Got a two for one product review this time, its the Gerber Crucial Multi-Tool and Iris LED Flashlight Combo pack from Costco.  I got mine as a gift during Christmas and wanted to share my thoughts on it.

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Hopefully you already have a tool like the Victorinox Tourist Swiss Army Knife.

I have owned and used one for a LONG time.  Its been on many trips with me both in the US and overseas because it is small and useful.  In fact, mine is usually in my Camelback so I have it when I go hiking, biking, or camping.  I think its a great model that is just the right size for most people.  Some multi-tools and Swiss Army Knives are too big and bulky to be of much use, this one however is just right.

There is a downside though.  The tools are sometimes hard to open, especially as the tool gets older and the pieces holding it all together get worn.  I’ve actually cut myself a few times with this knife because of the way the open/close mechanism works.  This has never happened with the Leatherman tools I own, largely because they use a different, more modern design.  Its something to be aware of and certainly not a show-stopper though.

In my experience, I mostly use the large blade and the bottle opener.  Surprisingly, I have used the toothpick a fair amount too when I am camping.  Some of my mountain biking friends carry tweezers in their pockets in case they get stuck with a cactus while riding.  Mine has the tweezers built in and fortunately I have never had to us it to pick thorns out of my body.  The corkscrew is handy as well, not as good as a real one but when you are on a picnic with your lady it will do just fine.

Very good but not great, yet for around $30 its worth buying because it packs a lot of tools in a sleek package that travels well.  Guess that’s why they named it the “Tourist.”

Overall Rating:  7/10

Click here to purchase a Victorinox Swiss Army Tourist Pocket Knife

This is the little tool that could…and does.

I’ve owned a Leatherman Micra for many years and LOVE it.  Its a great tool that packs a lot of functionality into a small package that you can take anywhere.  The manufacturer puts it in their “Keychain” category of multi-tools but it is at home in your pack, purse, desk drawer, tool chest, or anywhere else you need a small, versatile tool.  If you are looking to buy your first small multi-tool, this is the one to start with.

Most of the time, my Micra® is in the desk drawer of my office because I use it to open packages a lot.  The scissors get a lot of use and about the only bad thing I have to say about mine is that the blades have been pitted over the years.  I don’t know if that’s because of the metal they use but its the only fault I have identified in this tool.  Its held up remarkably well over the years even though the outside case bears a lot of scratches and some wear marks.  I’m going to get the scissors fixed and pick up one or two more to have around.  For a small multi-tool, you can’t go wrong with a Micra®.

Overall Rating:  8/10

Click here to order a Leatherman Micra Multi-tool

Even though I am not Mr. Fix-It or a Bear Grylls wannabe, I like having various knives and multi-tools around.  Depending upon the activity, I may have a couple in my pack or on my key-chain.  In fact, I have owned a Buck 759 (Whittaker 759T to be exact) for several years that looks just like this one.

Its a well-made tool that fits easily into your pocket or pack.  This particular knife doesn’t have any edges that will get caught and its shape works well on a key ring too.  The blade is small and stubby, however its adequate for small cutting jobs where a long knife isn’t necessary.  However, what I use it for the most is opening beer bottles while camping.  The bottle-opener is very strong and durable, you won’t have to worry about bending it.

That said though, this is more of a vanity knife/tool for me than anything else.  More often than not, I either use my Leatherman Micra or a Swiss Army knife when I’m out on the trail because those tools can do a lot more.  The limited functionality of the Buck 759 series is what makes it more of a curiosity than a regular contributor.  Don’t get me wrong, I really like mine but also realize that there are better and more useful tools that you should buy before this one.

One discovery I recently made is that Buck makes a never version of this knife called the Metro™.  Its a few dollars more expensive than my version but the Metro™ is Made in the USA whereas mine was produced in Taiwan.  While both are made by free people, its encouraging to see Buck bringing knife production back to America.

Overall Rating:  5/10

Click here to order the Buck 759 Metro, Blue