I just got in my copy of the Roxon Flex. I thought I would take a little bit of time to talk about it, and of course post a few photos about this tool. Here goes...
Roxon is one of those companies that hit high in the quality department, and the Flex is no different. The Flex is another attempt at creating a truly modular multi-tool. Historically, it would appear that whenever someone created a modular multi-tool, a few things would happen. First and foremost, these types of tools are expensive. Secondly, the implementation is quite often quirky or not very well engineered/designed. Now Roxon dipped their toes into the modular hemisphere with the Phantom (multi-tool) and Phantasy (knife). I dearly love the Phantom and think it is a great multi-tool with high quality and is to my knowledge, one of the first well engineered and super easy to use designs out there. With this being stated, I wasn't at all surprised when the Flex was announced. The idea behind the Flex is that it comes as a body only with plastic spacers installed. You buy sets of implements you want to add. You can interchange these sets, mix and match, and even have tools and spacers residing inside the handles to your content. You can even change the order and truly costomize the loadout. The only boundary being space in each handle. You can have a total of 5 tools per handle, unless you have a double wide tool, then the count would be less. All in all a neat concept...but how does this actually work in person. Lucky for me, I just landed one from AliExpress that came with a set of implements to give you a fully working loadout. It cost me $127.19 Canadian (I found the body only for $40 American off their official web site). At this price, I cannot state this is a cheap multi-tool. One the other hand, it does offer ease of use, and the ability to spend even more to get what you want. From what I can see online, there are 6 more tool set kits to add. I just bought all of them as well because I am a collector at the price of an additional 180 Canadian. Not a cheap solution by any means, but I do get excited with these types of modular multi-tools. In fact, my first multi-tool was a Coleman ProLock which I bought because they were going to produce extra modules for it, that never materialized. Enough of that...on to the tool.
The packaging is well designed and informative.
20240813_084020A by
Chako, on Flickr
20240813_084042A by
Chako, on Flickr
The seller sold the Flex with enough tools to make it a go. However looking at the US webside, it would appear you buy the body and any other tool seperately. Each tool appears to cost 6 to 8 dollars on average. I noticed the AliExpress seller is selling them in kits of 3 to 4 tools each. This can add up quickly, which is always the issue with modular systems. The Phantom is no exception as there are around 18 blades you can get for it as well.
Here you can see what the seller included in the package. Enough tools to create a fully functioning multi-tool. Note that the Phillips occupy 2 slots, hence why there are only 9 instead of 10 add-on tools.
20240813_083926A by
Chako, on Flickr
The sheath is of good quality typical of Roxon. Included is an extra set of hard wire cutters, the Allan wrench required to replace them residing in the safety tool applicator, and in this package, 9 add-on tools.
20240813_084354A by
Chako, on Flickr
The Flex itself has that Roxon look which is quite similar to the Phantom. Roxon makes very good quality tools, and the Flex is no different.
20240813_084418A by
Chako, on Flickr
Included is a pocket clip.
20240813_084428A by
Chako, on Flickr
When you open the packaging, you will be greeted with 10 plastic spacers.
20240813_084456A by
Chako, on Flickr
20240813_084507A by
Chako, on Flickr
Here is a closer look at the instructions.
20240813_084548A by
Chako, on Flickr
20240813_084613A by
Chako, on Flickr
On each handle is a 3 position sliding button. Center is neutral, one end props the tools outwards for easy access. the other way locks the back locking mechanism open for easy tool removal/addition. here the button is pushing out all the spacers for easy access.
20240813_084839A by
Chako, on Flickr
Fully swing the button the other way opens the locking mechanism for tool removal/addition. Here you can see that I have removed all of the included spacers.
20240813_085010A by
Chako, on Flickr
The tool carriers that came with the Phantom multi-tool were great. They included a magnet so that all the blade carriers would stick to each other, making storage much simpler. I also liked how they opened. Those of the Flex are not as nicely designed. I found opening them to be a little challenging as you have to pry a fingernail in the upper portion to leverage the two halves apart. There is also no included magnets. At first, I thought the metal part was a magnet, but was instead a hinge for a small swinging barrier that prevents the tool from poping out once the carrier is opened. That is a nice bit of safety design.
20240813_085145A by
Chako, on Flickr
Here is the first tool to be added, scissors.
20240813_085248A by
Chako, on Flickr
I would have a lot of empty spacers loose, so I thought to replace the tool with a spacer for safe keeping. I should add, there is a lanyard hole for each carrier, so I guess you could run a piece of string through them all to keep them together. I myself figured a zip-lock bag would do the trick.
