anyone move away from multitools back to regular tools

D

dd61999

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
692
Right now I carry a skeletool and the leatherman bit kit in my camelbak for mountain biking and other activities. However, I can feel the limitations of the skeletool or other leatherman when extra torque is needed for tightening and loosening allen bolts. Plus the pliers are useless for the 15mm bolts on my sons BMX. Although the skeletool has not broke, I really do believe it is a matter of time.

I really liked the skeletool because it is light. But I noticed if I carry a small ratchet,sockets, socket extender, screwdriver bits and allen hex bits, it weighs about the same and fits in the same case as the skeletool. Plus it is a complete joy to use and much faster to get the job done.

I always carried a extra knife anyway, so the blade will not be missed.

I would be sacrificing the pliers and have not figured out an alternative for that yet. If I even need them. Does anyone make a 4 inch slip joint pliers?
 
there are situations you just need a regular tool over a MT, MT's can take care of alot of things and I have many of them but I use regular tools too! In other words I don't give up my tools just cause I have a MT on me. I carry tools in my truck along with a Leatherman ST300 because well the ST 300 can't do everything. But will I keep my MTs, you bet!

RickJ
 
I agree with RickJ. Multitools are very useful and can do a lot, but have their limitations and for applications beyond those limitations dedicated tools should be used.

For me, a multitool is a set of tools that I can easily carry around and having those tools on my belt saves me a lot of time, but for some tasks I have to go to the toolbox to take a dedicated tool.
 
I have specific tools in my toolkit for work. I carry the multitool but when it doesn't do the trick i have the specific tool ready to go.
 
Multitool is for EDC, so I always have something to use when proper tools are not available.
 
i'll use a multitool for quick, simple jobs that crop up in day to day work. but for something planned or major, i'll use a proper toolset thanks.

except for the pliers. i'll use my leatherman as my pliers quite happily, even though i have a pair in the 'box.
 
The tools on a pocket sized folding package just can't be as strong as a real tool. Screwdriver, pliers, whatever.

Since I keep a tool kit behind the seat of my pickup, one in the glove box of my Vespa, and one on the main floor of the house, I don't use a multitool. I really prefer a real tool.
 
I use the multitools for convenience since my tool kits weigh a lot. I don't carry them around if I don't have too.

I still have all my real tools and electrical/electronic equipment I need for my work, that I can split over a few different tool boxes of different sizes when I have different jobs. If I know I am going to be doing something that will come with me. If I am investigating the problem and seeing what is going on, doing ordinary day things where I have to do quick repairs and work, than the multitool is fine.

As for the bicycle, you could always fasten the tools together and hook them into the bicycle of basic tools that make things happy if you are doing plenty of jobs. If it so very rare to do anything stick with the multitool.
 
Multitools seem to serve two purposes:

1 - convenience; grab the multitool on your belt instead of hoofing it to your toolbox and back, and/or

2 - being the only tool you have available to save your bacon; i.e., keep it in the Man Sack, workplace or in the car to effectuate repairs when no other tool is available.


I don't require the convenience factor, because I don't swing a hammer or install HVAC for a living. But the save your bacon thing sure works for me, and I always have access to one when away from the Powernoodle Compound.

So, I have not switched from a multitool to a "real" tool, but thats merely a function of how I earn income.
 
Agreed, a MT is a convenience item for ease of carry. It does not replace regular tools, but acts a a workable substitute when carrying regular tools can't be carried. I realized this as well a couple of years ago when I went to use a MT I had in the truck. I thought, why am I using this when a I have full size screw drivers and pliers in the box that work better? The MT's are pretty cool though.
BTW, there are dedicated MT's for bike you know.
 
This post reminded me of a story from The Dallas Morning News that I read a while back.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/outdoors/stories/080810dnspooutsasser.2303914.html

...the bass and I were hooked on the same lure...we walked to the car to look for a multi-tool with enough leverage to cut the hook. Emilie wasn't strong enough to do it, and I couldn't make it work left-handed. We were only 15 minutes from home where there was a substantial pair of cutting pliers so we headed that way...Once we got the proper tool, it was a simple matter of cutting off the barbed end of the hook and pulling the hook out of my finger the same way it went in...
Click to expand...

