Griffin Pocket Tool XL - First Impressions

[nate j]

I recently picked up a Griffin Pocket Tool XL.  Here are my first impressions:

• First thought was that this is huge for a pocket pry bar (yes, I know it's the XL version), so I was a bit surprised when I put it next to my PW2 and saw that the Griffin XL was only slightly longer, and the PW2 is actually wider.  (For scale, that is a Pioneer X in the picture as well.)   Looking at thickness, however, it became obvious that the Griffin XL is roughly twice as thick as the PW2.  I'm guessing that the gap in the frame for the pocket clip necessitates this extra thickness in order for the tool to be rigid.
• The wrench seems functional, but because it only handles fixed discrete sizes (and one has to choose Standard or Metric when ordering the tool), it definitely isn't as useful as the PW2's wrench.  The decision to include two 1/2" wrenches seems redundant and a missed opportunity to include something else instead.
• Flathead and pry bar seem servicable.  I didn't have a chance to specifically try the nail pry function.
• Ruler looks ok.  I was a little disappointed that it seems to be more of a surface laser etch than deep engraving like the PW2, especially given that the Griffin XL retails for $40.
• I have no way to test this quantitatively, but I wonder if the Griffin has been heat-treated.  Their website does not say anything about it.  I know the PW2 is heat-treated.
• The ridges on the edges of the tool make it easy to grip, and are a nice touch.
• Pocket clip works, but personally I would rather do without the pocket clip if it would mean a tool that was more like half the thickness and half the weight.
• 1/4" bit driver seems a little awkward
• Bottle opener - OK, but seems unnecessary - can't we just use the pry bar end to open bottles?  Possibly a missed opportunity to include something more useful, but I'm beginning to think there might be some unwritten rule requiring a bottle opener on all tools of this type.
• The scoring tool probably has a sharp enough point to open boxes and the like.  May not add a lot of functionality for someone who already carries a knife, but would be good for non-permissive environments.

Overall, seems like a decent tool, but not good enough to replace the PW2 in my EDC.

[Aloha]

That thing is a beast.  I love my PW2.  Its come in handy so many times its earned a spot in my work tool belt and a second one in my Skinth I use at home. 

[SurgeUk]

Used the Griffin to open an "apple juice" 

[nate j]

Used the Griffin to open an "apple juice" 

That looks like the regular/original size Griffin?

Hard cider….mmmmmmm…

[SurgeUk]

That looks like the regular/original size Griffin?

Hard cider….mmmmmmm…

It's the brass pocket tool

https://griffinpockettool.com/products/brass-griffin-pocket-tool
I like cider 

[pfrsantos]

It's the brass pocket tool

https://griffinpockettool.com/products/brass-griffin-pocket-tool
I like cider 

I bet cider likes you back, too.

[Jim the Brave]

So it has an open-ended Kentucky wrench instead of the ice cream cone on the PW2.

[ToolJoe]

Uh oh, another site to look at tools on. 

[ToolJoe]

I just got a regular size Griffin Pocket Tool and wow is this thing small! Seems very solid construction.

[parnass]

I recently picked up a Griffin Pocket Tool XL.  Here are my first impressions: ....

Did you buy the steel or titanium version?

[nate j]

Did you buy the steel or titanium version?

Steel.  It only weighs about an ounce more than the titanium version (which for me isn’t enough to make a practical difference),and is considerably cheaper ($40 vs $70).  Most importantly, while I like titanium for things like knife handles and bolsters, I prefer to have steel anywhere it could be subjected to significant force or wear.

[kirk13]

It's the brass pocket tool

https://griffinpockettool.com/products/brass-griffin-pocket-tool
I like cider 

Off the top of your head, can you remember wha the shipping to the UK  was?

[SurgeUk]

Off the top of your head, can you remember what the shipping to the UK  was?

I got it from the Bay of Fleas (UK) I had looked at getting one from the Griffin but the shipping would have been 50% of the value (and that was the cheapest option  )


If you haven't already tried, you can add to your basket on the site and go through the motions and you'll be on the shipping options in no time.


I just did it (from the link I posted) and here are the options (for a $35 tool) to London;


There are 3 shipping rates available for, England, United Kingdom, starting at $18.75


First Class International Shipping at $18.75


Priority Mail International at $55.59


Priority Mail Express International at $68.88

[kirk13]

I got it from the Bay of Fleas (UK) I had looked at getting one from the Griffin but the shipping would have been 50% of the value (and that was the cheapest option  )


If you haven't already tried, you can add to your basket on the site and go through the motions and you'll be on the shipping options in no time.


I just did it (from the link I posted) and here are the options (for a $35 tool) to London;


There are 3 shipping rates available for, England, United Kingdom, starting at $18.75



First Class International Shipping at $18.75


Priority Mail International at $55.59


Priority Mail Express International at $68.88