Crescent ToolZall tools?

[parnass]

Are the Crescent ToolZall Pro and ToolZall Pocket Pro still manufactured?  I cannot find them at the http://www.cooperhandtools.com web site.

Multitool fans can view a ToolZall Pocket Pro brochure here.

Anyone own these?   How was their quality?

I saw articles about a lawsuit that Leatherman brought against Cooper Tools over the ToolZall, for example: http://laws.lp.findlaw.com/getcase/9th/case/9835147&exact=1

[J-sews]

Both of the Crescent multi tools you mention (as well as a few others) were actually manufactured by Bear MGC of Jacksonville, Alabama. I do not believe they are still produced with the Crescent logo. However, they are still available from Bear & Son Cutlery as the 153 and 155L.

In the mid-1990's, Bear MGC entered the multi tool market with a device that looked very much like a Leatherman PST. The big difference was in the way the Bear tool had blades and screwdrivers that could be accessed without unfolding the pliers. (outside-opening blades) Not only was this more convenient than the Leatherman, it also resulted in a more comfortable grip when the handles were unfolded and the user was squeezing the pliers. A win-win situation that we now take for granted, but Bear was the first to realize this.

After Cooper was blocked in court from marketing an exact copy of the Leatherman PST, they instead simply arranged to market tools produced by Bear, which were stamped with the Cooper logo. Bear MGC multi tools were also produced with the Nicholson (files, saw blades, etc) logo, another division of the Cooper Industries.

But the saga continues. At some point, Victorinox purchased Bear MGC. I think this was done in order for Vic to obtain rights to the Bear patents, because a short time later, Vic introduced the SwissTool, which of course also has outside-opening blades. Two years ago, Victorinox sold their Bear Cutlery division back to one of the original owners, who renamed the company Bear & Son Cutlery, Inc.

When first introduced, the Bear multi tools (as well as those Bear tools stamped Cooper, Nicholson, or Craftsman) were every bit as good as a Leatherman. Quality was equal, and the construction and handle material was heavy duty. If anything, the outside-opening blades should have given Bear the advantage. But they could not compete with Leatherman's marketing advantage. Worse yet, Bear did not continue to innovate and advance their design. Now ten years later, Bear still only offers their original design tools (with the addition of a weird locking blade mechanism) while of course Leatherman offers a whole array of sophisticated designs.

~Bob
 

[parnass]

Bob,

Thanks for the info.  I found a nylon ToolZall sheath in a parking lot once, but the tool was missing.

I see a few other multitools at the Bear and Son Cutlery web site, including a 157GT Gardener tool and a 157SM Bird Shears.   Too bad their web site doesn't describe details about some of their tools, e.g., what blades are contained in the tool.

[J-sews]

Too bad indeed.
They make good strong tools, but they've never had a very decent website. Notice some of their products are not even pictured, and none have proper details.

Besides making a great product, the only other success Bear had was their ability to sell tools through other major companies. I'm guessing the Sears Craftsman series tools were there biggest market, probably followed by the Cooper ToolZalls. Bear also made tools for resale by Remington (bird hunter's multi tool), Dunns Outdoors, L.L. Bean, and Moore Maker.

Link: http://catalog.mooremaker.com/viewProduct.cfm?item_id=392966

Maybe there were others?

[J-sews]

Another notable first from Bear:
At least five years before the Leatherman Juice EL with electrician jaws came out, Bear Cutlery was producing their full-size 155EL electrician's multi tool. (The same tool was also produced with ToolZall and Sears Craftsman logos on it)

[parnass]

Just curious.  What are those things (levers?) shown inside each handle on the 155EL and a few other Bear multitools?

Are those Torx or Allen screws holding the blades in the handles?

Thanks.

[Grant Lamontagne]

We've often discussed the Bear brand in SOSAK, but usually from the point of view of how it affected the offerings from Victorinox.  It's interesting to learn more about them beyond the "Victorinox Years."

I wasn't even entirely certain they were still around.

Def

[J-sews]

Just curious.  What are those things (levers?) shown inside each handle on the 155EL and a few other Bear multitools?

