Roxon Flex Multitool Evaluation | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The Roxon Flex marks a departure from the way in which folks take into consideration basic multitools – and it’s an excellent one. The headline function is modularity: you’ll be able to swap out instruments on the fly, purchase new ones, and modify the format. This implies you’ll be able to take the file out of the software, sharpen the knife, after which put the diamond file again within the body if you need. This new means of approaching multitools seems so apparent in hindsight, however Roxon has executed the idea effectively, providing 72 completely different implements on the time of writing.

It simply earns a spot close to the highest of our greatest multitools information, though it’s not with out quirks. Though usability and have set are wonderful, we discovered the person high quality of the instruments to be a bit missing, with the file exhibiting deep scratches upon first use, and the screwdriver bit not fairly seating as effectively into screws as others. Moreover, the size of the implements isn’t extendable to the complete body like some exterior body implements can on different multitools. It simply means the knife is a bit quick relative to the software’s total dimension.

After we examined it on outside dwelling tasks and tenting journeys, we discovered it labored decently effectively, but it surely was really wonderful in on a regular basis carry (EDC) conditions the place customization and easy ease of use had been key. The truth that it’s moderately priced for what you get is one other huge constructive, making it a best choice for the discerning multitool proprietor who needs the most effective software for them, not simply the most effective software usually.

How We Examined

We examined the Roxon Flex over the winter in a number of environments. First is the place it’s almost definitely to discover a area of interest, engaged on family duties, and as an on a regular basis carry software.

Subsequent, we took the Flex out to a extra rural space to see the way it survived as a serving to hand fixing rooster coops, upgrading decks, and another outside adjoining actions. And eventually, we needed to take it into the backcountry to see the way it fared as a tenting software. Pounding stakes into tougher floor, grabbing boiling kettles from the fireplace, and slicing twine and twine for rigging tarps.

Device Choice

That is the place the Flex shines, not within the quantity of instruments that it affords in its base configuration, however within the huge portions of instruments you’ll be able to swap into the body. Roxon has constructed fairly an ecosystem round its idea of modular but purposeful multitools, and the Flex takes full benefit of that. Every software will be swapped out and in of the body at will, providing much more customization than a standard multitool. The Roxon affords 72 completely different choices, starting from outdoors-focused to bike/gun upkeep and EDC use.

In its default configuration, the Flex claims 19 instruments, and by our depend, the Flex has house for 10 fold-out instruments within the body, in addition to the usual pliers/wire cutter mixture. 

Discussing the included instruments feels barely diminished since you’ll be able to simply swap them out, but it surely’s value noting that the usual load-out has 9 within the body because the Phillips screwdriver takes up two slots.

We discovered the default software choice to be okay, but it surely lacked many instruments from our most popular software listing. No serrated knife, noticed, bit driver, or small screwdrivers would have left us missing, besides that every one of those and extra will be swapped in. That’s what makes the Flex so, effectively, versatile to the wants of customers; it could accommodate just about something.

Along with the implausible modularity, the Flex boasts an almost one-handed operation. On the aspect are two studs that may be pushed upward to launch the implements from the body for straightforward grabbing. This implies no extra digging nails into grooves to pry instruments open, and the motion is easy and satisfying. These identical studs transfer in the wrong way to unlock the implements for substitute, and small locking switches above the studs enable instruments to be locked in place to allow them to’t be by accident folded in if the thumb stud strikes throughout use. And eventually, spring pliers are at all times welcome, however hardly ever seen, they felt nice to make use of right here.

Device Efficiency

We discovered the default configuration of instruments to be common by way of efficiency. Actually, there have been some areas the place efficiency was missing. A part of that is because of the comparatively common metal used. The 5CR15Mov metal within the wire cutters dented on the primary minimize of some thick gauge wire, and the file skilled scratches when trying to file down protruding screws suggestions. Not precisely a confidence-inspiring first impression.

The knife is respectable however not excellent, providing a shorter working size than different instruments and a curved sheepsfoot-style blade. This can be a slight damaging, since a extra normal or drop-point blade permits the knife for use for piercing extra simply. It’s additionally utilizing a decrease high quality metal by default, DIN 1.4116, which has a hardness of 54-56 HRC.