20240813_085410A by
Chako, on Flickr
Here is the knife blade in its carrier. To remove the tool, you have to swing that little retainer upwards, then flip the carrier over for the tool to fall. I did notice that on the backside of the carrier they give you a bare section to push the tool out if needed.
20240813_085640A by
Chako, on Flickr
After adding all the tools to the one handle.
20240813_090655A by
Chako, on Flickr
Roxon included a tool handling safety tool to add or remove them. I personally found it less than ideal as there is a clasp on the tool so that it won't open on you accidentaly during the operation. However, I found it very fiddly and decided to forego the tool altogether. I personally found it safer this way. Your milage may vary.
20240813_090857A by
Chako, on Flickr
20240813_091125A by
Chako, on Flickr
Now there is one thing I haven't mentioned as a limitation to tool placement. longer tools such as the scissors and knife blade need to be positioned where there is enough handle lenght. Here is the Flex fully loaded out.
20240813_091406A by
Chako, on Flickr
As I have mentioned before, the sheath is a nice qualit piece. I did find one bad issue from the standpoint of using it with the Flex. The Flex sits too deep in the sheath causing me difficulty in accessing the tool and removing it easily. Because the sheath is made of thick durable material, pressing the tool out from the bottom is somewhat challenging. This photo shows the Flex in its sheath, but not fully home. The 3 way buttons are hidden when the tool is fully seated with only a little bit of the Flex showing. The tools shape also adds to the difficulty of extraction.
20240813_091705A by
Chako, on Flickr
Now if Roxon could make a pouch for everything, I would get one in a heart beat. For now, I am bagging it.
20240813_091754A by
Chako, on Flickr
Ok, time to summarize...
PRO:
- Modular system that allows you flexability in tool placement and functionality
- Roxon quality
- Easy to use 3 position button with locking feature that prevents tools from loosely coming out during carry
- Lots of additional tools, enough to currently fill a couple of Flexes.
- On offer are both small and large blanks for the end user to create whatever they want. This takes customization to a new level.
CONS:
- Price. This is Roxon's most expensive tool to date. With that said, it is still cheaper than most Leathermans.
- If you just want to buy a multi-tool and not want to play around with it, this is not for you. it took me a good 10 minutes to figure out the system and complete the installation.
- Currently not very available. Someone one Facebook directed me to find it on AliExpress with only 1 seller currently. A quick visit to the official US website only mentions pre-orders for Americans only.
- The Flex sits too deep inside the sheath for easy use. The tool does have a pocket clip.
- The individual tool carriers do not feature magnets. I thought that was a great idea implemented in the Phantom blade carriers. They are also a little harder to open in my opinion to those of the Phantom.
Overall, a neat idea. I really love the Phantom, and I think the Flex will do the same.
Here are the tools on offer:
- FLEX FTL1-1 Sheepsfoot Blade
- FLEX FTL1-2 Scissors
- FLEX FTL1-3 Serrated Blade - Large
- FLEX FTL1-4 Diamond File (Coarse + Fine)
- FLEX FTL1-5 Flat File (Cross Cut + Single Cut)
- FLEX FTL1-6 Saw - Tapered
- FLEX FTL1-7 Blank - Large Template
- FLEX FTL1-8 Scalpel #4 - Large
- FLEX FTS1-1 Bottle Opener Flat Head Screwdriver
- FLEX FTS1-2 Can Opener
- FLEX FTS1-3 Rope Cutter
- FLEX FTS1-4 File + Ruler + Flat Head Screwdriver (Large)
- FLEX FTS1-5 Diamond File + Fish Hook Sharpener + Adjuster
- FLEX FTS1-6 Fish Hook Remover & Scaler
- FLEX FTS1-7 Wood Carving Chisel Wire Stripper
- FLEX FTS1-8 Awl + Threader
- FLEX FTS1-9 Serrated Blade - Small
- FLEX FTS1-10 Bicycle Spoke Wrench Flat Head Screwdriver
- FLEX FTS1-11 Scalpel #3 Small
- FLEX FTS1-12 Blank - Small Template
- FLEX FTS1-13 2mm Hex Wrench
- FLEX FTS1-14 2.5mm Hex Wrench
- FLEX FTS1-15 3mm Hex Wrench
- FLEX FTS1-16 T6 Torx Wrench
- FLEX FTS2-1 4mm Hex Wrench
- FLEX FTS2-2 5mm Hex Wrench
- FLEX FTS2-3 6mm Hex Wrench
- FLEX FTS2-4 7mm Hex Wrench
- FLEX FTS2-5 T8 Torx Wrench
- FLEX FTS2-6 Phillips Screwdriver
- FLEX FTS3-1 Flint
- FLEX FTS4-1 1/4" Magnetic Bit Driver
Donations
Community Links
