When choosing my daily carry multi-tool I required a multi-tool that could handle a wide range of tasks but being an automotive technician, and a gearhead, I wondered what multi-tool would be best for car guys and gals.
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After a little research, I found Several multi-tools that would work great for gearheads, but the CRKT Technician was the only one with features specifically made for working on Automotive Applications.
As an automotive technician, I work with a lot of different tools every day. At work and at home, I have specific tools for every task in the shop or garage and have no need for an automotive-based multi-tool, but when I’m out of my element, whether helping out a buddy or traveling away from home, having something with familiar tools would give me peace of mind.
Even though I am an auto technician, I have a variety of hobbies besides cars. It is for this reason that my daily carry multi-tool is a Leatherman Charge+ TTI. The Charge is kinda the jack of all trades when it comes to multi-tools.
That’s enough about the Charge
The Only Automotive Specific Multi-Tool
Having been a big fan multi-tools for many years, I had never run across a multi-tool that was specifically designed for an automotive enthusiast, that is until just recently when I discovered the Technician from Columbia River Knife and Tool.
The CRKT Technician
The CRKT Technician is the first of its kind. Packed full of unique features you will not find in any other multi-tool on the market today. It does come with the industry-standard needle-nose type pliers with wire cutters.
CRKT used the butterfly opening design originally introduced by Leatherman but that is where their similarities end. One really nice feature design CRKT utilizes is having all the tools accessible when the multi-tool is in the closed position, except of course the pliers.
Let’s Take a Look at its Features and Specs.
The Technician’s Features
- Regular/Needle Nose Pliers
- G10 Handles
- One-Hand Opening Knife Blade
- Chisel/Scraper
- Standard 1/4″ Bit Driver w/ Phillips and Flat Flip Bit
- Coarse and Fine File
- Feeler Gauge
- Telescoping Magnet
- Bottle Opener
- Strap Cutter
The Technician’s Specs.
- Knife Blade Length – 2.58″ Plain Edge
- Knife Blade Steel – 5Cr15MoV Stainless
- Weight – 11.8 oz
- Closed Length – 4.45″
- Open Length – 7″
- Feeler Gauge Range – .020″-.080″
My Thoughts, As a Professional
Taking from many years of collecting knives, using many different types of tools as a professional and lots of life experience, I feel like I can make a fair assessment of this particular multi-tool, even though I have not laid hands on it – yet.
The Pros
The Technician has a lot going for it. For starters, it’s the first of its kind and in terms of design and features, it has set the bar pretty high for anyone who dares to follow. The chosen tools are right on point for its intended use.
One really nice feature is the standard 1/4″ bit driver. Having a standard driver makes finding and replacing bits really easy and allows you to build a custom bit selection to fit your specific needs.
The Cons
Although the Technician has so much going for it. It also has some
Let us start with safety. It appears that none of the tools including the knife blade actually lock in the open position. It seems that only a detent is used and nowhere in the manufactures literature does it say that they are locking. This isn’t a deal-breaker for me. It just means care must be taken when using the sharp tools like the knife,
The next thing I would change, to move this from a good tool to a great tool, is the choice of materials. There
The First thing is the wire cutters. Replaceable high-grade steel, wire cutters are becoming the
And the last thing I would do to improve the overall usability of the Technician would be to add a pocket clip. Although it is a bit chunky at 11.8 oz having the option to clip it to your pocket is always a plus.
Final Thoughts on the Technician
Let me start off by saying, don’t let my list of cons scare you off from this cool little tool. This is a great start and I hope subsequent generations are made that will improve upon this great design. I’m sure I’ll be adding this to my collection at some point and when I do I will be performing standard testing and evaluation, so look for it in the T&E Reviews menu.
(Click here to check out the Technician on AMAZON) (paid link)
Method to My Madness
As an automotive technician who uses professional-grade tools every day, there are certain features and specifications that I look for when deciding on a new multi-tool. There are several questions that I ask myself before I make my final decision. What is its purpose/what problems will it solve?
- What tools and features must it have?
- What tools and features would you like it to have?
- Size and Weight constraints are there if any?
- Security Features i.e. Locking Blade and Tools
Alternative Multi-Tools for Gearheads
Although no other multi-tool manufacturers are currently making a multi-tool as specific as the Technician. There are some that offer the basics that still get the job done. Some are better than others so here is a short list of good alternatives.
Leatherman Charge+ and Wave+
The Leatherman Charge+TTI is the multi-tool that sets the standard by which all other multi-tools are judged. Click here to check out my Recommended Tools page – Best of the Best: Top Tier Multi-Tools to see my top picks. The quality and refinement of the Charge models is hard to beat. The Leatherman Wave+ is nearly identical with the exception of the handle material, main knife steel, and pliers, all other features are the same with a few tweaks here and there.
The Leatherman Charge and Wave seem to have something for everyone which is probably why the Wave is Leatherman’s most popular model and is why these make my list of multi-tools for gearheads
The Wave+
- All Locking Blades and Tools
- 420HC Main Knife Blade
- 420HC Serrated Knife Blade
- Large Bit Driver
- Small Bit Driver
- Wood/Metal File
- Diamond Coated File
- Can Opener
- Bottle Open
- Needle Nose/Regular Pliers
- Spring Action Scissors
- Ruler
- Medium Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Wire Strippers
- Replaceable Wire Cutters
How The Charge Is Different
- Charge+ has a 154CM Steel for its Main Knife Blade
- TTI has
a S30V Steel for its Main Knife Blade - Charge+ Handle is Aluminum
- TTI Handle is Titanium
- The TTI Pliers include an
Electrical Crimper
Leatherman Skeletool
The Skeletool is for the minimalist, even with the bare minimum you will not be left hanging. Full of useful tools in a simple design. With pliers, wire cutters and a bit driver, it gives any gearhead a lot more capability than just a pocket knife.
Features
- Needle Nose/Regular Pliers
- Hard Wire Cutter
- Larger Bit Driver
- Carabiner/Bottle Opener
- Replaceable Pocket Clip
- Easy Access Knife: Steel Options 420HC, 154CM and Plus More
Gerber Center-Drive
The Gerber Center-Drive is an innovative new design that will feel natural in your hands and with some other features that an automotive enthusiast will find very useful its a great option.
Features
- Spring Loaded Needle Nose Pliers
- Easy Access 3.25″ 420HC Main Knife Blade
- Serrated Knife Blade
- 3.20″ Magnetic Center Axis Bit Driver
- File
- Rotatable Carbide Wire Cutter and Stripper
- Prybar w/Nail Puller and Bottle Opener
- Awl
SOG PowerAssist
The PowerAssist has many of the standard features of your average multi-tool with the exception of two things. This multi-tool uses SOG’s Compound Leverage system which provides double the force to the pliers than that of standard type pliers. Plus two assisted opening knife blades, a first in the industry.
Features
- Straight Edge Knife Blade – Assisted Opening
- Serrated Knife Blade – Assisted Opening
- Needle Nose/Regular Pliers – Compound Leverage System
- Hard Wire Cutters
- Wire Crimper
- 3 Sided File
- Small, Medium and Large Flat Blade Screwdrivers
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Ruler
- Blasting Cap Crimper
