Klein Tripsaver Multitool

[gafftapegreenia]

Another multitool. This time, Klein's offering, specifically tailored for the electrical trades. Derek, ship, thoughts, opinions?

[Charc]

Originally Posted by gafftapegreenia

Another multitool. This time, Klein's offering, specifically tailored for the electrical trades. Derek, ship, thoughts, opinions?

I'm happy with my Gerber. Besides, if I bought any more klein tools I'd look like a walking ad.

[gafftapegreenia]

But you are getting a nut driver set for your Altman's, right?

[Kelite]

What? No bottle opener????

It'll never do.

[ship]

I'll stick with my "Bear Jaws" from McMaster Carr with Tools for Stagecraft belt clip sheef.
The above has wire stripping jaws even if the cutter and needle nose part are a bit small for my tastes. On the other hand, the knife stays sharp, has a few accessories and the wire stripping jaws are very good in design. The Klien tool reminds me of an old SOG tool I had like 15 years ago. Very uncomfortable to use.
A few ways to do the handle on the pliers, blades on both sides of the handles and inward in location when the pliers are open, blades outward and the same with blades/tools on both sides of the handle.
Than there is blades outside or inside such as with the Klien tool, but only on one side of the handle.
I have found using the pliers on various tools that you want a rounded edge without tools digging into your palm when using the pliers. In the case of the Klien tool, there is a rounded edge which would be better than my SOG was. On the other hand, both the SOG and the Klien have the tools on only one side of the handle and a smaller handle on the other side. This both limits the amount of accessories on the tool and when using the tool with what is seemingly only a 1/4" wide or so handle, gives your hand problems while using it.
No matter if you put the side without tools in your palm or with your fingers, it is too small a surface area to other than cramp. My old SOG tool of similar design only blades out gave my had cramps and I gave it away years ago.
A good leathermen tool has an attachment for taking 1/4" bits if one is so ambitious to carry about a bunch of 1" bits for the tool in one's pocket. Me, I prefer if using such a tool - only when a real tool is not around, to have the bit I need already on the tool. If I need other than what is provided with the multi-tool I get a real tool.
My opinion at least.

[gafftapegreenia]

Fair enough. I'm going to look into this "Bear Jaws". I've been looking for a multitool with a good wire stripper. This Klein offering was my second find. The first was SOG's new Powercut.

[ship]

Again or at least pointed out, one’s multi-tool is very personal to you. What works for one is not optimum for another in style or use. For instance if barbarian and you tend to remove more screws with your multi-tool, than using it for quick cuts or grabbing stuff, perhaps in how the hinge/blade mechanism is orientated would be better to have the rounded side of the knife outboard when the pliers are closed and using it to be an off center screw driver not optimum designed for doing so... Yep, a bit set in my ways of if I pull out my multi-tool it is for a quick screw, but mostly for something to grab with, cut with or size a wire gauge with and not even strip wire with mostly. If stripping wire, I will most likely need a tool to attach it with thus I’m grabbing proper tools anyway.

In my case, I am showing how to size a wire gauge for someone just as often as cutting or grabbing something in a pinch thus the strippers are useful. Good strippers but a multi-tool is not something to be doing much work with. Also the stripping blades are properly formed as per a proper stripper tool for stranded wire thus it is easy to show from or use.

That is the good thing about this tool. Bad side about this tool is a lack of blade lock which is a crucial feature on any multi-tool. Believe me if you use the knife in any dynamic way, that blade lock is very important - another bad thing also about my original SOG. Wonder what the original Cooper Tools Xcelite multi-tool was like, that is what I thought I was buying - even had a black oxide coated version but they are both chrome and black discontinued.

After this very important detail of no multi-tool in my opinion being best - keep in mind the small needle nose pliers and even smaller cutting jaw, that it also comes with a totally crappy sheath for it thus the tools for stagecraft after market one to hold it mentioned.

On the other hand, I believe my opinion of the smaller arm does hold. The SOG had a similar end tip in this case flat head screw driver at the tip of that painful smaller lever. Was not really useful in that while using it the pliers kept opening and without blade lock there was no solution for using end of the blade tips while in use. Were I to use anything with removable tips, it would probably be the accessory to the Leathermen line of knife that has the holder removable but centered on the knife. Something else to carry in your pocket but as opposed to any other type of knife, at least the blade is centered on the handle instead of off center. Didn’t mind the Super Leathermen line though there was many other types on the market. Couldn’t imagine the need for replaceable pliers types, perhaps if nothing else in the concept of how one uses the tool, where the rounded edges and or blades are orientated while in use will be most useful. Barbarian mostly using it as a screw driver or knife, perhaps you want the rounded handle facing out while the pliers are encased inside. Definately locking blade. I say you like me or many use alternate knives for cutting such as a fold up knife or even fold up utility knife to do your cutting, accessories are much less used. At that point and in my view the most necessary use of the tool is for the portable pliers and cutter. For that given palm pressure on the tool to hold or cut, you would tend to want the rounded surfaces facing out board when the pliers are in use.

My opinion of course and milage may vary with ... did I say barbarians yet? Suppose I did mention that... as point of discussion/agreement.

[gafftapegreenia]

Yup, I've heard "multi tools do no one thing well", and well as them being a "limited use tool" many a time. In no way do I quarrel with your opinion, rather I find the information useful as I explore my options. The evolution of multi tools is rather interesting as well.

[gafftaper]

Hey Ship I didn't find anything on McMaster-Carr's website they call Bear Jaws. I did find this which seems to match your description and I have to say it is VERY cool. It seems like I'm always trying to use my Leatherman Wave for electrical work. Why not just carry an electrical tool?



It's listed as "Multi-Purpose Wire Stripper" product #7893K5 $56.

[Kelite]

So from a 'brand' perspective, is there a preferred brand of multi-tool, regardless of model?

Gerber
Leatherman
Klein
Other

Perhaps this should become a poll/survey, as I would like to know who prefers what and why...