Latest news with #multitool
CNET
28-05-2025
- General
- CNET
My Favorite Do-It-All Multitool Is Perfect for Around the House or an Emergency Bag
I have always liked DIY-ing my way around things, but before I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, keeping an emergency go bag in the house wasn't something I ever worried about. But now I live less than a mile from the fault that earthquake experts say is the region's most dangerous. And among the most frequently asked questions in my house is, "Did you feel that?" However, natural disasters don't issue a prior warning, so my family and I have created an emergency plan for when the need arises: We keep our car fueled up, we have our portable chargers topped up and at the ready, and we all know how to shut off our gas. But maybe the most important prep work we've done is to put together an emergency go bag, also known as a bug-out bag. One item I've included in my go bag is a multitool by Gerber that includes pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters, as well as a knife. You can drop a lot of money on a multitool, and some of those more expensive models are worth it. But because I wanted to buy more than one of these -- since my kids could always use one too -- both price and weight were important to me, which is why I chose the Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool. Priced at about $30, this multitool is always worth grabbing, whether it's on sale or not. Below, I'll go through why I like this tool so much. For more mainstays of the go bag, here are our favorite power banks for iPhones and here are the best portable solar panels. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Where this multitool fits into my emergency preparedness plans In addition to having bug-out bags at the ready, we keep an extensive earthquake kit in a big toy chest. With this big kit -- called a stay box -- weight isn't really an issue, and we can store enough food, water and whatever else we need to make it through a few days or even weeks. But in a go bag, each item has to be portable and essential, because weight adds up quickly. (This is the mini lantern I went with.) The Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini weighs just a few ounces and fits into the palm of my hand when it's folded up. Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool specs Material: Stainless steel Stainless steel Dimensions when open: 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches Dimensions when closed: 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.2 ounces 2.2 ounces Included tools: Pliers, wire cutter, tweezers, small and medium-size flat-head screwdrivers, bottle opener, retail package opener, plain-edge blade, scissors, fine and coarse files, lanyard/key ring Why the Gerber Dime Mini makes a great gift This is also a great tool to have in your car or your desk drawer at work. Gerber Gifting this multitool may seem overly practical, but there will eventually be a time that it will come in handy for anyone. Plus, you really can't beat its price compared to some of the competition out there. This is perfect for your handy friends who could always use another gadget for fixing things or someone building out their emergency bags.
CNET
28-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Dust Off Your Swiss Army Knife: Here Are 7 Ways To Use the Multi-Tool Around the House
You don't need to be a Scout to get daily use out of your Swiss Army Knife. The handy, multipurpose tool was designed to aid in a slew of chores in addition to all those hiking, camping and outdoor tasks. There are a lot of ways to employ a Swiss Army Knife to make everyday tasks easier, from pruning houseplants to popping a wine cork. "Blending expert artisanship with intelligent functionality, the Swiss-made knives offer up to 73 functions and provide smart solutions to master everyday life situations," says Franziska Hoffmann-Fröde, head of the product category at Victorinox, the product's primary manufacturer. If you've acquired your very own Swiss Army knife -- or a comparable small multitool -- and are searching for inspiration, look no further than these eight tips to take full advantage of your purchase. It may even replace some of your go-to cooking gadgets or household tools. 1. Peeling fruits and vegetables Your Swiss Army Knife is a capable vegetable peeler. David Watsky/CNET Avocado-cutting hand injuries, be gone! Many knives and multitools contain both small and large blades to safely peel fruits and veggies. The small blade is ideal for peeling practically any type of produce while the large blade is "precise and handy" for other tasks such as slicing apples and bananas, Hoffmann-Fröde says. 2. Scaling fish Whether you're enjoying the fruits of your fishing trip or preparing a fresh cut from the supermarket, a fish scaler works astonishingly well at -- you guessed it -- scaling fish. Now your filets will be free of the scales and skin that can overpower a dish. 3. Pruning plants and flowers The big blade is perfect for pruning neglected houstplants. David Watsky/CNET Plants and fresh-cut flowers can brighten an otherwise dull and sterile kitchen space. Use your Swiss Army knife to prune these living things so they remain colorful and vibrant. "First, sanitize the blade with alcohol or soap and water, then cut any damaged leaves or leggy stems," says Hoffman-Fröde. 