Customer Reviews

Leatherman 68010101K Crunch Pocket Multi-Tool with Leather Sheath

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I found out Leatherman makes a tool with locking pliers, I had to have one. So I bought one. Impressions follow:

1. Usually things are larger than I expect, but this one was smaller than I expected. Maybe it's just the fact that I've used big, bulky Vise-Grips all my life, but I really expected this tool to be hefty. It's not bad that it's small, and the plier jaws open nice and wide despite their small size, but I'm nonetheless surprised that it's no bigger than my Wave, even when open.

2. It's not as hard to prepare for use as I had expected. Yes, you have to unfold the plier jaws, and yes, you have to clip the handle into place on the jaws; but, considering that with ANY locking plier you will have to stand there and adjust the force screw until the jaws clamp down with just the right amount of force anyway, the extra "assembly" needed to use the pliers isn't significant.

3. The craftsmanship isn't as good as I expected. Everything is plenty strong, but the fit and finish isn't up to par with the newer, "post-Wave" tools. The plier jaws aren't the exact same width, the folding tool lock is hard to push and doesn't give a lot of feedback, the folding tools themselves flop around a bit, the hinge on the jaws is just a little too tight, the folded-sheet-metal handle is just a tiny bit too wide for the stuff it holds and so it got crimped a little when the rivets were driven into place, etc. It's not crappy by any means, but it doesn't have that laser-cut, precision-machined feel that my Wave has.

Three stars for doing what it says it does without having any noticeable weaknesses. If they improved the design spec so everything fits just right, it would get four stars. If it were the tool of my dreams with everything I want and nothing I don't, it would get five.

-- UPDATE 5/15/2008 --

I've had my Crunch now for several months, and I feel compelled to bump my review up a notch. Why? Well, it isn't because I've come to appreciate the not-quite-perfect fit and finish of the tool -- that still bugs me a little bit. Rather, it's because over the past few months I've discovered that the Crunch is THE most useful multi-tool ever created.

I took a gamble when I bought my Crunch, because I had serious doubts about how useful a mini-size lockjaw plier could be, even when combined with a token assortment of tools. All I can say is, "boy was I wrong". If anything, the small size of the lockjaws make them even more useful than full-size Vise-Grips, because they can be used in so many more places than Vise-Grips can. Also, given that multi-tools tend to have crappy leverage compared to full-size pliers, the ability to clamp the lockjaws onto something and then focus all your attention on moving the thing instead of keeping the jaws from slipping is unspeakably convenient.

I was initially concerned by the relatively small selection of fold-out tools that the Crunch has, compared to other multi-tools...but to be honest, most other multi-tools just have 50 slightly-different sizes of flathead screwdrivers anyway, when all you'll ever need is one. Well, the Crunch has three, two of which are combined with a can opener and a metal file, which means that there's really only one flathead screwdriver worth mentioning. So there's no unnecessary duplicity there. Meanwhile, the knife and the crosshead screwdriver are predictably indispensable, and the metal file is handy from time to time. So all told, the tools that the Crunch has are more than adequate.

My complaints about the fit-and-finish of the Crunch still stand; Leatherman could do a better job of making everything fit together just right, and I wish they'd put in the time to do so. But that said, the Crunch is definitely THE Leatherman to buy if you're actually going to use it for real work.

If you can only carry one tool with you, the Leatherman Crunch would have to be first choice. Shortly after I received mine for Christmas one year (from my kids), we were traveling across northern Arizona. It was Friday afternoon, we were at least 100 miles from any measureable civilization and one of the front brake calipers came loose. It made a lot of noise as it banged against the front wheel. We pulled over and the Crunch was invaluable to re-attach the caliper as the bolts that attached the caliper were a proprietary bolt with a large Torx type head that was rounded on the outside. No other tool (other that the dedicated GM tool) would have been able to grip the rounded outside of this bolt. Five stars isn't really enough!!!

It can be used as a shift lever, a brake lever...It can clamp onto a broke throttle cable in the middle of Baja and get you home!

The Crunch is the BEST tool a motorcyclist can have under his or her seat, period! I give them out to close friends every now and then and everyone LOVES 'em!

I had owned the original Leatherman multitool back in the days when there was only the single model and people thought Gerber was a brand of baby food. I loved the thing to death because it was the only multitool around. One thing bothered me about it despite its usefulness.

When the pliers were out, the inside of the frame containing the rest of the tools faced outwards, and the open frame dug into your hand terribly when trying to grip something tightly. I regularly had to take breaks when trying to twist something for longer than a few turns. This made it difficult to really put the squeeze on anything really well, if you were trying to crimp. You also couldn't use the pliers as a hands free helper as they had no locking function.

