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Tool Talk => Reviews => Topic started by: damota on September 19, 2006, 02:19:22 PM

Title: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: damota on September 19, 2006, 02:19:22 PM

I have just received a Paul Chen Multi Tasker, first impression= it could have been made by Gerber, very much like a shiny Recoil. Then when you start using it you find the shears can not be flicked out like a Gerber because they are locked in both the open and closed position. To use you have to press the buttons and let it slide open/closed. The shears are 1/8" thick and cut what cable I had laying around very well also paper card plastic sheet a seat belt and some cavas.
When closed the tools available are a one hand opening knife on one limb with a pocket? clip on the other limb. Behind the clip is a file that when you open it comes away from the tool and a 16tpi saw blade. When open there is a Philips screw driver on one of the arms (it takes the Gerber Bit adapter so 1/4" bits can be used with it. On the other arm there is a small flat driver with a tin opener and a medium driver with a bottle opener. The knife blade is held open by a liner lock the other tools are held open in the same way Gerber used to use, a part of the main body pressing down to act as a slip lock. The file is in a world of its own you must open (remove it to get at the saw and slot it back into position when finished, I personally think it would have been better behind the saw. On the other side to the clip is a sprung open pair of piers the spring is riveted in so it will not be lost, so we shall see how long it lasts. The pliers are about half an inch longer than the ones on the Cybertool.
Although the tools are plain unfinished steel as tools should be and the shears and pliers have some sort of black finish (anodised?) the main body is in chrome with Professional on one side and patent pending (no numbers) on the clip.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: damota on September 19, 2006, 05:06:09 PM

Another shot showing the file atachment.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: J-sews on September 20, 2006, 03:49:27 AM

The shear jaws, file blade, and phillips screwdriver are carbon steel, with no plating. You will need to keep a film of oil on them to prevent rust.
(The black finish on the shear jaws is a black oxide coating, which offers no corrosion protection.)

Thanks for the pictures and description damota. Mine is identical except for the logo. A suprisingly well-built tool. And with a wide range of functions. Definitely a "multi tasker."

~Bob

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on September 20, 2006, 12:06:03 PM

Great... there's another one on the list!
Def

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on September 20, 2006, 11:19:09 PM

Quote

Mine is identical except for the logo

Does anyone know who designed it then?  Is it really a Paul Chen or just something he stuck his name on?

Def

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: J-sews on September 21, 2006, 12:49:37 AM

I don't know who Paul Chen is, but my guess is he stuck his name on an existing tool.
I first saw these tools 6 or 7 years ago. Fiskars had them made in China, using the Gerber sliding-jaw patent. They were imported under the "Excalibur" name.   

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: J-sews on September 21, 2006, 12:54:05 AM

But again, as damota describes, this is a very capable tool. Fit and quality are much better than every other multi I have seen come out of Asia.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: damota on September 21, 2006, 01:08:35 AM

Quote from: J-sews on September 21, 2006, 12:54:05 AM

But again, as damota describes, this is a very capable tool. Fit and quality are much better than every other multi I have seen come out of Asia.

AFAIK Paul Chen is a Japanese sword manafacturer.
One fault I do have with it = the slightest trace of oil and the chrome finish makes it awkward to grip.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on September 21, 2006, 01:29:57 AM

Paul Chen is a well respected knife and sword maker.  I had one of his knives a while back and it was pretty neat.  It was a double edged folder with an innovatve lock mechanism, anodized titanium handles and mother of pearl inlays... pretty darned nice.  I just find it odd that a guy with the kind of credentials as Paul Chen would go and stick his name on a tool made by someone else.
Def

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: J-sews on September 21, 2006, 02:30:59 AM

Here are a couple other tools that came out back then under the Excalibur logo. There is a definite family resemblence. We'll have to see if Paul Chen "introduces" them in the future as well.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on September 21, 2006, 03:02:33 AM

Those shears look like they could be a forerunner to the new Leatherman Pruners...

