'Les Stroud' Engage Multitool TEST TO DESTRUCTION!

[Lynn LeFey]

Sure, but you have to admit, it IS providing us all some entertainment. 

[Grathr]

Sure, but you have to admit, it IS providing us all some entertainment. 

Its entertainment value is very high


Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk

[Lynn LeFey]

WARNING: This post is straight-up abuse. However, we do learn some things.

Engage faces his worst nemesis, the Paver: a 15 lb concrete paving stone, and his trusty sidekick Sidekick is nowhere to be seen!

Will he survive?

Test one, a sharp blow from the paving stone, dropped at about three inch height onto the tool while it lays flat.



The rubber/plastic grips did a fine job of absorbing the hit. plastic handle popped out but no huge damage.

Next, three hits on the tool, again from about three inches. The tool is on its side. First hit at the tool pivot end, second mid-tool, and third at the plier end.

Damage? Broken plastic hand insert is now broken off.



The Paver takes a break for a minute. Here I use a hammer to drive the plier jaws shut, cutting a heavy nail in half.


Results? Holy... smurf! Seven hard blows on the plier heads with a hammer, and the nail cuts. Nothing but scratches on plier head. Tip of the nail went flying off, and is nowhere to be found.


Back to the paver. I repeated the three-drop test, this time at 6 inches. The tool end takes a serious hit...


The 'backspring' broke off. This not only prevents ANY kind of tool retention in the open position, it also allows the tools to swing freely THROUGH the handle...



As that blade now presents REAL safety issues, it was necessary to do this next, obviously abusive test on the blade. Can it cut through a paving stone?



Of course not. It was really about grinding the edge off that blade.

I forgot to take a pic of it, but I also propped up the plier end and dropped the paver edge onto the plier jaws just forward of the pivot. SEVEN TIMES, at 6 inches. No damage besides scratches.

I dropped the paver on the tool while it was closed with plier head up, four times from 6 inches.

Holy... crap. All the intentional abuse done to the pliers, twisting, hammering, driving the jaws closed on a nail with a hammer... The plier head on this tool has proven incredibly strong.



Credit where credit is due: SUPER PLIER HEAD WIN!

[zoidberg]

Great post Lynn. 

[Toolslinger]

Need to increase the height of the drop on that paver methinks.

Great test though. Not sure what else we can do to it short of strapping it to some explosives...

[Lynn LeFey]

I still haven't run down to the hardware store for a blowtorch, but yeah, we're getting to 'extreme abuse' stage.

 

Ahem... not that makes me happy or anything.

[jerseydevil]

I still haven't run down to the hardware store for a blowtorch, but yeah, we're getting to 'extreme abuse' stage.

Well, what are you waiting for? 

[Lynn LeFey]

Ugh! I mean, it's like WAY down the hill, and I'd have to MOVE or something... and there's leftover PIE calling my name, and the stars aren't aligned properly, and I think I'm getting a cold, and I have a crushing fear of crowds, and the barometric pressure is pretty high, or low, or something, it might rain.

But mostly because I'm lazy, and justifying buying a blowtorch to crisp up a MT when we're about to get a $1600 vet bill is one of those things that would make hubby 'unhappy'.

[jerseydevil]

Ugh! I mean, it's like WAY down the hill, and I'd have to MOVE or something... and there's leftover PIE calling my name, and the stars aren't aligned properly, and I think I'm getting a cold, and I have a crushing fear of crowds, and the barometric pressure is pretty high, or low, or something, it might rain.

But mostly because I'm lazy, and justifying buying a blowtorch to crisp up a MT when we're about to get a $1600 vet bill is one of those things that would make hubby 'unhappy'.

Excuses, excuses.    Actually, leftover pie is a pretty good excuse.......

[Toolslinger]

Leftover pie is a great excuse. Now I just need to make pie so I can have leftovers...

[Aloha]

Did someone say pie  hold on I think there's still some pecan.   

[Lynn LeFey]

I was looking at the tool a few minutes ago, and noticed what an ebay seller might call a 'very slight defect'.
 



The handle is bent all wonky.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Almost new.

[Etherealicer]

I was looking at the tool a few minutes ago, and noticed what an ebay seller might call a 'very slight defect'.
 

(Image removed from quote.)

The handle is bent all wonky.

I think its time to take it out behind the chemical shed and arrange a detail of 6 men to shoot it.

[comis]

Stuff like this really is sad, especially for us. People sell out like it's not even a concern, I would refuse to put my name on anything that didn't far exceed any expectations I had because the last thigh I want is my name sullied.

