Multi-Tools Related to Japan

[hiraboo]

> Greg

Thank you for wonderful knowledgeable reply.
I didn't know such relation between BuckTool and Paratool. Until you point out, I didn't notice the link between the two “vertical rotation” tools. Σ(ﾟдﾟ )

G. Sakai quoted the construction of Paratool in their papers (図12 (Fig.12) to 図14 (Fig.14) in above image), so it was clear that their idea was based on Paratool.
Ah, I should have come up with it earlier! (｡＞﹏＜)

It's difficult to get an A⁺ in your class. (・ε・｀)
But your class is the most fun, Prof! ( ‘-^ )b

[gregozedobe]

It's difficult to get an A⁺ in your class. (・ε・｀)
But your class is the most fun, Prof! ( ‘-^ )b

I don't give grades, but you are doing very well indeed           

[hiraboo]

MEYERCO PARADOX





About this MT, please refer;
Meyerco Paradox Review, Written by David Bowen
RIP Blackie Collins


I didn't know about this MT until I read this thread;
Are there multitools from Japan?

So I am very grateful for your new knowledge on "Multi-Tools Related to Japan."
And I hope they who had discussion at that time about multi tools from Japan may get something new from my posts.
(I say for honor, I don't pronounce like "murtitoor." Instead I pronounce like "multitool flom Japan."
I'm afraid when I order a dish of rice at a restaurant abroad, they may bring me a dish of lice. )

Anyway, I will introduce you this MT.



This Mt have a knife blade, a folding pliers, a socket driver.



Liner lock system.



Drop forged pliers? I think it means drop forged blade.



There is a socket at the end of the handle.



AUS-8 SEKI JAPAN



I heard the factory of MEYERCO is in China. Maybe only the blade was made in Japan.



MTs which have same mechanism of folding pliers.
Left to right;

• MEYERCO PARADOX
• Snap-on MULTI-FUNCTION FOLDING KNIFE
• WALTHER MULTI TAC
• AITOR COMANDANCIA
• WENGER Ranger 75 Handyman

I think the quality/precision of pliers is in this order. I'm sorry I think the PARADOX is worst.

[gregozedobe]

More good info, thanks hiraboo   

MTs which have same mechanism of folding pliers.
Left to right;

• MEYERCO PARADOX
• Snap-on MULTI-FUNCTION FOLDING KNIFE
• WALTHER MULTI TAC
• AITOR COMANDANCIA
• WENGER Ranger 75 Handyman

I'm pretty sure there are some other MTs with a similar fold-out handle for pliers, but unfortunately my failing memory isn't retrieving their brand/model just now.  I think some were of the cheaper, off/no-name brands variety.  If I think of them later I'll add them to this thread.

Edit:  Found one, it is branded "Stanley" but is quite cheaply made (the file is particularly rudimentary), heavy, and with a limited toolset.
         Found some more: Wenger Rangergrip 74 (similar to the 75),
                                        Jeep (another cheapie),
                                         A no-name cheapie crescent wrench MT (tang marked "Stainless, China")

I also have a Snap-On the same as the one pictured (mine is NIC)

[hiraboo]

> Greg

Thank you for additional information. (◎b´∀｀)b ﾟ

It's interesting some cheaper brands adopt this folding mechanism.
I think this mechanism is relatively complicated, so it is difficult to make it well.
(In fact, I think they did not make it well. ヾ(~∇~;))

For now, I don't feel appetite for collecting them, except WENGER. (´Д｀) =3

[hiraboo]

Carolina Knife & Tool X-Tool





Greg's post reminded me that I bought this tool before.  (*^ - ^)



When I purchased this MT, the seller gave me this print.



I also remind that, and I read this again, then I thought I said something rude to whom making MTs with pride.
Providing MTs to a lot of people, it's necessary to make them with low price. And it is possible that good/favorite products will be created between them.
I apologize to the late Blackie Collins, and everyone who love MTs. (･ω･｀｡)

[ChopperCharles]

The Carolina x tool looks like a direct rip off of the Aitor. I like Aitor knives, they’re utilitarian but beefy and fun.

The Chinese copies I’ve owned in the past have been beyond awful. But that’s true of the Chinese copies of victorinox knives as well.

I used to own that snap on knife, as well as several other Chinese versions. I’ll take some pics tomorrow.

Charles.

[hiraboo]

> ChopperCharles

I like AITOR, and YAMAYA too. ヽ(=´▽`=)ﾉ
I purchased this AITOR from a Spanish web store. Of course, I can't speak Spanish. I could't understand the meaning of order form even using Google Translate.  But I believed the kind Spanish helped me and tried it anyway.
Probably some miracles happened, they sent me this beefy tool exactly. ٩( 'ω' )و

I am awaiting you to post pics. (●b´з`d)

[ChopperCharles]

As promised!

