Systematic Tools Knipex Multitool Sheath 2.0 Review
Whoa, what a strange place we are in right now. I am not even sure what kind of product this is. Is it a tool or a sheath or a container? Which scoring system works best? As it turns out, none of them work, so this will be an unscored review (well, even those get a recommendation level of not recommended, recommended, and highly recommended). And here is the weirdest part of this entire equation—there are a bunch of these holders or sheathes out there. This one, or more correctly, the 1.0 version was the first or one of the first.
Multitool Sheath is a 3D printed sheath and tool storage based around the Knipex Cobra XS pliers. That sentence is basically unintelligible fifteen years ago, but now we read it and think: “Oh, I get it.” The design of the Multitool Sheath comes from Todd Parker, one of my very favorite tool and gear YouTubers. His videos are clean, well-photographed, and amazingly well-researched. For years, he was talking about and constructing gear kits for various use scenarios, including EDC. Watching his EDC videos in time order shows you how his thinking about everyday carry evolved and how we ended up with his Multitool Sheath. It was Todd Parker’s channel that inspired by Tool-Box-in-a-Milk Crate design that I now use almost daily around the house, around the shop, and on the road when I have projects that need a suite of tools. This Tool-Box-in-a-Milk Crate design also inspired my modular small parts storage solution. I think both are probably EDC adjacent enough that I should do a write up on them. So more on them later. The Multitool Sheath is designed to give you the smallest and lightest platform for what I like to think of as an “all bases covered” EDC (or for those in the military or government—an ABC EDC; and yes, I know there is no way to start a fire or write, I just don’t have to do those things when doing projects). How well does the Multitool Sheath accomplish that goal? Let’s find out.
Here is the debut video of the 2.0 version. Here is the product page. The Multitool Sheath itself is a 3D printed product likely made from PLA. The kit can be fitted with two different Knipex pliers, either the Cobra Pliers XS or the Pliers Wrench XS. Given the tab on the inside of the much cheaper Workpro XS pliers, I don’t think they will fit, but I am not sure.
The pliers are ALWAYS sold separately. There are currently two options on the Systematic Tools site for the Sheath: fully loaded or base model. The fully loaded version includes the sheath itself and: 1) a steel pin; 2) a bit set; 3) bit driver; 4) the precision driver; 5) a pair of tweezers; 6) a toothpick; 7) a micro pen; and 8) a pair of scissors. The base model includes the sheath and the pin. When I ordered mine there was a third option that included everything in what is now the fully loaded model except for a pocket clip, scissors, and micro pen. The fully loaded version is $135 and the base model is $38.
The included tools are very well sourced. The driver is the 711L bit driver with special stubby double sided 3D Steinwahle bits. The clip is the TEC Tools P-7 pocket clip. The tweezers, toothpick, micro pen, and scissors are from Victorinox. If I had to order now, I would get the fully loaded version, as I have had a heck of time trying to source the scissors. However, I see the wisdom in offering a basic version—it allows users to get into the product very cheaply and fit it out as it best works for them.
The logic behind the Multitool Sheath is pretty straightforward—a carrying case for individual specialized tools is handier than a traditional multitool. Multitools themselves are usually a set of implements forced together in a way that compromises each implement but allows for easier carry. You have a lot of tools in one tool, but none of them are as good as standalone tools would be and you make that tradeoff so you don’t have a pocket full of pokey pieces of steel.
The Multitool Sheath provides good carry for a bunch of individual tools. When you combine it with a knife and a flashlight, it provides what I like to think of as an all bases covered EDC. By that I mean, you have a small tool kit that will let you handle most around the house maintenance tasks. You need a pair of pliers, a driver and bits, a knife, and a light and the Multitool Sheath does that. I recently started work on a headboard that integrates two lights and it has been a very good test for the Multitool Sheath. I also carried it generally for about six months, on and off. Here is what I have found.
First, the Knipex pliers, which were reviewed separately here, are worth building around. With teeth and steel hardened to 61 HRc, they grip even chromed pipes with ease. They will leave marks so be careful, but if holding stuff is the highest priority, these pliers smoke the pliers on every multitool ever made. Their size, grip, and ease of use are very hard to beat. Their major drawback was their poor carry, but the Multitool Sheath addresses that weakness.
I also like the bit driver and bits. Not only are they independently good, but the complement the pliers well. There is a reason almost every multitool includes some kind of bit driving capacity and the 711L with the Steinwahle bits are leaps and bounds better than what you get on most multitools, even premium one’s like those from Leatherman. By being real, 3D bits they have significantly more grip and allow for more torque. The ratcheting head on the 711L is very good and the fit between the driver and the bits is quite snug.
I have had no real reason to use the pin, toothpick, or the tweezer, though I did have to trim the toothpick a bit to keep it pointy when stored. And this gets to a criticism I have about the Multitool Sheath—the design is excellent, truly top notch, but having all of these tools friction fit and be held in place is probably beyond the limits of current filament-based 3D printers. Over time one of the bit slots got a little loose, so I swapped it for the bit that lives in the driver. Nothing bad, but enough that I wanted to mention it. The same is true with the slot for the toothpick. Between the less than granular fit and finish and the tendency for filament to melt, warp, and move, something this small and this precise can run into issues. An injection molded version would have tighter tolerances, but probably cost significantly more AND be something Todd couldn’t handle at his house (comically, he has a print farm in an unused bathroom, for ventilation reasons, I guess).
The sheath itself is really good, even with the drawback caused by its manufacturing method and its materials. It does exactly what I wanted it to do by keeping the tools quite snug and packing a TON of functionality into a very small footprint.
My default multitool is the Skeletool CX. Given that the pliers are better and the driver is better, that makes it hard to carry a Skeletool when the Multitool Sheath is available. In fact, as I have been working on a new woodworking and electrical project, the Multitool Sheath has kicked the Skeletool out of my pocket. Combined with the Spyderco Clipitool that has a straight and serrated blade and a torch, I have a really great all bases covered EDC. The Skeletool is a masterpiece of modern design and is incredibly compact. It is smaller than the loaded Multitool Sheath, but not by much. Here is the Sheath next to the Skeletool:
Here is a comparison of the thickness of the two:
It is only a smidge wider than the Skeletool, as you can see here:
It is not wider than the Charge TTi, again as you can see here:
I will be getting the clip to add it and apparently it is something close to not removable, but the Multitool Sheath can be a bit of a pocket hog given how wide it is.
I have used the kit quite a bit and I am really, really impressed by the design. The bit set that comes with it did real work (electrical work—working with a sconce and baseplate in tight dimensions). The fact that it is built around the Knipex Cobra XS pliers is a great call, though I wonder if there should be one designed for the WorkPro pliers. I haven’t tried them but they are appearing in a lot of people’s tool kits. I do get worried about the filament deforming and not holding the bits tight, but it hasn’t happened yet. Overall, the footprint and tool selection is great. The price is high, but that is what you get when you are dealing with small batch stuff. The Multitool Sheath isn’t as flexible as other options, but I would trade that flexibility for a superior design like what Todd gave us. This is a great product that really does change what a full complement or all bases covered EDC can do.
Highly Recommended
Amazon Links