The Dual Force isn’t one of those multitools that will help you survive on a desert island, it’s been designed for real work. There are no fancy accessories like scissors or a tin opener, instead you get a bunch of no-nonsense tools…

We all know that cable ties are useful things to have, both around the house and in the car, but what has always annoyed me about them is that they’re single use, and a bit too rigid.  Wouldn’t it be better if someone could invent something….

If you spend enough time outside you will most likely end up buying yourself an axe of some size, then a small foldable saw and more than likely a fire steel for when you run out of lighter fluid.

… they’ve moaned that some bystanders may mistake the coating for blood, I can see why!

"Seriously, how many multitools does someone need before it becomes something of an obsession?"

That was the question Muddy Madam posed when my new Leatherman Signal arrived at Muddy Towers. To be honest, I don’t know the answer to…

I explained that I wanted a good, dependable general purpose camp knife, a knife that can easily cut rope, feather branches, slice food and so on.  I didn’t want anything fancy or ridiculously expensive either as I have a bad habit of losing things!

Over the years I’ve amassed quite a number of multitools, some I’ve given away, some lie forgotten in a drawer gathering dust whilst a select few are at hand ready to be put into use at a moments notice.  After spending a few months with the new Gerber Centre-Drive (or Center-Drive because Americans can’t spell) where will it live, drawer or toolbox?

I don’t mind admitting that I’m far from being a professional user of…..

A while back I wrote a couple of group product reviews on multitools, one for the now defunct Land Rover World magazine, and later for Practical Caravan and it’s sister magazine, Practical Motorhome.  Out of the 6 or so Multitools that I put to work, there were 2 that stood out, one of which was the Leatherman Wave……

I like multi-tools! I like them because they are useful and compact, which means I can carry them about in my handbag, without having to carry a bag the size of a holdall. I am one of those women who gets on with stuff; if there is a screw that needs screwing or wood that needs chopping I'll grab the necessary tools and go for it. I have my own metal tool box, with…..

I never thought I had much in common with The Prodigy, but I have to say they have nailed me with this lyric:

'I'm a fire starter, twisted fire starter'

OK maybe not the twisted part, but definitely the fire starter bit. I got to play with the Bear Grylls Fire Starter in the

The Bear Grylls survival series of products are not your usual 'lets slap a celebrity name on our normal products' type of thing. Bear is very involved in the design process of all the items in his range, after all, with his face all over the packaging, he doesn't want to be associated with any old guff. With Gerber’s 75+ years of making damn good products, and Bear Grylls' extensive knowledge…..

Although Gerber’s Vehicle Safety Kit is sadly no longer available, I still wanted to review it as most of the kit is still available, and therefore creating a similar collection for your 4x4 is a worthwhile investment. 

The Vehicle Safety Kit comprises of their Multi-Plier 600, an axe, a D Cell Maglite, a compact folding spade and their Exchange-A-Blade hand saw.  This little lot is…..

OK, so the Gerber Steady may not have as many tools, and it might be a bit chunkier than other multi-tools on the market, but it does have a neat trick up its sleeve. Unfold the two legs and attach the suction cup and it quickly becomes a tripod for either taking photos, Skypeing or watching stuff on your phone. Alternatively, using its standard…..

For the month or so that I had the Crucial I liked it, it was light and sturdy, and like all Gerber products comes with a lifetime warranty. 

Although small in size it packed a punch and felt very well built.  It has a belt clip as well as a folding carabiner and all its tools are lockable and on the outside. My only gripe was that because of my big hands, on occasions it felt a tad uncomfortable to use as it….