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The EDC Tool Roll: 711L Mini Ratchet Wrench

By on March 21, 2025 in EDC, Reviews, The EDC Tool Roll

The EDC Tool Roll is a feature on Jerking the Trigger in which we profile various everyday-carry-worthy tools. The tools shown aren’t multi-tools but rather real tools, that by virtue of their compact size, light weight, usefulness, or unique functionality, can find a place in any range kit, emergency kit, or everyday carry bag.

Feel free to comment on the tools that you carry so we can all learn! The discussion on these posts has been very valuable so far.

I wanted to clown on this thing but I love it. The 711L Mini Ratchet Wrench lives up to its name. It is “mini” in every sense of the word. It also most seems too small to be useful… until you have one in hand.

In a lot of ways it is similar to other ratcheting drivers we have reviewed on The EDC Tool Roll. It has a reversible ratcheting end that accepts standard shank bits and a fixed inline end that accepts those same bits. It also has a finger-starting wheel and a similar finish to other tools like the Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX. The main difference is that it is very, very small… about 2″ long.

I was prepared to write it off as a novelty but, when coupled with regular old extension, it actually does a lot of work. I sometimes carry it with two bits preloaded and dropped in my coin pocket. If you do carry an extension, you can preload another bit there. It’s light in weight, takes up almost no space and actually works better in some situations than your typical multitool.

It’s just too cool.

Where to Buy

I bought mine on Amazon. I am not sure there are any brick-and-mortar stores carrying this brand. They actually make a number of clever tools including the extension we already reviewed: 711L Ratchet Wrench on Amazon.com

Previously Reviewed Alternatives:

  1. Alltrade/Powerbuilt Ratchet & Driver
  2. Chapman MFG Midget Ratchet and Accessories (USA)
  3. GearWrench MicroDriver Set
  4. Klein Tools 65200
  5. Prestacyle T-Handle Ratchet
  6. Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX
  7. VIM Tools HBR3 Bit Ratchet
  8. VIM Tools HBR4/Prestaratchet Mini Ratchet
  9. VIM Tools HBR5 Bit Ratchet
  10. Wiha GoBox

The above links may be affiliate links.

Review: Kizer Feweed KI3694A1

By on January 18, 2025 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Every once in a while, Kizer likes to remind us all what they are capable of when it comes to premium knives. That is exactly what they’ve done with the Feweed. This is easily their best premium offering since they set the knife world on fire with the Militaw. I expect (and hope) that the Feweed will take off on a similar trajectory as the Militaw… because I really want to see what else Kizer can do with this design.

Specs

You can see the full specs at Kizer.com. The highlights are below.

Overall Length: 7.09″ / 180.1 mm
Blade Length: 2.98″/ 75.7 mm
Blade Thickness: 0.11″/2.8mm
Handle Length: 4.11 “/ 104.4 mm
Weight:  3.22oz/91.3 g
Lock Type: Frame Lock

Observations from Use

Let me first point out that my review sample is the KI3694A1 variant of the Feweed with Purple Haze Fat Carbon and S35VN steel. There are 4 versions at different price points with varying finishes and blade steel options. All of them are decidedly premium but they become increasingly more so as the surprisingly competitive price increases.

The Feweed was designed by Vũ Huỳnh Nam Anh and what a design it is. This knife is angular, faceted, futuristic, and somehow graceful. It is also very clever. For instance, the titanium handle is milled out for large Fat Carbon inlays in such a way that these milled pockets act as weight relief and the inlay acts as an overtravel stop for the frame lock. The uniquely shaped thumb studs are another example. They fit the aesthetic of the Feweed well with how they neatly nest into the handle in both the open and closed positions. But, they are also perfectly shaped to help the blade rocket out when you apply some thumb pressure against the crispy detent.

This is a great study in form meeting function. For all it’s good looks, the Feweed is still a well-executed and comfortable-to-use cutting tool. The full height flat grind renders a thin, slicey edge and the blade shape is well suited to a variety of tasks. You would think it would feel sharp or angular in the hand but the edges are all so nicely broken that it is extremely comfortable to use.

The action… oh, the action… The Feweed has such a crispy detent and smooth bearing action that it is almost difficult to roll it open slowly! If you push into the thumb stud or apply some pressure to the easy-to-use front flipper tab, THWAK! It flies open.

There are plenty of other highlights to mention too. The jimping is basically perfect and it extends all the way up and over the front flipper which is how it should be. The lock bar is easy to access thanks to a machined pocket. The machined titanium pocket clip fits close to the knife but has plenty of clearance for thicker materials like denim. The fine, blasted finish on the titanium scales feels great in hand. There is just a lot to love here.

I generally like to end reviews with something constructive but I am at a loss on this one. There really isn’t anything I would change about this knife… other than wishing there was a larger version but given how quickly this one sold out, I suspect I won’t have to wait long for that.

