5.11 Tactical makes it very easy to purchase multiple items in one compact package in the form of their ABR gift set. This collection of both durable and reliable gear includes the Flyte Elite SP Full Knife, their Steel Jacket Card Clip, and finally, the Vlad Rescue Pen. All items are easy-to-carry, easy-to-conceal, and backed by 5.11’s trusted high-quality brand.
With an ABR package in my possession, I was able to dissect, test, and evaluate their effectiveness during real-life practical use. Do they warrant a buy for you? The answer is an astounding…what are you waiting for?
The ABR Gift Set: A Triple Threat
You get the best of all worlds with this easy-carry, concealable trio. The included knife is the Flyte Elite SP Full. SP stands for slim profile, and for good reason. Its body is just over half an inch wide with a closed length of four-and-a-quarter inches. The Flyte is no thicker than an oversized pen and fits easily within your pocket, thanks to its integrated deep-carry clip.
The next member of this eclectic group is the Vlad Rescue Pen. Though the name states pen, this tool is ultra-versatile. Yes, it can be used as a typical writing instrument, with a replaceable cartridge. However, it can also break grass in a vehicle emergency or be used as an improvised self-defense weapon.
Finally, a multi-functional money clip rounds out this package with integrated tools aside from just keeping your bills secure and organized.
The Multi-Functional Vlad Rescue Pen
5.11 has a reputation for high-quality gear, and the ABR Gift Set is no exception. Just toying with all the components, I could feel and recognize their solidness and smooth mechanics. The Vlad pen, for instance, has a separate screw-on cap that can be used on either end of the tool. There was no hesitation, sticking, or misalignment with the process at all. It was seamless, and the cap locked into place when fully tightened. The cap featured a tight clip, perfect for keeping this essential in a shirt or pants pocket.
The Slim and Stealthy Flyte
The Flyte SP Knife’s flipper mechanism was also quite smooth. Though my hands are on the larger size, once I found the perfect grip, the blade flipped open with amazing speed and locked in place each and every time. Releasing the lock was a bit tight (which is a positive, by the way, knowing the lock won’t slip). However, with minimal effort, it released and closed without issue.
The Flyte, like the Vlad, featured a heavy-duty pocket clip for deep carry in a front pocket or for secure attachment to a pack or bag.
The clip that is more than meets the eye
At first glance, the Multitool Money Clip appears like most ordinary money clips, but this is entirely incorrect. Upon closer investigation, this clip offered a staggering twelve integrated tools. A bottle opener, pry bar, nail pull, flat head driver, a hex bit, five metric wrenches, and a metric ruler were all incorporated into its 420J2 Steel body.
I also must mention that the clip itself was not flimsy, flexible, or at risk of breaking at the first bundle of bills added to it. It was both firm and solid, and took a slight bit of muscle to effectively lock my money in place. Some money clips are more novelty than practical, but this version was definitely the latter, and then some.
Usefulness in-the-field
When combined, the usefulness of these tools is off the charts. From vehicle rescues to self-defense, to simply unscrewing a bolt that just needs to go, the ABR Gift Set runs the gamut from managing small tasks to handling life-threatening scenarios.
When carried separately, the individual components still offer multiple uses. These items can and should always travel with you. Taking one, or two, or all three, only increases your ability to write, unscrew, fix, escape, defend, or a multitude of other needs.
Carry-ability
With all components in a discreet, non-reflective black color, you won’t draw attention to yourself when carrying them. Furthermore, even when wearing minimal clothing, all three items can be carried without being cumbersome or obvious to those around you.
The Vlad Pen won’t stand out in a shirt pocket, while the knife can slip easily in a pants or short-pants front pocket. Even easier, the money clip can be left out in the open and won’t draw any attention due to its subtle tool integration design. The size of the tools allows practical use in public, without being noticeably out of place for most settings or environments.
Set over single?
There’s no doubt that the ABR Gift Set is a valuable set of tools. The main factor in buying this kit over buying the components separately is pricing. The ABR Gift Set retails through 5.11 Tactical at $120.00. If bought separately, it would cost $154.00, a significant difference.
Additionally, 5.11 assembled a kit that you may not have thought would practically be carried together. They took the guesswork out and left you with a trio of diverse gear that complements each other perfectly.
