Search Results for: multi-tool

Gear in the Wild: The many uses of a good multi-tool

May 9, 2019 by Loadout Room Guest Authors Leave a Comment

An Airman utilizes a pocket knife to adjust the sight on a M4 carbine, April 4, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Airmen must demonstrate quality safety standards while handling and shooting their weapons proficiently in order to be eligible to deploy. Throughout CATM the instructors emphasized: weapon handling techniques, proper sight usage and internal weapon cleaning procedures.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Eugene Oliver

Need help learning how to break down and clear your weapon? Learn more below:

The multi-tool upgraded: GERBER’s Center-Drive PLUS

January 25, 2019 by Loadout Room Guest Authors Leave a Comment

Gerber’s Center-Drive Plus offers uncompromising performance through revolutionary design, now optimized for weapons maintenance. The innovative center-axis driver opens to align like a real screwdriver, yielding maximum torque and rotation. No productivity is sacrificed with the addition of a 30% longer outboard blade and one-thumb opening sliding jaws. Full size, real tools – the multi-tool just got a reality check. New to the Plus is the addition of much-requested scissors, tumble-finished tools, and a premium leather sheath.

GERBER’s brand-new, elevated version of the category-defining Center-Drive multi-tool, the Center-Drive Plus, will be available at retail and gerbergear.com on January 22, 2019. MSRP for the Center-Drive Plus is $136.00.

The original Center-Drive was a total market disruptor and best-seller for us right out of the gate,” says Eric Moore, Gerber Product Manager. “The expansion of the Center-Drive lineup is a no-brainer. We took cues from our customers to add the most commonly-requested features like spring-loaded scissors, a partially serrated blade, and an American-made leather sheath to create an even better version of an already hardworking multi-tool.

Gerber’s Center-Drive multi-tool changed the game, designed for real life and heavy-duty work. New to the Center-Drive Plus version is the addition of spring-loaded scissors, a partially serrated blade, tumble finished tools, and a snap closure leather sheath. The thoughtful one-thumb opening design allows for quick deployment of the three full-size tools you depend on most: the pliers, the blade, and the center axis screwdriver.

Keeping the Center-Drive’s namesake, the 3.2 inch magnetic bit driver opens to align with the center axis of the tool – giving you all the torque and rotation of a traditional screwdriver. The full-size external blade conveniently replaces your everyday pocket knife is now partially serrated. All tools are tumble finished for a sleek, polished look that doesn’t sacrifice performance.

About Gerber: Gerber is a leading global supplier of activity-specific knives, multi-tools, and problem-solving gear. Built on the pillars of craftsmanship, innovation, and an unrelenting commitment to quality and service to others, the trusted brand features a diverse portfolio of equipment for recreational and professional end users. For more information please visit www.gerbergear.com.

SOG PowerAccess: The PowerAccess is the ultimate EDC multi-tool

December 5, 2018 by Loadout Room Guest Authors Leave a Comment

You need a multi-tool. That’s all there is to it. A multi-tool is something that is always a part of my kit. Most Rangers in a tactical setting will always have a multi-tool somewhere on their person. Over the years I’ve accumulated 6 or 7 different multi-tools from a myriad of brands. I keep one on my kit, one in my truck, and the rest are spread out throughout the house. They are the some of the most useful things I own and I find myself using them almost daily. One brand of multi-tool that stands out to me is SOG. They managed to stand out in the league by incorporating something they call Compound Leverage technology.

Basically, the gear-looking things that are near the pliers act as pivot points that give a leverage advantage of twice the power of a conventional multi-tool. These gears also make the opening of the tool extremely smooth. New to their line of multi-tools is the SOG PowerAccess. The PowerAccess has 18 different tools built into a medium-sized package. The first thing that I noticed is that the tools open from the outside. Many multi-tools require you to unfold the tool completely to access the different tools. Being able to access most of the features without having to completely expand the tool is great. The fold-out tools are pretty standard for most multi-tools, including a knife, file, multiple screwdrivers (Philips and flat,) can opener, awl, but they also included a jewelry driver. I find the jewelry driver extremely useful and I’m glad I don’t have to dig around for it when I need one.

The SOG PowerAccess does not come with a sheath but instead has a removable pocket clip. The SOG PowerAccess isn’t as big as a full-size multi-tool so this shouldn’t be an issue for anyone looking to carry this tool. If a pouch is truly a necessity for some of you, a pistol mag pouch works perfectly for a multi-tool and is the preferred method of carrying for most of us in the Regiment. The pliers are needle nose which is my preferred setup for a multi-tool. I’m not sure why every multi-tool doesn’t have needle nose pliers, but SOG clearly gets it. The pliers also have a bolt gripper, wire cutter, and below them, a crimper. A stand out feature of this tool is a magnetic hex bit driver. When the tool is closed, you can insert any ¼ hex bit into the end which definitely multiplies the usage of the SOG PowerAccess.

Like everything SOG makes, the PowerAccess is a high-quality piece of equipment. For those of you who already have a multi-tool, having multiple is useful to check this one out. For those of you who don’t have a multi-tool, you need to get one, and the SOG PowerAccess won’t do you wrong. The SOG PowerAccess can be found from SOG’s website right now on sale for $53.60 which is a great deal for a hard use tool such as this.

