Multi-tool for EDC

Originally posted by Frank
VT, I have an old Golfer. It's like a Compact, except it's an 84mm and does not have a pen. The model # is 0.31 02.
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Frank,

Yes I have an earlier "Golfer" in the configuration you described - but mine is the 91mm model (US model # 53801) -

lots of people really like those earlier Golfers as they had basically most of the important functionality of the "Traveler" (at one time the top selling model in the USA according to Blade magazine) but in a package with one backspring less.

Ie: the Compact/Golfer was only 2 backsprings wide, whereas the Traveler with the more traditional separate can-opener and cap-lifter occupied 3 backsprings.

The 91mm "Golfer" I have, did have the ballpoint Pen, as well as the straight Pin and ubiquitous multi-purpose hook - ie: it seems identical to what is now called
the "Compact" (US model #54941)
54941_l.jpg

size:91 mm | 3 1/2 inch
Large blade
Scissors
Hook
Bottle opener with can opener, wire stripper and large screwdriver
Mini screwdriver
Corkscrew
Straight pin
Ball point pen
Tweezers
Key ring
Toothpick
 
I changed my mind again, I have the Victorinox Trailmaster ( left hand ) and my Benchmade 31 ( right hand ).


I have the wave near to me in my work bag and a Gerber multitool in my truck.

Roloss_valdes
 
Originally posted by UnknownVT
lots of people really like those earlier Golfers as they had basically most of the important functionality of the "Traveler" (at one time the top selling model in the USA according to Blade magazine) but in a package with one backspring less.
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I'm surprised, if the Traveller is the model I think it is, a Climber w/o keyring. I always thought the Traveller was an obscure model. IMO, the combination of blades (Spartan + scissors) makes this a near perfect travel knife. I've carried Climbers since the early '80s but I used to clip the keyring under the corkscrew since I rarely used it. When I needed a new SAK, I bought a Traveller, figuring I would like it better w/o the ring. But for some weird reason, I didn't like not having the ring, so I purchased another Climber.

It's odd how an extra spring width or 7 mm in length can make such a big difference in a pocket knife. I'll carry my Climber in a fanny pack or in my checked luggage but for everyday pocket wear I'm more comfortable with an 84mm, 2 backspring model.
 
i got a swisstool but i dont usually carry it. its a wonderful tool, well made, and everything locks, but its size and weight force me to leave it in my car. my 31 does all my cutting from now on.
 
Originally posted by Frank
I'm surprised, if the Traveller is the model I think it is
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Frank,

You're right, and should be surprised - my recall was faulty. :o :o

I dug up that issue of Blade magazine (March/1993), and on the front cover were those SAKs.

The Traveler was the best selling Wenger SAK. :o
16932.jpg


This was the relevant bit from that issue of "Blade" on page: 15, under SAK Facts
QUOTE:
*The Best selling Wenger model is the Esquire;
its best selling knife with six or more implements is the Traveler.

*The best selling Victorinox model is the Classic;
its best selling knife with six or more implements is the Tinker.
UNQUOTE

My apologies for this confusion.

------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree how the difference of one backspring width can make the difference for in-pants pocket carry.

However I think my limit is probably around 3 to 4 backsprings. My EDC is a Victorinox Scientist (2 backsprings), but my EDC when I have to travel by air is the Yeoman (addition of scissors to Scientist) so one extra backspring to 3. When I go to the woods I have carried the Huntsman model which is 4 backsprings.

BUT the 4 backspring Huntsman is 19mm (3/4") thick, compared to the 3 backspring Yeoman at 18mm (11/16")......

So one backspring only made a 1 mm or 1/16" difference?
well.... not quite, the backspring on the woodsaw of the Huntsman is narrower than average, whereas the one for the Phillips screwdriver and magnifying glass on the Yeoman is noticably wider
 
The main problem I find with multitools is that the material for the main blade is usually utter crap

dont get me wrong, I carry a leatherman wave as my EDC, I am a network engineer and the tools are invaluable. I dont have a use for a vast amount of cutting power in my normal day to day job so the blade is adequate but the material is very poor. What is it anyway? 440A or something?

A nice sliver of VG10 would be sweet on the side of my leatherman wave thats for sure...
 
Originally posted by bladefixation
The main problem I find with multitools is that the material for the main blade is usually utter crap
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As a "Knife Knut" - I find that statement pretty amusing :D :D :p

So a multitool is obviously not bought as any kind of "Knife" -
and most "tolerate" the "crap" knife for the sake of the pliers......

