Yea, I was listening closely and couldn't find a single thing I disagreed with. One thing I did learn when I took this on vacation was how well the wrench works on both chromed motorcycle bolts and brass square bolts (on a boat). As you said..the omnilock wrench was probably the best part of it.
If you thought that was the best part, maybe check out the folding clench wrench. They come in a 2 piece set, a large one and a smaller one. The Craftsman version of the set is no longer being made, but the crescent version is. I have the Craftsman set somewhere but have no clue where I put them.
I think one of the problems is that many things have already been done and it's hard to get started in multitools without doing something completely different. Gerber went with slide out pliers, Kershaw locking pliers, SOG their gear system, and Sebertech the greatest mini multitools ever made. I don't think this was the way to go, but I do understand why he went overboard with it.
I got my Union around the same time you uploaded a video showing you got one as well. I do agree with the majority of this review, the unit is quite bulky, heavy, finicky to unlock and get to other tools but it's still quite functional. Fits and carries multiple standard sized bits is a god send and not to mention has 2 T style diver set ups along with 2 L style driver set ups means it can deliver much more torque to it's driver than you'd expect. I got mine to change the wheels on my electric mountain board when out in the field and honestly it pulls that duty flawlessly so I am happy with my Union HOWEVER there are negatives I must mention. All the non coated parts of steel on the tool I have noticed started easily rusting, the knife blade is D2 (better that most other multitools) but it readily rusts as well. And finally the screws are too soft. I ended up stripping the knife pivot screw trying to take it apart for cleaning. If Toler could revise a few things and perhaps use better materials, I'd be much more enamored with it, but as of now I'm just mildly content with it.
I finally got one after following the project since the beginning. You’re right the knippex combo.I can actually fit 2 small knippex (cobra and pliers wrench) and a fixit sticks screwdriver fit in the union case as well as a couple other tools. all of those tools do one thing very very well. And it’s a night and day difference from trying to use any multitool for that matter. I keep them in a small tool roll and if my gerber ambar won’t do the trick I just roll out the small kit for any quick repairs. I always have a dedicated pocket knife clipped in my front pocket so I don’t need that in a multitool. The Toler could have been just 2 wrenches and I’d have been happy. Maybe a driver that is self contained that can be stowed in the multitool. I think the slip wrench should be part of a metal holster that works with a few multitool models. Even then though, I have tried a lot of multi tools and always go back to a few small separate tools. The union might find a place in a bag with my jumper cables. I could see it saving my butt in a pinch if I somehow am without any tools on the road.
Ok, so, after watching I mostly agree with everything. However, I backed it because I'm a welder, and all of these tools in this follow my convenience rule of "super good enough" between the slip wrench, pliers, bits, and in-line/t-handle/right angle screw driver, this thing is kinda perfect as a welder for a pocket tool. The pliers are perfect for snipping and pulling wire, wrench is perfect for tightening down hose lines. Is not big enough for gas lines unfortunately but it makes up for it by having everything else accessible. The one thing I'll say is that it's not super one hand open usable, which is annoying when you're busy, but you make due using your pants or something
Good review. I agree with you the Toler Union is a good idea but to cumbersome to be practical. I have looked into buying one for over a year now and decided it is not the right tool for my needs. I am sure someone else my find the the tool useful to thier needs.
I pretty much bought this tool on the wrench + backing point for my work on cars. It seemed like a solid tool to leave in the glovebox, or take into the junkyard (I may find a use for that metal saw yet). But your criticism makes me wonder how well he could do if he tried to focus the scope more, like a more purpose built tool for car tinkering targeted at people like me.
It's pretty uncomfortable, unwieldy, and difficult to open/separate the halves, but it became second nature with a few dozen times of practice. I would never count on using this out in the field, but it should serve me well as my "better-than-nothing" tool that will sit on my desk. It's fun to play with, at least.
This tool wouldn't fit a single nut or bolt in a modern car engine bay. It's crazy bulky like one of those horrible $10 Chinese hammer/pliers/knife/screwdriver tools....
@@edwardfletcher7790that’s not true in the least bit. Maybe not. But to say you can’t accomplish different things under the hood if needed be with it is complete bull. This is more of a maybe improve getting out of a jam tool an for smaller things. It’s not really ment to be a work horse. That’s when regular tools come into play. There’s things under the hood it can do. Just like any other multitool. An there’s many many things it can’t do under the hood. Just like any other multitool. Can’t figure out how so many of the comments bash it as much as they do. Like it’s ment to replace actual dedicated workhorse tools. It’s more like catching things you may run across if a tool bag isnt with you in a moment of something an it may get ya out the situation. Anything that’s to big for it to manage ya should probably be working that nut or bolt with a real dedicated tool for that task at that point anyway
@@AquaTech225 Modern engine basis are very tight, this tool is ridiculously bulky, also all European cars use torx or allen socket head bolts. It's a badly made toy.