The top knife is a BlizeTec. It’s the first knife I’ve found of this type. It has a poorly made Phillips driver which I had to clean up with a file to make useful. The bit kit fits over the driver.

The newpow is slightly lesser quality. The can opener was Not sharpened at all, where the blizetec was somewhat sharp on both the cutting edge and the scraper blade. The newpow has a square block for the bit driver attachment instead of a Phillips driver.

The pliers are identical between them, as are the liners and combo blade.

Overall the blizetec seemed better made than the snap on I used to have. The snap on driver folded up too easily. The can opener design is very poor. It will open a can eventually in an emergency situation, but you’ll be frustrated the entire time. The cutting blade isn’t deep enough and the scraper on the end hits the rim of the can.

More coming!

Charles.

[ChopperCharles]

This one is much nicer. It’s a very different design, and is higher quality. The pliers come to a pointier tip and they do not flex nearly as much as the first two. It has a plain edged blade, a saw, an aimable LED, and a completely useless can opener.  The scales are aluminum.

Edit - the newpow above has aluminum scales, the blizetec has plastic.

I don’t know if it’s the quality of the steel or a redesign in the pliers -- edit: They're thicker -- , but these resist twisting and pushing the jaws out of plane far more than the other two or the snap on.

This is Jeep branded and you can find them on eBay occasionally. They come with a sheath and a really crappy pocket knife and a bit set for the square tool.

On this tool the bit driver is located under the plier handle, and it locks open with a liner lock. The saw on the other hand doesn’t have any lock or any retention to keep it open. It stays open solely by the friction from the pivot screw, there is not even a backspring. The plain edged blade is thicker than the other two knives and has the following etched on it:

(C) DCC 2007
420 Stainless
USA Design
Manufactured in China

As noted the can opener is useless. It’s in the center of the tool, so it cannot get purchase on the rim of a can. It does work as a bottle opener though. It’s difficult to open, requiring both the blade and the plier handle to open slightly, to get pinch-purchase to open. (The nail nick is poorly placed). Again only pivot friction keeps it open or closed.

This is far higher quality than the other two knives. I like it.

Charles.

[ElevenBlade]

This one is much nicer. It’s a very different design, and is higher quality. The pliers come to a pointier tip and they do not flex nearly as much as the first two. It has a plain edged blade, a saw, an amiable LED, and a completely useless can opener.  The scales are aluminum.

Edit - the newpow above has aluminum scales, the blizetec has plastic.

I don’t know if it’s the quality of the steel or a redesign in the pliers, but these resist twisting and pushing the jaws out of plane far more than the other two or the snap on.

This is Jeep branded and you can find them on eBay occasionally. They come with a sheath and a really crappy pocket knife and a bit set for the square tool.

On this tool the bit driver is located under the plier handle, and it locks open with a liner lock. The saw on the other hand doesn’t have any lock or any retention to keep it open. It stays open solely by the friction from the pivot screw, there is not even a backspring. The plain edged blade is thicker than the other two knives and has the following etched on it:

(C) DCC 2007
420 Stainless
USA Design
Manufactured in China

As noted the can opener is useless. It’s in the center of the tool, so it cannot get purchase on the rim of a can. It does work as a bottle opener though. It’s difficult to open, requiring both the blade and the plier handle to open slightly, to get pinch-purchase to open. (The nail nick is poorly placed). Again only pivot friction keeps it open or closed.

This is far higher quality than the other two knives. I like it.

Charles.

 

This thread that's linked below would really like to know your thoughts on these MTs!   

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,84310.0.html

[ChopperCharles]

Nice, I'll post there eventually. I have (or have had) a LOT of knife-based plier tools.

Charles.

[hiraboo]

> ChopperCharles

Thank you for the pics, and detailed explanation.
The report from you based on the actual usage is very easy to understand and useful.
(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و

I would like to mention again that I am surprised many makers adopt this folding mechanism and design.
And I am surprised your unique collection too.
o(^▽^)o

Thank you very much!

> ElevenBlade

Now I reading the thread you introduced;
The Comprehensive Knife Based Multitool Thread

That's a very interesting point and classification.
Thank you for telling me about the various MTs.
v(*'-^*)ｂ

[hiraboo]

Kershaw Carabiner Tool National Geographic Ver. Made in Japan


I introduced the Kershaw CARABINER TOOL in Chapter 7 before. There are some additional information.
About this tool, please refer;
KERSHAW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CARABINER Knife TOOL 1004X (2007)
Kershaw (2008)
Kershaw Carabiner Tool (2008)
Kershaw Carabiner Tool (2010)

Kershaw once made this tool under the license of National Geographic.
Maybe after the contract period ends, they made the tool no license ver.

