Construction & Materials 
These little buggers almost feel over-built, and that’s a good thing. Though they are not designed for big jobs, I definitely got away with putting some serious demands on the blade or secondary tool without it breaking or falling apart.

Ease Of Use 
The one is tough because one of the cooler features of the Clipitool can get in the way of its function: the pocket clip. The inclusion of the pocket clip is part of the namesake, but it can keep you from getting a comfortable grip on the tool, and because of its small size, you don’t have many options in terms of handhold.

Steel Quality & Edge Retention
8Cr13MoV is a Chinese made stainless steel, which is similar to AUS8. Generally speaking, it’s on the lower end of the spectrum for stainless steel but you’ll find that it’s fairly durable and somewhat resistant to abrasion. The main blade dulled significantly during the cardboard slicing tests, but it takes minimal effort to re-sharpen it.

Durability 
The initial tool that was sent to me was the C175 (with Screwdriver and Bottle opener). I purchased the C169 (with Scissors) about a week into testing. Both were fantastic. Because of its size, you can use the C175’s screwdriver for flat, Philips and some Torx head screws / bolts. The scissors on the Spyderco Clipitool C169 were way overbuilt (which is a good thing) and they held up better in the cardboard tests than the standard knife blade.

Value
I love the design and overall idea behind the Clipitool Series, but $40 is a steep hill to climb for a minimal multi-tool.

Available Versions:

Clipitool C169 – with Scissors

Clipitool C175 – with Screwdriver / Bottle opener (3 tools!)

Clipitool C176 – with Serrated Blade