Another Shoulder Holster Review

Falco Shoulder Holster System from Craft Holsters. Note: each square is one inch.

      Back in early April of this year, I posted a review of a shoulder holster provided to me by Craft Holsters, and manufactured by Vega Holsters in Italy. My oldest son was so impressed with it that he wanted to order one for himself. Craft Holsters did not offer a Vega model in left hand for the firearm my son wanted, but did have it available in a shoulder holster system from Falco Holsters in either brown (shown) or black.  My son paid them the $139 (plus shipping) and had it a few weeks later.

      Although the Falco system is similar to the Vega system, both of which are modeled after the Galco Miami Classic holster system, there are significant differences between the Falco and Vega systems; and for some of you, these differences may justify the $10 price difference.

Front (or outside) of holster

Back-side of holster

     First, as you can see from the photographs, the Falco holster comes with two tie-downs, designed to clip around your belt, to keep the holster from flopping around. I've shown those tie-downs attached, but, like me, my son actually doesn't use them when wearing the system, and thus wears the holster with the tie-downs removed.

     Second, instead of a buckle type system for adjusting the length of the straps on the harness, it uses screws to secure the end to whichever adjustment hole is used.

     Third, the construction of the holster differs significantly from my Vega system. Both the Vego and Falco systems use an open muzzle design, but whereas my Vega used a spacer in the holster because it was stitched closed at the top of the holster, the Falco is completely stitched on the bottom edge. A very thick leather backer (which also doubles as the thumb break) is stitched to the back. (See photograph below).

      Like the Vega system, the Falco system is designed so that if you had to, you could remove the harness and use the holster portion as a belt holster. However, while the Vega attaches the straps to hangers stitched into the holster, the Falco runs the straps through slots cut into the leather backer on the holster. Leather can wear and weaken over time as the leather is flexed, so eliminating the hangers on the holster should give the Falco holster an overall longer life.

A view of the thumb break--note the 3-layers of leather.

      Fourth, the harness straps are connected together via two leather pieces (one above and one under) the straps and all of them riveted together. (See below). As you may recall, my Vega system used a silicone piece to which the harness straps attached via metal snaps.

How the harness straps connect (outside view)

How the harness straps connect (underside)

     There are also some differences in the construction and design of the magazine pouch.

Magazine pouch (top-side)

Magazine pouch (under-side)

Magazine pouch with two 15-round Glock magazines

      When I got my holster, I didn't need to use the leather break-in kit that was also provided. This one was a tight enough fit, though, that my son did have to use the leather break-in kit to stretch both the retention strap around the firearm and to fit the magazines into their pouch. The process was simple and only needed an over-night treatment. So I would recommend getting the break-in kit if you order this system.

      My son had previously carried his pistol in a DeSantis inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster with a Kore brand gun belt, but prefers this holster for three main reasons: first, it doesn't tend to pull down his pants during the day as did the DeSantis holster; two, it allowed him to carry extra magazines; and, three, it is less trouble to get on and off. He did note that the holster was initially uncomfortable to wear, mostly because he wasn't use to it, but that quickly passed due to adjusting it as needed to fit him correctly and acclimation to it on the shoulders.

     In short, my son really likes the Falco shoulder holster system and has been very pleased with it.

     I discussed some aspects of wearing a shoulder holster generally in my prior review, so if you want to learn more, I would suggest that you take a glance at that article.

Review: Craft Holsters' "Grizzly" Holster

Grizzly Holster on belt and oriented as you would carry it.

Earlier this year, I reviewed a shoulder holster from a company called Craft Holsters (they also have a Facebook page and Instagram page). I subsequently learned that Craft Holsters had released two new models--an IWB holster line they are calling the Lynx, and a small-of-the-back holster line they are calling the Grizzly--both made completely in-house. Both are priced at $59 each and available in a Mahogany brown (picture) or black. I convinced them to send to me a Grizzly holster for my Beretta 84 for an upcoming comparison between the various holsters I have for that weapon: a strong-side OWB holster, the aforementioned shoulder holster, and, now, the small-of-the-back holster. But before doing the comparison, I wanted to do just a straight-up review of the specific holster.

     I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about trying out this holster. When I first started carrying concealed I tried out several different firearms and methods of carry (see "Concealed Carry--No Elegant Solution"), including small-of-the-back with both a .22 Beretta and a .380 Grendel P-12, and discovered it was extremely uncomfortable if having to sit--so uncomfortable that I never wanted to try again. Then last weekend, just after I received shipment of the holster, I tweaked my back, so I was understandably more reluctant to try a small-of-the-back holster.

    With all of that in mind, let me just tell you what a difference a quality holster and belt can make! 

     First, let's take a closer look at the holster. Below are photographs I took of the holster the day I received it. (Each square is 1-inch).

Back of holster (i.e. what will be pressed up against your body)

Front of holster (i.e., what is facing away from your body)

       As you can see, the leather is molded to the specific model of firearm. The leather is heavy duty and very stiff. The coloring and finish of the holster is very good and even. Stitching is also very even, with good tension. Fit around the gun was good, but not what I would term tight: that is, the pistol fits nicely without play, but it was easily inserted and removed. Although it probably wouldn't have made any difference, just for peace-of-mind, I wished it was a little tighter.

      The holster, as you can see from the photographs, is a single layer of leather folded over and stitched together into a double layer below where the trigger and muzzle end of the frame rest. Where the two layers meet up, the leather has been trimmed and smoothed so it is difficult to even see the seam (see photos further below in the article). There is then a third-piece of leather stitched around the mouth of the holster that helps further protect the holster from collapsing after the gun is drawn. 

      The gun attaches to a belt via two 1-3/4 inch loops: the belt slot you can see on both of the photographs above, and an actual loop on the backside formed by the piece of reinforcing leather (see below). As with most any holster worn on a belt, you need to use it with a quality gun belt to keep it from sagging outward. I used a Kore gun belt from Kore Essentials which, with its ratcheting feature, worked very well for tightening or loosening the belt as necessary.

Back view with belt fed through loop and slot.

       Obviously, when you have to feed a belt through a slot and loop like this, it is difficult and not something easily done while wearing your slacks. Especially since if you have a belt loop in the middle, you probably will want to feed the belt through the slot on the holster, through the belt loop, and then through the holster's loop. I found it just easier to do all of that with my slacks off. 