Man, one of these days I'd love to get a look at some of the gems hidden away in your collection!
Def

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: zoidberg on March 20, 2018, 09:07:21 AM

This thread is pretty awesome.   :tu:   :like:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: Noa Isumi on March 20, 2018, 10:39:21 AM

Nice necro-thread bump
 :like:

A little Google-fu and I was suprized QVC still has a listing for "Excalibur Multi-Snip by Fiskars"

'Out of stock' of course

So of course we needed screen shots

http://www.qvc.com/%22Excalibur%22-Multi-Snip-Tool-by-Fiskars.product.V8190.html

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: magentus on March 20, 2018, 12:51:11 PM

Quote from: Noa Isumi on March 20, 2018, 10:39:21 AM

Nice necro-thread bump
 :like:

A little Google-fu and I was suprized QVC still has a listing for "Excalibur Multi-Snip by Fiskars"

'Out of stock' of course

So of course we needed screen shots

http://www.qvc.com/%22Excalibur%22-Multi-Snip-Tool-by-Fiskars.product.V8190.html

ThePeacent has at least one of those I think  :think:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ThePeacent on March 20, 2018, 06:06:57 PM

Quote from: magentus on March 20, 2018, 12:51:11 PM

Quote from: Noa Isumi on March 20, 2018, 10:39:21 AM

Nice necro-thread bump
 :like:

A little Google-fu and I was suprized QVC still has a listing for "Excalibur Multi-Snip by Fiskars"

'Out of stock' of course

So of course we needed screen shots

http://www.qvc.com/%22Excalibur%22-Multi-Snip-Tool-by-Fiskars.product.V8190.html

ThePeacent has at least one of those I think  :think:

there you go, compared to Swisschamp

(https://i.imgur.com/9Yz5QVL.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/rxqfeBa.jpg)

if there are any questions about ir I'll do what I can to answer them.  :salute:

(https://i.imgur.com/TXxMiQB.jpg)

Definitely an odd tool, cool but not awesome, different from most mainstream designs. Gerber/Leatherman adaptor fits well on the Phillips, the saw is puny and ridiculous, as is the can opener, the file is detachable and works well, the blade is excellent and the steel absolutely easy to get scary sharp...sorry these two next pics are blurry   :(

(https://i.imgur.com/DrPWV0K.jpg)

I had three, now only this one left

(https://i.imgur.com/i1K8TII.jpg)

older pics

(https://i.imgur.com/MiCeOnW.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/nYVOraE.jpg)

you may notice they're different models from the pliers (normal ones), some are black some are grey (version with "Excalibur" engraved)

(https://i.imgur.com/1Ra4mu3.jpg)

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: Poncho65 on March 20, 2018, 06:13:37 PM

Great old thread and some nice pics from then and now :like: :like:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on March 21, 2018, 04:03:37 AM

The pliers on the original look much better than the Multitasker has.

I was disappointed to see that the pliers are just slapped on the handle. Removing them would make the handles the same thickness. Sure, you'd still have the belt clip on one, but still. As it is, the pliers are on the opposite side of the same handle as the belt clip.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: clown on July 04, 2018, 04:35:10 PM

Found some on the bay!

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Professional-Multi-Tool-by-Paul-Chen-Hanwei-1008-GT/372190700078?hash=item56a84b622e:g:wsAAAOSwXzNaVoAP

My car is on its way out so no more MTs for me for a while.  :facepalm:  But maybe some one will grab one of these :)

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 02, 2018, 02:58:50 AM

Got my Chen tool today. I figured it was going to be pretty good, but wow. Maybe my example is a standout, but holy smurf balls the thing exudes an aura of build quality. The shears meet very precisely and can be tightened if they loosen up with a pivot screw. The only thing I believe to be ridiculous is the pliers, but I think that was the only way to get some pliers on it and they are better than no pliers. The can and bottle openers w/ driver tips seem to be o.k, but not amazing.
Mine has superb fit and finish. I certainly feel like, at $25, the tool is more than worth it.

