Tool Reviews: Sheffield 12000 15-in-1 Multi Tool

There is a huge selection of multi tools on the market today. They can range in price from Shop Basics or Olympia multi tools that are often sold for $5 or $10, to Gerber, SOG, or Leatherman multi tools that can cost $100 — or more. Sheffield makes several different multi tools, most of which fall on the lower end of the price spectrum. Some of these tools are a great value at their price, while others may or may not be worth it, depending on what you are looking for. The Sheffield 15-in-1 multi tool (model 12000) falls into the latter category.

This tool is similar to other multi tools in many ways. It folds out into a pair of pliers, with wire cutters at the base of the jaws. Other tools fold out from the handles — screwdrivers, a knife, an awl, a can opener, a bottle opener, etc. Anglers may like this tool because it includes a hook remover, a fish scraper, and a small ruler.

The pliers are decent, and are spring-loaded unlike those that come with some other multi tools.  The knife is also good, with both a sharp blade and a sharp point. The multi tool is metal, but it has soft plastic grips on the handles which are comfortable and easier to hold onto than the bare metal would be.

There are four tools on each handle that fold out, but the inner two tools on either side can be difficult to get to without folding out the exterior tools first. The tension on these tools is not adjustable. The outside of this multi tool has a shimmery appearance to it, which is probably meant to look neat but comes off looking a little tacky.

If you buy this tool new, still in its original packaging, it will probably have some excess oil around the hinge in the pliers. This oil seems to be a common issue with this model. It's not a lot of oil, but enough that you'll probably want to wipe it off before putting the tool in your pocket or tool bag.

The folding action on this multi tool is a bit stiff. Unlike with some other models, you can't close up one side of the pliers and extend the two handles to make a shaft for the knife or one of the screwdrivers, because the pliers will always spring open. As a result of this design, it's hard to use the screwdrivers on any screws that require more than one turn.

There are many multi tools on the market better than this model -- even some of the cheaper ones. BigLots sells the 12000 for $6.50 in-store, and it comes with a decent nylon belt pouch. If you buy it online, however, you may have to pay between $9 and $15. It's currently listed on Amazon.com for $11.39.

(Originally published on Helium.com, February 2013)