Head to Head: Leatherman Brewzer vs. Gerber Shard

The Leatherman Brewzer and Gerber Shard are cool little keychain tools.  They both pack a good amount of functionality into a small, very portable frame.  But which one is better?

Price
The Shard is the clear winner in this category.  Currently on Amazon the Shard sells for $5.95, while the Brewzer is listed at $9.72.

Bottle Opener
Both the Brewzer and the Shard can function as bottle openers, though neither of them is as effective as a standard keychain bottle opener.  I've had times using both tools where it took multiple attempts to pop a bottle cap off.

Pocket Carry
Both tools are small enough to carry in your pocket or on your keychain.  The Brewzer gets the edge here, however, due to the Shard's cross driver point.  That point, which can also function as a box cutter or package opener, is sharp.  Sticking your hand in your pocket can often result in a poke and a few drops of blood when you're carrying the Shard on a keychain or loop.

Screwdrivers
The Brewzer has a wide, straight front edge that can very easily be used as a slotted screwdriver.  The Shard, on the other hand, has a forked front edge for its pry bar, that can also double as small- and medium-sized slotted drivers.  The different-sized drivers of the Shard are nice, but they have limited use because of their proximity to each other.  You won't be able to use them on many recessed screws, or screws very close to a wall or other protrusion, because the driver you're not using will get in the way.

However, the Shard does also include a rudimentary cross driver on its other end.  This driver can turn Phillips screws, and does a fairly good job of it.  The Shard wins by a little bit in this category.

Box Cutter
As a box cutter, cardboard cutter, or package opener, both of these tools are about equal, with the Brewzer being just the tiniest bit better.  The Shard's pointed cross driver makes the initial cut into cardboard much easier, but the Brewzer's slightly-hooked tip gives it better follow-through.

Pry Bar
The Brewzer's pry bar is much less pronounced than the Shard's.  The Brewzer's shape and design give it a decent grip when using the pry bar, which would be useful for small things.  However, the Shard's pry bar is much larger, is angled to allow for more leverage, and is also forked, so it can be used to remove nails (like the claw end of a hammer).  The Shard's pry bar easily beats out the Brewzer's pry bar.

Size
The two tools are very similar in size.  Amazon lists the Shard at 0.3 ounces, with dimensions of 3.1" x 1.3" x 0.6".  It lists the Brewzer as 0.5 ounces, with dimensions of 2" x 1.2" x 3".  However, when you hold the two tools, the Shard feels heavier.  The Shard has a larger footprint than the Brewzer, being both longer and wider, as well as more three-dimensional (because of the pry bar).  If you're looking for a more compact, lightweight pocket tool, the Brewzer wins that fight.

Usefulness
Both tools can be used as a bottle opener, slotted screwdriver, and pry bar.  The Brewzer has a couple of cut-outs that can be used as box or open wrenches to turn small nuts or bolts.  The Shard has a cross driver.  Both tools offer about the same amount of functionality, with the main differences being determined by what you need them to do.

Overall
Which tool is better than the other is very subjective, and depends heavily on what your main uses will be.  Overall, the edge goes to the Shard.  It's significantly cheaper than the Brewzer and offers more everyday usefulness, because of the presence of a cross/Phillips driver as well as the increased leverage you can get out of its pry bar.

Gerber Shard multi tool for under $3!

If you've been thinking about picking up a Gerber Shard keychain multi tool, now is definitely the time to do it.  This pry bar/cross driver/bottle opener/slotted driver/box cutter all in one usually sells on Amazon for about $6 or so... right now it's listed at $0.33 plus $1.99 shipping, for a total of $2.32 (plus any applicable tax).  There is no way this price will be good long-term, so if you're considering purchasing a Shard -- either for yourself or as a gift -- you'll probably never find a better price on it.  (Full review of the Shard can be found here.)

Keychain Multi Tool Deals on Amazon

Here are two small multi tools that have dropped in price on Amazon lately:

The Leatherman Brewzer typically sells for about $10 on Amazon.  It's a pretty good little keychain tool.  Right now it's offered at $7.78, so if you've had this one on your wish list, now is a great time to buy it.  That's the lowest price I've seen it for on Amazon.  (You can read my review of the Brewzer here.)

The Nite Ize DoohicKey is a similar tool to the Brewzer, but it also functions as a carabineer.  It's being listed right now for $3.98, when it typically sells for $5 or $6 (or more).

Tool Review: Wiha 34154 5.5mm Magnetic Nut Driver

Key Features:
 +   Strong magnet
 +   Contoured handle with good grip


If you're a Ricoh or Xerox technician, chances are good that you'll need a 5.5mm nut driver at some point.  The Wiha 34154 magnetic nut driver is a good one, and I highly recommend it -- especially if you're getting reimbursed for it so the cost doesn't come out of your pocket.

The 34154 is a longer driver, 360mm from the tip to the end of the handle.  It's great for reaching into tight places, and it's not overly heavy.  The handle is a soft plastic/rubber combination that provides good grip as well as good leverage.

The magnet in the nut driver is very strong.  It easily attracts 5.5mm screws, but you have to be careful when you put it down because the magnet will also easily pick up staples and other small metal objects, including developer particles.

I've had the same Wiha 5.5mm nut driver for almost 10 years now, and the only thing that's changed is that the handle looks slightly dirtier.  It still functions just as well, the magnet still works great (with the occasional quick dip in a magnetizer) and the handle still provides just as much grip.

