The Leatherman Sidekick is a versatile, mostly well-made multifunction tool. (Full review here.) It makes a good everyday carry (EDC) tool, especially for someone who may not already have an EDC tool they like.
Below are some current online prices for the Leatherman Sidekick. As you can tell, there's not a lot of price differentiation among retailers right now. That may change as the holidays approach.
- $49.95 .......... Amazon
- $49.95 .......... Galls
- $49.95 .......... Home Depot
- $49.95 .......... KnifeCenter
- $49.95 .......... Leatherman
- $49.95 .......... REI
- $49.95 .......... Swiss Knife Shop
- $49.95 .......... Walmart
- $49.99 .......... Dick's Sporting Goods
- $54.99 .......... Cabela's
There are multiple sellers offering a new Sidekick on eBay as well. $38.00 seems to be a common price point today, but you may be able to find better offers.
On this site you'll find reviews of all sorts of tools -- hand tools, power tools, automotive tools, electronics tools, etc. More tool reviews will be added as often as possible.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Multi tool deals on Amazon
The following multi tools are currently selling for well below list price on Amazon:
- Nite Ize Doohickey, $3.98
This key-sized multi tool clips onto your keychain for several everyday uses. It includes a flathead driver, different sized wrenches, bottle opener, box cutter, and -- of course -- bottle opener. List price: $4.99.
- Gerber Dime, $15.99
Gerber makes several different multi tools in the same size and price range as the Dime. One factor that makes the Dime stick out is its protruding bottle opener. The Dime comes in multiple colors, and Amazon sells different-colored Dimes for different prices. If you're not picky about color, you can get a Dime on Amazon for as low as $10.49. List price: $21.00.
- SOG PowerLock EOD, $57.99
This Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tool has many military and civilian uses. The multi tool has flathead and Phillips drivers, a partially-serrated knife, scissors, wire cutter and crimper, double tooth wood saw, and more. It comes with a nylon sheath. List price: $124.25.
All of these tools qualify for Amazon's free shipping (if you spend at least $25).
- Nite Ize Doohickey, $3.98
This key-sized multi tool clips onto your keychain for several everyday uses. It includes a flathead driver, different sized wrenches, bottle opener, box cutter, and -- of course -- bottle opener. List price: $4.99.
- Gerber Dime, $15.99
Gerber makes several different multi tools in the same size and price range as the Dime. One factor that makes the Dime stick out is its protruding bottle opener. The Dime comes in multiple colors, and Amazon sells different-colored Dimes for different prices. If you're not picky about color, you can get a Dime on Amazon for as low as $10.49. List price: $21.00.
- SOG PowerLock EOD, $57.99
This Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tool has many military and civilian uses. The multi tool has flathead and Phillips drivers, a partially-serrated knife, scissors, wire cutter and crimper, double tooth wood saw, and more. It comes with a nylon sheath. List price: $124.25.
All of these tools qualify for Amazon's free shipping (if you spend at least $25).
Labels:
Amazon,
Gerber,
multi tool,
Nite Ize,
SOG,
tool deals
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Stanley 6-Inch MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench: online price comparison
When it comes to adjustable wrenches, the Stanley 90-947 6" MaxSteel adjustable wrench is a decent, middle-of-the-road model at an affordable price. It has a comfortable grip, SAE and metric markings, and a max jaw width of just under an inch. It can usually be found for under $7.00.
Below are some current online prices for this wrench.
Below are some current online prices for this wrench.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Vessel 220 JIS Ball-Grip Screwdriver: price comparison
Anyone working on Japanese electronics could probably use a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) Phillips screwdriver. If you need one with a long shaft -- useful for copier repair or auto work -- the Vessel 220 Ball-Grip Screwdriver is a good one, with a long steel shaft, magnetic tip, and a knurled ball grip.
Below are some current online prices for this #2 Phillips Vessel driver.
Below are some current online prices for this #2 Phillips Vessel driver.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
SOG tool reviews
Multi Tools:
- SOG Micro ToolClip
- SOG Micro ToolClip
Tool review: SOG Micro ToolClip
Key Features:
+ Good tension on pliers
+ Fits well in palm
- Tool tends to pop open in your pocket
- Awkward positioning of Phillips driver
Even before you try it out, the Micro ToolClip looks cool. It's a compact pair of thick-jawed pliers, a combination of black plastic and gray metal that fits very comfortably into your palm.
