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Yes, that Coleman, the same folks who bring you coolers, tents, and camp stoves. Coleman offers their unique "Pro-Lock" tool which features a "cartridge system." The blades and implements are contained in tool cartridges that can be removed from the handles, which allows you to, for example, use a screwdriver and the pliers at the same time, a nifty concept. Theoretically it also allows them to offer customized cartridges for specific needs, but so far there's been no evidence that anything other than the two that come with the tool are available.

The cartridges are locked into place and released via a spring and a small lever on the inside of the handle. The bottom of the cartridge is secured in a slot at the bottom of the handle with the pivot fastener extended on both sides to fit the slot.

The nylon pouch has a pocket to hold two spare cartridges. As noted, right now there are just two. A Camper's cartridge includes a 2 1/4 inch double tooth saw, medium slotted screwdriver with wire stripper, 2 1/4 inch serrated clip point blade, and #1 Phillips screwdriver. The General Purpose cartridge includes a 2 1/2 inch plain edge clip point blade, #2 Phillips screwdriver, very large slotted screwdriver on the end of the fine/course file, and can/bottle opener. The cartridges incorporate and inch rule on one, metric on the other rule. Wonder what happens if they ever come out with additonal cartridges, how to choose what to rule them?

Contrary to what you might expect from the name, the Pro-Lock does not have locking tools or blades. The only lock is that holding the cartridges in place. Pretty misleading, if you ask us. The tools are difficult to pull from the closed position, there is no rational arrangement of nail-nicks or staggered tools. To access the interior tools you have to pull the outer ones, which have nail nicks, and then grab the smaller ones as they come along for the ride. In the tool we examined the implements were very stiff and required considerable effort to pull out. The pliers handles rotate outward to access the needle nose pliers, in the same manner as the Schrade Tough Tool. The smooth handles are comfortable to grip.

NOTE: This review is necessarily very cursory because we have not yet fully evaluated the Coleman Pro-Lock, so far we have been unable to get our hands on some from the manufacturer to test.

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Publisher and Editor: Doug Ritter
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URL: http://www.equipped.org/devices17.htm
Revision: 010 January 12, 1999
 

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