The 34154 nut driver is the only 5.5mm nut driver I use, and if I needed to get a new one, I would buy the same model.  It is very reliable and dependable, which is what you need for a nut driver that gets used on a daily basis.  This nut driver can be purchased for $21.98 from Wiha, or $22.72 from Amazon.

Gerber Shard price drop on Amazon

The Gerber Shard is a handy little multi tool (full review here).  It typically sells for almost $6.00, but right now on Amazon you can get it for $3.85.  That's a good price for the tool you get -- bottle opener, two slotted drivers, cross driver, pry bar, wire stripper.  If you're at all considering buying this multi tool, this is probably the lowest price you'll see for a new one any time soon.

Tool Review: Wiha 38460 Magnetic Bit Holder

Key Features:
 +   Very strong magnet
 -   Does not hold up as well to rust as other drivers do


Being over 16" long, the Wiha 38460 magnetic bit holder is not a screwdriver most people will carry every day.  At around $20.00, you probably won't buy one until you think you'll need it.  But once you have it, it's a good screwdriver to hold onto and keep in your tool box for emergencies.

The shaft is made of CRM-72 steel, and while it holds up well to every day use, it does not hold up well over time to rust.  It lived in my car for many years, right next to a long Snap-On driver, and while the Snap-On driver showed no signs of rust, this Wiha driver grew many rust spots along the shaft.  Store it somewhere dry and it should be okay.  The handle, on the other hand, is very well-made and does not deteriorate over time.  It's a mixture of plastic and rubber in Wiha's signature black-and-red coloring that provides a good, solid grip.  I've had this driver for close to 10 years and the lettering on the handle looks just as bright and new as when I first got it.

The picture above is not to scale.  This driver has a 300cm (11.8") blade and measures 410mm (16.25") from end to end.  It provides a lot of leverage and is strong enough to stand up to heavy use.  It has a hexagon shaft that provides additional grip for your off hand.  The bit holder uses standard 1/4" bits.

This bit holder has a very strong magnet, stronger than most magnetic bit holders I've used.  It easily attracts and holds every screw I've used with it.  With Wiha tools, you can typically expect that they will be well-made, and this bit holder will do nothing to change your mind.

The Wiha 38460 magnetic bit holder currently sells for $19.19 from Crawford Tools, $19.95 from Amazon, and $22.58 directly from Wiha.

Wiha tool reviews

Bit Holders / Screwdrivers:
- Wiha 38460 Magnetic Bit Holder

Nut Drivers:
- Wiha 34154 5.5mm Magnetic Nut Driver

Tool Review: RadioShack 6400187 23-Piece Mini Tool Ratchet Set

Key Features:
 +   Good bit/socket selection
 +   Good grip
 -   Can't turn ratchet position to off


RadioShack sells some neat tools, but they are often over-priced.  The RadioShack 23-Piece Mini Tool Ratchet Set (model #6400187) is no exception.

This set includes a small ratcheting offset driver, a set of bits, and a set of sockets.  There's also a 2" bit extender.  It's a good variety to keep around the house or in a tool bag.

There are 12 bits of several different types: three slotted bits, three Phillips bits, three star bits, and three hex bits.  The nine sockets are all SAE sizes, ranging in size from 5/32" to 1/2".  The bits are a little more rounded than you'd like to see, but function well enough.  The sockets are good and fit nicely onto the driver.

The driver itself has a good rubber and plastic handle that provides a decent grip.  It ratchets easily, and the ratchet direction can be changed with a slide switch.  There is a small plastic thumbwheel that can help in tight places where you can't swing the driver around.

Switching from the bit driver to the socket wrench is simple, and you can have both a socket and a bit attached at the same time if you want.  To use the socket wrench, you just remove the black plastic thumbwheel.

The 2" extension bar is just barely magnetic.  I don't know if it's supposed to be, because the packaging doesn't say, but it looks like every other magnetic extension bar I've seen.  If it does have a magnet, the magnet is horrible, or way too small, because it only just barely picks up very small screws.

The case that the set comes in is good, and can be used to store the tool and sockets in.  It is easy to open and easy to access the bits and sockets.  It has a hole at the top so you can hang it from a hook or peg.

This tool had a list price of $13.39 when I saw it.  However it must not have been selling well, because it was on clearance for just $1.47.  For $1.47, I'd snatch it up every time -- the bits and sockets alone are worth that price.  However, I wouldn't pay any more than $4.00 or so for this tool set.  It's a decent extra set to keep in case of emergency, but it's not worth anywhere near $13.39.  RadioShack.com was selling it for $10.97 (not sold on the site anymore) and Amazon.com has it for $9.97, both of which are overpriced for what you get, but are still better than the in-store list price.

RadioShack tool reviews

Tool Sets:
- RadioShack 6400187 23-Piece Mini Tool Ratchet Set

First Impressions: Gerber Vise and Stanley STHT71699 Multi Tool

Home Depot recently had some tools on sale, so I picked up two tools I'd had my eye on for a while: the Gerber Vise and the Stanley STHT71699 Multi Tool.

I bought the Vise because I wanted a small multi tool I could carry for work -- something lightweight with a good pair of pliers, a knife, and a Phillips driver.  I currently carry the Gerber Mini Suspension-P, but the cross driver is not easily accessible, and I wanted something a little lighter.  The Vise seems like it will do the trick, at least so far.  The pliers feel flimsy, but I'll see how they hold up.  The Phillips driver swings out a lot easier.

