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.