I hope I don't have to eat my shoe when I order another one to carry. :ahhh

I'll post better photos at some point, but here are a few I took after I opened the package.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: WoodsDuck on November 02, 2018, 03:53:48 AM

The shears are great, and the blade is half decent. It's let down quite a bit by the pliers, at least on my example. They're pretty flimsy and I have little confidence in them beyond tweezer work. A shame they can't put SAK pliers on there.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 02, 2018, 05:20:03 AM

At $25, I don't think theres much of a profit margin. SAK "pliers" would be nice though. The "pliers"(like you said tweezer work) on my example are tight, but not very precise like SAK pliezers. The shears are beefy and strong, but I fear they wouldn't work so well on precise work like Bear & Sons bird shears do. But, heck, for $25 I'm gonna give it a pass. :)
I have been acquiring odd and special MTs lately. Most have been kind of meh, but the Chen MultiTasker is one I felt like it was a good deal.
I like the fine cut of the file(removable is cool too) and non-agressive saw(machined saws aren't good for fine wood working most of the time).

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ThePeacent on November 02, 2018, 04:32:23 PM

yes, in my view these are worth the $ and more, compared to the competitors
I like the OHO blade a lot, gets scary sharp  :gimme:

are your pliers grey or black?  :pok:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 02, 2018, 07:20:28 PM

Thanks, TP!
Mine are black. Is there a difference in quality?

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: mikekoz on November 02, 2018, 09:02:37 PM

   I have one of these somewhere. The first one I received was damaged and I had to return it. The blade was also pretty dull. The replacement was fine, but still had a dull blade. The "pliers" are more like glorified tweezers. I thought the shears were of good quality, but the tool was not comfortable in my hands. It is different though, and I have to give credit for a unique design.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: WoodsDuck on November 03, 2018, 02:28:30 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on November 02, 2018, 07:20:28 PM

Thanks, TP!
Mine are black. Is there a difference in quality?

I'm curious about this as well. Mine are also black.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 02:47:20 AM

Quote from: mikekoz on November 02, 2018, 09:02:37 PM

The first one I received was damaged and I had to return it.

What was wrong with yours?

Here's mine, from the other thread on it:

Quote from: ReamerPunch on October 04, 2018, 06:54:55 AM

Show content

I had gotten one of these. I returned it the next day. I am a fan of scissors and it looked decent enough just to have for the shears.

Every cut-out that formed the backsprings for the tools was cracked. Every single one.
(https://i.imgur.com/SkOr70D.jpg?2)

The pliers felt like the cheapest aluminium ever. Might as well abandon them or have them made out of plastic. Absolutely terrible. I was thinking of cutting the little piece that they're attached to with a dremel, which would make the handle thinner.

I liked the design, but I was very disappointed with the poor quality. Even at its low price, it was a rip-off.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 03, 2018, 03:05:54 AM

Quote from: mikekoz on November 02, 2018, 09:02:37 PM

   I have one of these somewhere. The first one I received was damaged and I had to return it. The blade was also pretty dull. The replacement was fine, but still had a dull blade. The "pliers" are more like glorified tweezers. I thought the shears were of good quality, but the tool was not comfortable in my hands. It is different though, and I have to give credit for a unique design.

Thanks for the input, Mike!

The blade on mine is sharp enough to slice paper fairly well. I could make it sharper, but the tool is for my oddball assortment in the collection and not for use. I may possibly buy a second to toy with though.

Quote from: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 02:47:20 AM

Quote from: mikekoz on November 02, 2018, 09:02:37 PM

The first one I received was damaged and I had to return it.

What was wrong with yours?

Here's mine, from the other thread on it:

Quote from: ReamerPunch on October 04, 2018, 06:54:55 AM

Show content

I had gotten one of these. I returned it the next day. I am a fan of scissors and it looked decent enough just to have for the shears.