The Stanley multi tool looks kind of neat online, but is not very awe-inspiring once you hold it.  The tool feels cheaply-made, the slide mechanism is jerky, and the sharp jab saw is very close to being exposed even when it's all the way closed up.  Not a good first impression, but I'll use it and see how functional it is.  It only cost $6.45 so I'm not expecting big things from it.

DeWalt MT16 multi tool deal on eBay

The DeWalt MT16 multi tool typically sells for $20 or more.  (Full review of it here.)  Right now, someone is selling the MT16 tool on eBay for just $13.99 with free shipping.  That is a good deal for this multi tool.  I don't know how long that price will last, but it's the lowest price I've seen for the MT16.

Tool reviews: Leatherman Brewzer

Key Features:
 +   Lightweight keychain tool
 +   Good contoured grip
 +   Works well as a slotted screwdriver
 -   Not as many uses as it could have
 -   More expensive than comparable tools


The Leatherman Brewzer is a neat little multifunction bottle opener.  It is technically a multi tool, but according to its user guide it only has two stated uses: as a mini pry bar and as a bottle opener.

There are more things you can do with the Brewzer than just pry at things and open bottles, though.  The end of the pry bar works well as a slotted screwdriver -- surprisingly well for such a small tool.  The pry bar is also notched, so you can use it as a box cutter.  As a box cutter, the Brewzer works better than a key but not as good as a knife.  There is a rectangular keychain hole that could probably function as a very small box wrench, should the need arise.  As a bottle opener, the Brewzer is about average.  It has notches that provide good grip, and it's easy to lever.

The Brewzer is a handy little tool to stick on your keychain and forget about until you need it.  It is well-constructed and very well-machined, and made of sturdy steel.  However, being a Leatherman product, you would think it would have more possible uses than just the few mentioned above.

The big miss that this tool has is that the opening for the bottle opener is just a tiny bit too big to be used as a hex bit holder.  It is the right shape, but just big enough that standard-sized hex bits fall through.  If it had been made a little more snug, you could stick a bit in there and use the Brewzer as an offset screwdriver.

As it stands, the Leatherman Brewzer is a neat tool that has some uses.  It could certainly be an every-day carry tool, because it is very lightweight and compact.  However, for $10.00 (its price on Amazon) it seems to be aimed more toward those who want a Leatherman keychain tool than those who want a multifunction keychain tool.  For about half the price of the Brewzer, you could get the Gerber Shard ($5.56) or the Nite-Ize DoohicKey ($4.05), both of which offer bottle opener and pry bar capabilities, along with other functions as well.  (The Shard has a cross driver on one end, and the DoohicKey has a built-in carabineer.)

Tool Review: A1st Mini Multifunctional Pocket EDC Tool

Key Features:
 -   Edges are rounded, making tool almost useless
 -   Hex bit hole is too large
 -   Bottle opener lacks a lip to grab the bottle cap


The A1ST Mini Multifunctional Pocket EDC Tool is a very cheap knockoff of the Leatherman Brewzer. It is sold on eBay and ships from China.  There is absolutely no reason for anyone to buy this tool.

The product description bills this tool as having many uses -- slotted driver, bottle opener, box/tape cutter, etc.  The tool is metal, and it is machined very poorly.  The edges are so rounded that it's almost useless for most of its listed functions.

As a slotted screwdriver, it slips off of the screw easily, making it pointless to use.  As a bottle opener, it lacks any sort of lip to grab the bottle cap, so it just sort of pulls at the cap rather than lifting it off.  The only time I tried opening a bottle with it, it took three tries to get the cap off.  There are indentations on the side of the tool for purchase, but they are so shallow and rounded they barely provide any additional grip.

The product description says the tool has a "1/4 hex opening."  The actual opening is larger than a quarter inch, so when you try to put a hex bit in there it slides right out.  As a box ripper or tape cutter, the tool works okay, as long as you put enough pressure on it to push it through, since the tool itself is not sharp.  The tool is metal, and the metal seems strong enough, so it might function as a small pry bar, though I wouldn't trust it with a lot of weight.

If you do buy this tool, it gets shipped from China so it will take a long time to get to you (unless you live near China).  When I purchased mine, it took just about two months for the tool to arrive, and I never got any shipping updates so I couldn't track it.  I paid $1.25 for the tool, but right now it's listed at $1.19.

Tool Review: Sequoia 10-in-1 Multi Tool

Key Features:
 +   Can opener works well
 -   Pliers are poorly-made
 -   Pliers are hard to open
 -   Most of the tools don't swing out easily
 -   Bottle opener doesn't work at all


There are so many multi tools on the market, one person could never hope to try them all.  Some are good quality, some are usable but not great, and others are just plain horrible.  The Sequoia 10-in-1 Multi Tool falls into the last category.

This multi tool currently sells for $5.77 on Amazon, and it's not worth even half that price.  The many negative qualities of this tool far outweigh the few positives.  I have a cheaply-made Swiss Army Knife knockoff that I got at a dollar store -- this Sequoia tool is of comparable quality.

Like many multi tools, this one folds out into a pair of pliers.  Opening the pliers is not easy -- the tool does not open smoothly.  Some oil may help, but I'm not going to waste any oil on this tool.  There are no screws to adjust the tension, either.  Once you do get the pliers open, the plier jaws don't line up and the teeth look dirty even before you use them.  The pliers are not spring-loaded.

Besides the pliers, the Sequoia tool includes a knife, a can opener, a bottle opener, a Phillips driver, two slotted drivers, an awl, and a double-sided file.  The tools open from the inside, so in order to use any of them you have to open the pliers first.  The tools are not difficult to open.

