Sunday, September 6, 2009

Leatherman Crunch: The Unique Multi-Tool

By Richard D. Stanley

Leatherman is a well known brand in multi-tools. They have become the standard. Leatherman's innovated pliers design have been copied by many. The Leatherman Crunch introduced a new pliers design. Locking pliers also know as vice-grips. Anyone that uses tools often knows how valuable locking pliers are. It is like having a third hand. While needle nose pliers are useful, vice grips allow you to free up your grip and apply more leverage on clamping.

The Crunch is smaller than the Wave. The design is well though out. It pops open and assembles in seconds. When assembled, you get a very nice vice-grip that functions well. The Crunch comes with Leatherman's standard 25 year warranty. That's if the Crunch fails in workmanship within 25 years, Leatherman will fix it or replace it for free. I don't see the Crunch failing on me any time soon.

The Crunch is equipped with 13 tools. I won't go through them all but the tools that will be used the most are the vice grips, serrated blade, and large flat-head screwdriver. The Crunch does not have as much tools as the Wave or any standard Leatherman but the main tool makes up for it. The Crunch is what I would consider an accessory multi-tool. Multi-tools will never replace the main counterparts but what you gain is portability and capability. Think of it as having a mini toolbox in your pocket. That is the point of multi-tools and the Crunch will definitely serve me well in the years to come.

While the Crunch lacks tools, the main tool makes up for it. Through the function of it's design, I can see how difficult it must be to incorporate many additional tools into the Crunch. For this reason, I am satisfied with the Crunch. I have other multi-tools and the Crunch is very good in comparison. What I did not like was the redundancy. For instance, I have 3 different sizes of flat-head screwdrivers. I do not need all of that. What nice though, the Crunch can be expanded. You can unscrew the adjustment knob all the way to reveal a hex driver slot. This makes for a very handy bit driver. Nice addition to have.

Right now I carry the Crunch in my day pack with my Victorinox Soldier. I carry My Spyderco Caly 3 on my person and these tools are perfect for my needs. If you are in the market for a nice secondary multi-tool, the Crunch is perfect. I say secondary tool because I believe the Crunch does not fulfill the role completely like a Leatherman Wave, Charge, or Victorinox Champ. The Crunch couple with another multi-tool will complete your portable tool box perfectly. If you need a third hand, the Crunch is the right tool for you. Currently, it is the only multi-tool on the market with a functional vice grip. I purchased my Crunch for about $45. Shop around. I highly recommend the Leatherman Crunch if you are in the market for a great multi-tool.

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