Best screwdriver bit set 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]

Last Updated March 1, 2023

Best screwdriver bit set of 2018

Here we have compiled a detailed list of some of the best screwdriver bit set of the 2018. Here are my top picks with detailed reviews, comparison charts and buying guides to help you purchase the perfect item for your needs.

If you get well acquainted with these basics, you shouldn’t have a problem choosing a screwdriver bit set that suits your need. Now, let’s get to the gist of the matter: which are the best screwdriver bit set for the money?

Test Results and Ratings

Rank	№1	№2	№3
Product
Total	4.8	4.5	4.3
Style	5 points	4 points	4 points
Materials	4 points	5 points	5 points
Construction	5 points	5 points	4 points
Price	5 points	4 points	4 points
Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

№1 – ORIA Screwdriver Set

Why did this screwdriver bit set win the first place?

I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! The material is stylish, but it smells for the first couple of days.

Style 5

Materials 4

Construction 5

Price 5

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№2 – Best Choice 100-Piece All Purpose Security Bit Set with Bonus Ratcheting Screwdriver

Why did this screwdriver bit set come in second place?

The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money.

Style 4

Materials 5

Construction 5

Price 4

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№3 – DEWALT DW2166 45-Piece Screwdriving Set with Tough Case

Why did this screwdriver bit set take third place?

This price is appropriate since the product is very well built. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. The material is incredibly nice to the touch. It has a great color, which will suit any wallpapers. I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new.

Style 4

Materials 5

Construction 4

Price 4

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screwdriver bit set Buyer’s Guide

Drilling Tips

Use a twist bit for general drilling. A high-speed bit is the best.

When drilling concrete, brick, slate or plaster use masonry bits at low speeds.

When drilling tile or glass use the spear point at low speeds.

A hole saw is great to make large holes, but make sure the drill can handle the extra force or your burn the motor out very quickly.  Always use your side handle.

Double Ended Bits

Double ended bits feature a screwdriver bit on either end (either the same or different types). They can potentially give the screwdriver bit double the life of either an insert bit or a power bit at much less than double the cost. It is important to note though that due to the nature of their design they will not fit into a ¼” (6.35mm) hex drive chuck.

There are many different types of screw driver bits available on the market, but here is an overview of the most common.

When using high-torque fastening tools like cordless impact drivers, it is important to purchase screwdriver bits that are rated for this type of use so as to ensure the bit’s longevity.

Torx Bits

Torx bits are shaped like a 6-sided star and are used on anything from cars to consumer electronics. They resist cam-out better than Phillips or slotted bits, and were specifically designed with this purpose in mind due to the improvements in torque-limiting automatic screw driving tools. Sizes range from Tthrough to T20.

Tamperproof Torx Bits

Tamperproof Torx Bits are a variant on standard torx bits. Instead of being solid, they have a hole in their centre to accommodate security screws, and to prevent the use of standard torx bits. They are generally used on anything that people don’t want you to have access to, and sizes again range from Tto T20.

Internal Hex Bits

Basically an allen key that you can put in your drill, these hex bits are commonly used when assembling DIY furniture and for locations where surrounding obstacles limit allen key access. The standard size for most hex-drive screws is 5mm.

Nutsetters

Nutsetters are similar to a hex bit, except they fit over their corresponding screws (in this case, tek-screws), rather than into them. They come in three main sizes – 1/4”, 5/16”, and 3/8”. Sometimes these sizes will be slightly small for the screw at hand. In this case, the nutsetter you require may be in metric (i.e. instead of a 3/8” (9.38mm) nutsetter, you may need a 10mm). They are ideal for handling the torque on applications where impact drivers are used.

Drywall Bits

Drywall bits are phillips screwdriver bits with a metal ring around them. This ring sits just below the end of the phillips bit and upon screw driving, the ring presses up against the material and stops the screw from being driven below the material’s surface.

Doug Mahoney

The MegaPro 13-in-Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver is the perfect one-stop screwdriver to have at hand around the house. After over 2hours of research and hands-on testing of 1different models, I found that the MegaPro has all of the right features: nice ratcheting action; smart, accessible bit storage; excellent bit selection; and a comfortable handle.

We spent a few months using the Irwin 1948778-in-Ratcheting Screwdriver, and even though it has a durable feel, we still prefer the MegaPro 13-in-as our main pick. We have more details in the Competition section.

Ratcheting was also a must.

Ratcheting was also a must. My experience is that I’ll take a non-ratcheting screwdriver over a bad ratcheting one, but a good ratcheting screwdriver trumps all. Ratcheting screwdrivers are much faster and easier to use than standard screwdrivers. The overall effect is that you can tighten or loosen a screw while your hand and the fastener remain in contact with the tool the entire time. If you’re unfamiliar with them, most ratcheting screwdrivers contains a gear and pawl mechanism that allows you to turn the screwdriver (handle and stem), and then turn just the handle back to reposition and reset it, and then turn the handle and stem again. Ratcheting screwdrivers have an on-board toggle that switches the ratcheting mechanism from clockwise to counterclockwise depending on whether you’re tightening or loosening a screw. A third position locks the stem into place, converting the tool into a traditional screwdriver. A ratcheting screwdriver is really the best of all worlds.

Because the ratcheting mechanism allows you to maintain contact with the screw head throughout the entire tightening process, there is less chance for the driver bit to cam out. This can cause damage to the screw head as well as to the driver bit. A stripped screw can be very difficult to remove and most methods (like clamping the head with a set of locking pliers) can damage the surrounding surface. It’s something to avoid.

Ratcheting screwdrivers also work faster than traditional screwdrivers because you don’t have to keep resetting it in the screw head or releasing your hand from the tool. For the same reasons, they’re better in tight awkward spaces, like the back of a cabinet or tightening a leg on the underside of a table.

It’s true that an experienced user like a long-time electrician can work a regular screwdriver almost like a ratcheting one by putting pressure on the butt end of the tool with the ball of their index finger and quickly working their fingers around the handle to move the driver. It’s a good trick to know, but a ratcheting screwdriver gives you the same functionality no matter how you’re holding it.

Pull Quote

The handle is ergonomically molded and fits the hand to a point that far, far exceeded any of the other screwdrivers.

The bit storage is exceptional and is one of the places where the tool stands apart from the pack. Only the Craftsman equaled it in functionality. To access the bits, the butt end of the handle pops out and slides straight back revealing a stem surrounded by six bit holders, each of which houses a double-sided bit, sort of like a six-shooter. The carousel spins and there is plenty of room around the bits to easily take one out or put one in. Even though it stands off the rear of the handle, the carousel itself has no wobble to it. When you’re done, it slides back into the handle with a satisfying click and the bits stay secure no matter how much you shake the handle around or drop the tool. Even though the carousel mechanism locks in nice and tight, it can be easily opened with one hand by using the thumb and forefinger.

Another useful aspect of the rear cap is the fact that it can spin separately from the rest of the body. This means it can remain stationary while the rest of the tool spins, which allows you to apply extra pressure in certain situations. For example, if you’re working over your head (like on the top hinge of a door) or trying to extract a semi-stripped screw (and need to exert a lot of pressure on the screwdriver), you can hold the tool with your palm against the butt end and really lay your weight behind the twist. Even with this kind of pressure, the screwdriver can freely spin while the cap doesn’t. This means that the pressure from your palm isn’t fighting against the twist of the handle. Also, because your palm is pressing against a stationary piece instead of a twisting one, you won’t ‘rug-burn’ a fiery hole into your palm.

Even with the roomy storage capacity for the six bits (which really are 1different driver tips), the handle is ergonomically molded and fits the hand to a point that far, far exceeded any of the other screwdrivers. It has a teardrop shape that tapers at the neck providing a nice groove for the thumb and forefinger. The gripping area of the handle is mostly rubberized and has a series of nubs in it for better purchase.

The MegaPro comes with six double-headed driver bits, totaling 1bits. The thirteenth function is the ¼-inch hex end of the stem, where the bit sits. This can be used for hex headed screws, like the kind you might find holding the rear panel of your washing machine on or on a pipe band clamp.

Slotted

This is the original screw drive. You find these everywhere, though the practice of using screws with slotted drives is on the decline because the screwdriver slips out of the slot, particularly when you are applying heavy torque to really tighten down (or loosen, for that matter) these types of screws.

Tamper-resistant Hex

A rotary drill is used for really rough stuff and heavy drilling jobs. This type of drill is extremely suitable if you are looking to drill in materials that are extremely hard, a good example of this is concrete. Besides concrete drilling some rotary drills also consist of a chiseling mode. You can use the a rotary drill for the tasks below, though it is not recommended to use this tool for the lighter drilling jobs like screw driving and wood drilling, this because of its large size and heavy weight compared to for example a drill/ driver and hammer drill.

Right Angle Drill

The angle drill makes it easy to drill in hard to reach places. You don’t have to squeeze yourself into impossible positions to drill those hard to reach places in odd corners. The machine can be tilted and bended over backwards to always be right in front of your drill or driving job. With a right angle drill it is no longer difficult to exactly drill or drive into a 90-degree angle. The compact solution of this type of drill is very convenient for the professionals or intensive do-it-yourselfers. Most right angle drills are on cordless tools, although there are also a few with that are corded.

When choosing a drill, one of the most important decisions you have to make is which power source is most suitable for you. The options available, are corded en cordless, both of these options have advantages and disadvantages. Most screw guns, drill/ drivers and impact drivers are cordless. Hammer drills and right angle drills are widely available in both corded and cordless models. Most rotary drills and drywall/ deck drivers are only available with a cord. The last couple of year’s cordless drills have gained significant market share due to improvement in both strength and durability of the batteries.

Corded Drill

In general, a corded drill has more strength and endurance compared to a cordless drill. This is also the biggest advantage of this type of power source; you are able to take on much heavier tasks for indefinite amount of time. A disadvantage of a corded drill is that you always have to be near a power outlet.

The most used power indicator for corded drills is amperage (amp). A drills amp rating indicates the electrical current load a motor can carry for an indefinite period of time. Other indicators are input voltage and wattage. A drills amps multiplied by the input voltage is the number of wattage a drill has. Because almost all drills in the United States have a voltage input of 120 volts, it’s safe to say that amps are the only variable indicator in measuring a drill’s power. In other words the higher the amps of a corded drill, the higher the wattage of a drill. Most drills have amperage of between the and amps, which means they have wattage of between 600 and 1200 watts.

Drill comfort

With regular use, it’s advisable to choose a model with a comfortable grip or soft grip. For each brand, this is called differently, but ultimately serves the same purpose, to prolonge use of the machine without you be physical bothered by this.

Besides comfortable/ soft grip work lights also ensures comfortable operation. This recent development ensures that you always have a clear view of your work, usually through an integrated LED light on the machine.

A user complained that they get chipped easily

Made of hardened chrome vanadium steel shanks with chemically blackened magnetic tips to withstand corrosion, the Silverline 54652Screwdriver set is another one of the best quality screwdriver sets on the market, and one that competes well in best screwdriver set uk ratings. The handles have an ergonomic design specifically crafted for high-grip textured panels to enhance efficiency in control and torque transition. The feature also enables fast screw removal and insertion and are ideal for use around the home, workshop, garage and the garden. They are all color coded allowing you to identify the tips easily. The set contains three slotted screwdrivers and three Philips screwdrivers.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Another potential flaw of the Ryobi kit is that the case doesn’t exactly scream durability. The lid is held on with three plastic hinges. The sliding latch is also plastic and sometimes needs to be wiggled to get it lined up properly. Overall, our test unit is still in fine shape, but a serious drop on a concrete floor would do some damage. The flip side of this is that a real construction-ready case would add significant bulk, as well as cost, to the Ryobi kit. As long as you’re careful with it, this case should be fine.

If the Ryobi 90-piece set isn’t available, the 60-piece set is also very nice. It has all the same essentials, but in smaller quantities.

