While the Swiss Army Knife is the multitool of choice for outdoor excursions, the Open It Tool is a cut above for adventures in opening tough packaging, including maddeningly resistant hard plastic, clamshells and blister wrap, plus boxes of every ilk. I keep one in my car trunk for short trips and long hauls, and the tool invariably comes in handy. The newest Open It model, which has a more easy-grip ergonomic design for right- and left-handers, is a scissors-like device with sharp angled jaws and hard steel blades for cutting through tough plastic and snipping off twist ties and straps. Built into the plastic housing are also a retractable utility knife for slicing open boxes and CDs, a removable screwdriver and a bottle opener. If flying, you’ll want to stash this with your checked baggage.
Open It 5-in-1 Tool is $11.99 at ; (866) 869-7544.
Judi Dash, Gear & Gadgets Syndicate
