RUIKE TREKKER LD-51 CRITERION MULTITOOL, 23 TOOLS

 Ruike L51-B Criterion Collection, 3.35" 12C27 Plain Blade, Black G-10 Handle

Featuring the largest blade in Criterion Collection series and more robust tools the L series is fit for the most severe outdoor conditions.

Ruike is a relative new-comer to the budget and mid-priced knife market.  They are quickly earning a reputation for high value folding knives, so much so that Boker has outsourced with them to produce their Tech-Tools line of multi-function knives in the traditional Swiss Army style.  Ruike also produces their own versions of these knives in a multitude of configurations.  Today we will be looking at the LD-51 from Ruike's full size Trekker series.

These tools all feature textured G10 scales and a locking blade with a thumb stud for maximum grip and one handed operation. The Trekker line, with its four inch frames, fill a niche between the standard three inch Swiss Army knives and four inch pliers based folding multi-tools for users who want more effective tools that can be accessed and used more conveniently.

The Ruike Trekker LD-51 is a full sized, five layer Swiss style tool with an impressive 23 tools.  Just like every multi-function knife Ruike offers, it has textured G10 scales for a much more positive grip than its Swiss style competition.  Plus, with a body that is an inch longer than the standard Victorinox tool, it fills the hand much better and allows for bigger, more useful tools to be included.

While you do not get the sheer number of functions that the biggest, most dense multi-tools offer, the proper blade, superb saw, and excellent scissors all put to shame the ones found on such offerings.  Additionally, the LD-51 sneaks in a corkscrew and tweezers that are rarely included in smaller Swiss and folding stile multi-function tools.

1. Large Blade — 3.3 inches of 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel
2. Pliers — These pliers are smaller and more rounded than the pliers found on most full size multi-tools. They do not provide as good a grip and tend to wear on the items being turned, but they will get the job done most of the time.
3. Wire cutter
4. Fishing line pliers
5. Scissors — These are among the best spring loaded scissors that can be found on a multi-tool.  They cut exceptionally well and are a size larger than can be found elsewhere.
6. Wire bender
7. Bottle opener — There is no can-opener on this tool.
8. Large flat head 6.5mm screwdriver.
9. Wire stripper/bender.
10. Wood Saw — This excellent 4 inch double row wood saw is a full inch longer than the three inch saws found on most other multi-tools. Plus, inch for inch, it cuts as well as the best of them.
11. Facer — Although useful in some situations, the edge here makes opening the tool a bit tricky as it covers most of the area you would grab to lift the tool.
12. Awl — This and the Philips bit are a bit challenging to deploy as you must deploy a tool opposite of them to make room and then use their stiff flipper tabs to deploy them.
13. Wire stripper
14. Spoke wrench
15. Reamer with sewing eye
16. Philips Screwdriver — This is clearly a step up from a two dimensional flat head bit found on many multi-function knives as it works well on new Philips head screws. However, it is still is not ideal for turning worn or partially stripped screw heads as the teeth are not all that deep.
17. Belt cutter — This tool opens to a 45 degree angle, and with a tooth pattern different than the dedicated saw, it gives a solid second option to cut various materials.
18. Small flat head screwdriver — This second, smaller flat head screwdriver here is almost useless. The tip is rounded and at a 45 degree angle to the tool.  On top of that, it sits at the end of a saw that does not lock and rests above your fingers as you grip the Trekker.  This is needlessly dangerous design, and its use should be avoided if possible.
19. Pocket clip — The clip is located in a poor spot for pocket carry as it holds the LD-51 in its second widest dimension in the pocket. A better spot might have been on the back locking side to keep a slimmer profile in the pocket.
20. Corkscrew — The wine bottle opener works flawlessly, though it does protrude slightly outside of the frame while folded.
21. Glass breaker
22. Lanyard loop
23. Tweezers — These tweezers have more flex than I would like, but with some effort still work quite well.

The 3.3 inch high, saber grind, drop point blade is made of Sandvik 12C27 and features a single thumb stud positioned for one handed, right hand opening.  The real selling point of the LD-51 is that it has a liner lock on the main cutting blade, a feature found very rarely on multi-tools of any kind.  Out of the box, the blade was moderately sharp and would easily cut paper, however it was not shaving sharp as it would only cut arm hair with a very steep angle and somewhat heavy pressure.  Despite the short belly, the blade slices quite well as the blade stock is not overly thick.

The long narrow profile makes food prep a snap, especially spreading condiments.  It will also tackle small outdoor tasks with ease.  The thumb ramp, textured G10, and hand-filling handle make wood working easier than with other multi-tools.  This combination allows for great leverage on tasks such as carving notches and making feather sticks.

The Blade

The 3.3 inch high, saber grind, drop point blade is made of Sandvik 12C27 and features a single thumb stud positioned for one handed, right hand opening.  The real selling point of the LD-51 is that it has a liner lock on the main cutting blade, a feature found very rarely on multi-tools of any kind.  Out of the box, the blade was moderately sharp and would easily cut paper, however it was not shaving sharp as it would only cut arm hair with a very steep angle and somewhat heavy pressure.  Despite the short belly, the blade slices quite well as the blade stock is not overly thick.

The long narrow profile makes food prep a snap, especially spreading condiments.  It will also tackle small outdoor tasks with ease.  The thumb ramp, ...