      I did get in some time with the holster before tweaking my back, mostly just to see how it felt. My real test was this weekend, though. My back pain had alleviated enough I thought I would give it try, and I thought it would be good day to test it because I would be running to the grocery store (i.e., riding in a car and walking around a large Fred Meyer department store) and doing some work around the house (drilling holes and hanging some brackets and peg board on the wall) which would require repeated bending and climbing up and down from a step stool. Finally, although not expected, my father-in-law decided to take us out to dinner since Saturday was the first day that restaurants had re-opened, so that had me sitting and eating a meal and visiting for a period of time. All-in-all, a pretty good test of how the holster performed doing typical daily activities. 

      And it did very well. Because of its position, it was well balanced for my back. In fact, what lower back pain I still had from the prior weekend resolved during the day, so it obviously wasn't putting any additional stress on my back. The mix of a good belt and the extra leather on the back of the holster kept poky things, such as the safety lever, from poking into my back. Upright activities such as the standing, walking, and stepping onto and off of the step stool were great. While I like the shoulder holster, I have to admit that I liked not having that bit of drag and slightly freer range of motion while using the drill, level and screwdrivers as I hung the brackets and peg board. 

      As for sitting, I'm not going to lie and tell you it was as comfortable as other holsters. But it was not the painful experience I had when younger and trying different methods of carry. Again, a good belt and holster can make a world of difference. It was fine for the short drives I made in vehicles. I tend to slouch a bit when sitting anyway, so there was no issue while at the restaurant. 

     One of my fears with the holster was that maybe the firearm would fall out. Admittedly, I was not attempting athletics or trying to do a backflip on the dance floor, but I did not have any issues with the firearm coming out during the day. The only issue I had was that I was reclining on my bed late in the evening watching some YouTube videos, went to get up, and had the gun fall out and onto the floor. I suspect that in that instance, just shifting around with the gun pressed up against a pillow had been enough to pull the gun out of the holster so when I stood up, it fell out.

     My cover garment was a loose fitting Hawaiian style shirt in a dark blue. My wife didn't notice any printing while we were out and about and I didn't have problems with the shirt riding up and over the gun. But, I had pulled my slacks up and belted it around my waist (not my hips as is common today, but my actual waste above the hip bones) and the shirt was long. 

The day after: minimal deformation of the leather around the belt slot

The day after: the mouth of the holster looks pretty good.

      It is easy to say that "thou shalt not use [fill-in-the-blank] style of holster," but the reality is that concealed carry is often full of trade-offs based on physical factors (e.g., body shape or size, weight of a firearm, disabilities), economic factors (e.g., how much do you have to spend on a firearm or holster or belt), and job (nature of your job, such as sitting or standing, type of dress, etc.). That's not to say that you should discount or ignore the pros and cons of various types of holsters or methods of carrying, but what works for one person will not necessarily work for others. And you may have to make trade-offs with respect to access or safety.

     So, what are the pros and cons of small-of-the-back carry and this holster? Well, as I discovered, when coupled with a good belt, was that carrying with the gun centered relative to the spine meant that I didn't have back pain from it at the end of the day. Thus, this might be an option for someone who suffers from back pain, or a good option for someone that stands or walks most of their day if you are able to wear a loose shirt or wear a coat/tunic or vest as many stores require their associates to do.

     I haven't practiced a whole lot with the draw, but it is a bit unusual in that you have to turn your hand upside down from normal to grasp the pistol. Of course, like any holster under a covering garment, you will need to use your off-hand to pull up the cover garment in order to have a clean draw. I plan on testing this and comparing it against other holsters in the next few weeks or so.

     Access to the holster is good while standing, but nigh impossible if you are seated in a car with the seatbelt on. Something to consider. While not uncomfortable (at least to the point of distress) while seated, I would observe that I made short trips in vehicles and was seated at the restaurant for the time necessary to order and eat a meal. So, I can't say what it would be like after a long period of sitting.

     As I noted above, I was nervous as to the issue of passive retention. For most day-to-day activities, I think this holster is fine. I would probably not use this particular holster for athletic activities such as running or playing sports or doing back flips on the dance floor, although a small-of-the-back holster with a retaining strap would probably be fine. As for someone trying to take the gun, if they are coming from the front, they would have to reach around your body to get at the firearm, so probably not as easy as trying to grab a firearm in a side-holster or appendix carry. I didn't experiment with someone trying to foul a draw or what might happen if you fell or were knocked to the ground.

    Obviously, with the gun canted and pointing off to one side, there is the issue of muzzling both others and, potentially, yourself when drawing the firearm. I think you can do so without muzzling yourself, but you have to practice to make sure that the muzzle doesn't cross over your leg or hip when you bring it around your body and up to presentation. Because of this, like some other styles of holsters, don't expect a gun range or firearms instructor to allow you to use this type of holster. 

     In conclusion, the Grizzly holster was a quality built product and should hold up well over a long period of time. It easily equals or exceeds in quality similarly priced holsters from other manufacturers. 

      For those of you worried about ordering from a company in Slovakia, I will just say that shipping is fast even with the disruptions due to COVID-19. My son's shoulder holster that he ordered from Craft Holsters and this holster shipped on the same day and both arrived within one week (mine arrived on a Friday and his was delivered on the following Monday). He had selected the standard delivery option. If you order a setup that is not in stock but has to be manufactured (i.e., crafted) for you, it may be several weeks before it ships, but that is no different from any other custom holster shop. But as long as you select the standard shipping option, you needn't worry about it coming via a slow boat--it will be delivered in a timely manner.

      Pair this holster with a good belt, and I think you would be pleased with the Grizzly holster.

A Quick Run Around the Web (11/15/2019)

"Using the M1 Carbine for Self-Defense [M1 Carbine Series Part 3]"--Lucky Gunner Ammo (12 min.). Some thoughts on why you might want to use the M1 Carbine over another rifle, and some tips on how to make it a little better at the role (without destroying the collector's value of the gun)

• "Active Killer Response Options for Armed Citizens"--Active Response Training. The author notes that with more and more people carrying weapons, it will become more likely for more than one armed player be in motion in the wake of a shooting. The key point:

When someone starts killing people and you whip your pistol out to engage, there are likely to be other armed people in the crowd.  Have you thought about how those folks will perceive your actions?  Will they mistake you for the killer?  The cops are coming quickly as well.  Have you considered that they might shoot you by mistake?

