Mayhew is a professional and industrial toolmaker, and is well known for their cold chisels, punches, pry bars, and other such tools. Because of their somewhat specialized product catalog, I am quite surprised to find that they offer an LED multi-tool.
At first glance, the Mayhew multi-tool looks somewhat generic, but I could find no other existing models that it could be based on. Perhaps it’s a unique offering?
Its design is certainly unique, and more interesting than I had initially realized.
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The Mayhew multi-tool has a bunch of standard features – fold-out pliers with wire cutter, a knife blade, saw, rope cutter, and screwdriver bits.
The multi-tool has a built-in screwdriver bit holder, and a hidden compartment with space for the 4 included bits. It is unclear as to whether this is a 1/4″ hex bit screwdriver system, or 4mm.
Given the bit sizes – PH 1, Slotted 3/16″, T15, 3/32″|2.5mm hex, I’m inclined to assume it’s a smaller size “mini” bit holder, such as 4mm hex.
It also has a built-in rechargeable LED light, delivering 8 lumens for up to 1.5 hours.
Also, the entire tool comes apart, so that you can leave the pliers and bit holder behind to carry the knife, saw, rope cutter, and LED components separately.
All of these things – the built-in light, bit holder, and detachable folding knife section – make the Mayhew multi-tool far more interesting than I had originally judged.
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This doesn’t suit my particular needs very well, and so I’m not about to rush out and buy one for testing, but it at least seemed interesting for a quick post.
I’m still not convinced this isn’t just a Mayhew-branded version of an existing multi-tool design, but I can’t find anything else like this at online marketplaces.
The multi-tool comes with a nylon pouch.
Price: ~$36-50
fred
Interesting that it is not totally just another clone. At first, I thought that it might have been something that Mayhew picked up when the acquired Bestway Tools (BWT Florida) in 2019. But Amazon says that it was first available in 2018 – so it predates that acquisition. Zoro (selling it for $39.73) says the COO is China – so, maybe it’s something Mayhew spotted from a China-based OEM. Meanwhile, Mayhew still seems to be producing pry bars etc. in the USA.
MM
Seems like an interesting gimmick I suppose, but I’m not really sure what benefit it might have. I’d think that for most people the ability to remove the knife from the rest of the tool isn’t very useful. And if someone does regularly need a knife separate from a multi-tool why not carry two tools? That gives you much more freedom to pick exactly what knife and what multi-tool that are best suited to your needs. I know several people who EDC a multi-tool and a separate knife, either because they want a bigger or more durable knife than what’s in the multi-tool or because the standalone knife is easier to draw and deploy for simple tasks than the multi-tool is.
Jared
I would be more excited if just the knife was removable – e.g. If I could separate the knife to have something thinner and more controllable for precise work. As-is, I’m not sure you gain much taking the knife out of the tool versus just using it while attached.
John S.
At my work (government installation) technically I’m not allowed to bring a “knife” in here but I still carry my leatherman in my pocket.
I imagine there’s other places that have that restriction and so the ability to separate and leave the knife in the car might be appealing to a small segment.
MM
As you and others mentioned there are plenty of situations where someone might want a knifeless multi-tool. I get that. But there are knifeless multitools on the market already, and I’d bet they are likely higher quality than this one and those don’t have funny hooks sticking out the side poking through your pockets while you carry this tool with the knife detached. And there is always the option of buying whatever multitool you might happen to like and then removing the knife blade.
I can see many situations where I might want to go knifeless, but none of them would lead me to pick this option.
Jim Felt
I know their US made pry bars work just dandy so for all the daily Leatherman-like tool aficionados maybe this is also a good market addition?
Brand extension? New management idea? Who knows. But competition is most always good for the marketplace.
fred
If the Amazon listing is correct – it has been around for almost 4 years – and is not a best seller (ranked #3963 among multi-tools). But despite it not being a top seller, I agree with you that competition and added choice is always a good thing.
MM
I have some decades-old Mahew chisels and punches and they have been excellent.
But given the price points and the relative complexity of a multi-tool, not to mention it’s COO, I have serious doubts about the quality of this thing. I am inclined to think it will be cheapo junk.
Jared
It is a little suspect. Mayhew’s main-line tools are excellent however. They are really as good as it gets for chisels, prybars, punches – even their inspection mirror and retrieval tools are top-notch.
I agree – this multi tool is something I would want to see in person if possible.
fred
The oldest Mayhew tools that I recall using were yarning and caulking irons from the time we used to pour lots of molten lead to seal cast iron waste lines. In our plumbing business we had many lead-working tools from various manufacturers like Mayhew – but also Armstrong, Proto and Williams – plus long-lost companies like Buchalyzer and KeenKutter.
