Lynn's $15 MT Challenge

[Lynn LeFey]

And, back for another round of Bargain MTs. This is the third in this series.
First was the $5 Challenge... https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,75094.0.html
Then the $10 Challenge... https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,75705.0.html

I have again taken up the challenge of finding tools at reasonable prices.

This time, we're looking at the astounding price of $15 per tool.

As with the previous two, I've tried to find new, used, keychain, light duty, and heavy duty tools.

I think at this price point, I will be able to get some really good name-brand tools.

Hope you'll all follow along as I most likely stab myself a few times, cuss loudly, and leave a wake of whittled wood, shredded cardboard, and bent bottlecaps in my wake. 

[Lynn LeFey]

First contestant in the challenge, is a used Leatherman Rev, purchased on ebay for $12.50.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76695.0.html

[Steinar]

 

[Don Pablo]

A used quality tool for $15? Easy peasy I predict. 

[Exeter]

The previous quests were interesting, so there's every reason to believe that with a $15 limit this will be even more so.

[ReamerPunch]

No way is the Rev going to win, but it'll sure be interesting to watch.
At $15, we'll be looking at some really nice MTs. 

[styx]

this could have a lot of gems within

[ThePeacent]

yeah that price range allows for thousands of options and hundreds of quality ones   
This one will be a tough fight. 

Looking forward to it! 

[Alan K.]

This should be good.  I've been carrying the MP-400 from the $10 challenge and I still can't believe it was only $10.

[Lynn LeFey]

This should be good.  I've been carrying the MP-400 from the $10 challenge and I still can't believe it was only $10.

That is absolutely awesome to hear! 

That MP400 was a great catch, and it's going to be hard to top, but I'm going to give it a try.

I mention it in the thread for the Leatherman Rev, but I actually found another Leatherman PST, this time for $15, but decided not to put it in this challenge, since I'd already covered it in the $10 Challenge. However, I think finding PSTs aroud the $15 price is more likely, and it seems EASY at $20.

I'm also going to skip reviewing the Victorinox Classic, which can be purchased new for under $15. I covered a good used one of those already also. But people should know! The Classic is less than $15 BRAND NEW, and is a great tool. 

[Lynn LeFey]

The next contender, a used Alox Bantam

Here's a link to its thread...
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76716.0.html

[ironraven]

Lynn, now we're getting in the price range where we'll probably have to put new and used tools into different categories of winner.

When the state sells off the TSA hostages, PSTs, Multipliers, and 5-6 layer SAKs are in the $15 range.

[Lynn LeFey]

The next tool to be reviewed is the 'YAX' knife.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76752.msg1672421.html

[Lynn LeFey]

(posted in the wrong thread... oops)

[Lynn LeFey]

Next contestant, a brand new Gerber Dime.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76816.0.html

[ThePeacent]

oh no!!



 

[Lynn LeFey]

The next entrant in the challenge... a used Victorinox Rucksack.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76834.0.html

[Lynn LeFey]

Next challenger is a used Gerber Multi-Plier.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76864.0.html

And as a reminder, this month's donation draw prize is a Gerber Multi-Plier. So if you'd like one of these (except in better condition than the one I'm reviewing), donate for a chance to win one.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76826.0.html

[WoodsDuck]

Some stiff competition in this challenge.

Though the most surprising thing to me is that they apparently made Dimes that actually have functional wire cutters. Mine are so blunt they literally can't cut anything but air. Everything solid just slides out of the cutters 

[Lynn LeFey]

Some stiff competition in this challenge.

Though the most surprising thing to me is that they apparently made Dimes that actually have functional wire cutters. Mine are so blunt they literally can't cut anything but air. Everything solid just slides out of the cutters 

I got a Dime not long after they first came out, and my wire cutters on that pair had that problem as well. This new one didn't have that issue. It, and the easier extraction of all tools were two marked improvements i noted over my first one (which i long since gave away to my brother).

[Lynn LeFey]

The next competitor is a used (but almost like-new) Gerber Suspension.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76875.0.html

[Lynn LeFey]

I put this post in the wrong thread (deleted)

[Lynn LeFey]

Our next contestant, a used Bear and Sons 'Craftsman 45521'.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76890.0.html

[ReamerPunch]

Our next contestant, a used Bear and Sons 'Craftsman 45521'.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76890.0.html

 

[Lynn LeFey]

Yeah, and i paid $15 for it!

Did I ever mention that I kind of love pawn shops sometimes?

[Lynn LeFey]

Next contestant, a 'frankenstein' MP-600, some black oxide parts, some plain stainless steel..
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76922.0.html

[Lynn LeFey]

Lynn, now we're getting in the price range where we'll probably have to put new and used tools into different categories of winner.