If Ryobi’s 90-piece kit isn’t available, our second choice is Ryobi’s 60-Piece Drill and Drive Kit. Even though it’s smaller than our main pick, it still has far more useful pieces than any other kit out there. The 60-piece kit has the same basic selection of items as the larger kit, but just in smaller amounts. There is only one hole saw size (instead of four) and only one paddle bit (instead of four). It’s missing the depth stops and the selection of 2-inch driver bits, both of which are nice to have, but not essential. Spending a little more for the larger 90-piece kit is definitely worth it, but this one could work just fine instead.

Key Features

Today, Ryobi is one of the most reliable manufacturers in the market which makes this device a great place to start. When you choose this model, you get everything you could possibly want and need to get started from a ‘complete accessories set’ to torque settings and LED lights. What’s more, the quick-change feature is perfect if you’re working with the screwdriver for different tasks throughout the day.

Weighing under half a kilogram, the unit is certainly lightweight and the ‘gripzone oversold technology’ means that your hands should feel comfortable even after extended use. Ideal for building cupboards and completing light tasks, Ryobi is certainly a reliable choice.

Key Features 

When it comes to home appliances and tools, Bosch has long-been a leader in this market which means we can have confidence in the brand. Not only does it mean we can trust the product, we also have a fantastic customer support system to rely upon just in case something happens to go wrong…although unlikely with this particular cordless screwdriver.

All things considered, the PSR Select is versatile for all those small jobs around the house and incredibly easy to use if you’re a beginner with this type of tool. Rather than feeling bulky to the point where the shoulder aches at the end of a long day of use, this Bosch model is light yet impressively durable. According to the manufacturer, a fully-charged battery should allow for 90 screws while the 210rpm speed means you won’t be hanging around once you’ve started.

In terms of the design, Bosch has clearly put a lot of thought into the model boasting features such as the illuminated window to select individual bits, the battery status icon, Bosch ‘SoftGrip’, and an LED ‘PowerLight’.

For Construction

As a professional construction worker, you also need a screwdriver set for your job. The requirement for this set of screwdrivers should be of industry-grade material and engineering. The significance having a quality construction screwdriver set is that it is designed to handle complex, heavy and sometimes big materials.

Construction work may require having as many application, especially on big construction projects. Thus, you also have to understand what part of construction work you are doing.

For Precision

However, if you are not a jeweler or a repairman, you may still get this set if you have small objects at home. Some sets may include small-sized screwdrivers. But, if you want a more precise job, you may consider having a precision screwdriver set.

What we are trying to emphasize is that you need to take into account your personal usage when choosing the screwdriver sets. The key element in decision making recognizes the dilemma that you have, which requires the need of a screwdriver set.

The product has 1standard screwdrivers in a single set. Therefore, it can be a good product for homes and construction work as it can work on different screwdriving jobs.

Each screwdriver head comes in varying sizes. It affords you with a versatility of sizes on a single kind of head.

It includes a in keychain screwdriver. The keychain provides portability in the case where it is inconvenient to bring the entire set.

The set has the standard size screwdrivers that are used for common or most screws. Thus, it will not be difficult to fit in the screwdrivers.

It is found that some shanks are not properly installed on in the head. It causes loose shanks and would not go with the head when used.

The screwdrivers are “fully insulated,” which means that it is safe when used to work with a project involving electricity. This set is suited for electricians who are in need of screwdrivers at work. But, it can also be for home and personal use taking into account the added safety of insulation.

Shafts of the screwdrivers are made with chrome vanadium, which is a mixture of alloys. It improves the resistance to rust as well as endure heavier load. Thus, the product is made more durable.

The blade of the screwdrivers in the set is made from alloy steel. This steel is treated with heat to produce more quality screwdrivers.

The handle or head of the screwdrivers are exposed to high torque acetate. In effect, you will have more control when using them.

This set also comes with different sizes of screwdrivers. Thus, whether for home, construction or even for precision, this set can perform well.

Aside from tip sizes, these also have diverse lengths. Depending on the depth of the material you are using, the varying length further allows you more flexibility.

It only has pieces in a single set. The set can mostly be used for the basic screwdriving tasks and not so much on more complex ones.

The magnetic tip is also a commendable feature of the screwdrivers. It will allow you to work efficiently since the screws easily stick to the screwdriver via magnetism.

The screwdriver handles have undergone a satin finish process to provide superior gripping. This type of finish will give you better control over the screwdriver.

The product set has no proper instructions on how to use the product. It may be frustrating and potentially dangerous for some who are not very familiar with using screwdrivers.

The overall quality of the screwdrivers can seem to be average. It does not inspire confidence that it can be used in rigid work.

The screwdriver set focuses precision work. It works best for delicate tasks like watches and jewelry repair. But, the product is versatile enough to be used for regular screwdriver works.

Screwdrivers’ tips are also magnetized. It will help prevent the screws from falling off providing greater efficiency of the work.

The set is compact enough that it is easy to move it around or bring with you. We recommend that you consider this screwdriver set if you are always on the move.

It includes about 4bits or tips of different kinds and sizes. Therefore, the set allows you to do more screwdriving work.

There are instances that some bits are not complete and that it does not seem to have a decent quality.

Some of the bits are of the same size or have a little difference that it renders other useless. Thus, only some can actually have a use.

Ergonomics

Improvements in motor technology and fabrication means that many top-rated cordless impact drivers are lighter, more compact and more comfortable to use. Features such as pistol grips with rubberized padding help reduce user fatigue. Compact design also helps with weight balancing, which makes using a cordless impact driver even more ergo-friendly.

More power goes to the bit itself at the front of the drill, therefore, most of the shock is pulled away from the operator. This makes repeated drives, say for framing jobs, less stressful physically. Not only can it help finish these types of jobs quickly, but the best cordless impact drivers increase accuracy with repeatable tasks by decreasing user fatigue with their superior drive power.

Attachments

If you often work in close quarters, ensure that your driver is compatible with a right angle attachment. These have become a standard feature of any tool kit as they can instantly turn your cordless driver into a one-handed tool. This type of flexibility is indispensable for framers and carpenters who constantly need to reach tight corners and hard-to-reach spots.

LED Lights and Indicators

Battery Life

New lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized cordless tool design. Not only do they hold a charge longer, they also charge up much more quickly than nickel batteries. They deliver much more power while weighing far less, making it possible for a driver to be lighter and much easier to operate than a standard cordless drill. Most lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for up to four times longer than standard batteries.

Because of the increased efficiency and lighter weights of these newer batteries, powerful drivers come in smaller sizes than standard drills of equal power. Cordless impact drivers can help work in tight quarters, such as when working on ceilings or in high corners. Motors that pack a bigger punch may not mean a much bigger drill. Impact drills that weigh three pounds or less can still deliver 1,500 inch-pounds of torque and can still be easily operated with one hand.

One of the major uses of hole saws is to drill holes in doors for security peepholes and locks. There are kinds of hole saws: one with a welded steel cup design (threaded onto an arbor) and the other with spring steel cutter (for locking into an arbor).

Twist bits

Often called the twist drills, these bits are widely used by handymen with either an electric or hand drill. The front part cut the element and the spirals remove the remains from the hole and keep the bit straight. They are used on metal, plastics, timber, and other materials.

Spur point bit

They are also known as dowel or wood bit and have a middle point as well as two hoisted spurs that assist keep the tool drilling straight. This bit bores timber quite fast when used with a power drill and always leave a clean hole. They are perfect for boring holes for dowels as the sides should be parallel and clean.

The BMC Wolf is a versatile garden multitool that has everything you need for regular garden maintenance. Sporting a powerful engine and providing a host of interchangeable attachments, there are fewer garden tools that offer so much in one package.

The 2-stroke petrol engine of the Wolf provides 26ccs of power, allowing a range of attachments to be used to great effect. For instance, attaching the strimmer or brush cutter attachment makes mowing grass and thicker growths simple as can be, with the powerful engine making short work of grass, weeds, brambles, etc.

Every accessory is easy to change thanks to the quick fit accessory connector, allowing you to switch between any of the tools with ease. This is ideal as you can easily use each tool without spending an age switching between, so it certainly makes the multitool much easier to operate.

You can trim away pretty much anything with the BMC Wolf, from the highest hedges and shrubs using the hedge trimmer attachment to thicker tree branches with the powerful chainsaw. Each attachment offers ample length for those hard to reach spots as well, making it a great choice for anyone with larger tress, shrubs, and hedges.

The Wolf Creek Multi Tool

The steel blade brush-cutter is ideal for cutting all kinds of brambles and plant life, and the chainsaw attachment is great for trimming low hanging branches, or even taller ones with the extension pole that comes with the multi-tool.

The product is lightweight and durable, weighing in at just less than 7kg, and is ideal for anyone seeking to maintain their garden effectively. The model comes with extras such as a tool kit and full protective gear including eyewear and goggles. This ensures that the multi-tool can be assembled with ease, and can be used instantly upon assembly.

Eckman Stroke Petrol Multi Tool

The Eckman Stroke Petrol Multi Tool is a good example of gardening technology, featuring easy to fit and interchangeable attachments to ensure that your gardening experience is efficient and satisfying.

Finding the Right Brand

It’s often the case that those who have not purchased a garden multi-tool before to ask which brand offers the best product. As you can imagine, this can be a little difficult to determine as the best brand for a consumer can rest on a number of factors. As such, the right brand for you will offer a number of solutions with the required attachments. Of course, there will be brands that are deemed more premium than others, but we shouldn’t write off entry-level models either. You’d be surprised at how effective a budget solution can be.

In this regard, it makes sense to refer to reviews so you can gain an understanding of how certain brands are regarded in the industry. This allows you to gain more insight, as although there can be a reliable brand, there may be a certain model which is best avoided.

Once you have read the reviews, you will be in a position to shortlist potential garden multi-tools based on their reputation. Of course, you also need to consider other factors when determining which brand to go with. Although many feel they have to stay loyal, you have to remember that you’re looking for a solution that meets your needs, so if your current brand isn’t able to offer a solution, then it may be advisable to look elsewhere.

Folding Multitools

These are the full sized multitool style popularized by Leatherman, Gerber, and countless other brands.  When someone says “multitool,” this is what first comes to mind for most folks. They’re designed like a pair of collapsible pliers with tools that fold out of each handle. When not in use, the handles both swivel up butterfly-style and nestle together around the plier head.

These multitools typically offer the largest number of and most stoutly built tools, and invariably include those handy pliers or large scissors. The folding handles will often also provide some sort of locking function for tools so as to prevent accidental closures. Generally these multitools are a little big and bulky to be carried in a pocket, so they’ll come with a cloth, leather, or Kydex multitool pouch for belt carry.

Pocket Multitools

Just because you carry a big tool doesn’t mean you have to look like one; a belt mounted multitool pouch isn’t for everyone. Following the pattern of the classic Swiss Army Knife, pocket multitools can offer as many tools as a folding multitool, but are generally much less bulky and don’t require special carrying considerations. The flip side of this is that most of the tools don’t lock in the open position, and there’s rarely anything more than a perfunctory scissor or plier option.

Keychain Multitools

Designed to be ultra-small and easy to carry, keychain multitools are typically found as super compact versions of the folding or pocket multitool styles. The Victorinox Classic or Gerber Vise would be excellent examples. These small multitool options usually trade having a large variety of tools for easy portability.

One-Piece Multitools

These are the smallest, least complex, and most lightweight multitools out there. They’re really nothing more than a small piece of steel or titanium that has been shaped and scalloped to provide several commonly used tools in a super simple, durable form. One-piece multitools generally provide a bit of leverage for prying, a flathead screwdriver, and a bottle opener. Popular offerings include the Atwood Prybaby, the Gerber Shard and the Leatherman Brewzer.

Wallet Multitools

Inexpensive, easy to store, and packed with great functionality, these ultra-thin multitools have been gaining popularity as of late. These are not typically designed for regular use, instead offering a nice last-ditch option that will rarely be forgotten due to its ease of storage in something you’re rarely without: Your wallet.

