Use the Force and the Millennium Falcon multi-tool kit for repairs

The Star Wars Millennium Falcon is a 4″ x 3″ multi-tool kit that easily fits in a pocket.  It’s made of die-cast zinc alloy, with the hex keys and screw drivers made of carbon steel.  The ship’s design cleverly conceals four hex keys, two screwdrivers (one flat-head, one philipps), and an adjustable wrench built into the ship’s helm. ThinkGeek says “the hex keys store away nicely in the back underside of the ship which is sealed shut with the power of magnets. Screwdrivers tuck away in the sides, and the wrench is adjusted by a wheel located in the center of the Falcon.”  The screwdrivers and hex keys have rubber grips so they don’t fall out of their storage silos.

This officially-licensed Star Wars product is a ThinkGeek creation and is available exclusively at ThinkGeek.  The Star Wars Millennium Falcon Multi-Tool Kit is normally $29.99, but it’s available right now for $19.99 at ThinkGeek.

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Use the Force and the Millennium Falcon multi-tool kit for repairs originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Off Grid Tools Survival Companion Pro multitool review

I’m a big fan of gadgets that pack several (or many) uses into a single, small device.  And with survival products being a huge market these days, when I saw the Off Grid Tools Survival Companion Pro multitool, I was immediately interested.  It’s the size of a largish pocket knife, but includes 21 survival-type tools—such as fire-starting rods, a compass and signal mirror, to name but a few—in a durable frame aluminum frame.  Let’s check it out!  Gadget on!

What is it?

The Off Grid Tools Survival Companion Pro is a unique multitool that includes 21 features that outdoor enthusiasts, military, rescue/first responders, preppers or just about anyone might find useful in survival situations.

Hardware specs

  • Product Dimensions & Weight: 4.50 x 1.40 x 0.66 inches ; 0.27 pounds
  • Body: Dark gray die-cast aluminum
  • Fold-out ferrocerium fire starter rod and magnesium tinder rod
  • Carbide blade/axe sharpener
  • Fail-safe whistle, 109dB max volume
  • Liquid-filled compass
  • Thermometer
  • Reflective panel
  • Signal mirror panel
  • Lanyard hole
  • Feature-rich removable stainless steel belt clip, including:
    • Can opener
    • Bottle opener
    • Flat head screwdriver
    • Serrated saw edge
    • 1.5-inch ruler
    • Fire starter scraper
    • Hex wrenches in 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″ sizes
  • Designed in the USA, manufactured in China
  • Limited Warranty

What’s in the box?

  • Off Grid Tools Survival Companion Pro

The Survival Companion Pro’s packaging, as shown in the images above and below, gives good visibility to the product contained inside, which is a feature I really appreciate in retail product packaging.

The back of the package also includes a list of the Survival Companion Pro’s many features.

Design and features

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to state that the Survival Companion Pro is veritably packed with features (21 in total), which I could tell even before I removed it from the package.

Once out of the package, the Survival Companion Pro felt quite solid in my hand, which I took to be an early indicator of high-quality design, build and materials.

The Survival Companion Pro’s main body is made from durable aluminum that should have a low potential for rust or other corrosion, yet is lightweight and strong.  It also has a robust pocket clip.


Although it is not actually a pocket knife, the Survival Companion Pro is actually more like a multitool, with its fold-out magnesium tinder rod and ferrocerium fire-starting rod, both of which are shown above in their fully-deployed positions.  Magnesium is a material that can be scraped to produce fine shavings that can be used as fuel to start a fire in the absence of other tinder-type materials.  Ferrocerium is a metallic alloy material that can be scraped to produce sparks which have enough heat to ignite the fine magnesium shavings.  Once a bit of magnesium shavings have been produced by scraping the rod, the ferrocerium rod can be scraped quickly to produce sparks which have enough heat to ignite the magnesium shavings.  Therefore, using these two fold-out rods, the Survival Companion Pro can be used to create a small fire, which can then be fueled, stoked and tended to create a large fire should the need ever arise.  Also note that the Survival Companion Pro’s belt clip (described in detail below) can be removed and used as a scraper for both the ferrocerium and magnesium rods.

Another feature of the Survival Companion Pro is its “fail-safe, pealess” whistle, depicted above.  Off Grid Tools claims that this whistle has a 109dB max volume.  I did a bit of research and Purdue University reports that 109dB is approximately the volume of a steel mill auto horn at a distance of 1 meter.  That is LOUD, people.  Loud enough to possibly get the attention of a first responder or rescuer some distance away from your position in an emergency.

As mentioned above, although the Survival Companion Pro is not a pocket knife, it does have a carbide blade sharpener, as seen in the image above.  A good knife is a survival essential, but a dull knife will be much less useful, so this sharpener feature could come in very handy.  It could even be used on a small axe in a pinch.

Survival Companion Pro’s belt clip itself also contains several very useful features. The belt clip typically sits securely attached to the back of the Survival Companion Pro’s main body by two brass pins, as seen above.

The belt clip can be removed for use.  I found the easiest way was to start by rotating its right side upward to release it from the right-side pin, then wiggling the clip a bit to free it from the left-side pin.

It only took me a couple of times before I had this maneuver down and it became simple to remove the belt clip for quick operation and then to replace it securely when finished.

The belt clip has a spring-type design that allows it to be used to attach the Survival Companion Pro to not only a belt, but also a pocket, backpack webbing, straps, or many other locations.

As listed in the Hardware specs section above, the belt clip contains, starting from the left in the image above, a  scraper for the ferrocerium and magnesium firestarter rods (described above), flat head screwdriver (can also possibly be used as a Phillips head in a pinch) can opener, bottle opener, serrated saw edge, 1.5-inch ruler, a, and hex wrenches in 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″ sizes.  That’s a lot of tools packed into a pocket clip!

