I ordered the Nextool Flagship Max and the Dakoyu Shadow on AliExpress last month as they were not available in Canada yet. These nifty multi-tools are kind of like an evolved version of their respective styles of tool from Chinese manufacturers. The Nextool Flagship model has been around for awhile and really sits in a category of its own due to its large scissors. The Dakoyu Shadow bases its general design on the Leatherman Signal but with a reduced toolset and vastly reduced price.
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| The size comparison between the Dakoyu and the Nextool Flagship. The Flagship is a big beefy tool that is also heavier and more rugged. |
Dakoyu Shadow 2024
I looked around for specs on this tool and they are pretty much non-existent other than for the number of tools contained in it. I did find a reference that some use of M42 high-speed steel with higher hardness is being used (Youtube comment from vendor), but I'm not sure for what - probably the blade. The steel is probably just the typical average stainless for the body and it has a pretty good paint job. Paint isn't my favourite thing on multi-tools as it wears off, but it does have a good paint job. The weight of this tool isn't too bad as it only has big external tools on one side, which makes it lighter at 8 1/8 ounces.
Tools include a good sheepsfoot style blade that was sharp out of the box, but a bit of stropping made it sharper. The saw looked good too without super-aggressive teeth and also lock, just like the knife. The other tools include a needle-nose pliers, pliers, wire cutters, whistle and sharpening rod, hammer head, carabiner, large flat screwdriver and bottle opener, small screwdriver and file, can opener, and number of 5 mm double sided bits that fit in either the bottom or the side of the hammer. In the original models, the diamond sharpening rod was a ferrorod, but it was swapped out because of the added expense to ship something that could be combustable.
The 5mm bits are interesting with a ball detent for them as I have no other bits of this size, with my bits being quarter inch or 4mm. Still, you get a total of 5 bits with 10 heads of generally useful sizes ranging from torx to phillips. The tool really is designed to be an outdoor tool like the Signal, but it isn't anywhere near the same build quality. At a cost of $30.54 Canadian versus $189 for the Leatherman, you can't really complain about the Dakoyu. The build feels solid and it is well finished without rough edges. It is basically a decent tool to have around and I feel it is good value for the money.
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| Packaging and holster. The holster was usable and extra long for this longer tool due to the hammer. |
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| Side view and bit kit that fits in a sleeve inside the holster. These are 5mm bits! |
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| Back side with the pocket clip. |
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| The tool opened up showing all of the tools. The interesting thing here is the diamond sharping stick on the whistle which could be used to sharpen your knife. No fire starter though! However all of the tools are locking on this multi-tool! |
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| Pliers mode. You can see a bit hanging out the bottom of the hammer. |
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| The blade. It is a nice looking tool. |
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| I added a mini 4mm screwdriver and a ferrorod which fit in the holster to make it a more complete outdoor tool. |
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| The holsters compared between the Nextool and the Dakoyu. The Nextool holster is nicer. |
Nextool Flagship Max 2025
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| Nextool holster and packaging. Holster resembles the Leatherman style holsters. |
I have an old Nextool Flagship Pro which is going into a travel kit for overseas fieldwork as it has a non-locking blade. I've always liked this tool for the nice sheepsfoot blade, the huge scissors and the spring loaded pliers. These are the reasons you buy this tool! The small tools were only okay on the original version and I really didn't like the rope / pull cutter combo 2D Phillips it had.
In this 2025 Max version, the small tools are improved and also includes a nice quarter inch bit kit that fits onto a 3D Phillips. The bit kit includes H1, PH2, PH3. Flathead Screwdriver #3, #5, #7. WrenchH3, H4, and H5. The new smaller tools, toolset is better on the Max and they are all external opening. A disadvantage of the Flagship Pro and Max small tools is that they are non-locking unlike the Dakoyu which had all locking tools.
This is a 14-in-1 multi-tool that has needle nose pliers, regular pliers, soft & hard wire cutter(YG8), standard wire cutters, sheepsfoot blade, wood saw, big scissors, Phillips screwdriver, flat-head screwdriver and bottle opener, a metal file, glass breaker, ruler, and a 9-in-1 bit kit. This is also a good outdoors tool. The blade to is now 80Cr14Mov (HRC>54) significantly better than the original. The plier head is in 30Cr13 with YG8 wire cutters and it has a beefy build that makes it quite sturdy. It weights 8 7/8 ounces. The price for it is also reasonable at $64.38 (Canadian $) when I bought it, but it can be found a little cheaper.
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| All the tools opened and shown in this picture. Both the scissors and pliers are basically flip open and use without any other operation necessary. It uses 1/4" bits with the included adaptor for the 3D Phillips, but the Phillips is not locking. |
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| Scissors - they are big and strong and external opening. I think it is kind of heavy for a pocket clip, but you could wear it that way. |
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| The sheepsfoot blade. This and the saw are locking external tools. |
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| Spring loaded pliers. |
Conclusion
These two tools are both good tools in their respective price ranges and they have similar primary toolsets of blade, saw, and pliers. The Nextool Max is sturdier tool with a heavier weight to match, and it also includes a large scissor. Both tools have good pliers, with the Nextool being spring loaded which is nice. Both tools extend functionality with additional bit kits, with the Nextool having a superior system with an actual adaptor for the 3D Phillips.
I actually like the Nextool MAX more due to the design and ruggedness, but I can totally see uses for the Dakoyu.The Nextool is a deal at the price is is being offered and the Dakoyu is a steal. You can buy only the smallest or minimalist Swiss Army Knives at the same price as the Dakoyu. Both of these tools only compete with other Chinese multi-tools in the same price ranges, not against each other. I could see either of these tools on my belt depending on the situation and the Dakoyu is lighter and a cheap addition to add to a survival kit or car kit that you just have sitting around.
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