Milwaukee has come out with a new FastBack multi-tool, 48-22-1540, which they describe as a “5-in-1″ folding knife. It features a partially-serrated knife blade, 1/4” hex screwdriver bit holder, and a bottle opener.
We’ve seen knife-based multi-tools before, and Leatherman recently came out with their new Free multi-tools, but this is still an interesting addition to the Milwaukee FastBack lineup.
Advertisement
The new Milwaukee FastBack 5-in-1 folding knife has a similar form factor to their other knives. Here you can see the new style of pocket clip, which Milwaukee says is more durable and reduces pocket-tearing. It also has a lanyard hole for tethering.
The 5-in-1 FastBack knife blade has a combination blade, meaning it’s plain or straight-edged towards the front, and serrated at the rear. It also has what looks to be a tanto-style profile, with sharp tip and pointed belly.
Basically, it’s a do-a-little-of-everything kind of blade, a safe choice for a utility-focused folding knife.
Advertisement
While many users prefer plain knife blade edges for easier sharpening, serrations are exceptionally well suited for cutting fibrous materials, such as rope.
The knife features a liner lock-style mechanism.
It comes equipped with a folding 1/4″ hex bit holder and a single reversible Phillips and slotted screwdriver bit.
We’re waiting to hear as to whether the screwdriver locks into position and the number of such positions. It would be convenient if you could use the screwdriver at multiple angles.
Update: The screwdriver locks open with a liner lock mechanism.
You could of course use the screwdriver in an inline direction. The closed knife doesn’t look like a very comfortable screwdriver handle, but pictures can be deceiving.
It looks like you can use the new FastBack multi-tool knife with standard 1/4″ hex insert screwdriver bits, greatly increasingly its versatility. It comes with a 2-in-1 reversible bit so that you can have 2 tip sizes/styles without having to dig around for loose bits. But, you can probably load it up with a single standard bit if you’re so inclined.
The back of the blade has a cutout that serves as a bottle opener.
Features & Specs
- Press-and-flip opening mechanism
- Stainless steel partially serrated blade
- 3″ blade length
- Folding 1/4″ bit holder
- Reversible Phillips and slotted screwdriver blade
- Bottle Opener
- Wire belt clip
Price: $25
ETA: January 2020
Discussion
Can we just call this a FastBack multi-tool? While technically it can be a 5-in-1 tool, I see it as having 3 tools and maybe 5 or 6 functions.
There’s the partially serrated tanto-style blade, which is one function, the 1/4″ hex screwdriver bit holder, Phillips screwdriver tip, slotted screwdriver tip, and bottle opener. If you consider the belt clip a numbered feature, that would be number 6. If you add distinct features separately, you might be able to consider the blade as having a plain edge and a serrated edge. Some brands (such as Leatherman) will count different features on the same tool separately, such as a screwdriver tip on the end of a bottle opener.
Maybe we can call it the Milwaukee FastBack 3-in-1 folding knife multi-tool? That way there’s the blade, the screwdriver bit holder, and the bottle opener. I personally wouldn’t include the screwdriver bit in the numbering, but most brands do and would.
Sorry, this is all nitpicking, but I rarely like x-in-1 marketing.
I kind of wish this was a utility knife instead of a folding knife, but I suppose then it would be thicker and possible lose the bottle opener. I could do without the bottle opener, and could possibly be okay with a thicker handle.
The blade looks like to have a good utility profile, although I personally don’t care for the tanto-style tip.
It’s one more option in Milwaukee’s FastBack line of utility knives, and more options are always good.
I’m more of a drop point knife blade kind of person, but I think I’d get a lot of use out of this knife if it were in my tool bag or garage. I wouldn’t consider it an EDC knife or multi-tool though, at least not by itself.
Although not for me, I think Milwaukee got the design right. What changes would I make to this tool? What might I do differently? I don’t know, and that’s usually a good indication that my hesitations are preferential. In other words, I don’t really like the way it looks, but for personal preferential reasons.
Maybe I will end up liking it. Look for a review here on ToolGuyd in a couple of months once it hits the market.
I wonder… might Milwaukee one day make a folding screwdriver? I mean, consider the Fastback multi-tool, but without the knife. It could have a couple of slots for insert bits, and the same folding bit holder. Maybe the screwdriver shaft could lock in place at 90° and inline. Am I the only one who would want a FastBack screwdriver like this?
If you’re looking for something different, Milwaukee came out with a folding lockback knife two years ago. Their other FastBack utility knives are being updated, and we’ll report more on them another time.
Pete
Not hitting shelves until 2020, but it already won a Pro Tool Innovation Award in 2019! It *MUST* be hot stuff!
Brad
Bloody heck, I thought you were joking ….
mattd
I had to stop reading that site. It is literally 100% about praising every tool that they review, even if they are junk.
