A few years ago, Spyderco got back into the multitool market after almost a decade of absence. Their original multi-tool, now highly sought after by collectors and avoided by users, the SpydeRench, was strange even for Spyderco.
The new generation of Spyderco multi-tools started out with a trio of very small slipjoint knives, each with an additional implement. One tool had a bit driver, one a pair of scissors, and the final tool had a serrated blade. They were quite good, especially for the money, but they lacked the polish and clean look and feel of a Swiss Army Knife.
A few years later, at SHOT 2018, Spyderco debuted two new full-sized multi-tools, the Standard (with a focus on general utility tools) and the Rescue (with a focus on rescue/EMT tools). This is a review of the Standard. The product page, with specs, can be found here.
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The Clipitool Standard is a knife-based multi-tool that uses two layers to pack in three different implements – a medium to large knife, a large flat head driver with a cap lifter and wire stripper, and a small bit driver with a can opener. The knife blade has a classic Spyderco shape, reminiscent of a Delica or Endura.
The blade is locked in place with a liner lock. The entire tool has an excellent, spoon-style Spyderco pocket clip. Each of the three implements has a Spyderhole that allows for one-handed deployment. The handle is black G10. The steel on the 3.5 inch knife blade is 8CR13MoV. This is a Chinese-made Spyderco. The street price for the Clipitool Standard is $51.95.
The overall design of the tool is quite interesting. The humps for the opening holes on the two implements plus a palm swell in the G10 handle create a series of finger scallops for your hand.
It is a clever touch, and while finger scallops aren’t good for your hands when using a knife (here is a video from a hand surgeon explaining why), they are relatively mild and do not compel any particular grip. The tool is not terribly tall, but it is thicker than the average Spyderco. Thanks to good placement of the clip it will not roll in the pocket like the Leatherman Skeletool has a tendency to do.
The fit and finish on the knife is highly variable. The knife blade has a truly great detent, allowing for the blade to be quickly popped open. It is also expertly ground. The bit drivers of both sizes work well and the can opener is effective.
The cap lifter is also executed well and is a one pull design (meaning it removed a bottle cap with a single try in one motion).
The handle scales however, exhibit some stray machining or chatter from the routing tool used to shape the handle. It doesn’t impact performance, but it is rather noticeable. I would also prefer more clearance on the liner lock.
There is not much room to move the liner lock out of the way of the blade tang when unlocking the knife, and as a result disengaging the lock is not as easy as it should be.
Overall, this is a very interesting addition to Spyderco’s line up and the multi-tool market place. The knife is heads and shoulders above any other multi-tool knife, and if that is your primary tool, then the ClipiTool Standard should be at the top of your list.
If you need a more diverse array of tools, the ClipiTool Standard is a bit limited. If weight and size are an issue, I’d still opt for the Leatherman Skeletool over the ClipiTool Standard. I would LOVE to see Spyderco take the knife portion of this tool and make it its own design (kind of like what Leatherman did with the Skeletool KB knife). It is a very, very good knife.
The ClipiTool Standard is a good value, an excellent knife, and a unique addition to the multi-tool market. Unless you need a knife 90% of the time, pliers-based designs like the Skeletool are still better, but not by all that much.
Price: $52
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Specs
| Spyderco ClipiTool Standard (C208GP) | |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Thumb Hole |
| Length | 7.90″ Open 4.40″ Closed |
| Blade Length | 3.50″ |
| Weight | 4.20 oz. |
| Blade Material | 8Cr13MoV |
| Blade Style | Spyderco leaf-shape |
| Lock Style | Liner Lock |
| Handle Material | G-10 |
| Pocket Clip | Tip-up, 2 position |
| Made in | China |
| Street Price | $52 |
Stuart says
Aug 15, 2018 at 12:29 pmI have to say, the ClipiTool looks leaps and bounds better than the chunky Leatherman knife multi-tool I bought years ago. I enjoyed your review!
JoeM says
Aug 15, 2018 at 1:25 pmWait, did you buy one of their Crater TX things, with the added screwdrivers at the bottom? Or did you buy something silly like the Freestyle, that was like a crippled Skeletool without the driver or carabiner?
Honestly, either way, they were never Leatherman’s best work as knives. It’s a really low bar to set those two as. Pretty much every knife-based multitool is better than a Crater TX or Freestyle, when you look at it.
This Spyderco ClipiTool looks nifty and all, but I don’t think it’s for me. Anthony did a great job writing it up, and explaining it all, and the KNIFE left me kinda… Meh? (Not Anthony’s fault there. The knife is just not for ME. I’m a little more devoted to Leatherman, and to hand-made knives, than I should be. I’m not an objective source.)
No complaints here! Well… I would ask, personally, why Spyderco would venture into this area of the niche. They’re an awesome company, for sure, but they do their KNIVES so well, and I mean REALLY well… Why go here? Not that they shouldn’t, it’s just… Me waxing a little poetic/curious what they’re really thinking by trying this.
Another good one, Anthony! Man… We ALL gained a bonus when you joined ToolGuyd! Only a handful of articles in, and it’s like you’re EXACTLY as pivotal as Stuart or Benjamen! Awesome, man! (Note: Of course, Stuart being the owner, there’s the obvious edge over everyone else on his part, but… as a CONTRIBUTOR.)
Michael says
Aug 15, 2018 at 1:25 pmI purchased one hoping to replace my two edc knives (Victorinox Pioneer and Spiderco Paramilitary) with one knife. I was disappointed. The fit and finish was not good. The tools can self close with pressure. The knife started getting a lot of vertical and horizontal play after not much use. I would not purchase it again.
Vincent Lew says
Aug 15, 2018 at 4:09 pmSpyderco “multiclip tool” has been my EDC for three months since I received it!!! I just Love
it and won’t leave home without it.!!…
Yadda says
Aug 15, 2018 at 11:23 pmI’ve been wondering about these. Timely review! Thanks!
Nathan says
Aug 16, 2018 at 9:21 amif that blade was shorter I would consider one. we have a fairly strict though never explained 3″ rule here.
that said if I could pick and choose I’d want a multi-tool for work that had a quality knife – scissors – letherman’s multi bit thing and bits – and I’m not sure what else. maybe a cap lifter
anyway interesting.
DFig says
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:36 amYa, not seeing too much penetration into this segment for them. Plethora of competition and your entrant is “Made in China” for crying out loud? Ave Maria! I numnumnum the Spyderco brand, just not seeing it here. Seems it’ll be a Para2 in the pocket and a Wave+ (no. 3 for me) on the belt for a while longer.
Michaelhammer says
Aug 18, 2018 at 6:38 amIs a cap lifter a bottle opener? A bit driver is a 1/4” hexagonal socket that accepts driver bits. I didn’t see one of those on this tool. Two flat head drivers, a can opener ( does anyone use those?), a bottle opener and a good knife blade made in China with poor fit and finish, sounds wonderful.