Typically, these tools are equipped with a sharp edge that can pass for a blade, a number of low-profile wrenches, a bottle opener, and a ruler. The idea is thin functionality that can go wherever you do.

Tool Options

When it comes to options, most multitools have plenty. Generally all multitools will offer a few basics, including a blade, can and bottle opener, and flathead screwdriver. From there, the options open up in every direction. The Victorinox brand pocket multitool is famous for its little bitty toothpick and tweezers. The full sized multitool style nearly always provides relatively large pliers or scissors. Many choices have an ever handy corkscrew for impressing the ladies on impromptu picnic trips.

Each multitool finds its own niche by offering different combinations of options. When searching for just the right one, keep your eyes open for multitools equipped with carabiners, pocket clips, replaceable tools, vise grips, magnetic drivers and bits, integrated smartphone stands (yes, seriously!), or clever weight-saving measures. Any of these items might be just the ticket in your search for the best survival multi tool.

The best survival multi tool puts an entire workshop in your pocket.

In true prepper style, always be considering alternate uses for tools. A magnifying glass, for instance, can be used for starting fires, while magnetic screwdrivers could be used to construct a field-expedient compass. These uses might not come in handy every day, but when they do you’ll be extra thankful for them.

All this being said, don’t mislead yourself into thinking that there’s any one multitool that can truly do it all. Expect to carry one multitool for EDC, another one for camping, a day at the range, or to be left in your BOB. Still another may be the best survival multitool or the best multitool for backpacking or fishing with the family. Each has its place, and each can provide the right tools for certain settings.

Electric

A cordless mult-tool is exactly what it sounds like. Typically they operate off chargeable battery packs similar to ones you would see used for a battery powered drill. With electric alternatives becoming more popular to corded options, we expect to see these gain more popularity.

The speed of oscillations

The oscillations made per minute should be variable, for it to attain different speed levels. When buying a multi-tool, it is important to note the top speed it can reach while it is operating. The higher the oscillations made at top speed, the more powerful the tool is.

Voltage

The multi-tool should have a comfortable, flexible and firm grip. This allows for good control of the tool, for detail work and for working in hard-to-reach places.

Easy and safe to use

The best Multi tools are great products because they can help you finish any job you may be working on, even when you do not have access to a standard workshop or toolbox. Whether you need a good set of pliers while on the go, or you need a knife that can cut through anything, this type of tool can be the perfect accessory for anyone who is working on the go. The best part about this type of tool is that you are not restricted to any tool set for your use.

Compact and easy to carry around

Sets of the multi tool will provide you with essential working accessories to assist you with completing your toughest jobs. Therefore, whether you need to tighten a bolt while you are working, or you need to file your nails down quite a bit simpler, you can utilize the tools on your multi-tool products to complete any job you may face.

Comes with many tools

One of the main reason why this multi tool is a favorite among very many professionals in various fields is that it comes with every tool you may need when sailing, repairing a bike, hunting or doing general repairs. This multi tool has about 2tools including screwdrivers, hex drives, a carbide glass breaker, box wrenches, and a SIM card pick that can also serve as a hook-style box cutter.

Wearable and customizable

Unlike very many multi-tools on the market, you can simply wear this bracelet on your wrist, and you are good to go. This means that you will have it anytime you need it. Additionally, this multi tool is just like any other bracelet, lightweight and stylish. Probably you will never notice that you have it on unless you need it.

Solid construction and customizable

Another impressive feature that comes with this multi purpose tool is that it is constructed using high-quality materials to ensure high performance and durability. Additionally, you do not have to worry about having the right fit, as this multi tool is easily customizable to fit your wrist size.

Well-built and easy to use

When you have the first glance on this multi-tool, you will notice that it is well built to ensure long-lasting performance. The main blade construction is of steel to ensure that it offers you with dependable service for many years to come.  Additionally, this multi tool is one of the best to use the model as it operates smoothly.

Feature Rich

Although Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multi tool does not feature very many tools, it gives you the necessary tools that you need on your daily basis. This means that you will have basic tools such as bottle openers, pliers, and steel blade.

Compact and lightweight

Another reason why we consider this tool as one of our best multi tools is the fact that it is lightweight and compact. This means that you can carry it easily in your pocket or simply hang it on your waist belt. Since the model comes with only the most usable tools, it is very useful in your workshop in home remodeling projects.

Great Design

This is one of the popular multi tools when it comes to both form and function. Since this multi tool comes with contoured handles, you will complete some of the stubborn tasks easily without harming your hands. The model comes with various tools such as scissors, knives and saw that held up fairly well and their stainless steel construction play a major role when it comes to strong performance and durability.

Practical and easy to use

As previously mentioned, this multi tool comes with seventeen tools that are not only simple to use but also practical. You will have every tool that you need on your day-to-day activities, making your operation straightforward. We also love the fact that it is lightweight making it easy to carry around.

All the features look perfectly

Another great feature that comes with this multi tool is all looking functions that ensure that all the devices will lock into place safely. This will not only make it compact and easy to carry around but also ensures that it remains locked inside the pocket to avoid injuries.

You can operate each tool using one hand

This multi tool also comes with every tool that you can work efficiently using one hand. The handles come with good contours to ensure a firm grip. This will not only offer you better efficiency but also makes the tools easier and safer to use. The ability to operate with one hand also allows you to keep the other hand free for situations that may require you to multitask.

Comes with exceptional features

Unlike other multi tools on the market that come with basic features, this seems to be the most wanted multi tool that comes with features that tend to favor tactical or people with a military background. Some of the feature includes the replaceable bronze scrapping tool that is useful for removing carbon buildup on a firearm. Additionally, it is a great tool for electricians as it comes with an excellent wire cutter.

This best multi tool also comes with an excellent feature that allows you to store the tool bits in the handle allowing you to access them easily in the middle of the job while still ensuring that they are locked away when they are not in use. Additionally, this best multi tool comes with a replaceable pocket clip that assists you to wear the tool while attached to a belt loop or your pocket using the sheath.

Solid Construction

This best multi tool is well built to ensure long-lasting performance. The main blade is solid to ensure that it offers you with dependable service for many years to come. Additionally, this multi tool is one of the best to use the model as it operates smoothly.

Steel Construction

One of the best features that come with this best multi tool is the solid steel construction. This makes this tool not only sturdy but also very durable. This multi tool stems steel construction can withstand daily abuse without any problem. Additionally, the steel has great coat avoid scratching and rusting keeping the product in top condition for a long time.

Versatile to Use

Various things make this multi tool easy to use and comfortable. First, this best multi tool comes with comfortable handles that allow you to have firm grips. This will not only make them comfortable in your hands but also allow you to use for a long time with minimal fatigue. Additionally, all the tools fold well making sure that they are safe to use, as they will not open unless you want them to.

Well Built

Unlike any other product from Leatherman, this is yet another best multi tool constructed using high-end materials to ensure that it lasts for a long time without any problem. Its solid construction also allows it to handle repeated use without wearing out quickly. Additionally you this multi tool comes with a long-term warranty.

Come with better-inbuilt tool

Unlike other product on the market, this multi tool comes with 2tools which are more than in most models available on the market. Besides having more tools, the tools are well built and designed to offer more functionality.  We also love the fact that this multi tool is made of stainless steel making it rust free.

Effective and easy to use

Another great feature that comes with this multi tool is all looking features that ensure that all the tools will lock into place safely. This will not only make it compact and easy to carry around but also ensures that it remains locked inside the pocket to avoid injuries.

Ribble 15-function Multi-Tool R-MT

What they say: Small and compact, this is designed to easily fit in a jersey pocket or saddle bag and comes with a range of tools to ensure you’re covered for most eventualities.

What we say: At the time of writing, Ribble was offering this for a mere £12.9on its website which is 40% off.

Even at its recommended retail price (£21.99) this offers good value for money but at a little over a tenner? It’s an absolute steal.

It features a wide range of Allen keys (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 8mm), a T2Torx key, both Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, a chain-splitting tool and four spoke wrenches.

The casing is made from aluminium to keep the weight down while the tools themselves are hardened chrome vanadium, a material which men who like to tinker about in sheds tell us is supremely tough and hard-wearing.

SKS Tom 1Mini Tool 

What we say: ‘Tom’ is actually an acronym for tour mechanic. Which is quite a name to live up to.

So how does it fare? Well, pretty darn good would be the answer to that. Allen keys? Check. Six (sized 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8mm) are present and correct. Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers? Check.

There’s even a neoprene case to carry it about in so you can shove into your back pocket without fear of spearing a kidney.

The tools themselves are made from nickel-plated chrome vanadium steel which means you can apply plenty of force when tightening or loosening things without fear of anything breaking.

Unior Tools Euro1Multitool

What they say: Euro1Multi Tool is a strong, versatile, and high-quality option for the rider looking to set out down the road safe in the mind that they have all of the tools to mend, repair and fine tune their bike out on the road.

What we say: This thing oozes reliability, from the range of tools to the quality of the engineering.

The tools are made from chrome vanadium, and include the following: Allen keys in 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 8mm – enough in other words to unlock and secure just about anything on your bike.

Additionally, Torx keys in Tand T25, a Phillips cross-head screwdriver and regular flat-head screwdriver will combat a stack of other everyday hiccups of the kind you might encounter on a ride.

Add a chain tool, a series of spoke keys and a Schrader/Presta tool for your valves and you’ve got a solid line up.

Weighing in at 175g it’s got a sturdy (yet comfortable) feel about it that inspires confidence when you’re having a quick fettle.

Blackburn Grid 1Multitool

What they say: Contains the most common bits to interface with today’s bicycle components, and oriented the best way for their intended use.

What we say: The ’13’ in this one’s name is reference to the number of tools it’s packing within its aluminium casing.

Amongst them you’ll find a comprehensive set of Allen keys (1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and mm) a T2and a T30 Torx key, a disk brake pad spreader with a neat little integrated bottle opener which adds an essential(!) without taking up space.

The tools themselves are made from chromium vanadium steel so are supremely tough.

And despite being a bit of a tiddler (at 145g it’s half the weight of the beefy Brooks tested here) the tools are of a decent size, allowing plenty of leverage.

It also comes with a lifetime guarantee, which shows just how much faith Blackburn has in its quality.

Neos Precision 8F Folding Tool

What they say: An all-weather, compact and extremely robust folding tool, with a corrosion resistant surface treatment.

What we say: There are two schools of thought when it comes to multitools. You either carry one that can do it all or cut down on the heft and go for something that’ll get you out of your most scrapes.

Weighing in at a mere 102g and, when folded up, measuring x x 1.5cm, this neat little thing definitely lines up in the latter category.

Made from super high-strength carbon stainless steel this features eight tools (including 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm Allen Keys, plus two Torx keys (T2and T30), plus a Phillips screwdriver) which means it can cope with tightening and adjusting duties for anything from saddles to disc brakes.

PRO Mini tool

What they say: Ten essential hex keys and screwdrivers in a convenient folding package.

What we say: Small it may be, but there’s a good range of tools in this compact collection.

Its casing is made of aluminium while the tools are nickel-plated to ensure durability. It’s also got a neat little ruler in inches and centimetres integrated into the design which you could argue bumps the tool count up to 11.

Billed as a mini tool it really is wee; weighing a piffling 93g it slips almost unnoticeably into your rear pocket.

Knife: 

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Multi Tool without pliers as that what mostly differentiates a Multi Tool from a Swiss Army Knife.

Wire Cutters: 

Some Multi Tools will come equipped with a standard wire cutter while others will include a variety of wire cutters. Although you may not need this when camping, they do help make the Multi Tool more versatile when around the house.

Hammer: 

When you need a little extra power, a hammer on a Multi Tool can help as opposed to using anything that has a hard surface. Although you won’t be hammering in an entire backyard deck, a hammer on a Multi Tool works great if you need to smash some things down while camping or hiking or pushing in a loose nail.