Pete
There are at least two tools on that list (The Milwaukee 5 in 1 knife and the new Craftsman Gyroscopic Screwdriver) that haven’t hit shelves yet. At the time of the awards coming out, there were ZERO articles/reviews/press releases about either tool on the web. They’re an absolute sham.
Mark S.
I began taking a skeptic’s viewpoint towards websites that did stuff like that. I’ve made better tool choices this way.
Jeremy
I don’t know why the didn’t use a regular but driver with a magnet
Bobby
You’re not alone in wanting a straight edge’d knife. I think serrations are more of a marketing gimmick, but that’s just me. Serrations can’t be easily sharpened either. The fastback straight edge knife that I had briefly was very stiff to open, and I ended up returning. Not sure if it was just that particular knife.
Stuart
Serrations have their uses, and I believe you can get sharpening rods to hone or sharpen between peaks.
I do have some partially serrated knives, but my default preference is for plain edge.
Eric
I am surprised and disappointed that the Victorinox Swiss Soldier-type serrations were not adopted by other manufacterers. If the blade is going to be half serrated I would like to be baised towards the tip end.
I buy a lot of “multi-tools”, and generally do not like them as much as I think I would. One recent exception is the Leatherman Free P2. Wow do I like it! Enough that I wish Spyderco or Kershaw or another premium knife brand would make a “super steel” knife blade for it with a better opening mechanism.
When I have a day working on the property, I end up carrying quite a bit of Milwaukee kit, a fastback utility knife and the 3.5″ hardline knife. I wish they would make this multitool with the hardline D2 blade. I am sure I am a weird market, but I think perfection from them would be a hardline knife with the screwdriver shown here, and also a folding fastback-style utility knife blade.
Jared McBeth
Kershaw “Select Fire” looks extremely similar.
I like the placement of the bottle opener on the blade better with the Milwaukee version. Kershaw has storage for four bits in the knife handle – but this Milwaukee looks skinnier by omitting it.
Price is right and it looks good. I’d consider it. I’d prefer a plain edge blade and a less exciting color.
Chris
I don’t think you’ll ever see a different color. Milwaukee only has red, black, and select stuff in white.
Black is already used for their more serious knives and white wouldn’t last a day…
Stuart
They have some camo-colored knife handles.
Chris
Your right, though I tend to turn a blind eye towards anything “camo” (probably why I don’t remember it) in the hopes that everyone will give up on that trend.
Adam
Agreed. How is it useful to have a knife you can’t see if you drop it?
Patrick
I have the Kershaw. I got it for just over $20, works great and sharpens easy (needed because it dulls a bit quick too). It is bulky compared to a standard folding knife. BUT…compared to almost any multi-tool that gives you a flat and Philips head screwdriver, it’s compact.
I’ll pick up this one when it comes out and see how I feel about it. It looks just a bit thinner, and is probably lighter. That’s 2 pluses for me. And I prefer half serrated blades as I cut cables frequently enough.
I’m very happy to see a new tool like this one on the market. For those of us who don’t need the Leatherman style multi-tools, it’s great. I just always seem to need a knife, screwdriver (usually #2PH) and a bottle opener.
Caleb Allen
I carry the Kershaw every day. I love the fact that it can carry 4 bits, not just one like this Milwaukee appears to have. I have swapped out my bits to security Torx and Hex for job-specific tasks. I get asked about it every time I pull it out.
Walker
I also carry the Kershaw daily. Can’t even think how many trips back to the truck to get a screwdriver this has saved me for popping off electrical panels or such.
I have replaced it twice (due to me losing it, not tool failure) but really hadn’t seen anything else like it. I’m a fan of it for the price point. I would be much more pissed if I lost a $100+ Spyderco, etc.
+1 on the blade not holding an edge on the Kershaw. But I also abuse it.
I like the sound of a smaller form factor. I’ll try it out.
PETE
Kershaw has one that has more features than this- IDK the price point on this though. I LOVED the kershaw knife- until the pocket screws fell out. Then i stopped carrying it lol
Burdsal
I agree about a less exciting color, but it’s a Milwaukee so… Also, I apologize if it was in the article and I missed it but what is the blade made of? Surely at $25 it’s just SS but hey, one can hope, right?
I do like that pocket clip. A lot.
MichaelHammer
It’s awful. I have a pile of fast backs with broken clips. The mini has a fantastic clip.
Stuart
“Stainless steel.”
Brands typically won’t elaborate beyond this, and so I probably won’t even ask.
The retail price is $25, but we might see it in bundle packs or promos. You can’t expect for anything but basic alloys at this price point.
Hilton
You can’t use the knife to screw with in multiple positions as the shaft doesn’t rotate. If you could you would have this awkward handle twisting everywhere. So only inline screw-driving.