Back to the Survival Companion Pro’s main body, another useful feature is a small thermometer, shown in the images above and below.  Note that also show above is the lanyard hole on the left side.  I found this lanyard hole to be the only somewhat frustrating feature because it was challenging to get anything through there.  I tried a small S-carabiner and it wouldn’t fit, and also some 550 paracord, but it didn’t seem to want to be pushed through the hole very easily.

I compared the accuracy of the Survival Companion Pro’s thermometer to the weather app connected to my Garmin Fenix 3 HR watch. Both seemed to be comparable within a few degrees of each other.

Another of the Survival Companion Pro’s move essential survival features is a small, liquid-filled compass, as shown above and below.

Once again, I used my Garmin Fenix 3 HR watch—this time its compass app—to compare to the Survival Companion Pro’s thermometer, and once again, they only seemed to differ by a few degrees.  While this variance could make a difference for accurate navigation in a survival situation, I’m not sure I fully trust my Fenix 3 HR’s compass app’s accuracy.  I may have to do a bit more experimenting and report back here at a later date.

Two more features are packed into the main body of the Survival Companion Pro, as shown in the images above and below.  First, a reflective strip that could be used in low-light situations.

Additionally, below the reflective strip is a mirror-like reflector panel, as shown in the images above and below.  At first, I didn’t realize that this reflector panel had a thin protective film over it (see above).

However, once I removed the film, this panel proved to be quite reflective, mirror finish, a feature that could be used to signal far-away rescuers by reflecting the sun’s rays.

The Survival Companion Pro is roughly the size of a large folding-blade pocket knife, easily fitting into the palm of my hand.  The entire device is stout, sturdy and compact, yet lightweight.

During my evaluation period, I carried the Survival Companion Pro attached to the MOLLE webbing on the exterior of my GORUCK GR1 rucksack, as seen in the images above and below.

The Survival Companion Pro’s spring-type belt clip worked, keeping the tool attached very securely.

What I like

  • Lots of survival tools packed into a small and compact size and shape
  • Durable
  • Inexpensive

What needs to be improved

  • Lanyard hole could be a bit larger
  • Thermometer and compass may not be super accurate, but they do the job

Final thoughts

The Off Grid Tools Survival Companion Pro is packed with useful features in a small size.  You may never need to use this product in a survival situation, but in an emergency, it might come in very handy and could possibly even save your life.  I carried the Survival Companion Pro as part of my EDC during the time that I evaluated it, and I have since made it a part of my ongoing EDC kit.  Although I thankfully never actually needed it in an emergency or survival situation, it gave me the confidence to know that I had its many useful features available for quick access should the need arise.  Plus, with its relatively low price, you could buy one of each of your vehicles, give them out as gifts and so forth without breaking the bank.  If you are into EDC and/or survival tools, have a look at the Off Grid Tools Survival Companion Pro.

Price: $24.99
Where to Buy: Off Grid Tools or Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Off Grid Tools.

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Off Grid Tools Survival Companion Pro multitool review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 10, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Forget the knife – get yourself a Swiss Army axe!

You won’t be building a house or blazing a wilderness trail using just this multi-tool, but it could be a handy addition to your home or car toolbox or your hiking or camping kit.  This Wit Bird multitool with an axe is perfect for small jobs where you need a few tools but you don’t need a full mechanics toolbox.

The tool measures 6.88″ x 3.54″ x 1.18″ and weighs 14.5 ounces.  It’s made of ferritic stainless steel metal with a wood inlay handle.  It includes the following tools:

  • Hammer
  • Axe / hatchet
  • Knife
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flat screwdriver
  • Fish fork
  • Saw
  • Allen wrench
  • Bottle opener
  • File
  • Locking plier
  • Flat nose pliers
  • Scale knife
  • Rasp
  • Wire cutter
  • Can opener
  • Wrench

At $12.88 each, you could get a couple of these Wit Bird multitool axes to throw in your car and your outdoor kits.  Get them at Amazon.

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Forget the knife – get yourself a Swiss Army axe! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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The KLAX Axe head is an EDC multi-tool for lumberjacks and lumberjills

The next time you go out into the forest to camp or hike, leave your axe at home and just take the KLAX Lumberjack Head from Klecker Knives.

The KLAX head is a stainless steel axe that does more than chop down trees. It features additional tools like a knife blade, hammer head, hex wrenches, bottle opener, ruler, and more.

The KLAX Head uses a special clamp so you can attach it to a handle that you supply yourself. That means that you can pack the KLAX without the handle and scrounge around for a limb when you need to use it. This saves space in your pack. Of course, you’ll need to find a limb to use it 🙂

You can read more about the KLAX Lumberjack Axe Head at kleckerknives.com and you can order one for $149.99 from Amazon.

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The KLAX Axe head is an EDC multi-tool for lumberjacks and lumberjills originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 28, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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Leatherman adds Watch to Tread, Tread LT

Leatherman has finally added a watch to the Tread Bracelet called the Tempo. It is a Swiss-made quartz movement with diver’s bezel, glow-in-the-dark hour markers and hands (stainless only), and a shock resistant sapphire crystal.  It is water resistant to 200m.  It will retail for $575 and be available in November.

Leatherman has also announced the Tread LT which is 20% narrower and 10% lighter than the original. The tools will be a 3/32″ Screwdriver, Cutting Hook, 6mm Hex Drive, 4mm Hex Drive, 8mm Box Wrench, #3 Square Drive, #1 Square Drive, Pozi-Driv #2 and 11mm Box Wrench. It is also TSA-friendly and comes in stainless steel and black.  Prices will start at $175. Visit Leatherman for more info.

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Leatherman adds Watch to Tread, Tread LT originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 29, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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