When the state sells off the TSA hostages, PSTs, Multipliers, and 5-6 layer SAKs are in the $15 range.

I didn't want to reply to this until after I reviewed the MP600... but yes, they absolutely ARE in the $15 price range. Good call on that.

And as I mentioned elsewhere, I snagged a Victorinox Ranger for $15, and it was only bumped off the list because I thought the Rucksack was more interesting.

[Lynn LeFey]

The final entrant in the challenge, a modified Leatherman Fuse.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,76936.0.html

[Lynn LeFey]

And that's it. We now have our ten contestants.



So, as with the previous challenge. There's no easy and clear winner. I think I could safely make ONE elimination, but even that is iffy. Everything here depends on what you need in a tool, and what you're willing to sacrifice. There are certainly tools with more functions, but they come at higher weights.

So, let's start with one possible need that would drive your decision. Pocketability.

Here, I've arranged the tools in the challenge from left to right for most pocketable.



The Alox Bantam is BY FAR the most pocketable tool. It weighs about half as much as even the Dime, and is extremely slim. Next step up would be the Dime, at a little over 2 oz. in weight, and still relatively slim. Then the YAX knife, still slim, but now pushing close to 4oz in weight, and while slim, it's rather long, and might need a dangler clip to be a comfortable carry. Then come the two Leatherman tools, with pocket clips. Each of them are over 6 oz. but carry pretty well even for their weight. Finally is the Rucksack, which I find very uncomfortable without a dangler clip. And I don't really think anythign else really qualifies as reasonably pocket carry capable.

The tool density on the Bantam is also the lowest. However, the still-very-light Dime has a very high tool density, if all you need are very light duty tools. The YAX knife is like any 2-layer Victorinox knife, decent, not incredible, and is already getting near 'heavy' for pocket carry.

If the function you prioritize for is locking blade, then the order looks like this...



The Rucksack wins pretty clearly, followed by the Rev, then the Craftsman. After this, while the blades are locking, they are inside folding, making access to the cutting edge more troublesome, as wit hthe Fuse, until we end up with the increasingly less useful and shortening wharncliffs of the MP600 and Suspension.

If what you need is a good locking Phillips driver, then the order looks like this...



With the Fuse having a great locking driver that also has a long reach. Then the Craftsman, the stubby MP600, and the almost 2-D phillips of the Suspension.

If what you need is a sturdy locking flathead, and here I'm mostly considering it as a pry tool, then the order looks like this...



The Gerbers have REALLY sturdy flatheads, even the Suspension. However, both the Fuse and Craftsman are both great flatheads.

If you want to look at the tool solely as a pair of pliers, then I'd put the order like this...



And arguably, the Multi-Plier might actually be a better pair of pliers. it's just that the 'pinch' problem with ergonomics is going to always make me want to take an MP600 over it every day. I simply don't like pain. The issue of why the Craftsman beats the Fuse is one of ergonomics as well. The Rev is not quite as robust as the Fuse, and the Suspension is just not in the same class of hard-use as any of the rest shown. Obviously, the pliers on the Dime are in the 'ultra-light' kind of range.

More comparisons to come, as i think of them. But I hope it's clear that there's no simple answer to this challenge.

[Lynn LeFey]

I think I'm going to eliminate a few contenders.

The Gerber Multi-Plier sadly was literally replaced by the MP-600, and i honestly think the MP-600 is an improvement. So I'm going to eliminate the Multi-Plier. However, I wish to extend my gratitude for the service provided by our own Mr. Pinchy in this trial, and give sincere thanks that I didn't end up with a blood blister in my palm from my time using it.

The second elimination is the Leatherman Rev. If you take away a very slight weight advantage, and outside access blade, it ties or loses in all other ways to the Fuse.  It's a pretty capable tool, but it's light to medium duty, and most folks here are in need of something more robust. Because of this, I don't think it gets the credit it deserves.

Likewise, because of not being heavy duty, the Suspension doesn't get much love on the boards here, but is still a pretty excellent tool, with a lot of function. It's just not built like a tank.

Sadly, it seems that in almost every way except pocketability, the Rucksack seems to equal or edge out the YAX knife. However, the YAX knife is a very cool and somewhat historically interesting tool, that proved itself to be an amazing piece.

Regardless of the extremely amazing slim carry of the Alox Bantam, it is simply too low on functions to really win for 'best tool', when other tools are so much more capable in so many ways. It is an amazing tool, just not the best for the money.

And, the Gerber Dime is a pretty good tool, but suffers from being the only new tool in the competition, meaning all other tools were already better values per dollar, being purchased used. My opinion of the tool improved greatly from my previous experience, and it's not a bad little tool now. It's just outclassed by good, used pieces.

That leaves the MP-600, the Fuse, the Craftsman, and the Rucksack.