Cr8on
Ill be an owner,
Koko The Talking Ape
Serrations, eh. Yes, hard to sharpen, but at least they do have some justification.
The big issue for me is the tanto profile. Tacticool, but otherwise pointless (not literally) and harder to sharpen. Utility knives should have drop point or wharncliffe profiles, IMHO.
MichaelHammer
Agreed but add reverse tanto works as well
Burdsal
Reverse Tanto – even though I know what that is, I still instantly envision a blade with a V shaped dent right in the front of it when people say it lol
Koko The Talking Ape
I think of reverse tanto as “drop point, but uglier.” 😉
Andy
I’d kind of like a utility blade also, but I do cut a lot of rope, so this blade would probably be better for me personally. The tanto point, however makes little sense to me. They excel at puncturing, and I really doubt most people will be stabbing with it.
Thom
If I see it on the main aisle during the holidays for ten or 15 bucks I might me tempted
Blythe
I’d be more excited about this if it was a utility knife (replaceable) blade instead, like the standard fastback
Clifford Legler
It seems to have slipped past, or not mattered to anyone that this “disposable” junk knife, like everything Milwaukee makes now, is from Taiwan. As a union member, I used to use their power tools proudly and exclusively, supporting American craftsmanship. That’s been over for quite a while.
Leo B.
I know this is a while in coming, but I just found it myself: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-FASTBACK-6-in-1-Folding-Knife-with-3-in-Blade-48-22-1505/313736993
Hope it helps!
MichaelHammer
I never understand the bottle opener feature. The whole thing is a bottle opener. You can literally use every surface of that thing to pop a top. Who even drinks out of bottles anyway?
Burdsal
Consider this me hitting LIKE for your statement over & over!
I’d rather have a friggin LED than a bottle opener
Mark S.
I always worry about bottle openers on knives because it sends this sort of message: using a sharp implement that can amputate a digit after opening a beer is okay.
Stuart
Some soda bottles (such as made-in-Mexico Coke and Fanta with sugar instead of corn syrup) require a bottle opener.
Brian M
I can see why it(The bit holder) only locks in the screwdriver position, in a right angle, surly that will twist and/or break rather easily. Still prefer my little Victorinox Manager, has a small philips and slotted, bottle opener, file, scissors, knife, tweezers and a “space pen” in a tiny package.
Obviously if you need a larger knife, it’s better than having just a knife on you. There are plenty of times I wasn’t expecting to need a screwdriver and my SAK came to the rescue.
Wondering if the Wiha Ultra driver bits are long enough to work in this, I think they will…might be a good choice if one of those bits would work better for you than a PH2 and 1/4″ slotted.
Clifford Legler
It seems to have slipped past, or not mattered to anyone that this “disposable” junk knife, like everything Milwaukee makes now, is from Taiwan. As a union member, I used to use their power tools proudly and exclusively, supporting American craftsmanship. That’s been over for quite a while.
Chris
Cool…
That Guy
Poor old Cliff. Hope you feel better getting your point across. Twice..
Trent
Given how just about everything and anything is deemed “offensive” today and how censored the internet has become, there are very limited venues left to express even the most mildest of dissent. Don’t take my word for it, merely take five or so minutes on the Twitter’s of the world and you’ll see for the most part the art of communication and discussion are a relic of the past.
With limited exceptions, much of the tools that created today aren’t heritage tools that are meant to be passed down generation to generation. Sure seems that the masses love cheap goods, but generally the quality is questionable at best and while some manufacturing has returned, foreign made products have flooded the markets.
Sadly I can only count with one hand the amount of individuals that engage in actual conversations, while the rest are either in their echo chambers and or asleep at the wheel so to speak. At least for the most part, regrettably not entirely anymore, the tool industry still focuses on tools and not what the minority of tantrum throwers on social media wants.
That Guy
I keep going back to those few times I’ve wanted to tighten down a pesky little screw that was sticking out. I go and use the tip of my utility blade because I didn’t have a screwdriver in my proximity and snapped the tip. It’s a 25$ fix to my impatience ways. If you visit Milwaukee’s web page. They have upgraded a few of their knifes, and added some too.
Robert Adkins
“Multi tools” belong in my wife’s little tool kit, and serrations belong on a bread knife.
Johnny
Why don’t they tell us what steel they use? Because they are using garbage steel is the only logical reply.
David Ernest
We’ve seen multi-tools focused on knives before and recently Leatherman came out with their new Free multi-tools, but this is still an interesting addition to the Milwaukee FastBack range.
Todd
I really like the bit holder, I just wish it had a utility blade.
2 thoughts though. One I see it looks like you can flip the pocket clip so you can carry it tip up. I wonder if you could then use the bottle opener to open it like a Emerson wave knife? That would be great.
I also wonder if it would be possible to swap out fastback utility blade guys into it?