IDL Tools T-10 Review

Mon Sep 29 2008

I bought this small pocket tool at the local Ace Hardware store. I had been looking for the Swiss made one, but have not found them anywhere in town. So when I saw this one for $16 I bought it right away. It is well made, and the locks are great. The locks hold well and need to be deliberately disengaged. I have used it for a few jobs over the past few weeks and it seems to be holding up well. It is becoming loose, so I would not use it on a keyring. But it really is large to be carried every day. This would go well in a bag. Clipped on a ring in the bag so that the tool is always available but not lost at the bottom of a pocket. It is not heavy, but it is solid steel so it is not light either. This tool is sold as 10 Tools-in-1 with a 1) Knife, 2) Small Phillips screwdriver, 3) Small Flathead screwdriver, 4) Large Flathead screwdriver, 5) Bottle opener, 6) File, 7) Tweezers, 8) Large pliers, 9) Fine pliers, 10) Wire cutters and strippers

100% stainless steel construction Half degree tapered jaws ensure secure gripping of thick or thin materials. Taper provides complete closure of the jaw tips to allow you to tightly grasp thin materials

Fits in pocket or on key ring. The design of the tool creates a locking ring that holds into place on a keyring. Loose in a pocket, the T-10 would cut pockets and get snagged on fabrics, etc

the T10 is about 1/4" wide and 4" long when opened

This tool is sold as 10 Tools-in-1 with a 1) Knife, 2) Small Phillips screwdriver, 3) Small Flathead screwdriver, 4) Large Flathead screwdriver, 5) Bottle opener, 6) File, 7) Tweezers, 8) Large pliers, 9) Fine pliers, 10) Wire cutters and strippers

Knife - good, sharp, good shape
Small Phillips screwdriver - fairly well made, tried to use it a few times, didn't work as often as it did
Small Flathead screwdriver - useful, used it a few times
Large Flathead screwdriver - Also looks like it could be useful, haven't used it yet
Bottle opener - looks like a stretch, but have yet to test it
File - Haven't used it, but it looks like it could be handy, interesting shape with a point
Tweezers - another interesting shape, haven't used them much, might work to remove a splinter
Large pliers - afraid to use them to aggressively, but so far they are working well
Fine pliers - used them a few times to remove staples, etc and have worked well
Wire cutters and strippers - afraid to damage them with large wire, steel, etc, but for thin copper these should work well

Hollow ground knife blade with flat ground polished edge. Tools lock open for added safety. Reduce the risk of a tool accidentally closing. Poly Washers separate tools for smoother action and longer life.

"By-pass" wire cutters cut up to 12 gauge wire. Interlocking small pliers teeth grab thin materials. Large pliers teeth are timed to tightly grab common size fasteners.

Here are three pocket multi tools closed. The Swiss-Tech Micro-Tool, the IDL T-10 and the Schrade Tough Chip

Here are three pocket multi tools opened. The Swiss-Tech Micro-Tool, the IDL T-10 and the Schrade Tough Chip

The blade can also be used with one arm of the pliers extended to create a larger handle for the blade. The sharp blade and easy to hold grip, made short work of this plastic envelope