THE UNION - TOLER TOOLS

[alexTOOL]

https://tolertools.com/

[gadgetman7]

I ordered one. They were scheduled to ship in December but looks like it’ll be delayed. I just got the request for the sheath color last week.


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[Happy Gilmore]

I ordered one. They were scheduled to ship in December but looks like it’ll be delayed. I just got the request for the sheath color last week.


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I get 3 questions a week about this one on IG, please let us know when you get it and give us that honest opinion. 

[algernonramone]

I also ordered one during the original campaign time interval, hoping to get mine by the end of the month.

[pa_strunk]

Ordered mine during initial campaign as well. Have to admit, I am far more excited about this tool then virtually any other that has been released in recent history. Great out of the box design and function. Still on deployment in Middle East, but hopefully it will be in my mailbox by the time I make it back home.

[King_Gorilla]

When I look at that tool and what it seems to be able to do, I really like it.  I love the tools it comes with.  I think it is really smart to make it capable of splitting in half so you can use the wrench separate from the pliers.  On paper everything seems amazing.  I know this might sound really dumb... but I think it is just ugly. 
I'm not sure what I would have done different.  But one of the things i love about great multi tools is how cool and awesome they look.  Obviously that should come second to function but I cant get over how UGLY this tool is.   

not trying to rain on anyone's parade   

[43north89west]

Jumped on the Toler train back in February. Here's hoping the final assembly/shipping is imminent! Obviously, the timing with manufacture in China right at the outset of the Covid was unfortunate (the most insignificant of unfortunate aspects of the pandemic of course). Need something new to play with to pass the quarantine time

[43north89west]

Agree that it isn't the most...elegantly composed tool, but I think/hope the lack of traditional MT aesthetic appeal will be outweighed by the ingenuity and utility of the design.

When I look at that tool and what it seems to be able to do, I really like it.  I love the tools it comes with.  I think it is really smart to make it capable of splitting in half so you can use the wrench separate from the pliers.  On paper everything seems amazing.  I know this might sound really dumb... but I think it is just ugly. 
I'm not sure what I would have done different.  But one of the things i love about great multi tools is how cool and awesome they look.  Obviously that should come second to function but I cant get over how UGLY this tool is.   

not trying to rain on anyone's parade   

[ChopperCharles]

I’m still waiting on mine. It was ordered as a birthday gift for me, and it’s been a looooooong time now.

Charles.

[Happy Gilmore]

I'm seriously skeptical....mostly relating to the use of "the needlenose" There are way way too many degrees of freedom and its both too short and too thin to give me much confidence. Its a great idea as far as having a single tool that can grab both ends...but I can easily carry a Knipex cobra 125 along side a normal tool and both spend less and have much much stronger tools. The more I use multitools the more I think that a pair of folding lineman's pliers would be more useful. For small tasks the Style PS takes the cake.

[algernonramone]

These are apparently shipping now. My backer number is somewhere in the 700s, though, so I won't see mine for likely a month or more.

[ReamerPunch]

Anybody here have one yet?

[algernonramone]

Not yet, but the last update said they had shipped about 650 tools, I think. With my number being 723, I have to assume mine will shipped in the next week or so.

[mikekoz]

I just watched that video and I am a bit disappointed. I look for multitools with a unique design, and this fits the bill as far as that goes, but it does not look like a great quality tool. I am also disappointed that it is not made here in the USA. This is just my opinion,  but $105.00 to $125.00 is too much for this tool considering it is not a known brand. I will wait and see later on when Amazon is selling it and make a decision about it at that time.

[ChopperCharles]

I'm still waiting on mine. Over two years now, due to pandemic. Tentative ship date of July of this year...

Charles.

[SteveC]

Yikes   

Anybody here have one yet?

[ReamerPunch]

Just finished watching this video by the designer himself.

[algernonramone]

Ok, it's been quite a wait, but I finally got mine today! Any disappointment at the wait or the slightly-rough-around-the-edges build quality is eliminated by how solid, ingenious, and useful this thing is! Seriously, this thing is something else, I recommend everyone take another look at this, it might be exactly what you are looking for!

[Valkie]

I want

[Fireman]

If it were available right now, I might buy one.  I'm too impatient to pay and wait. 

[trichosirius]

Ok, it's been quite a wait, but I finally got mine today! Any disappointment at the wait or the slightly-rough-around-the-edges build quality is eliminated by how solid, ingenious, and useful this thing is! Seriously, this thing is something else, I recommend everyone take another look at this, it might be exactly what you are looking for!