Oh, SteveC mentioned that before.
Re: The Great Multitool.org Trivia Thread




This is 1004NBX CARABINER TOOL made in China I introduced in the previous chapter.




This is 1004X CARABINER TOOL NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Ver. made in Japan.

• Left 1004NBX (late model)
• Right 1004X Nat Geo ver. (initial model)

There are differences in pivot pins, serrated blades, Phillips drivers, etc.


Let's look at the details.
I'm sorry I arranged them in the reverse order.



This time

• Left 1004X Nat Geo ver. (initial model)
• Right 1004NBX (late model)

In the initial model, the black frame extends to the joint.
In the late model, the joint parts are SS spacers.




Construction of joint parts in this area are also the same.
In the initial model, I think the shape of Philip driver is dull.




Area of liner lock.
The late model has a simplified frame shape and uses spacers a lot.





There is 1003YX JEEVA MINI CARABINER TOOL made in China.





The mini carabiner tool has only a blade with liner lock, not include other tools.
Oh, no... Parts are distorted and I can't close properly.

[ElevenBlade]

The Kershaw Carabinier Tool looks nice. It seems like a great one for hiking.  Not so much for me as an EDC as it would be too visible.

[hiraboo]

> ElevenBlade

Thank you for your reply!
Since the carabiner has non-load bearing, I think I can use it to attach on a belt or bag to carry only light things, or use it as a key holder. (｡•︿•｡)
But there are too few functions for its size. I think it is difficult to choose this for EDC.
ʅ(*´◡`)ʃ

Oh, I found another carabiner tool related to Japan.
I will introduce it next time. ( 'ω')／

Wow, I found I have three nuts!

[ChopperCharles]

How about this Japanese knife?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Red-Multi-Tool-Folding-Pocket-Knife/164031441089

Looks like a swiss army knife, but isn't a direct copy.

Charles.

[hiraboo]

> Charles

Thanks for the new information. *'ヮ')
We often see such tools in airport confiscations. I wasn't interested so far because I thought it was a cheap knockoff. (｡･з･｡)
But I saw tools with this mark in old magazines. I think I can find the manufacturer. Please wait a bit. o(・ω＜)o

What I know now is that the tools are from the 80s and 90s (from the year of publication of the magazines.) I've never heard of the people who collect this kind of SAK-like tools, even in Japan.　I don't know the quality of tools and value to the collector. (´･ω･`)

[ElevenBlade]

This might be the right place to ask.... and I may have already done so (so forgive the memory lapse)

Is anyone aware of a pocketknife that could be described as a combination or overlap of Victorinox Tomo, and Higonokami?  It's a simple tool set like the Tomo, but all on one side of the tool.  Size was between the two.

When I was small, my mother carried it in her purse. I have no idea what brand it was, but she said it was Japanese.  it was well constructed, but no liners between tools such that they all came out when you opened one.   Perfect for her light use.

[hiraboo]

> Charles

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Red-Multi-Tool-Folding-Pocket-Knife/164031441089
When I first saw it, I immediately thought about this mark.



1) Fukami, H. (1989). Nihon to Sekai no Knife Catalog '89, p56. Japan: Seibidou syuppan Co.,Ltd.



Enlarged view
AITOR Patrullero Verde


Off course it is not the AITOR knife. This was my mistake. I can't specify who was the manufacturer.
But I found the picture of this MT in the advertisement.



2) Doi, T. (Eds.) (February 1986). "Ikariya Cutlery Ad," Cutlery Catalog (Monthly Mono Magazine Vol. 5, No. 11 Extra Edition), p100. Japan: KK World Photo Press


Where's Wally? Waldo?



Enlarged view
The content of the description is;
     Swiss army type
     Domestic champion
     15 functions, price ￥1,460, shipping cost ￥240
     (The price of Real SAK champion in this store was ￥9,450 at that time.)


In Japan, it was sold over 30 years ago and was sold as a copy of SAK.



> ElevenBlade

I'm glad to hear that your mother used a Japanese pocket knife with love.
I hope some of the photos will help you find a memorable item for your mother.



Various types of Higonokami (collection of Hideki Sekine.)
3) Inaba, H. (Eds.) (April 2009). "Higonokami Taizen," Knife Magazine No.135 (Vol.24 No.2), pp22-23. Japan: KK World Photo Press



Some of tiny size tools. The right end is Kaicut unknown model.