There are a few different kinds of files that can come with a Multi Tool. They usually are wood filers or metal filers, sometimes both. They are used mostly for woodworking or metalworking and not often needed if you’re camping or hiking.

The weight of a

Multi Tool can vary by a few ounces. More often than not though a Multi Tool won’t exceed 1ounces and depending on the amount of tools you have averages around or ounces. Titanium Multi Tools will be a lighter weight option but the majority will be made of stainless steel.

When purchasing your Multi-Tool remember to consider your activities. Campers and hikers tend to be mindful of each ounce they carry.

Also, take a look at the equipment you will be using and see what tools you may need in order to fix or build it. The last thing you want is to have something break and the wrong tool to fix it.

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Multi-Tool

The Gerber Bear is a 12-inch stainless steel multi-tool and one of the best multi tool in the market. The Gerber has a rugged construction, external locking tools and spring-loaded pliers with an extra grip handle making it the one of the best multi tool for DIY fanatics.

Individuals looking for a reliable and durable multi-tool can choose the Gerber Bear for its unique features that make it one of the best multi-tools for wild adventures.

Bear Grylls Ultimate Multitool back to menu ↑

The Leatherman Wingman is another exceptional product making it one of the best multi tool to check out this year. Made from the best multi tool manufacturer in the industry, the Wingman is an ideal choice for adventurous people. It comes with the Leatherman patented one hand opening and spring action jaws for easier operation.

Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier

The Gerber Suspension is one tough reliable and easy to handle multi tool. It is one of the best multi-tools that is quite easy to use when readily needed. Engineered to tackle big jobs, the Gerber suspension can handle any situation. It is a great value for money and a must check out this year.

Here are some of the features that make the Gerber one of the best multi tools in the market. It comes with several unique features that are found in almost all multi-tools.

Gerber Dime Multitool

The Gerber dime is one of the best multi tools when looking for something compact and lightweight to fit in your pocket. The tool must nicely fit in your pocket and not cause any problems when traveling.

The Swiss + Tech is one of the best multi tool for those looking for a compact and lightweight multi tool for camping. It is the ideal camping companion with all the necessary functional tools to handle any task at the camp. It comes with over 1functional tools making it quite reliable in accomplishing all forms of tasks.

It is the best multi tool for obvious reasons. It is quite durable made of stainless steel. It can easily attach to your keychain and can easily be released when required.

Gerber Diesel Multi-Plier

Gerber once again has one of its multi tool in the list among the best multi tool in the market with a wide range of features. The black rugged Gerber Diesel is a great option for individuals looking for a multi tool capable of handling numerous tasks at a go. It is lightweight and weighs just 8.ounces making quite easy to carry around.

This device has countless applications and will save you precious time accomplishing small tasks when on a trip or some venture. The Gerber Diesel is an indispensable tool that every soldier or DIY fanatic must own to deal with smaller issues that arise when accomplishing various activities.

Weight of the Multi-Tool

In choosing the best multi tool, consider if you must sacrifice weight for an extra tool. The type of adventure taken might also influence your choice of the multi-tool chosen. Races and hikers might have to go with a lightweight multi-tool have they need very minimal weight with them.

Sources

Well, it is a difficult choice to select the winner between the Gerber and Leatherman multi-tools, but I have to go with the Leatherman multi-tools for their wide range and unique extra features. The Leatherman multi-tools seem to edge out all of its competitors when it comes to design, portability and range of tools. Their multi-tools are many allowing the user the opportunity to choose one that perfectly suits their needs. There are multi-tools with up to 1tools while others have six tools.

The brand Leatherman is also well-known when it comes to quality multi-tools. When buying a multi-tool, always look at their features on the multi-tool, the price, and your need.

Multi-Tool Purchasing Factors

Multi-Tools come in all shapes, sizes, designs, and tool layouts. Picking the right multi-tool for you comes down to what you do most. Are you in the electrical field, fishing guide, AC mechanic, etc. These are hugely important factors to consider when choosing the top multi-tool. For myself, I am fishing as much as possible, so a stainless-steel construction is of the utmost importance. Also, I am always using my Leatherman Super Tool on the water, so having a sheath which is easy to access while I have a fish to de-hook is another critical decision.

These are the top factors to consider when purchasing your next multitool.

Versatile and complete

This complete, easily accessible set of tools hits the sweet spot on value and capability in the Leatherman lineup, with well-machined parts and blades that should last years.

You can pay almost twice as much for a multitool, but the extra investment doesn’t buy you a tool that’s much more useful or practical than this one.

The Luxury Version

On the topic of blades, oddly, the basic Spirit model does not have a knife blade on board. That’s why we opted for the Spirit X, a similar tool that’s slightly shorter, weighs the same and has many of the same functions and manufacturing quality as the basic Spirit. There are a few other configurations that Swisstool offers in the Spirit line, but the Spirit and Spirit X were the only ones that were consistently recommended to us during our research.

The competition 

Here’s what separates the Charge series from the Swisstool Spirit X, which is roughly the same price. First, the knife locks on the Charge tools are the liner lock types, which pop a little stilt in front of a blade to keep it from closing. The Spirit has sliding locks on the two sides of the tool. Both are secure, and you’ll probably gravitate toward one or the other when you pick each up and open and shut the blades a few times.

The difference in quality between basically any Leatherman or Swisstool product when compared to most any Gerber is immediately apparent. This tool has a clever design idea—the plier handles slip down into the the handle, butt-first, rather than folding shut like a Leatherman. But the idea is not very well executed, with stiff, jerky motion that suggests some loose tolerances in the manufacturing process. Accessing the blades is kind of an annoying and unwieldy motion, as you have to pull each out with the plier tips open, and you will usually have the pliers pointed at your belly whenever you’re slicing with the knife or driving with the bits.

SOG tools also have some creative design ideas that are handicapped by poor execution. In this case, the Power Plier has a compound leverage design that is supposed to give you twice the gripping power. It’s a smart notion, but, like the Gerber, the problems start when it’s time to access the rest of the tools. To do that, you have to flip up this little trap door, then flip out the blade, then put the trap door thing back down and then close up the pliers. It’s quite cumbersome, and, compared to the relative ease with which you can snap out the knife blade from the outer face of the New Wave, it’s a total waste of time.

Gerber and SOG make several models beyond the Diesel and S-62, but the designs share a lot of the same design details and so they have a common set of drawbacks. At one time, Gerber had some of the best tools on the market, but its overseas manufacturing really doesn’t hold up in a comparison against Leatherman’s made-in-Oregon commitment to quality. SOG, on the other hand, started out (and remains) a well-regarded Washington-based knife manufacturer, and there’s reason to believe that the company’s multitools could be among the better options available once some of these design kinks get worked out. But until then, there’s no compelling reason to get one instead of a Leatherman or Swisstool.

Wrapping it up 

There’s more than one multitool out there that can make a person happy. But for the most tools for the money, in a satisfying design that leaves nothing out and doesn’t compromise on manufacturing quality, try the New Wave—you’ll understand the appeal behind Leatherman’s most popular tool of all time.

Importance Of Bike Multi Tool

Product material is one of the main factors to judge the best one. This is too much essential for long term uses, comfortable uses and for better production etc. The material you decide will depend on your personal style or choice, if you are a beginner, a good material is a fine selection. So when buy this product should carefully attentive about this issue, most importantly whatever you used ensured your quality first.

In every product budget is one of the prime factor, each person wants to buy Best bike multi toolwithin a limited budget line. In this issue main thinks is in general expensive product are literally stunning and trustworthy product. So when you consider this you have to use enough budgets. Besides, some stance within limited budget is possible to find standard product. Here essential things are measuring capacity.

Efficiency

All products are not so much efficient in practically so when you buy this product you have to ensure the products tool activity, strength, flexibility, weight etc. These all are measuring capacity that ensure the total efficiency of this product. So in buying time care this issue with high utmost for finding the best.

Multi function

A bike multi tool usually have lots of function that individually work in many –parts of bike. Having wide range of function are literally good for doing various task. In his market there has lots of product from different brand that are provided huge functions and tools which are ideal and necessary choose this one.

Powerful and Durable

The tools should be strong and powerful that it lasts a longer time besides it reduces your time in action time by doing works quickly. So durability is one of the main factors not only for multi tool but also other products too. So when you buy or find best bike multi tool diagnose this properly.

SOG PowerAssist Multi-Tool S66N-CP

SOG will be a familiar name for you if you spend a lot of time on outdoor trips. They’re known for consistently providing quality tools and equipment for campers, hikers, and hunters. The SOG PowerAssist Multi-Tool is another quality item in their product catalogue. If you want a tool that has lots of options that are easily accessible this is an ideal every day carry tool.

The S66N-CP is made from stainless steel and has built-in power assist technology that makes opening up a tool or blade virtually effortless.

When not in use it comes with a handy nylon sheath for storage which will also help to keep your tool free of debris and protected from moisture. There’s a limited lifetime warranty so you can be confident in the quality of this product.

All together there are 1different items included in this multitool and they haven’t left much out. There’s a pair of pliers, two different blades, three different screwdrivers, wire cutters, a file, crimpers, an opener, and a ruler.

It’s also equipped with compound leverage technology that enables you to create greater momentum when using this tool. It may cost you a little bit extra, but it’s one of the best multitools available.

Grown Man™ Survivor Multi Tool

The Grown Man Survivor Multi Tool is a slick looking little device and it’s also quite useful when you’re away on an outdoor adventure. There are 1different tools on this model such as pliers, a saw, a knife, and a screwdriver.

The tools always securely lock in place when you’re using them so that the risk of accidental injury is minimal. Transitioning from one tool to another is seamless and it folds nice and compactly when not in use for easy storage.

There’s also a nylon carrying case with belt strap to keep it close at hand for when you do need it.

It’s made from high quality steel with a black oxide coating that gives it a great deal of durability and a unique look. That extra coating also makes it highly resistant to corrosion.

The Grown Man isn’t an expensive tool, but it’s more than capable of serving you well on your next long hike or hunting trip. This is one of the best multitools for EDC on the lower end of the price spectrum.

If you’re only planning on taking one tool with you on your trip then the Grown Man Survivor Multi Tool isn’t a bad choice at all.

Magnelex 22-in-Multitool

The Magnalex 22-in-Multitool is a mid-priced product, but with 2different tools all bundled into one you’ll find few models that match its features.

If you can’t find the tool you need on this model when you’re on a camping trip you must be performing a pretty specialized task as this one has just about everything you can think of. There are three different blades including one with a serrated edge for sawing, scissors, hex keys, extra screwdriver bits, and the list goes on.

When you’re not using the tool it can be stored in the heavy duty nylon storage pouch which is included in your purchase and it can be attached to a belt or stored in a pocket of your backpack.

It’s made from strong 440c steel which is designed to last for years and they’ve backed this up with a full 30 year warranty.

While this is the perfect tool for any type of outdoor trip, it’s also ideal to keep close by when you’re at home as well. If your luck is anything like mine then it probably feels like the right tool is never anywhere to be found when you need it. If you keep this Magnalex multitool in a convenient storage location you’ll never have to worry about having the right tool for the job.

The only problem you may run into is convincing the family you need to take it on that next hunting trip with your buddies as they won’t want to be without it either.

Key Chains

The problem with them is that the quality is usually not the best and they do have a tendency to break if used on any difficult jobs. If you take your outdoor adventures seriously this is probably not the best option for you.

Pocket Tools

Pocket sized multitools are larger than their keychain cousins and they’re usually more durable as well. They can be used as adequate replacements for standalone tools in most cases. For the wilderness lover these are a much better choice than the keychain tool and they’re relatively affordable.

These pocket tools often feature a range of tools and as they’re name suggests they fit nicely in your pocket.  If you are going to keep one of these in your pocket while out on a hike you will need to make sure it’s completely closed and sealed to avoid accidental injury.

Belt Tools

Some multitools are just a little bit too large to be stored in your pocket. These models are normally very durable and built to withstand the rigours of an active outdoor life either on the trail or on the job site. Generally they’re equipped with a lanyard so you can easily tie them off on your belt or on your backpack depending on what you’re comfortable with.

