Review: MULTITASKER

http://multitaskertools.com/info.html

I have recently been looking for a multi tool to carry in my chest rig. After looking around at some of the other designs on the market, I decided to give the multi tasker a try. This thread http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=28046 is where my search began.

Initial thoughts:

This tool is built like a tank. It is a little heavy (11 oz), though considering the tools it replaces I would suggest it’s not that heavy. The G10 grips are comfortable and secure. The tanto blade came hair popping sharp, I prefer tanto for this application for the straight edge. The knife also has a liner lock that is solid. There’s a larue wrench 3/8" boxed, it works as advertised. Standard file with sharp chisel tip. Bent tip carbon scraper is handy and can be used in more than one cleaning application. I like the castle nut wrench but I couldn’t test it since I have a magpul UBR, I would assume this wouldn’t be used for torqing just for field tightening. There is also a front sight adjustment tool that doubles as a screwdriver with included bits. The shaft is long enough to reach the pistol grip screw, added plus for me. The bits are well made w/ball detent (hollow ground from high carbon steel) and most sizes are AR15 typically used sizes. Overall initial impressions are this tool is what I have been looking for. Lets get on with some pictures

Picture review:

G10 panels really set this tool apart from most multi tools on the market. The bolts are extremely rugged for my untrained eye.

Simple needle nose pliers with wire cutter. Straight forward, essential.

Castle nut wrench. Not sturdy enough to torque, however plenty sturdy enough to tighten those unstaked castle nuts so your range day dosent end pre-maturely.

4 Prong front post sight adjustment as well as screw driver bit holder. The prongs on this adjustment tool do not bend like other sight tools I’ve owned in the past.

The bits are commonly used sizes in most AR15 accesories. (2 flathead, 1 phillips, T10 Torx, T15 Torx, plus 3/32”, 7/64”, 1/8”, 9/64” and 3/16” hex bits)

The larue wrench.(3/8") I know what you’re thinking “larue sent me one with my mount” well I understand this one comes already mounted in every Multitasker. Free with purchase of Multitasker

As you can see this tanto is for lefties. I bet if the designer was right handed then this wouldn’t be mounted wrong :stuck_out_tongue:

Liner lock. Locks up good, I would be willing to say all my folders have liner locks. Leatherman probably has a trademark on their multitool locks.

Needle nose are small enough to get the retaining pin out.

Chisel tip. Until I used this I had never cleaned out the bolt carrier.

The bent tip scraper has a perfect radius to it. I understand this was inspired by the Chinese traditional bamboo ear-wax pickers. I used to just scrape this crud off with a pocket knife, state of the art cleaning

Also gets down inside those hard to reach places in your BCG.

YECK!! Actually most of the chunks went flying while this scraper worked.

Heres a look at the shims. If I recall correctly the shims are brass instead of plastic.

I was told the case may be redesigned. I would like to see some Olive drab. I know digital is the new black but I still prefer OD.

Final thoughts:

This Multitasker fits my needs and does so in a compact durable design. The tools that fold away into this multitool cannot be carried on my chest rig like this can. In fact I would suggest to anyone that has a better design get producing, though I think you’ll be surprised to find there is experience in this design. The designer also put the 1911 tool on the market and it has it’s place as does this tool. I have other multi tools (leathermans) several in fact and they will stay where they are, though my multitool will be in my administrative pouch on my rig. Only suggestion I could come up with for the designer is to design a better way to get the sight tool out, perhaps a thumb catch of some sort. Also an OD case would be better for me. Knife seams like it is for lefties and this could be neccesary with clearances, kinda a non issue.

This is my first review and I hope it helps in some way. I have been wanting to write reviews for some time. I wish I could have had more in depth discussion, though I prefer the reader to see what I can show them with pictures. I have got to get a better camera and lighting. I hope to do a review on at least one of the other multi tools, my dad has the one on order that goes in the grip.
slide show of my product testing
http://img41.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img41/4681/1245128928z98.smil

tinman,

I have two that were sent to me as well for T&E purposes. The other was given to another armorer on a different contract. I’ll be posting my review down the road.

That looks like a cool tool. The handles look nice. I like how the pouch has a section to hold the bits.

Is it just me or are the bolts/rivets whatever holds the thing together made to look like forward assist buttons?

We are getting ready to run these in a series of classes and events more later.

Great review. Great pictures. Really cool tool. Much better than the Samson Field Survivor I have now. Can’t wait to get a MultiTasker!!!

great tool bro! i own one just recently, a must have for an AR owners :smiley:

Very interesting concept.

a few more pics and info on my site:
http://www.militarymorons.com/weapons/access.html#multi

Yes :wink:

Any of you other guys that planned to test these have results yet?

bumpski

I never did pick one up myself.

I may have missed it in the initial post, but will the screwdriver with flahead blade reach into the grip screw? Is one of the allen tips the right size for allen grip screws?

the flathead will reach the stock grip screw.

Is one of the allen tips the right size for allen grip screws? I cant answer that with any certainty atm sorry :frowning:

taken from the review(2 flathead, 1 phillips, T10 Torx, T15 Torx, plus 3/32”, 7/64”, 1/8”, 9/64” and 3/16” hex bits)

I’ve had one for a couple of months, and used it in a couple of classes but no particularly hard use. Overall I am pleased and it is a convenient little package. A few minor complaints:

The file on mine does not work well. It appears that the grooves on the faces of the file were not cut deeply enough.

It would be nice if all the tools locked open, not just the knife blade. The buffer tube wrench in particular is prone to folding up during use.

I would have preferred a different tool in lieu of the Larue wrench, which I rarely have need for. A thick flat bladed screwdriver that would fit the adjustment screws on most common optics would be more useful. The flat tip included in the kit is a little narrow for most optics and its inconvenient to dig it out the screwdriver attachment when you are trying to make a quick adjustment at the range.

I grabbed a VTAC version. It’s a nice tool and an interesting concept. It’ll make a good addition to a range bag. They’re made in China, if that factors into your buying process.

These are valid points, and we are working on some revisions for the next generation. The wide screwdriver is tricky, because hollow ground bits are limited by the diameter of the bit. Look at EDM/CNC a screwdriver implement to replace the file.

Also plan to incorporate a dental pick/8-32 male thread into the tool.

I don’t think a hollow grind would be necessary for the application I have in mind. The windage/elevation adjustment screws on ACOGs, Eotechs, and the full size Aimpoints all have wide slots so you can use a coin or other improvised tool to make adjustments. You could cut a screwdriver from flat stock that would fit perfectly, and mount it in the handle in place of the current box-end wrench. It would be easy to combine the screwdriver with another tool such as a file, bottle opener, wire stripper, etc.

Glad to see you interacting with your customers and responding to constructive criticism.

I meant to say, a hollow ground screwdriver wouldn’t work for the intended implement, it has to be EDM’ed.

I appreciate constructive criticism as it is our goal to constantly improve the tool.

I also understand (and respect) the resistance to the tool being made in China, but at the end of the day, it was a business decision. If it’s any consolation, the tool was conceived and designed by American gun enthusiasts :slight_smile:

We are looking at basically modifying a version of this scraper to serve as the wide flat screwdriver.

Gotcha. That would be perfect.