Stocking stuffer alert: the VIVA Multi-Tool from CRKT makes a great gift for just about anyone on your list. CRKT stands for Columbia River Knife & Tool, and this is exactly the kind of compact EDC tool they do well. It’s inexpensive, easy to carry, and handles a few simple tasks better than I expected. This is the sort of product that I find myself using much more often than I thought I would.
Designed by Liong Mah, known for his practical creations, the VIVA is simple yet handy. At 3.99 inches long, it’s sized to hang off your belt loop, clip to your gear, or live in your pocket. Although it doesn’t weigh much, there is some substance to it. That’s because it’s thick enough to actually be useful. This tool isn’t going to bend very easily, which is why CRKT calls it a pry bar, flat screwdriver, bottle opener, and multi-wrench. While I rarely have a need for the wrench part, I did find an unexpected use for it.
First, there’s the bottle opener. Always handy, even for twist-offs. Oh wait, you prefer canned beverages? No worries. The screwdriver/pry bar end can lift the tab on a can without wrecking your fingers or nails. Without being too sexist, I think this might appeal to women as much as men. My wife has had multiple hand surgeries, and she likes to have her nails done. So this is her all-in-one beverage tool. If you look at the shape, it’s easy to see that the VIVA was made for hanging off a belt loop, clipping to a bag, or hanging on a hook. Always ready to go.
As far as the pry bar goes, I wish I had found the VIVA sooner. When not working my day job or running this site, I spend a lot of time chasing down wildlife with my cameras. Both my photo and video gear require a large screwdriver for the tripod plates. Some day I will swap each screw out for ones that take hex keys. But for now, many require a large, flat blade. Plus there are levers that I can’t seem to get tight enough. And the VIVA excels at both. That wrench slot is the perfect size to slip over the levers and get them snug and secure.
So is the VIVA for around the house, a camp tool, an EDC pocket tool, or one frustrated photographer’s best friend? Well, I’d say it’s all four. For the few tasks it’s designed for, it works really well. And it’s far more durable than you might expect. If you shop around, you’ll usually find it for sale at a very reasonable price. That makes it a total bargain, at least to me.
You can find the current product page here: CRKT VIVA Multi-Tool.
Brian
I’d like to thank CRKT for providing their VIVA for this review. It’s been far more useful than I had expected. And I generally have high expectations.