Accessories

The reason multitools are so popular is because of their versatile nature and some of the better ones are almost a mini toolbox packed into one convenient package. They can include almost anything you can think of including: pliers, screwdrivers, can openers, files, knives, and even flashlights.

You may still choose to bring a couple of other larger items with you, such as a survival knife and a large flashlight, but these are ideal as a convenient back up.

Care and Maintenance

Multitools are often neglected when it comes to maintenance. Many people simply keep them in their backpack and only dig them out when they need to use them. When they get back from a hunting or camping trip the tool ends up right back in the backpack and might stay there unnoticed for several weeks or months at a time depending on the time of year.

If you want to make sure that you get years of use out of your tool you should clean it after every trip. It’s fine to use soap and water, but always make sure to dry each section off completely – even stainless steel can rust if left sitting in water. Your multitool will need oiling from time to time as well.

Weight 115g

You have to love a British designed and built multi tool that started out life as Kick Starter project.

Innovative, functional, and ‘hard as nails,’ as Stique themselves describe it. The shape is unconventional but practical. It comes in parts, has space for £coins, (not included), and a thermometer. The shell is made from metal-replacement plastic which means it is robust, and will take some punishment.

Think of the Stique as tire levers with some tools attached, and you’re kind of there with this one. In fact the only thing it doesn’t include is a chain hook which is disappointing, but hardly a deal breaker. It comes with and 5mm Allen bits, Philips no.screwdriver, Torx T2wrench, and a bottle opener.

Weight 235g

At 235g the ICM is another heavyweight contender in the bike multi tool world, but, as you would expect from Pedros, that extra weight is worth it.

The tool fits comfortably in the hand thanks to its ergonomic design, so there is no awkward grip when fiddling with your bike. The ICM is also larger than most standard multis’ as well thanks to the integrated tyre levers. The tool itself is made of hardened steel, and is anti-corrosive, so the ICM should last you a long time, and also be able to handle any problems the trail can throw at you.

It comes with 1tools, including 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 8mm Allen keys, a Mavic Mspoke wrench and a 3.and 3.5mm spoke wrench, chain tool, a bottle opener, flat-blade and screwdrivers, and a T2Torx, and a lifetime warranty.

The ICM is a big hitter for a multi tool, and one that won’t disappoint.

Getting the Right Multi Tool

So there you have it, a veritable smorgasbord of of the best high quality bike multi tools currently available. Like choosing a bike though, choosing the right multi tool is about finding one that speaks to you, and that you feel suits you best. If you’re really lucky, then you might never need to use one, but if you do you want something with you know you can rely on- you could do a lot worse than pick one of these 8.

Digital Devil

There’s a pretty good argument today that cable quality makes no difference to audio or picture quality, but with one major caveat – this only applies to digital cables.

Of course, your vinyl record player is not a digital source, although if you have one with a analog-to-digital converter that outputs via USB, this rule would apply to that USB cable.

Shields Up!

A cable is actually a pretty complex thing. Depending on the type of cable, it may have a metal core that carries the main signal and a layer of shielding that isolates that signal so that it neither receives nor causes interference.

Speaker wires, for example, can be bought in shielded and unshielded versions. It may seem logical to shield these wires, but the low frequency and power that run through speaker wires makes noise from interference a non-issue in general. There are, however, some situations, such as when bundles of wire run through a wall cavity or when coupled with some other electronics, that interference may crop up. However, speaker wire is cheap, so you might as well start with the unshielded stuff and see if there are issues. In the vast majority of cases, more expensive shielded cabling is not needed.

RCA Speedwagon

Apart from normal twisted pair speaker wire, the other cable you’ll likely encounter is the humble RCA cable. This is a standard that has been around since the 1940s and was also known as “phono” connectors, so these actually share history with vinyl record players.

When you buy stereo RCA cables to connect the preamp to the amp, or sometimes even the turntable to the preamp, you need to make sure you get cables that are going to give you a good experience.

While most RCA cables use copper throughout, you may also find some that have gold or silver-plated connectors. Silver is the best conductor, followed by copper and then gold. The main reason to use gold is that it doesn’t oxidize, the process we most commonly refer to as “rusting”. When a metal rusts, it loses its conductivity, which will severely affect the sound quality.

Copper tends to rust at the connector end, so plating the connector in gold or silver helps. Gold lowers the conductivity, though, so it represents a compromise between a lower maximum conductivity level in exchange for a guarantee against rust. Unless you live in sea air, silver is probably the best compromise, since it increases oxidation resistance while leaving conductivity no worse than that of copper.

Also pay attention to the plating on the connector on the device. You might as well match gold with gold or silver with silver, since the lowest common denominator will affect the whole chain.

However, if you aren’t living in a place where oxidation is a huge issue, just go with plain copper. You can also get relatively reasonably-priced zinc, tin, and nickel-plated RCA connectors that do better than copper when it comes to oxidation. Silver and gold are therefore not really worth the extra money unless you have a very specific reason to have them – like living on a houseboat, I guess.

RCAs can also be bought with shielding, as I mentioned above. The same rule applies – go with the cheapest option and then only upgrade if you actually have interference problems.

Lengthy Dialog

The other thing you should take into account is length. Cables should be no longer than absolutely necessary. This is not only neater, but means there is less signal strength drop. If you need cables to be very long you may even need some sort of repeater device, although for most home users this will never be an issue. So before you spend money on cabling, measure the distance between your components in their permanent positions and buy RCA cables as close to that length as possible.

When it comes to speaker wire, you can have them made in any length, so try to get them at a length that does not result in unused cable coiling somewhere. It also makes financial sense, since you pay for every inch of cable you get.

Wired for Sound

In the end, it is just not worth spending money on fancy cables but, at the same time, you should not buy the very cheapest cables you can find. Many off-brand or generic cables from far-flung parts of the world can be of such poor quality that the insulation disintegrates or the thin wire inside breaks within the cable. When we buy cables we should care more about features that affect the build-quality rather than the sound quality. A cheap cable can sound about the same as an expensive one, but break and rust in very short order.

So aim for the middle and try to buy cables that are from a reputable brand. Use your ears to listen for any noise issues and only buy fancier cables if you know it will make a difference. The money you save is better spent on higher-quality components.

Interconnects

Another type of interconnect is called balanced cable and is used with pro and high end gear. Balanced cables have large, three-pin connectors called XLR which lock in to the hardware and have the advantage that you can use long cables with minimal noise.

There are digital and analogue interconnects, often with the same RCA phono connector, but you only need one cable for a digital signal. Digital can be sent electrically via a coaxial cable or optically with a Toslink cable, neither of which are relevant to turntables of course. The other digital option is USB and there are some turntables that have a USB output so that you can record your vinyl with a computer. Many people find it hard to believe that digital cables can sound different, but as inconvenient as it is, they do; just have a listen to see if it’s a big enough difference for you.

Speaker Cables

Speaker cables come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes but always have connections for the red and black terminals on the amplifier and speaker. If you want to get bass out of a system it’s a good idea to follow this colour coding. The other factor is left/right cable connection, the right hand speaker is the one that’s on your right as you face the speakers. Seems simple but only when you know it.

If you want deep bass or high volumes avoid really skinny cables. Very few amplifiers are fussy about speaker cables but those that are should come with some warning to this effect.

Some speakers have two sets of terminals connected with bridging bars, this is so that you can use two runs of cable back to the amplifier. It’s called bi-wiring and in some cases brings clear benefits in the way that the amplifier controls the speaker. However, if you have a limited budget for cables (which should be 10% of the system cost or more) use it to buy one pair of the best speaker cables rather than two pairs of lesser cables. You can always bi-wire at a later date if it appeals.

Materials

The vast majority of cables use copper as a signal conductor because it is the best material for the job. Silver is used in some high end cables because it is a marginally better conductor, however it tarnishes when exposed to oxygen and that affects performance, so it’s debatable whether it warrants the extra cost. A good compromise is silver plated copper which is used in a lot of the better cables, usually insulated in PTFE or Teflon which keeps out the oxygen and ‘sounds’ better than rubber or plastic.

Audio RCA

The RCA cable is also used for connecting audio or stereo devices to transmit sound signals. In this case, the cable only transmits audio signals. It is usually of very high quality and should be like that for the signal to be of high quality. It can be combined with video RCA like component to achieve both HD video and audio transfer.

Connectors

One of the most important considerations when buying an RCA is the connectors at the end. The connectors are virtually the same in terms of shape and size. However, it is the material that varies and determines the quality and life of the cable. It is important to note that the conducting capabilities vary from one material to another and that can affect the signal greatly. The materials used in connectors on these cables are gold, silver, copper and nickel.

In terms of conductivity, silver has the highest rate and gold has the lowest. However, the latter is commonly used for plating the connector. This is because it is strongly immune to corrosion and rusting. It does not oxidize and therefore is best to protect even the other two materials. So when buying RCA you will see a lot of wires plated with gold which is a good indicator of their longevity. If such plating is absent, the connector becomes vulnerable to oxidization which causes problems in the signal. Silver although great at conducting can still get oxidized over time. So it is a good idea to choose a connector with gold plating.

Other materials used for plating include nickel and zinc which do outperform silver but are less strong against oxidization as compared with gold. These tend to be a lot cheaper than gold plated ones and are very commonly used therefore.

Note: It is important to take into consideration the other end of the connection i.e. the port on the device. Some material combinations can be a bit problematic for the signals. The connections should not be of materials that are prone to cause an electrolytic reaction for example tin and gold.

Lengths

The lengths of the cables vary and you can easily find one that suits your needs. The lengths usually range from feet to 1feet. The latter is more than enough for most setup whether you are using it in your house or a studio. For instance, iXCC dual RCA Audio Y Cable is one of the longest cables you can find online. However, there is a little effect of the length of the signal. Generally, it is considered that the longer the cable the less quality there is in the signal. So if you have the choice to use a shorter length, you should. Nonetheless, the manufacturers are producing high-quality wires with great insulation. You should measure the length using a measuring tape from the devices you need to connect. Make sure to add some extra length to it.

Shielding

Most wires would have enough layers of shielding to ensure that no interference occurs. However, the high-end cables usually have even stronger insulation that shields against all types of interference. This is particularly important in the case of a lengthy wire as it is susceptible to drop in quality and be affected by interference.

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Instrument Cables

Instrument cables connect a guitar, bass, keyboard or other electronic instrument to an amp, preamp or direct box. They carry low-voltage signals and generally have 1/4” connectors. They are considered unbalanced cables, which means they are susceptible to noise and should be kept as short as possible (certainly under 2feet).

An instrument cable should never be used as speaker cable. If used as a speaker cable, the quality of sound will suffer and the cable may get hot enough to melt the jacket.

Microphone Cables

Microphone cables are generally understood correctly, mainly because of their unique XLR connector. They are shielded and balanced which effectively keeps unwanted noise at a minimum (especially for long cable runs). They are used to connect microphones, direct boxes and other low-impedance signals to the mixer.

Audio Interconnects

If a cable can pass video signals over long distances with no problems, it will easily handle any line level audio signal.

We’re here to help

Audio cables can seem like a simple thing in concept, until you set out to buy one and realize you didn’t know how much you didn’t know. Although they may be the least exciting components in your stage rig or studio setup, they are some of the most important.

So here is what you need to know, in plain English, to make sure you’re getting the best cable for your gear and your purpose.

Speakon Connectors

The Livewire Elite Speakon Cable offers a secure connection, twist- and tangle-resistant design, and high-quality conductors that keep your signal noise-free.

XLR connectors have three pins for the positive, negative, and ground. They are most commonly used on microphone cables, but you will also see them used on balanced patch cables and with DMX-enabled lighting equipment.

The Monster Cable Studio Pro 2000 XLR Microphone cable uses Time Correct technology for the ultimate in detail and soundstage imaging.