The Leatherman Crunch solved both problems by making the pliers a pair of practical and functional vice grips. They really did their homework in the design of these pliers, as they perform as well as a dedicated pair of vice grips of comperable size. I have a pair and I can confirm this. By not having to turn the leatherman inside out to access the pliers, you have the closed rounded side of the frame against your palm and fingers. It doesn't dig into your flesh -quite comfortable to use. Not only can you really squeeze the pliers with all your strength should the need arise, they will stay closed at whatever width you adjust them to so you can free up your hands to work around. Again, I say, this is an extremely well implemented pair of vice grips. The jaws are beefy, but not so much that they can't be used for smaller more delicate work. They aren't needlenose pliers, but then again, they aren't supposed to fill that role. Depending on your day to day uses of the tool, you would choose the Crunch or one of the other models. Personally, I carry mine around for more generalized uses like holding a bolt in place while turning its screw. I find it more useful than needlenose pliers for most applications except electrical work. But even for this, it performs very well.

The number of screwdrivers is adequate for any work, as I've never found the need for a huge variety of different sizes or specialized screwdriver heads. I'd just lose the interchangeable ones, anyway. The serrated knife blade works great, and can do anything from cutting down saplings to cutting your sandwich at lunch. I've never sharpened it, but the serrated pattern makes it very effective. The Bottle opener was a must, and works perfectly. I am disappointed at the lack of a can opener which would make this the ultimate desert island tool if you could only choose one (and if you had cans of food on the island with you). But heck, what's the likelihood of that? For nearly every use, I find the Leatherman Crunch is the perfect tool. I'm buying another one while they're still for sale, so when my current one wears out, I'll have a replacement.

I can only hope that Leatherman has discontinued the Crunch in order to upgrade its design with the aforementioned missing can opener, and perhaps a flint and steel striker. Then it will be the modern day equivalent to a pocket lightsaber.

The tool has most of the functions I need, but it's a little unwieldy unfolding and getting ready to use the tool needed. The screwdriver blades need to be longer, to keep the body (in this case handle) of the tool further away from the work. On the plus side, the saw blade is VERY sharp.

Overall. I'm very happy with the Leatherman Crunch.
I'm an irrigation professional an needed a multitool with a small, medium, and large screwdriver (flat head), a phillips screw driver, a blade, and a regular pliers (not the needle nose). The Leatherman Crunch is perfect! My ONLY complaint is that the lower jaw of the pliers disengages if opened too far. The cool thing about it is the pliers are in Vise Grip (R) form which really hold well.

Leatherman has been a part of my daily routine for years.

The "Crunch," model intrigued me as something innovative and new that could handle a different array of needs beyond that of a simple, needle-nose plier design.

Pros: Innovative design, locking tools, great grip, all of the great quality Leatherman puts out no matter what.

Cons: A little tougher to use individual tools and not as fast to retract. Single-handed use, while not impossible, is cumbersome. May cause swear words in situations of quick-use/quick-need if not up to practice.

Overall: I can't complain about this tool, because what it does in the size that it does it is remarkable. Leatherman still has my vote for most compact useful tool ever. Mostly, I suggest to get one just to satisfy your curiosity. While it won't replace other products in the Leatherman line...vice-grip type pliers on your hip? Too nifty to pass up, review-seekers.

I recently traded in an old, original tool in exchange for a nice, blued-black "Blast," tool. Since I don't collect them, I figured I needed a new model. They replaced it free for me. That means Leatherman's customer service is still fantastic, since they service, ship, repair and manufacture out of Portland Oregon, just like they have for over two decades.

Buy one.

KW

The Crunch is a very rugged quality tool. It lacks an eyeglass screwdriver, but does have three straight blade screwdrivers plus a Phillips driver. I like the locking feature on the screwdrivers and knife blade, and the plier handles do not cut into your fingers like the open handle PST does. A bit more time is required to open the Crunch and get it ready to use as a plier than is the case with the PST. The angle of the one handle on the pliers is awkward to grasp comfortably. I like having a socket for hex bits, but am concerned it would be easy to lose the adjusting screw when removing it to access the socket. I did not think I would like the serrated knife blade, but find it ideal for stripping small wires. (One reviewer said it is difficult to sharpen. The trick to sharpening serrated blades is to hone the flat side of the blade lightly at a very shallow angle.) Because I sometimes want a needle nose plier, I will carry my PST, too. The Leatherman cases are dry and hard. I always apply a leather treatment oil repeatedly until they are softer. I did not need a Crunch, but have always been enamored by them. A gift certificate from my brother allowed me to do something frivolous that I do not regret and that is becoming very practical.

I am a photographer, musician, and general manly man who does manly things. In all seriousness though, I am always fixing something or building a new project. Short of this thing having a flashlight and a built-in .22 pistol, it's the best multitool ever made.