Wrap Up

This knife sold out at most retailers quickly and it’s pretty easy to see why. Hopefully, we will see Kizer continue to riff on this design as they have with past successes like the Drop Bear and Militaw because I would love to see a larger version in the future.

The Feweed is lovely to look at, a joy to use, and a ton of fun to fidget with. It feels like a special thing, like a fine watch or pen, and it manages to do it at a very competitive price. With this and the Mini Mystic, Kizer is on a roll to kick off 2025.

What. A. Knife.

Keep an eye on Kizer’s Amazon store: Kizer on Amazon.com

Review: Kizer Mini Mystic

By on January 11, 2025 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

The Kizer Mini Mystic is one of a handful of very strong new blade offerings that Kizer rolled out in January 2025. Even among those excellent knives, this one stands out for its value, aggressive cutting performance, extreme ease of carry, and sinuous design.

Credit for the design of the Mini Mystic goes to Paul Munko of Munko Knives.

Specs

View the full specs for the Kizer Mini Mystic at Kizer.com. My review sample is model V3636C1.

Overall Length: 7.58 ” / 192.6 mm
Blade Length: 3.20 “/ 81.40 mm
Blade Thickness: 0.12 “/3.0mm
Blade Material: 154CM
Handle Length: 4.38 “/ 111.2  mm
Weight: 2.72 oz/ 77.2 g

Observations from Use

I feel like I have a lot more to say about the Kizer Mini Mystic than I do about most knives. I think a lot of people are will to respond to the design of this knife but I want to make sure that people know this is a very useful, functional knife that is very easy to carry.

I was not prepared for how slim and light this knife feels. The liners are heavily relieved to reduce weight. The scale materials are fairly lightweight and slim. The blade stock is slim. This design packs a lot of knife into 2.72 ounces.

I already think Kizer does a great job with its crossbar locks, which Kizer calls the Clutch Lock, but this one stands out. Some trick of the relationship of thumb stud to pivot and omega spring tension on this knife makes it especially snappy. It’s magic to flick open.

The handle is slim and not aggressively textured but I was immediately struck by how well it locked into my hand. Certainly, the inherent grippiness of the burlap micarta helps with this but the handle itself is just well designed. It has plenty of length so you won’t feel crowded and plenty of flares and curves in the right places.

The Mini Mystic is an aggressive cutter. It has a point that to be ready to pick even the most microscopic splinters. The already thin blade stock is coerced into an even thinner edge geometry thanks to high flat primary grind. Finally, despite all the design razzle-dazzle, the blade shape is just a nice long bit of straight edge with plenty of belly near the tip so it works well for pretty much any type of cut.

Okay, finally. Now we can talk about the design. Sinuous… That is the word that comes to mind. This knife’s design is so dynamic that it almost seems to be slithering across the table when you put it down.

It is packed with interesting details too. You likely noticed the transparent bolster made from PEI (aka Ultem) but did you notice the pivot collar made from the same burlap micarta that is used on the handle scales? Me neither until I had it in hand. Did you notice the clever way that the swooping plunge grind mirrors the curve of the bolsters? Me neither until I had it in hand. The overall design of this knife is beautiful but the details take it to the next level.

There is really only one thing I will nitpick about this knife. There are spots where the bolster meets the handle scales that are just a bit sharp because the bolster material comes to a point. It is minuscule but was noticeable initially. Now that I have used the knife for a few weeks, it is much less noticeable… not because I got used to it. It actually seems to have worn down just a bit so it is largely a non-issue.

Wrap Up

The Mini Mystic manages to pack a lot of cutting performance into a lightweight, compact package. Its eye-pleasing design may look radical but this knife is actually a conventionally good cutting tool. What a way to start the new year for Kizer.

Kizer Mini Mystic on Amazon.com

Learn Together: Meshtastic Part 4 – Seeed Studio SenseCAP T1000-E

By on January 4, 2025 in Meshtastic, Reviews

I have spent a fair amount of time and money trying to get into Meshtastic in my area. If you have been following along, you’ll know I basically have three goals:

  1. Communicate reliably within a few miles of my home.
  2. Set up a private, local mesh within a few miles of my home.
  3. Communicate as far as 40-60 miles away in my region.

You’ll also know that goals 1 and 2 are relatively easy and will work with almost any of the Meshtastic devices that are easily available… especially if you follow the N+1 Principle.

But all things being equal, it would be nice if the devices you used to give Meshtastic a try were VERY inexpensive. It would be even nicer if they didn’t require the added cost of an external antenna because they came with a well-tuned internal antenna. It would be nicer still if the devices were as easy as possible to carry and if they would stand up to the elements. Finally, wouldn’t it be nice if the devices you tried first were so useful that they would continue to be useful even if you moved on to more expensive Meshtastic nodes? Well, that is essentially what the SenseCAP T1000-E brings to the table.

