Which multi-function tool pliers are better?

Nowadays, exploring ruins and camping in the wild are popular. Compared to traditional travel, people can enjoy the comfort brought by freedom more in valleys, by streams, and deep in the forest. However, before setting out, in addition to acquiring relevant safety knowledge, outdoor equipment is also indispensable. A multi-tool is the first choice, as its rich tool integration can meet the needs of traveling light and also serve as a great aid during outdoor activities. However, the quality of multi-tools on the market varies greatly, and the functions are diverse. Choosing one can be overwhelming.

Today, I will be sharing with you a professional multi-functional rescue tool named “Pioneer” designed by the well-known EDC equipment brand Nextorch. In addition to the familiar outdoor tools, it is specially designed with large rescue shears and single-sided shears, allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of nature while also adding a layer of safety. Let’s take a look at what makes it extraordinary:

Before the “Pioneer,” there was a 16-in-1 multifunctional tactical plier called the “Sharp Edge.” Compared to the latter, which is suitable for daily use, the “Pioneer” focuses more on emergency rescue. Let’s take a look at the packaging first. It remains the classic white and green dual color, with a card-style box body and a full English introduction. From the numbers, we can tell that there are 14 functions in total.

The back and sides of the box body feature a detailed display and introduction to the functions of the multi-tool pliers: In the eyes of many fans, nextorch is a professional mobile lighting manufacturer, but it’s not just about flashlights; it also involves products like backpacks, batons, and multi-tool pliers.

The contents are quite substantial, including not only the main pliers body, but also a map-style instruction manual and a robust nylon case. Its back has a buckle that can be fixed to a belt or tactical backpack, making it convenient for carrying outdoors. The nylon case has a Velcro opening, which is very convenient to open and close without needing too much force.

The multi-tool, with its portable foldable storage design and the “eighteen weapons” it possesses, is truly a “Jack of all trades” in EDC gear. However, this “Pioneer” model is quite special, featuring a large pair of scissors as its mainstay, integrating 14 different tools. Whether for daily use or emergency rescue, it can handle everything with ease.

The surface of the pliers body comes in two versions due to different surface treatment processes, namely stone-washed and black. The one I got is the stone-washed version, which has a rough appearance but also carries a sense of antiquity from the wear of time. Moreover, as time goes by, it will leave marks on the surface, and the vintage feel from the aging process is quite impressive.

The back clip can be attached to your pocket, belt, or backpack without the need for a carrying pouch. Overall, the “Pioneer” model is well-made, featuring a “rough yet detailed” design. It may look rugged at first glance, but the precision of each tool’s manufacturing is high, and the materials used are solid. It’s durable and can withstand rough use.

The “Pioneer” in its closed state has dimensions of 1093928mm and weighs approximately 268 grams. It is considered a heavy-duty option among multi-tools. Holding it in your hand, you can feel its considerable weight and solid grip, making it very convenient to use.

After fully unfolding it, you can see that it integrates a rescue blade, multi-tool pliers (standard, needle-nose, wire cutter, hard wire pliers), as well as a main blade, saw teeth, a one-way cutter, a bottle opener, a flathead screwdriver, and a seat belt cutter, oxygen bottle wrench, ruler, and so on, totaling 14 different tools. It encompasses a wide range of functions that are frequently used in daily life and others that, although not commonly used, are very useful in emergencies. Large, precise, and comprehensive. Below, I will provide a detailed introduction to the key features:

Firstly, what stands out the most about the “Vanguard” is its large rescue shears (which is more accurately described as a multi-tool cutter). When the two handles at the ends are opened, the first thing that catches the eye is the large-sized angled scissors, rather than the common plier head. Only after unfolding the second section of one of the handles does the plier tool reveal itself. This means that in the logical sequence of use, the scissors are prioritized first.

Moreover, this pair of scissors is not only characterized by its large size; upon closer inspection, it’s evident that one end is blunt, unlike the pointed tip of everyday scissors. Additionally, the head of the scissors is robust, and they are thicker than standard scissors. They are not only capable of cutting paper and fabric but can also trim branches and even cut through harder materials like tin.

This large pair of scissors is very useful, with a blunt end length reaching 60mm, and the cutting edge is equipped with teeth. This design provides a good clamping effect when cutting clothes and leather, preventing the fabric from being caught in a hurry. It indeed saves effort during cutting. In the outdoors, when someone is injured and needs immediate rescue, we can calmly use these scissors to cut open sleeves or legs that are stuck to the skin. Since the cutting tip side is specially rounded and blunted, it won’t harm the skin while cutting, thus avoiding secondary injuries. Of course, we can also use them to cut many things while camping in the wild. We can directly cut empty beverage bottles into any shape, which shows how sharp and sturdy they are.

Next, let’s take a look at the pliers. As mentioned before, its jaws are stored at one end of the handle. Therefore, they need to be opened in two stages to use. The material of the jaws is 30Cr13 alloy steel, which is excellent in corrosion resistance as well as hardness, strength, and toughness.

The tang and the hard wire cutters use YG8 cemented carbide. The “Pioneer” pliers are slightly smaller than the standard ones, but they are still very easy to use. From top to bottom, they are needle-nose pliers, standard pliers, cutting pliers, and hard wire cutters, which are designed for cutting different objects and wires. For example, fine and long objects like iron wire can be twisted with needle-nose pliers.

The wire stripper works great for stripping wires, and the hard wire cutter is still very effective for cutting nails and wires. The grip of the pliers is quite good, although there are slight gaps, they can still hold and secure thin papers. It’s worth mentioning that the cutting edge of the pliers is replaceable design, if the cutting edge is damaged, replacement and maintenance are very simple.

All these integrated tools can be opened from the outside, the main blade and the saw blade are both fixed with a wire lock, they won’t harm your fingers when in use. Of course, my favorite is the single-sided.

The locking mechanism at the top of the handle’s logo can be pushed up and down. As indicated, after pushing down to unlock, the single-sided cutter will automatically pop out (when not in use, simply push the handle back in and then push up), allowing us to complete the cutting operation with one hand.

The material of the scissors is the same as the main blade and serrated saw, which is 50Cr15MoV high-quality alloy steel. Its hardness can reach HRC54. It also has good toughness and corrosion resistance, making it very effective for cutting plastic restraint straps.

The main blade and the saw are arranged at both ends of the handle, both made of 50Cr15MoV material, with a liner lock to ensure stability and safety during use. The length of the blade is 54mm, and the front angle reaches 75 degrees, which meets the standards for non-restricted knives. It’s perfect for opening packages, peeling fruits, and more. During camping, it can also be used to cut branches, ropes, and so on, making it versatile for any situation.

A saw and a knife make a great team. The “Pioneer” saw has double teeth, making it easier and more efficient to cut wood, saving time and effort. It comes with a locking mechanism to prevent accidental injuries to fingers due to excessive force, allowing for safe and confident use.

Upon close examination of the plier body, one side has an external ruler, but it only has metric scales and does not have dual scales for both metric and imperial units.

The scale is laser-engraved, so there’s no worry about wear over time. It’s quite practical for measuring the length of objects. All the tools integrated into the “Pioneer” are very practical, the only regret is the absence of a window breaker.

At the end of the handle, there are three commonly used small tools, which are the bottle opener, the flathead screwdriver (which can be pulled out and replaced with a handcuff key), and the cutting blade. The latter can be used to cut seat belts in emergencies. Of course, it can also easily cut through nylon straps or other materials of varying hardness. Due to space limitations, I will not elaborate on each one in detail.