The screwdrivers are very rounded.  They are usable sometimes, but because of the rounded tips they slip very easily.  The file is about average for a multi-tool file.  The knife is okay, sharp enough for most applications.  The bottle opener is worthless; it just pulls at the bottle cap rather than pulling it off.

There is a ruler along the outside of the multi tool, which would be a nice feature if it was marked accurately.  Some of the inch marks are wrong, resulting in bad measurements if you rely on this ruler.  There is a gap in the middle of the ruler, where the pliers are, so in order to use the ruler all the way across you have to make sure the back of the tool is exactly even.

The can opener works well.  It is easily the tool's best feature, and the only part of the tool (other than the knife) that is worthwhile.

The Sequoia tool is small, and can fit in the palm of your hand when closed.  It has a small loop you can use to attach it to a keychain, but it also comes with a black pouch that has a vertical belt loop.

The Sequoia 10-in-1 Multi Tool is not worth buying at all.  Unless you want a knife/can opener that is hard to open, just about any other multi tool you could find is a better choice than this one.

Tool review: Great Neck FC006 22 Piece Drivemaster Screwdriver Set

Key Features:

 +   Good selection of drivers
 +   Excellent grip

 -   Does not come with any storage for the drivers


A good set of screwdrivers is a staple of any home tool kit.  Some people prefer a whole set of individual drivers, while others would rather have a single driver (or several drivers) with a set of interchangeable bits.  If you fall into the first category, then a good set to consider is the Great Neck 22 piece Drivemaster screwdriver set (model FC006).

This set comes with 22 screwdrivers of many different types.  There are 8 slotted drivers, 7 Phillips drivers, 4 star (Torx) drivers, 2 square drivers, and one offset driver.  The offset driver has a slotted tip on one side and a Phillips tip on the other, and is good for working in tight places.

Except for the offset driver, which is all metal, each of the drivers has a rubberized handle that is molded to provide a good grip during use.  The handles are well-contoured so that your hand has a lot of purchase, and there is also a place for your thumb to rest and give you added grip.

The drivers are good quality, with steel plated shafts.  They don't have any coating to protect against rust, so over time the tips may start to rust, but the shafts are made of a strong enough metal that the tips shouldn't get chewed up unless they are very heavily used.

These drivers are not magnetic, which some people (myself included) may see as a downside.  The set does not come with any storage for the drivers -- no box or rack -- and the drivers don't have holes in the handles, so if you want to hang them you'll have to get a screwdriver rack.

This set includes a good variety of drivers for all sorts of jobs.  There are small drivers that are good for opening battery covers on toys or remote controls, and big drivers that are sturdy enough for large screws.  The tip size, blade length, and type for each driver (for example, "PH2X4") is printed on the rubber handle so you can find the driver you're looking for quickly.

The Great Neck 22 piece Drivemaster screwdriver set is a good value for the amount of drivers that you get, as long as you have somewhere to store them.  It would make a great starter kit for someone who doesn't already have a lot of tools.

(Originally published on Helium.com, March 2013)

Tool Review: Snap-On SDDP122 Phillips Screwdriver

Key Features:
 +   Good contoured grip
 +   Holds up well to rust

 -   Magnet isn't great


Unless it has a cool feature or it breaks easily, there's not much you can say about a standard Phillips screwdriver.  The Snap-On SDDP122 Phillips screwdriver is a standard driver, but it compares favorably to other, similar drivers.

The SDDP122 has a magnetic tip.  The magnet strength isn't great but it works; it's about average compared to other magnetic screwdrivers that I've used.  The tip is a #2 Phillips tip.

This is an extra-long driver, not one you would typically carry around with you.  It measures about 16-1/2" but it's not overly heavy.  The handle is a typical contoured plastic Snap-On driver handle that provides an easy grip.  The handle comes in black, orange, and red.

Over time, this driver fares better than some others.  I kept it in my car for over five years, right next to a Wiha screwdriver, and the Wiha rusted quickly whereas the Snap-On still looks pretty good.

Since it's a Snap-On, you'll probably pay a bit more for it, but if you need an extra-long Phillips driver, the SDDP122 is a good one.

Tool Review: Pittsburgh Pro 94011 3-Piece Thumbwheel Ratchet Set

Key Features:
 +   Fits into tight places
 +   Cheaper than many other thumbwheel ratchets
 -   Wobbles easily when using it downward because of its weight


Thumbwheel ratchets are neat little tools, but they only have limited applications.  You wouldn't want to use one regularly, but when you need one, you'll be glad you have it.  When working on office equipment, cars, or even around the house, there are times when you need something small like a thumbwheel ratchet.  I bought the Pittsburgh Pro 3-piece thumbwheel ratchet set (part #94011) because it was the cheapest one I could find, and it was a good investment.

This set comes with three thumbwheel ratchets, each with a different drive size: 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2".  The ratchets are well-made and standard sockets fit well on them.  They have a thumb lever for changing the ratchet direction similar to other ratchet wrenches.

The ratchets are steel, with chrome plating.  They are heavy, and when you use them vertically facing down, they wobble very easily if you don't have a good grip.  The sides of the thumbwheel ratchets are textured and provide good (not great) grip.  The ratchets are about 1-1/2" in diameter and about 1" in height.

For the price, this set of ratchets can't be beat.  Harbor Freight sells this set of three for $5.99, and Amazon lists it at $5.49.  Other thumbwheel ratchet sets on Amazon sell for much more -- some over $20.00.

