The ability to use tools is one trait that sets apart from other animals. Though other animals use tools, none of them is quite as adept as we are. As such, tools are the way we overcome nature, and the obstacles that we encounter every day. Seeing as how most of us don’t live in jungles, maintains or forests the tools we need to survive are quite different from people who do. I always carry some sort of tool every day. This type of tool (obviously) is called an Every Day Carry (EDC) tool.
I’ve carried many pocket knives, screw drivers and even mini pry bars in my pocket over the last few years and none has served me as well as the Gerber Artifact. I paid a little over $10 for it and it has been a marvel to own. It comes with a sharp razor blade for cutting (with a few spares included), a bottle opener, Phillips and flat head screw driver ends, and a pry bar. Each one has been used many times and has come in handy more than once. I never leave home without it.
$11 | BUY
The razor blade is perfect for cutting as I don’t often actually find myself in need of an actual knife. And where a knife fails (in prying things up) the Artifact excels. Someone once told me, “the worst and most expensive pry bar you can use is a knife”. Now I carry both. The screw drivers are limited in what they can fit, but for when I needed them (in a pinch) they worked great. The steel is strong, and wears nicely over time in my pocket. I can’t tell you how many jams this thing has gotten me out of.
My only issue with this tool is I can’t take it with me on an airplane. I often travel and have to leave my trusty sidekick at home. So I’m considering purchasing the Gerber Shard as a stand in for when I do travel. I haven’t gotten around to getting it, but when I do, I’ll post a review.
Below are the specs on the Artifact:
Technical Details
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The Gerber 22-41770 Artifact Pocket Keychain Tool includes:
- EAB #11 hobby blade
- Cross driver
- Small flat driver
- Medium flat driver
- Bottle opener
- Wire stripper
- Pry bar
- Lanyard
[...] I currently carry the Leatherman Style (CS) (a gift from my kids), my favorite EDC tool is the Gerber Artifact. But I’m always on the lookout for anything better. The PIRANHA Pocket Tool seems to fit [...]