It's a well written story with lots of humor and I thoroughly enjoyed it :thumbup: but the first thing that I thought was: "I wonder what multi-tool they used." :confused: Many of the name brand multi-tools can cut through a fishing hook (some will even go through a nail). Did the multi-tool lack a hard wire notch? ...was it mostly a matter of leverage? ...must not have been a multi-tool with compound leverage pliers/cutters. :p

Regardless, multi-tools (like all tools) have their limits. :o Some are obvious, e.g. pliers are not a wrench or a hammer. Other limits are not necessarily as obvious. But I think that the multi-tool manufacturers have made a good effort to make their products function more like their minimal-tool counterparts and I hope they continue in this direction (e.g. standard size drivers, more ergonomic grips, etc.). I look forward to seeing what they'll come up with next.

I'd like to see more collaborations between tool manufacturers and multi-tool manufacturers such as the collaborations between Schrade and Irwin (Vise-Grip Toolbox) or SOG and Paladin (PowerPlay Tools). How about a collaboration between Klein and Leatherman?!? Or how about a collaboration between Leatherman, SOG, and Victorinox?!? --Now that would be something!!! :thumbup:

I won't be giving up my multi-tools or my toolboxes any time soon. I'm a tool fanatic so it's only natural that I'd like multi-tools -- they have more than one tool! ;)
 
Well I put the skeletool and bit kit on ebay and replaced it with a small ratchet, small 4"channellock pliers and some screwdriver bits and hex bits, Its about the same weight and takes up no more room in my camelbak that the skeletool took. Plus it is a pleasure to use over the multitool!
 
Multitools are like cell phones.
Cell phones are phones, computers, radios, GPS machines, and even arcades. However, they do none of these well. In other words, they are a considerable step below a dedicated landline phone, or a dedicated PC, or a real radio, etc.
They are handy and something you can have on your person. It is a Jack of all trades, but a master of none.
A multitool is the same way. They are screw drivers, pliers, files, saws, can openers, scissors, wire cutters, etc. But they do none of these well. Just well enough to get by. They are handy, and convenient, but will never be a dedicated pair of pliers, screw drivers, etc.
I have not carried my Leatherman in a long long time. I have found some small tools on my keychain, like my Craftsman four way screw driver, my Vic Classic, my P-51, and whatever pocketknife I have on me at the time, can handle anything I come across on a day to day basis. For anything else, I go to my tool box, which I have one in my van, my wife's car, and at home.
 
Speaking of tools and multi-tools. This was a neat combo. Two "legends": a Victorinox Swiss army knife and Vise-Grip pliers.

vise-grip-victorinox-legends.jpg


vise-grip-victorinox.jpg
 
houdini28 and RickJ, The set dates back to 1989 (before the SwissTool or the Vise-Grip Toolbox). I bought one long ago (second photo). The first photo is one that I recently found on...

[youtube]YKtlK7sn0JQ[/youtube]

You could probably find a similar sheath at the local hardware store.
 
As my dad would say (wise old fart that he is) a multi-tool just lets you fight your way back to your toolbox. It isn't the best tool for any job, but its a tool I'll never be without!
 
The high riding bulky pouch of the Vic Spirit Plus model is kind of obnoxious. Lately, I've been keeping it in my backpack instead of on my belt.

On a recent camping trip, I found myself using an ordinary SAK as much or more than the Spirit since I like Wenger's can opener more.
 
The worst multi-tool functions (and ironically one of the most commonly used) are the screwdrivers. The chunky shape of a multi-tool, or even a SAK does not lend itself easy rotation. Also I always worry about the tool flexing if I have to use a lot of torq.

For a lot of other functions I'd rather use my MT than go hunting for a dedicated tool of that type. But when dealing with screws, if I even suspect there's a proper screwdriver in the building I'll go looking for it.

This is my favorite screw driver. Buck Brothers "6 in 1" costs less than 5 bucks.
b6bc3b7f-db47-4cd8-8b15-16e15c4557bd_400.jpg
 
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