Intrigued by a new generic multi-tool.

[Chako]

I have a question, and it based on my latest acquisition. I found this generic tool at a local shop. It was priced at only 14 dollars and didn't come with a box or a sheath.



At first, I noticed that there was no unit scales on either side of the handles. Then I noted how heavy it was and dare I say it, well built. I mean, look at the thickness of those handles. Nice slabs of steel.



Now, I figured this tool was built very well, but the real kicker are the foldout tools. I was expecting junk...but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of them for a 14 dollar tool. In fact, this tool is fighting way above its class.



I thought I had bought this tool a second time, as I was in this store a few months ago and I was sure I bought one...but I couldn't find it anywhere in the collection. Considering I am asking now and not then about this tool, I gather I didn't buy it when I first laid  eyes on it a while back. The plier head is rather nice and tight with no side to side play. The fit and finish is a step above most low end multi-tools.



So after looking at this tool closely, I have noticed a few similarities with other pieces in my collection. I had seen this construction before on Bear & Son tools. I also remembered another multi that features similar construction...



This other tool features the same outward folding tools...much like Bear & Son, and this new one. Note the similarity in the metal work, including the cut out tab for the plier head.



This other tool is a Shrade.



So my question is this...who made this and possibly the Shrade? Are they Bear & Son, Shrade, or something else?

[Rux]

Nothing to offer, but just chiming in that based on the tool load out and the outside access to the tools, I think it's safe to say they're copying the Victorinox Spirit/Spirit X.

[sawman]

I thought Bear & Son was around much longer than Vic's multipliers 

[Billy Ruffian]

It don't half look like one Thomas has up for sale in his 'Cheap and Cheerful' thread, tool loadout is not exactly the same and clearly his is etched, but boy do they look similar.

[rdub934]

Strange that it doesn't have any identifying marks on it. Looks like a nice tool, and very user friendly. And for $14 - quite a bargain.

Does the large flat driver also have a cutout for cap lifting duties? The scissors are camouflaging it.

[Chako]

Yes it does.

[Smashie]

At that price and apparent quality I'd buy 10 of them and not worry about losing/damaging them.

[gregozedobe]

Possibly made in the same (Chinese) factory as that "Schrade Tough" tool    (which I think I might have seen with various other brands, including Bahco ? )

Sounds like good value for money, whatever the provenance   

[lowtech]

It don't half look like one Thomas has up for sale in his 'Cheap and Cheerful' thread, tool loadout is not exactly the same and clearly his is etched, but boy do they look similar.

What he said.

Mine does look like this:



and I thought the same - Way above the usual "No-Name" and Generic tools.





If you like, i can do pictures besides soem common tool for a comparison?

[Syph007]

All that knockoff msc stuff is always made in China.  Anyone that made a tool in North America or other country would put a name on it.  If it looks like another name brand tool, it probably went out the back door of the same factory that makes the others.

Also you cant judge the tools on looks.  You have to try them.  You can polish crappy non heat treated metal, that doesnt mean it will work.  Thickness of metal doenst mean better either.  It could be such a low quality metal they needed to have thicker walls to have enough strength.

I think this is another cheap and *cough* cheerful.  A $14 no name tools isnt going to be on par ever with a LM or Vic or SOG.

[Chako]

<----knows quality when he sees it.

[sawman]

<----knows quality when he sees it.

I for one don't question your judgment Dan. I don't have them in front of me but they certainly do appear quality

[JAfromMn]

I think you got your $14 worth of tool + Chako 

id use it.

I'm sure is break it but I think I'd get my moneys worth of use out of it first.  

[Syph007]

<----knows quality when he sees it.

My point was exactly that you can't tell how a tool performs by looking at it.  You cant tell what the metal composition is, if its been heat treated or tempered.  It very well could be cutlery steel (300 series) or lower that cant even transform to martensite.  If you are serious about evaluation vs a known good one you'd need to test it vs something known. 

