Carrying a folder vs a multi tool

[benlg]

I always have my Paramilitary and small flashlight in my backpack. I love and find my leathermans very useful, such as the Charge AL but practically it is too heavy. I dont get enough use out of it to have the weight on me every day

 

[mnblade]

Similar to jackknife's sentiments above, I find the keychain sized MTs useful, the big boys less so. I DO own a several Leatherman products but I don't think I'd do it again. I really prefer a SAK, plus a pair of pliers, which are cheap and easy to tote in a glove compartment, backpack, etc.

 

[ThePeacent]

I forget the brand. I bought it on big river like 5 years ago. I broke the small Phillips head doing something stupid and searched for a replacement online. I don't think it's made anymore. They make a Chinese clone but it lacks the small fold out bits. If anyone knows what the things name is I'd like to know. It will make it easier to find a replacement.

Hi there, Sosa
The tool you have/had is from the brand Swisstech. It's either the Micro-Pro or the Micro-Tech model, ones I haven't owned, but I have other Swisstech products and I agree in their usefulness and versatility, a nice alternative to a keychain SAK or mini MT like the Micra or Squirt,

http://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Swiss-Tech

 

[GB940Rookie]

I hope this isn't too far off topic but for those who can't carry a normal toolbox around, these edc pouches offer a great alternative. Even the largest pouch can easily fit in a small backpack, briefcase etc. You can carry tools that are vastly superior to the ones in the multi tools. The smallest one will fit in my back pocket. A nice way to carry your multi......and of coarse band aids! I'm sure there are other brands, I just happen to have these.

I'm not belittling the multi, I like my Wave but I don't use it very often.

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[Nap]

Hi there, Sosa
The tool you have/had is from the brand Swisstech. It's either the Micro-Pro or the Micro-Tech model, ones I haven't owned, but I have other Swisstech products and I agree in their usefulness and versatility, a nice alternative to a keychain SAK or mini MT like the Micra or Squirt,

http://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Swiss-Tech

That's actually a Sebertech/IDL T7, which predates (afaik) the SwissTech tools by quite a bit. Notice the needlenose pliers of the T7 (better pictures can be found on online retailer sites, including the one named for a certain big river):

http://cdn.protoolreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/4476-300x233.jpg

 

[Nap]

Im curious what do you carry and why? Id be interested in a good multi tool i think. How are they to carry everyday?

What I currently carry: at least one dedicated knife (usually a neck knife and a folder); additionally, either an alox SAK plus a small multi-tool or a medium-size multi-tool like the Leatherman Juice.

Why: Knives are useful works of craftsmanship/art, so I collect them as a hobby and use them routinely. I also have trouble gripping things with my fingers, so a plier tool is a must for me, even a small one. If I'm carrying the SAK + mini-MT, then a Juice, Skeletool, or similar is in my essentials pouch, which is usually in my day bag; day bag has a full-size MT like the SOG Powerlock or Leatherman Surge in a MOLLE sheath strapped to the outside.

I find that carrying something the size and weight of the Surge in my pocket to be way too cumbersome for what you're getting in return; even the Wave is too heavy for me, despite the pocket clip's best efforts. On the other end of the spectrum, a keychain MT has its obvious limitations. Some time ago (~2000) I did spend a couple of years carrying first a Juice, then a Skeletool CX as my only knife/MT (although not the ones I own now); I personally think a Wingman or Sidekick would be at the upper limit for pocket carry.

tl;dr the Skeletool or Juice can serve just fine as a combined multi-tool and EDC knife, but there's a reason consensus is that knife + (optional) SAK + MT somewhere nearby is the most practical way to go. It makes for the most versatility without being too much of an inconvenience.

 

[IDABOW]

I use something I carry everyday. Leatherman oht, crunch, folding box cutter, Buck bantam, Buck marksman, and finally benchmade 810. Forgot the bic lighter, and maglight xl 50. Carried all of this, or similar for twenty plus years.