• "HOME BUILD A RETRO AR"--American Handgunner. Remember when the AR was a light-weight, handy rifle? No, me either. But it apparently was once so.
• "Essential Components of AR-15 Barrel Installation"--The Captain's Journal. 
• "Colt King Cobra Revolver Review"--Guns & Ammo. This is Colt's 3-inch barrel version. The author writes: "The 9½-­pound double-­action (DA) trigger is, to me, the best DA trigger out there. The pull is very smooth and breaks crisply without a hint of creep or grit."
• "Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 686 Raises the Bar Again"--Guns America. A revolver built for competition shooting.
• "The .45 Colt: A Wheelgun Classic"--Gun Digest. A look at some of the modern offerings in this venerable cartridge. Note, however, that the powerful hunting or defensive loads may be too hot for even modern reproductions of old SAA and Remington revolvers.

• Related: "The .45 Colt — From Cowboy to Action to Self-Defense"--K-Var Blog.

• Related: "Personal Defense 45 Colt Loads: Some Are Sedate, Others Sizzle"--Gun Tests.

• "Slings and Carrying Straps"--Chuck Hawks.

       The rifle may be slung over either shoulder either muzzle up or muzzle down. When hunting in the rain it is handy to sling the rifle muzzle down over the off shoulder. This keeps the weapon as dry as possible, particularly the inside of the barrel. Another advantage of this barrel down position is that the rifle may be brought up to shooting position quickly.

      To do this the right handed shooter should carry the rifle slung barrel down over his or her left shoulder with the left hand (under the sling), grasping the forearm of the rifle. To bring the rifle to shooting position the rifleman need only to lift his left arm straight out ahead of him and rotate his wrist counter-clockwise 180 degrees. The rifle will be right side up and ready to snug into the shooter's shoulder. (If you are left handed, substitute "right" for "left.")

• "Handgun Speed vs. Accuracy: What's the Right Balance?"--Shooting Illustrated. According to the author, the right balance will depend on how much time, resources, and money you can put into training and practice.
• No surprise here: "An Ancestral Genome of The Plague Has Been Traced Back to Russia"--Science Alert. "The precursor, the researchers say, came from Russia, specifically a town called Laishevo in the historical Volga region, based on the evidence of a sample known as LAI009."
• "The HoloSun HE403R-GD “Gold Dot” Review: Worthy of a Gold Star?"--The New Rifleman. The answer is a "yes." Writes the author:

      The Gold Dot concept is just as valid as red, or green dots… I appreciated the dot outdoors as it was bright and obvious against foliage. It may be weaker against white backdrops and bright weapon lights, but I was unable to wash it out until danger close distances to the target. Like any reticle/color choice, it has its ups and downs.

      I give this optic a recommendation for shooters looking for a solid red dot sight. 

• For you martial arts buffs: "Keeping Skills Sharp"--Recoil Magazine. The article is a brief introduction to Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK), a bladed weapon martial art from the Bacolod region of the Philippines. From the article:

At a fundamental level, PTK puts much of its initial focus on controlling distance and proximity, essential elements in a blade-focused system. This is accomplished through training footwork and body angling drills. Dictating proximity, or your position in relation to your opponent is seen as essential in controlling your opponent’s ability to attack and defend. Controlling distance is essential to accuracy, especially when wielding weapons of various lengths. The focus of many PTK weapon-based drills is to increase speed, power, timing, and accuracy. These attributes — among others — are considered essential to making a technique work in a defensive situation.

I think the basics of all melee combat arts is controlling distance, proximity and tempo.

• "A Potential Man-Made Disaster (part 3)"--Blue Collar Prepping. Thoughts on prepping for a civil war. Two key points that the author makes is situational awareness and being prepared to move. Sparks31 and others have written extensively about monitoring local radio traffic to gain local situational awareness, and since I know next to nothing about radio, I would refer you to those sources for more information. Unfortunately, Sparks31 opens and shuts down blogs and websites with regularity, so its hard to keep track of where to find him. However, you can download a copy of his book, Commo, here (large PDF). 
• "Emergency Radio Communication for when the SHTF!"--Alpha Survivalist. An overview.

• Related: "How to Build a Homemade Radio That Really Works"--Boys Life.

• Related: "Which are the Best Long Range Two Way Radios?"--Alpha Survivalist.

• "Costco Powdered Eggs review"--Commander Zero. Bottom line: "I find them to be acceptable, and certainly a better alternative to no eggs."
• "David Grasty’s School of Bushcraft and Survival"--The Mountaineer. A look at an up and coming wilderness survival/foraging expert.
• "Criminals and the Guns They Carry"--Buckeye Firearms Association. This is a 2012 article from Greg Ellifritz taking a look at the types of weapons carried by criminals based on weapons seized by the police department for which he works. As you would expect, the vast majority were handguns. Interestingly, 28% were unloaded; 10% were could not function, and another 20% had limited functionality because they had frequent malfunctions, were missing magazines, or other problems. 
• "We are not going to die from climate change"--Behind the Black. From the article:

      Tony Heller today published this quite thorough review of the failed climate predictions by global warming scientists/activists, while also providing a great summary of the real state of our climate.

     You can disagree or question him on one point or another, but the overall data once again illustrates the uncertainty that surrounds climate science. We really do not know what is going on, and any predictions that claim we do are hogwash.

"CHINA Accuses the CIA of DESTROYING ASIAN MASCULINITY"--Black Pigeon Speaks (12 min.). Effeminate male pop stars apparently a thing in Eastern Asia (Korea, Japan and China). In China, they are termed "Fresh Little Meat," which itself is suggestive. While the Chinese government (and even everyday Japanese) may blame the CIA, it seems that it is a natural result of the r/K cycle. 

• r-psychology at work: "Abortionist Testifies: ‘No Question’ Babies Being Born Alive To Harvest Organs"--The Daily Wire.
• More more r-psychology: "We teach boys that marriage doesn’t work"--Fabius Maximus. 

       In fact our time is shaped by Girls’ Game: romance the man, stage the party-of-her-life, marry, have kids, divorce when they are in school – then get community property, child support, and independence. The husband provides support during those first few difficult years raising the children, then is dumped. She then gets the children she wants without the bother of having a husband. It is the logical strategy for women raised to value their independence above all else.

* * *

      One result of Girls’ Game: in 2005/06 less 60% of US adolescents (11, 13, and 15 years old) lived with both birth parents (per the OCED Family Database), the lowest level in the OCED. Today probably even fewer do.

• Related: "Women embrace higher values, destroying their families"--Fabius Maximus. Some more analysis of how "girl power" and no-fault divorce is destroying the family unit.