The tool is well-made. The pliers are strong, with good tension. The Phillips driver is finely machined; much more precisely than a typical multi tool Phillips driver. The knife is sharp, both on the blade and the tip. The Micro ToolClip measures 3.9" closed, and weighs a solid 3.3 ounces.
In addition to the knife and pliers (which are not needle-nosed, despite what the SOG website says) this tool includes both a small and large slotted driver, a double-sided file, and a bottle opener. It has a removable belt clip and removable key chain loop. The base of the pliers jaw can be used as wire cutters or strippers.
The SOG website also claims that the knife and other tools lock. The tools don't actually lock -- there's no unlocking mechanism -- but the internal tension does hold them in place very well while they are in use.
Two issues keep this tool from being a good everyday carry tool. Because of its design, the Phillips driver (which doubles as one of the pliers handles) can pop out fairly easily when you keep the tool in your pocket. Since the driver has a good point on it, you may find yourself with small holes in your pocket (or leg). You can remedy this problem by stuffing a piece of foam or rubber above the pliers lock, to prevent the tool from opening without a significant amount of pressure on the lock.
The second issue is the positioning of the Phillips driver. The idea of doubling one pliers handle as a screwdriver is a creative way to save space, but it makes the Phillips driver close to useless for turning screws. There's no good way to grip the tool to use it effectively as a Phillips driver. This tool resembles Thorsen's multi pliers in appearance, but Thorsen avoided the Phillips issue by using a pop-out driver, rather than attaching it to the pliers handle. Including a cross driver instead of one of the two slotted drivers would also have been preferable, and more functional.
The SOG Micro ToolClip is a decent pocket tool, once you fix the self-unlocking issue. SOG lists the Micro ToolClip for $27.00, which is extremely over-priced. Amazon sells it for $19.94 -- also far too much money, but they do sell it as part of a set with a SOG pocket knife for $14.99.
+ Good tension on pliers
+ Fits well in palm
- Tool tends to pop open in your pocket
- Awkward positioning of Phillips driver
I've tested many small multi tools. Most of them have been underwhelming. But right off the bat, the SOG Micro ToolClip (model #TC1001-CP) began to impress.
Even before you try it out, the Micro ToolClip looks cool. It's a compact pair of thick-jawed pliers, a combination of black plastic and gray metal that fits very comfortably into your palm.
The tool is well-made. The pliers are strong, with good tension. The Phillips driver is finely machined; much more precisely than a typical multi tool Phillips driver. The knife is sharp, both on the blade and the tip. The Micro ToolClip measures 3.9" closed, and weighs a solid 3.3 ounces.
In addition to the knife and pliers (which are not needle-nosed, despite what the SOG website says) this tool includes both a small and large slotted driver, a double-sided file, and a bottle opener. It has a removable belt clip and removable key chain loop. The base of the pliers jaw can be used as wire cutters or strippers.
The SOG website also claims that the knife and other tools lock. The tools don't actually lock -- there's no unlocking mechanism -- but the internal tension does hold them in place very well while they are in use.
Two issues keep this tool from being a good everyday carry tool. Because of its design, the Phillips driver (which doubles as one of the pliers handles) can pop out fairly easily when you keep the tool in your pocket. Since the driver has a good point on it, you may find yourself with small holes in your pocket (or leg). You can remedy this problem by stuffing a piece of foam or rubber above the pliers lock, to prevent the tool from opening without a significant amount of pressure on the lock.
The second issue is the positioning of the Phillips driver. The idea of doubling one pliers handle as a screwdriver is a creative way to save space, but it makes the Phillips driver close to useless for turning screws. There's no good way to grip the tool to use it effectively as a Phillips driver. This tool resembles Thorsen's multi pliers in appearance, but Thorsen avoided the Phillips issue by using a pop-out driver, rather than attaching it to the pliers handle. Including a cross driver instead of one of the two slotted drivers would also have been preferable, and more functional.
The SOG Micro ToolClip is a decent pocket tool, once you fix the self-unlocking issue. SOG lists the Micro ToolClip for $27.00, which is extremely over-priced. Amazon sells it for $19.94 -- also far too much money, but they do sell it as part of a set with a SOG pocket knife for $14.99.
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