FOG HORN April 2018

Twobirds Flying Publication

CRKT THE TECHNICIAN™ MULTI-TOOL

a Glenn Klecker Design

Copyright 2018, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

 CRKT THE TECHNICIAN™ MULTI-TOOL
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.
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
2018
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.
 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.
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.
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
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.
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
 CRKT THE TECHNICIAN™ MULTI-TOOL
2018
The icing on this exceptional cake from Glenn Manufacturer Specifications
Klecker and CRKT are the aggressively textured
G10 scales that provide an excellent gripping  Blade Length 2.584" (65.63 mm)
surface even with wet or greasy hands.  Blade Edge Plain Edge
 Blade Steel 5Cr15MoV
The Technician ships with a reinforced nylon  Blade Finish Satin Finish
pouch that can be belt worn or integrated into a  Blade Thickness 0.097" (2.46 mm)
PALS webbing.  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