- Joined
- Nov 29, 2000
- Messages
- 1,926
Many years ago I got the Nite Ize KMT-11-R3 clip key tool, their first clip key multitool.
It is not a spectacular tool, but it provide a basic utility with its slim profile.
It has the bottle opener, pry tool/scoring edge/flat screwdriver, 3 hex wrench cutouts and rulers + the carabiner clip.
It was decently machined with no sharp edges.
Recently I got the new iteration of this tool, the KMTSE-11-R3 model, which has a small Phillips screwdriver at the carabiner end, a serrated edge, a smaller flat head screwdriver and a scoring point divided by a nail puller/wire stripper notch which creates a divided pry tool of a sort. The edges are sharp and you can see and feel burrs left over from the machining process. I chose the best from 4 they has at the store and all had some issues. The Phillips head wasn't uniformly machined in the samples, the carabiner clips had widely variable strength, the serrated edge wasn't uniform, the ruler's etching were variable between the samples as well. All the tools looked more rough compared to the online ad pictures.
I was surprised at the level of variability seen. Yes., they are still usable, but some features (Phillips head, serrated edge) on some of the samples were borderline unusable. The sharp edges/burrs make to tool uncomfortable to hold.
I know it can be sanded down, but for nearly $6 (with tax) I don't think this dollar store quality should be acceptable.
The Phillips head on the ad pics is better machined than on any of the samples I saw in the store. The head is neither true No. 1, nor a No. 2 size, it is much closer to No. 1, but the end is blunt and the blades are not ground precisely enough to fit smaller bolts or screws. The one on the Gerber Shard is a much better Phillips head, but because of that many people complain that it is too pointy.
As many reviewers pointed out, the bottle opener function is barely usable, but it works with repeated efforts.
Overall the serrated edge model provides more function but with decreased efficiency, not so much due to poor design, but mostly because mediocre execution and poor quality control.
The carabiner clip, the hex wrench cutouts, the serrated edge and the screwdriver and prying tools combined in a slim package could have made the Nite Ize Doohickey a really useful one piece keychain tool, if only the execution had not fallen short of the idea.
I see that Nite Ize came out with a new Ratcheting Doohickey design. That tool looks really nice. Let's hope it is manufactured to tighter tolerances and with much better quality control.
It is not a spectacular tool, but it provide a basic utility with its slim profile.
It has the bottle opener, pry tool/scoring edge/flat screwdriver, 3 hex wrench cutouts and rulers + the carabiner clip.
It was decently machined with no sharp edges.
Recently I got the new iteration of this tool, the KMTSE-11-R3 model, which has a small Phillips screwdriver at the carabiner end, a serrated edge, a smaller flat head screwdriver and a scoring point divided by a nail puller/wire stripper notch which creates a divided pry tool of a sort. The edges are sharp and you can see and feel burrs left over from the machining process. I chose the best from 4 they has at the store and all had some issues. The Phillips head wasn't uniformly machined in the samples, the carabiner clips had widely variable strength, the serrated edge wasn't uniform, the ruler's etching were variable between the samples as well. All the tools looked more rough compared to the online ad pictures.
I was surprised at the level of variability seen. Yes., they are still usable, but some features (Phillips head, serrated edge) on some of the samples were borderline unusable. The sharp edges/burrs make to tool uncomfortable to hold.
I know it can be sanded down, but for nearly $6 (with tax) I don't think this dollar store quality should be acceptable.
The Phillips head on the ad pics is better machined than on any of the samples I saw in the store. The head is neither true No. 1, nor a No. 2 size, it is much closer to No. 1, but the end is blunt and the blades are not ground precisely enough to fit smaller bolts or screws. The one on the Gerber Shard is a much better Phillips head, but because of that many people complain that it is too pointy.
As many reviewers pointed out, the bottle opener function is barely usable, but it works with repeated efforts.
Overall the serrated edge model provides more function but with decreased efficiency, not so much due to poor design, but mostly because mediocre execution and poor quality control.
The carabiner clip, the hex wrench cutouts, the serrated edge and the screwdriver and prying tools combined in a slim package could have made the Nite Ize Doohickey a really useful one piece keychain tool, if only the execution had not fallen short of the idea.
I see that Nite Ize came out with a new Ratcheting Doohickey design. That tool looks really nice. Let's hope it is manufactured to tighter tolerances and with much better quality control.
