Hanson W XL Premium Review: Best EDC Tool for 2024 Performance & Versatility! ECURT Index Testing

A Comprehensive Review of the Hanson W XL Premium: A True All-Rounder?

When it comes to versatile tools, the Hanson W XL Premium stands out as a promising option in the world of multi-functional everyday carry (EDC) gear. This detailed review delves into its performance across multiple categories, assessing its utility, craftsmanship, and versatility to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Category 1: Build and Design

    •    Weight: 8/10

The Hanson W XL Premium strikes a good balance between heft and portability. Its weight feels sturdy in the hand without being overly cumbersome.

    •    Size: 9/10

Its dimensions are impressively optimized, making it large enough for serious tasks but compact enough for EDC enthusiasts.

    •    Ease of Use: 8/10

The ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, and its user-friendly mechanisms make it accessible even to beginners.

    •    Materials: 9/10

Built with premium-grade materials, the Hanson W XL Premium is designed for durability and longevity, standing up to heavy use.

    •    Price: 7/10

While slightly on the pricier side, the premium materials and thoughtful design justify the investment for those seeking quality.

Average Score (Category 1): 8.2

Category 2: Food Preparation

    •    Meat Cutting: 8/10

The blade handles raw and cooked meat efficiently, delivering clean, precise cuts.

    •    Slicing: 8.5/10

Whether slicing fruits or vegetables, the Hanson excels in creating even slices with minimal effort.

    •    Cheese Cutting: 8/10

Smooth and consistent performance with both soft and hard cheeses.

    •    Bread Cutting: 7/10

While functional, its performance on bread could be improved to prevent crushing softer loaves.

    •    Chopping: 6/10

Chopping tasks require more effort, as the blade struggles slightly with larger, harder ingredients.

Average Score (Category 2): 7.5

Category 3: Utility Tasks

    •    Wire Stripping: 7/10

Performs decently with common wire types but may falter with thicker cables.

    •    Rubber Hose Cutting: 7/10

Adequate performance, though it requires multiple passes for thicker hoses.

    •    Scraping: 6.5/10

The edge is serviceable for scraping tasks but lacks the refinement of specialized tools.

    •    Leather Cutting: 9/10

Exceptional handling of leather materials, making it ideal for crafting or repair work.

    •    Cardboard Cutting: 8.5/10

Impressively smooth cuts with minimal resistance, making it perfect for packaging tasks.

Average Score (Category 3): 7.6

Category 4: Outdoor and Survival Use

    •    Tip Pry: 7.5/10

Durable enough for light prying tasks, though not intended for heavy-duty prying.

    •    Feathersticking: 9/10

Performs admirably, creating clean, thin shavings for fire-starting or carving projects.

    •    Rope Cutting: 8/10

Slices through rope with ease, making it useful for camping or emergency situations.

    •    Zip Tie Cutting: 8.5/10

Handles zip ties efficiently without damaging surrounding materials.

    •    Coat Hanger Cutting: 6.5/10

Struggles with thicker wires, making it less effective for such tasks.

Average Score (Category 4): 7.9

Category 5: Heavy-Duty and Impact Tasks

    •    Screw Driving: 6.5/10

Functions well for basic screw-driving needs, but lacks the leverage for tougher screws.

    •    Batoning: 6.5/10

Suitable for light batoning tasks but may show wear with extended use.

    •    Bolt Cutting: 2/10

This is not the tool’s forte, as it struggles significantly with cutting bolts.

    •    Digging: 7/10

Works reasonably well for digging tasks, especially in softer soil.

    •    Brick Drop: 7/10

I mean must we say more?

Average Score (Category 5): 5.8

Overall Performance

The Hanson W XL Premium scores impressively across most categories, particularly in its build quality, food preparation, and outdoor utility. While it shows some limitations in heavy-duty tasks, its overall versatility makes it a valuable addition to any EDC kit.

Total Score Across All Categories: 37.1

Average Score Across All Categories: 7.4

Conclusion

The Hanson W XL Premium is a well-rounded tool for EDC enthusiasts, campers, and those who value utility and durability in their gear. While it’s not a replacement for specialized heavy-duty tools, its performance in everyday and survival scenarios makes it worth considering for your collection.