• Related: "America’s families are broken. Dreams won’t build new ones."--Fabius Maximus. A discussion of how the old order, derogatorily termed "the patriarchy" was required to lure men into the chains of "the rat race" required to support an industrial civilization, and how the destruction of that old order is also disincentivizing men from entering the "rat race." Quoting from Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind: “Of necessity, therefore, it was understood to be the woman’s job to get and hold the man by her charms and wiles because, by nature, nothing else would induce him to give up his freedom in favor of the heavy duties of family. But women no longer wish to do this, and they, with justice, consider it unfair according to the principles governing us. …"

It will come crashing down. In Isaiah 4:1 we read: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach." Although this passage is generally cited as an example of how many men will be killed in the wars and disasters preceding the Second Coming, women have historically refused to marry down (i.e., marry someone of a lower social class) even in periods when there is a shortage of men due to war such as post-Civil War America. So, to me, this passage indicates that the social stigma of not marrying will be greater than the stigma of marrying down. (Unless this is an example of the Pareto Principle--80% of the women chasing 20% of the men--in which case, you can ignore the previous sentence).

• "In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace"--Pew Research. 

In Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019, 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians when asked about their religion, down 12 percentage points over the past decade. Meanwhile, the religiously unaffiliated share of the population, consisting of people who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” now stands at 26%, up from 17% in 2009.

Even worse among Millennials. 

• Vox Day notes the "the Boomer cluelessness that simply can't grasp the significance of a rise in tuition from 500/semester to 15,000/semester when wages have not risen."
• Another consequence of the swine fever epidemic in China: "China lifts ban on US poultry"--DW.

      US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer welcomed the lifting of the "unwarranted" ban.

      "China is an important export market for America’s poultry farmers, and we estimate they will now be able to export more than $1 billion (€0.9 billion), worth of poultry and poultry products each year to China," he said.

• "American Blunder: Throwing Open Our Markets To China"--Pat Buchanan. 

      Among the epochal blunders America has committed since the end of the Cold War, three stand out.

      The first was our disastrous plunge into the Middle East to create regimes oriented to the West. The second was the expansion of NATO to the front porch of Russia, driving the largest nation on earth, and one of its most formidable nuclear powers, into the arms of China.

     The third was to throw open America’s markets to Chinese goods on favorable terms, which led to the enrichment and empowerment of a regime whose long-term threat to U.S. interests and values is as great as was that of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

It started under George H. W. Bush who had close ties with China. Of course, Biden and his son, Hunter, also have close ties with China.

• "The CIA falsely believed it was 'invincible' in China — here's how its spies were reportedly discovered and killed in one of the biggest blows to the agency"--Business Insider. The article blames a poorly written internet based communications systems used to communicate with new spies that apparently, when cracked, allowed access to a broader array of CIA communications. I, however, wonder how much of it was the result of Hillary Clinton's "private" email server.
• "ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATE OF THE STATES REPORT"--American Partisan. As we have come to expect, underfunded pensions are the Sword of Damocles hanging over the most liberal states. The author writes: "I don’t foresee public sector pensions being trimmed until the taxpayer looks like a Holocaust victim.  Expect a lot of internal migration and possibly emigration."
• "Is The British Empire Largely Misunderstood?"--American Conservative. Excerpt:

Black notes that “empire was in part supported and defended on the grounds that it provided opportunities for the advance of civilization.” Britain, which was “more liberal, culturally, economically, socially, and politically, than the other major European powers,” was central to ending the slave trade and slavery. British imperialism promised, and to varying degrees secured, rule of law, participatory government, and individual freedoms to many around the world. Imperialism also has a frequent tendency to protect ethnic minorities more than nation-states, because it de facto requires buy-in from everyone, while purist nationalist regimes (e.g. Turkey, Yugoslavia, Burma, Sudan) are often the ones engaged in ethnic cleansing.

• "America Is Running Out of White Children to Solve the Problems of Nonwhite Children"--Steve Sailor at The Unz Review. Liberals want to reintroduce busing to re-integrate schools (and boost test scores), but the problem is that the percentage of school kids that are white has sharply declined over the past two decades.
• "Aquinas on usury"--Vox Popoli. Money quote (pardon the pun): "To take usury for money lent is unjust in itself, because this is to sell what does not exist, and this evidently leads to inequality which is contrary to justice."
• They don't build 'em like this anymore: "NASA's Voyager 2 probe sends back its first discoveries from interstellar space 42 years after blasting off from Earth – providing 'valuable clues about the structure of the Solar System'"--Daily Mail. From the article:

      Researchers from various US institutions confirmed that Voyager 2's journey had taken it into the 'space between the stars' by noting a 'definitive jump' in the density of plasma — charged particles and gas — found around the probe.

     This change was detected by Voyager 2's instruments and is evidence of the probe making its way 'from the hot, lower-density plasma characteristic of the solar wind to the cool, higher-density plasma of interstellar space,' they said.

      The observed increase is similar to the plasma density jump experienced by Voyager 1 when it previously crossed into interstellar space, the researchers added. 

      Among many things, the astronomers are particularly  looking to gain a better understanding of how the solar winds — the stream of charged particles coming out of the Sun — interact with the interstellar winds, which are formed from particles coming from other stars.

• "How To Use a Digital Multimeter"--Popular Mechanics. Some safety rules and instructions on 5 common tasks: (1) testing batteries, (2) testing electrical outlets, (3) testing a wall switch, (4) testing extension cords, and (5) reading temperature (if your meter has this feature: mine doesn't). My most common use is to perform simple continuity tests.
• Another project for you electronics enthusiasts: "Build the long range Laser Spy system"--Lucid Science. From the introduction:

We will be starting with an ultra basic proof of concept test system that will show you how the Laser Spy converts vibration into sound and how careful alignment of both the laser and receiver are required for optimal performance. Ironically, the most basic configuration may prove to be the most useful, and the $20 you spend in parts could create a system that works as well (or better) than some of the ones that are for sale on the internet for thousands of dollars. As you will find out, the key to spying with a laser beam is in the alignment and reception of the beam, not some magical black box full of fancy filters and optical components.

Article and Video: "Prepping 101: Feminine Products Etc."

From Guns America Digest. Link to a 6-1/2 minute video on the topic, as well as a list of links to various menstrual cups for sale.

The Realist: Mini-Review - 2018 Ozark Trail 12-in-1 Multitools

[Another guest post from The Realist]

Two models of the inexpensive Ozark Trail multitool, with the model 7012 to the left, and the model 7500 to the right.

        With Christmas approaching, Walmart recently put out their stocking-stuffer sporting goods products. Prominently displayed again this year as one of their offerings was an inexpensive ($4.87) Ozark Trails multitool. Also, hidden in the back of the sporting goods department was a similar Ozark Trails multitool for the same price. I should note that the price of these low-end multitools went up one dollar since last year.

