2010 SHOT Show- ToolLogic SL Pliers

[Grant Lamontagne]

These were released last year, but due to some manufacturing errors, were quickly recalled and re-released.



The new version has Zytel instead of regular plastic and so should stand up to more punishment and still look good.



The design of the SL Plier is interesting, with a one handed opening blade, pliers and two double ended screwdriver bits.  The pliers have a spring with helps the jaws pop back open during use.



When closed they are actually quite sleek looking and quite manageable with only the pocket clip as a carry method.



One double ended bit slips into a slot on the outside of the body wheil the other rides in the bit holder, and tucks into a recess when folded, allowing you to have both bits handy at all times.



The drawback to these bits is that they are not a standard 1/4" size, so you are pretty much stuck wit hthe ones that are included.  I am sure Bob will have more information on these eventually as he's more familiar with them than I am.

Def

[Freudian Frog]

So what changes were made? Is my memory correct that it used to have fixed drivers instead of those bits?

[J-sews]

The cruddy fixed drivers which I found so appalling in my review from a few months ago, was exactly why the original models were sent back. (it appears I somehow obtained one that slipped past the recall)

Here's my old one:



The new model, done up properly with hex bits of proper-looking geometry, should be far superior. I have a sample of the new one to put up against my old one when I get home, with the expectation that my review will need to be updated.  

[Freudian Frog]

Now it seems like a proper plier+knife tool! I may have to get one.

[hawkchucker]

I really thinlit is Neat, but not my bag. It just looks too "clunky" for me to use.

[Raukodur]

is it just me who things this is an incredibly ugly tool?

[Magnus]

is it just me who things this is an incredibly ugly tool?

ugly and plasticky.

[AHB]

I'm not gonna comment on how it look, but I really don't like springs...

[J-sews]

Best part about the SL Plier is its AUS8 knife blade, which is a useful shape, folds out smoothly, and locks securely. In knife mode the entire tool feels like a good medium-quality folder and is quite comfortable in hand. The pliers and drivers I think have to be viewed as secondary accessories, and therefore are somewhat of a compromise.

The SL Plier is sort of a missing link between typical plier multitools and Swiss Army Knives. The SL Plier's knife blade is bigger and more useful than any blade typically found on a similar sized multitool, yet the pliers are bigger and more useful than those typically found on a SAK.

[Raukodur]

Best part about the SL Plier is its AUS8 knife blade, which is a useful shape, folds out smoothly, and locks securely. In knife mode the entire tool feels like a good medium-quality folder and is quite comfortable in hand. The pliers and drivers I think have to be viewed as secondary accessories, and therefore are somewhat of a compromise.

The SL Plier is sort of a missing link between typical plier multitools and Swiss Army Knives. The SL Plier's knife blade is bigger and more useful than any blade typically found on a similar sized multitool, yet the pliers are bigger and more useful than those typically found on a SAK.

I agree with all that Bob 

But, the look of a tool is quite important, to me especially, and there are so many different ugly aspects to that tool...

If they had got the looks right, I think I may have even preferred it to the skeletool, but as it stands, I wouldnt touch it with a bargepole.

[WhichDawg]

nice that they improved it, good effort

but the serrated blade (I really don't care for that style and serrations placement)
and the non-standard size bits will keep me from buying it.

[trickknife]

Looks are just okay on it, but the one handle looks like a juice and holds bits like a skeletool.  Folded up though with the knife out, it doesn't look too bad.

[1jump2many]

I'm not gonna comment on how it look, but I really don't like springs...

Good eye AHB, I didn't notice the spring until you mentioned it.  I totally agree, I don't like them either.

[nuphoria]

I really like the concept of this tool a lot, but I think they have let the side down a bit with aesthetics and really missed the mark with the bit sizes 

Maybe they'll make a Mark II without these problems eventually 

[J-sews]

I really like the concept of this tool a lot, but I think they have let the side down a bit with aesthetics and really missed the mark with the bit sizes 

Maybe they'll make a Mark II without these problems eventually 

Hmmm, can someone check the bit size on a Vic Cybertool for me? These look to be the same thing.

[1jump2many]

Is if me or does it seem that there are too many combo edge blades?  Why not just keep things simple when you have a blade that small and keep it plain edge?  I have one of Tool Logic's blade/firestarter combination.  I wouldn't call it a MT though. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I really like the concept of this tool a lot, but I think they have let the side down a bit with aesthetics and really missed the mark with the bit sizes 

Maybe they'll make a Mark II without these problems eventually 

Hmmm, can someone check the bit size on a Vic Cybertool for me? These look to be the same thing.

I just dug out my calipers and the bits are exactly 4mm.  I also have  Husky brand multi Torx screwdriver and the bits for that measure about 3.5mm.  I don't know if this is a "standard" or a "close enough" kind of thing.

Def

[J-sews]

And according to my calipers, the SL Plier's bits are also exactly 4mm.

So the question is, would a Vic Cybertool and a ToolLogic SL Plier make a good EDC combination for an electronics repair person or a computer tech?

[Magnus]

And according to my calipers, the SL Plier's bits are also exactly 4mm.

So the question is, would a Vic Cybertool and a ToolLogic SL Plier make a good EDC combination for an electronics repair person or a computer tech?

wouldn't that just be duplication of a 4mm bit driver?

[J-sews]

And according to my calipers, the SL Plier's bits are also exactly 4mm.

So the question is, would a Vic Cybertool and a ToolLogic SL Plier make a good EDC combination for an electronics repair person or a computer tech?

wouldn't that just be duplication of a 4mm bit driver?

Yeh, I suppose. I was just thinking if a person already had SAK with 4mm bits they probably wouldn't want to pair it up with a multitool that used a different bit driver size.

[hawkchucker]

Psst Bob,,, Just take credit for it!!

[J-sews]

Psst Bob,,, Just take credit for it!!