Multi-tool recommendations

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kidcutlery

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Aug 18, 2013
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What's up knife people I'm gonna be going to college next year and I wanted to get a multitool that I could keep in my dorm/ car. since I don't think I can bring all of my "threatening knives" I figured a multi tool would be a good choice.

I'm not totally sure which tool to get I was looking at a leatherman charge tti but I recent heard victorinox made great full sized multitools

Also I saw the design for the charge tti was changed does anyone have any info?

What's your favorite multi-tool ?
 
If your definition of a multi tool requires folding handles and pliers, I cannot help, though I know options from leatherman and SOG are plentiful. What I use the most is a vic farmer with alos or ss handles. wood saw, knife, can, bottle, awl, very useful and small enough to carry easily. If you are uncomfortable bringing 'threatening knives' I suggest checking out some traditional folders. I bring a case peanut to class with me, and have a farmer in the pocket. I have yet to find a task those don't complete and don't seem to bother people. But then if you want pliers...
 
Victorinox Rally on your keychain or Rambler. You be happy you did with the toothpick there to get out stuck foods which is never fun on a date, and you can bust open bottles all day long with the bottle opener. Than a Victorinox Compact in your pocket, just use the scissors if you need to cut something in public, or a Waiter if you want 1 layer knife instead. This is assuming you can get away with carrying these and not break any rules, which telling us the specific rules might help us in telling you what might work out good for you.

For reference my 91mm Huntsman has a 2 3/4in main blade, so the Compact being a 91mm size as well should be the same size. I just measured my Recruit which is 84mm which has a 2 1/2in main blade, so the Waiter should have that same blade length as well.

Being in college I can tell you at my college we see pocket clips all the time if you look for them (community college), and it also depends on your major. In the trade programs it's very common, in general ed not as much but there are at least 2-3 people with a knife I can spot before end of the semester, it's just that people are discrete about it. And that's not counting the people who keep them in their backpack or purse. And yes people are still scared of knives but in general those people don't realize that pocket clip is a knife not a pen, so keep it there and don't freak them out. For us the rules fall down to what the law is minus no fixed blades, it's quite lenient in that regard. Though you never see anyone with a leatherman on a sheath or a leatherman period unless your in the Auto or Welding programs and you might spot 1 person with one. A sheath tends to draw way too much attention, and unless your clean cut, in uniform, and look profession people will notice and keep an eye on you if your young. And in my opinion leathermans tend to be too heavy for pocket carry generally.

For a non-threatening knife good luck on finding anything less threatening than a swiss army knife with red handles, it just screams "tool" to everyone. I find your more likely to get a comment about being Macgyver than someone being threatened by it as long as you don't pull it out at an inappropriate time. Heck I been carrying traditional slipjoints lately and I have it rubber banded to my credit cards/ID's and I saw someones eyes widened in horror when they saw that small slipjoint the other day as I was pulling out my money to pay for lunch and it was very obvious I was just getting my money out (Rough Rider Canoe, if your curious about the knife I had on me). As for swiss army knives, various teachers and other people have seen my Rally and my leatherman micra on my keychain and never took a second glance at it.

Though if you want a multi-tool for the car/dorm that will just sit there I would say a leatherman with a bit driver and spare bits. But personally would still keep a small tool kit in the car for auto repair.

Personal preference would be a Leatherman Skeletool with spare bits and bit extension for dorm/car. Along with a Vic Rally and Compact on myself if they allowed it.

And lastly just whatever you do don't break the knife rules, schools tend to have zero tolerance programs in place and it's not worth jeopardizing your education because of it. Just wanted to make sure I am not advocating you break the rules since I don't know them.
 
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kidcutlery said:
What's up knife people I'm gonna be going to college next year and I wanted to get a multitool that I could keep in my dorm/ car. since I don't think I can bring all of my "threatening knives" I figured a multi tool would be a good choice.

I'm not totally sure which tool to get I was looking at a leatherman charge tti but I recent heard victorinox made great full sized multitools

Also I saw the design for the charge tti was changed does anyone have any info?

What's your favorite multi-tool ?
Click to expand...

Couple observations from my own use of multi-tools, along with my final recommendation.

First, I think you are on the right track by associating a full-sized multi-tool with your dorm room or car. They are too big for pocket carry and need to be carried on the belt in a sheath or kept somewhere where it is easy to get to. I keep a Leatherman Wave in my car. And I carry a Blast in my day pack at work (office setting) and around town. Note, if I thought for a nano-second that the knife blade would get me in trouble, I would cut it off. I use multi-tools as a tool box replacement. I think they make horrible knifes for EDC use. Just wretched, in fact.