       In 2015, I did a review of a similar multitool being offered by Walmart as a stocking-stuffer
(http://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-realist-mini-review-ozark-trail-12.html).

Older Ozark Trail Model 7012 Multitool

        The multitool hidden in the back of the sporting goods department, the model 7012, is substantially the same as the one I reviewed in 2015, with only the design of the slots cut in the handles being different. This model of multitool was also offered as a stocking-stuffer for 2016 and 2017. The package design was recently updated to match its more prominently displayed sibling.

        The model 7012 multitool comes with a sheath/pouch fitted for the multitool. The individual tools are: 1) needle nose pliers, 2) regular pliers, 3) wire cutter, 4) straight edge knife, 5) serrated knife (misidentified as a saw on the packaging), 6) bottle opener, 7) can opener, 8) awl, 9) file, 10) medium straight screwdriver, 11) small straight screwdriver, and 12) Phillips screw driver. The two types of pliers and wire cutter are part of the same jaw assembly. The bottle opener and can opener are separate structures on the same blade.

       This multitool still has all the same flaws I identified in my earlier review. None of the blades/tools lock open. The straight edge knife blade has a tolerable edge - it could use some touching up. The serrated edge knife blade is just dull. The awl is dull and has a too-blunt point. The medium straight screwdriver is serviceable, but the corners are slightly rounded. The small straight screwdriver blade is too thick for most small screws, and also has rounded corners (it could be touched up with a file to become a serviceable tool). The file is double sided, with one side being acceptable, and the other side being pretty dull because the grooves are not cut deep enough. And, the sheath/pouch is fairly well made - much better than I would expect for an inexpensive multitool.

Updated Ozark Trail Model 7500 Multitool

        The more prominently displayed multitool, the model 7500, has some minor changes from its predecessor. It is also offered in three handle colors silver (unpainted metal), black, and pink. The peened pivot posts for the tools have been replaced with Torx screws. And, I am mildly amused to see the reappearance of the fish scaler tool.

         This multitool also comes with a sheath/pouch, and claims to have the same twelve tools as its sibling: 1) needle nose pliers, 2) regular pliers, 3) wire cutter, 4) straight edge knife, 5) serrated knife (misidentified as a saw on the packaging), 6) bottle opener, 7) can opener, 8) awl, 9) file, 10) medium straight screwdriver, 11) small straight screwdriver, and 12) Phillips screw driver. However, the blade labeled as "file" on the packaging has a file on one side, a two-inch ruler on the other side, a beveled V-slot on the end probably intended to be used as short pry bar, and the fish scaler along one edge - that is three additional tools not identified on the packaging. With the addition of the tools that were not listed, this multitool could be characterized as a 15-in-1 multitool.

         This multitool has most of the flaws enumerated above for the 7012 multitool. The file is made with fairly soft steel, so it works with soft metal and wood, but not harder metals.

Summary

        Walmart is selling two different models of the Ozark Trail 12-in-1 multitool, the model 7012 which is like those sold in past years, and an updated model 7500 multitool. The price has increased one dollar to $4.87. Both models are functionally very similar, with the two-sided file of the 7012 being replaced with a file/ruler/fish-scaler/pry-bar blade.  As a result, the newer 7500 multitool could be described as a 15-in-1 multitool.

        If I had to make a choice between the two models, I would go for the newer model 7500 because it has Torx pivot screws that can be adjusted if necessary.

         For less than five dollars, these are not bad multitools. But, be very aware that to meet a low price point, these multitools use inferior materials that will not handle the abuse a more expensive multitool can handle. These multitools are good inexpensive stocking-stuffers, or a good starter multitool if you are building up emergency kits for unprepared friends or family members.

The Realist: Buying Multitools on ebay

Another guest post by The Realist:

Disclaimer: The following article reflects my personal experience with several dozen arms-length ebay transactions over a period of a year and a half resulting in the purchase of several dozen multitools and a handful of related accessories. This article reflects my unique circumstances, and subjective observations and opinions with regard to the multitools purchased. Your mileage may vary.

(Source)

       Two years ago, I wrote an article about my experience with buying Swiss Army Knives on ebay for barter/resale purposes (http://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/2016/10/buying-swiss-army-knives-on-ebay-realist.html). In that article I explained why I was interested in knives and multitools for barter/resale: "I have read various posts on various preparedness/survival sites about The End Of The World As We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) barter/resale. One comment several years ago by Mr. Rawles of SurvialBlog got me to start watching ebay for knives seized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at airports. This combination of posts got me thinking about the topic of knives as a barter/resale item."

       In the Swiss Army Knife article, I averred that I didn't really have a strategy for buying name-brand multitools beyond watching for sales, clearance items, and other random opportunities. I also noted that used multitools didn't seem to be discounted relative to new multitools.

        Since that time, I have developed a strategy for buying new Leatherman brand multitools and used Gerber brand multitools. Most of these purchases have been Leatherman multitools.

        My strategy is really nothing more than a process of discovering a price point where a desired item can be purchased with sufficient frequency to satisfy my needs, and then exercising purchase discipline to only make purchases when the price is at or below the price point.

        The "price point" is the maximum price I have decided I am willing to pay for a particular model of multitool. I will gladly pay less. Although, a price significantly below my established price point may fall into the too-good-to-be-true category, requiring much greater scrutiny of the ebay listing.

        By "sufficient frequency," I mean that the multitool can be purchased with enough regularity to satisfy my stockpiling objectives. In my case, sufficient frequency means an ebay listing meeting my requirements once every couple of weeks. The price point will not be the absolute lowest price, because the absolute lowest price does not satisfy the sufficient frequency requirement - the absolute lowest price will occur very infrequently. On the other hand, if the price point is too high, the frequency will be too high.

        Exercising purchase discipline means that I absolutely do not pay more than my established price point. I have rejected listings where the purchase price plus shipping was only a dollar or two over the price point. If I don't exercise purchase discipline, then the price point is merely a suggestion.

         Another factor influencing my strategy is a strong preference for buy-it-now listings. I have been an ebay member since early 1998, and have personally found auctions to be tedious and auction closing prices to be unpredictable.

        My purchasing strategy could probably be applied to just about any readily available mass-produced currently-in-production product that is offered regularly on ebay.

        With Leatherman multitools, my strategy largely accepts my observations that used Leatherman multitools in good condition sell for pretty much the same price as new multitools on ebay once I account for missing components such as sheaths. And frequently, I see buy-it-now listings for used TSA-seized multitools without a sheath priced at close to the retail price. If you don't consider sheaths important, then you might be able to find a lower price point - at the time of this writing, I have not found a successful strategy for purchasing used Leatherman multitools at prices I consider acceptable.

