Tacray MT1 Review: A Unibody Multi-Tool With a Real Flashlight

Introduction

Most multi-tools force a trade-off: you get pliers and a pile of functions, but the tool is bulky, or you get a slim knife and give up everything else. The Tacray MT1, currently running on Kickstarter, takes a different route. It is a unibody multi-tool with two blades, a real flashlight, a glass breaker, a pocket clip, and USB-C charging, all in a slim package that feels closer to a custom folder than a hardware-store multi-tool.

The design comes from Tacray, a maker with a growing reputation for well-finished folding knives, and the MT1 reads like a natural evolution of its smaller multi-tool: same clean unibody approach, but with a genuinely functional light built in.

Who the Tacray MT1 Is For

This is not a bushcraft tool and it does not pretend to be. The blades are small and the feature set is aimed at everyday tasks, which is exactly the point. It suits people who want one thing to carry when they are out and about: a knife for small cutting jobs, a bottle and can opener, a cord and seat belt cutter, a screwdriver tip, and a light for finding dropped keys or reading a map after dark.

It would also make a lot of sense as a vehicle tool. The glass breaker, the cutter, and a flashlight that actually puts out usable light cover most of what you would want in a glovebox or door pocket, in a package small enough to live there permanently.

Main Strengths

The flashlight is the headline feature, and it is a real one rather than the token glow you get from stacked watch batteries in other multi-tools. It runs on a 250 mAh USB-C rechargeable battery with three output levels: 260 lumens at maximum for about 30 minutes, 150 lumens for roughly 45 minutes, and 25 lumens for around two hours. The beam has a defined hotspot, which is what you want here. A phone light falls off fast; this is a light you can genuinely use.

Both blades use liner locks, so the lock-up is solid and you can work with confidence that nothing is going to fold on your fingers. The primary blade is a roughly 5 cm (2 inch) tanto with a functional scraper up front and sharp corners, which is a smart shape for utility cutting. Blade steel is VG10, also sold as 10Cr15MoV depending on region, a respectable choice at this price point.

The second blade packs the utility side: a bottle opener that works (tested repeatedly), a seat belt cutter, a paracord cutter, and a front-end can opener in the old Swiss Army style. That can opener design is old-fashioned but genuinely effective once you learn the technique, and it doubles as a small screwdriver and a solid pry point.

The glass breaker doubles as the tie-down for the reversible pocket clip, which is a clever bit of design economy. Build quality feels elegant, with the unibody construction and finish giving it a custom-knife feel. There are a couple of versions: aluminum unibody models and a full titanium version for those who want to step up.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The flashlight is functional, not a floodlight. At 260 lumens max it is bright for its size, but run time at full output is limited to about 30 minutes. That is fine for an everyday tool, just set expectations accordingly.

The MT1 has no pliers. If your multi-tool needs revolve around gripping, twisting, or mechanical repair, this is the wrong shape of tool. Think of it as a slim everyday carrier rather than a workshop in your pocket.

The can opener demands a little technique. It is the traditional hook-and-pierce style, which is slow and effective rather than fast and effortless. If you have never used one, there is a short learning curve.

Also worth noting: units shown ahead of the Kickstarter campaign appear to be pre-production samples, so minor details may still be refined.

Buying Advice

Pricing runs from under $50 to over $50 depending on the version, with the titanium model sitting at the higher end. If you mostly want a slim daily carrier with a light, the aluminum version is the sensible pick. If you already know you love the form factor and want the best finish, the titanium version justifies a look.

Because it is a Kickstarter project, timing and delivery are part of the equation. If you are comfortable backing crowdfunding campaigns, the design and the maker’s track record with other folding knives make a reasonable case. If you prefer buying finished, shipped products, it may be worth waiting for retail availability.

Conclusion

The Tacray MT1 is a clever, well-executed idea: a stripped-down multi-tool that swaps pliers for a genuine flashlight, wrapped in a slim unibody that is a pleasure to carry. It will not replace a full-size multi-tool, and it is not meant to. But as the one tool you grab on the way out the door, or as a glovebox companion with a light, a breaker, and a couple of good blades, it makes a strong case for itself.