Sharp eyed members may have noticed a few changes to the Main Site today, but you probably didn't see
all of them!
First off, I posted a couple of reviews from Gareth:
Style CSSquirt PS4And I posted a couple of my reviews over there too:
Gerber CurveSuperior Titanium SharkAnd I added some pictures to a couple of reviews that didn't have any:
Gerber GrapplerGerber OctanePlus I wrote this long overdue review:
Utica Kutmaster Multimaster
Every so often we look closer at an often overlooked yet very interesting tool. In this case, it’s the Utica Kutmaster Multimaster multitool. On paper it’s a very impressive tool, featuring all locking implements, fixed plier head (my personal preference!), very reasonable price (about $40) and made in the USA by a company that has been around since 1910. With pedigree like that, why don’t more people know about them?
Most of the Multimasters on the market these days are marked as CAT tools, and are marked with the heavy equipment manufacturer’s logo. Mine is an actual Kutmaster branded tool, but there is no difference between them other than branding, so this review counts for both!
The first thing you notice about this tool is how solidly it’s built. It feels like a tank, and indeed could probably be used to disassemble an Abrams. It’s made with one solid handle and one hollow handle with the various implements inside of it. They fold out from the inside, so the flat, smooth side of the handle comes in contact with your hands, making it above average for comfort during heavy use.
Inside that handle is a plain edged, clip pointed knife blade, wood saw, bi metal saw, serrated sheeps foot blade and a combo tool that opens both cans and bottles. Each one comes out easily enough with no problems, and each one locks open, but I’ll discuss the lock mechanism later- it deserves a dedicated look. There are a few drawbacks to this kind of setup however- for one, the wood saw and file are kind of stubby, and there’s enough space inside the handle to add another ¼” of length. Still, they are functional enough despite the length, and the selection of functions is good.
You may be wondering why it doesn’t include any screwdrivers inside the hollow handle, but there’s a reason behind that- the solid handle has a ¼” slot inside it for standard ¼” bits, which are carried in a secondary pocket in the sheath. Plus, since ¼” bits are the universal standard, the bit set can be replaced if lost or customized with any specialty bits you may need, like Robertson and/or Torx bits. Since this handle is squared it’s not as comfortable when used hard, and since it’s a solid hunk of cast steel (it’s part of the plier head) it contributes significantly to the overall weight of the tool, but also contributes to its sturdy feeling.
As mentioned above, the lock mechanism deserves a close look. If someone told you they’d developed a lock that is as secure as any lock could be, engaged automatically and required no disengaging to fold the tools, you’d probably roll your eyes in disbelief, but in this case, such a mythical machine exists. It’s so simple, no one else could have thought of it. The solid handle has a lip of steel cast into it, while the implements have a notch cut in their bases, at the pivot point. When closed, the lip fits into the notches, locking the implements closed, then, when any of the implements are opened, the lip closes into the notch keeping it open. Opening the handle to fold the blade pulls the lip out of the notch, automatically releasing the lock mechanism.
Last but not least is the plier head- I have the blunt nose version, but it’s also available with a needle nose. Both types have a bypass style cutter that is actually somewhat longer than most multitool cutters. They also don’t have a hard wire notch, but I’ve always wondered about how useful that really is with a stainless plier head- a soft cutter versus a hard wire seems like a bad idea to me.
In conclusion I think this is one of the best value pieces out there. I think it’s more suited to a craftsman, tradesman or mechanic (or a hobbyist version of any of those!) than to the outdoors or adventurous types. It’s not as versatile as some tools, but the price is good, and what it does do, it does well. And, for under $40, you can feel good about using this one as a go to tool for dirty or hazardous jobs. It would also be a good gift idea for a multitool to someone who doesn’t usually carry a multitool since it’s solid and reasonably convenient.
Pros:
• Solid construction- Made in USA
• Lock mechanism is as brilliant as it is simple
• Fixed headed pliers
Cons:
• Stubby saw and file- less draw means more work
• Solid handle is heavy and sharp corners are uncomfortable
• Sheath is terrible
Pictures coming soon....
Def
Donations
Community Links