Other pocket knives of Kaicut.
Ibid. 2)



Pocket knives made of Kershaw.
4) Iijima, K. (Eds.) (1983). “Kershaw,” Knives (Monthly Mono Magazine Vol. 2, No. 8 July Issue Extra Edition), p32. Japan: KK World Photo Press



Moki knife Co., Ltd. is one of the oldest cutlery which has manufactured and exported knives for foreign country in Seki city. Pictures with a yellow background are those pocket knives.
Right) Products around 1951 to 1952.
Left) Products around 1955 to 1965.
5) Doi, T. (Eds.) (December 1987). "Factory custom knife MOKI KNIFE Co., Ltd.," Knife Magazine No.7 (Vol.2 No.6), p74. Japan: KK World Photo Press


Pictures with a yellow background) Products around 1965 to 1975
Ibid. 5) p75


Pictures with a yellow background) Products after 1975
Ibid. 5) p76

[ElevenBlade]

Thank you Hiraboo-san!

It is something like this one, but shiny!

[hiraboo]

I hope this information gives you a hint. (^o^)/
I'll do some research as well. ٩( ‘ω’ )و

[ElevenBlade]

Yes it does.  I was just curious more than anything else. 

thanks!

[hiraboo]

By the way, I didn't know anything about this Snap-on pocket knife until now.
I found out that this knife has been sold in eBay a lot. (ﾟдﾟ)！

・Vintage Liter Multipurpose Pocket Knife Made in U.S.A.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Liter-Multipurpose-Pocket-Knife-Made-in-U-S-A-/264408552332

"Bassett trim trio"  may be more popular.

・Vintage Pocket Knife, Bassett Trim Trio
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pocket-Knife-Bassett-Trim-Trio/202993612571

There are some thread and post. ( ..)φ

・Re: Official Keychain Unlimited 30 Days challenge MAY DAY >

・My first knife...was a multitool! The lowly Trim Trio.

I am reading and studying them now. Wow, full of new information for me. (*'▽')

[Mechanickal]

Great to hear the community can tickle your curiosity too instead of you doing that to us

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧

[comis]

Hi, Hiraboo!

One of our fellow member, WESCOG, just raised a question regarding a multitool made in Japan:

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,84744.0.html

I was wondering maybe you'd be interested to chime in and maybe you would know the origin? 

[hiraboo]

> Mechanickal

Thank you very much 
Of course I am always finding a lot of wonderful unknown informations from you.
And it's a lot of fun to share what I know with you. (´ω｀*)

...But I'm pretty clumsy, so I made a mistake again. (´∇｀；)ゞ

When I posted this before;
・AL MAR KNIVES Timeline (in Japan)
I posted an AL MAR advertisement and wrote "AL MAR 4x4 Tool Mate was initially called EOD Knife. Thereafter they changed it to 4x4 Tool Mate."



Nishimura, N. (Eds.) (October 1988). “AL MAR KNIVES Ad,” Knife Magazine No.12 (Vol.3 No.5), p47. Japan: KK World Photo Press


Certainly, the word "4x4 Tool Mate" is not used anywhere in this advertisement.
However, on the "New Product Introduction" page of the same magazine, they call it "4x4 Tool Mate" in the article.



Ibid p63 "New Products"

So, the name "4x4 Tool Mate" has been used since its release.
Strangely enough, however, they didn't call it "4x4 Tool Mate" even in the later two patterns of AL MAR ads.
( ,,｀･ ω´･)？



> comis

Thank you for guiding me.
Writing the above post so hard, it was time to go to bed. ＼(;ﾟ∇ﾟ)/
I will reply at a later date.
Good night zzz(´-ω⊂゛)

[comis]

Saw your post in the other thread, thank you for responding! 

[hiraboo]

Buck Knives HitchHiker



Buck 268 HitchHiker - Blade / Nail-file


I didn't know that Back Knives was selling some tools made by Japanese manufacturers.









When I googled this tool, I found some sellers said it was made in Seki-city. I think it is certain, but I couldn't find the other evidence.



Left to right; 267 - Scissors, 268 - Blade / Nail-file, 266 - Knife


There is three types of HitchHiker.
A member of BladeForums named "oregon" posted about these discontinued tools in their thread.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-sunday-picture-show-4-3-2016.1383408/#post-15945294

According to this post, there may be more information in the Buck 2001 catalog.
(Oh, I find Buck 2002 catalog, and there is Buck 753 Navigator!)

Does anyone have a Buck 2001 catalog?　 
I would like to know information about this tool.　

[ElevenBlade]

Thank you Hiraboo-san!

It is something like this one, but shiny!

Since posting here... I have recently determined that the knife I was looking for is the Bassett Trim Trio.