Every cut-out that formed the backsprings for the tools was cracked. Every single one.
(https://i.imgur.com/SkOr70D.jpg?2)

The pliers felt like the cheapest aluminium ever. Might as well abandon them or have them made out of plastic. Absolutely terrible. I was thinking of cutting the little piece that they're attached to with a dremel, which would make the handle thinner.

I liked the design, but I was very disappointed with the poor quality. Even at its low price, it was a rip-off.

Sorry your experience with it was so bad. The pliers are mine feel like steel. I wonder if there are production run discrepancies going on? TP and I have had positive impressions, but others have had bad experiences with them. Did the cracks in the spring edges cause reduced tool retention on your Multitasker?
Like I mentioned in my first related post, my observations are of initial quality. You and I may also expect different levels of quality for the price of the tool. If I had paid $50 for it, I would not be excited about it. As said, this tool is for my oddball assortment, but if I buy another, I will do a full usage test on it for a follow up. :)
I may end up eating my shoe for the praise of my current example of the Multitasker. Hopefully not, but we'll see.  :)

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: WoodsDuck on November 03, 2018, 03:24:26 AM

About the pliers; WeAllJuggleKnives (YouTube) mentioned he bent his trying to snap the blade off a utility knife. Which is something I can't imagine any MT pliers failing to do. Even the lightest duty tools like a Gerber Dime should at least handle a job that simple. They're pre-cut for smurf's sake  :facepalm:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 03:25:06 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on November 03, 2018, 03:05:54 AM

Sorry your experience with it was so bad. The pliers are mine feel like steel. I wonder if there are production run discrepancies going on? TP and I have had positive impressions, but others have had bad experiences with them. Did the cracks in the spring edges cause reduced tool retention on your Multitasker?
Like I mentioned in my first related post, my observations are of initial quality. You and I may also expect different levels of quality for the price of the tool. If I had paid $50 for it, I would not be excited about it. As said, this tool is for my oddball assortment, but if I buy another, I will do a full usage test on it for a follow up. :)
I may end up eating my shoe for the praise of my current example of the Multitasker. Hopefully not, but we'll see.  :)

The pliers on mine felt like the cheapest pop metal ever made. I did not think metal of that thickness could ever be this soft. I knew they would be low quality, from the reviews I had seen, and I had my expectations low, but apparently not low enough.
Varying degrees of quality and therefore experiences are to be expected. I may have gotten a lemon, the worst tool to have ever left the factory.

The cracks did not reduce retention enough to notice it, but I was afraid a back-spring would just break off eventually. There were cracks all over the tool, and I had paid for a new one, so I was very disappointed in its condition. The shears were nice, but not nice enough to make me disregard its shortcomings. It left a bad taste in my mouth so I did not order a replacement. Maybe yours will prove decent enough, along with other members' reviews, to make me reconsider it.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 03:26:52 AM

Quote from: WoodsDuck on November 03, 2018, 03:24:26 AM

About the pliers; WeAllJuggleKnives (YouTube) mentioned he bent his trying to snap the blade off a utility knife. Which is something I can't imagine any MT pliers failing to do. Even the lightest duty tools like a Gerber Dime should at least handle a job that simple. They're pre-cut for smurf's sake  :facepalm:

I had that in my mind when I ordered it. I was thinking of just removing the pliers from it altogether. Alas, it was so terrible I returned it.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: WoodsDuck on November 03, 2018, 03:34:14 AM

Quote from: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 03:26:52 AM

Quote from: WoodsDuck on November 03, 2018, 03:24:26 AM

About the pliers; WeAllJuggleKnives (YouTube) mentioned he bent his trying to snap the blade off a utility knife. Which is something I can't imagine any MT pliers failing to do. Even the lightest duty tools like a Gerber Dime should at least handle a job that simple. They're pre-cut for smurf's sake  :facepalm:

I had that in my mind when I ordered it. I was thinking of just removing the pliers from it altogether. Alas, it was so terrible I returned it.

