:07:53 PM

Quote from: Freudian Frog on October 02, 2009, 11:06:01 PM

Think we could get a forum run of 'em stamped with Multitool.org?

The frog might be on to something...

David Bowen · **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:09:18 PM

Don't know if a special run/logo thing is possible, will have to ask Ray and see what he says. You folks that interested in them? If there is enough of a demand I am sure we might be able to work something out. I am sure he would be tickled pink to sell some tool just after the review is up, now that is spreading the word on something

Freudian Frog · **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:19:24 PM

EVER SINCE I SAW HIS HIGHLY REASAONABLE PRICES ON 'EM I'VE WANTED ONE.

Just think a forum run would be friggin' lovely.

DaveK · **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:38:59 PM

I'd be interested in one of those David - get on his case

max6166 · **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2009, 12:30:17 AM

That's an interesting bit of kit. Thanks for the great review!

cliosguy · **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2009, 12:56:28 AM

thanks for the review man

now i want a MT.O special run now!

but if its not possible then a simple group buy would be nice, count me in

Zack · **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:04:52 AM

I'm in possibly for two.

Anthony · **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:08:31 AM

I'm interested.

Good review

Raker · **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2009, 08:34:29 AM

I would like to thank every one for the kind words and "Yes", there will be a special Ring Tool that will be marked for this web site. I don't think I can get multitool.org on the tool where you can read it. I can get MT.O on it but it will take a while to get the stencil made. With a stencil, I will be able to mark them as they are ordered. Otherwise, I when I would use a stamp, it would have to be before the heat treat and I would have to make them in batches.
It will be about 3 to 4 weeks before I can get them ready to put on EDCSource.com. If they are done before then, I will post here about the availability of them.
Let me know which you think would be better for the customer, a stamp or a stencil. I know a stamp would definitely be better for you but a stencil would be better for me. I am still a bit aprehensive about volumn of sales so I need a little help here.
Thanks for your time and look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Freudian Frog · **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2009, 02:40:16 PM

I'm prefer the stamping but if it's more economical for you go with the stencil.

Poncho65 · **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2009, 02:42:12 PM

Great review and pics Dave

Your tool looks awesome Raker

Would be a very nice tool to carry around and stamped would be better but a stencil will be fine by me

Thanks for letting us have some input

Raker · **Reply #18 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:51:03 AM

I ordered a stamp with "MT.O" for the Ring Tools for the members and visitors of this web site. Naturally, if they didn't visit this site, they wouldn't know about the special stamp.

I will post when they are ready for delivery.
Thanks again for the input.

Freudian Frog · **Reply #19 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:43:59 AM

Quote from: Raker on October 16, 2009, 01:51:03 AM

I ordered a stamp with "MT.O" for the Ring Tools for the members and visitors of this web site. Naturally, if they didn't visit this site, they wouldn't know about the special stamp.
I will post when they are ready for delivery.
Thanks again for the input.

Can't I just throw money at you now? =(

Raker · **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2009, 10:54:36 AM

I would love to have money thrown at me. Better than rocks, hands down. What I thought was that you could buy them for your friends and family, then save the special marked one for your self for being a great person.

Of course, that is just me thinking.

Freudian Frog · **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2009, 11:48:16 AM

Quote from: Raker on October 16, 2009, 10:54:36 AM

I would love to have money thrown at me. Better than rocks, hands down. What I thought was that you could buy them for your friends and family, then save the special marked one for your self for being a great person.
Of course, that is just me thinking.

Pfffft, like I care about family and friends. I'm just looking out after good ol' me! Number one oh my me my. =P

Tinnie · **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:18:33 PM

Nice review

I will definitely be interested in a MT.O stamped tool

RaptorMan · **Reply #23 on:** October 17, 2009, 04:20:53 AM

I would be interested as well...just checked out the site and I believe I am partial to the Damascus

RaptorMan · **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:15:44 AM

Any updates???

Freudian Frog · **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:17:18 AM

Quote from: RaptorMan on October 25, 2009, 02:15:44 AM

Any updates???

In another thread he said he had ordered them and they should be in stock soon.

RaptorMan · **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:24:17 AM

Thanks I will look it up

Tinnie · **Reply #27 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:26:33 AM

Quote from: Freudian Frog on October 25, 2009, 02:17:18 AM

Quote from: RaptorMan on October 25, 2009, 02:15:44 AM
Any updates???

In another thread he said he had ordered them and they should be in stock soon.

He said that the stamp should arrive in two weeks time

Anthony · **Reply #28 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:50:21 AM

The flathead driver on my Ring Tool works as a key for my bedroom door

It's one of those simple locks where you just have to push something into the slot to open the door, works perfectly!

Raker · **Reply #29 on:** November 13, 2009, 04:57:41 PM

I received an email this morning that the "MT.O" stamp is being shipped. It should get here by Monday and I will start on the Ring Tools for this web site members or visitors. This is the only site that you will be able to know that they are available.
I will offer both ATS-34 and Damascus Ring tools in three different models. Two in the ATS-34 and one in the damascus. They will be of the dual hex or O2/hex style. The damascus model is pictured.
I had thought of going with a notch to hold an O ring similar to Atwood. When it was generally accepted that this particular style is "Atwood", I decided not to. If the customer wants to customize his Ring Tool to accept the O ring, I would say "Go for it". I have been customizing my tools and knives since I was a child. Every one is different and has different needs. It is impossible to accomodate every one. I feel that a simple tool will be most effictive for its designed use.
For those that wish to order the :MT.O" stamped Ring Tool, please email me your order. The ATS-34-DH and ATS-34-O2 will be $20.00 and the damascus will be $30.00. All shipping is free. Please do not pay until items are ready to ship. I like keeping things current and up to date. You will be sent a paypal request button when ready and for those that prefer to send a check, I will send you an email that it is time.
Thanks to all of you for your support and look forward to hearing from you. For those that would like to send several of these to their family members and friends, I will discount another 15% from orders of 5 or more.
Thanks again.

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