Tool review: Stanley 10-099 Classic 99 Retractable Utility Knife

Key Features:
 +   Extra blade storage
 +   Reliable slider
 -   Not much grip


Utility knives come in all shapes and sizes, and offer many different features.  If you are looking for a standard, bare bones, no-frills utility knife, the Stanley Classic 99 Retractable Utility Knife (model #10-099) is right up your alley.  It's a gray metal utility knife that typically costs about five or six bucks ($5.42 on BuilderProtection.com right now, $6.59 on Staples.com, $7.28 on Amazon.com).  It has a slider along the top to extend and retract the blade, and not much else.

The Classic 99 utility knife is not feature-rich, but it will get the job done.  It's a sturdy, solid knife with a slider that rarely gets stuck.  You can extend the blade to two different positions and retract it easily.  When you need to change the blade -- or if you ever need to lubricate the slider mechanism -- the knife casing comes apart easily with the removal of just one Phillips screw.

One feature the Classic 99 knife does offer is extra blade storage.  You can keep a few extra blades inside the knife casing, toward the back.  If you only store one or two blades in there, you can sometimes hear them rattling around as you carry or use the knife, but if that gets annoying you can always fill it with more blades, or buffer the blades with paper, cotton balls, or whatever you have laying around.

This 6" utility knife is good to have in a tool bag or tool box, but it may be a little heavy to carry around in your pocket all day.  It's significantly heavier than a box cutter or a plastic utility knife.  It has a small hole in the bottom of the handle so you can hang it from a nail or peg, or keep it on a key chain.

Unless you work in cold weather a lot (in which case the exposed metal will be cold against your hand) or you need a knife that offers more functionality, the Stanley Classic 99 Retractable Utility Knife is a good, simple utility knife that will most likely serve you well for a long time.  The knife comes with three carbon alloy steel blades and Stanley's limited lifetime warranty.

(Originally posted on Helium.com, Feb 2013)

Tool Review: WorkShop 87602 Telescoping Magnetic Pick-Up Tool

Key Features:
 +   Strong magnet
 +   18" reach


Any time you're working with electronic or mechanical parts, there's the danger of dropping or losing a screw, nut, bolt, clip, etc.  If you don't have a replacement for the one you lost and you can't find it, things can get bad.  If the one you lost drops onto a circuit board or electronic component, things can get worse.  Having a magnetic pick-up tool nearby can often save you in these situations.  One good, cheap tool is the WorkShop telescoping magnetic pick-up tool (model #87602).

WorkShop makes solid tools that are often sold for very low prices.  This telescoping tool, for example, is sold at a local Ace Hardware store for $1.99.  For that price, it is definitely a good buy.  (Amazon.com lists it for $3.02.)

The tool is about the size of a standard pen, approximately six inches long, though a little heavier than a pen would be.  When fully extended, it stretches to about 18 inches.  The head is large and flat, and the magnet is strong enough to pick up metal up to 1/4 pound in weight.  The sides of the magnetic head are attractive as well, though not with nearly as much power as the head itself.  Like with other magnets, this tool should be kept away from hard drives and other magnetic media or storage devices.

The tool has two joints behind the head, which allows for slightly more flexibility than a single joint would.  WorkShop labels it as a "dual ball joint."  The tension on both of these joints can be adjusted with a small Phillips screwdriver so the joints will either be stiffer or looser.

This tool can be carried in your pocket, as long as you're not also carrying anything like a USB drive that could be damaged by the magnet.  It comes with a pocket clip, but the clip can be removed if you don't want it.  The tool takes up about as much space as a ball point pen and it only weighs a little bit more.

For $1.99, this tool is definitely recommended.  The price may vary at other stores, but it will probably still be cheaper than many other brands.  Similar tools often sell for around $5 or $7 each.  If you want more from a pick-up tool, such as LED lighting, more flexibility, or a longer reach, then you'll probably have to pay significantly more.  In addition to the 87602 pick-up tool, WorkShop makes the 87603 model, which extends to 33 inches and can attract metal objects up to eight pounds in weight.

(Originally published on Helium.com, June 2013)

Tool Review: Stanley 10-788 InstantChange Retractable Knife

Key Features:
 +   Good grip
 +   Extra blade storage
 -    Blade doesn't slide out quickly


A utility knife is a staple of any complete home tool box.  For many people, it's used every day at work.  There's nothing wrong with a "standard" metal utility knife, but if you want something a little bit better and don't mind paying a few bucks more, check out the Stanley InstantChange Retractable Knife (model #10-788).

The InstantChange retractable knife is similar to other utility knives; it holds a razor blade that can be extended or retracted with a flick of the thumb.  But this knife has many more features that make it an attractive purchase.

Rather than just being a long piece of hard metal, this knife has a plastic handle on the bottom side, a rubber grip on the top side, and a rubber thumb rest near the blade.  These features make the Stanley knife more comfortable both to hold and to use.  The thumb rest in particular is nice when you do a lot of cutting, or when you have to cut through something tough.  The rubber and plastic grip pieces make the InstantChange knife a good utility knife to use outdoors in the cold, rather than an all-metal knife that can feel freezing, even after using it for a while.

The blade can be removed easily -- just extend the blade, hold down the yellow button, and remove it.  A new blade (or the other side of the same blade) can be installed just as simply -- hold down the yellow button and push the blade all the way in.  Both the yellow release button and the slider on top of the knife can stick occasionally, but this doesn't happen often and it doesn't significantly affect performance.