On the other side, it's a real let down for us because there was so much potential. It could have been the revival of a historic brand and another serious entry into our favorite market. But instead of something for us all to get excited over, we get trash.

Totally agree, I mean given all the knowledge these survival celebrities posses, you will assume they would know what tool is right for the job, let alone given the chance to potentially building it ground-up.  And instead of making a robust fool-proof tool good for harsh wilderness use, it is certainly no where near the average(or even the inexpensive) competitions.  To put personal name on that tool will be like admitting poor preparation is acceptable... 

[firiki]

I was looking at the tool a few minutes ago, and noticed what an ebay seller might call a 'very slight defect'.
 

(Image removed from quote.)

The handle is bent all wonky.

I think its time to take it out behind the chemical shed and arrange a detail of 6 men to shoot it.

Can I? Can I? Please, please, pretty please 

 

[derekmac]

I love this thread!    I can't access FB on the work PC, and I'm too lazy to check on my phone, but were any of these results posted on his FB page?

A big thanks for taking the time to do these awesome tests, and taking lots of pics!!

[Lynn LeFey]

(Image removed from quote.)

Can I? Can I? Please, please, pretty please 

I'm still looking for a place that would allow me to shoot this thing. All hope is not lost that the Engage will end its testing on a firing line.

However... It won't be YOU on the trigger. Because, let me be honest, there is no one on these boards that can hate this tool as much as I do.

 

[Lynn LeFey]

I think I can safely say I'm at the end of actual testing with this tool, and thought I'd just summarize my findings of how it functions.

The 'Good'...

Pliers:
PROs: As pliers, the tool proved very robust, and capable of taking a beating. It withstood punishment in turning rusted bolts nose-on, having a concrete paver dropped on the side of the plier head, and being used as a wedge with a hammer driving it.
CONs: Where it failed was at the pins holding the plier head to the tool arms, where the strong force on the handles needed to cut a nail was enough to bend the pivot pin. Additionally, the bulky handles means the reach of the pliers is limited in grabbing flush bolts.
OVERALL: This is the best function of the tool, and certainly up to most any day to day task.

Blade:
PROs: The blade took an edge without much effort.
CONs: Pretty much anything else about the tool. It didn't come sharp. Tool retention made it feel very unsafe in use. The short length made it unwieldy compared to the thick handles. The Sheepsfoot blade shape might be good for fine whittling tasks, but paired with an inside folding design, and the bulk of the tools, is pretty useless at anything else.
OVERALL: very marginally useful.

Saw:
PROs: Cuts fairly well, and that's saying something for low-end MTs, because most don't.
CONs: It's a very short tool, and like every other tool, is buried in thick handles.

Ferro Rod:
PROs: Throws decent sparks, and has a reasonably comfortable handle
CONs: Maybe a little small.
OVERALL: Pretty good.

Sheath:
PROs: Solidly built. Pretty good tool retention.
CONs: Bulky as a mo-fo for belt carry. Velcro patch is a bit small.
OVERALL: seems solid.

The Bad...

Flathead Driver:
PROs: Very few. It's capable of light screwdriver duty, and the file on it is good for filing your fingernails.
CONs: It has VERY limited use as a pry tool, and with poor retention, regardless of the wonky 'bent' design, is highly prone to collapse under force.
OVERALL: can do light duty. very limited both as screwdriver and pry tool.

Fish Scaler:
PROs: File is useful for light duty, and the tool works reasonably well for general poking/prodding tasks.
CONs: The file is not hardened, so won't do serious work. I would seriously not want to use a fish hook remover on a tool with such poor retention in the open position. And while it's untested, I imagine that actually scaling a fish with this tool would be next to impossible considering its length, and the bulk of the handles.
OVERALL: Very tiny amount of likely real usefulness, mostly as light duty file.

Flashlight/Whistle:
PROs: Better than nothing.
CONs: not a loud whistle and very short run time on flashlight.
OVERALL: probably could do just as well without.

The Ugly...

Philips:
PROs: None. Seriously
CONs: Prone to collapsing closed, doesn't seem to slot well into any screw. Sheds metal horribly in use.
OVERALL: MIGHT manage light-duty philips work, but I couldn't get it to.

Mystery Tool:
There is a tool on this thing, a square shank driver. I don't know if its a robertson or what.
PROs: I don't know.
CONs: I have no idea what this thing is for. It's literally useless.
OVERALL: See above.

