Piranha Multi-tool

[Kampfer]

Today’s market is filled with off brand Multi-tools, most of them are copies, clones of Leatherman’s butterfly style pliers or Swiss Army knife style pocket knife. The Piranha Multi-tool is an exception, it has interesting design but shockingly, no one claim the credit of designing such tool.

The Piranha Multi-tool weights at 6.5 oz, about 5 inches long, 1.75 inches wide and 3/8 inches thick. Comes with a highly polished, removable pocket clip. Even though the tool is not small, but its thin profile along with pocket clip makes it very easy and comfortable to carry. Overall good fit and finish for multi-tools in this price range.

[Kampfer]

Flipping the switch on its side, the spring loaded stubby pliers sprint into action. They feel steady in hand, the wire cutter also works well. I tried the by-passing cutter on coat hanger, small gauge wires and paper, all passed.  Take a closer look, you will figure out why this Multi-tool is named “Piranha”, the pliers jaws really resembles the head of a piranha fish. When you are finished with the pliers, close the handle, flip the switch, the pliers will lock back in place. Out of the box, the pliers are very grindy just like other Gerber tools, after disassemble and a cleanup in pivot area, they are now very smooth to operate.

[Kampfer]

The adjustable wrench is a feature rarely seen in multi-tool world. Such feature is fixed on the other end of the tool, opens up to about ¾ inches. I turned some hex nuts of stairwell railing, worked very well. A side note, the thumb screw knobs does rattle a little. I inserted a thin 0.5mm washer at its axle to eliminate its movement. 

[Kampfer]

Now let’s look at its knife, the most used tool on a Multi-tool.
Piranha features a 3 inches, black coated knife blade made of 3cr13 steel. Thumb stub makes it easy to open and close the blade one handed. The liner lock provides solid lock up, zero side / side or up / down movement. Out from the box, it is not super sharp, but after a few passes on diamond file, it now slides through paper with no problem. Ergonomic in knife mode is a big miss. The handle is somehow curved inward, the sharp edge and corner on adjustable wrench making it uncomfortable to use the knife. The first thing I done to this tool after I inspected it was taking a file to round off those areas. Much more useable now.

[Kampfer]

Piranha also equips with two screwdrivers hidden under its belly, they are non-locking, perpendicular to the tool, provides good torque if space allows it.

[Kampfer]

The Piranha Multi-tool has very unusual design, integrated OHO knife, pliers, adjustable wrench and screwdrivers into a slim, easy to carry package and each of those features is very functional.
As early of 2015, the Piranha Multi-tool is only available from SPAMCORP.com for the price of $15. That is very good value for what you are getting. So if you deal with nuts and bolts often, or you just like interesting Multi-tools, Piranha is for you!

Pros:
Very affordable 
Every tool is functional
Good Ergonomic (except knife)
Easy to carry
One hand open locking large blade
Fit n finish is good for its price range, parallel to Gerber tools

Cons:
Knife is useable, but it feels a little awkward and uncomfortable to use.
Adjustment knob rattles.
Shipping was free, but took a month to arrive.

[Gareth]

Great review mate.

In form it very much reminds me of what we normally call the Cattleman or (our name) the SpyderGuppie, though it's been sold with a few different brands on it.  Not actually the same tool, but you can see the similarity: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,24809.0.html

[Kampfer]

Great review mate.

In form it very much reminds me of what we normally call the Cattleman or (our name) the SpyderGuppie, though it's been sold with a few different brands on it.  Not actually the same tool, but you can see the similarity: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,24809.0.html

Thanks. I am aware of the other two close cousins of Piranha but I try to make this as an independent review.

[Gareth]

I get that.  Every MT should be judged on it's own merits.

[Kampfer]

Catch of the week: Iron Fish.
I will carry it for a week to see if there is anything additional I should comment on.

[Kampfer]

If I even have to crush some skulls with a MT, no doubt Piranha would be my first pick.
The weight and shape of this tool is perfect for such task.

