Classic Safari’s 6-Piece Outdoor Kit

We like being out of doors, and we like exploring, so when the opportunity arose to try out some “outdoorsy” type stuff, I was very happy to give some of them a go. And while we’re not experienced, or even regular, outdoors folks, we found Classic Safari’s 6-Piece Outdoor Kit perfectly adequate for the occasional adventurer!

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When one is out on their own, one usually has to make due with whatever you happen to pack in your pockets or backpack. Rarely do we think about what could happen should venture too far astray or make a left at that fork instead of a right. With most of the gear packed into this kit, you could make due for a bit of time while you find your way back to where you meant to go. You get:

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-A small set of binoculars with a 8×21 magnification that fold up very compactly for easy carry, and are pretty clear. They have a rubberized no-slip grip, lanyard and rubberized eye relief as well, and they even thought to include a small cleaning cloth!

-Next you have a plastic liquid-filled lensatic compass. It held north pretty well, as evidenced by Hubby’s Casio Pro-Trek watch that was significantly more expensive than this set.

-You get a multi-tool also, with 11 tools (straight blade, file, awl, sawblade, can opener, scissors, flat and phillips screwdrivers, corkscrew and one that for the life of me I could not get to open!), with common tools one might need on a day-to-day basis.

-There’s also a 9-bulb LED flashlight that runs on 3 AAA  batteries and has a rubberized tailcap on/off switch. Sadly the batteries are not included, and the light from this flashlight is pretty anemic, even in total darkness, but it beats being stuck n pitch-black, right?

-Lastly there’s a magnesium flint firestarter that, while appreciated, gave us a heck of a time generating a spark. I wouldn’t want to depend on this in an emergency, but it’s better than nothing.

All in all, the kit is pretty basic and would be a superb gift for a Boy Scout, young child or tween, or even the occasional nature walker that might not think to grab more than a water bottle before leaving. And they are better than being stuck out there with nothing, and in a pinch might even save your life. The canvas pack and webbed-nylon belt hold everything well, except the side pouches that things can slip out if one were to move around jarringly. I think the pricing is fair for the quality you get, and while none of these tools are close to professional grade, they do let you know which ones you’d use and certainly want to upgrade. And I can’t say enough about Skivu, the company that sells this kit. My first kit came missing the 11-tool “Swiss Army” type knife, and they expedited a whole new kit to me. That’s a company that stands behind their products. There’s a lot to like in this kit and think if you give them a try you’ll find a lot you like too!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from SKIVU. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Vodiy’s Ombir Pro 25-in-1 Compact Survival Multitool

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My Hubby loves him some tools. Little pocket tools, multi tools, power tools, hand tools, he’s got a place in his heart for all of them. But his love is not unconditional. They have to work, work well, every time, no problems. Or they get kicked to the curb with a quickness. Vodiy offered us a chance to take their Ombir Pro Multitool for a test drive, and anyone care to guess what Hubby’s response was? Let’s just say it was in the enthusiastically affirmative.

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Once it arrived, though, all that enthusiasm quickly dampered. See, I’ve bought him a few different multitools over the years. Gerber, Leatherman, and SOG to name a few. He takes his Leatherman everywhere, because damned if that thing isn’t handy to have around. I’ve even used some of his Leatherman tools when the need arose. But the Vodiy Ombir Pro just didn’t pass muster for a number of reasons. First, we thought we got a bad one, because try as he might, Hubby couldn’t get the various tools to rotate out from the handle. This is a guy that drives nails with his thumbs, and they couldn’t get the blades and file and screwdrivers out with those thumbs. When the replacement arrived from Vodiy, it was more of the same. There’s very few things more dangerous than trying to pry a sharp knife out of the handle it’s tucked into, and I’d just a s soon he didn’t try. It also doesn’t lock open when in use, so I would advise people be very careful if they use it for anything. The entire thing is painted with black paint, not a baked on or anodized finish to ensure it stays on and inhibits corrosion. We know this because Vodiy painted the files as well, and the first thing Hubby filed, the paint flaked off. Speaking of corrosion, the tool sports a socket screwdriver with interchangeable tips. And every single tip was rusted. And then fell out of the socket with minimal pressure or use. The Ombir Pro didn’t close properly on either the first or replacement tool. The handles when closed just don’t meet up. And then there’s the little spring beneath the plier head. It’s cute and makes the most adorable little “sproing” sound with each open and close action, and then broke on one and popped off the other. Not so cute. It’s also heavy, very heavy (Almost 50% moreso than the Sidekick), and I imagine would be very cumbersome in one’s back pocket, which is where Hubby carries his Leatherman.

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I may have expected too much from Vodiy’s Ombir Pro, comparing it so closely to Leatherman. But Leatherman is the industry leader in multitools and they make a damn fine product. And if you’re going to play in that arena, you need to be ready to compete with the big boys. And, not to kick a guy when he’s down, the Leatherman is cheaper. Hubby got his Leatherman Sidekick for under $20. It’s thinner, lighter, has better steel, works like a dream and the fit and finish of it is miles ahead of the Vodiy Ombir Pro, and it was also $5 cheaper. Plus the Leatherman 25 year warranty. It’s just lose-lose with Vodiy’s Ombir Pro, and I’m sorry, but I just can’t recommend it. It needs some work to be useful and everything it could (and should) be. Too bad, because I really wanted to have a multitool of my own. Looks like I’ll have to steal Hubby’s Leatherman Juice when he’s not looking.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Vodify.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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