![]() Whether you’re an avid outdoorsman or just someone who likes to be prepared, a multi-tool is an essential piece of equipment. In addition, many models include a built-in flashlight, making them ideal for use in dark or difficult-to-reach places. Titanium frame lock to secure the blade open during use. Brown micarta scales with black titanium liners, hardware, shield inlay, and clip. Lee Williams Kickstop flipper opener that vanishes into the handle when you deploy the blade. Depending on the model, a multi-tool can be a useful tool for everything from fixing a loose screw to cutting through rope. Features: Satin-finished Bohler M390 steel blade that opens on ceramic bearings. ![]() However, there are also multi-tools that feature saws, hammers, and other tools. The most common type of multi-tool includes a set of pliers, a knife, and a set of screwdrivers. Whether you're an experienced handyman or just looking for a way to be prepared for minor repairs, a multitool is an essential piece of equipment.Ī multi-tool is a small, often pocket-sided tool that can be used for a variety of tasks. Most multitools include a variety of useful tools, such as pliers, screwdrivers, knives, and files. ![]() The term "EDC" (every day carry) is often used to describe items that are small and useful enough to be carried with you on a daily basis, and a multitool definitely qualifies. Leatherman and Gerber are two of the most popular brands on the market, but there are many other companies that make multitools as well. It is destined for my “rare collection oddities” drawer, as I expect it won’t remain available for very long.What exactly is a multi-tool anyhow? Glad you asked, because knowing what the purpose, functions, and features of a multi-tool is a great first step in understanding this often high ranking EDC gear must have! A multi-tool is…Ī multitool is a pocket-sized tool that combines multiple functions into one handy device. Sorry Gerber, I like and use many of your other products, but the Radius won’t be one of them. You could get a lot more tool for a lot less money. How on earth did anyone think this big fat sucker could compete with the other, slimmer yet more capable, multitools on today’s market? Especially at the current asking price, which seems to be $49 at most internet sites I’ve checked. It is the basic engineering of the tool that causes a person to shake their head in wonder. It has a useful shape, with crisp serrations, ample wire cutter area, and a hard-wire notch.Īll-in-all, for a product being built in China, the quality and construction of the Radius isn’t bad. The plier head itself appears to be borrowed from the earlier Gerber Legend 800, more recently reincarnated on the Gerber Suspension model. For some reason spring loaded pliers on top-of-the-line multitools have not really caught on yet, the little Squirt P4 and SOG CrossGrip being two exceptions I can think of. Quality, reliability, innovation are essential at Gerber and every product that bears the Gerber name is backed by a lifetime warranty. Pliers on the Radius are spring loaded, a feature that I have come to appreciate. They are both fat and odd looking as well, although the long screwdriver length is again an improvement. The opposite handle packs a set of folding scissors and a combo flathead screwdriver/bottle opener blade. The best that can be said about the Phillips is its length, which far exceeds that of any Gerber tool which proceeded it. Also on-board this handle is a flat blade Phillips screwdriver with a wire stripper notch near the base. It is sharp enough and all, but feels dorky and clumsy to use. The one-hand opening knife blade for instance, while about the same 2-1/2” length as the knife on the Gerber 600, is well over twice as wide. The thing you first notice about all four blades is how unusually fat and squatty they all are. (Which unfortunately serves to make the handles even thicker yet!) Oddly enough, there are only four blades total, two on each side. However, none of these older tools were nearly as fat as the Radius.Īll of the blades do lock open securely on the Radius, and all unlock by means of small slider switches along the edge of the handles. Previous multitools that employed this side-folding method were the Schrade Tough Tools and the bizarre Flip-Grip. Instead of being in-line with the axis of the pliers, these blades all fold at 90 degrees, from the front and back sides of the tool. The other thing that makes the Radius unique is the way the blades fold. Shown below is an on-edge view of the Radius, positioned next to a standard 600 Multi-Plier. But because it is so fat the handles don’t fit a person’s hand properly, somewhat negating this advantage. Now granted, the squishy soft rubber overlays give it a most comfortable grip. The handles are easily twice as thick as any other quality multitool I can think of. Sorry to be blunt, but this tool is about the goofiest contraption to hit the market ever.
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