2000CP IDL Tools, Compact and Handy, Don’t..

Overall Rating4.674.674.674.674.67

Compact and Handy, Don’t try releasing all the tools at once though…

If you need a compact tool, this is definitely a good choice. One of the unique features is that it has a locking mechanism. Releasing a tool is easy enough, as long as you have decent fingernails (I don’t find it to be an issue). Once you release a tool, it can be locked by extending the tool all the way out. In order to unlock a tool (push it back into the handle), you MUST release another tool on the same handle to about 30 degrees.

When I was testing out this multitool, I wondered what would happen if you released all of the tools on one handle (I recommend that you do NOT try this out). This ended up locking all of the tools in place. Since all of the tools were locked in place, it seemed impossible to unlock a tool (remember what I said about how you MUST have another tool at 30 degrees).

Fortunately, there is a way to unlock the tool, and all you need is a small flat head screwdriver. On the side of the handle there is a “clip” that is pressing against a U-clasp. This U-clasp is what is locking the tools in place. Each tool has a small notch, and the inside of the U-clasp fits inside that notch. By using the flat-head screwdriver, simply lift the “clip” up about 1 mm, and while using your fingers, push hard on the U-clasp in the same direction as the lift, which will disconnect the U-clasp from the notch. This should give you enough room to free at least one tool.

Once you have one tool free, it should be easy enough to unlock the rest.

Aside from this minor design flaw, this tool seems well made and strong for its size.

Update (5/20/2012): This item is currently on sale here for the lowest price I’ve seen.

The featured review for this product, IDL Tools International 2000CP T10 Keychain MultiTool Tools & Hardware, was written by TQ.

The average rating for this item is 4.7 out of 5 stars, according to 3 reviews.

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Reviews (3)

TQ

February 16th, 2010 at 8:26 pm    


Overall Rating44444

Compact and Handy, Don’t try releasing all the tools at once though…
Rated 4 stars.


John Carder

February 19th, 2010 at 7:00 am    


Overall Rating55555

All you need
At least ten years ago, I bought an M5 SeberTool. That’s what this is. I’ve carried it almost every day since then, and typically use it every day. After a decade of use, it still works beautifully. Years of wear means that I can no longer clip it to a key chain (it will work open now), but I prefer carrying it loose in my pocket, anyway. That’s the only complaint I have with this tool, and it’s not much of a complaint. It clips in a plane that’s perpendicular to that of the key ring, so that’s bulkier, anyway.

Some of the good things: The Phillips head is a true #1 Phillips, and stands in well for removing most #2 Phillips screws. The two flat blades work perfectly. The bottle opener actually opens bottles. The tweezers are not bad, but I carry a better pair on wildland fire work (Uncle Bill’s Tweezers, about $5). In a pinch, the tweezers in this multi-tool are better than those on a Swiss Army knife. The nail file works very well, with coarse and fine sides, and has worn well. The wire cutters are REAL bypass cutters. The pliers work well, but you won’t have huge leverage. These are not Vise Grips, but they’ll do everything I want in a tool that I carry everyday. The knife blade is minimal, of a basic steel, but I’m a knife snob. The knife will work, just don’t expect a razor.

It takes a bit of practice to figure out the tool locks on the ends of the handles, but once you do figure out how they work, you’ll love them. When you pop a tool out, it locks into position until you unlock it to store it. That lets you apply enough pressure to things like the Phillips head, so that they don’t cam out, without risking your fingers to a “fold-over” collapse.

Best of all, this is smaller than most key fobs, not a big, heavy, clunky Leatherman-type multi-tool. I carry a big pocket knife (Al Mar SERE 2000). I find the combination of a large, excellent knife and this small multi-tool to be much more useful and effective than any multi-tool that I’ve seen, and it’s very comfortable to carry. Most big multi-tools have to be worn on a belt, and interfere with saw chaps, packs, even arm chairs and seat belts.

I’m glad IDL Tools is selling what Seber used to sell.


Rommel

February 25th, 2010 at 2:52 am    


Overall Rating55555

very handy and sturdy tool
i did not purchase this item from amazon but at a local electronics store. same product but different brand name. m4 sebertool is the name on my version of this product. the pliers is very useful. already saved a fellow driver from going nuts during a long trip because one of the fuse in his minivan failed causing his windshield wiper to stop working. this tool fit perfectly in the fuse box enabling the driver to pull out the bad fuse and replace it with a spare.

build quality is perfect and its made in USA!


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