Are those Torx or Allen screws holding the blades in the handles?

Thanks.

All of the Bear multi tools I've seen have regular Torx (not security Torx) screws at the pivot points.

IMO, those lever things were not one of Bear's better ideas. They are for unlocking the blades. Bear uses the same style blade lock as the original Leatherman Super Tool. The blade is unfolded and a piece of metal snaps into a groove, locking the blade into place. Pushing down on the lever lifts the metal up out of the groove, allowing the blade to be folded back up.

The levers work fine, they just look a little strange.

[parnass]

... those lever things ....are for unlocking the blades. Bear uses the same style blade lock as the original Leatherman Super Tool. ...

I understand now.   Thanks.

[tstetz]

My favorite multi-tool of all time is an old Craftsman model which was actually the Bear MGC tool just stamped "Craftsman" for Sears. It's a very well built tool and still stands up well against current models IMO. Not as fancy as someof the newer ones but well designed, solid, and comfortable to use.

It's still my most used tool and has seen a lot of action over the years.

[J-sews]

Hi tstetz, am I correct in assuming that your tool is a Craftsman 45521? (5-digit number stamped on the handle opposite "Craftsman")

Does yours have the locking blades, or is it the original non-locking version?

~Bob

[tstetz]

I'd have to pull it out and check the stampings. It's an older non-locking tool model.

[parnass]

It has been almost one year since I asked about the Crescent ToolZall Pro. I bought one today on clearance sale at a local tool store.  This model has non-locking blades.

It weights slightly less than a Victorinox Spirit.  The pliers head and wire cutter are almost identical in size and shape to the original Leatherman tool (PST).

As is my custom, I gave the entire tool a thin coating of oil then wiped it off slightly with an oily rag.  Using two Torx T-10 screwdrivers, I adjusted the blade opening tension to suit. 

I plan to carry and use this ToolZall Pro for a while instead of my newer model multitools to see how it performs.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Sweet!

I can't wait to see what you think of it once you've had a chance to play with it some more.

Def

[J-sews]

I think you'll like how rugged the tool is built, and the outside opening blades. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Gotta get me one of them Bear Tools someday....

Def

[tomcrx]

Def

If you want one I have a Crescent ToolzAll Pro still in the clamshell packaging. You can have it for the cost of shipping
to your location.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Very cool!  PM sent!

Def

[Biru]

I can't believe you fellows brought up the Toolzall tools! I've never seen them mentioned anywhere else. Years ago I purchased, sight unseen, the first version of the Toolzall. It was an EXACT copy of the Leatherman PST except that Cooper had stuck adhesive rubber pads onto the handles, perhaps to avoid a lawsuit. I believe this particular version is the so-called "Cooperman" which resulted in a legal action by Leatherman. I also have the Toolzall Electrician Pro which was just a re-labeling of the MGC electrician's tool. A while back, I was told by a Cooper customer service rep that if the my Toolzall needed warranty service, they would simply refund my purchase price with receipt as there were no Toolzall products being marketed now. Anyway, kudos to the new Toolzall! Regards, Bill.

[tomcrx]

Very cool!  PM sent!

Def

PM replied.. Hope you enjoy it.

[J-sews]

Cooper had their "Pro" line of multitools made by Bear MGC of course. I don't know where their "regular" tools were produced. No markings on them except the ToolZall decals.

[Biru]

The "regular" non-Pro, PST clone is okay, but I'd take a Leatherman over it any day. It doesn't have that satisfying Leatherman "snap" when you close it. It's marked "USA", but as you say I don't know how much of it is American-made. One thing I will give it is that its knife was scalpel sharp! I paid $16 US for it so it wasn't a big loss. The MGC-made Pro Electrician is MUCH nicer. It's actually better made than my two locking Bear Jaws. Both of them have knives and other implements that don't open level to the bottom of the handles, but tilt upward slightly. Oddly, my MGC Sportsman is perfect!?? That's one reason I stopped buying the MGCs because of the inconsistencies.