FOG HORN
April 2018 Twobirds Flying Publication
CRKT THE TECHNICIANâ„¢ MULTI-TOOL a Glenn Klecker Design
Copyright 2018, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.
CRKT THE TECHNICIAN™ MULTI-TOOL
2018
CRKT’s The Technician™ Multi-Tool By: Sal Palma
When CRKT introduced its latest multi-tool, The Technician, they had the auto mechanic in mind. Although certainly appropriate, I think that placement narrows its scope. The Technician™ multi-tool was designed in Silverton, Oregon, by Glenn Klecker, with a number of features that expands its functionality beyond auto mechanics. I’ll kick it off with its one hand opening knife blade. Glenn made that possible by including a thumb stud.
The 2.6 inch flat ground 5Cr15MoV steel blade deploys smoothly and easily “locks” into position.
I used “locks” in quotes because there’s considerable inconsistency across jurisdictions on what constitutes a locking blade. Closing The Technician’s blade does not require releasing a lock, ergo, given my experience, it does not constitute a locking blade but be aware of local laws before traveling. There are also blade length restrictions at play. In 2013, TSA said it would allow knives with blade lengths of 2.36 inches (6 cm) or less – a decision which was reversed in the same year, so know the “regs” before you embark.
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
CRKT THE TECHNICIAN™ MULTI-TOOL
Sharing the same grip handle as the knife blade is a ¼ inch driver that ships with a double-sided Philips / flathead bit, but you can use any ¼ inch double-sided bit with the driver.
2018
The user also has access to the included feeler gauge 0.02”- 0.08.” CRKT made sure that indexing marks are clean and very legible; a nice touch made even nicer by including both metric and imperial stadia on the gauge face.
Leaving nothing out, The Technician also includes a double sided file. But, at the very top of its importance, at least to this reviewer, is the incorporated bottle opener for the occasional beverage.
The Technician also comes with a chisel/scrapper that’s very handy when removing a variety of gaskets. I wish I could have had this multi-tool a few years ago when I was replacing r.f. gaskets to meet TEMPEST requirements. The opposite handle houses a number of great tools, my favorite being the telescoping magnetic pick up tool. You may not appreciate this feature unless you’ve worked on electronics in a less than hospitable environment only to lose a tiny Philips screw that you have to fish out of an inaccessible space; a very handy feature that also doubles as a superb pointer.
Last of its substantial tool inventory, The Technician is equipped with one of the best needle nose pliers I’ve seen in a multi-tool, long enough and fine enough to handle some of the intricacies required by detailed work.
The pliers also include a wire cutter and wire stripping slot. The positioning of the wire cutter and stripper is such that it produces a clean cut and strip that is perfectly sized
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
CRKT THE TECHNICIAN™ MULTI-TOOL
The icing on this exceptional cake from Glenn Klecker and CRKT are the aggressively textured G10 scales that provide an excellent gripping surface even with wet or greasy hands. The Technician ships with a reinforced nylon pouch that can be belt worn or integrated into a PALS webbing.
2018
Manufacturer Specifications
Blade Length 2.584" (65.63 mm) Blade Edge Plain Edge Blade Steel 5Cr15MoV Blade Finish Satin Finish Blade Thickness 0.097" (2.46 mm) Closed Length 4.453" (113.11 mm) Weight 11.8 oz Handle G10 Style Multi-Tool Sheath Material 1680D Weaved Nylon; Black Overall Length 7.0" (177.8 mm) M.S.R.P. $89.99
Glenn and CRKT created a superb multi-tool that will serve the auto technician, or anyone needing a generously apportioned multi-tool, extremely well. It’s all there along with the typical CRKT quality.
-SP
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved