Day 2The Gerber Armbar Slim Drive (henceforth GASD) on cigar duty.Thus far:I give the concept an “A”. The idea of a fairly slim, light, and compact tool that contains a blade and some decent screwdrivers (in this case, a bit driver with a single bit that is flat on one end and Phillips on the other), plus the obligatory bottle opener of course, is a good one.I give the execution a “C”. F&F isn’t terrible, but not on par with Vic standards.The blade is supposed to be OHO (my example is quite stiff, but may loosen up with use) and features a liner lock. I also don’t like coated blades and don’t feel the wharncliffe blade shape is the best option for general EDC, but these last two are really personal preference.The bit driver strongly retains the bit thanks to what appears to be a rare earth magnet; good job by Gerber on this, as nothing ruins the experience of a tool with removable bits faster than bits that fall out/get lost. The bit driver is also pretty well centered in the tool, which makes it much more pleasant to use than MTs with offset drivers. A second bit with some different tips might have been nice, but I’m betting the included double-ended bit will handle the majority of screws most folks will encounter.One oversight, IMO, is that the bit driver does not lock open. I would much rather have a blade that doesn’t lock and a screwdriver that does (e.g. TL-29) than a blade that locks and a screwdriver that doesn’t (as the GASD has).I haven’t tried the bottle opener, but as this is possibly the easiest tool to build of any commonly found on MTs, I’m willing to assume it opens bottles. I don’t like the tool opening mechanism though; apparently, the only way to open it is by applying pressure to the ridges on the back of the tool. There is no nail nick or other more positive means of opening that I can see. Like the blade, the bottle opener on my example is quite stiff, but may loosen with use.Overall, I think most users (including yours truly) would be better served by spending the extra $10 for a Vic Explorer.
Nice write-up on your assessment so far. I'm using a Gerber Armbar Slim Cut (GASC) for the challenge, so I might as well volley some thoughts back at you. I've had varying luck with using the one hand opening on the blade, but I must admit I like having the option. I like it much better than the OHO method on the Vic Trekker because theres no worry that if I lose my grip, the blade snaps back on me. It's not smooth by any means, but if you think of it like a friction folder (which it basically is) then you can get on with the idea a little easier. I'll admit it ends up being a two handed operation sometimes - especially when disengaging the lock. But so far i'm enjoying the capability.As for the blade shape, I do like this sheepsfoot quite a bit theres definitely an advantage of having the tip angled downward instead of forward for some tasks. Now then - before this challenge started, I was searching online for another contender for a SAK similar - and I noticed that other brands that have locking tools do not put a lock on the bit driver. That lead me to think - could it be that the tang of the bit driver does not lend itself to a locking mechanism as easy as the tang of other more 2-D tools? Maybe. At least thats the thought I had once I noticed the same issue with other tools.
Day 4 of 30Today carried T4 and used scissors to open food pack, used also blade to slice some cucumber. I gotta admit that T4 is handy tool even tho i cannot still open blade easily with onehand. [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]
Day 4 of 30Today carried T4 and used scissors to open food pack, used also blade to slice some cucumber. I gotta admit that T4 is handy tool even tho i cannot still open blade easily with onehand. [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ] [/quoteThe blade on my T4, which is being carried today, is stiff as well. I find it is due to the locking mechanism. Once you get it past the lock edge (about 30% open) it becomes easier but clearing the lock is key. Although, I am also left-handed so the oho is even more difficult because have to use finger vice thumb.
Day2, nothing special, just cut a bread roll..I did also though about the Ryke Tool, but unfortunately it’s one hand opened, so against German knife laws..There are also more Swizza available, but non of them whit an normal SAK Skizzors..
Day 5JOTS trimmed some cloth to use as bulletin board backing.
Donations
Community Links