I enjoyed that review. Interesting to see what people come up with. I would certainly not discard this tool if it was all I had. Individually some of these tools would get the job done, but together the thing is clunky. I hope the guy doesn't give up, though. I think what I like about my leathermans is that they are not clunky, they are kind of racy, and they work good for a lot of tasks.
I would agree the leathermen an Knipex would be easier to use for work work. But my reason for backing it wasn’t to do work work with it. But to have a mix of things in one. Maybe more cumbersome. But a good mix of things. Solely to get me out of a pinch or bind. But to get me out of a jam for a moment when something is needing to be done. When I don’t have my actual tool bag on hand or with me that had all Knipex ect of actual tools made to get things done an make money with. So for a tool with a mix of different tools in one is to be expected to be kinda cumbersome an even a pain to work with. Hell I feel like that at times just with a regular leatherman charge. That’s just the same. There not really ment to be a work horse. But to give you the ability to get out of a jam. An have atleast most of the tools that could help to get out of the jam. So other than it being cumbersome like any multitool. You not saying much.
I still never took my Toler Union out of the package. I can’t believe how disappointed I was seeing how it was actually made and the issues it has. I totally fell for the hype and promise of it. It remains the longest time I had to wait for a product from a crowd funding scheme and I will never do that again, regardless of how tempting it seems. I have a belief that these crowd funding sites are really owned by China and they take the designs that inventors are coming up with and gauging the interest they see and outright copy the popular designs and have them manufactured and sold on AliExpress at a sharp discount in an effort to bankrupt the inventors.
If anyone thinks Ben is bashing the Toler, I would actually differ by saying his kindness is on full display. He gives it far more credit than I would and reaches deep to find "something" good about it.
I’m embarrassed to say I’m an owner of this lump of metal. Piece of junk. Pretty much totally useless other than the blade, the reviewer in the video was being VERY kind, save your money for a better tool, first time you open the pliers you will be regretting this purchase. Bits fall out, saws suck, wrench is so cumbersome, pliers are tiny & constantly flip around. Ask for your money back if you are on the list, seeing the designer continue to push this as a quality product is starting to feel like a scam honestly.
Interesting tool but I can agree it looks like too much going on. Haha reminds me of one of those hammer/axe multi tools that are a plier with blades In the handle haha
Some Engineers seem to think human hands were designed in Minecraft... SIGH It's like some crazy competition where you can't have less than 30 functions ! You end up with something so big it SUCKS at 90% of the tasks. It's like what would happen if Gerber made a $300 tool.
I feel like everyone has been trying to remake the mouse trap in the last 2 or 3 years, all trying to be the new "Leatherman Wave". You can't really beat the original.
I appreciate the coverage. I do think you're still missing some of the usability. For example, if you need to apply higher torque, please use the full length. It gives you more leverage and considerably less reaction force on your hand in a more comfortable position. Keep digging if you'd like. -Mike
I have refrained from saying anything about your tool since I got it. I was "highly critical" before due to how long it took to come out. I agree totally with Tx Tool Crib except I have found very little it is good for at all. Good idea too much crap piled together and its semi functional at best!
Hi Mike, nice job on bringing another useful perspective on a multitool to your country. You did more to help this country in the industrial sector than many of us ever will!
You expectations for a multi too might be too high. A multi tool is on you hip jic you need a tool when out-in-about mode. It was not ever intended to be the right tool when away from your toolbox. Its a tool you have in a pinch and you grade it like a tool for you toolbox.
It was all constructive criticism, and valid. The maker can take this feedback and use it to make an even better tool in the future, and I hope he does.
It’s unfortunate how poorly executed these things are. Also they should’ve produced it in the US. As the smaller Knipex stuff is SO popular within the EDC community, I think they could strip this tool down with a wrench
This looks like it was designed to stand out. And not because of its quality, but just through virtue of looking different. And not good different, but 'rejected transformer' different. No need to reinvent the wheel... The tool orientation looks like it was designed by someone who has never used a single tool in his life, the cumbersome way to get to everything seems designed by someone who does not understand that ease of access is a key factor in multitool selection. If the designer had put the same amount of effort into making a quality tool with either a good allround toolset or a very jobspecific toolset he may not have gotten the amount of attention he got with this, but at least that attention wouldn't result in 'the guy needs to learn a lot before I hand him my money'.
