keychain tools, what do you think?

[powernoodle]

:thumbup: In a keychain multi-tool, the [Rambler is the] perfect balance of form and function, IMhO. More implements than the Classic with no effective difference in pocket

I say the same about the Manager relative to the Rambler. And then when I carry a Manager, I say "the Executive has more implements with no real difference in the pocket." And then when I carry an Executive, I say "the Compact has more implements with no real difference in the pocket". And when I carry the Compact, . . . . And that's how I end up with an Explorer Plus in my pocket.

And then I say, "Four layers is too thick in the pocket", so I go get the Classic SD and start over.

 

[znapschatz]

:thumbup: In a keychain multi-tool, the perfect balance of form and function, IMhO. More implements than the Classic with no effective difference in pocket, plus better keyring placement.

I say the same about the Manager relative to the Rambler. And then when I carry a Manager, I say "the Executive has more implements with no real difference in the pocket." And then when I carry an Executive, I say "the Compact has more implements with no real difference in the pocket". And when I carry the Compact, . . . . And that's how I end up with an Explorer Plus in my pocket.

And then I say, "Four layers is too thick in the pocket", so I go get the Classic SD and start over.

:thumbup: Clever. And so true. In my case, however, the upgrades did increase, but to only to Minichamp level. Then, lesson learned, I backed it down again to Rambler, carried now for many years with no plans otherwise. In my pocket now, good old thing.

 

[Rdnesh69]

I LOVE keychain tools and lights and basically anything else that actually functions properly and is tiny enough to tote around unnoticed in the pocket all day. I don't much care for keeping them on a keychain though, too much weight and I use my keys much more than I use my little tools. Although I do keep an extra little "multitool, light, pen, lighter,ss toothpick" keychain setup in the van just in case....this is how I carry outside of work

Genuine lambskin custom made, by my wife

 

[Rdnesh69]

I opted for a bladeless tool since I always have a folder on me and sometimes a backup mini fixed blade. The idl tools t5 has all of the essentials and nothing extra I won't need.

 

[supergnat]

I prefer the Classic SD to the Rambler. I like the Classic's smooth sides when closed compared to the lumpiness of the Rambler (especially the side with the cap lifter). I know that the Rambler isn't all that much thicker of heavier, but I'm far more aware of it in my pocket than I am the Classic.

Also, the outward facing nail file on the Rambler collects lint faster than anything else i've ever put in my pocket. With the Classic, the file is covered by the blade.

If I want something small with a Phillips, I'll carry my Leather Squirt instead of the Rambler.

 

[oldmanrunning]

The clue is in the name "Keychain", as you can see in the picture i have fallen prey to the must have nonsense that we gadget fans have aimed at us, the only kit you see here that i use is not on the cable key ring, the Micra sits on a ledge next to my armchair, the P4 is on my desk used most often to pull the blank out of the memory card port on my computer. I am waiting delivery of a Mini Champ to see what tiny tools i use the most often so that i can carry the most useful 58mm, i already carry a Cadet in my LFP or if needed a larger SAK in a belt pouch , BTW i shall be carrying the Mini Champ in a mini belt pouch as well , my every day keys all four of them are on a 1" diameter ring attached to a lobster claw clip that hooks on a belt loop. my vehicle keys i have always kept separate as having a heavy bunch of keys hanging out of the ignition switch is asking for trouble, ( ask a H-D Sportster rider who has had his electrics cut out for no reason ). Anyhow i am aggin em. Just cant seem to stop buying them !!!

Grumpy OMR.

 

[jackknife]

I like keychain tools, but for real use on a keychain, anything bigger/heavier than a Vic classic is too much. I've tried the small keychain Leatherman's, and I do like the utility they pack into a small pocket size package, but they weigh down the keyring too much. I end up just dropping the Leatherman micra or squirt into the left front pocket with the change and Bic lighter.

Although the micra is not really much bigger than the classic, the weight factor is what kills the keyring use. I get more milage just dropping it in a pocket.

 

[orca8589]

My keyring, as of today. Whistle; Veritas "Bagle" driver; Maglite keyring light; pill capsule; Victorinox keyring knife (not sure the model, thicker than a Classic); keys; and my old belt loop hook from my Navy days. Missing is the screwdriver/cap lifter from an old Camillus Demo knife that had broken springs. I took the knife apart, drilled out the pivot hole to fit a keyring, and it worked beautifully. I took it off to do something with it, and forgot to put it back on the keyring.

Separate from all that is the standard issue Mosin-Nagant screwdriver & gap tool that rides in my back pocket on some days. These sometimes come with surplus MN rifles. I use it to open paint cans, scraping things, digging, prying, etc. I'll throw it back in the tool box when I find my old Demo driver again.



Funny story, regarding the whistle: A dad in our Scout Pack had a similar whistle on his keyring, and hadn't blown it in years. We were on a campout, and as a general rule, you check all gear before leaving for an overnighter, hike, or whatever event we're doing.

One of the boys asked him if he'd checked his flashlight batteries, and he found out they were dead. Then he decided to check his other gear, including his keyring whistle. When he blew into it, he blew a big chunk of pocket lint right up his nose. I think at least twenty people were doubled over & hyperventilating laughing at him. He took it well, and we still laugh about it years later.

~Chris

 

[jackknife]

The nice thing about keychain tools is, they may not be really effective, but they will be there when you need them. The whole object behind th ekeychain stuff is, they often will be the only thing you have. Most people are not the avid edc'ers that some of us are. The only way I could get many members of my own family to carry a knife was, to give them Vic classic's as stocking stuffers one Christmas. It was soooo small, they thought it was cute, and it wasn't really noticeable on the keyring. Then they got used to having a small sharp knife available. The fact that it had scissors and a nail file just endeared it to the women in the family.

My dad was a great one for keychain tools. The small Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver, was one of hs go-to's. I remember seeing my old man actually fix things with the keychain screw driver and a paper clip. Sure, a real tool is great to have, but it's hard to carry a tool chest in the side pocket. But I've long lost count how many times I've been out someplace, sometimes remote, and had to use a small screw driver to fix something. A motor control on a trolling motor that came apart at the far end of a long and winding lake. It would have been a long hard paddle back against the wind, but a small keychain size SAK let me put a recessed screw back into the thing, and motor on. Having a Vespa motor scooter drop dead onme on a art road in the middle of nowhere. The screw driver I had on me was better than the real one back home, and it let me fix a minor problem and get on down the what passed as a road. Or being in a strange place and having to move about after night, and having a nice bright little flashlight on my keychain. Always helps to put some light on the subject.

I'm in the middle of getting my house on the market to move to Texas, and the day is filled with work. It's nice to have either the Leatherman squirt or micra in a pocket. Taking off the light switch covers and electric outlet covers while painting. Doing spot repair work and having a small plier in a pocket or a screw driver beats walking downstairs for the right tool. The micra as well as the squirt has been getting a real workout.

Keychain tools will work. They won't be the best tool on hand, but they will let you get it done.

 

[orca8589]

My dad was a great one for keychain tools. The small Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver, was one of hs go-to's.

Same for me - I have a Sears 4-way screwdriver on our car ring, and it's definitely come in handy over the last 4+ years.

~Chris