International 1900CP T7 Keychain Multi-Tool

UPGRADED TO 5-STAR: 18 months of daily carry and it's still going strong! Much easier to open and close, but still holds firmly to my keyring. It has never fallen off. The large flathead is great for slicing tape when opening packages, and you don't even need to open the tool. I bent it back to straight with a pair of pliers, and it's been fine ever since. Would buy another in a heartbeat if I lost this one. I use it multiple times a week for random little fixes - I'd be lost without it!---I bought two of these - one for me and one as a gift. I tend to carry necessary tools around in my trunk or to jobs, and my shop is fully equipped. I love little gadgets in general, but I'm typically NOT a fan of multitools because they always have unnecessary features (files? can openers?) while the main components like screwdrivers, pliers, and blades are sub-par. A part of me wants to like them because I can just throw one in my glove box or purse or tackle box and be ready for anything, and I do have a few (which I'll do almost anything to avoid using). But at some point I set about to find a simple little thing to stick on my keychain for those little random times when you wish you had a screwdriver or pliers. After a bunch of research and testing different ones I ended up with this. I really like it. It will absolutely NOT replace full-size tools, obviously. But I've used the pliers and screwdrivers so many times! It's so light and small that it disappears when not needed, and I have it close by almost 24/7. I really feel like this sort of tiny pliers with 4 screwdrivers is indispensable and everyone should carry it (but that's my way of thinking). HOWEVER it loses one star [edit: added it back] because the material could be a bit stronger (I bent the blade of the large flathead installing my license plates at the DMV), and the main hinges are very, very stiff. It holds closed on a keyring very well and doesn't secretly flip open like my Swiss Tech did (RIP wherever you are), but it can be hard to open and close because it's so small. I worked them both open and closed dozens of times to loosen them up a bit, which worked OK. Keep in mind that this tool is VERY small, so if you have very big hands it may be a pain to use. But in my opinion it's worth it!

Pros: Inexpensive, versitile, TSA "Approved"Cons: Stiff to open, limited application due to small sizeMost manufactures are hesitant to claim that they their product is airline or TSA safe, so after scanning the TSA website and going through their prohibited and permitted items, I observed that if it is in question, it probably is prohibited. Given the TSA short list of permitted items, I looked around at my options and figured it would be good to start small. There are a number of key chain size multi-tools but most of them include knives or blades. A knife of any size immediately disqualifies the tool for air travel. One of the mini multi-tools that caught my attention was the IDL Tools T7 MultiTool because it seemed to meet my needs.To test out if this tool was actually commercial airline safe, I took it on several multi-day trips that involved multiple airports and numerous TSA screening positions and even on one international destination. Determined that we would not do our testing stealthily by trying to conceal this tool in our carry-on luggage, I simply carried it in my laptop bag and even in my pocket. When required we sent them through the scanning equipment - completely exposed in a bowl - and never once were we questioned. Now this is not to say that these will always make it through. In fact, based on our experience, we suspect that depending on the day and the mood of the screening agents, they might want it more than us and decide to confiscate it on a whim.... Still, as far as we're able to surmise, they are clearly legitimately "approved" according to this week's TSA guidelines.As far as actually using the tool, it came in very handy for tightening a few nuts, clipping wire zip ties and even for a few small adjustments we needed to make on a piece of audio equipment. The tool is adequately sturdy and can be functional in a pinch.

I can't use it because it is impossible for me to pull apart.

I do not think it was designed for old hands. Separate parts are hard to open even after lubrication. Pliers work well and it is quite easy to carry

I NEVER go anywhere without this. it fits on my key chain and I have used it countless times. High quality too. But be warned; the airline security people may take it away from you (even though it does NOT have a knife blade)

A very nicely made product for under $15. Fits on a keychain, but not like you'd expect. Once you open it up, it lets go of your keychain. Thought this was a drawback, but it's a cool feature... Here's another product I thought was made in the USA, but the packaging states it is made in China (although it states this in French, not English). It would be tough to make this in the States for this small amount of $$$, but I really like the feature set. I was NOT looking for some sort of zillion-option multi-tool, just something very portable on a keychain that could be used as a screwdriver. I already have a Spyderco Ladybug knife which is great for its purpose. I like it that I can take the T7 to work and not have to worry about getting snagged by security for knife blades, a downside of most multi-tools. I prefer using a tool that does 1 thing (or a limited variation on it) well... the quality and design seems better in most cases. Very portable for house use. The T7 is solidly manufactured.