Digital Audio Connectors

Below are some of the most common digital audio cables and connectors required for linking digital mixers, recorders, preamps, and DAWs (digital audio workstations).

A word of caution: In many cases, digital gear uses cables that resemble their analog XLR or RCA counterparts. While these connectors may look the same, the cables are often designed for different resistances, and are not interchangeable with their analog look-alikes.

Browse Musician’s Friend’s entire selection of digital cables and connectors.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface cables allow electronic instruments to communicate with peripheral devices. They don’t transmit actual audio, but by signaling every aspect of a musical performance—the note, how long it is held, the velocity of the attack, etc.—MIDI technology defines the sound in the receiving module.

MIDI cables can also communicate control functions to software and synthesizers, so you can control sound and tones with a remote control surface.

The Rocktron RMM900 Cable carries MIDI commands from a footcontroller to any MIDI-compatible gear via a 7-pin MIDI jack.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables have become standard for connecting everything from printers to digital audio gear. USB cables have Type A, Type B, Mini-A, Micro-A, Mini-B, Micro-B, or Type C connectors at one end, and a device-specific connector at the other. USB cables can also be used as a power source for some devices. The latest version, USB 3.0, is significantly faster than USB 2.0 and can make a difference in minimizing lag during performances and studio playback of complex material.

For critical audio applications such as recording and DJ work, a premium-quality connector like the Oyaide Neo d+ Series Class B USB Cable ensures stable performance.

FireWire

There are three types of FireWire connectors: 4-pin, 6-pin and 9-pin. The 4-pin connector, or FW400, transfers data at 400 Mbps (megabytes per second). The slightly larger 6-pin connector has the same transfer rate, but also supplies DC power. The 9-pin connector, or FW800, transfers data twice as fast and also supplies power.

The METRIC HALO Firewire Cable has a standard 6-pin connector on each end, so it can transfer data and also supply power.

Optical Cables and Connectors

Optical cables transmit digital audio as pulses of light, which make them almost completely immune to interference. They are surround-sound capable, but can’t handle higher-resolution formats such as those on Blu-Ray discs.

ADAT (Alesis Digital Audio Tape) Optical Interface, more commonly known as ADAT Lightpipe, is the widely accepted standard for digital audio transfer on optical cables. It transfers eight channels of digital audio on a special cable with an Alesis-specific ADAT connector.

The Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) outputs audio over shorter distances. These connectors use either optical or coaxial cables. Coaxial cables are similar in quality to optical cables, but less common. They use RCA connectors, but these cables are not interchangeable with analog RCA cables.

BNC Connectors

Bayonet Neill-Concelman connectors were originally designed for military use, but are now commonly used on video and audio testing equipment. The bayonet-style connector is used with miniature and subminiature coaxial cables in radio-frequency equipment and video gear.

This Hosa RG 5Cable has a male BNC connector on each end for video or Ethernet connections.

The Tascam Digital Interconnect Format is an unbalanced proprietary format connector that sends and/or receives up to eight channels of digital audio. The bidirectional connection means that only one cable is required to connect the eight ins and outs of one compatible device to another.

Braided Shield

The most common is the braided shield. Small wire strands are braided to form a sheath around the insulation of the signal-conducting wire. This type of shielding is flexible and durable. Onstage mic and instrument cables are constantly being bent, pulled, and stepped on, and braided shielding holds up best under these conditions.

Serve or Spiral-Wrapped Shield

Another type of shielding is the spiral-wrapped or serve shield. This sheath is formed by wrapping a flat strip of wire strands around the center wires in a spiral. The serve shield, while it lacks the tensile strength of a braided shield, is more flexible than a braided shield because it stretches when the cable is bent. It is less resistant to radio frequency (RF) interference, because it is actually a coil and has inductance. It is also easier to manufacture so cables using serve shielding are usually less expensive.

Foil Shield

The foil shield is a Mylar-backed aluminum tube that terminates at a copper drain wire. It provides 100% coverage, but since aluminum is a poor conductor of electricity, it also interferes with signal transfer. Foil shielding is inexpensive and easy to make, but it is also fragile and breaks down easily with repeated flexing. It is best used in small patch cables and stereo cables that don’t move much once they are connected.

Cable Snakes

Snakes are essentially bundled sets of cables. Stage snakes may contain microphone, patch, or speaker cables and are used for two-way connection between the stage and mixers and other PA equipment. They have a fan of connectors on one end, and a box on the stage end that houses a panel of connectors. In shopping for a snake, the length and the type of connections are the main considerations. There are also audio snakes for studios that bundle various cables needed for connecting studio components.

Very ruggedly built with Neutrik D connectors and serious strain relief on all cables, the Pro Co StageMASTER 12-Channel Snake has 1sends and returns.

Explore the complete selection of audio cable snakes at Musician’s Friend.

Audio Formats

Refer to the table below for an overview of the standard sound formats and recommended interconnect cables.

Interconnect Cables

Analog audio cables transmit sound as a continually fluctuating electronic signal. Analog cable can’t handle the audio channels in a digital 5.surround sound signal, and are more susceptible to interference, in the form of electromagnetic and radio frequency waves, than digital cables.

Digital audio cables transmit sound signals as a series of 1s and 0s, the language of computers. These cables can carry the six or more audio channels used in surround sound. This binary signal is also much less susceptible to interference and degradation than an analog signal.

Start by figuring out how much cable you are going to need. It is a lot easier to make the length of the cable before you put ends on them. The beauty of making your own cables is you can make them any length you want, so plan a head.

Take the RCA connector and slid it down till you feel the cap lightly snap into the connector. The bottom part of the connector is going in between the installation and shielding.

Take the first piece of the connector that was slid on to the cable way back before it was stripped and slide it over the shielding and connector. It should be firm at this point.

Shielded cable

For all shielded cables, the shield must only be connected to the ground at the source side, except for coaxial where this is not possible. Otherwise the foil becomes a return ground like in the case of coaxial. Though this may not matter in some applications e.g. balanced but take note with unbalanced/pseudo-balanced* connections.

Shielded twisted pair

Canare L-2B2AT deserves honorable mention as it is (was) used for a commercial 3.5mm stereo interconnect here.

There are many plugs out there, not all plugs are made equal.

I have personally held cheapo and well made plugs in my hand.

But well made plugs make a difference, esp. for those who have experience with them. well made plugs are pleasing to the eyes, but apart from the eye candy better plugs accept more range of cables as the opening diameter for termination is bigger.

Again it is all within context, and of course your budget.

How many strands per channel and why is not important right now, the thing to note is that the fatter the wire the bigger plug you need.

The bigger the plug, the more expensive it is but there are affordable options, just need to source.

The more common connection here is by Neutrik and paliccs which are pretty decent, however it is quite small diameter to fit your cables in if its thick.

RCA cables

While a range of colors have been used over the years, typically Red is used for the right channel and White for the left audio channel.

The above photo shows both female and male ends of an RCA cable. The top cable shows female ends and the bottom shows male. All combinations are available to match your needs.

Vertical racks

More advanced and secure options include those that bolt to the wall with multiple points of attachment and feature a built-in backing plate, such as models from PRO, Topeak and X-Tools to name a few.

Lastly, the ultimate is something like the SteadyRack (read our review here), which holds the outside of the wheel and will not mark the rim.

Its unique design allows you to swing the bike nearly 180 degrees to get access to others or have the bike sit closely against the wall. The downside? This rack isn’t cheap, especially if you want more than one.

Horizontal racks

If vertical storage is best for when width is an issue, horizontal storage is ideal for when depth of space is the concern.

Generally holding the bike underneath the top tube, this method requires more wall space.

Basic options include foldable hangers that bolt to the wall, with more expensive options taking the design concept further and creating something that is visually appealing.

Brands such as Feedback Sports offer models with adjustable hooks to fit a variety of frame shapes, while other brands offer racks that double as shelves.

For those with plenty of ceiling or wall space out of easy reach, there’s the hoist system.

Generally, they are best for people that see cycling as an occasional pastime, rather than a lifestyle — it’s not the quickest system to use and installation is more involved than mounting a fixed hook or bracket.

Ceiling-to-floor rack

The most common type of non-permanent off-the-floor rack is the pole type that clamps between floor and ceiling.

Most common examples are the Feedback Sports Velo Column and Topeak’s Dual-Touch.

These use either a spring or hinge to lock in place, but can easily be removed if needed. Generally, these racks will hold two bikes, with the option to hold a further two with aftermarket kits.

Quick Tips

17- or 18-inch laptops are typically more powerful, but the least portable while 13-, 14- and 15-inchers are easier to carry but often lack higher-end components.

Make sure the keyboard is comfortable. If you can, take a trip to the store and try out the keyboard before you buy.

Avoid laptops with a low-res display (less than 1920 x 1080).

Get solid state storage. Invest in an SSD for faster game installs and load times.

Get a laptop with at least an Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU and a HDMI 1.port if you want to be able to enjoy virtual reality games with an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

Graphics

The graphics card or GPU is the keystone of your gaming laptop. It delivers the images on your display by processing the data and transmitting the signal to the monitor. Due to how stressful this process can be when running games, you need a discrete GPU with its own dedicated memory, called VRAM (video memory).

Hardcore Gamers and VR-Ready 

OLED: Described as the future of display, an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panel is comprised of a film of organic compounds that produce light when an electric current is introduced. The technology allows for thinner, more power-efficient panels that deliver incredibly rich color and contrast. The Alienware 1ROLED is currently the only laptop to feature this technology.

Actuation: We also have measured for the optimum amount of force necessary to depress a key and settled at 60 grams, which gives a nice, springy bounce. Keys below the cutoff tend to feel mushy and can potentially slow you down.

This is an important feature for gamers that need to press several buttons simultaneously to unleash that kick-ass power move. Anti-ghosting essentially means that you can press a number of keys at once and have them all register.

AHAM’s official website

AHAM’s official test specification website. Even though a number of different consumer publications reference the chart above and give the source as AHAM, the fact that AHAM is indeed the source cannot be verified because the chart, as it has been reproduced by those same publications, doesn’t actually exist anywhere on any of AHAM’s websites.

The chart has a limited range. It begins at 500 square feet and ends at 2500 square feet. What if the space you need to dehumidify is smaller than 500 square feet? What if it’s larger than 2500 square feet? The chart fails to make recommendations for spaces that fall outside of the given range.

The chart fails to take into account the height of the space you need to dehumidify. Rooms with higher ceilings contain more air than rooms with lower ceilings – something that the chart above doesn’t take into account at all. Much more appropriate would be recommendations based on the volume (measured in cubic feet ), not the area of the space you need to dehumidify.

The chart is likely based on an extrapolation of test data obtained in a highly controlled environment. It’s likely not based on actual experiments in environments corresponding to the actual conditions (moderately damp, very damp, wet, extremely wet) it makes recommendations for.

How can a dehumidifier manufacturer make the claim that their 70 pint dehumidifier can actually remove 70 pints of moisture per day? The manufacturer does so by voluntarily sending it to AHAM for testing. AHAM then measures the dehumidifier’s moisture removal rate in a laboratory that is set to exactly 60% relative humidity (RH) and 80º F.

We think it’s safe to assume that AHAM doesn’t actually conduct any testing in the “wet” or “extremely wet” conditions referenced in their sizing chart. It’s highly unlikely, for example, that they conducted testing in a room with wall or floor sweat (a room that would be classified as “wet” in the chart) or in one in which laundry drying occurs (a room that would be classified as “extremely wet” in the chart). The bottom-line here is that the chart is likely based on data obtained in a space much different than the space that you actually need to dehumidify.

The chart contradicts manufacturer recommendations. See this Friedrich dehumidifier brochure, for example. It recommends that a 70 pint dehumidifier be used for a 1,000 to 2,000 sq. ft. “wet” or “extremely wet” space which contradicts the 20 pint to 3pint recommendation of the size chart above for the same size space under exactly the same conditions.