 

[znapschatz]

That's actually a Sebertech/IDL T7, which predates (afaik) the SwissTech tools by quite a bit. Notice the needlenose pliers of the T7 (better pictures can be found on online retailer sites, including the one named for a certain big river):

http://cdn.protoolreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/4476-300x233.jpg

The Sebertech were USA and pretty good. The Swisstech ones, in my experience, although looking exactly like their USA originals, were not as well made. I once had the frustrating experience of ordering up an IDL tool that was clearly marked and advertised "made in USA," but the one I got was Chinese. In the brief time between my spotting the ad and sending for it , the US product had been offshored. I tried a couple, but eventually gave up on them. Undependable.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Gotta have a dedicated knife and a multitool , I keep my leatherman blades sharp as backups.
If your okay with things on your belt than a multitool is no problem, I've carried my discontinued leatherman fuse every single day for the past 3yrs with no problems.
I have no problem with 2 hand openers , but it's the fact that a multitool blade just isn't the same as a real knife that's the problem ( having to open them 3 times to get your blade out doesn't help either )
If you want a knife that happens to have some tools get a multi function knife like a scout or Sak, if you want a tool that happens to have a knife ( at least better than no knife ) get a multitool. You could also get a multitool without a knife and pair it with a sak if you don't want to have too many blades on you ( the more the merrier though )
IMHO leatherman or Gerber are the best way to go ( heard good thinks about the vic swisstool, but it's very pricey )

 

[Harayasu]

I always carry a plier based multitool like a Victorinox SwissTool or Leatherman Charge in my work bag, just in case I might need pliers and screw drivers to work on electronic devices outside a lab environment.

For pocket carry, for me it's mostly a SAK and sometimes I add a folder to my setup, but it's been a while that I carried a folder only.

 

[Nap]

You could also get a multitool without a knife and pair it with a sak if you don't want to have too many blades on you ( the more the merrier though )

With so many knives and tools on me as described above, I usually try to keep the number of bladed items on me from becoming overkill. The Netherlands may have fairly permissive knife laws (Amsterdam city center aside), but if it's an issue in the first place, I'm talking to the police, and don't want to make things any more difficult for myself. Thus I have a collection of pretty much every bladeless pliers-based MT I know of, all of which rotate through depending on what I'm carrying for a knife:

- Leatherman Style PS (mini)
- Gerber Dime Travel (mini)
- SOG Powerlock Traveler (full-size)
- Gerber MP600 Bladeless (full-size)
- Leatherman Piranha 2 and various similar tools (most sized for a keyring)

I've been looking for a Leatherman Knifeless Fuse (discontinued) for some time, but have yet to find one at any price. The new Knifeless Rebar would be fantastic... if only it didn't still have a full-size saw blade. Again, these are all the ones I know of--if anyone knows of any others, please let me know.

 

[22-rimfire]

I will probably look into the SOG Traveler. I do like the Leatherman Style PS5 and Squirt PS4. I have actually used the blade on the PS4 a few times even though it is really tiny. The knife multi-tool that I no use for at all is the Vic Classic and similar sized SAKs. They're just too small to do much of anything with. I bump up to the next Vic size up (Bantam) that has full sized tools, but still very light and thin in the pocket. I carry the Bantam when I have a traditional slippie on me primarily for the tools and not the blade although the blade is big enough to be functional.

 

[Velitrius]

I hope this isn't too far off topic but for those who can't carry a normal toolbox around, these edc pouches offer a great alternative. Even the largest pouch can easily fit in a small backpack, briefcase etc. You can carry tools that are vastly superior to the ones in the multi tools. The smallest one will fit in my back pocket. A nice way to carry your multi......and of coarse band aids! I'm sure there are other brands, I just happen to have these.

I'm not belittling the multi, I like my Wave but I don't use it very often.

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Yep, that's where my LM Wingman rides as well. Fits nicely with the flashlight, lighter, bandaids, pen, notebook....

Grab one small unobtrusive package and you have it all. Got my Maxpedition EDC from Spark at One Stop Knife Shop.

My son carries a Wave on his belt. Difference between him and me is that he uses his all the time. I use mine very little.

Knife or Multi? Whichever best fits your needs, your uses and your lifestyle.

 

[Emden]

I've carried almost eight months Skyline or Delica and Leatherman Wave.

About opening Wave's Blade(s), it can be done with one hand using thumb, bit like opening spyderco.
Older versions are different, I guess. But this new one ( I bought it about year ago) is easy to open blade(s) model.

