Do you use all the other stuff in your multi tool?

D

displacedtexan

Joined
May 17, 2010
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266
Not trying to troll here:D

I've owned and carried numerous multi tools over the years, and unfortunately a while back my truck was stolen with my collection of them in it. So they are all gone. I never bothered to replace them at the time. There was a lot of other stuff that seemed more important at the time.

I always carried a knife for cutting, and the tool mostly for pliers. I don't really remember using the other stuff, on any of the ones I had, certainly not frequently. Now I'm thinking that I want one again, mostly just for the pliers.

So I'm wondering if I'd get better service out of a good set of pliers (I carry to much in my pockets already, so either a tool or pliers would hang off my belt) or I'm just forgetting how much I used all the other little things in my various multi tools.
 
If it is all about the pliers, the Leatherman Crunch might be a perfect option for you. It is basically a pair of compact folding Vice Grips and some extras. Never handled one myself. Here is a video I found on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsb6OUtz_20

and from the Leatherman site: http://www.leatherman.com/products/product.asp?id=10&f=6&c=1

Of course, you could just carry a small Vice Grip and your knife -If that is what you use frequently. I guess that for me, it would depend on the frequency of use and what else you have at your disposal.
 
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I use the other Gizzies quite a bit , saws and files are handy , and can save many a trip back to the tool box . I especially love the chisel/stripper/ cable slitter tool on the Spirit and Swisstool . The Vic. Caplifter/light duty prybar is also very usefull . The awl is very handy for scribing , and starting wood screws .

Chris
 
I carry a Leatherman Wave (old style). Even though I don't use all the tools on it all the time, the few times when I do need them I'm always glad they're there. Right now I'm gearing up for a cross country move and I've been getting good use out of just about all the tools, even the seventeen or so different flat screwdrivers.
 
I carry a Leatherman Wave, and the tools I use the most are the main blade, the serrated blade, the scissors, the phillips screw-driver, the flat-tip screw-driver, and the pliers.

I don't use the file or the saw very often, mostly if I'm hiking in the woods and want to saw a walking stick to size.

I hardly ever use the can opener/cap-lifter or the tiny screw-driver.
 
I use almost all the stuff on my Vic Swisstool X pretty regularly. The only thing I tend to avoid using is the phillips, so it doesn't get stripped out.
 
displacedtexan said:
Not trying to troll here:D

I've owned and carried numerous multi tools over the years, and unfortunately a while back my truck was stolen with my collection of them in it. So they are all gone. I never bothered to replace them at the time. There was a lot of other stuff that seemed more important at the time.

I always carried a knife for cutting, and the tool mostly for pliers. I don't really remember using the other stuff, on any of the ones I had, certainly not frequently. Now I'm thinking that I want one again, mostly just for the pliers.

So I'm wondering if I'd get better service out of a good set of pliers (I carry to much in my pockets already, so either a tool or pliers would hang off my belt) or I'm just forgetting how much I used all the other little things in my various multi tools.
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Every implement on my Charge TTi gets a workout, some more than others, although not always for their designed purposes. Sometimes the combo tool opens bottles and cans, but gets used more often to scrape mud out of my boot treads.

Most used in order (approximately, since I don't keep close track): pliers; PE blade; scissors; bit screwdriver; file; saw; SE blade; large screwdriver, mostly as pry bar; combo tool as previously mentioned. Added to the mix is a modded awl fitting into the pocket clip/lanyard ring slot. Least used is the small screwdriver, I think maybe 2-3 times in the last two years.

For your purposes, I think dedicated pliers and knife would do. Regular pliers are forged, therefore somewhat stronger than cast ones found on multitools and much cheaper. If you don't use the other implements, a multitool is a waste of money.
 
znapschatz said:
For your purposes, I think dedicated pliers and knife would do. Regular pliers are forged, therefore somewhat stronger than cast ones found on multitools and much cheaper. If you don't use the other implements, a multitool is a waste of money.
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What he said! :thumbup: For probably 1/4th to 1/3rd the cost of a good multi-tool you can buy a nice pair of pliers and a leather holster to hang on your belt. Try it out - if ya don't like it you're not out much money, and you've still got a pliers to throw in your truck or keep around the house.
 
I think Multi users fall into two basic catogories , plier guys , or blade and implement guys . On my multi's blades are the least used tools and are only a backup for a real knife . Reason being ; multi's ergos suck for real knife chores .

Chris
 
Thanks guys. Just a train of thought I had. Like znapschatz said I'd prob be better served with a good set of pliers and a belt sheath. And if I would up deciding I wanted the other stuff I'd certainly still use the pliers in my tool box.

I was just wondering if time had colored my memory. The pliers are definitely what I miss the most.
 
For me I guess its not how frequently, but that odd time you do need it makes a world of difference. I carry a LM Wave its mostly for the two blades, pliers, bottle opener and philips. The tiny philips and flat head?... well I've probably used it all of three times I can recall, but each time it either made my day better/easier or someone elses (fixed a screw in a coworkers glasses, etc).

Myself, I find something very intriguing about being able to carry 15-25 tools all in one small compact multii. By that, I've used it 100's (maybe even in the 1000's by now) of more times then if I were just carrying a blade.

EDIT: If I'm without my wave, and I come across a task in my day that I could use it or make the job easier, I kick my ass for not carrying it. Which is why it'll live in my pocket forever.
 
A multitool is a compromise. It's something I can reasonably carry on my person and expect it to perform to a certain degree. However, it's not the be-all end-all tool by a long shot. If I expect to need serious screwdrivers, pliers, etc, I will actually pack dedicated tools. I can and do use pretty much all the implements on whatever multitool I carry as they seem appropriate. I'm not afraid to use it.
 
The Leatherman Juice S2 its tools are used quite often, except the can opener / bottle opener. On the new Leatherman Wave I only use a few tools, but the other tools might be handy some day.
 
Sounds like you want something like a good pair of Klein pliers or maybe a small pair of Channellocks in a mini pock-its along with a SAK. Should cover all your needs easily and if you're going somewhere without the pouch just put the SAK in your pants pocket.
 
I keep a multitool with pliars in my truck for emergencies, but rarely have a need for the pliars on a typical day. I do, however, use the screwdriver, file, blade and scissors on a regular basis. I even use the can opener (instead of the one in the kitchen drawer).
 
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