Author – Tim Morgan

Toor Knives Multi-Tool

December 4, 2018 by The Loadout Room Leave a Comment

Introducing our first Multi-Tool! This Keychain size Multi-Tool comes in two finishes (Black Cerakote and Bronze Cerakote) and can be used over 10 different ways. From tip to toe this thing includes a Pry Bar feature, Bottle Opener, four different wrench fittings, and a detachable Philips screwdriver bit. Just under the keyring hole is a small Toor Knives logo engraving to top it all off. At just under two ounces and a total length of 4 inches this tool will not weigh your EDC keychain down.

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Leatherman Style PS | A Minimalist Multi-Tool

November 24, 2018 by Scott Witner Leave a Comment

In my quest to find tools, knives and other gear that fit my minimalist lifestyle I’ve been through several products in order to find the right one. One of those items is the multi-tool. Both Gerber and Leatherman are the leading manufactures and I’ve carried multi-tools from both in the past. In the past, they have always been in a belt pouch on my belt (not very low-vis). Wanting to get away from carrying one overtly was easier said than done. My plan was to find a smaller multi-tool with the bare essentials that I could just drop in my pocket and forget about it until I needed it. After buying and trying a few I settled on the Leatherman Style PS.

The Leatherman Style PS comes in a small form factor as you can see in the featured image of this article.

Another benefit the Style PS has over almost all other multi-tools is the fact that it doesn’t have a knife blade as one of the tools which makes is TSA friendly. I didn’t really need a blade on my multi-tool since I already carry a knife.

The Leatherman Style PS has a very minimal set of tools which is exactly what I was looking for.

Pliers
Scissors
Nail file/screwdriver
Bottle opener
Tweezers

In the small amount of time I’ve been carrying this, I’ve used the scissors and bottle opener the most. The bottle opener actually works quite well too!

Get yours today on Amazon for around $30

Glock Operator’s Tool | The Glock Multi-Tool

November 3, 2018 by Loadout Room Guest Authors Leave a Comment

The Glock Operator’s Tool (G.O.T.), by Code9 Evolutions, is one of the best tools you can buy for your Glock. The G.O.T. is simply a 5 function multi-tool that is designed to assist in the assembly, disassembly, and cleaning of your Glock pistol and magazines, regardless of the model.

Since the Glock is my go-to choice in home defense and concealed carry, I tend to shoot it quite a bit. I will usually attempt to put 500 to 1000 rounds for each training session, which leaves me with a filthy weapon. No big deal until it’s time to clean it.

One of the habits that was ingrained into me during my time as a grunt was the incessant need to keep my weapon as clean as humanly possible, all the time. If there is one thing that bothers me to no end, it’s an unclean weapon. I guess it’s my own form of OCD. Thanks a lot, Uncle Sam.

Using the Glock as my sidearm at work, I really put it through the ringer while on the range. At the end of a long-range day, I like to use the G.O.T. to help assist in the takedown and cleaning of my Glock.

One function, and the most noticeable, is the metal punch, which is designed to remove pins and other small parts. The punch is sturdy enough that you can use it to remove any parts that require pressure or a little extra torque. You can use this punch to push out your backstrap pin on the Gen 4 models as well.

Another function is an angled edge, which is incredibly useful in cleaning out the slide rails on a dirty weapon. Gone are the days of relying on cotton swabs to try to get in there and get the grime out. A few passes down the slide with the angled edge and you’ll get rid of any fouling.

There is also an edge that can be used to pry off the backstrap. Although the backstrap on my personal Glock comes off with very little force, I’m not as lucky with the one I was issued. The polymer edge on the G.O.T. can pry against the polymer backstrap without worrying about damage to the backstrap.

One of my favorite functions of the G.O.T. is the magazine plate removal feature, which is universal for ALL magazines. A smaller polymer punch is designed to be pressed into the magazine base pad. After pressing into the base pad, the edge of the G.O.T. captures the magazine and allows for a prying action to assist in removing the base pad.

The most innovative function of the tool, however, is the firing pin channel assist, which is designed to hold the firing pin assembly perfectly secure in order for disassembly. Having to remove the spring cups on the firing pin is one of the most tedious and frustrating jobs of disassembly. With the G.O.T., this frustration is a thing of the past. The firing pin channel assist firmly holds the spring, allowing you to manipulate the firing pin and disassemble without any risk.

All in all, the Glock Operator’s Tool is a product that just works the way it was designed to. If there was anything I could change, it would be the design of the metal punch. It sticks out a couple of inches from the main tool, which I fear is going to eventually punch a hole through my pocket or range bag. The addition of a polymer cap to prevent this seems like it would be a cheap and easy fix. I have yet to encounter this as a problem, but it’s something to take notice of.

Last, but not least, Code9 Evolutions offers a lifetime warranty, no questions asked. You can pick up your own Glock Operator’s Tool at Code9 Evolutions, for $20. According to them, it’s because $19.99 is just a lie.

Gear seen in this article:

Author – Rodney Pointer is a former Army Infantryman. After graduating from Airborne School, he was ruthlessly assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana to live out his days as a dirty leg. He served with the 2^nd BN, 30^th Infantry of the 4^th Brigade, 10^th Mountain Division. Following his deployment to Afghanistan, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Operations. He currently works as a nuclear security contractor.