        However, I have found one particular product line of Gerber multitools that have favorable used prices. They usually don't come with a sheath, but occasionally one is offered with a sheath for a reasonable price. In contrast to the used Leatherman multitools, these Gerber multitools are regularly being sold as military surplus.

        Also, note that I am selecting particular models of multitools because I have confidence in them, and not because they can be obtained cheaply. If I was only interested in acquiring an inventory of multitools cheaply, I would just buy a bunch of the four-dollar Ozark Trails multitools at Walmart
(http://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-realist-mini-review-ozark-trail-12.html).

Leatherman Multitools

        Over the the years, I have purchased a variety of Leatherman multitools for personal use and inclusion in various emergency kits. For this exercise, I have focused on the the Rebar, Wave and Micra multitools from Leatherman.

The Leatherman Rebar (left) and Micra (right)

Leatherman Rebar Experience

        The Leatherman Rebar is a full sized multitool with a closed length of four inches, weighs 6.7 ounces, and incorporates seventeen tools. The wire cutters have replaceable blades. (https://www.leatherman.com/rebar-831551.html)

       Initially, my focus was on the Leatherman Rebar since I had purchased a couple of them for personal use and liked them.

        My first few purchases intended for later barter/resale involved a mix of used and new Rebars. I found that auction prices for used Rebars were too volatile to be worth the effort of placing a bid. For example, I had won an auction for a Rebar that was in good condition, except for some superficial rust (rust spots on the file and rust stains on a couple other tools), for what I thought was a very reasonable price. Another auction for a Rebar with similar superficial rust a couple of weeks later closed for roughly twice the price I had paid for the first one - so much for a rusty Rebar strategy. I watched many other multitool auctions and saw similar closing-price volatility.

        Regularly, I also noticed that there were many listings offering new and new-in-package Rebars. I decided to focus only on new Rebars, with a preference for new-in-package. And, given my longstanding distaste for bidding auctions, I also focused on buy-it-now listings.

        I found a price point where I was able to find a buy-it-now listing for a Rebar fairly regularly (every couple of weeks). That price point, including any separate shipping charge, was approximately two-thirds of the Amazon price. If the Rebar was new without a package, I was occasionally able to get it for even less. For the record, six times I purchased a new-without-package Rebar, and in each instance the Rebar and its accompanying sheath indeed looked new upon close examination.

        The Leatherman Rebar is also available with a black oxide finish and comes new with a Molle sheath. While I purchased a couple of used black oxide Rebars, they sell on ebay for a premium over the regular stainless steel model.

Left to right: Leathermam Wave first generation, second generation, and third generation (Wave+). (Note, these Waves are not photographed fully opened since the 2nd and 3rd generation Waves have interlocks preventing blades and pliers being opened at the same time.)

Leatherman Wave Experience

       There are three versions of the Leatherman Wave. The Original Wave was introduced in 1998 and discontinued in 2004. The second generation Wave was introduced in 2004 and discontinued in 2018. The third generation Wave+ (Wave-Plus) was introduced in January of 2018.

        The second generation Leatherman Wave is a full-sized multitool that has a closed length of four inches, weighs 8.5 ounces, and incorporates seventeen tools. The Leatherman Wave has two reversible/replaceable screwdriver bits - a regular sized bit, and a small bit usable for the screws on eyeglasses.

        After acquiring several Leatherman Rebar multitools, I decided to see if my strategy would translate to the popular Leatherman Wave. Note that my purchase experience reported in the next several paragraphs is with the the regular second-generation Wave introduced in 2004, and not the new Wave+.

         With the exception of a used Leatherman Wave I purchased for myself, I have only purchased Waves advertised as new. In one instance, the Wave was being sold as a refurbished multitool the seller had received in exchange for one he had sent to Leatherman for repair. (It is Leatherman's practice to replace damaged multitools with new multitools under their warranty, unless the owner wants the original tool repaired for sentimental reasons.) This multitool looked new, although the sheath it came with looked like it came from a Gerber multitool (this was plainly disclosed in the auction, so I knew what I was purchasing).

       Three times times I purchased a new-without-package Wave, and in two instances the Wave and its accompanying sheath looked new upon close examination. In the third instance, the listing pictures showed a few dents and scratches on the leather sheath, and the seller said the Wave was unused. The seller did not disclose that this Wave was missing one of the reversible screwdriver bits, but it otherwise looked unused. Even after factoring in the cost of the replacement screwdriver bit, it was a little over half of the Amazon price.

        The two-thirds of the Amazon price strategy worked for Leatherman Wave multitools, again allowing me to purchase a Wave fairly regularly. In general, there appears to be no significant discount for a Wave that is new-without-package.

Leatherman Wave Plus Experience

        The Leatherman Wave+ incorporates the Rebar pliers head which has replaceable wire cutter blades, and adds an eighteenth tool, an electrical crimping tool to the backside of the pliers head between where the handles attach. (https://www.leatherman.com/wave-10.html)

        So far, I have only purchased a handful of Wave+ multitools. For the first six months or so after its introduction, the best repeatable price I was able to achieve was about 70-percent of the Amazon price, but the prices seem to be settling down a bit so I can regularly obtain a new-in-package Wave+ for two-thirds of the Amazon price.

Leatherman Micra Experience

         The Leatherman Micra is a keychain-sized multitool with scissors instead of pliers. It has a folded length of 2.5 inches, weighs 1.8 ounces, and incorporates ten tools. The Micra typically does not come with a sheath. (https://www.leatherman.com/micra-20.html)

         I have not put a lot of effort into purchasing Leatherman Micra multitools for barter/resale. New Micras almost always sell on ebay for more than my two-thirds-of-Amazon price limit, although I have stumbled into a few listings that were within my price limit. I believe the reason Micra prices are comparatively high is because the shipping cost is a larger portion of the total purchase price.

         Over the past several years I had purchased several TSA confiscated (used) Leatherman Micra multitools for personal use. The prices ranged from one-third to over one-half the retail price of a new Micra. Better condition Micras commanded a better price. With many of those used Micras, the scissors had been dulled from misuse, and needed to be sharpened - a non-trivial problem I have
yet to adequately solve - to be usable.

Leatherman Parts and Accessories

         Since used multitools frequently come without a sheath and the removable/reversible bits for the Leatherman Wave can be missing or damaged, obtaining these missing components is desirable. A sheath is nice to have, but broken or missing screwdriver bits for the Wave must be replaced to restore full functionality to the multitool.