The chart contradicts our own research and testing. Take for example, the chart’s recommendation that a 4pint dehumidifier be used for a 2,500 sq. ft. “extremely wet” space. Our own experiences with all of the dehumidifiers we’ve tested so far lead us to believe that a 4pint dehumidifier (which doesn’t actually exist, but that’s beside the point here) is not nearly of a large enough capacity to dehumidify such a large space under those conditions.

Our Recommendation

The first step to creating some calm in the midst of key chaos is trimming down your key carry to just the essentials. Examine your current key carry setup and remove anything you no longer use or need, whether it’s keys, small tools, charms or the like.

A useful tip: you can trim your carry further by removing loyalty card key fobs and store their barcodes on your phone (there are a variety of apps to help you with this).

You can then group the remaining items according to use (for example work keys, home keys, etc.). You can incorporate quick-release options like carabiners or the True Utility Key Ring system in order to easily remove or add keys to suit changing day-to-day needs.

Keyport Slide 2.0

After identifying the type of keys you have, Keyport supplies blades (key blanks) which your local locksmith can use to duplicate your current keys. Blades fit in the Keyport Slide 2.0 and are interchangeable. The retractable design allows for one-handed access and also accommodates optional Keyport inserts including a USB flash drive, bottle opener, pen, mini light, and bar code holder.

TEC Accessories P-Suspension Clip

The P-clips onto the top edge of your pocket, suspending attached keys partway in the pocket space to reduce pocket bulge. It can also clip inside bags for quick access.

This multifunctional tool uses an included cable ring to attaches keys, and can hook on a belt loop or inside a pocket to suspend keys.

Munroe Mega Dangler

The Mega Dangler serves as a durable key hook for suspending keys in a pocket, while also offering other useful features such as a bottle opener, screwdriver, and semi-sharp cutting edge. The problem? The Mega Dangler is made in limited batches, is extremely popular, and sells out quickly.

Switchkey Automatic Key Fobs

Billhook Machetes

Uses: Billhooks are generally used for cutting around small woody material, such as grape vines, shrubs and branches. Also used for hedge construction and maintenance, and by charcoal makers for use in coppicing and woodlot management.

Cane Machetes

Wide, blunt-tipped machetes perfect for hacking corn stalks and sugar cane. Often the blade is hooked to allow the user to pull the chopped cane from the plants still standing. The thin blade thickness allows for easy cutting through cane style vegetation.

Hawkbill Machetes

A curved or hooked machete that can be sharpened on both sides or on the inside of the curve. The sharpened tip concentrates force on a sharp point allowing it to pierce an cut very hard materials, while the inner curve facilitates the reaping and collecting of stalked vegetation.

Parang Machetes

Parang machetes, also known as Golok machetes, generally have a distinctive curved shape in which both the spine and the edge of the blade is curved, much like a scimitar. They tend to be long and either slightly weighted or fairly evenly weighted, and usually have a thick blade.

Down payment

When you buy a home, you must put a certain amount of money toward the purchase upfront. This is called a “down payment”. Your mortgage loan will cover the rest of the price.

Find out how much of a down payment you need to purchase a home.

Legal costs

A lawyer can help protect your legal interests. For example, a lawyer will make sure that the home you want to buy does not have a lien against it. A lien is a legal claim over another person’s property that someone files to ensure a debt gets paid.

A lawyer will also review all contracts before you sign them, as well as your offer or agreement to purchase.

Adjustment costs

The seller of the home you’re buying may be entitled to “adjustments.” For example, if the seller has already paid the property tax on the home past the purchase closing date, the seller will receive a credit on the closing date. You must then pay this credit amount to cover the money already paid by the seller.

Home inspection

CMHC recommends that you include a home inspection as a condition when you make an offer to buy a home.

InterDesign Classico Over the Shower Door Towel Rack

You should choose one made out of steel for durability. Plastic ones are easy to break with heavy wet towels.

You don’t need any tools to install them either. Just hang them over any door and it’s good to go.

Swivel towel bars

Plain Old Towel Bars

If these fancy towel bars aren’t your thing, then a normal towel bar is fine. They come in hundreds of styles. Installation can be a little tricky. Be sure to have a level handy, so it doesn’t end up crooked on your wall.

Wrapping up

Even though a towel bar plays a role in your every life, it also allows you to add a hint of style to your bathroom, so after you decide what function you want your towel bar to play, the next step would be deciding the design that would fit your bathroom the best. Towel bars come in all different kinds of styles. With a modern style, you could go with a classic chrome bar. If you are looking for something a bit more rustic, a twisted iron bar might be more your style. If you are looking for something more high-tech, you could always get a heated towel bar that warms your towel up for you before you use it.

A solid ladder with add-ons

This well-built stepladder works with a number of buckets, trays, and hooks to hold tools and parts during projects.

If the Gorilla is unavailable, we also like the Werner FS10ft Type I Fiberglass Single Sided Stepladder. This traditional stepladder doesn’t have wide top steps but does offer a number of add-on accessories (available separately) that we found to be useful, including a utility bucket, a tool hook, and a paint cup.

If you’re an advanced DIYer, we recommend the Little Giant Select Step Model 5-The legs of this ladder can telescope out, transforming it into a 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-foot stepladder. Since you can set those adjustable legs to uneven lengths, the Little Giant can stand on a flight of stairs or flush against a wall, both of which are unsafe positions for a traditional stepladder. It also has a platform step and an excellent tool tray that converts into a handhold. It costs too much for use on simple around-the-house tasks, but if you’re doing a lot of work on a home, the versatility and value of this ladder’s features justify the cost.

Who this is for

Ladders are available in a variety of lengths, and a ladder that will work perfectly for one person might not get the job done for someone else. For this guide, particularly on our extension-ladder recommendation, we concentrated on the ladder needs of a typical two-story home with eaves approximately 1to 20 feet off the ground. If that doesn’t describe your home, other ladders will work for you. It’s important to know how to choose a ladder so that you can select the best ladder for your needs.

How we picked and tested

For this guide, we looked at two styles of ladders: stepladders and extension ladders. Because of their lengths and features, these two styles complement each other. To actively maintain a home, it’s a good idea to own both.

Our extension ladder pick

A great starting point for getting your first taste of modular gear and learning the basics of patching is to look at semi-modular synths: these are complete systems which contain input or output sockets for CV and audio, allowing you to re-patch their fixed sound and modulation paths, reimagining how they work or linking them to other pieces of gear to explore otherwise inaccessible sonic possibilities.

Moog Mother-32

Like the System-1m, Moog’s Mother-3marked the arrival of this industry behemoth into the relatively small world of Eurorack. Like the System-1m, it offers a full synth voice with MIDI input and a generous 3CV connection points, allowing radical reshaping of its signal path and interlinking with other synths.

Power supplies

The essential starting point of any Eurorack synth is a case and power supply. While the two are often integrated together, buying a second-hand unpowered case or building a DIY case can be a cheaper way to get started, either of which will mean you’ll need to buy a separate power supply. For Eurorack beginners, it’s generally safest to go for something which doesn’t require you to do any complex wiring of different electrical components: each of the following options offer a quick, simple solution for powering your system.

It’s worth taking time to double-check all of the requirements for your power supply very carefully: while Eurorack’s centralized standards have helped to reduce the likelihood of accidentally damaging your modules, it remains much more of a risk than with standalone synths.

Each module draws a certain amount of power (measured in Amps) from either the +1volt, -12V or +5V outputs of your power supply. You’ll need to check the total amount of power demanded by your modules on each of those three outputs (ModularGrid has a useful feature for calculating this) and ensure that the amount of power you need is less than the total provided by your power supply.

Most power supplies also come without a wall plug, so you’ll need to buy one separately with matching amp and voltage ratings. Most shops will be able to recommend a suitable plug when you buy your power supply.

You’ll also need to pay attention to the power connections between your modules and your power supply: even if your system has all the right power levels, you can still short-circuit your modules if you plug them in the wrong way round.

Oscillators

Once you’ve got your case and power supply, you can get started on the more exciting work of building your system: the obvious place to begin is with an oscillator to generate your synth tones. Analogue oscillators tend to give you a warmer, more classic sound, at the expense of a broader range of different sonic possibilities afforded by digital sound engines.

ALM Akemie’s Castle

The higher end of the price range for Eurorack oscillators provides an abundance of beautiful, varied and complex sound generators, many of them without immediate parallel elsewhere in the hardware world. This sense of adventure is perfectly encapsulated by the Akemie’s Castle, released in early 201by British manufacturer ALM.

Akemie’s Castle captures the unpredictability and extreme sound-shaping potential of FM synthesis, but sidesteps the issues faced by classic FM synths like the DX7, which were burdened with boring menu-heavy interfaces for controlling their hundreds of different internal parameters. By limiting the parameters available and providing physical knobs and CV modulation for each of them, the Akemie’s Castle can produce a huge range of weird and unique FM sounds unlike anything else in Eurorack – without sacrificing the tactile thrill of hands-on control or cross-patching from your other modules.

Modulation sources

One thing that sets modular synthesis apart from other forms of music production is the ability to create entirely new sonic environments from creative patching and mixing of CV signals between different modules. To achieve this, you’ll obviously need modulation sources: these could include envelopes to shape the volume of your sound, LFOs to wobble the cutoff frequency of a filter, or randomness to create shifting, generative patches.

Each of these functions could merit a section to themselves, but for beginners it’s worth considering multi-function modules which allow you to switch between different modulation types; as your synth grows, you can then add specialized modules to match your own patching and compositional style.

Utilities

Every modular system needs space for the less glamorous or exciting modules: the ones which don’t necessarily do much on their own, but enable you to get the most out of your other modules. These can include attenuators and inverters for scaling and flipping your CV modulation signals, multiples to split signals to different locations, or mixers to combine CV or audio from different sources. More complex utility modules can cover a multitude of these essential functions, and create additional space for your more eye-catching modules to shine.

While one option would be a signal-splitting module called a “multiple”, a more elegant solution is a stacking cable, which adds a socket behind the connecting jack at each end of a standard 3.5mm cable, allowing you to plug another cable in on top of the one you’ve just connected.

The market for Eurorack stacking cables has been cornered for several years by TipTop, which has fiercely protected the patent for its Stackcable design. In recent months, Milwaukee-based synth store Modular Addict made the first real attempt to work around TipTop’s patent, selling similar stacking cables for a fraction of the price, prompting a furious response from TipTop and heated online discussion. Putting all that drama to one side (though for what it’s worth, my sympathies lean more towards Modular Addict): stacking cables remain a hugely useful bit of kit, and well worth investing in.

MakeNoise Maths

Voltage controlled amplifiers are the often-unheralded backbone of any modular system. Most commonly, they take an incoming CV signal, and use it to control the volume of an audio signal. Send an envelope to your VCA’s CV in, and you can control the attack and decay of your sound; use an LFO instead, and you get a tremolo-like effect, with the sound fading in and out.

While plenty of Eurorack manufacturers have their own quirks or unique qualities, none are quite as strictly enforced as those of 2hp. As the name suggests, every one of their modules, from MIDI interfaces to oscillators, sequencers and reverbs, fits behind a tiny 2hp-wide panel. Their VCA fits two separate channels into this tiny footprint, including attenuators for each CV input and low-distortion circuitry for processing audio signals at high quality. If rack space is at a premium, 2hp’s range offers unprecedented functionality and efficiency.

MakeNoise Optomix

Not all VCAs are created equal, with MakeNoise’s Optomix representing a specific type of VCA known as a Low Pass Gate. LPGs combine a typical VCA with a low-pass filter, meaning that quieter sounds have their higher frequencies reduced, while louder sounds appear “brighter”. Combining this effect with a specific type of chip called a vactrol, which produces softer slopes when controlled by incoming CV signals, give LPGs a looser, more organic sound quality, often mimicking the behavior of real-world instruments.

The Optomix provides two independent LPGs with CV control and tone shaping, plus a combined output for mixing both audio signals together. When combined with Maths and an oscillator like MakeNoise’s own STO, it can be used to make everything from soft xylophone-esque tones to distorted analogue kickdrums.