I am not going to spend a lot of time talking about the experience of using these radios because it is basically the same as any other device that uses your phone as a front end. It’s easy and the UI has more to do with the app than the hardware. Instead, I am going to reiterate the value proposition of the T1000-E.

First, these radios are about the size of 4 credit cards stacked which is bananas. They basically can’t be easier to carry. They cost less than $45 from most places. They are almost completely sealed against the ingress of dirt and water. The battery life is about 2 days (depending on settings) and their internal antenna gives up basically nothing to larger external antenna for this application. I also appreciate that they have a sturdy lanyard point molded into the shell.

If all you want to do is may your own very private, very secure, and very mobile mesh network that is easy to keep running if without grid power, a small stack of these will get your there. I find that incredible.

I also want to mention that given their price, sensitivity, and usefulness should you decide to pursue the hobby, this is the PERFECT Meshtastic node to buy to start seeing if there are other users in your area (remember, the online maps won’t tell you the whole story).

I purchased my Seeed Studio Sensecap T1000-Es on Amazon instead of having them shipped from China but they are cheaper directly from Seeed Studio. DO NOT pay more than $45 for one. They will come back in stock if they are not currently.

T1000-E on Amazon.com

Review: Vosteed Corgi V

By on January 1, 2025 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Fun. Friendly. Stylish. Functional. The Vosteed Corgi V reminds me of the iconic and fun designs that came out of the ’90s. Think Apple iMacs, Volkswagen Beetles, and the like. But don’t be fooled, under that cute exterior there is an absolute hulk of a lock and plenty of practical cutting performance.

Specs

You can check out the full specs at Vosteed.com or see the highlights below:

Blade Length:2.36″ | 60.00 mm

Overall Length:5.85″ | 148.50 mm

Blade Width:0.90″ | 22.80 mm

Blade Thickness:0.118″ | 3.00 mm

Blade Material:14C28N

Blade Grind:Flat

Blade Style:Drop Point

Hardness:HRC 60±1

Handle Length:3.48″ | 88.50 mm

Handle Width:0.99″ | 25.10 mm

Handle Thickness:0.49″ | 12.53 mm

Handle Material:Aluminum

Weight:2.66 oz | 75.50 g

Opener:Front Flipper | Wheeler

Lock Type:Vanchor Lock

Observations from Use

The Vosteed Corgi V is the latest addition to their Corgi line. The original Corgi and Corgi Pup were already stylish designs that were noted for their impressive perfect symmetry in the close position. The Corgi V takes all that and turns it up to 11. It is not only symmetrical but Vosteed has worked some engineering magic to hide all the fasteners on the show side of the knife which simplifies and enhances the impact of that symmetry.

The only feature that stands out against that symmetry is the front flipper tab (the stylistic “ear” of the corgi). On the original Corgi models, there was a tab on both sides. On the new Corgi V, there is only a front flipper. Opposite that front flipper is a clever “Wheeler” mechanism that opens the blade like flicking a lighter. This setup allows for some more fun and gives the user a tactile indicator of the orientation of the knife which is nice on an otherwise perfectly symmetrical design.

This isn’t just pocket jewelry though. Vosteed V-Anchor lock is under the hood. This lock operates like a button lock which makes it easy to live with. It is built into the pivot which makes it interesting to design around and allows for an uncluttered handle. Maybe best of all, it drops a pretty chunky piece of steel into a slot in the tang of the blade to provide lock up making very strong.

I’ll also note that the V-Anchor lock provides some very unique feeling action. It is smooth but with some resistance. The detent feeling is chunky and positive. Front flipping action is great off the tip of the flipper and the wheeler mechanism is very satisfying.

The rounded design of Corgi V isn’t limited to the stylish silhouette of the knife. The scales are also very nicely contoured and chamfered. This knife is very comfortable in hand and I can get all four fingers on the handle in a hammer grip if I choke up.

The blade is a drop… almost a spear… point. The thin stock and almost full-height flat grind make it a great slicer. The tip isn’t that fine but it isn’t thick either. It seems to work well for pretty much anything. The lack of an opening hole or thumb stud makes the blade look almost like a modern Barlow-style knife.

Normally, I try to come up with something constructive to say in any review. I am struggling to come up with something in this case. I am not saying the Corgi V is perfect. I am just saying that, if the design goal was easy-to-carry fun and functional, it is very effective. Anything I can add would be so subjective. For instance, it would be a lot of fun to have some even more bold color schemes for a knife like this or a milled pocket clip to take the style up another notch.

Wrap Up

This knife really is a great example of why Vosteed is a company to watch. The design is truly unique and the engineering to make it happen is very innovative. Then, behind all that design and engineering, there is an honest-to-goodness usable knife that would slide into anyone’s fifth pocket.

As of the time of this writing, the Vosteed Corgi V is sold out at the Vosteed Store on Amazon.com. Some color ways are available at Vosteed.com.

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