Second, I don't like having nothing in my pocket. Several options here. One, which many are advocating, would be to carry an SAK or a pocket sized multi-tool, like a Juice. I grew up carrying SAK type knives but have given up on them. I've also toyed with pocket sized multi-tools. Don't like them either. I've found that for me (and me alone), when I want a knife, I want a real knife. And I don't consider the SAK as being a particularly good or useful knife compared to other options as knife. An alternative is to carry a key-ring sized tool in one pocket like a Leatherman Micra and then carry a simple pocket knife that suits you. This can range from a very small and tame looking traditional pocket knife to a modern flipper with a clip. Whatever, so long as it suits your EDC needs and your particular environment (including regulations).

Option 1: Get a full-sized multi-tool and keep it in your day pack. Consider cutting off the knife blade if that is needed to stay inside of regulations. Brand choice is a religious issue so follow your gut.

Option 2: Carry a full-sized tool in your pack and keep a Leatherman Micra in your pocket. It's tiny, packs a ton of functionality and won't scare the locals.

Option 3: Carry a full-sized tool in your pack (possible de-bladed), Micra in one pocket and a proper pocket knife in another.

Last comment... I find that so long as I'm inside of regulations and so long as I don't keep waving a knife in front of people, I can get away carrying a proper EDC knife. I also find that traditional knives are much less bothersome to people compared to modern knives. And, a cheap knife isn't a loss if lost, stolen or confiscated. My EDC choice for all of the above is the Opinel.

My EDC pocket carry. Mucho preferable to an SAK, imo:

EDC Pair by Pinnah, on Flickr



My day pack back ups:

EDC Back Ups by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
As far as a multi tool, there are plenty of options. The charge is a very nice one, but for the money, a wave is basically the same tool for less.
If your going to carry it in your bag, a Supertool 300, or a Swiss tool are great options.
However I do believe that you can get away with a proper edc knife and not worry about it as long as you are discrete.

I drive a school bus, and my edc is a Spyderco Delica 4 clipped to my r/f pocket, Leatherman Wave in a pouch on my hip, Streamlight Stylus pro in a holster next to my wave,
and a Spyderco Ladybug on my keychain. I also carry a Ka-Bar TDI behind my hip on occaision (covered by my shirt of course).
I spend a good amount of time with my boss, and the other drivers before, and after my run, and no one has ever mentioned my knife or my edc items.
Actually,
I've even seen a couple other drivers with a pocket clip sticking out.


My point is as long as your discrete you can carry just about anything. Just follow the law, and what the rent a cops don't know, won't hurt them.
Ultimately the decision is yours. Keep us posted on what you decide.
 
You can't go wrong with the Leatherman Charge tti. It has all the tools I need and none that I don't (except maybe the crimper). Im in college now and choose to carry the charge tti because unfortunately when you pull out a regular sized folding knife many people tend to view it as a weapon rather that a tool. However, whenever I need to use the knife on my leatherman people view it more as a tool. My reason for choosing the charge tti over other brands and the other lineup of leatherman tools was the tool combination and the S30V steel used for the knife. Plus the design is pretty good looking. It has been my edc almost everyday since I got it.
 
sup guys since im not gonna be using this knife for edc to much i think im gonna go with the swiss tool cs plus. let me know what you guys think. thanks for your help. :) :thumbup:
 
kidcutlery said:
sup guys since im not gonna be using this knife for edc to much i think im gonna go with the swiss tool cs plus. let me know what you guys think. thanks for your help. :) :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Every man should have at least one decent full sized multi-tool some where.

Might as well get one that you like. <insert quasi-religious brand loyalty discussion here>

One thing to consider... Maybe the dorms at your college are more secure than the ones I attended and maybe the roommates are more trustworthy. But my experience is that expensive shiny things seem to have legs of their own in dorms. Just sayin'.

Might be that a less expensive multi-tool will cause fewer tears or bloodied knuckles down the road.
 
the swisstool is a very nice piece, and I think you will like it. Be warned, once people know you carry one, they will want to borrow it. The best thing I've found, is to ask politely what they had in mind, and then say, either, "I don't think thats a good idea" or, "Here, let me take care of that for you" then you can do things your way, and not have someone... cut garden hose against a cinder block, or use the knife blade to open a can.... you know.
also, don't worry about using the knife for regular knife type stuff. they are quite good (not a super steel, and not busse tough, but within reason) you may find that carrying the multi-tool by itself is just as, if not more useful than a knife.
 
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