Chromium plating can usually disguise lower-quality software steels, and whereas we couldn’t discover precise materials specs for the fabric used within the body, the remainder of the implements appear to be made from acceptable inventory. But once more, the modularity of this software makes it higher than it initially appears, because the knife will be upgraded to higher-quality D2 metal, and if the body ever does put on out, all of the instruments will pop into a brand new one simply.

We usually don’t advocate shopping for replacements as an excuse for low-quality merchandise, and the Flex is certainly not low-quality. Nevertheless, its minor shortcomings in software efficiency are considerably mitigated by the power to swap one thing out if it doesn’t carry out to your liking.

Consolation & Ease of Use

We liked utilizing the Flex. It incorporates a number of options that we wished all multitools had. The primary is, after all, the good modular system. One of the crucial telling experiences about utilizing this occurred upon the primary minute of unboxing, when the preliminary disappointment on the knife being in a less-than-ideal location become a lightbulb second: simply transfer the knife. 

Lower than 20 seconds later, the knife was in a brand new, easier-to-use location. It was in contrast to another multitool expertise, and we want all multitools might do that.

Talking of consolation, when did multitools determine they wanted to be sharp and boxy-looking? Roxon bucks this pattern, choosing a easy, rounded expertise that doesn’t essentially look “techy” however feels much better within the hand than different instruments. The spring pliers additionally lend a way more luxurious contact, however the function is legitimately helpful when it’s in any other case difficult to maneuver your fingers.

At 8.8oz (249g), the Flex is barely heavier than its closest opponents’ multitools, however by the numbers, it’s strictly in the course of its class that averages nearer to 9.4oz. It’s additionally common in dimension, at 4.21×1.49×0.86 in (10.7×3.8×2.2cm), making it really feel like a comfortably weighty software for its dimension.

Ought to You Purchase the Roxon Flex Multitool?

When you’re somebody who has a selected set of instruments you’d like to hold with you always, the Flex looks like the right match. For EDC and residential duties, it is a nice choice. The truth that it is available in at an inexpensive value and that substitute elements are a part of the function set implies that this one software may very well be the final one you want because it evolves with you. 

Total, we expect it affords good worth if it suits right into a use case you’ll be able to envision. In its default loadout, it’s not the best choice for outside fans, however that may be simply mounted with a number of completely different implements. Even so, we’d most likely attain for different multitools if we had been in search of an outdoor-focused software, since these supply a extra sturdy, feature-rich resolution.

Whereas there isn’t one other multitool fairly just like the Roxon flex, there’s different choices we’ve liked for a very long time on our gear information that we reviewed.

Rocktol Gen R Evaluation: For a less expensive, extra well-rounded, and better-performing software, the Rocktol Gen R is difficult to beat. Boasting a formidable array of instruments which might be all good high quality, the worth proposition on the Gen R outstrips another software. You do sacrifice modularity, consolation, and ease of use, however practically each different software is best performing and extra sturdy. If the thought of the Flex is only a bit too overwhelming and also you “simply need a good multitool,” then the Gen R is the way in which to go.

Leatherman Wave+ Evaluation: When you’re in search of the most effective all-around multitool and don’t thoughts paying a premium for it, the Leatherman Wave+ remains to be an incredible alternative. With a wide selection of instruments, wonderful metal, and a compact and light-weight design for what you get, the Wave+ nails the basics, making it a jack-of-all-trades. Nevertheless, it instructions a excessive value for what you get, and for individuals who would somewhat have a specialty software, the Flex most likely makes extra sense.

Leatherman Skeletool CX Evaluation: For a extra stripped-back method in comparison with the plethora of choices the Flex has, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is value . It doesn’t have many instruments, but it surely’s additionally light-weight, and the few instruments it does have are good high quality. For somebody who simply wants an excellent knife and pliers for his or her EDC package, the Skeletool is difficult to argue with in comparison with the burden and complexity of the Flex.

SOG Poweraccess Deluxe Evaluation: For extra instruments and options at the same value, the SOG Poweracess Deluxe is value testing. The distinctive geared pliers means you’ll be able to apply a ton of drive in powerful conditions, and the software choice right here is sweet. Whereas it lacks modularity, it retains spring pliers for good ease of use, and the choice of instruments it does supply are good. That choice doesn’t even come at a weight premium, because the Flex and Poweraccess Deluxe are roughly the identical weight.