Handle and Comfort
The MT1’s aluminum chassis is CNC-milled to tight tolerances, with a desert-tan anodize that reads closer to burnished bronze under light. The matte finish keeps glare down and shrugs off key scratches without complaint. It’s available in both aluminum and titanium, but this tan version strikes a clean balance between durability and weight.
The reversible steel pocket clip rides deep, allowing the tool to hug fabric rather than print like a brick. It’s comfortable to carry and stays put whether clipped to a pocket, belt, or pack. The oversized lanyard hole fits paracord or clips, and the removable glass breaker tip allows left- or right-hand clip setup. Everything here feels well thought out, not tacked on.
Blade and Performance
The MT1’s tanto blade features a single-bevel chisel grind with a V-ground edge—an uncommon choice for a multitool but one that works well. It slices through rope, jerky packs, and packages without complaint, and it holds an edge longer than expected from 10Cr15MoV. The stonewash hides use marks nicely, keeping it looking sharp after repeated tasks.
The geometry nests flush in the handle, showing the kind of design discipline Tacray is known for. It’s not my favorite blade shape, but in this case, form dictated function.
Ceramic bearings make deployment smooth, and the liner lock snaps in securely. Nail nicks on both the blade and tool allow one-handed opening, which is more impressive than it sounds on a multitool this size.
Flip to the opposite side and you’ll find the essentials: a can opener that cuts cleanly, a bottle opener that feels solid with no flex, a cutter that slices 550 paracord in one swipe, and a flathead end that does a good job on medium sized heads. The can opener’s lip hook could use a bit more bite, but overall, everything deploys and locks with precision.
Flashlight
The integrated flashlight is the MT1’s standout feature. Rated at 260 lumens with a 6000K LED, it projects a clean, focused beam about twenty feet without creating hotspot bloom. Mid mode (150 lumens) is bright enough for garage work, while low mode (25 lumens) preserves night vision for those late walks or tent setups.
Power comes from a 250mAh cell that recharges by USB-C in about an hour. The light is rated IPX4, so rain and splashes are no problem. Mount it to a pack strap and it becomes a handy chest light—one of those little design choices that makes a big difference.
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Closing Thoughts
The Tacray MT1 is a focused redefinition of what a multitool should be. It trades unnecessary bulk and endless attachments for a streamlined combination of a knife, a few high-value functions, and a genuinely useful light.
If you want thirty tools and a hernia, keep looking. But if you want a flashlight you’ll actually use, a blade that flicks open like a proper knife, and a tool that disappears into your pocket until you need it, this is it. The build is obsessive, the aesthetics are subtle, and the function is surgical.
If you're interested in the Tacray MT1 you can check out they're Kickstarter which launches today.
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Specifications
Weight: 2.89 oz (82 g)
Closed Length: 4.1 in (104 mm)
Blade Length: 2.6 in (66 mm)
Blade Steel: 10Cr15MoV (M390 on Elite version)
Blade Grind: Chisel grind, V-edge, tanto profile
Handle Material: CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum (Titanium available)
Finish Options: Anodized gray, desert tan, or sandblasted titanium
Light Output: 260 lumens max, 150 mid, 25 low
LED: 6000K beam with focused reflector
Battery: 250mAh rechargeable (USB-C, ~1 hr charge)
Water Resistance: IPX4
