CRKT Zilla Tool Jr.

[edcgear]

My Jr. ramblings.... 

From the Columbia River Knife and Tools ID Works workshop comes another middle range multitool. Designers Tom Stokes a mechanical engineer from the University of Virginia with over 20 years of experience together with dedicated creative guy Launce Barber are the ones responsible for creating and patenting of the Zilla Tool Jr.



CRKT Zilla Tool Jr. characteristics are few tools and excellent design. Dimensions and main characteristics of this multitool are:

1. Overall length          190mm
2. Closed tool lenght         133mm
3. Weight             108g
4. Blade length          57mm
5. Material             2CR13
6. Surface treatment:          HRC 51-53



The tool comes in a nice nylon pouch with velcro enclosure which can be worn vertically, also on itself Zilla Jr. has a pocket clip that is great for pocket carry or bag. Pocket clip is set in one place and can not be moved, and when used it’s a plier down position. The body of Zilla Jr. is made of zytel plastic, though it’s not too refined and precious, but zytel provides to tool exactly what you need, good grip and light weight.



The first tool is pliers which are spring assisted. Pliers head sticks out of the tool, and they are not folding in any way. Plier handle follows the form of the tool nicely. Deployment of pliers is somewhat neat, by pulling a small button on tool body you deploy pliers with pleasant snap sound. They are needle nose pliers with flat portion at the end, followed by rounded part for nuts and bolts, and wire cutters and strippers at the end.



On the other side of the tool is knife blade, which can also be opened with one hand pulling flipper on top of the handle when the knife is closed. The blade is secured by liner lock system. Blade itself is a spear point shape, hollow grinded and partially serrated. The blade shape proved up to many tasks, but it is not intended for heavier tasks while beeing so thin at the point, which can prove to be a weakness at heavier duties. The knife is razor sharp out of the box.



On the same side with the blade there is magnetic bit holder. Bits are hidden in the Zytel handle on each side in their holders. Zilla Tool Jr. has two bits standard flat and philips. Due to the size of the tools CRKT had to resort to non-standard dimensions of bits, so they can be replaced by standard 1/4inch bits.



Overall, after several weeks of using this multitool, and some medium and moderate tasks they have encountered, Zilla Tool Jr. proved to be a serious competitor in its class. I ended up with ease to some home jobs mostly related to electrical appliances, and Zilla Tool Jr. finished them easy. It feels very nice in hand, and it is intuitive to work with. Blade proved to be very capable, although there is still a risk of damage due to its thickness. Overall CRKT Zilla Tool Jr. is a very convenient tool for all home and light to moderately heavy work, as well as camping, hunting, fishing and outdoors.

[Mr. Whippy]

Nice review!

I don't know if your Zilla Jr, does this, but mine tends to open its blade just a little bit when I pocket carry it.  Makes me a little nervous, and it's the reason I don't EDC it often. 

I think it's an incredibly fun MT to handle however!

[edcgear]

Didn't noticed that... 

It was fairly stiff... Yes nice peace of EDC.... 

[dks]

Good tool, feels surprisingly solid for its size, well contoured, much comfier to use (cut and screw) than the Guppie (though the Guppie has a non locking blade which is necessary in some places), comes with a bottle opener and is cute!

I only wish it came with regular bits, I lost my philips bit and that will not be very easy to replace.

My blade is tight enough, but can still be "flicked" open with the help of a finger if needed for added effect.

Good review. 

[edcgear]

Try to contact CRKT for that bit....

[kirk13]

Good review!thanks for posting

[Grant Lamontagne]

You forgot the most important feature- the bottle opener!

Def

[MultiMat]

Its black too  .

Baby flipper MT  .

Nice review mate 
Looking forward to getting my Junior 

[edcgear]

You forgot the most important feature- the bottle opener!

Def

Woooh  how could I forgot that.... 

[Mr. Whippy]

Dammit!  Now I'm getting an itching to EDC my Zilla Jr again.   

Nobody else has the tip opening issue in pocket carry?  If true, maybe I'll send it in to CRKT for a tune up.

[AimlessWanderer]

Great review! However ...

.... Zilla Tool Jr. proved to be a serious competitor in its class....

... I'm not quite sure exactly which class it's in. What tools would you say this is competing against?

You forgot the most important feature- the bottle opener!

Def

... where is that? Do you use the pliers handle or the belt clip or something? I couldn't see a dedicated opener on it.

It's certainly a pity that the Junior doesn't take standard hex bits - or this would be more of a tempter

[Grant Lamontagne]

The bottle opener is a hidden feature- the handle goes under the lip of the bottle and the flipper goes on top of the cap for leverage.

Def

[edcgear]

I would put it in Skeletool line toolwise, somewhat lighter duty then Skele power wise, and right in Squirt line price wise... Think that says enough?

IMHO by all means...

[AimlessWanderer]

The bottle opener is a hidden feature- the handle goes under the lip of the bottle and the flipper goes on top of the cap for leverage.

Def

I would put it in Skeletool line toolwise, somewhat lighter duty then Skele power wise, and right in Squirt line price wise... Think that says enough?

IMHO by all means...

Thanks Guys 

[edcgear]

The bottle opener is a hidden feature- the handle goes under the lip of the bottle and the flipper goes on top of the cap for leverage.

Def

I would put it in Skeletool line toolwise, somewhat lighter duty then Skele power wise, and right in Squirt line price wise... Think that says enough?

IMHO by all means...

Thanks Guys 

Here to serve and.... 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'll force myselfto have a drink shortly so I can photograph how it works for you.  Don't tell me folks around here aren't willing to suffer to help other people out!   

Def

[AimlessWanderer]

I appreciate the sacrifice mate, although I do want to see good pics - even if it means you have to suffer two or three to ensure a good image. Duty calls 

 

[edcgear]

Pics 

[Stirling3749]

I've owned both the Jr. and the original Zilla.
I find the original pretty big and heavy for what it offers and it flops around allot on the belt but the Jr. is actually a pretty cool little multitool.