I would like to see a thread with ideas for modding this thing. I bet some of our awesomely creative MTo brethren could come up with something better to put there.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ThePeacent on November 03, 2018, 12:34:05 PM

Quote from: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 03:26:52 AM

I had that in my mind when I ordered it. I was thinking of just removing the pliers from it altogether. Alas, it was so terrible I returned it.

were your pliers grey (dull color) RP?  :pok:

Quote from: WoodsDuck on November 03, 2018, 02:28:30 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on November 02, 2018, 07:20:28 PM

Thanks, TP!
Mine are black. Is there a difference in quality?

I'm curious about this as well. Mine are also black.

I have had three different Multitaskers, two had grey pliers and the one I have kept has black ones. IME the black ones are very good quality whereas the dull grey ones are weak and fragile.  :P I broke a pair of grey pliers twisting a nut on a wooden door  :ahhh, but the black ones have no issues with it, so in my limited experience they are tougher (especially regarding side to side torque)  :dunno:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 12:42:36 PM

My pliers were black too.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 03, 2018, 01:26:50 PM

Quote from: ThePeacent

I have had three different Multitaskers, two had grey pliers and the one I have kept has black ones. IME the black ones are very good quality whereas the dull grey ones are weak and fragile.  :P I broke a pair of grey pliers twisting a nut on a wooden door  :ahhh, but the black ones have no issues with it, so in my limited experience they are tougher (especially regarding side to side torque)  :dunno:

Thank you for the info, TP! :salute:

I spent a few minutes before I went to sleep last night and used reasonably strong finger pressure on the little pliers and they didn't twist or even bend. I even applied strong force on the handle and end of the plier tips without bending them. They are definitely made of some sort of tool steel and not aluminum or spelter metal.

Quote from: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 12:42:36 PM

My pliers were black too.

Did anything on yours break before returning it? :dunno:
I can understand the weakish spring on the pliezers may give an impression that they are weak. And without some carry and usage, we may never know if the corner splitting would have ever led to tab spring failure. Once a tool is deployed, very little force is transferred to the tab spring edges. The most likely failure would have been a weakened retention of tools, but the retention isn't very strong, so it's up in the air if that would have been a problem. :think:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 01:33:05 PM

True, it might have held up to actual use, but then again, it was supposed to be new and undamaged, so I did not want to keep it.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 03, 2018, 02:32:34 PM

Understood, RP! :salute:

I'll order another one and give it a good reality check at some point.

One of the things that impressed me was the shears and pliezers have black oxide coating, where junk tools have the black stuff painted. The shears having thread & screw pivot AND blade tightening set screw in the back of the shears pivot are abnormally good features at the price point.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: mikekoz on November 04, 2018, 01:08:56 AM

Quote from: ReamerPunch on November 03, 2018, 02:47:20 AM

Quote from: mikekoz on November 02, 2018, 09:02:37 PM

The first one I received was damaged and I had to return it.

What was wrong with yours?


      A part of the sliding mechanism inside the body was broken. It had a big crack in it, and if I kept sliding the shears in and out  it would have eventually just broke off.   



Here's mine, from the other thread on it:

Quote from: ReamerPunch on October 04, 2018, 06:54:55 AM

Show content

I had gotten one of these. I returned it the next day. I am a fan of scissors and it looked decent enough just to have for the shears.

Every cut-out that formed the backsprings for the tools was cracked. Every single one.
(https://i.imgur.com/SkOr70D.jpg?2)

The pliers felt like the cheapest aluminium ever. Might as well abandon them or have them made out of plastic. Absolutely terrible. I was thinking of cutting the little piece that they're attached to with a dremel, which would make the handle thinner.

