Micra or Squirt

F

Frank

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
1,570
I've had several Micras. Gave all but one away and used that one for several years before it just wore out a couple of months ago. I was at Target looking at the P4 and the colored Micras tonight. They didn't have any S4s. What do you think is best?
 
I know that a lot of people are, but I'm not exactly blown away by the Squirts. If you ask me, the pliers on the P4 are too small to be of any real use. And I still like the Micra better than the S4. Call me crazy, but I'm still a Micra man.
 
From personal experience, be careful where you position your fingers when you use the P4. I got bitten by mine, skin almost ripped off, when the P4's jaws slipped from a nut I was trying to loosen and some of my flesh was in the handle region right below the pivot joint of the pliers.
 
I used to carry a Micra. Now I carry a SOG CrossCut. I like the SOG better.
 
I like the Micra better overall. The S4 has some nice features, like removeable tweezers, but the tools are on the outside of the handles. They are easier to access but nothing keeps the blades from closing on your fingers and the springs aren't a that strong. The Mirca seems safer if a little larger and harder to use. BTW if you get a new Micra get the SS version. The colored one lose their color pretty quickly.
 
I'd go for a CrossGrip or CrossCut. Although the pliers have a blunt nose, they are the tougher of the pocket tools out there. If you can, heft them all and see what you think.
Matt
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I might just stick with the Wenger Esquire. I think the blade is better and more accessible than the Micra's. There are no screwdrivers but I keep a Vic Champion and a Pulse in my briefcase.
 
I LOVE my P4 Squirt. I've never had a Micra. I just don't need scissors very often. When I do, I need REAL scissors. I carry the P4 mostly for the pliers. No...they're not big enough to do some things. They're big enough to do lots of little things, though. I have a couple of bigger multi-tools which I might carry if I KNEW I might need them. I carry the P4 always and everywhere. I need small pliers more than I need tiny scissors.

Scott
 
I have been a Micra fan for a while now. I have had at least three over the years. The first one developed rust due to pocket carry. I began carrying the Micra in a belt pouch for the Mini Tool to prevent this. I retired a second one due to a nick in the scissors. I was able to pick up a Micra for $10 including shipping so I didn't send the damaged one in for warranty work. Recently, a coworker borrowed my Micra to open a bottle top for a chemical bottle. When I got it back two of the screwdrivers had slight bends due to his prying with them. I decided to have my work replace my Micra so I went shopping at a local knife store. There I first saw the Squirt. After a long deliberation I chose the S4 Squirt with blue handles.

So far I am very happy with the Squirt. I really like the ability to access the tools without opening the scissors. On the Micra it was enough of a nuisance that I would carry a second knife with a more accessible knife blade. The Squirt does not have this issue. The non-locking aspect does not concern me since I only plan to use the small blade for opening envelopes and cutting open taped boxes. It definitely won't be for heavy use. I also like the removable tweezers on the Squirt. It is much easier to use than the attached tweezers on the Micra. The Squirt tweezers also seem to be grippier and will be much easier to replace. The other tools seem similar in function. I will miss the longer ruler built into the Micra. I also prefer the SS finish of the Micra, but overall the Squirt gets my vote.

Axel
 
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