Cwejman VCA 4MX

Cwejman occupies a rarefied status amongst Eurorack manufacturers. One of the original old guard, their modules tend to be harder to get hold of and substantially more expensive than their competitors’ equivalents. There’s a reason for this, though, with their fastidious construction and peerless sound quality spoken about in hushed tones by longstanding Eurorack fans.

The VCA 4MX is a perfect example of this: independent VCAs of pristine audio quality, along with options to mix the incoming signals and all of the CV input options you could every hope for, in a ruggedly-constructed and no-nonsense design. If money is of less concern for you than sourcing the absolute highest quality modules available, then Cwejman’s range may well be of interest.

Filters

Pick any of the most well-known and beloved hardware synths, and the odds are good that its personality and signature sound will have been provided by its filter: think of the acidic squelches of the Roland TB-303, the warm tones of Moog’s classic synths, or the Korg MS-20’s gritty and aggressive filter, subsequently repackaged for their Monotron and Volca ranges. Picking the right filter can be the single most important factor in ensuring that the sound of your synth matches your musical ambitions.

Koma Elektronik SVF-20



The SVF20is, like all Koma products, strange and unique: its multi-mode filter is possibly the only example in Eurorack to be based on vactrol circuitry (similar to the Low Pass Gates mentioned above), giving it a warm, organic and extremely musical quality. Its multiple outputs also allow for creative mixing of different signals. While it can be a relatively difficult module to get hold of, its unique qualities make it worth seeking out.

Effects

With an oscillator, envelope generator, LFO, VCA and filter in place, you should be well on your way to creating a full synth voice, capable of replicating or exceeding the potential of a standalone hardware synth. Next up, you can begin to think about effects with which to warp and manipulate your audio. With modular, though, you’re not just limited to putting effects after your synth: you can take the output from a pitch-shifter and feed it back into your oscillator to create strange new frequency-modulated waveforms; use an audio-to-CV module to control your system with the repeating sounds from a delay effect; or create complex feedback loops between reverbs and filters to create abstract resonant drones.

Alright Devices Chronoblob

The brilliantly-named Chronoblob from Alright Devices is a tempo-synced digital delay: send it a regular CV clock pulse from a sequencer, and you can lock delay times to the rhythms of the rest of your system. Chronoblob can function like a tape loop, with the pitch of its output responding to changes in delay time, or act in purely digital fashion for stuttering glitch-like effects. With a generous number of CV inputs, a send/return loop for audio and a rich, analogue-like saturated sound, this is an incredibly flexible and powerful delay module.

Sequencers

For most people, the gradual nature of building a modular rig means focusing on an initial synth voice first of all, controlled from your computer or sequencer via a MIDI to CV module. It’s worth remembering to leave plenty of space in your rack for sequencing modules though: the variety and inventiveness of Eurorack sequencers allow you to break free of traditional DAW or MIDI processes, and develop completely new approaches to making and composing your music.

Music Thing Modular Turing Machine

For people with a steady hand and a well-ventilated workspace, building DIY versions of Eurorack modules can be a handy way to get hold of powerful modules for much less than you’d pay otherwise. While the Turing Machine from Music Thing requires some experience of soldering and working with electrical components, it’s a relatively straightforward build and offers some powerful functions. A “random looping sequencer”, the Turing Machine’s stream of random CV values can be locked in place to create looping note sequences of up to 1steps in length; randomness can then be added back into the system gradually, creating patterns which shift slowly and create unpredictable, generative musical structures.

Intellijel Metropolis

Inspired by and licensed from a one-off DIY module based on the classic Roland System 100-M modular, Intellijel’s Metropolis combines a traditional 8-step analogue sequencer with a unique “step length” function, which allows you to hold each of those steps for up to beats. While this sounds simple in theory, in practice it unleashes a dizzying range of variability for your sequences, perfect for creating punchy and unpredictable Detroit-style synth lines; the addition of a quantizer and CV control over different parameters add even more flexibility to this sequencing powerhouse.

If you frequently drive through storms, two sets of saddles will offer a rock-solid support for your kayak. Saddles offer plenty of great benefits; they are easy to load and unload, they offer only the slightest resistance to wind and they take advantage of the aerodynamics of the kayak to reduce fuel usage.If you are looking for more convenience, you can replace the saddles with a pair of rollers. Rollers allow you to lift almost half the weight of the kayak (the bow) onto the top of your car, then pick up and roll the stern onto the saddle placed on the forward bar so you can securely strap everything.

Rollers are especially recommend for cars with long rooflines such as SUVs as they hold the kayak firmly and securely. But you must be prepared for a little shuffling around on the rollers, especially if you drive in rough weather. You can choose saddles or rollers depending on whether you want your kayak to be more secure when transporting it or if you like the ease and convenience of loading and unloading it at your destination.

Removing Hard Lid Covers

Hard lid covers (tonneau covers) are not as easy to remove as you might think. A hard, fiberglass, painted-to-match lid is actually quite heavy, and depending on the brand or style, it can be a little tricky to take on and off.

Painted-to-match Leer covers are about the same in weight.

Another good painted fiberglass lid brand is the Gaylord cover, and their mounting systems have a lot of flexibility for fine adjustments.

The Easiest Lid to Remove

Probably the easiest lids to remove are the non-painted, black hard covers, such as the Undercover brand. They weigh less than half of the painted fiberglass covers, but they are also just as strong. They tend to fit great and are very easy to install.

Carpet Lining

Yes, truck caps or shells have many optional features. The most common is the inside carpet lining. Most shells have this, that is to say most dealers will stock tops with this option and many models actually come with this option included.

Windows

An option for that front sliding window in the shell is to have one with the capability to fold down, or in the case of Leer, it can be removed.

Why is this a good option? Because cleaning the rear cab window once a shell is installed becomes quite a chore without it.

The History of Cargo Bikes

Cargo bikes originated in The Netherlands in the early 20 century, and were used by tradesmen to deliver milk, bread, and other goods in the absence of the automobile. By the 1930s, the phenomenon had spread across Scandinavia. In Copenhagen, Denmark, bike messengers called svajeres carted goods all around the city, and nearly every company owned at least one cargo bike to handle their deliveries.

While cargo bikes have remained immensely popular for carting everything from kids to couches in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, their use waned considerably in North America when mass marketing of the private automobile began in earnest. These days, many North Americans have never even heard of a bicycle with high carrying capacity.

Only with the recent trend towards high-density urbanism have we seen a resurgence of interest in cargo bikes over here. As with the regular bicycle, many of the original cargo bikes designs are essentially the same today as they were in the early 20th century, with a few modern technological upgrades.

Longtails

Longtails have an extra-long wheelbase at the back, which accommodates an extended, built-in deck to carry cargo or children. Longtails typically come with open-top panniers to hold cargo at the sides, have hooks for webbing to secure cargo on top, and have options for handles or backrests to transport children.

With the recent global boom in e-bikes, cargo bike manufacturers are realizing the potential of electric-assist to make cargo biking viable not just for the super-fit or enthusiast crowd, but for anyone in any geography.

How to Ride a Cargo Bike

Learning to ride a cargo bike varies in difficulty depending on the type, the terrain, and your stature. Longtail cargo bikes are by far the easiest to ride, and loaded up with less than 50 lbs should feel little different than a regular upright bicycle.

Tern and Xtracycle Introduce the Cargo Node

Electric Assist Electric Assist cargo bikes do tend to produce a bit of a shudder when you first see the price tag. But if you live in a hilly area or regularly travel with a lot of gear, the e-assist could be the difference between whether you adopt cargo biking into your regular routine, or relegate the thing to a life collecting dust in the garage as a brief but failed experiment. Once you decide on e-assist, you can look at your options. Some electric cargo bikes only have pedal assist, while others also have a throttle. If you frequently get stopped at a busy intersection halfway up the hill to your house, going the throttle route might be the best way to get what you need out of the upgrade.

Accessories Since you paid a pretty penny for the bike, the last thing you want is for it to get stolen. Having a secure lock is a must. A large, flexible lock such as the Abus Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500 or the OnGuard 8020 is a good choice to be able to get around the larger bike. A frame lock as a secondary lock would be a wise investment as well.

And that’s not all.

This review also explains how Janome 221stands out from other sewing machines and what to look out for. In a nutshell, we created this review to act as a one-stop shop hence saving you money and time while deciding if the Janone 221is the right sewing machine for you.

Great Speed

As a quilter, sometimes built-in decorative patterns can mean that you compromise on the speed. However, this is not the case when it comes to Janome 221What’s more, its 860 stitches per minute ensure that you can cover a large project in a short time.

Reversing your stitch is simple with the built-in Reverse Lever.

Dial Pattern Selector

Towards the right side of the machine, you will notice a stitch chart. The Janome 221consists of 1built-in stitches. The stitches range from straight stitches to zipper application to blind stitch hemming. You will also see the stitch selector dial used to choose the respective stitches. For a beginner, it is recommended that you try out all these stitches just to get a solid feel for the variety of projects Janome 221can accomplish. For basic embroidery jobs with fabrics such as silk, fine cotton, and synthetics, you can use the upper A-G stitches.  Also, important to note is the stitch length selector dial which can increase the length of stitches up to 4mm.

Four Step Button Hole

We all know how creating a buttonhole can be nerve-racking especially when dealing with a manual machine such as this. However, the 4-step buttonhole in Janome 221helps you become a master at creating a buttonhole once you understand how it works. Divided into four parts, this manual buttonhole gives you total control in every step. To avoid stitching the wrong size of the buttonhole, you must measure the size of your button first and mark it on your fabric. Also, you can be able to adjust the density of the zigzag stitches.

Easy for Beginners

Janome 221has a simple and straightforward design, making the controls basic and easy to use for beginners. What’s more, this sewing machine has a snap-on presser foot which smoothes the stitches and prevents jamming. You don’t have to worry about puckering or fabric bunching around the needle because you can remove the free arm length to create space.

Let’s not forget about the 3-piece feed dog which holds the thread in place and keeps it stable. This way, you get to sew through any type of fabric without having to adjust the position of the fabric.

Janome 221does have a drop feed dog which allows free motion stitching. However, you must always adjust the hand wheel to position the needle correctly before starting to stitch.

Use the Right Size Needle

Additionally, there have been reports of needle breaking and thread jamming while using this sewing machine. This could be as a result of the manual needle threader. We recommend that you use different sizes of needles to do projects that have heavy fabric (see our recommendation in the accessories section of this review. However, it could also be because of the level of experience one has prior to using this machine in which case sewing practice will fix it.

From basic embroidery jobs to heavy duty sewing, this machine does a great job without so much as a hiccup. Its simple design and easy-to-use controls make it favorable for beginners, seamstresses, quilters and a good backup for experts. Most importantly, because of its manual system of operation, it is more durable compared to computerised sewing machines.

Blind Foot

A blind foot is used for blind hemming which is done after you have folded the hemline. An expert will immediately know how to use the three grooves on the underside and the metal guide in the center. Blind hemming is made easy by the three grooves which ensure that there is stability.

Buttonhole Foot

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this foot is one of the scariest features in most sewing machines. Despite having no automated system, the buttonhole attachment makes your work easy. Even so, it is good to prepare your fabric before making the buttonhole.

When you just feel like flowers

Ideal for a compact sewing machine like the 2212, this floral tote is made from canvas with padded walls to protect your machine. We find the front pocket to be the right size for carrying the instruction manual. Comes with a vibrant design and a shoulder strap for comfortable carrying.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Word

First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.

Most important, have fun and choose your screwdriver bit set wisely! Good luck!

So, TOP3 of screwdriver bit set

• №1 — ORIA Screwdriver Set
• №2 — Best Choice 100-Piece All Purpose Security Bit Set with Bonus Ratcheting Screwdriver
• №3 — DEWALT DW2166 45-Piece Screwdriving Set with Tough Case