A few weeks ago we got contacted by the guys at Tricky Wrench they were dropping a new pocket sized skate tool. As we here and more or less everyone reading this knows you can never have too many tools so we were stoked to take a look at this new compact skate tool. We kept it close over the course of a few weeks, used it to build out and break down boards and kept it on us for a few sessions, so we could let you know what we thought of it.

The Look

As with most tools it’s all about functionality so, to say that the Tricky Wrench looks like a tool. Obviously doesn’t speak much. It’s shiny silver and has a TW logo stamped on the face of the wrench arm. It’s got a bit of grip worked into the side of the Phillips and Allen bit. The tool feels solid in the hand and with the bit flipped out you feel like it’s secure and came to do the job. Other than that all we can say it is looks like a multi too that wants to work so let’s take a look at the tools highlights.

• 9/16^th Wrench Driver
• #2 Phillips Bit 
• #10 Allen Bit
• 3/8^th Socket Driver
• ½” Socket Driver
• Bottle Opener
• #CR40 Solid Metal

Finer Points

The tool has some solid high points, it is indeed very durable and fits the hand well. Being as ergonomic as its size allows lets it to wrench well and do what it needs to do. The Allen and Phillips bit seats securely both ways so no fumbling with it or dropping the bit while you are working with it. With the bit flipped out you have a great deal of leverage to work on those stuck nuts. The socket seats both go all the way through so no problem with the socket bottoming out on long bolts. The bottle opener opens bottles.

One thing you may notice is there is no extra hole for your key ring, basically the tool was designed more to be used with a carabineer or some other quick release system so, no random useless hole that just takes up space.

The tool does what it was designed to, we will give it that but, could it do more? Yes. The tool was designed to work on shortboards which means wheels that are 66mm or smaller; and you know what that means. You can’t really rely on this tool to wrench your wheels because it just doesn’t have the socket depth.  Which is a bummer, we contacted the company and they were very receptive in making a deeper socket for those of us with bigger wheels.

Conclusion

 Pretty much everything this tool shows up to do it does well and with its small size it is perfect for sessions, pocket or your board bag. The lack of a deeper socket for your over 66mm wheels is a bummer but if the company designs a deeper socket we will let you know. So the final conclusion, great tool for most tasks when building out your deck just don’t expect to be rotating your wheels. If you are looking for a capable pocket tool for most other things though; the Tricky Wrench is a great little multi tool.