Multitool type of guy.

E

ElCuchillo

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Hey guys. I was doing an experiment in the Traditional forum to see what it was that I really needed as far as EDC, and I have discovered, after going a few months without one, that I am not a knife guy. I am a multitool guy. I carry the Leatherman Blast, and it does anything a knife can do, but I can't say the same the other way around. For the time being, it is my only EDC. Anyone else strictly edc a multitool?
 
I have experimented with carrying a Wave, or a Squirt, in combo with a folder. I find that I rarely use the multitool, but that does not keep me from carrying it.

I prefer a folder to the multitool blade, as the folder allows for instant - and one handed - deployment.

But I still carry one of each.
 
I carry a squirt s4 on my keychain and my new skeletool clipped rfp. The skeletool has a perfectly fine one handed blade and the squirt has scissors and a tiny screwdriver for my glasses should I need it.
 
I have, at times. My problem is, I can't find one that suits me. Everything is a comprimise, you know.
1) Gerber hand pincher (ouch!)
2) Gerber non hand pincher (lousy bit kit design, broke a blade)
3) Leatherman (clumping tools, uncomfortable in hand)
4) SOG Tool Clip (I like this one the best of all. The Gerber bit kit happens to fit perfectly onto the pliers handle/pry-bar for some serious torque. Also its design allows for larger knife blades than any other multi I've seen.)
I know Gerber and leatherman have improved their tools. So, the answer to your question is, used to edc them but not lately. I'm usually not far from tools (except in the woods where I don't need them anyway). :)
 
I carry two first generation LM Wave (in case I have to pick up something hot or sharp I have the full leverage of both hands), and a Gerber Tread. When I need the knife I go for the Tread, and the Waves are a double back-up.
 
Multi blade perfprmance is not up ther with a real knife . Handle Ergos arent as good , blade being off center bugs me . They are versitile but not really a substitute . I worked a school board contract where it just seemed wiser not to use real knives . The Multis did OK an the sheep didnt bat an eyelid , I missed the Ergos and lock up of a good folder . Multi blades are best reserved for light duty cutting .

Chris
 
Cdf, that's what I like about the Tool Clip. It's more like a knife with pliers attached. A rugged spear point blade and a wicked serated blade. Blades are centered. The pliers handle also serves as a pry-bar for those times when you really need to pry something, but don't want to abuse a good blade. Unfortunatly, like so many good tools, it's no longer in production.
 
This is from my post on the General Discussion forum in a thread entitled "How many knives do you own?:"

At this point, only 2; Buck 110 and Spyderco Delica 4 PE. Several others had passed through my hands until I realized I was more a multi-tool guy, of which I have about a dozen, all Leathermen or Victorinox. Both folders were kept because I like and actually use them.

From the beginning (age 12), I couldn't see the sense of carrying only a blade when, in the same packet, you could fit a variety of other useful tools. My first was a Boy Scout knife, then a variety of SAKs, and later, when I found out about them, pliers based multi-tools. Researching on these is what brought me to Bladeforums @ 12 years ago. Knife discussions here got me curious about quality production folders, so I tried out several highly regarded models. As beautifully crafted products, I enjoyed fooling around with them, but in the end, found myself seldom/never reaching for them as EDC. Since I'm not a collector, off they went, except for the aforementioned, to those who would put them to better purpose.

Like anything else in life, this may change. Someday I might take another run at dedicated folding knives. There are all those pesky letters and packages that need opened, to say nothing of stray threads etc. :D
 
Over the years I carried multi's, pocket knives, folders in various combinations. I have settled on just a multi-tool since it will cover most of the bases. :)
 
I have a 58mm sak on the keychain and a spyderco in pocket... I'll tell you what, that spyderco sees at least 10x the use my sak ever sees.

But I also usually have a screw driver and other tools handy, whether at work home or in my car.
 
I have to say that I am a multitool guy over a knife guy. I have LOTS and LOTS of knives. Folders, bowies, khukuris, belt knives, combat knives, hunting knives, even more than a few swords. However, if I could carry only ONE bladed object with me for an extended period of time I would carry some sort of multi or SAK.

Most days I will pack a folder with me like a Spyderco or a Kershaw. They are handy at times depending on the model and other attributes. However, I don't even think of leaving the house without a tool of some sort. It might even just be my Utilikey, but more often than not it is the ByrdRench, Surge, Fuse, or Powerlock. I generally need the screwdrivers, bottle openers, or pliers before I need a blade. The blade comes in handy regularly, so having a folder at the ready is nice for a quick cut. The Rench, Surge, and maybe Skeletool with their one hand opening blade have regulated the folder to a back-up. Generally, I only carry a folder if i can't carry a tool on my hip or want to leave a small print in social settings. YMMV
 
I have a few knives, but truthfully speaking I rarely carry one.

I always carry a MT, and I personally can't remember any time that I've ran into a situation where I thought, "Man, if only I had a dedicated folder I could do this!".

So I guess that makes me a MT type of guy. :)
 
I almost always carry both. The knife with pocket clip for easy access, and the multi-tool for all its useful tools. If I could only carry one, it would almost certainly be a multi-tool, though.

What I'd like to see is a balisong-style knife, with tools folding out of each handle. Like a Leatherman, but with a big, sturdy blade instead of pliers. :) I suspect not many people share this taste, though.
 
To me, pliers-style multitools are a necessary evil. I pretty much can't stand them, but do carry one out of relative convenience at work for light duty. To me, they're just so friggin ugly and nowhere near as good as the real tools they replace. Better than carrying a tool box everywhere you go, but I'll always reach for real tools if they are within a minute's reach. The reason I love knives is for their sole purpose, not a mulitude of so-so performances wrapped into a relatively heavy package. They're OK for light-medium work, but after breaking the tips off more than one set of pliers and a number of screwdriver tips on different models of Leatherman, SOG and Gerber, I know their limitations. I love SAKs for their usefullness in a nice, small package, but pliers-style multitools leave me cool, at best.
 
Just got a Doc Allen Versa -Tool; a very well thought out bit driver along with the included (11) bits. The pouch was junk so I found a better one. I think I'll start carrying the aforementioned Tool Clip along with it.
 
I carry a victorinox spirit but just received a SOG powerplay but also carry a Lone Wolf Double duty as a folder. I reach my multi tool 3 to 1 but the folder blade is more for cutting than the multi tool. I give a real world review on the powerplay. As a HVAC tech electrical repairs is a major part of our job, so look for it.
 
enaray said:
Lycosa, what's a prySTR?
Click to expand...

It's just a must-have piece of kit made by Steve Rice of STR fame.. :D
I just got one (I ordered 4 for myself and buddies) and I love it.
Check out this previous ordering thread for some pics and reviews etc.. Ah heck I'll just borrow Steve's pic so he can sell some more.

As far as EDC, I carry both since I want decent tools for each job. I EDC a LM Surge with the bit kit and extra saw blades, as well as a Random S30v Leek. Of course there's also the prySTR, UtiliKey, Alox Executive, the matte Chive, the 3 flashlights and the... well you get the picture.... ;)

Mini Ti PrySTR bars preorder number 2
PrySTRforsale-copy.jpg
 
Thanks Clead, I'm going to have to get a couple of those puppies. Good for prying open a window when I lock myself out of my house. :o
 
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