This knife has room to store extra blades, so you'll always have a spare on hand.  The extra blades can be stowed in the base of the knife, and they can be accessed quickly and easily, without having to use any tools.  There is a hole at the bottom of the handle, so the knife can be hung from a hook, peg, or nail.

There is a slit cut into the base of the knife, exposing a tiny portion of the razor blade, which allows this knife to be used for cutting string.  If you do a lot of string cutting, this could be a useful feature.  The blade is recessed enough that there's no risk of injury from the exposed edge.

Aside from being practical, the Stanley InstantChange Retractable Knife looks a lot more appealing than other utility knives.  The gray metal and black plastic and rubber pieces fit well together, and the knife curves slightly, which makes it stand out from many other knives.  This knife would be a great addition to any tool box, and it would make a good gift for anyone who needs a durable utility knife.

(Originally posted on Helium.com, February 2013)

Tool Review: Husky 74460 2-Piece Micro Screwdriver Set

Key Features:
 +   Sturdy drivers
 +   Thin slotted blade for multiple applications
 -    Short shafts, not much reach

If you work with small electronics, computers, or printers, precision screwdrivers often come in handy. Even if you just own a pair of eyeglasses, it's helpful to have a precision screwdriver around when a screw pops out. There are many different precision screwdriver sets that come with interchangeable bits, but sometimes it's nice just to be able to reach for a Phillips or slotted driver without having to change out a bit. If you're looking for a good pair of precision screwdrivers, check out Husky's 2-piece micro screwdriver set (model #74460).

This set consists of a small Phillips screwdriver, size 0, and a small slotted screwdriver, size 3/32". The screwdrivers themselves are only about three inches long, so they can easily fit inside a toolbag, or even in a pocket. They are color-coded so you can quickly grab the one you need -- the Phillips driver has a blue handle and the flathead driver has a red handle.

The handles are a strong plastic that provides a decent grip, and the blades are alloy-steel, very strong for such small drivers. The flathead driver has a finely-tapered blade that can be used to pry off covers, metal e-clips, or plastic clips with ease, or provide leverage without bending or breaking.

This set of small drivers doesn't come with a case or holster, but you can tuck them into the pocket of a toolbag, or even carry them around in your shirt pocket. Unlike many precision screwdrivers, these Husky drivers have handles that are much wider than the blades, giving you a good grip so your hand won't slip.

The blades themselves are not extremely long, so they aren't the best drivers to use in hard-to-reach places, but for up-close work they are handy to have around. These are simple screwdrivers -- no ratcheting action, no changeable bits, and no magnetic tips. But they are sturdy and well-made, and for the price tag of two or three bucks, they're a worthy investment if you use precision screwdrivers a lot.

Like other Husky tools, you can probably find this micro screwdriver set at Home Depot or HomeDepot.com.  Amazon.com also offers this set, but their price is currently set at $6.98. For that price you can probably find a precision screwdriver set that includes a lot more than two drivers.

(Originally published on Helium.com, Feb 2013)

Tool Review: Great Neck NRGN2 2-Piece Stubby Screwdriver Set

Key Features:
 +   Magnetic tips
 +   Very good grip
 -    Tips tend to chip with use


For most people, a stubby screwdriver isn't something you reach for very often.  But when you do reach for it, it's because you need it, so it's a good idea to always have one in your tool box.  For a pair of stubby drivers, there isn't a better value than the Great Neck 2 piece stubby screwdriver set (model #NRGN2).

This set of two drivers -- one slotted, one Phillips -- is sold in Big Lots stores for just $1.80.  That's a very low price for two stubby screwdrivers, and these drivers are better than average stubbies.

The biggest attraction these drivers have is their magnetic tips.  They might not always be able to hold on to very large screws, but the magnets are definitely strong enough for most screws.  The slotted driver holds screws better because of the tip's wider surface area.

The Phillips driver has a #2 tip, and the slotted driver has a 1/4" tip.  Both blades are about an inch and a half long, with a handle that's about two inches long.  The size for each driver is printed on the handle, so if you store them on a rack with other drivers, you can quickly tell which one you need.  Each handle is color-coded as well; the Phillips driver has a red and black handle and the slotted driver has a yellow and black handle.

The handles themselves are rubber and provide good grip.  They are contoured to provide purchase for your fingers, and they are big for easy gripping.  One problem with stubbies is often finding good purchase, because there's not a lot of room to get a grip, but these drivers handle that problem well.

The tips are solid, and are supposed to be rust resistant because they are chrome plated.  Resisting rust is nice, but the chrome finish tends to chip off as you use the drivers.  The tips are not soft metal like those on some screwdrivers; they're not the hardest tips in the world but they should last you a long time.  And if they do start to get chewed up, you can make use of Great Neck's limited lifetime warranty to get a new set.

You can't beat the price for this pair of stubby screwdrivers.  Even just as two extra drivers to throw in a drawer or a tool bag, this Great Neck set is an excellent value.

(Originally posted on Helium.com, March 2013)

Tool Review: Husky 1066 2-Piece Pistol Grip Pliers Set

Key Features:
 +   Allows access to tighter spaces
 +   Spring-loaded
 -    Not much grip on handles


I'd been wanting the Husky 2-piece pistol grip pliers set (model #1066) for a while, eyeing it at Home Depot every time I went.  My wife, without knowing this, went out and got me the pliers for Christmas.  I wasn't sure they would turn out to be as cool as they looked in the package, but they did.

