I'm done with folders.....Multitools are the way to go.

I guess I'm in the opposite camp, that I've never had need of a multitool. In my day to day life, I've found much more use for a dedicated pocket knife than a pliers based tool. I've never owned a plier tool, and really don't plan on it. I can't recall the time I needed a pliers badly, when I didn't have the tool kit on my motorcycle or the tool kit behind the seat of my truck close by. If I'm at home, I have a tool kit under the sink in the kitchen and a well equipped work room in the basement.

On the other hand, I have found that a loose screw or some minor thing may need a screw driver once in a while. If I have my old Wenger SI around, that takes care of it. Or maybe the SD tip on my classic, or the Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver in my wallet. But I've opened packages, mail, cut string or twine in the garden, sliced a coupon out of the newspaper, very often. Sometimes the plastic knife in some eateries don't cut it, so I need a sharp knife to deal with lunch. Somehow I've reached senior citizen status without having pliers in my pocket. But a sak or good pocket knife has been used more times than I can count. Having looked at the Leatherman tools out of curiosity I was struck how uncomfortable a grip they made for a knife blade. Not to mention they have the cosmetic appeal of a crowbar. At least the Swiss Army Knife is a fairly nice looking and decent handling bit of gear, without being boat anchor heavy. And the a lox sak's are actually nice looking in a clean rugged way.

Each to their own, but I find a nice knife more suited to my life style.

Carl.
 
Interesting answers. Seems like carrying one of each is the popular way of doing it.

OzarkCreekWalker said:
What can the knife blade on a folder do that a blade on a sak or leatherman can't?
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I agree. That's the basis of my decision. With the clip for the wave it carries low and tip up, one hand opening and locks. It doesn't weigh much more than a zero tolerance knife and has a dozen or so more uses. Honestly outside of work I don't use a knife enough to warrant upgraded steel. If I use my knife 2-3 times a day I'm lucky. I figure if im going to carry a knife, might as well carry tools too. But anyway, once it gets here ill try it out and see how it goes.
 
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At home, I prefer to use the specific tool dedicated to a particular task.
Out and about, it's pretty rare that I need a pair of pliers, screwdriver, saw, awl, etc "right now" - so I keep MT's in trunks, gloveboxes and gear bags, as well as some drawers at home. But I fairly often need/want to separate some material without having to run to the car, or the other room, occasionally while already holding whatever it is that needs cutting. So I carry a knife in my pocket.
If I'm not in my own backyard and know I'll be playing handyman, but don't know what tools I expect to need, I'll bring my EDC pocket organizer loaded up with MT, screwdriver, versa driver, micro wrench, stockman, and various other useful tools (and gadgets.) I've been known to slip a Leatherman into my pocket under these conditions, but once the situation dictating its use is under control, I'll put it back where it belongs.
If I had a job or lifestyle that had me in handyman mode more of the time, I would not hesitate to EDC a MT, but I don't think it would supplant the one-hand-folder in my RFP.
 
I carry a Leatherman Wave any time I have a belt on. As far as folders, I carry a bunch of different ones. 1978 Case medium stockman, Buck solo, at work a Kershaw Leek. My LM has come in handy a few times at work. I do use the pliers and screwdrivers and wire cutters at work occasionally. But when I need them, I need them. The bottom of a ditch is a bad place to wish for a pair of pliers. I've been thinking about a multi-faceted load out
1. Work-LM wave, Kershaw leek, and Fenix PD32.
2. Home-LM Skeletool, Case peanut, and Streamlight microstream.

Right tool for the right job sort of thing.
 
i love my LM wave, and it definitely shows ;) but its way too heavy for me to EDC.
sometimes i carry either my LM juice KF4 or S2 though. but it doesnt come close to the usefulness of the wave.
my wave is so beat up that it might need replacing. or at least thats what i tell myself, cause i want a LM charge.:D

but my favorite is carrying a multi-tool, with a small brute of a fixed blade. i prefer a small fixed blade over any folder anyhow.
i have limited pocket space though, cause i always have a flashlight on me, and cigarettes :barf:
 
This is an interesting thread. I work in an office/urban environment, so you are either cutting something (Leek or HEST DPx), tightening small screws (LM Micro), prying (Pico Widgy bar), or measuring (Tec Accessories Inchworm). I'm drawn to small tools for small jobs. I suspect if I was outside in the wide open, I would lean toward something attached to my belt. I hate stuff lying in the bottom of my pocket. I will eventually get a sak when I figure out a way to carry it. Giving up a folder - nah. I might have to fend off a 800 lb grizzly...
 
