Vandalism is a scourge of society that can strike at any time. As passionate as we are about high-quality tools and lights, we’d be crestfallen if that incredible new LED flashlight or rugged multi-tool was stolen out of our vehicles. To protect these and other precious items from being snatched out of your car or truck, follow the tips we’ve gathered below.
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Every folding blade knife and multi-tool enthusiast knows the weakest part of a gadget is typically the area that sees the most use. For instance, a folding knife often breaks at the point where it opens and closes, and the attachments most likely to break off of multi-tools are those that see the most use. Ingenious knife designer Ron Lake took this tendency into account when designing our innovative Rapid Response Knife. Read on to learn about Lake’s unique design features that prevent each Rapid Response Knife from breaking at the assisted-opening mechanism.
e a month, we compare two of our products side-by-side in a lucid table format. This month, we’re comparing the Rapid Response Knife 3.90 with our LED Pocket Tool Black multi-tool. Both of these products feature a large blade, so at first glance they may seem quite similar. But after a closer look, knife aficionados would probably opt for the Rapid Response Knife (especially because it was designed by legendary blade maker Ron Lake), while DIY types may prefer the LED Pocket Tool. These two tools to vary by weight, material and accessories, as outlined below. (more…)
The entire world over, Christmastime sees children rushing to see if their footwear has been filled with candy and gifts. In Italy, La Befana the good witch fills children’s shoes with presents on the eve of Epiphany, Jan. 5. Dutch children fill their clogs with straw for the magical horse Sintirklass, with hopes that Old Saint Nick will fill their shoes with gifts. Here in the United States, the tradition of hanging a Christmas stocking on the fireplace first appeared in early nineteenth century story illustrations by Thomas Nast. One thing ties all of these traditions together: the size of the gifts. Stocking stuffers must be small.
A smart shopper always prepared to compare products. However, this kind of informed buying can be difficult when you’re shopping for a gift. Multi-tools, for instance, are sophisticated enough to offer dozens of different features. How can you be sure the multi-tool you purchase for a loved one will be used regularly, and that it will last? Our holiday shopping guide below is the answer. Read on to learn what to look for in a quality multi-tool.
Features. First, decide which features your gift recipient needs most. Multi-tools can be used for hunting, on-the-fly repairs, camping and much more. Figure out where and why the multi-tool will be used most – this will help you prioritize attachments and features. For instance, a computer technician would benefit from a tool that includes lots of slim screwdriver attachments for opening computer cases. Campers, on the other hand, would look for a saw blade (for cutting up firewood), a can opener, a strong knife and perhaps wire cutters for tent repair.
Giving emergency supplies as a holiday gift may seem boring or overly practical, but doing so sends the sign that you deeply care about your loved ones’ welfare. Plus, many emergency items are great “tuck-ins” for those presents that just need a little something extra. For example, an emergency LED flashlight is easily tucked into a stocking, as is a multi-tool. Finally, with all of the natural disasters around the world these days, no one on earth would turn away an extra chance to be prepared. Giving a disaster prep item as a present gently encourages your family members and friends to put together their own emergency kits.
Here are our top five disaster preparedness gift ideas for the holiday season:
Smartphones are humanity’s wünder-multi-tool. These tiny gadgets can contain a universe of information and a forum of applications – no wonder so many people walk around looking like their smartphones are surgically attached to their palms. When disaster hits, your smartphone can even take on extra importance as a survival tool. And we’re not just talking about the built-in LED flashlight on many smartphone models. With the right apps, you can prepare for and respond to any emergency more effectively.
FEMA recently released a thorough disaster smartphone app without flashy visuals – a good combination for post-disaster usability. The FEMA app is organized into several tabs:
Smartphones are changing the way we shop. According to a recent study from Ecoconsultancy, half of all American shoppers have used their mobile phones to compare prices and check out product reviews while shopping. Although our comparison-shopping prowess has certainly increased due to internet-enabled cell phones, it’s still not easy to figure out which purchase is best – especially for specialized products such as multi-tools. When you want high-quality knowledge about niche products, you have to go to the experts.
A multi-tool is a highly personalized thing – it’s a gadget that many people rely on daily. Therefore, you want to make sure you buy a multi-tool that will serve you well for years to come. Below, we compare two of our top-rated multi-tools, the Coast LED150 2-LED Pro Pocket Pliers multi-tool (model #C5899B) and the Coast LED135 micro pliers multi-tool (model #C2899B).