There was a time when plumbers would fabricate their own washers and gaskets when needed to fit applications where commonly carried sizes would not do. We had sets of Mayhew hollow punches (I recall they were made in France) for doing this. That’s a skill and need that is probably all-but lost – plus at what we paid our union plumbers it had become cheaper in many cases to replace with new – rather than do a time-consuming repair,
Mikedt
I was hoping that just the blade was removable. I could see people wanting a full size multitool but their job not allowing “weapons”.
David
+1 Or traveling.
John S.
This is my worksite to a tee.
Jared
I hope this is a decent quality multi tool. It seems to have some interesting ideas.
If this were a new Leatherman, for example, and retailed for $130, I would find it pretty exciting. It’s not that I want to pay more, just that I want to be convinced it is a high-quality execution of these novel design ideas. I don’t think Leatherman would come out with a tool that wasn’t consistent with the levels of performance and durability of their other tools.
I think most Mayhew tools are awesome – but I’m not convinced they wouldn’t just slap their brand on a cheap tool, outside their core offerings, just to flesh out the catalogue.
MM
I can’t speak to the quality having never held one, but like I mentioned elsewhere in this discussion given the low price and COO I have my doubts. I also think it has more of an artistic than ergonomic design. I don’t think too much thought has been put into it. For example, notice that when you’ve removed the knife from the rest of the tool there are two small metal hooks pointing out where the knife had previously fit. I assume these are what the knife is meant to latch onto when everything is assembled. But how exactly is someone supposed to carry that? It seems like those hooks would quickly damage a pocket or holster.
Jared
Good point. Those hooks look awkward.
Somewhat tangential: I used to have a swiss army-style knife that could separate in half. I think the brand was “Richard” and had a whale logo. Haven’t seen it in years.
It was pretty slick though – there was a knife on one half and fork on the other (as well as other typical SAK tools). From what I remember you unfolded the knife and fork, then slid the two halves apart.
I need to find another one of those (though it’s not like I plan to regularly eat with an SAK). I just liked the design a lot and it was a good quality tool.
That would be a much better design for a removable knife on a multi-tool handle!
Jared
Aha! It took a little googling, but I think I found it.
The brand was “Richartz” not Richard and I think the model I had was the “STRUKTURA” Picnic 7.
Not finding them for sale in the western hemisphere though.
MM
I have seen knives like that before many years ago when I was in boy scouts though I have never owned one personally. I think many companies made ones similar to that. I know that Case did as I recall sharpening one for a friend. We called them “hobo knives” back then. I agree, that sort of locking method would be a more elegant solution.
Jared
Thanks for the search term! I’m seeing some alternatives in case I can’t find another Richartz (well I found them in Europe, but I’m seeing shipping charges are almost as much as the knife…).
Jerry
I think the idea has potential. One shortcoming of a multi tool is when you need to use a knife or saw in a confined space and the rest of the tool gets in the way. I won’t pass judgement good or bad without seeing one in person, but I can see the reasoning behind it. Also, if you are somewhere knives are not permitted you can detect it and still have the pliers and screwdriver. Lastly, a bit type screwdriver is welcomed by me on a multi tool. Often they get buggered up while the rest of the tool is still in good shape, or at least I sometimes bugger one up. Replaceable bits solve that problem if implemented well.
Rcward
Looks like an HF tool . No thanks
JoeM
Apologies if this sounds rude, but… This is the kind of tool I prefer to call “Deja Moo” …Feeling you’ve seen this BS before.
Trying way too hard to be different, ends up going nowhere anyone else hasn’t gone long before. I don’t think the company did anything wrong here, but in an effort to put up a fight, they’ve just ended up grasping at straws in an attempt to release it during a release cycle that won’t get it overshadowed by other offerings.
I blame the release cycle system. Quarterly releases force a flood every season. I’m surprised they don’t get released on the Equinoxes and Solstices like some pagan ritual sacrifice, to be honest.
I could take any couple of features to this multitool, and exalt what is good, point out what is bad, and move on. But when you have to split it up into so many elements to judge that, it becomes a pile of gimmicks instead. Unfortunate when there are good features, overshadowed by pointless features. (Literal as well as Metaphorical pointless.)
ball_bearing
Somewhat unrelated. Mayhew also offers made in Japan screw extraction pliers.
https://mayhew.com/product/95685-screw-pliers-150mm/
Jared
Those look exactly like the Westward screw pulling pliers I bought from Grainger. On clearance for cheap for us Canadians, by the way.
https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/PLIERS-SCREW-PULLING-7IN/p/WSWPSP7
I doubt the Westward pliers are made in Japan, but they certainly look nearly identical – except with different color grips and no serrated portion behind the plier head.
Very handy pliers to have on hand. I almost bought a second set as a spare (e.g. one in the tool bag and one in my tool chest), but ended up buying the Knipex Twin Grip instead.