I'd never heard of
American Buffalo Knife & Tool until stumbling upon their website last week. So imagine how tickled I was to find a strange new multitool listed in their Cattleman's Cutlery line!
Called the Ranch Hand Multi Tool, this thing breaks from the normal needlenose-plier multitool format and offers an interesting mix of features.
An adjustable wrench, pliers, a knife, and a bit driver with onboard screwdriver bits. All in a slim, pocket clip equipped package. Cool!
The knife is non-locking, with a thumb stud for easy one-hand opening. It seems entirely adequate for most minor cutting chores.
The pliers are spring loaded. They are held closed by this small locking switch:
Flick the switch with your thumb, and the pliers are ready for action. They don't have the reach of a set of needlenose jaws, but they do feel pretty strong otherwise.
The adjustable wrench feature of the Ranch Hand is rather limited, able to open wide enough to fit 3/8 inch (10mm) nuts or bolts.
Three screwdriver hex bits are carried onboard. They are a little fiddly to get out of the carrier. You have to reach into the side window and poke them out with your finger.
Note that the bits are NOT standard 1/4 hex. Instead they are a special 4mm size, same as the ones used in CRKT's
Zilla-Tool Junior.
Speaking of CRKT, it seems obvious that the Ranch Hand has certain genetic traits in common with Columbia River's Lil' Guppie tool. The wrench mechanism is identical, right down to the fine teeth and coarse teeth in the jaws.
One also wonders how much the overall design was inspired by Spyderco's SpydeRench?
Personally, I see the Ranch Hand as a cross between the two, hence the nickname "SpyderGuppie"
PROS- wrench / knife / pliers / screwdriver all in one
- seems rather well made
- thin, compact, carryable
CONS- screwdriver has limited reach
- fat fingered folks will have trouble getting the hex bits out
- rather small wrench opening, I can't think where I would use it
Donations
Community Links
