Crater C33T vs Select Fire

Kampfer · **on:** October 20, 2015, 08:41:52 PM

Today we are going to compare and contrast the two Multi-tool knives in market,
Leatherman Crater C33T series http://www.leatherman.com/crater-c33t-28.html

&
Kershaw Select Fire series http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/select-fire

Both have MSRP of $46, both are available in pain edge or partially serrated blade configuration.

Size & weight:
SeFi (short for Select Fire) is a bigger knife than C33T, it weights at exactly 5.0oz while C33T is 1.8oz lighter, at 3.2oz.

Kampfer · **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2015, 08:43:25 PM

Knife Blade and handle scales:
Both are knife focused Multi-tools, so let’s compare their blades.
C33T has a 2.6 inch spear point 420HC blade with bead-blasted finish, 3/16” thick, liner locked, deploy by thumb stub or Leatherman’s “Blade Launcher” system. Lock up is not that great, some side to side play, and if I adjust the pivot will make blade deployment more difficult. “Blade Launcher” system is nothing more than Leatherman’s version of Flipper, however I found it being overly complex (more moving parts) and unreliable, a strong wrist action is required to successfully flick the blade open, or you can simply use the thumb stud to do so. Handle scales are made of Glass-filled Nylon without steel liner enforcement, Leatherman claims the GFN is so strong that steel liner is not needed. The knife is comfortable to use but the handle is barely big enough for my small hands. Based on the thumb stub and pocket clip arrangement, C33T is designed for right handed users.

SeFi has a 3.4 inch drop point 8Cr13Mov blade with bead-blasted finish, 1/8” thick, liner locked, deploy by thumb stub. Action is smooth and lockup is solid. SeFi also have Glass-filled Nylon handle scales with full length skeletonized steel liner under. SeFi can be configured for both right and left handed users.

Kampfer · **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2015, 08:45:53 PM

Drivers:
C33T equips with two screw drivers, one Phillips and one large flathead, they fold out from the handle Swiss Army knife style and securely click in open position to be use, they work very well, nothing more to say there.

SeFi uses a very unique system, a 3 inch shaft folds out from the handle, stops at 90 ° or 180 °; at its end is a magnetic hex drive takes standard ¼” inch bits. To use the driver, simply pull out one of the four bits store in the cut-out in SeFi’s scale, place in the hex drive then you are good to go. It might takes a couple seconds to set it up but this unique system has great advantage: You can have up to four driver bits of different size/type with you at any time, standard bits can be obtain from any hardware store. It really opens up to a world of possibility. In driver mode SeFi is very comfortable to use and it has great reach.

Kampfer · **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2015, 08:47:26 PM

Pocket Clip and bonus
Both knives are designed for tip down carry, IMO both have ugly pocket clips and I think the one on C33T is uglier.

C33T has a locking (not sure why) Carabiner also can be use as Bottle Opener.

SeFi has bottle opener hidden at the handle cut-out for hex drive, also a 1.5 inch / 4cm ruler is printed on drive shaft in case a short ruler is needed.

Kampfer · **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2015, 08:53:11 PM

Conclusion:
Multi-tool is a compromise, but I think such compromise is on lesser degree for Select Fire.
At the expense of 1.8oz of extra weight comparing to C33T, Select Fire is strong and large enough to handle jobs like a real tool and offers great versatility.

Obi1shinobee · **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2015, 09:15:36 PM

Select Fire WIN !! FLAWLESS VICTORY

SAK Guy · **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2015, 09:54:11 PM

Great review!!

zoidberg · **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2015, 10:16:23 PM

Thanks for the pics Kampfer.

Etherealicer · **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2015, 10:34:30 PM

First the Navitool now this... I'm starting to dislike the OBC

Kampfer · **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2015, 10:36:32 PM

Quote from: Etherealicer on October 20, 2015, 10:34:30 PM

First the Navitool now this... I'm starting to dislike the OBC

Why

kirk13 · **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2015, 10:38:57 PM

Very interesting Kam,thank you

I've had a play with Cupboard's C33T and kinda liked it,but feel they're over priced. The Kershaw is interesting,and I have to say,I'd be interested to see how it holds up to use in the 'field'.

Anyone going to do a long term test on one?

sawman · **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2015, 10:46:28 PM

Thanks for the review Kamfer, and I'd have to concur with you. Although I have not owned that exact LM, I've owned a similar model and also own a Sefi and agree the Select Fire is superior

Kampfer · **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2015, 12:00:51 AM

Quote from: kirk13 on October 20, 2015, 10:38:57 PM

The Kershaw is interesting,and I have to say,I'd be interested to see how it holds up to use in the 'field'.

Anyone going to do a long term test on one?

The knife is a typical Kershaw, should cuts good and holds up well. The drive shaft, feels stronger than the fold out drivers on most MT we mostly discuss. I don't see any weak points on Select Fire and can not imagine it falling.
Well, I plan to EDC it with a Squirt, will keep you all posted.

Kampfer · **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2015, 01:17:14 AM

I forgot to mention about the strong detent on C33T's liner lock is what cause the deployment feel very sticky.

Ryo Saeba · **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2015, 02:41:55 AM

Quote from: Kampfer on October 21, 2015, 12:00:51 AM

The knife is a typical Kershaw, should cuts good and holds up well. The drive shaft, feels stronger than the fold out drivers on most MT we mostly discuss. I don't see any weak points on Select Fire and can not imagine it falling.
Well, I plan to EDC it with a Squirt, will keep you all posted.

I don't own a select fire but my cousin has about a dozen that he's gotten as advertising samples from his job. He tells me that after a while the plastic bit holders wear out and kind of flop out randomly.

kirk13 · **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2015, 07:11:20 AM

Quote from: Kampfer on October 21, 2015, 12:00:51 AM

Quote from: kirk13 on October 20, 2015, 10:38:57 PM
The Kershaw is interesting,and I have to say,I'd be interested to see how it holds up to use in the 'field'.

Anyone going to do a long term test on one?
The knife is a typical Kershaw, should cuts good and holds up well. The drive shaft, feels stronger than the fold out drivers on most MT we mostly discuss. I don't see any weak points on Select Fire and can not imagine it falling.
Well, I plan to EDC it with a Squirt, will keep you all posted.

Cool! Looking forward to it

Kampfer · **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2015, 08:24:22 AM

Quote from: Ryo Saeba on October 21, 2015, 02:41:55 AM

Quote from: Kampfer on October 21, 2015, 12:00:51 AM
The knife is a typical Kershaw, should cuts good and holds up well. The drive shaft, feels stronger than the fold out drivers on most MT we mostly discuss. I don't see any weak points on Select Fire and can not imagine it falling.
Well, I plan to EDC it with a Squirt, will keep you all posted.

I don't own a select fire but my cousin has about a dozen that he's gotten as advertising samples from his job. He tells me that after a while the plastic bit holders wear out and kind of flop out randomly.

That should be covered by warranty.

ToolJoe · **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2015, 04:42:36 PM

I have a C33T and had a C33TX in the past and they have been trouble free for me. Sure the pocket clip sticks out a little bit out of your pocket but makes for a great nail cleaner

.

Kampfer · **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2015, 06:50:43 PM

Quote from: ToolJoe on October 21, 2015, 04:42:36 PM

I have a C33T and had a C33TX in the past and they have been trouble free for me. Sure the pocket clip sticks out a little bit out of your pocket but makes for a great nail cleaner .

I am glad it works for you.