If you've never used pistol grip pliers, they are pretty neat.  The pliers jaws work the same way, but the handle is turned about 90 degrees.  The angled handle allows you to use the pliers in hard-to-reach spaces that straight pliers wouldn't be able to fit into.

This set of Husky pistol-grip pliers works great.  The pliers are strong, and are spring-loaded.  There are two pairs of pliers included, a 6" pair and an 8" pair.  The spring on the 8" pair that I have is very weak, especially compared to the spring on the 6" pair, but this is probably an issue with my individual pliers, rather than a design flaw.

The pliers have both straight and curved regions of the jaws, allowing for many different applications, as well as toothed and non-toothed sections.  There are wire cutters at the base of the jaws on both pairs of pliers.  The jaws are strong and grab well.  These pliers work really well for clamping on e-clips, especially when you hold them upside-down.

These pliers are not lightweight.  Due to their design it would be hard to carry them in your pocket anyway, but their weight definitely makes them a toolbag tool (especially the larger pair).  The tips taper, but not for precision work like needle nose plier tips.

The biggest thing I can say is wrong with these pliers is that the handles don't provide a lot of grip.  They are a sort of soft plastic, and it's easy for fingers to slip off of them.  However, with the pistol grip design, the handles are curved, so the lack of grip isn't as much of an issue as it could be.

Home Depot currently sells this pliers set for $7.00 online.  For that price, these pistol grip pliers are a great deal.  Two pairs of large, functional pliers for $7.00 is an incredible value, especially for pliers that stand out from the pack like these do.

Tool Reviews: Thorsen 22-333 Puck Wrench

Key Features:
 +   14 different socket sizes
 +   Good grip
 -    Hard to use in tight spaces


Some people might look at a puck wrench as a gimmick tool -- something more for novelty than for functional use.  But the Thorsen 22-333 puck wrench can actually be a useful tool.  It will never take the place of a ratchet and socket set, but as an extra tool it can have its uses.

The Thorsen puck wrench is a roundish, rubber-wrapped metal tool with seven sockets.  The sockets are ribbed on the inside, so they can be used with bolts or nuts of varying designs.  The sockets work well with both SAE and metric sizes, and the sizes are clearly marked on the wrench.

There is also a 1/4" hex bit holder, so you can use the puck wrench as a small screwdriver.  The bit holder has a small magnet that will hold the bit in place but will not attract or hold fasteners.  (The puck wrench does not come with any bits.)

The wrench is small, so you can easily stow it in a tool bag, pocket, or just about anywhere else you keep tools.  The shape of the wrench and the rubber coating combine to provide a fairly good grip.  The main drawback to the wrench is that it can't be used in tight places where there isn't at least a couple of inches of clearance around the bolt or nut, because of the wrench's shape.

For $1.90 at Pep Boys, this puck wrench is a good deal.  Or for $2.90, Pep Boys sells a Thorsen ratcheting puck wrench, which looks the same (blue instead of red) but features a 3/8" drive ratchet in the center of the puck.

Thorsen 22-333 Puck Wrench price comparison:
- PepBoys:  $1.90
- Menards:  $4.00

Tool Review: Pittsburgh 69470 4-in-1 Screwdriver

Key Features:
 +   Excellent grip
 +   Easy to change bits
 -    Metal insert comes out sometimes when removing shaft


4-in-1 screwdrivers are a dime a dozen.  Harbor Freight sells the Pittsburgh 69470 4-in-1 screwdriver for $1.99, which is a fair price.  It's actually a 6-in-1 screwdriver; you can remove the driver bits and use the shaft as two different-sized nut drivers.

The 69470 screwdriver comes with two double-sided chrome vanadium steel bits.  There are two Phillips sizes (PH1 and PH2) and two slotted sizes (3/16" and 1/4").  The handle is reversible, so that the three bits that aren't being used are stored inside the driver.

The bits are decent quality and work well.  The screwdriver is not magnetic.  The handle is mostly textured rubber, and provides excellent grip.  The bits and steel shaft are easy to remove, and all you have to do to change bits is reverse either the bits or the shaft (or both).

The main problem with this driver is that the metal retaining insert that holds the shaft in can easily slide out along with the shaft itself.  When you are removing the shaft, if you twist it even slightly, the metal insert can be removed along with the shaft, which will prevent you from flipping the shaft around and using the other side.  You'll have to put it back in the same way you took it out, then remove it again, making sure to draw it straight out.  As long as you slide the shaft out perfectly straight, you won't have an issue, but if you turn it even slightly while removing it, the insert can remain fixed to the shaft and come loose from the handle.

This driver is very similar to other 4-in-1 or 6-in-1 drivers.  It's a good driver to throw in a drawer or glove box in case of emergency.  If you are looking for a good-quality screwdriver to use every day, the Pittsburgh 69470 is not what you are looking for, but for $1.99 it's a good extra screwdriver to have around.  If you do need to carry it in your pocket, it's not too heavy.  It's listed for $6.49 on Amazon.com.  For that price, you can buy a much better screwdriver.

Tool Review: Thorsen 24-505 Multi-Pliers

Key Features:
 +   Tools are easy to extract
 +   Strong pliers with good tension
 -    Rubber grip pieces fall off easily
 -    Wire cutters do not touch

The Thorsen Multi-Pliers (model #24-505) is a decent multi tool.  It does what it does well, but it's too heavy to carry as a pocket tool.  For $5.90 on clearance at Pep Boys, it's a fairly good deal.  If you're looking for an everyday-carry multi tool in the same price range, you'd be better off with the Shop Basics 15-in-1 Multi Tool from Big Lots for $5.00.