Can Opener:
PROs: None.
CONs: It does not work. At ALL.
Caveat: If you take the tool apart, THEN it becomes a very serviceable can opener.
OVERALL: Complete fail in stock configuration.

But while useless, those tools aren't dangerous, unlike...

Scissors:
PROs: None.
CONs: Besides being almost completely worthless as scissors, they are actively dangerous with weak retention in the closed position, popping up out of the tool and stabbing your palm.
OVERALL: Terrible.

So, what would I recommend to improve this tool?

1) Use thinner washers between tools, to slim the tool down.
2) Get rid of the scissors completely. If you can't do it right, don't waste the space. While you're at it, get rid of that pointless square shank mystery tool.
3) Between points 1 and 2, you can slim this tool down considerably, which will shorten the pivot pins holding the plier head to the body, which will make the pliers even better.
4) Improve tool retention in the open position. I don't care how you do it, but DO IT!
5) Learn how to adjust the tension on your pins holding tools in place. Then LOCK TITE them.
6) If you're going to put something like a can opener in a tool, test to see that it works where it's positioned... or fire the QC guy who mucked this up in the assembly process.
7) Use better metal in the tools. They seem to be made out of very soft steel. Ridiculously soft steel.
8 ) Failing all of this, just STOP MAKING GARBAGE TOOLS!

When tested against a number of $10 multitools, the ONE decent function of this tool, the pliers, shows itself to be nothing out of the ordinary. This is, in essence, a $15 multitool pack, being sold for $25. And in the end, THAT is the real sin of this tool.

[Caranthanus]

Awesome thread ...

[Etherealicer]

Awesome thread ...

(Image removed from quote.)

+1

[zoidberg]

Burn all the plastic off and sledgehammer it into a paperweight cube thing. 

[AimlessWanderer]

I think I can safely say I'm at the end of actual testing with this tool, and thought I'd just summarize my findings of how it functions.

The 'Good'...

Pliers:
PROs: As pliers, the tool proved very robust, and capable of taking a beating. It withstood punishment in turning rusted bolts nose-on, having a concrete paver dropped on the side of the plier head, and being used as a wedge with a hammer driving it.
CONs: Where it failed was at the pins holding the plier head to the tool arms, where the strong force on the handles needed to cut a nail was enough to bend the pivot pin. Additionally, the bulky handles means the reach of the pliers is limited in grabbing flush bolts.
OVERALL: This is the best function of the tool, and certainly up to most any day to day task.

Blade:
PROs: The blade took an edge without much effort.
CONs: Pretty much anything else about the tool. It didn't come sharp. Tool retention made it feel very unsafe in use. The short length made it unwieldy compared to the thick handles. The Sheepsfoot blade shape might be good for fine whittling tasks, but paired with an inside folding design, and the bulk of the tools, is pretty useless at anything else.
OVERALL: very marginally useful.

Saw:
PROs: Cuts fairly well, and that's saying something for low-end MTs, because most don't.
CONs: It's a very short tool, and like every other tool, is buried in thick handles.

Ferro Rod:
PROs: Throws decent sparks, and has a reasonably comfortable handle
CONs: Maybe a little small.
OVERALL: Pretty good.

Sheath:
PROs: Solidly built. Pretty good tool retention.
CONs: Bulky as a mo-fo for belt carry. Velcro patch is a bit small.
OVERALL: seems solid.

The Bad...

Flathead Driver:
PROs: Very few. It's capable of light screwdriver duty, and the file on it is good for filing your fingernails.
CONs: It has VERY limited use as a pry tool, and with poor retention, regardless of the wonky 'bent' design, is highly prone to collapse under force.
OVERALL: can do light duty. very limited both as screwdriver and pry tool.

Fish Scaler:
PROs: File is useful for light duty, and the tool works reasonably well for general poking/prodding tasks.
CONs: The file is not hardened, so won't do serious work. I would seriously not want to use a fish hook remover on a tool with such poor retention in the open position. And while it's untested, I imagine that actually scaling a fish with this tool would be next to impossible considering its length, and the bulk of the handles.
OVERALL: Very tiny amount of likely real usefulness, mostly as light duty file.

Flashlight/Whistle:
PROs: Better than nothing.
CONs: not a loud whistle and very short run time on flashlight.
OVERALL: probably could do just as well without.

The Ugly...

Philips:
PROs: None. Seriously
CONs: Prone to collapsing closed, doesn't seem to slot well into any screw. Sheds metal horribly in use.
OVERALL: MIGHT manage light-duty philips work, but I couldn't get it to.