          Replacement screwdriver bits are available, however finding just the two needed for the Wave is difficult. A five-piece bit set is available through Amazon for around eleven dollars. A couple of times, I have been able to find the two-piece bit set on ebay for six dollars.

         Leatherman sheaths are readily available, and are typically priced from eleven to fifteen dollars, with after-market and special styles selling for even more. Surprisingly, I have not seen any significant discounts available for Leatherman sheaths on ebay over the prices found on Amazon.

         There are a variety of replacement blades available on ebay for Leatherman multitools. The prices generally seem reasonable if you are repairing a multitool you damaged. I don't believe it is economical to buy and repair damaged multitools for barter or trade.

         The replacement wire-cutter blades for the Rebar and Wave+ (and several other Leatherman models) are available from a variety of sources for around ten dollars per set.

Note on Leatherman Packaging

         New-in-package Leatherman multitools come in three packaging styles: (1) an unsealed cardboard box, (2) blister packaging where the clear plastic shell holding the product is surrounded by a printed cardboard frame, and (3) a clear plastic clamshell.

       Most of the new-in-package Leatherman multitools I have purchased through ebay have come in either a blister or clamshell package. Most of these packages will have some kind of cosmetic damage making them unsaleable in a retail store. With the blister packages, the cardboard frame will have bent corners, the hole for the peg has been torn through, or other damage. With the clamshell packages, the outer shell will be damaged in some way, suggesting it had been partially crushed or someone had attempted to steal it by removing the security tag inside the package. In all cases, the multitool was undamaged and untouched.

Gerber Multitools

         My first multitool was an early Gerber multitool. While it did the job, I was never really enthusiastic about it. Fast-forward many years, and I recently discovered the Gerber MP600 family of multitools. The MP600 fixed most of the things I didn't like in that original Gerber multitool.

        There are many variants of the MP600. I will be focus primarily on three models that have been issued to the military, the MP600 with tungsten-carbide wire cutters, the MP600-ST (Sight Tool), and the MP600 DET (Demolition Explosion Tool) EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal). All three models have needle-nose pliers. The military-issue models all have a black-oxide finish. These three
models regularly show up in ebay listed as military surplus.

         In addition to the three military models mentioned above, there is also a basic MP600 that lacks the tungsten-carbide wire cutters. And, while not formally part of the MP600 series, Gerber also produces a very similar model known as the Diesel.

         Many Gerber multitools are made in China, but the MP600 series multitools I have encountered have all been made in the US. The Diesel is assembled in the US from US and Chinese components, but does not have USA stamped on it as the country of origin.

Left to right: Gerber MP600 DET EOD, MP600 with tungsten-carbide wire cutters, MP600 Sight Tool, and MP600 Basic.

Gerber MP600 with Tungsten-Carbide Wire Cutters

       The Gerber MP600 with tungsten-carbide wire cutters is a full-sized multitool with a closed length of 5 inches, weighs 9 ounces, and incorporates 15 tools. The tungsten-carbide wire cutter blades are replaceable. The pliers can be opened with one hand. (https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/One-Hand-Opening/MP600-TAN499-Sheath_30-000453)

        The Gerber MP600 with tungsten-carbide wire cutters is sold to the military (it is also available to civilians), and many are being sold on ebay as military surplus. While this model of multitool is readily available on ebay, they are not as common as the Leatherman multitools I discussed above, and most are sold as a regular auction.

        The tungsten-carbide wire cutters on the MP600 are replaceable. They are triangular in shape and when one cutting surface becomes damaged, the tungsten-carbide insert can be rotated to expose an undamaged cutting surface. New tungsten-carbide inserts are readily available from a variety of sources.

         While I have not yet been able to establish a firm price point for this multitool, I have been able to pick up several used examples using buy-it-now for 30 to 50 percent of the Amazon price, with the higher priced examples coming with a sheath. With one exception (the lowest price example), where I didn't pay sufficient attention to the pictures, all have been in very good condition after being cleaned up. One of the cheapest examples had some rust on it, but cleaned up nicely.

Gerber MP600 Sight Tool

         The Gerber MP600-ST, is a full-sized multitool with a closed length of five inches, weighs 8.2 ounces, and incorporates 15 tools, including a front sight post adjustment tool and carbon scraper intended for use on M-16/M-4/AR-15 weapons. The tungsten-carbide wire cutter blades are replaceable. The pliers can be opened with one hand. (https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/One-Hand-Opening/MP600-ST_30-000588)

        Like the MP600 above, I have not yet been able to establish a firm price point for this multitool. So far, I have only picked up a few examples in good condition starting at about 50-percent of the Amazon price. One example was sold as new without a sheath, and it cost about 56-percent of the Amazon price.

        I did purchase one example that was 40-percent of the Amazon price, but it had a damaged front sight post adjustment tool, with two of the four prongs broken off. The lessons-learned from this purchase are to closely examine the pictures, paying particular attention to the condition of the prongs on the front sight post adjustment tool since they are comparatively fragile, and assume blurry pictures are blurry to hide defects. In other words, if you can't clearly see the condition of the front sight tool and see all four prongs in the pictures, don't buy the multitool.

         The sight post adjustment tool is removable, and is held in place on the multitool with a magnet. This tool can be lost, and replacements are not available. I have tried to obtain a replacement sight post adjustment tool, but Gerber does not stock them.

Gerber MP600 DET EOD

         The Gerber MP600 DET (Demolition Explosion Tool) EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) is a full-sized multitool with a closed length of five inches, weighs 9 ounces, and incorporates 13 tools. This multitool is designed for use by military combat engineers and includes a blasting cap crimper and a sharp punch for making holes in blocks/sticks of explosives. The pliers can be opened with one hand. (https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/One-Hand-Opening/MP600-DET_07400)

         I have not tried to establish a firm price point for this multitool. I have purchased exactly two used examples of this tool, and paid approximately 40-percent of the Amazon price for each tool. I purchased these tools as part of my research for the recently published counterfeit products article.

        I don't see the MP600 DET EOD as a viable TEOTWAWKI barter/resale multitool because of the way the blasting cap crimper is implemented, rendering the pliers all but useless.

Gerber MP600 Basic

        The MP600 is a full-sized multitool with a closed length of five inches, weights 9 ounces and incorporates 14 tools. The wire cutters are part of the pliers head and are not replaceable. The pliers can be opened with one hand. (https://www.gerbergear.com/Collections/MP600/MP600_47550)

        I have only purchased one example of this multitool because the military variant with tungsten-carbide wire cutters is so common and usually sells used for roughly the same price.

