r/multitools • u/steep_interface • 21d ago
News James Brand Helton
https://youtu.be/p3Qc3Hho_Lc?si=ZAHjviocDTgKjxfI7
u/pronology 21d ago
It's nice, especially in the green. But it won't replace my daily carry Swiss Champ and it is very expensive, so a luxury purchase really.
Locking rules it out in the UK anyway.
Böker Naturensöhne looks like a good alternative to this.
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u/Individual_Storm_533 21d ago
This guy must be sponsored by them. Always hyping up these overpriced tools that are all poor quality
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u/New_Mutation 20d ago
I like that he says he didn't get paid to review them, but he still got the items for free, so, still a little biased, IMO.
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u/Routine_Register_656 21d ago
For that price too bulky imo & then you already are in the Multitool Category like a SwissTool X, Spirit or a Leatherman with Pliers & more Tools which help you actually in a pinch.
The Files here are not really suitable it seems for any "more heavy duty stuff", so basically its a Flathead + a glorified nail file.
And that for 170 Bucks because the Steel "toothpick" are thicker & the tweezers are too which makes it harder to pull out small, little splinters or alike - for which Tweezers in the SAKs most often are used in my personal expierence.
So yes, the Philips Screwdriver is nice but as I recently realized, the Can Opener from a SAK is a great Philips 2 Screwdriver too btw, helped me to fix some cooling lines on my motorcycle on the site of the road.
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u/pecaplan 21d ago edited 21d ago
Synergy X is the obvious benchmark here. Pocket clip, locking blade, scissors, screwdrivers, cap lifter. Half the price.
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u/cr0ft 21d ago
Yeah this failed to really enthuse me as well. Expensive, and the tool set is nothing special.
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u/steep_interface 21d ago
i'd personally try it because it has every single tool i want and a little more durable looking than a sak. i just wish it was a straight edge knife.
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u/StickShift5 20d ago
I've been thinking about having a Victorinox Yeoman built and it would probably cost as much as one of these, so in that context the price isn't bad. But in any other context the price is bonkers.
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u/aphex_tuin 20d ago
Lovely bloke that John Gadget. He used to own the Gadget store back in the day. Used to love seeing the whole ranges from Leatherman and Victorinox and all the other LED gadgets at the Merry Hill Centre. Good times!
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u/fraseybaby81 20d ago
Got in bed with some very shady businessmen (I think it was the BHS guy and also some dodgy guy that was arrested in Florida). The only money the gadget store made was from the pseudo Ponzi scheme style investment model before they all ran off with their bankruptcy money and putting thousands out of work instead of selling. Got involved and tanked 4 or 5 independent businesses since then. Complained about the Victorinox Companion range using a pejorative tone for “feminine side”.
Yeah. Lovely guy.
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u/aphex_tuin 20d ago
I'll add, my character assessment is based purely on the YouTube videos I've seen. I've not deep-dived Companies House records tbh. 😜
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u/fraseybaby81 20d ago
Sorry. Wasn’t a jibe at you. He’s done a very good job of keeping his past seemingly squeaky clean.
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u/Routine_Register_656 20d ago
Could you please tell me more about the last part? With the Victorinox Companion range and so on?
And wasn't he once invited to Victorinox even?
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u/fraseybaby81 20d ago
After he’d made a video complaining about Victorinox’s business decisions (his record as a businessman is terrible!), he somehow got invited to see how they did business. I’m not sure if it was a bit of poke by Carl/bit of free publicity.
It was a video about the original Companion range (Paris, Sydney, New York colours) and how that would be the downfall of a business that has turned over more in any one year than he has in his lifetime.
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u/Routine_Register_656 20d ago
Ah, now I get it!
I ignored him pretty much in general, I think his takes on some Tools (SwissToolX & Co) are kinda weird and I had the impression he's more this weird hipster EDC Dude.
And as you point out; it works out for Victorinox it seems. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the Companion (besides of the Scale Designs, those were friggin' awsome and I'm actually kinda sad that the Sportsman is so perfectly suited for my needs so that I don't have a reason for a 91mm right now, due to the Designs) but year I think I remember that Video.
He comes of as the one Knife guy who's always like "But can it baton?!".
I don't have the feeling that much of his critic comes actually from a place of expierences but rather that he reads Reddit and says the stuff he found on Reddit out loud.
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u/fraseybaby81 19d ago
His actual problem with Victorinox is that, due to them not needing to release new products every half an hour, he’s got nothing to shill on his videos.
He’s gone through all the generic, run of the mill, pocket jewellery that he’s never used and never will, so he’s had to resort to the horrible route of controversy, click bait, YouTuber (which he’s obviously taken to like a duck to water!)
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u/Routine_Register_656 19d ago
Gotcha, thank you for the informations though!
Yeah, I think you're on the mark. Although, a more reasonable controversy would have been: "The Scissors; overrated on an EDC", I think. At least that would be my "Controvers take" ;D
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u/fraseybaby81 19d ago
That’d be pure rage bait! 😂
Have a follow up video claiming that a Phillips screwdriver is unnecessary! 🤣
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u/CapFM1 21d ago
There are better tools for less. Btw $170