Carrying a folder vs a multi tool

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dakota1820

Joined
Nov 20, 2011
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96
Im curious what do you carry and why? Id be interested in a good multi tool i think. How are they to carry everyday?
 
To me most multi-tools like Leatherman and others like it are a pain in the arse to use. Have to unfold them 6 ways from Sunday to get a blade. I much prefer a good SAK; Tinker or Deluxe Tinker - best of both, a folder and tools.
Rich
 
I have carried a Leatherman pretty much every day for the last 20 years or so. Its been different models of Leatherman but its always been Leatherman. I know there are many other companies that make quality multi tools and I have nothing against them. I just chose Leatherman because they were the original "pliers in your pocket" they have got me out of many bad situations and I don't leave home without them. I also carry a knife because its a lot more convenient if you just want to cut something.

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This is just my perspective on multi-tools. There are very few jobs that a multi-tool can do, that a set of pliers, screwdriver, etc from your tool box can't do better. We can't always carry a tool box with us though, so a multi-tool is a convenient second choice. I carry mine a lot & find uses for it almost daily.

Leatherman, Gerber, etc have so many different models that you should be able to find one that suits your size/weight/tool needs.
 
Both. EDC knife in right rear. Leatherman Micra in right front. Larger Leatherman stashed in my day pack, which is usually in my car or office.
 
I carry a pretty extensive set of tools with me at work, so the multi-tool is reserved for weekend duty. There's a Leatherman Wingman in both personal vehicles and in my camping setup. I almost never carry one though. One or two of my folders is always with me.
 
I keep a leatherman juice handy in my pocket all the time, plus my daily wear endura. Problem with multitool blades is they don't hold an edge very long.
 
I have a leatherman very close to me at all times. Usually keep a small one in the pocket, and big ones in the car, house, and with outdoor gear. I rarely use the knife of it because I am never without a folding knife. They are so much more convenient for quick one hand open/close cutting jobs, I can't not have one on me. With all the extra tools a multi tool has, I think they are both equally important tools!
 
I'm not a mulitool person as far as Leathermans go. The plier tool doesn't appeal to me as I have not needed a pliers on a daily basis in my life. I do like the SAK's though as they are a lot mor compact and ride in a pocket pretty easy. But over the last year and a half I'v e been playing with a Leatherman micra that Pinnah sent me after our many disagreements over SAK vs mulitools. It's sort of won me over a bit to the small keychain size mulit's, but the big Leathermans are still a turn off to me. Since I keep a real tool kit in the car, behind the seat of the truck, and my bikes, I have real tools on hand. I will always prefer a real tool over a Leatherman, which I consider a solution to a non existent problem.

I usually carry a dedicated knife on me, with a few items in my wallet that will serve in a pinch. I do find that a screw driver is a handy thing to have and I keep a Sears 4-waay keychain screw driver in my wallet. I have used it on many occasions when I was away from home but not new one of my vehicles. There's also my old P-38 in my wallet, and that deals with many things from loose screws, scraping, awl, small pry tool, phillips screw driver, and can and bottle opener.

I like a real knife for cutting things. If I need a tool, i use a real one or the few things in my wallet. I find Leatherman's and such just too big, bulky, and over priced to be convenient.
 
I have a Leatherman Wave in my truck. Never use it. I'm surrounded by a plethora of cutting and mechanical tools. I think the concept is cool but for me not all that useful.
Now that I think about it, anybody want to buy a Wave? Haha:D
 
I have multiple Leathermans. My favorite of them is my Charge TTi, and it's a great tool, with an S30v blade that takes a keen edge.

However, it's a thick, heavy brick in the pocket even with the pocket clip keeping it in place. So, I carry one of multiple large folders, and an ALOX Farmer instead. All the tools I need, nothing I don't (ok, ok so I don't tend to need the saw at my office job). I have the Charge in my day bag, but to be candid, I can't recall the last time I actually used it, or even held it in my hand.

The only time any of my Leathermans ever see any use is when I'm out camping.
 
I edc a vic swisstool (it replaced a Camilus electrician's knife) on my belt while I'm working and have found it great for my use. A lot of my work driving involves an atv or tractor far away from the full set of tools in my pickup or at home. It's saved me a lot of time travelling back for a tool that I didn't have with me when I find a task that needs done that I wasn't expecting when I went out. That sort of thing probably isn't nearly as much of a concern for most people though.
 
The only multitool that I carry daily is the Leatherman Mira....and sometimes the Mini Tool.
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I carry a CRKT "Guppie" clipped to a left belt loop, Buck 374 XL Trapper in a 110 sheath (eh, it fits) a Scout/Camp knife and a Kershaw bit driver on a keyring holder, and a Rough Rider 1287 two blade half hawk in right front pocket.
The guppie has an adjustable wrench to 1/2 inch, bit driver, and a wharnclif blade.
Trapper has a liner lock clip point master, finely serrated wharnclif secondary
Scout/Camp has a spear point master, cap lifter/flat screwdriver combo, can opener, and an awl.
The half hawk has that blade, with a pen secondary.
I have the tools I need, plus the right blade for pretty much any cutting task that might come up on any given day.
 
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Rich S said:
To me most multi-tools like Leatherman and others like it are a pain in the arse to use. Have to unfold them 6 ways from Sunday to get a blade. I much prefer a good SAK; Tinker or Deluxe Tinker - best of both, a folder and tools.
Rich
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A lot of new leatherman designs have blades that fold out when the tool is closed.


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Rich S said:
To me most multi-tools like Leatherman and others like it are a pain in the arse to use. Have to unfold them 6 ways from Sunday to get a blade. I much prefer a good SAK; Tinker or Deluxe Tinker - best of both, a folder and tools.
Rich
Click to expand...

While I love SAKs, Tinker being one of my favorites, pliers based multi-tools are my go-to when there is "semi-serious" work to be done.* But except for the One Hand Trekker, it takes two hands to open SAKs, while my Charge TTi blades are one hand opening, and it is no big deal to access any of its implements. Also, the tools on it are better. But SAKs are great for casual out and about purposes.


*"serious" work requires dedicated tools.
 
I carry a smaller MT on my belt or in a pocket. Usually a Juice CS4 but sometimes a SOG Power lock. I also carry a modern one hand opening folder and usually a fixed blade as well.

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craytab said:
I carry a smaller MT on my belt or in a pocket. Usually a Juice CS4 but sometimes a SOG Power lock. I also carry a modern one hand opening folder and usually a fixed blade as well.

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Wow, nice carry stuff you got there. ive thought about carrying stuff like that but I don't know how id keep my pants up! never really been much for the whole mall ninja thing either.
 
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