When will be out these new models?
I dont think I can wait until June....Ive never purchased a NIB multitool for myself. The PowerAccess may change that.
(Image removed from quote.)VS(Image removed from quote.)Replaceable cutters VS Compound leverage and unimpeded gripping area
Inboard Tools VS Outboard Tools
Ph2 and 2x flat drivers VS Ph1 and 4x3x flat drivers[\quote]I think Rebar wins here. PH2 (especially one that also works on PH1) is just much more useful than the small driver.QuoteSaw and serrated blade VS central 1/4" hex driver and protractorSigh. Rebar again, because lets face it, if im pocket carrying, I wont have a bit kit. I wish something else had gone here, but its hardly bad just because I wont use it.QuoteLanyard ring and sheath VS pocket clip (no sheath)[\Quote]PowerAcess. I wish the clip wasnt so large, but I dislike sheath carry. Quote$60.85 list price VS $67.00 list priceRebar. Totals: Rebar: 3PowerAcess: 3smurf.
Saw and serrated blade VS central 1/4" hex driver and protractor
Lanyard ring and sheath VS pocket clip (no sheath)[\Quote]PowerAcess. I wish the clip wasnt so large, but I dislike sheath carry. Quote$60.85 list price VS $67.00 list priceRebar. Totals: Rebar: 3PowerAcess: 3smurf.
$60.85 list price VS $67.00 list price
(Image removed from quote.)VS(Image removed from quote.)Replaceable cutters VS Compound leverage and unimpeded gripping areaInboard Tools VS Outboard ToolsPh2 and 2x flat drivers VS Ph1 and 4x flat driversSaw and serrated blade VS central 1/4" hex driver and protractorLanyard ring and sheath VS pocket clip (no sheath)$60.85 list price VS $67.00 list price
I thought 50ft had already established those were locks.... I am going to have to change my opinion though, initially I thought those were plenty robust for lock releases, but now that Demel has posted that close up, I'm beginning to have my doubts. That is one thin piece of metal going from the loop to the locks.
3) With all of these things in mind, I'm actually hoping this is the new successor to the Powerlock. I enjoy using my PL but it has one huge fault...flimsy covers The powergrab is really looking like a winner, it's like they used the powerplay as a pilot tool and this is their ace.
I hate to admit it, but I'm intrigued by the Baton Q1. And then I look at the additional pictures, realize how large it is, and retract my statement. I'll probably end up with a Flint, though, once it comes to market.
I have poopoo-ed enough new designs then ended up liking them after using and carrying them (cough Freestyle cough) that while I may have some preconceived notions about the usefulness of a tool, I always keep an open mind about it. It's fine if you don't think you are interested, but my curiosity drives me to the point where I want to try the new tools, and I really want them to work.Maybe it's because of that cheapo Benchmark that I have played with often that I see more potential in the Baton series, but I have to say they may just be something interesting and new in an unfamiliar package, and I would hate to shoot them down simply because they are different.Def
I don't mind different. I like different, but only if the differences don't actually change anything.
Quote from: 50ft-trad on January 23, 2017, 05:00:13 PMI don't mind different. I like different, but only if the differences don't actually change anything.Fixed that for you... Sorry, I couldn't help it. You are absolutely right though- the changes are only good if they are sensible, and your points earlier are absolutely valid. All I am saying is that if they don't try new things, how will we know if they are any good or not? This is not nearly as radical a departure form the norm as others have in the past, like the Coleman Pro Lock or CRKT Flux that tried component based loadouts, or the Gerber Fit that looked like it belonged on the cover of an 80's mix tape.(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)Maybe some of the Batons will sink, maybe they all will. I don't know, but at least I can see the logic in their design and I am looking forward to trying them out. Def
The Sync 1 and 2, are for me starting to stray a little further into the "novelty gadget" realm.Firstly, there's the carry method. Some people might really like the idea of a smurfing big belt buckle that can be detatched and used as a tool. Some people might not! I suspect that the polarisation here will be somewhat parallel to thos who like or don't like the look of the Leatherman Tread. The next thing that struck me was the short pliers and long handles all folding up into a small package. That's clever! The fact that it's an open webbed investment cast construction, is less clever. Here's the thing with castings - they are great under compression, and crap in tension. Yes, some can have improved ductility through smart chemical composition and heat treatment - I have been involved in a number of projects involving centrifugally cast pipe - but generally speaking tensile forces on castings are to be avoided at all costs.Why are you saying this Al? Where are the tensile forces?Let's look at the pliers again. When gripping something with the pliers, the extra handle length and short jaws will in theory really let you get a good gripping force. If you give someone that opportunity, they WILL use it. Working from the plier pivot back down the handles, the arm will want to bend due to the forces applied - hopefully it will be rigid enough not to. However, as that wants to bend, the inside is subject to compression forces, and the outside is subject to tension.Now look at the tool closed up. The part that will be in tension, I reduced in thickness so that it partially fits inside the other handle part and reduces the closed profile.Did you spot it yet?The thinnest part of the casting - which doesn't like tensile forces - is the bit that's under tension. The part that is thickest, doesn't need to be. I'm going to go out on a limb here, and suggest that just either side of the centre triangle on the outer edge of the handles are potential fracture points (barring casting defects elsewhere). This might not happen straight away if the casting has been carefully considered at a metallurgical level, but could still be prone to fatigue in these areas.I see this as potentially being a bigger problem than the hollow plier pivot (a frequent chunter of mine) which enables the engagement plunger to lock the tool into the belt buckle. I can't really make two many presumptions about that, as it's not clear as to how much metal may have been removed to accommodate plunger and spring.Also, why the smurf do tools this small need locks? And, why the smurf are the locks on the blade and scissors which shouldn't be subject to axial loads, and the drivers which WILL be subject to axial loads are the lock releases. AND the form factor of using any of these smaller, unnecessarily locking components looks awkward and uncomfortable.This tool looks to me like it was designed by marketting people not toolmakers. Target audience is definitely people who don't often buy and use tools - let's call them "Dad gifts" from family members.