Most Useful,Minimum Size Knife/Tool Combo To Carry?

J

John Jay

Joined
Apr 18, 2003
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Recently I've been entertaining the thought of what would be the smallest practical combo to carry to satisfy most day to day situations and problems.My best answer so far would be combining a Small Sebenza with a Leatherman Squirt P4.
The Small Sebenza is likely the strongest folder available with a blade length less than 3"(my Classic blade measures 2.9").I would estimate that the small Seb has 80-90% of the capability of the Large Sebenza,and makes for a great small utility knife.It weighs only 2.8 oz.
The Squirt P4 is a fairly recent addition to Leatherman's line of multi-tools.I wanted the smallest practical multi-tool available and the Squirt measures only 2 1/4".All of the others I examined measured at least 2 1/2" or more.The P4 model features pliers instead of scissors.These pliers are a small version of what Leatherman has been making for nearly 20 years,except the Squirts are spring loaded.One handle features a 1 5/8" knife blade,an awl,and extra small screwdriver;the other handle houses a one sided phillips screwdriver,
bottle opener/medium screwdriver combo,and a very functional 3 sided file.The entire tool is high quality,though none of the tools are locking.This isn't as much a problem in a multi-tool this small because the force that can be exerted on any one tool blade is rather limited due to the smaller handles of the Squirt.It is definitely not a heavy-duty tool,but after six months of use,I find it to be very useful in dealing with typical problems that are often encountered.
Can anyone think of a smaller combo than the Squirt P4/Small Sebenza that would be just as versatile and practical to carry on a daily basis?This little combo knife/multi-tool intrigues me to no end.I guess the older I become the more fascinated I am with carrying the smallest,lightest tools I can rely upon.Any other suggestions are welcomed.
 
I carry a very similar combo in the form of an SAK Climber plus a Squirt P4. There is very little overlap of tools and I often find the scissors, knife and screwdriver of the SAK useful.
 
I'm very well-prepared with MY knife/tool combo:

Spyderco SS SE Police
Spyderco SS PE Delica
SOG Deluxe Pocket PowerPlier
SOG CrossCut

These are my EDC's.
 
My most minimal combo would probably be my Benchmade 921 (or 940) with my Leatherman Micra (or SOG CrossCut). I've never gone that thin before though.
 
I carry a Livesay WOO, a Spyderco Calypso Jr LWT., a Leatherman Micra, a Sebertool M4, and a Surefire G2 as my edc.s
 
I think you've come up with an excellent EDC combo. I have two regular small Sebbies and since owning/using them I'm convinced that the small Sebbie is the best sub-3" knife in the world. Although I don't own a Squirt I do own a Micra, Super Tool and Juice so any LM product is fine by me.
 
This is a topic that I enjoy thinking about too, since I almost always carry a multitool or SAK plus a folder. The Sebenzas sound good, but I can't comment on knives that I don't own.

Here are some of my combos. What I consider to be medium, some people think of as small, so I'll include those too:

1. LM Juice S2 plus Spyderco Rescue Jr.
2. V'nox Tinker plus Spyderco Rescue Jr.
3. LM Micra/Squirt plus V'nox Electrician/Settler/Solo
4. LM Micra/Squirt plus Spyderco Navigator

Now getting into the really small combos:

5. SOG CrossGrip plus Spyderco Ladybug II
6. LM Micra/Squirt plus Spyderco Ladybug II
7. LM Micra/Squirt plus Spyderco Jester

Combo #1 is my weekday EDC, and #4 is a big personal favorite. Combo #5 (pliers, tools, PE blade, SE blade) and #6 (scissors, tools, PE blade, SE blade) get my vote for most versatile, truly small tools.
 
My edc tends to be a 3" framelock. I don't really like to carry multi-tools on my person so they are left in my B.O.B. That said I have a Leatherman s2 in my shoulderbag pretty much everyday.
 
Some comments on the suggestions to this point-remember this is a MINIMUM size but still practical combo knife/tool(larger tools are certainly more capable,but this ignores the size qualification).The SOG Crosscut lacks pliers,which I beleve is the main reason for the existence of most multitools.The SOG Crossgrip has full-nose pliers not needlenose-I prefer needlenose,but this could be debated either way;the Crossgrip has a nailfile which isn't as useful as the Squirt's 3-sided utility file.The Leatherman Micra has scissors and a nail file;the Squirt has needlenose pliers and a utility file.The Leatherman Juice is a more capable multitool than the Squirt,but it's an inch longer and weighs 5.5 oz. compared to the Squirt at 2 oz.The Squirt is the only 2 1/4" multitool I'm aware of that remains a practical tool to carry.
Some of the abovementioned knives are smaller and lighter than the Small Sebenza,but I've never considered the 2" blades quite as capable as those in the 3" range.The small Spydercos are certainly very interesting choices,and I just might have to try one for awhile.Thanks for the comments.
 
Why the size limitations?

Are you concerned with the size, or is it the weight?

My EDC combo is an Emerson CQC-7A, and a Gerber Legend 800 multi tool. The Gerber is carried on my belt with a Streamlight Twin Task in a custom leather sheath. I barely notice them. Previously, I carried a SOG PowerLock with the light in another custom sheath.

For me, I want to carry the heaviest duty tools I can. Weight isn't a factor for me, but bulk is. The Emerson in the front pocket is great; I don't even notice it's there most of the time. Short of carrying a lineman's pouch loaded with tools, this combo has worked very well for many years.

If you are worried about size, I'd suggest getting a horizontal sheath for whatever tool/knife combo you end up with. That way, they'll be out of the way, and less noticeable during EDC carry.

A Leatherman PST might fit the bill for a multi tool, and maybe a CUDA EDC for the blade, with both in a custom leather sheath.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I carry a SOG Flash II, a CRKT BearkClaw and a Craftsman keychain multi-tool.

The SOG is what I use for delicate work and food. The BearClaw see's hard use, cutting open everything, cutting around dirt and grime, wire stripping etc. The Craftsman multi-tool hangs on my belt with my keys and comes out when I need a screwdriver, pliers or a bottle opener, its not the best multi-tool, but sacrifices must be made for something that size.

This combonation covers all the bases, its unobtrusive, and I don't notice the extra pound or so. Of course being 20 and still able to wear heavier baggy jeans everywhere might have something to do with me not noticing the weight.
 
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