I liked the design, but I was very disappointed with the poor quality. Even at its low price, it was a rip-off.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: mikekoz on November 05, 2018, 10:54:05 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on November 02, 2018, 02:58:50 AM

Got my Chen tool today. I figured it was going to be pretty good, but wow. Maybe my example is a standout, but holy smurf balls the thing exudes an aura of build quality. The shears meet very precisely and can be tightened if they loosen up with a pivot screw. The only thing I believe to be ridiculous is the pliers, but I think that was the only way to get some pliers on it and they are better than no pliers. The can and bottle openers w/ driver tips seem to be o.k, but not amazing.
Mine has superb fit and finish. I certainly feel like, at $25, the tool is more than worth it.

I hope I don't have to eat my shoe when I order another one to carry. :ahhh

I'll post better photos at some point, but here are a few I took after I opened the package.

       I just dug mine up, and I do not see any pivot screw for the shears. I do not see it on the photos of your tool, but they are a bit dark. Where is this screw??   :think:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 05, 2018, 01:56:56 PM

I'll take a pic in a bit.  :)

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 05, 2018, 02:21:08 PM

First photo shows the pivot and tension adjustment screws. Second and third pic are close-ups of the pliezers. Mine line up and have no play. Teeth aren't well formed, but then again, I wouldn't want aggressive teeth on such small pliers. I imagine using them to turn stuff like an 8-32 nut and not leave tool marks or hold little wire while working with it.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: mikekoz on November 06, 2018, 03:02:32 PM

   Thanks! Found the screw, but could not access it well enough to turn it.  As far as the pliers go, I cannot imagine them being able to turn a bolt. They are too small and thin, and look like they would break off the body of the tool if held incorrectly. Just holding the pliers themselves would be awkward, at least for me.  ???

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 06, 2018, 03:51:34 PM

I'd just use them like scissors. Swing the pliezers out and use thumb pressure to operated. And the nuts I'm talking about would be small and not rusted/loc-tited on. :ahhh

I've got a second Chen tool on the way( :facepalm:), so I'll be doing some usage experiments. :multi:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on November 06, 2018, 03:56:02 PM

 :popcorn:
I hope the quality you experienced with the first continues.
I was sad when I returned mine. I liked the shears.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 06, 2018, 04:02:40 PM

Quote from: ReamerPunch on November 06, 2018, 03:56:02 PM

:popcorn:
I hope the quality you experienced with the first continues.
I was sad when I returned mine. I liked the shears.

Thank you much, RP! It is coming from a different seller, so I am not so optimistic. You (along with other Chen detractors) are usually spot on about stuff. I feel lucky having gotten the first one that was good.
Here's hoping for the best. :cheers:

I am looking forward to a comparison thread with the Bear & Sons Bird Shears/Toolzall Pro. :)

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: mikekoz on November 06, 2018, 04:06:38 PM

   The build quality on it I think is actually pretty good. The pliers looks like the designer forgot to add them to the tool, then just slapped them on the side!!  :D. The shears are the best part, and I like the removable file. My blade was a bit dull when I got it, but have sharpened it a bit. The saw is also pretty sharp, but the smaller things like the can opener, are a bit hard to open. The main issue with it for me is the body of the tool digs into my hands when I squeeze it closed using the shears.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ReamerPunch on November 06, 2018, 04:13:47 PM

I returned this before starting my can opener thread. Now I am left wondering if its can opener works or not.  :facepalm:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 06, 2018, 04:18:42 PM

Quote from: mikekoz on November 06, 2018, 04:06:38 PM

   The build quality on it I think is actually pretty good. The pliers looks like the designer forgot to add them to the tool, then just slapped them on the side!!  :D. The shears are the best part, and I like the removable file. My blade was a bit dull when I got it, but have sharpened it a bit. The saw is also pretty sharp, but the smaller things like the can opener, are a bit hard to open. The main issue with it for me is the body of the tool digs into my hands when I squeeze it closed using the shears.

Indeed. The removal of the pliezers would make the tool much better.