Let me toss out a few everyday uses I have for this- (no, I didn't ride my bike out to baja like the other reviews, but oh well...)
- A few weeks ago, my large format camera got stock on a very expensive tripod that didn't belong to me. I tried using a generic multitool, but I simply couldn't get the bolt gripped tight enough. Pulled out the Crunch and it was unstuck in a matter of seconds.
- Recharged my A/C the other day, used the Crunch to disassemble some things.
- Makeshift clamp for gluing small objects together
- Used the crunch to hold my mic to a stand, as well as general maintenance at a show

Let me make this clear: The Crunch is AWESOME. You will use it everyday and be glad you have it instead of your Wave or Flik or whatever else you carry. Yes, you may miss your scissors and alternate knives, but this serves a different purpose than your Victorinox.

My problems with my Crunch:
1) After a month, the jaws started to loosen up and pop open after I had closed them. This pissed me off, as it necessitated two-handed opening to unstick it, and I was 30 minutes away from calling Leatherman to yell at them and get the warranty info. I tried using two vice grips, ironically, to tighten it (the smooth rivet next to the jaws on either side) and slightly marred the surface. It doesn't turn. I stuck it in a vice, and voila, good as new. Maybe it was just my crunch, or the heavy conditions I've put it through, but I think Leatherman should have put more thought into it (the accessory nut in the bottom right of the picture is knurled and can be loosened and tightened). This is what took a star off my rating. Using the wire cutters loosens it up somewhat.
2) The obligatory 'what the hell is up with three screwdrivers?' comment. Really, Leatherman?
3) Non-interchangeable parts *to the best of my knowledge. I would REALLY like some sort of scissors or tweezers instead of the damned screwdriver motley crew they have going on.
4) Wire cutters were so-so, as are wire strippers. They work in a crunch (ha, ha), but certainly don't replace the original tools. I dented mine permanently trying to cut through some thick wire...never again. Light duty at best.


The flaws taken into account, I carry this tool everyday, and I wouldn't carry anything else. The advantages of pocket vice grips are too numerous to name.

The Leatherman Crunch is quite a compact instrument. I've previously carried a Kershaw A100 (almost a foot long in the "carry" position) and I now carry a Surge, one of the largest Leatherman tools out there. with both opened, the Surge is 1.5" longer than the Crunch. The Crunch is about the size of the "standard" Leatherman, the PST.

I don't know what marketing decisions have taken place to keep the Crunch so well hidden - I've yet to find a brick-and-mortar store that stocks it, and until mine arrived in the mail, I'd never even seen one! This is amazing to me, because I can easily see the next generation of multitools being based on locking jaw pliers.

First, the pros:
1. Locking Jaw. (duh) Locking Jaw pliers are the original multi-tools - they can be used for just about anything by themselves. This feature alone more than makes up for the few shortcomings.
2. Compact, lightweight. The smaller it is, the more likely you'll have it with you.
3. Strong. The first thing I did was tighten the adjustment screw as far as it would go, then try to lock the jaws. I had to loosen the screw a couple turns before I could get it to lock, but it was tensioned VERY hard and gave no indication that anything was going to seize up or let go. I wouldn't trust it with as much force as an actual pair of Vice Grips, but what I saw and felt was impressive.
4. Includes the most-used accessory tools - knife, screwdriver/pry bars, bottle opener, wire cutters, wire stripper.
5. Hex-bit driver - while I like having a couple screwdrivers on-board, I use a screwdriver quite regularly, and replacing a multitool just because of a worn out screwdriver gets expensive fast. The hex-bit driver accepts standard, 1/4" hex bits, or the flattened, Leatherman-style bits.

The cons:
1. "old-style" accessory tool deployment. The Wave and Surge (and the Kershaw A100) have the knife and other long tools accessible directly from the "Carry" position. You have to open up the Crunch to get to any of the accessory tools. Aside from needing to open the tool to get to the knife, this method also puts the knife edge above the bottom handle, instead of on the edge of the handle, making some cutting jobs difficult. It's a problem for all traditional-style multitools, not just the crunch.
2. Serrated Knife - I prefer a standard knife, or multiple knives.
3. Unusual opening and closing - it feels like you have to assemble the pliers each time you try to use them. When you're used to pulling the Surge out of its holster and flicking it open with a twist of the wrist, the Crunch's deployment feels very awkward. Still, in the few hours I've owned it, I've discovered how to open and close it with one hand and without looking at it.
4. Adjuster screw needs to be removed to access the hex-bit driver.

All in all, it's an exceptionally useful tool with a few minor quirks. I plan on carrying it on my belt, between my Surge and the bit kit.