 

[Nap]

I carry the Bantam when I have a traditional slippie on me primarily for the tools and not the blade although the blade is big enough to be functional.

Well, without the blade the Bantam's toolset is basically:

View attachment 656328

Don't get me wrong, the alox Bantam is without a doubt the prettiest SAK I own, gorgeous in its elegant simplicity. It just doesn't see much pocket carry, because there's literally no place I can carry a Bantam that I can't carry a Pioneer/Soldier.

 

[22-rimfire]

I love the look of the alox saks. Have a few including a blue Pioneer and one of the old Soldier models. But I like having the toothpick and tweezers available and they don't come on the alox models. Basically when I said I often carry the Bantam with a traditional, usually a large traditional (4.25" closed) in a leather pocket slip, the Bantam provides the tool set (without a lot of bulk) I am used to having with me with my regular 111 mm SAK that has been a daily carry for years. I just try other mixes since I own them from time to time. Sometimes, I carry both a modern and the SAK, but the 111 mm SAK is pretty much a fixture in my pocket, at least 5 of 7 days a week, but most often all 7 days. It is hard for me to choose not to carry the 111 mm SAK and everything else works around that knife.

 

[Hickory n steel]

With so many knives and tools on me as described above, I usually try to keep the number of bladed items on me from becoming overkill. The Netherlands may have fairly permissive knife laws (Amsterdam city center aside), but if it's an issue in the first place, I'm talking to the police, and don't want to make things any more difficult for myself. Thus I have a collection of pretty much every bladeless pliers-based MT I know of, all of which rotate through depending on what I'm carrying for a knife:

- Leatherman Style PS (mini)
- Gerber Dime Travel (mini)
- SOG Powerlock Traveler (full-size)
- Gerber MP600 Bladeless (full-size)
- Leatherman Piranha 2 and various similar tools (most sized for a keyring)

I've been looking for a Leatherman Knifeless Fuse (discontinued) for some time, but have yet to find one at any price. The new Knifeless Rebar would be fantastic... if only it didn't still have a full-size saw blade. Again, these are all the ones I know of--if anyone knows of any others, please let me know.

Not sure, but I do know that the knifeless fuse your thinking of is called the kick, there was the kick fuse and blast ( I really want to find a blast as it ads a file and a few other things to my fuse )

 

[aicolainen]

From when I was about 16 and a few years on, Leathermans were the coolest thing, and the more tools the better. Not sure if it was my line of education/work or just the fact that it was always there on my belt, but that first MT saw a lot of use. In those years I had a Supertool that eventually got lost around the time I joined the army. I got a Wave as a gift just some months after, but my habits had already changed and I'm not sure my Wave ever had any time on my belt. I've used it a lot though, but it has been backup duty only, and mostly residing in backpacks on hiking trips.
Just a few years back I started EDCing a knife again. My life and my work is very different now so I usually go with a small folder that I can deep carry in my watch pocket. Only exception is when I wear a pair of jeans with very shallow watch pocket, then I carry a LM squirt. It's a nice well built MT, but when I carry it I usually just look forward to getting a folder back in pocket.
Guess all I'm saying with this long story is that milage may vary, and your situation dictates whats right for you.
I still always have a Skeletool CX with bit kit in my EDC bag, and my Wave still goes with my on every camping and hiking trip, so MTs still have a place in my life though.


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[Pomsbz]

For those of you that mentioned the Skeletool, what version/blade steel are using and how well is it keeping its edge over time? Curious if CX (154CM) is worth it over the cheaper 440c version.

Yes very very much so, I upgraded the blade in mine for just that reason, the 420HC regular blade doesn't stay sharp for long at all, the 154cm is a very different beast. Very happy with my modification.

 

[Pomsbz]

I have a Skeletool in my EDC bag, it gets used a lot. However the lopsided clip doesn't make for comfortable pocket carry and the hollow grind blade is not a slicer whether it's food or cardboard. As such I use it (pliers/bit tool or opening packages) and return to bag. I have a pocket knife on me. I don't need pliers that urgently ever. I'm mid modding a Charge AL to take over from the Skeletool for camping carry.