Quote from: ReamerPunch on November 06, 2018, 04:13:47 PM

I returned this before starting my can opener thread. Now I am left wondering if its can opener works or not.  :facepalm:

If you'll remind me, I can try the opener out at some point when the second one arrives. :)
It won't be like doing it yourself, but I can show the cut quality and discuss the operating ergonomics.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: mikekoz on November 06, 2018, 05:06:26 PM

One more thing. Until I read this thread, I was not aware of how far back this model goes. I thought it was relatively new!!

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 06, 2018, 07:21:14 PM

Quote from: mikekoz on November 06, 2018, 05:06:26 PM

One more thing. Until I read this thread, I was not aware of how far back this model goes. I thought it was relatively new!!

Indeed. It explains why some production runs are slightly different in looks and quality. :ahhh

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 07, 2018, 07:07:15 PM

My second Chen Multitasker arrived. It is consistent and almost identical to the first one I received. The only difference I can detect is the second one I received(different seller mind you) had zero play in the pliezers. The first one had a tiny bit of play in the pliezers.

I'll be carrying it with me tomorrow to try it out. :)

Sorry about the dark photos. :ahhh

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 13, 2018, 08:07:07 PM

After using the Multitasker for a bit, I have one serious conplaint about them.
It started with my father wanting to check it out, but he doesn't know much about MTs and with the scissor head deployed, he thought he could close it, for some reason I can't think of, by roughly spreading the handle apart.  :facepalm:
Well, I heard something make a faint "crack" noise. It seems to be O.K, but it wasn't deploying properly. I removed the scissor head and looked at the engagement mechanisms closely. The metal scissor blades attach, at the base inside, to plastic slider spacers. He had broken one of the the internal slider spacers. I found the crack and used PVC cement on it and it is fine. But, why? That is like having a tow chain with a single chandelier chain-link in the center.
The plastic spacers have two screws that mount it to the scissor blades by threading it into the plastic spacer. And two screws go into the outer slide button cover, and they are threaded into the plastic spacer as well. A true weak-link. I will probably make some metal spacers at some point, but that is just crazy that they did that to start with. Those plastic spacers take a lot of force with the spring mechanism and they need to be metal. :dunno:
I know the plastic slider spacers make it more quiet to deploy, but they could have made them out of metal and had the screws just use a piece of plastic as a washer to keep it quiet.

I am disappointed with that, as it isn't something everyone can remedy.
I'll take a photo of the plastic thing in a minute and post it.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 13, 2018, 08:12:59 PM

Here are two photos showing the metal scissor head with plastic structural spacers. :rant:

And you'll have to use PVC glue on it. SuperGlue won't work.

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: ThePeacent on November 14, 2018, 01:30:48 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on November 13, 2018, 08:12:59 PM

Here are two photos showing the metal scissor head with plastic structural spacers. :rant:

And you'll have to use PVC glue on it. SuperGlue won't work.

do I know... :facepalm:

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,78020.0.html
 :salute:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 14, 2018, 03:48:47 PM

Many thanks, TP! I had forgotten you had a similar issue. When I make some metal internal spacers, I will be copying your slide modification setup. Thank you. :) What you did is what they should have done at the factory. :o :like:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: mikekoz on November 20, 2018, 10:21:51 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on November 13, 2018, 08:12:59 PM

Here are two photos showing the metal scissor head with plastic structural spacers. :rant:

And you'll have to use PVC glue on it. SuperGlue won't work.

   The square tip of that part looks like the thing that was broken on my first MT. Being plastic explains it, and I now have very little confidence that this tool would hold up to hard or long term use.  ??? :rant:

Title: Re: Paul Chen Multi Tasker
Post by: gerleatherberman on November 21, 2018, 12:01:27 AM

 :iagree:

If I decide to make metal spacer replacements, I'll make a thread on doing it.  They have such a cool tool with the Chen. To cheap out on structural spacers is insane. If they want to save money, nix the pliers and give us some steel spacers. :ahhh

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