[Zed]

Great review mate,does the blade lock on these   

[Kampfer]

Great review mate,does the blade lock on these   

Now let’s look at its knife, the most used tool on a Multi-tool.
Piranha features a 3 inches, black coated knife blade made of 3cr13 steel. Thumb stub makes it easy to open and close the blade one handed. The liner lock provides solid lock up, zero side / side or up / down movement. Out from the box, it is not super sharp, but after a few passes on diamond file, it now slides through paper with no problem. Ergonomic in knife mode is a big miss. The handle is somehow curved inward, the sharp edge and corner on adjustable wrench making it uncomfortable to use the knife. The first thing I done to this tool after I inspected it was taking a file to round off those areas. Much more useable now.

Yes sir, it is liner locked. The liner is thin (1mm), exact same as many Gerber tools' knife.
Matter of the fact the entire tool's fit and finish reminds me of Gerbers.
Won't surprise me if they were made in the same factory.

[Zed]

Great review mate,does the blade lock on these   

Now let’s look at its knife, the most used tool on a Multi-tool.
Piranha features a 3 inches, black coated knife blade made of 3cr13 steel. Thumb stub makes it easy to open and close the blade one handed. The liner lock provides solid lock up, zero side / side or up / down movement. Out from the box, it is not super sharp, but after a few passes on diamond file, it now slides through paper with no problem. Ergonomic in knife mode is a big miss. The handle is somehow curved inward, the sharp edge and corner on adjustable wrench making it uncomfortable to use the knife. The first thing I done to this tool after I inspected it was taking a file to round off those areas. Much more useable now.

Yes sir, it is liner locked. The liner is thin (1mm), exact same as many Gerber tools' knife.
Matter of the fact the entire tool's fit and finish reminds me of Gerbers.
Won't surprise me if Piranha was made in the same factories with Gerbers.

  was putting in my option list for my nephew,sadly the locking blade just took it off the list  it certainly is a cool tool though 

[Kampfer]

Working on a golf car.

[Kampfer]

Not the best knife in kitchen. The handle angle is a little off.

[AimlessWanderer]

Nice review I had one of the "Spyderguppies" but gifted it my brother. For the money it was a decent tool, but wasn't really suited to my needs. One of the biggest issues was taking skin off my knuckles when getting anything else out of the same pocket (I pocket carry quite a bit of stuff)

[Kampfer]

Tuning up our slingshot for better performance.

[Kampfer]

Few days into testing phase:

T-handle screw drivers are not my favorite, but it is what it is.

The lock for pliers handle is becoming very easy to disengage, squeeze the tool a little then the pliers will spring open. Very annoying.

[Kampfer]

The lock for pliers handle is becoming very easy to disengage, squeeze the tool a little then the pliers will spring open. Very annoying.

Ok it was an easy fix.
I replaced the existing pivot screw of pliers lock with a slightly longer screw to accompany an additional split washer.
Problem solved.
 
I will post photos later

[Kampfer]

Here it is. Ended up replacing both screws on the flip lock.

[sawman]

Thanks Kampfer, that is one bitchen-cool tool. I would definitely give that one a chance.

[buck]

Here is something similar I just stumbled onto but with bits & driver.

http://www.knivesplus.com/cattlemanranchhandcc-20.html

[Kampfer]

Here is something similar I just stumbled onto but with bits & driver.

http://www.knivesplus.com/cattlemanranchhandcc-20.html

Great review mate.

In form it very much reminds me of what we normally call the Cattleman or (our name) the SpyderGuppie, though it's been sold with a few different brands on it.  Not actually the same tool, but you can see the similarity: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,24809.0.html

Thanks. I am aware of the other two close cousins of Piranha but I try to make this as an independent review.

[Kampfer]

I am not a hard user of tools, but this week I used the Piranha as hard as I could (I don't think I used Skulletool this rough), to conclude my week long testing of this tool:

The pliers lock mechanism is a major design flaw, failed only after three days of service. The tool was unusable with such  mechanism malfunctioned. Fortunately, it was an easy fix, a trip to the hardware store and couple minutes of tinkering was all it took to repair and improve the mechanism.

The rest of the tool worked just as designed, everything was fine.

[Grant Lamontagne]

This review is now posted on the Main Site at www.Multitool.org and a Reviewer Merit Badge has been issued.

Def

[zoidberg]

Congrats Kampfer, well earned mate. 

[ducttapetech]

That is a neat tool and congrats Kamp!

Nate
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