Gerber Diesel

        The Diesel is a full-sized multitool with a closed length of five inches, weighs 8.6 ounces, and incorporates 15 tools. Its tool set includes a saw and scissors. The pliers can be opened with one hand. (https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/One-Hand-Opening/Diesel-Tool_22-01545)

          I have only purchased a couple of examples of this multitool - a new one from Amazon and a used one on ebay. The Diesel is not as common as the MP600 series multitools on ebay. I have not been able to identify a price point for this multitool.

         Unlike the MP600 series multitools, the pivot screws on the Diesel can be adjusted/removed with a common Torx T8 driver.

         The Diesel stands out from the MP600 series with the inclusion of a saw blade similar to that found on the full-sized Leatherman multitools discussed above.

Gerber Multitool Parts and Accessories

          About the only readily available replacement parts for the Gerber multitools discussed above are replacement tungsten-carbide inserts for the wire cutters, which are available for about $20 from a variety of sources.

         The above Gerber multitools were frequently supplied new with Molle sheaths. Gerber and aftermarket Molle sheaths are readily available for reasonable prices on ebay.

New versus Used

         As I have discussed above, overall, there is not a significant price difference between new and used Leatherman multitools. However, there can be a significant difference in price between new and used for the Gerber multitools mentioned above.

         There is a lot more price variability with used multitools, which creates the occasional opportunity to pick up a true bargain.

         When deciding whether or not to purchase a used multitool, carefully examine the pictures of the multitool - look for missing tools/blades, broken/chipped blades, and twisted or rounded screwdriver blades - and carefully read the seller's description. I have noticed a surprising number Gerber MP600-series multitools are sold with broken tools/blades - typically the file, but also regular knife blades. If there is any doubt as to condition or model, do not buy or bid.

         Make sure you can identify the multitool model from the pictures - do not rely on the seller's description. Occasionally, the multitool will be misidentified in the ebay listing title. I have have been surprised at how often a regular MP600 is identified as a more valuable MP600 Sight Tool.

         Also consider the cost of missing components, such as the sheath or removable/reversible bits when evaluating a used multitool. The cost of replacing missing components could eliminate any apparent price advantage of a used multitool. For example, that used Leatherman Wave I mentioned above cost about thirty-four dollars. It came without a sheath, and one of the reversible screwdriver bits was damaged. The damage to the reversible screwdriver bit was not visible in the pictures of that Wave, and I doubt the seller inspected it in sufficient detail to discover the damaged bit. Adding the cost of replacement bits at six to eleven dollars and a sheath for eleven to fifteen dollars puts the final cost of that used Wave at fifty to sixty dollars depending on how carefully I shop for the accessories. Fifty to sixty dollars puts me into the range of a new Wave.

Counterfeit Multitools

       I have personally only seen counterfeits of the Leatherman Tread multitool bracelet and Gerber MP600 DET EOD multitool on ebay, other counterfeit multitools may be available on ebay.

         While there are many indicators for a counterfeit multitool, the number one indicator is an unexpectedly low price. A secondary indicator is a US-made multitool being sold as new by a Chinese seller. See my recent article on counterfeit products for an expanded discussion of counterfeit multitools. (http://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-realist-counterfeit-products.html)

Various tools I use when working on multitools. Far left, five and six point T10 Torx security bits and a Torx Allen wrench. Left, wrench set for Leatherman pivot screws. Left of center, generic multi-bit Torx screw driver. Right, two Vampliers screw pliers.

Tools for Working on Multitools

         Over the years, I have had the need to occasionally disassemble or make adjustments to multitools. Most of these adjustments have consisted of loosening or tightening pivot screws. I have disassembled several Leatherman Micra multitools to facilitate sharpening the scissors. And, I have replaced/adjusted the replaceable tungsten-carbide wire cutters on some multitools. For the most
part, standard tools are not helpful.

        In my experience, Leatherman and Gerber multitools have frequently used screws requiring non-standard bits. At best, some of the Leatherman multitools use tamper-resistant Torx screws.

        Many Leatherman multitools use a pivot screw with a proprietary head that looks a lot like a thin knurled knob. If you are lucky, you can get sufficient purchase with standard needle nose pliers to loosen or tighten them. I'm sure the Leatherman factory has their own proprietary bits for these screws, but they do not sell those bits to the outside world.

         To work with those knurled screw heads, someone recommended buying two Vampliers VT-001-5 screw pliers (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LMMU2HG). These pliers work adequately for those screws. Recently, I learned of an ebay seller, loki-mobile in St. Petersburg, Russia, who makes and sells a custom wrench set (sold in pairs) for these Leatherman pivot screws. The custom wrench set works much better than the Vampliers screw pliers.

          Similarly, the Gerber MP600-series tools utilize pivot screws with a proprietary head. I have not looked for a specialized bit for those screws because the Vamplier screw pliers worked adequately for loosening and tightening those screws. (As I was finishing this article, I discovered that loki-mobile is now selling a specialized wrench set for the MP600-series pivot screws.)

           Some Leatherman multitools use pivot screws requiring a Torx T-10 security bit. For multitools using a Torx pivot screws manufactured before around 2004, they used a five-point security bit, while multitools manufactured after 2004 used the more common six-point security bit. You can either buy a pair of security bits, or buy a pair of L-shaped wrenches - yes, you need a pair of bits/wrenches.

           So far, the replaceable tungsten-carbide wire cutter blades for both Leatherman and Gerber utilize standard Torx T-8 screws.

Conclusion

          Above, I discussed my strategy for purchasing multitools on ebay. My strategy is a process of discovering a price point where specific models of multitools can be purchased with sufficient frequency to satisfy my needs, and then exercising discipline when making purchases. I focused on new Leatherman multitools because used prices were not appreciably discounted relative to the new price. I also focused on used Gerber multitools because their prices were sufficiently discounted relative to new multitools.

           While the multitool buying strategy I described above worked for me, it may not work for you, and it may not work for me in the future. Maybe you prefer a different brand of multitool, or a broader mix of multitool brands. Or, maybe you want to focus on lower cost multitools.

          Be aware of the possibility of counterfeit or knock-off multitools on ebay. Always scrutinize any listing of interest before making a purchase or placing a bid.

          Numerous survival/preparedness articles and posts have discussed various post-TEOTWAWKI barter scenarios, including goods that the authors believe would have value post-TEOTWAWKI. With this article, I continue to add my opinions to that larger discussion.

         As a final thought: Do not acquire barter items at the expense of delaying or short-changing your personal preparedness.