No pics?

[trichosirius]

If it were available right now, I might buy one.  I'm too impatient to pay and wait. 

Same here. While I’m skeptical I’m also interested enough that I’d pay too much for one if they were readily available.

[ChopperCharles]

I've been waiting almost two years for mine.

Charles.

[algernonramone]

Ended up getting mine replaced for a small warranty issue, and I must say that aside from a couple of things to get used to on the new one, I am even more impressed than I was before. My first one had trouble holding the screwdriver bits securely in 2 of the 3(!) bit holders, but the new one I just got has magnets in those bit holders so that the bits stay in no matter what. With that change, I feel like this is easily the best screwdriver system I've ever used in a multitool, even better than the Gerber CenterDrive, bar none. Might be worth it just for that!

My limited use of the pliers has shown no real issues with those. I have tried using the wrench and the results were mixed, but at this point I'm willing to chalk that up to user error. The blade is sharp and locks up solidly. The saw blades and the awl also lock up solidly and seem very sturdy and well made, but I haven't had the chance to try them out. The on-board bits and extender are likewise very sturdy and useful, and work as designed.

In summary, this tool is heavy, bulky, a little rough around the edges with slightly hit-or-miss QC, and a bit expensive on the surface. However, the design is unique and very versatile, the construction is solid, and the owner stands by his work and is very willing to work with customers on any concerns. So far I give it a B, maybe a B+. Considering this is just a first effort, I'm very excited to see what Mike at Toler comes up with in the future. Next time he is likely to hit it out of the park!

Pics will follow soon.

[algernonramone]

Sorry, been too busy to do much with pictures or anything, but just a few notes.

#1. The screwdriver function on this is still stellar. Seriously, with the amount of options this has for driving, it's basically worth the cost just for that. It's my go-to tool for that now, even if it does take a few more steps to open and use than a Gerber or a Leatherman.

#2. The wood saw works very, very well. Easily hangs w/ the best I've used from Victorinox or Leatherman. I have every confidence that the metal saw will work just as well.

#3. The wire cutters are a bit hit-or-miss, unfortunately. Doesn't seem to shear through things very clearly, had a bit of difficulty w/ wire hangars and even zip ties. That's not a deal breaker for me, as I usually carry heavy-duty scissors too, but it might be for some. I recommend you try before you buy (if possible) if the wire cutters are one of your main needs.

Still really enjoying it, it's been my main EDC the past few weeks, and may stay there indefinitely. Have not had the opportunity to try the wrench beyond the initial issues I had w/ it, but am definitely looking forward to it, as I think my problems were mainly user error and lack of practice.

That's it so far, hopefully I'll have time for some pictures soon.

[mikekoz]

I would still love one of these, but the last time I looked, they were over $140.00 with a leather holster\sheath. I like the look, design, and size. I am also going to wait until they are more readily available.

[algernonramone]

Correction - I just tried the wirecutters again and they worked much better than I remembered. Maybe that issue was on the one I warrantied?

mikekoz - I still think they are worth it at this price, but I understand your hesitation. Hopefully the prices will stabilize after full-scale production picks up.

[luxige]

Hi folks, new member here. I joined primarily to leave a review of the Toler Union I received yesterday. (I made contribution #1345, Sep 2019).

On the whole, I'm happy with it, but there are pros and cons.

Overview: It's heavy, but that's good. You can't add features without making the tool either weaker or heavier. This is robust without excessive weight. The main parts have a black oxide finish that seems pretty tough, and I think it will wear well. However the underlying surface finish varies from part to part. Some parts have a smooth satin finish, some are textured, some are brushed. It's not super-noticeable, but annoying to me now that I've seen it. The small screws that hold the body together are good quality stainless. I'd rather have black oxide screws there, just for looks. And definitely would prefer hex socket screws to the Phillips head they used. C'mon, Phillips? Three of the screws are smaller, and all three of those stand just a bit proud because the countersinks are too shallow.