4. Opening shellfish Shucking fresh clams, oysters and mussels is no longer a chore with the flathead screwdriver, designed to be inserted into the shells' hinge so that they pop open easily. 5. Removing gunk and grime The small utility blade is great for cleaning grime out of small grooves and other tight spots. David Watsky The flathead screwdriver can also assist with kitchen clean-up in hard-to-reach places, especially in the space between your countertop and stove. "Gently push or scrape to dislodge crumbs, grease or other sticky substances," says Hoffmann-Fröde. 6. Deciphering fine print Labels, expiration dates and cookbook text can be aggravatingly tiny and challenging to read. Luckily, your Swiss Army knife has a magnifying glass to make out the fine print and ensure that you use the right amount of (unexpired!) ingredients. 7. Cutting seals and opening wine If this is the only thing you use your SAK for, it'd still be worth it. David Watsky/CNET Cheers to the Swiss Army knife's ability to not only cut through the seal of any liquor bottle but also uncork wine. The small blade and corkscrew work in tandem to open your favorite libations so that less energy is spent hassling with packaging and you can move on to enjoying your beverage with a favorite appetizer or meal. Swiss Army knife tools The fish scaler tool is the piece with the jagged edge on a Swiss Army knife. Getty Images Before you partake in the aforementioned kitchen activities, becoming more familiar with the Swiss Army knife's features is important. The standard Huntsman model from Victorinox touts a whopping 15 tools, including large and small blades, corkscrew, reamer, punch and sewing awl, scissors, wood saw, multipurpose hook, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, can opener, bottle opener, wire stripper and two screwdrivers.
CNET
27-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Post Memorial Day Deal: My Favorite Do-It-All Multitool Is Still Just $26 on Amazon
I have always liked DIY-ing my way around things, but before I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, keeping an emergency go bag in the house wasn't something I ever worried about. But now I live less than a mile from the fault that earthquake experts say is the region's most dangerous. And among the most frequently asked questions in my house is, "Did you feel that?" However, natural disasters don't issue a prior warning, so my family and I have created an emergency plan for when the need arises: We keep our car fueled up, we have our portable chargers topped up and at the ready, and we all know how to shut off our gas. But maybe the most important prep work we've done is to put together an emergency go bag, also known as a bug-out bag. One item I've included in my go bag is a multitool by Gerber that includes pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters, as well as a knife and right now, you can grab one of these without paying the full price. You can drop a lot of money on a multitool, and some of those more expensive models are worth it. But because I wanted to buy more than one of these -- since my kids could always use one too -- both price and weight were important to me, which is why I chose the Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool. Normally priced at about $30, this multitool is always worth grabbing, whether it's on sale or not. But it's still discounted after Memorial Day sales, allowing you to save a few bucks and get the red one for $26, a 10% discount. If red isn't your style, there's a green version available that costs $31 and a cool-looking all-black one for $29. Below, I'll go through why I like this tool so much. For more go bag mainstays, here are our favorite power banks for iPhones and the best portable solar panels. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Where this multitool fits into my emergency preparedness plans In addition to having bug-out bags at the ready, we keep an extensive earthquake kit in a big toy chest. With this big kit -- called a stay box -- weight isn't really an issue, and we can store enough food, water and whatever else we need to make it through a few days or even weeks. But in a go bag, each item has to be portable and essential, because weight adds up quickly. (This is the mini lantern I went with.) The Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini weighs just a few ounces and fits into the palm of my hand when it's folded up. Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool specs Material: Stainless steel Stainless steel Dimensions when open: 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches Dimensions when closed: 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.2 ounces 2.2 ounces Included tools: Pliers, wire cutter, tweezers, small and medium-size flat-head screwdrivers, bottle opener, retail package opener, plain-edge blade, scissors, fine and coarse files, lanyard/key ring Why the Gerber Dime Mini makes a great gift This is also a great tool to have in your car or your desk drawer at work. Gerber Just note that the offer on this Gerber multitool was a part of Amazon's Memorial Day sale, and since the event has wrapped, the current discounted price is on borrowed time. Looking to save on more things to make your life easier? CNET's shopping experts have rounded up all the best post Memorial Day deals still available.