Way back in the day, when I was a soldier, I carried a multi-tool.
And later when I worked in a warehouse I carried a multi-tool.
But these days I just don't need one very often....certainly not often enough to justify the bulk and weight of a fully equipped multi-tool.

A Swiss Army Knife however is just too handy to not carry.
 
I have a Victorinox Signature Lite on my keychain, a Fieldmaster in my laptop bag, a SwissTool RS in my book bag, and Rescue Tools in each of our cars. So, yeah I like the versatility of a multi-tool.

But honestly, those rarely get used as much as the Case Peanut in my pocket, or whatever traditional folder I also happen to have with me. If you want to unload some of those traditionals Matt, let me know what you don't want anymore!
 
I go back and forth myself, over the years, Matt.

For years and years, I carried nothing but a Victorinox Tinker. Went through a real SAK phase, and now I have at least a dozen.

I also got an original Leatherman, with the same intent you expressed. I found it took too long to get to the non-pliers tools, and it has just been sitting in my knife box for years.

Later, I got a Victorinox SwissTool, which I believe is the best of the breed. But blimey is that thing heavy! Much too big and heavy for pocket carry, and I found out I'm just not dedicated enough to belt carry it, as was intended.

Now, I'm kind of in a traditional knife phase. There's a real pleasure in pulling out a knife that is not only sharp and comfy, but also nice to look at and fondle. (yep, I said that) I do occasionally curse myself a bit when I have to walk back to a tool drawer/kit for a real tool, when SAK or multi-tool would have gotten 'er done. But not as often as I thought I would.

I do still carry a SAK Classic on my keys, but I don't use it much. I think it is just for that feeling of security I get from carrying a multi-tool.

By the way, before you pull the trigger on a clunky pliers-based multi-tool, consider one of the excellent Victorinox CyberTool series. I've got the 34, and it carries much nicer than a plier tool, and it has that brilliant bit driver that is centered in the stack. Not to mention the famously good Victorinox scissors, a surprisingly usable pliers, and the other usual implements.
 
I feel similarly about SAK's. I have a hard time carrying just a knife and am not a multitool guy. Most MT's seem to be pliers with the blade and drivers added as afterthoughts. SAKs tools, however, are fairly equal between themselves. Knife blade is fine, flathead is fine, phillips is fine,... I don't often carry just a SAK, but a small Tinker attached to a Microstream is a VERY handy little outfit that really covers the vast majority of what I need to do.
 
I've never carried a folder - that would be illegal in this country. (unless fishing or hunting where you could give good justification for its presence)
I started out by buying a Victorinox Cybertool 34 after reading about it and deciding that it would be incredibly useful in my job as a computer tech. This sparked my interest in having useful tools on me and I soon added a Leatherman Wave. After more than a decade I still carry that Cybertool and it is still useful, but I've swapped the Wave for a Victorinox SwissTool X (better tool selection).
I don't really need anything else and even though I do own some folders I never find myself struggling to handle knife tasks when I have my MT & SAK available. I keep all blades nice & sharp and I can slice open clamshell packaging with ease!

I like the fact that I have more than a sharp blade on hand - being equipped with a saw, file, pliers and especially screwdrivers is just incredibly useful! Most of the time when I need to cut something I just use the small blade on my SAK, it is the least intimidating sharp knife possible and yet it is enough to do the job 95% of the time! I always have the large blade on the SAK & the blade on my MT available and since I haven't been using them they are sharp & clean (the small blade at times has the gum from packaging tape on it, but I do clean and sharpen it when I get home) and are good for any task including cutting fruit.
 
At its price point, I think the Wave offers the best value from the Leatherman lineup. Most people don't realize that the upgraded steel in the Charge series only applies to the main blade. The rest of the tools are the same stainless steel (as they should be, as not all tools should be subject to the same characteristics of a knife steel). Carrying a good primary EDC folder, I don't personally see a benefit of a 154CM or S30V on the knife of a multitool.