This multi tool is mainly a large pair of pliers, with a few other tools that fold out from the handle.  The pliers include both a straight-jaw and curved-jaw area.  The jaws do not line up completely, but it's close enough that you wouldn't notice it during use unless you were looking for it.  The wire cutters at the base of the jaws overlap but don't touch.  I haven't used the wire cutters yet, but based on their construction I wouldn't have much faith in them.

The other tools include a knife blade, saw blade, bottle opener, and can opener.  A Phillips screwdriver swings out from the opposite side as the other tools, and the end of the saw blade functions as a slotted driver.  The two screwdrivers are what you'd probably expect from a multi tool -- usable but not great.  The knife is sharp with a sharp tip, and the saw blade is sharp as well.  On the back side of the saw blade is a file.

One of the best things about this multi tool is that all of the tools swing out easily.  Many multi tools have tension problems with at least some (if not all) of the tools they have, but on these Thorsen pliers, everything pivots out smoothly.  The tension on the pliers is strong.

The Thorsen multi pliers are very similar to Sheffield's hammer multi tool, with a couple of distinct advantages.  The tools on the Thorsen pliers are much easier to extract than those on the Sheffield multi tool.  Because the Thorsen tool features pliers instead of a hammer as the main tool, the pliers jaws open much wider, allowing for much more usability, as opposed to the pliers function on the Sheffield hammer tool, which don't open very wide.

Thorsen tool reviews

Multi Tools:
- Thorsen 24-505 Multi-Pliers

Wrenches:
- Thorsen 22-333 Puck Wrench

Tool Review: Milwaukee 48-32-4502 Magnetic Bit Holder

Key Features:
 +   Holds bit securely
 +   Strong magnet to attract and hold screws
 -    Wobbles slightly when used with a screwdriver


A magnetic bit holder can turn a non-magnetic screwdriver into a magnetic screwdriver, which is a big plus for anyone working with small screws.  If you have a decent ratcheting screwdriver, such as the Stanley Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver, a good magnetic bit holder can turn it into the perfect everyday-carry screwdriver.

As far as magnetic bit holders go, the Milwaukee Magnetic Bit Holder (model #48-32-4502) is one of the better ones I've seen.  Some magnetic bit holders are very inexpensive, but they are often inferior quality.  For one example, Titan makes a great 61-piece bit set that comes with a magnetic bit holder, and while the bits themselves are of good quality, the bit holder has a very weak magnet.

The Milwaukee 48-32-4502 bit holder is designed for use with impact drivers.  It can also be used with regular screwdrivers; the shaft is the same 1/4" size as a standard hex bit.  When used with a screwdriver or bit holder, it tends to wobble slightly, since the base of the shaft is designed for an impact driver.  The wobbling does not significantly affect its use.

Many magnetic bit holders are 2-1/2" long.  The Milwaukee bit holder is slightly shorter, at 2-3/8" (61mm).  The magnet in the bit holder is very strong.  It is as strong as any magnetic screwdriver I've used -- and stronger than many of them.  In addition to attracting screws well, the bit holder also holds onto bits easily.  The bit is gripped in place by strong tension, so you don't have to worry about it sliding out of the driver and remaining behind with the screw (a not-uncommon problem with some magnetic screwdrivers).

Home Depot sells the Milwaukee 2-3/8" magnetic bit holder for $3.97 online.  If you are looking for a magnetic bit holder, this one is a good one to try, and the price is reasonable compared to other bit holders and other sellers.

Milwaukee tool reviews

Bit Holders:
- Milwaukee 48-32-4502 Magnetic Bit Holder

Tool Review: Kobalt 0501856 Lighted Pocket Screwdriver with Level

Key Features:
 +   LED to illuminate screws
 +   pocket-sized
 -    Bits fall out too easily


The Kobalt Lighted Pocket Screwdriver with Level (model #0501856) is a neat little novelty tool, but probably not something you would carry with you every day and rely on.  It's a decent pocket screwdriver with a couple of extras thrown in.

The best feature of this screwdriver is the LED.  The LED illuminates the driver bit (and the screw) making it easier to see what you are doing in dark places.  There is a button to turn the LED on or off, located in a convenient spot for your thumb to reach when using the screwdriver.  The LED is bright enough to illuminate a couple of inches in front of the screwdriver, but not bright enough to use as a flashlight.

Two double-sided bits are included with this driver, a slotted bit (1/8 and 3/16) and a Phillips bit (#0 and #2).  Both bits are standard-sized hex bits.  The bits are strong enough and seem durable.

Both bits fit into storage slots inside the screwdriver's cap.  The plastic on the cap is very weak and easily reshaped, and it doesn't take long for it to flex enough for the bits to fall out.  So when you pull the cap off the driver, you have to be careful because the one or both of the bits might fall out.

The cap has a clip on it so you can attach it to a pocket.  The tool is about pen-sized, but a little thicker.  The tool has to be flat on its back side to use the level, but the level is raised so you can see it from the side.  Kobalt sells this tool with a lifetime guarantee.

If you use a pocket level such as the Irwin pocket level, this Kobalt driver/level might be a good substitute because it adds the screwdriver capability.  However, if you're looking to buy a pocket level to use often, you would probably be better off with something like the Johnson Keychain Level.  It's much smaller and costs less money.  If you like the Kobalt model, it is a pretty good value at around $3.  Similar pocket driver models typically sell for $5 to $10 on Amazon.