Mystery Tool:
There is a tool on this thing, a square shank driver. I don't know if its a robertson or what.
PROs: I don't know.
CONs: I have no idea what this thing is for. It's literally useless.
OVERALL: See above.

Can Opener:
PROs: None.
CONs: It does not work. At ALL.
Caveat: If you take the tool apart, THEN it becomes a very serviceable can opener.
OVERALL: Complete fail in stock configuration.

But while useless, those tools aren't dangerous, unlike...

Scissors:
PROs: None.
CONs: Besides being almost completely worthless as scissors, they are actively dangerous with weak retention in the closed position, popping up out of the tool and stabbing your palm.
OVERALL: Terrible.

So, what would I recommend to improve this tool?

1) Use thinner washers between tools, to slim the tool down.
2) Get rid of the scissors completely. If you can't do it right, don't waste the space. While you're at it, get rid of that pointless square shank mystery tool.
3) Between points 1 and 2, you can slim this tool down considerably, which will shorten the pivot pins holding the plier head to the body, which will make the pliers even better.
4) Improve tool retention in the open position. I don't care how you do it, but DO IT!
5) Learn how to adjust the tension on your pins holding tools in place. Then LOCK TITE them.
6) If you're going to put something like a can opener in a tool, test to see that it works where it's positioned... or fire the QC guy who mucked this up in the assembly process.
7) Use better metal in the tools. They seem to be made out of very soft steel. Ridiculously soft steel.
8 ) Failing all of this, just STOP MAKING GARBAGE TOOLS!

When tested against a number of $10 multitools, the ONE decent function of this tool, the pliers, shows itself to be nothing out of the ordinary. This is, in essence, a $15 multitool pack, being sold for $25. And in the end, THAT is the real sin of this tool.

All we need now is for Mr Less Proud (see what I did there  ) to publically acknowledge that he stuck his name on an utterly pathetic tool purely for money grabbing reasons and with no regard for viability reliability or safety, and that he has let down himself, his entire fan base, his family, his cat, his next door neighbor's cat, that fat kid he picked on at school, the midwife that delivered him ......

[Chako]

Number 8 is always a good one. Great review. 

[HarleyXJGuy]

I'm still looking for a place that would allow me to shoot this thing. All hope is not lost that the Engage will end its testing on a firing line.

However... It won't be YOU on the trigger. Because, let me be honest, there is no one on these boards that can hate this tool as much as I do.

Come to Afghanistan and I can put you behind anything from a M4 to a 120mm Mortar. Should sort this Engage out just fine.

[Higgins617]

I'm still looking for a place that would allow me to shoot this thing. All hope is not lost that the Engage will end its testing on a firing line.

However... It won't be YOU on the trigger. Because, let me be honest, there is no one on these boards that can hate this tool as much as I do.

Come to Afghanistan and I can put you behind anything from a M4 to a 120mm Mortar. Should sort this Engage out just fine.

Is that an open invitation???

[HarleyXJGuy]

I'm still looking for a place that would allow me to shoot this thing. All hope is not lost that the Engage will end its testing on a firing line.

However... It won't be YOU on the trigger. Because, let me be honest, there is no one on these boards that can hate this tool as much as I do.

Come to Afghanistan and I can put you behind anything from a M4 to a 120mm Mortar. Should sort this Engage out just fine.

Is that an open invitation???

Sure bring your Xtract.

[Lynn LeFey]

Ooohhhh.... Hey.

I wonder what shipping cost is to Afghanistan?

Would you film it happening? 

[Higgins617]

I'm still looking for a place that would allow me to shoot this thing. All hope is not lost that the Engage will end its testing on a firing line.

However... It won't be YOU on the trigger. Because, let me be honest, there is no one on these boards that can hate this tool as much as I do.

Come to Afghanistan and I can put you behind anything from a M4 to a 120mm Mortar. Should sort this Engage out just fine.

Is that an open invitation???

Sure bring your Xtract.

Sorry man, I don't think the glorious U S of A has anything capable of taking out such an awe inspiring, indestructible piece of engineering wonderment.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Ooohhhh.... Hey.

I wonder what shipping cost is to Afghanistan?

Would you film it happening? 

Well you ship it to a place in the US then Uncle Sam gets it the rest of the way.

Sure I can film it but my internet sucks to bad to post video I think. I could send a thumb drive to you with the video and or post pictures of the end.