MultiMaster

Jaws

Plier jaws were offered in two versions: needlenose, and blunt nose. Both models have fine serrations near the nose, a gripping area below that, and a bypass wire cutter area near the pivot. (No hard wire notch is included)

Being a "solid handle" design, one jaw is an integral part of the plier handle, while the opposite jaw is pinned to the frame with two rivets.

Handles/Frame

The plier handle is a single piece of cast steel. It has a hex bit driver in the end, and a "Locking L" tab to engage the blades.

The frame is a piece of sheet steel folded into a channel shape. One side is stamped MULTIMASTER in large font. In smaller font it says BY KUTMASTER and USA PAT PEND. An inch/metric scale is stamped on the bottom side.

Finish is bead blasted stainless all over.

The plier pivot and blade pivot are rather unusual in that they use Phillips head screws.

Blades and Tools

The MultiMaster has five folding implements:

• Clip point knife blade, 2-1/4" long (60mm)
• Two-sided file blade, featuring single cut and double cut serrations
• Saw blade
• Sheepsfoot serrated knife blade
• Can opener/bottle opener

Locking Mechanism

All blades lock open using a unique feature Kutmaster refers to as the "Locking L" safety device. Once a blade is fully opened, depressing the plier handle causes a tab to engage a slot at the base of the blade. This prevents the blade from accidentally closing during use. The method is crude, but effective.

Other Features

There is a hex bit driver receptacle in the end of the plier handle. It uses a small magnet to retain the bits. (Later changed to a circlip.)

Sheath

A large, tri-folded nylon sheath was generally included with the MultiMaster. It had a pouch for carrying a kit of spare hex bits (also included) and a velcro closure.

Belt loop allowed vertical carry only.

Dimensions

• Length open = 5-3/4" (146mm)
• Length closed = same
• Width closed = 1-1/4" (33mm)
• Thickness = 5/8" (16mm)
• Weight = 7.7 oz (217g)

Variations

The MultiMaster was produced in both needlenose and blunt nose plier configurations.

At some point the magnet in the hex bit driver was changed to a circlip.

At some point production of the MultiMaster was moved overseas. Quality of these Chinese-made tools does not differ much from USA-made tools. They can be distinguished by a complete lack of markings on the frame, as well as a poorly shaped head on the plier pivot. In addition, a new "scissors" type pivot has been utilized on the plier jaws.

Rebrands

In addition to tools sold with the MultiMaster logo, the company also produced and rebranded these tools for a number of other firms. Following is a partial list: (Unique characteristics are mentioned)

• Klein Tools:
  • The Tripsaver 1016 was produced in needlenose only.
  • KLEIN TOOLS is stamped on one side in large font. A lengthy safety message is stamped on the other side.
  • A large triangle awl blade was substituted for the can opener/bottle opener blade.
  • The file blade was unlike any other variation. It featured five different sized wire stripper notches along the edge, and a beveled grind on the end.

• Browning:
  • The Model 400 was produced in blunt nose only. It was available as a component in the company's BR-400 Shooter's Tool Kit.
  • BROWNING is stamped in small font on one side of the tool. MODEL 400 is on the other side.
  • Angled "lightening slots" have been added along both sides of the frame.
  • A black plastic grip was added to the solid plier handle.

• Stanley Proto:
  • Produced in both model 18575 blunt nose and 18576 needlenose.
  • PROTO is stamped in large font on one side of the tool.

• Winchester:
  • The Pliers & More multi-tool was produced in both 53452 needlenose and 53450 blunt nose versions.
  • WINCHESTER TRADE-MARK is chemical etched into one side of the handle.
  • The base of the knife blade is marked WINCHESTER MADE IN USA along with the model number. (Note that on all other variations of this tool the knife blade is unmarked.)

• Caterpillar:
  • Produced in both needlenose and blunt nose versions.
  • A large CAT logo is chemical etched into one side of the tool.

• Mathews archery:
  • Produced in both needlenose and blunt nose versions.
  • A large stylized Mathews logo is chemical etched into one side of the tool.

History

Per Kutmaster, the MultiMaster was developed in 1988. It was produced in the USA up until the early 2000's, but recent examples show evidence of Asian manufacture.

Related Tools

The KutMaster Wrench-Head tool shares similar features with the MultiMaster.

Mountain Quest, an import brand belonging to KutMaster, produces a version of this tool called the 17 Function Multitool.

More Info

• MultiMaster user's guide