Ex: After similar cutting chores with this thing and a good known tool, how does it perform, and wear.  Does the blade cut well? How does it hold an edge? You get the idea.  It would also be good info if you had something like a scratch file test set.  They go in increments of 5 RC up to 60 RC and with something that simple you can judge if the tools are heat treated and get the RC value to within 5.

Now, yes it's possible some rogue company built a tool of good quality steel and didnt bother branding it, and released it into wild for prices that blow Leatherman out of the water, but what are the odds of it happening?  Ive just seen so much junk steel from China Im very skeptical.

[Huntsman]

I have a question, and it based on my latest acquisition. I found this generic tool at a local shop. It was priced at only 14 dollars and didn't come with a box or a sheath.

So my question is this...who made this and possibly the Shrade? Are they Bear & Son, Shrade, or something else?

You're asking us a question regarding Multitools  

[lowtech]

While Syph is of course right that you cannot judge the steel quality by looking at teh tool, I must say that the tool I have (and I can olnly comment on the stuff I handled) is well made. The fit and finish is above teh usual China tools and on par with some of teh name-brand Multis I own(ed).
The handle edges are not sharp, the ruler markngs are stamped in even and level.
The sheath is well made and the tool is stamped CJH Rostfrei 109600.
The edges on the tools are symmetrical and even.
As far as I know, the Tool has been produced for (not by) C. Julius Herbertz, a once well known quality brand which, afaik shares the sad fate of Schrade and many others and nowadays sells mostly rebranded cheap stuff.

Maybe i should test this tool for a while.

[Chako]

Syphh007. I have seen enough out there that I believe I have a good handle on quality and junk. Although you do make a good argument, I will also state that not all things made in China is junk. Because this tool has no markings...we aren't certain it is made in China to begin with, and hence my question which it appears, nobody on this forum has the answer. 

A cheap tool screams cheap. Poor metal quality is mostly obvious as well. This and the other tools shown is definitely superior to a cheap tool as I have plenty of those in my collection.

Weight is a good factor as cheap tools are made thin to save money regardless of the quality of the steel. Cheap tools are definitely made of inferior metals as I have a few that you can easily bend the tools back and forth. No this tool is superior to those.

Rogue company? Sorry Syph007 but I will have to disagree with you there. And where do you get off in thinking I don't test my tools...but just look at them? I have noted that misconception on these forums before and it puzzles me somewhat. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Let's be sure to play nicely here.
Uncle Def is watching.  There's enough room here for everyone's opinions and thoughts provided we are all civil about it.

Def

[Yadda]

Let's be sure to play nicely here.
Uncle Def is watching.  There's enough room here for everyone's opinions and thoughts provided we are all civil about it.

Def

Here, here!!!  And I'll go so far as to add these reasons are the main reasons I hang out at this digital water cooler. 

[Chako]

One can also disagree and still remain civil. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Absolutely.   That's the great thing about this place.   

Def

[Yadda]

One can also disagree and still remain civil. 

Said the unmarried man. 

[Chako]

You do have a point there.   

[Yadda]

You do have a point there.   

For those of us with significant others the statement might should read "One can also disagree, but must remain silent and expressionless." 

[AHB]

You do have a point there.   

For those of us with significant others the statement might should read "One can also disagree, but must remain silent and expressionless." 

Hear, hear..

[Syph007]

And where do you get off in thinking I don't test my tools...but just look at them? I have noted that misconception on these forums before and it puzzles me somewhat. 

I inferred it based on all of your posts since I joined.  You are correct though I dont have any idea what you do with tools.  I see you make alot of 'here is what I bought' threads, but never anything about here's what I did with tool x,y,z threads.  So it was an inference based on observation. 

If you have user input to add to this or any other tool evaluation then please do, it adds values to anyone trying to decide if a tool is right for them.  Your pictures are excellent reference images since you have a vast amount of tools, probably all MTs really that exist, but pictures are only part of the story.  Performance is the other part, that's the only point I was trying to make.

[sawman]

This is turning into a depressing thread. All Dan did was share a cool new MT he found. 

[Syph007]

This is turning into a depressing thread. All Dan did was share a cool new MT he found. 

Ya agreed, thats not my intention.  Lets just lock this and drop it.