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I fancy myself a bit of a chef — a rank amateur chef — but a chef nonetheless. There’s little I like more than showing off my culinary skillz (note the z!) when I’m camping, so when Baladeo sent me its ECO100, which it calls a “travel cutlery set,” I wasted no time getting to work with it.
Baladeo ECO100 Features
The ECO100 sports seven functions:
(Bullet List of Features)
- Removable spoon and fork
- Locking knife
- Locking can opener
- Corkscrew
- Bottle opener
- 2-mm flat-head screwdriver
Brand Item Name Review
The Baladeo ECO100 is has everything I need — under normal conditions — to rustle up some serious grub. I find myself wondering, however, why the screwdriver? If Baladeo meant the ECO100 to also be a stove repair tool (which would be terrific) then a single 2-mm flat head is woefully inadequate. To fill that role it needs at least a Phillips head and a pair of pliers. It would be nice if it also had a gas-jet poker and a small plastic brush, too.
The Good
- The ECO100 is nice and stout. I’m not worried about breaking it.
- The fork and spoon attachment system is awesome! It’s very secure.
- The ECO100 has everything I need to eat outside.
The Bad
- The screw driver is either a waste of space and weight, or it’s inadequate to repair much of anything. Take your pick.
- Though it’s nice and compact, the ECO100 is a little bit heavy. If I’m shaving ounces for an extended trek, this little baby is staying home.
Bottom Line:
It’s not as though the Baladeo ECO100 is inadequate or unusable, but to me, a multitool has to provide some advantage over carrying separate tools. It has to be more compact and/or lighter and/or have every function I need in one package. The Baladeo ECO100 gets the compact part right, but I think it falls a little shy when it comes to weight and a lot shy when it comes to utility. If I’m backpacking, I can carry a Leatherman plus a plastic fork and spoon. It will weigh about the same and I can actually fix a broken stove with it. If I’m car camping, then to be honest, I’d rather trot out the big-boy tools — a chef’s knife, a cutting board, the works.
Where I can see the ECO100 being especially useful is when traveling-not-necessarily-backpacking-or-camping. Hitchhiking your way across Europe? This might be your tool. Going on a guided mule trek across the Grand Canyon? This’ll be a good choice for that, too.
Buy Now: Baladeo’s ECO100 is perfect for outdoor eating, but not for outdoor cooking.
;)
