There is no perfect multi-tool ever existed. There I’ve said it. I just wanted to make it clear that I believe that each person’s needs are unique and there won’t be another individual or group of people who will be able to create just one tool that would satisfy one person’s needs or way of life.
With that cleared out, I just want to share a few of those multi-tools which are floating out there in the wild and particularly so from one of most my favorite store to get my knives, Thomas Tools Malaysia.
The tool that I want to talk about is the Bibury 16-in-1 tool. I’ve gotten my hands on the Bibury 19-1 tool and due to its being slightly on the heavy side, I took the liberty to try out this lighter option weighing at 7.3 ounces.
The main blade was sharp out of the box. As many other multi-tools produced from China, they had realized that the consumer market demanded that tools are supposed to work out of the box. So, in 2022 and some years earlier, most knives shipped are paper cutting sharpness as standard.
The serrated blade was burry on one side during my test. But its fine for me since the burr helps better at catching the fibers of the rope. You may strop it to smooth out the burrs but I rather leave mine as it is.
The main tool being the plier and cutter are spring loaded and with an acceptable quality. Acceptable as – it’s not as German made tools quality but you’re all set if you’re stuck with this tool and you need a tool that can deliver the job. The cutter has a notch to cut wires, a flat cutter side, a usable plier for nuts of about 20mm size and a precise plier tip precision that could pull a hair out. Not a bad quality tool to throw into the car boot to supplement the basic tool that comes with the car. Plus, it comes with its own ABS like box (not sure of the material used).
Other tools include the Philips screwdriver, Flat 5mm screwdriver, can opener with a 3mm small flat screwdriver, micro 2mm screwdriver, a file, a ruler and a spring-loaded scissor with 20mm cutting edge. The scissors I might add, is paper cutting sharpness - better out of the box as compared to the Bibury 19-1 tool which may require initial sharpening. All the tools are nicely locked that existed on the left and right side of the handle. The items on the tool could certainly entertain a person who loves to tinker with things although and you have to accept that for the price, there are a lot of limitations and the robustness of the tool in the long run is yet being tested.
Having said that, I still have simple China made tools that dates longer than 20 years that’s still in use because I don’t actually abuse my tools from its intended use. Light tools like these are designed to endure light turning torque and will not be the same as a dedicated tool. But again, they had evolved over time to make good usable quality consumer tools.
Here’s my conclusion on the tool:
What I don’t really like
- Ruler - the markings on the ruler could be started at the end of the stick as it could potentially be used as a depth gauge (for instance to check on the thread of your car tyres).
What I like about the tool
- Main Blade and Serrated blade – come sharp as expected. Especially like the short length and the bite of the serrated blade. The main blade is also easily deployed with the nail nick.
- Plier – I like the spring-loaded plier as compared to the non-spring ones and its hair pulling precision.
- Clip – the tool comes with a clip to secure a pocket carry. It is an important feature to a lot of people.
- Lock – I like the fact that all the tools are locked during use which enhances its safety.
- Box – comes in a suitable box to keep the multi-tool on the go.
A side note, I realize most people would rather just use the multi-tool straight out of the box as it is or not so willing to take the tool to the grinder. I came from the old era that wood planers, chisels, parangs, knives, axes and other tools were sold unsharpened or semi-finished as such, prepping the tools before initial use is second nature to me. I would recommend that you treat the tool as such – as there will be some initial prep work prior to its use - although in this case, just a good stropping on the blades and probably sharpening the scissor with a few strokes of diamond file would make it near perfect.
My overall conclusion is the tool will be useful for years and years to come given at that price point. If you do not abuse the tool more that its intended use, it’ll function well as a daily carry or a backup tool in your bug-out-bags (BOB).
- Photo taken & blog written by En. Azmi Osman
Find your Bibury Tools here: https://thomastools.com.my/collections/bibury-tools