Like I said I am a knife person - and not a pliers person -
and would not/could not in all clear conscience regard a multitool as any kind of a respectable knife -

think about it......:D :D :p
 
I would be glad to pay double the price of a Leatherman Wave if it came with knife blades in VG-10.
 
How do the Leathermans compare to SOG's multi-tool? I dig the all black that SOG comes in.
 
I personally carry a Gerber multi-lock sport ( I belive thats what its called - 3/4 size with half plain / serrated blade) for work as an IT-tech.

More and more though I find since I don't tend to wear a trouser belt (for the pouch) I leave it in my pack, and instead resort to the tiny little blade on my swiss-tec 'utili-key'.
Since on the whole the blade was only used to open boxes, cut cables etc I found I'd started to carry a cheap one hand opening folder as it yielded much quicker use for repeated tasks.

With this in mind I was looking for something similar to the above (lightish comfy multi-tool)but with a one hand opening blade.

The tool which seems to spring immediatley to mind is the leatherman 'Wave', but I must say the number of people I've seen slash their thumb open while trying to open them one handed is somewhat off-putting, combined with that the fact that the tools (which are well used by me during every day tasks) do not lock as such i'm none to eager to try it out.


Can anyone reccomend an alternative ?

Any help appreciated
 
Originally posted by UnknownVT

Like I said I am a knife person - and not a pliers person -
and would not/could not in all clear conscience regard a multitool as any kind of a respectable knife -
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You are completely correct, its a multitool, ok at lots of jobs but not amazing at any. The pliers are probably the best performing part (that and the bottle opener :D )the blade/saw/screwdrivers are reasonable but the blade is nowhere near as good as a 'real knife' and the screwdrivers arent as good as the real thing. Like all things of this nature its a compramise between functionality and portability and the reason they sell is because its better to have some form of tool (albeit not ideal) rather than no tool at all!


Originally posted by pahl

I would be glad to pay double the price of a Leatherman Wave if it came with knife blades in VG-10.
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I totally agree


Originally posted by Mindz_I

The tool which seems to spring immediatley to mind is the leatherman 'Wave', but I must say the number of people I've seen slash their thumb open while trying to open them one handed is somewhat off-putting
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Yeah, that is a slight design flaw, there is no teflon washer or anything on the blade pivot and the blade is attached with a very tight bolt with a proprietary head so its not even possible to loosen it or put some lube under there or anything to make it a little less stiff.
 
Originally posted by torment
How do the Leathermans compare to SOG's multi-tool? I dig the all black that SOG comes in.
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I couldn't decide, so I bought both the Leatherman Supertool 200 and the SOG Powerlock. I carried both of them for a while, but eventually I started leaving the Leatherman behind. I love the compound pressure system on the Powerlock and it feels better in the hand. I liked the lock on the Supertool better, but that wasn't enough to keep me from EDCing the Powerlock.

FYI, SOG makes a black coated Powerlock and I believe Leatherman is releasing a black coated Wave.

BTW, I used to own the Wave, but I ditched it because it was too small. The one hand opening blades were cool, but once I got some nice folders it didn't matter anymore.
 
The only negative thing about the Powerlock is related to one of its excellent features. The compound leverage system means that you have to move the handles through a farther distance to create the same movement in the plier head. It does mean that you generate more force though.

For the Powerlock, the largest gap I can comfortably make with the tip of the pliers with one hand is 1.75 cm (~0.7"). For my Gerber Compact Sport, it's 3.5 cm (~1.4").

Other than that, the Powerlock is perfect. Big, tough, all-locking tools, one handed opening (of the pliers), and you can take it apart with some hex wrenches. SOG even sells you replacement tool parts if you want to switch around some of the tools yourself.
 
Well today I removed the Leatherman Wave from my belt that I have been using for years and replaced it with a Leatherman Super Tool 200.

I think I will like the larger size and locking tools. I also picked up the tool adapter for it.
The tool adapter looks like a preaty cool item.

I was alway's going to get the tool adapter for the wave and never did. I think the super tool will make a better handle for the tool adapter then the wave would.
 
I added a Leatherman Sideclip to my EDC so I have the Victorinox Trailmaster and the LM SideClip ( left hand ) and my Benchmade 31 ( right hand ).

I have the wave near to me in my work bag and a Gerber multitool in my truck.

Roloss_valdes
 
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