CRKT Zilla Multi Tool

For a moment i’d like to talk about this fantastic new product, the CRKT Zilla Multi Tool. The first thing that immediately strikes you about this thing is its sheer ruggedness. From a design standpoint, this thing is as mean looking as it gets, and for good reason. The design is basically see-through, allowing easy access for each of the 7 included tools, which i’ll get into in a bit. Another interesting bit of information about the CRKT Zilla is the inclusion of a belt clip. Now normally in multi-tools these tend to make the product slightly bulky and unwieldy, but the clip is smoothly integrated into the grips design and looks quite dapper on my belt loops. So, for design, this gets 4 out of 5 stars. I had to take one star off due to the length of the tool itself, if your jeans are anywhere near slim fitting expect to leave it at home.

I’d like to segue into the main attraction of CRKT Zilla tool, the actual knife itself. A 2.5 inch blade isn’t much to brag about, but its serrated edges make it perfect for the average fisherman. A really cool function I found out about after playing with this thing for a little while was the inclusion of a quick release switch that allows for easy opening of the knife with one hand. This makes for a neat addition, considering that two handed operations may be useless when holding a fish in one hand. For the blade itself, i’ll give it 5 out of 5 stars simply for the inclusion of the quick release lever.

Now, on to the tool portion of the CRKT Zilla tool. The spring-loaded pliers are pretty standard fare when it comes to multi-tools, but what separates these from the rest are the very slight needle nose tapering on the end of the pliers. Honestly, I didn’t realize the importance of this until I realized how much more accurate the pliers became when the tips were narrowed slightly. The base of the pliers also includes a useful wire stripper and wire cutter combination. I was surprised with the thoughtfulness of the tools developers, so those features get an extra nod from me.

The handle of the CRKT Zilla includes a standard hex bit, and can also take another 2 standard hex bits. Near the base of the handle is where the actual quick release switch for the blade is, which requires only a small flick to put the blade into full use.

In conclusion, if you’re in the market for an inexpensive, ergonomic multi tool, the CRKT Zilla definitely requires a second look. My rating for this product is 4.5 out of 5 stars.