K-Wrench for Scepter MFCs

[Teotwaki]

This is a short review of the K-Wrench tool for Scepter Military Fuel Cans, purchased through AJIK Overland Exchange: K Wrench | AJIK Overland Exchange

I know a bunch of folks bought the wrench back when a vendor offered them for sale. Perhaps those folks can add to this thread with their long-term usage experience?


It is about 11” x 5” x 1” and weighs less than 10 ounces even though machined from a solid piece of HDPE plastic.




How it fits:


Plenty of clearance for the strap:

 

[Teotwaki]

How the K-Wrench compares to other common tools used to remove the MFC caps.
[URL="http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3213/mfcwrench012.jpg"][/URL]

[URL="http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/3457/mfcwrench018.jpg"][/URL]

The Scepter cap has a mostly smooth collar with only a couple of ridges. When using other tools they have to be positioned to
maximize the grip on the ridges of the MFC’s cap.

The oil filter wrench is more likely to gouge or damage the MFC’s fuel cap when it slips.
[URL="http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4528/mfcwrench013.jpg"][/URL]

The strap wrench is cheap but can slip and has been known to have the strap break under heavy load. You also have to
thread the strap underneath the MFC cap’s retainer strap.
[URL="http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/640/mfcwrench014.jpg"][/URL]

[URL="http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1066/mfcwrench016.jpg"][/URL]

In certain positions the K-Wrench’s short handles bring your fingers close to the MFC’s carry handles
but with two handles to spin the tool it is not an issue.

[URL="http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9545/mfcwrench003.jpg"][/URL]

A minor gripe of mine with the K-Wrench is that the final machining of the interior creates an
almost sharp edge on the center opening.
[URL="http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/9043/mfcwrench007.jpg"][/URL]

[URL="http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1962/mfcwrench011.jpg"][/URL]

Overall, the K-Wrench makes opening and tightening the caps of MFCs into an easy task. There is another very similar single handled wrench that was first on the market. It is built about the same and weighs about the same but costs $20 additional which kept me from purchasing such a dedicated tool in the early days. I like the two-handed tool better for both the lower cost and the torque applied to the cap is smooth and balanced. Now that the MFC’s are more expensive than the fuel in them, it doesn’t hurt to take good care of the caps that top them off.

If you've had one of these for a while please post up your own experience with it. I just bought mine but I think it should last quite a while.

 

[Teotwaki]

Was reminded that the original laminated birchwood version was born in 2009 after a Kokopelli Trail adventure and the HDPE version in April of 2011

 

[Southeast Overland]

I've abused mine for quite some time now and haven't have any issues. It is a very simple design that is hard to damage.

 

[1911]

I've abused mine for quite some time now and haven't have any issues. It is a very simple design that is hard to damage.

+1, a very useful and robust tool.