CNET
26-05-2025
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: My Favorite Do-It-All Multitool Is Just $26 on Amazon for a Limited Time
I have always liked DIY-ing my way around things, but before I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, keeping an emergency go bag in the house wasn't something I ever worried about. But now I live less than a mile from the fault that earthquake experts say is the region's most dangerous. And among the most frequently asked questions in my house is, "Did you feel that?" Unfortunately, natural disasters don't issue a prior warning, so my family and I have created an emergency plan for when the need arises: We keep our car fueled up, we have our portable chargers topped up and at the ready, and we all know how to shut off our gas. But maybe the most important prep work we've done is to put together an emergency go bag, also known as a bug-out bag. One item I've included in my go bag is a multitool by Gerber that includes pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters, as well as a knife and right now, you can grab one of these without paying the full price. You can drop a lot of money on a multitool, and some of those more expensive models are worth it. But because I wanted to buy more than one of these -- since my kids could always use one too -- both price and weight were important to me, which is why I chose the Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool. Normally priced at about $30, this multitool is always worth grabbing, whether it's on sale or not. But for a limited time during the Memorial Day sale, you can save a few bucks and get the red one for $26, a 10% discount. If red isn't your style, there's a green version available that costs $31 and a cool-looking all-black one for $30. Below, I'll go through why I like this tool so much. For more go-bag mainstays, here are our favorite power banks for iPhones and the best portable solar panels. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Where this multitool fits into my emergency preparedness plans In addition to having bug-out bags at the ready, we keep an extensive earthquake kit in a big toy chest. With this big kit -- called a stay box -- weight isn't really an issue, and we can store enough food, water and whatever else we need to make it through a few days or even weeks. But in a go-bag, each item has to be portable and essential, because weight adds up quickly. (This is the mini lantern I went with.) The Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini weighs just a few ounces and fits into the palm of my hand when it's folded up. Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool specs Material: Stainless steel Stainless steel Dimensions when open: 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches Dimensions when closed: 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.2 ounces 2.2 ounces Included tools: Pliers, wire cutter, tweezers, small and medium-size flat-head screwdrivers, bottle opener, retail package opener, plain-edge blade, scissors, fine and coarse files, lanyard/key ring Why the Gerber Dime Mini makes a great gift This is also a great tool to have in your car or your desk drawer at work. Gerber Just note that the offer on this Gerber multitool is a part of Amazon's Memorial Day sale, and since the event wraps up today, the sale also might not last too long. I recommend acting fast before it is too late. Looking to save on more things to make your life easier? CNET's shopping experts have rounded up all the best early Memorial Day deals. And if you're looking for practical gifts, check out this list of the best gifts for grads.
CNET
23-05-2025
- CNET
The Do-It-All Multitool I Swear By Is Under $30 on Amazon Right Now for Memorial Day
Before I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, keeping an emergency go bag in the house was not something I ever worried about. But now I live less than a mile from the fault that earthquake experts say is the region's most dangerous. And among the most frequently asked questions in my house is, "Did you feel that?" I know the next big one will come without warning, so my family and I have created an emergency plan: We keep our car fueled up, we have our portable chargers topped up and at the ready, and we all know how to shut off our gas. But maybe the most important prep work we've done is to put together an emergency go bag, also known as a bug-out bag. One item I've included in my go bag is a multitool by Gerber that includes pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters and a knife. You can drop a lot of money on a multitool, and some of those more expensive models are worth it. But because I wanted to buy more than one of these -- since my kids could always use one too -- both price and weight were important to me, which is why I chose the Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool. Normally priced about $30, this multitool is always worth grabbing, whether it's on sale or not. But for Memorial Day, you can save a few bucks and get the red one for $26, a 10% discount. If red isn't your style, there's a green version available that costs $31 and a cool-looking all-black one for $30. Below, I'll go through why I like this tool so much. For more go-bag mainstays, here are our favorite power banks for iPhones and the best portable solar panels. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Where this multitool fits into my emergency preparedness plans In addition to having bug-out bags at the ready, we keep an extensive earthquake kit in a big toy chest. With this big kit -- called a stay box -- weight isn't really an issue, and we can store enough food, water and whatever else we need to make it through a few days or even weeks. But in a go-bag, each item has to be portable and essential, because weight adds up quickly. (This is the mini lantern I went with.) The Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini weighs just a few ounces and fits into the palm of my hand when it's folded up. Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool specs Material: Stainless steel Stainless steel Dimensions when open: 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches Dimensions when closed: 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.2 ounces 2.2 ounces Included tools: Pliers, wire cutter, tweezers, small and medium-size flat-head screwdrivers, bottle opener, retail package opener, plain-edge blade, scissors, fine and coarse files, lanyard/key ring Why the Gerber Dime Mini makes a great gift This is also a great tool to have in your car or your desk drawer at work. Gerber Looking to save on more things to make your life easier? Here's our roundup of all the best early Memorial Day deals. And if you're looking for practical gifts, check out our list of the best gifts for grads.
