IDL Tools

Morablades · May 17, 2008

I bought a little T10 from Ace Hardware a month ago for $15 and change. They are a little bit bigger than the Swiss Tech tools and can likewise be fastened to a key chain. If I am not mistaken they are a product of China, but a very sturdy tool. The little blade takes a good edge and holds one too. All of the tools lock into place with a very sturdy locking mechanism. In order to unlock a tool you have to pull another tool out a 45 degrees and then fold them back in. The handles have a tight bearing unlike the Swiss Tech tool that I had which within a week was loose and would make its way off my key chain. All in all this has been a very good tool thus far. Have any of you had good or bad experiences with IDL mini-multitools? Please share your thoughts. I'm a month into this thing and so far so good.

Scott Free · May 18, 2008

I had one of the original Swiss Techs. Cool idea. Poor execution. Your ACE Hardware version looks like a winner. Is that a small phillips or full size? I carry a LM P4 for now, and I'm pretty happy with it. I never use anything but the pliers, though. Any thoughts on how the two might compare?

Morablades · May 18, 2008

The phillips is a tad bit bigger than your typical small phillips that you see on most tools if that explains anything. I am currently trying to get a hold of a P4 in the trade forums to do a comparison for this thread.

Morablades · May 18, 2008

Now it's time to bring the Gerber Clutch into the mix. Thus far I have found the Clutch to have more points on its side than the IDL T10.
For instance:
Comfort (Gerber 1 / IDL 0) in hand and pocket
Lanyard Ring (Gerber 1 / IDL 0)
Spring Loaded Pliers (Gerber 1 / IDL 0)
Easy to open and close (Gerber 1 / IDL 0)
Tool access (Gerber 1 / IDL 0)

The Gerber has gray anodized aluminum handles, but only 8 functions instead of 10 on the IDL. I know how much some of us dislike Gerber. It's hit or miss with that company now. Though I would prefer it over the IDL there are some downfalls. The wire cutters on the Gerber are not as long as the IDL and therefore takes two cuts to get through a piece of copper wire. The tools on the IDL lock and the Gerber tools can fold (they haven't yet) because they work off a slip joint. Only a dollar more than the IDL, the Gerber goes for $16 dollars and change at Target.

Lurker · May 20, 2008

How is the thickness and weight of the IDL compared to the Clutch?

It looks like a good possibility. I did not like the P4, primarily because 2 of the screwdrivers seemed sized for eyeglasses rather than more normal sized screws. Otherwise, it was decent for something in this size range.

Morablades · May 20, 2008

They weigh about the same.

lgflorin · May 20, 2008

This is a Sebertech M4 with a new logo.SeberTech multitools are produced entirely in the USA, at the factory in Vista, California. In the mid-2000's the company was acquired by IDL Tools International.

shecky · May 21, 2008

Hey, I have one of those IDL T10 models. Had it for about a year. Got it at Fry's Electronics, an impulse buy. I think it cost about $14 or $15.

It's really not bad. the frustrating thing is that it's soooo close to being great. My gripes? The blades are sloppy, even if they lock OK. Tweezers are kinda thick on the ends. The blade is pretty thick edged. And the file could have a little more bite. And the small flat screwdriver is too thick to fit in small screws. And while I'm at it, the locking mechanism strikes me as pretty complicated and clumsy for what it does.

All that said, there's a lot going right with this tool. The Phillips and large flat screwdrivers are pretty well made. The pliers are nice and functional. The blades open without opening up the whole tool. It's fairly thin and compact. It weighs 1.69 oz. (compared with a Leatherman Micra weighing 1.72 oz.).

It looks like SMKW has a couple very similar tools with the Sheffield name, though one currently out of stock. The similarities are striking with the first one, only a can opener replacing the tweezers, and the blades open with the tool opened.