Price point considered.
 
TEFL0N_D0N_81 said:
At its price point, I think the Wave offers the best value from the Leatherman lineup. Most people don't realize that the upgraded steel in the Charge series only applies to the main blade. The rest of the tools are the same stainless steel (as they should be, as not all tools should be subject to the same characteristics of a knife steel). Carrying a good primary EDC folder, I don't personally see a benefit of a 154CM or S30V on the knife of a multitool.

Price point considered.
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Although I completely agree that premium steel is not cost effective in a multi-tool and possibly not even a good choice for most users, those Charge titanium handles are easier on the hand and less likely to slip than the sharper edged stainless steel of the Wave. That can be especially appreciated on those occasions when lot of cutting is necessary, although most of the time is no big deal at all. Also, I would have preferred plier jaws without the crimper, which was no use to me and I thought compromised the pliers function. The only reason I went with a Charge TTi is that one came along at a price not much more than the Wave that I was actually shopping for. Well, I couldn't pass that up, could I?

As things worked out, the crimper turned out to be no issue after all, the handles are great and I love the tool. The downside is that it kind of spoiled me for the Wave, which is what I would probably have to settle for if I ever lost my Charge. Super deals don't come along that often.

Of course, thanx to the terrific Leatherman warranty, I never worry about breakage.
 
znapschatz said:
Although I completely agree that premium steel is not cost effective in a multi-tool and possibly not even a good choice for most users, those Charge titanium handles are easier on the hand and less likely to slip than the sharper edged stainless steel of the Wave. That can be especially appreciated on those occasions when lot of cutting is necessary, although most of the time is no big deal at all. Also, I would have preferred plier jaws without the crimper, which was no use to me and I thought compromised the pliers function. The only reason I went with a Charge TTi is that one came along at a price not much more than the Wave that I was actually shopping for. Well, I couldn't pass that up, could I?

As things worked out, the crimper turned out to be no issue after all, the handles are great and I love the tool. The downside is that it kind of spoiled me for the Wave, which is what I would probably have to settle for if I ever lost my Charge. Super deals don't come along that often.

Of course, thanx to the terrific Leatherman warranty, I never worry about breakage.
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Absolutely. As I mentioned above, I prefer the Wave with price point considered. If the price difference was about $20 or less, it'd be a no brainer as I'd prefer titanium handles and S30v on the main blade (why in the world not?). Overall, the Charge and Wave are pretty much the same with differences in the trimmings. The one tool I wish Leatherman would carry in their MTs is a nail clipper. I'd sac the small bit driver for it.
 
TEFL0N_D0N_81 said:
AIf the price difference was about $20 or less, it'd be a no brainer as I'd prefer titanium handles and S30v on the main blade (why in the world not?).
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If the blade is used occasionally, which is typical multi-tool use, good 420HC will hold an edge well enough and can then be sharpened with a few strokes on almost any stone, ceramic coffee cup or what have you. S30v steel is not that much harder to sharpen, but takes a good deal longer, in my experience. For daily constant use, S30v is great, but then you would want it in a dedicated knife rather than a multi-tool. Not that I'm complaining, mind. I like the PE blade in my Charge just fine, but can't say that it's a practical improvement for my purposes.

The one tool I wish Leatherman would carry in their MTs is a nail clipper. I'd sac the small bit driver for it.
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I would swap the small bit driver for almost anything. I don't use the damn thing at all.:grumpy:
 
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I carry a Leatherman Charge TTi (like quite a few folks here it sounds like).
I have been carrying exclusively for the past week, and I think the one thing I miss most about my folder is something to flip open and closed to keep my hand occupied. Honest truth, I simply like fondling the folder, and the multitool doesn't do it for me.
And of course it is easier and quicker to deploy a folder.
 
Sometimes having a dedicated folder is a great option:

1. A longer blade
2. Sturdier lock
3. Faster deployment

Just a few reasons off the top off my head.
 
So Matt, how's it going with switching to the MT? No posts from you since #1 here....

I wonder if you switched back?
 
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