Features:
I like this combination of functions. For field repairs, camping, boating, etc, I think it can take on a huge variety of tasks. I'm not sure I'd ask for anything else. Maybe scissors/snips.
- Pliers - smallish, but strong for their size. The shape is a good compromise between needlenose and regular. The wirecutters are unusual - the edges don't meet each other like a typical cutter, they cross over like a bypass pruner. And they are not hardened, or even sharpened.  (If anyone has information about how I might spot-harden the cutting edges, I'd love to hear it). However, they easily cut 12 ga copper wire, and snipped the edge of .070" aluminum sheet almost effortlessly. I think they'll be fine for softer metals as-is. The pliers handles can't be latched closed when the head is unfolded.
- Knife - perfect size and shape. Moderately sharp out of the box. Claimed to be D2 steel. I don't have a way to test the hardness. When I get a chance to hone it, I'll have a better impression, but I anticipate being very happy with the knife. You can adjust the tension of the blade pivot. The liner lock is secure but releases easily.
- Driving bits - a good system, but problems with the execution. The bits and extension have spring-loaded balls in the hex end, but there are no matching detents in the mating parts for the ball to snap into. It seems obvious that was the original plan, but machining the detents was dropped due to cost (just my opinion). Instead they dropped in magnets. It works okay, but the magnet takes up room in the pocket - I'd rather have the bit fully seated with the mechanical retention. I do have some magnets that are only 0.5mm thick, so I might try swapping them. (The bit storage slots do have a detent machined into one side, which does a decent job of retaining the bits in storage).
Otherwise, the driving system is excellent and adaptable. The bits are high quality, although there are only the four. The recieving end of the extender has a pretty good knurl. The clip that holds the extender is okay, a tiny bit loose, but simple and bulletproof.
- Foldout tools - a mixed bag here. The wood saw has a modified crosscut pattern, which is a good choice. The metal saw has a standard hacksaw pattern, but with no set. Both saws are set to cut on the pull stroke. Both saws are *way* too thick, increasing the effort required to use them. If the saws were the appropriate thickness, there'd be enough room for another foldout tool. Scissors? I tried the wood saw on a scrap of seasoned red oak flooring. It did a good job on a crosscut, and of course the rip cut was pretty slow. I have none on hand to test, but I bet it would blaze right through a branch of greenwood or driftwood. I tried the metal saw on an 8.8 grade bolt. It made the cut with some effort, but that's mainly due to the excessive blade thickness. I didn't think to try either saw on plastic.
The third folder is a file/awl. The double cut teeth are fairly fine, but spaced like a medium cut. The result is a very, very slow-cutting file. It is hard enough to cut the 8.8 grade bolt, but it felt like that was about the limit. Another problem with the file is that it's too short. It's half the length of the saws, apparently to provide clearance space for the latch of the plier handles. It looks to me like they could have made the file full length, with a little divot to clear the latch. Finally, only one side of the file is toothed, and there are no teeth on the edge. So you can't file into a notch. I'm planning to grind a decent small file into a replacement for this thing.
There is an upside to the file, though. The end is cut at an angle to serve as a sort of awl. It wouldn't make a very good awl, but who cares. What it will do is serve as a quite good deburring tool. It did a great job on the edge of some mild steel, and I'm sure it will easily deburr the end of plastic, copper, or brass pipe.
- Wrench - I never found any of these self-adjusting wrenches to work well, or at all, so I was hoping Mike had discovered the secret. I'll reserve judgment for now, but I can say for sure that if it's going to work there will be a real learning curve (and I've already put in some practice). And obviously there needs to be totally open access to the fastener head. How often is that the case? The puzzling thing to me is the shape: you'd expect the internal surfaces of the wrench jaws to match a standard hex head profile. But this wrench is all curves. Maybe my assumption about the shape is wrong. I'm going to try finding some other examples to see if it might be worthwhile to modify this one. I have a feeling the wrench will remain a disappointment.

Verdict -
The Union is a quality tool, despite my nitpicking. Based on what I paid and the claimed discount, full retail price would be US$149. I don't think that's realistic. If the issues mentioned above were cleared up, then it would be justified. To be clear, those fixes would have to cover: surface finish inconsistencies, screw countersinking, hex socket assembly screws, ball detents for screwdriver bits, additional bits included at no extra cost, impulse hardening and sharpening of pliers cutting edges, handles should be latchable when pliers are in use, fully honed knife edge, thinner saw blades, add a fourth foldout tool, replace the file with a real file, more functional wrench.
Yes that's asking a lot, but I don't think it's asking too much if it's really to be a multitool, not a multitoy. I paid $114 and I think that's fair for what I got, and maybe even reflects a small discount. I'm going to treat this as a kit that I will fettle into a finished tool that works and looks like I want it to.

One more point - this thing is undoubtedly cool as hell.

[43north89west]

Appreciate the thoughtful review, luxige!

My contribution is in the 2700 range, so hoping to see a tool in the next couple of months to play with!

[Adam5]

Thank you luxige!

I am at 10,000+, so I will be waiting awhile for mine.