new to me Vic Swisstool!

[znapschatz]

I would consider "serious use" something like a trip to the National Training Center, Graffenwoher training center or Iraq.

Of the three, the only one I heard of is Iraq. What is done in those training centers that would put a multitool to "serious use?"

My interest is because, frankly, my multitools are carried often (always, actually) and used only occasionally, maybe once or twice in a day or less. My work or other daily activities usually don't require more than that. However, in several of those times it spared me some serious incovenience, once during a possible life or death situation.

In a former life as a mechanic I learned to appreciate tools. If I were using them often on a daily basis, they would probably be proper dedicated ones because those usually work best (there are some exceptions; my wife prefers the scissors on her SAK above all others in the house to trim her toenails). Apparently, though, many folks find multitools suitable for the daily grind. Often, I see posted here comments about how well multitools hold up to daily hard use, and have always wondered what that might be and wouldn't a well equipped tool belt be more appropriate for serious work.

There is an Afghan saying, often found engraved on the daggers of tribesmen: "You may need me but once in your life and for this you must carry me all of your life." Overly dramatic, of course, but that's the spirit in which I tote a multitool. But doesn't serious work deserves a serious tool?

 

[edamhcneb]

But doesn't serious work deserves a serious tool?

Yes, and to some a multi is a serious tool.

I have to agree with you that there is a proper tool designed for every job and I do appreciate using the right tool for the job whenever possible.

In my former profession the multi-tool was indeed the right tool for the job. It allowed one to carry a great deal of utility in a small tough package. Most soldiers don't carry a toolbelt or toolbag in their rucksack (they already have a great deal of gear in there) and yet, they require one or more of the tools that are included in a multi on a daily basis to perform tasks such as; maintenance on weapons, equipment or vehicles and several survival related or enemy neutralization tasks, such as; preparing a blasting cap for a claymore mine.

It is the conditions, rather than a list of specific tasks, performed in those places listed that actually causes one to put the tool to "serious use".

Obviously, it would be absurd for a mechanic to rely on a leatherman or gerber rather than a good set of snap-on wrenches or screwdrivers. Some professions or hobbies (while they require the use of tools) do not lend themselves to lugging around a toolbox.

I suppose that how much abuse a multi will endure depends on who is using it, where they use it, and what they do with it. I am sure that Firefighters put multi tools to "serious use" as well (although I am not a firefighter).

 

[znapschatz]

Yes, and to some a multi is a serious tool.

I have to agree with you that there is a proper tool designed for every job and I do appreciate using the right tool for the job whenever possible.

In my former profession the multi-tool was indeed the right tool for the job. It allowed one to carry a great deal of utility in a small tough package. Most soldiers don't carry a toolbelt or toolbag in their rucksack (they already have a great deal of gear in there) and yet, they require one or more of the tools that are included in a multi on a daily basis to perform tasks such as; maintenance on weapons, equipment or vehicles and several survival related or enemy neutralization tasks, such as; preparing a blasting cap for a claymore mine.

It is the conditions, rather than a list of specific tasks, performed in those places listed that actually causes one to put the tool to "serious use".

Obviously, it would be absurd for a mechanic to rely on a leatherman or gerber rather than a good set of snap-on wrenches or screwdrivers. Some professions or hobbies (while they require the use of tools) do not lend themselves to lugging around a toolbox.

I suppose that how much abuse a multi will endure depends on who is using it, where they use it, and what they do with it. I am sure that Firefighters put multi tools to "serious use" as well (although I am not a firefighter).

So cool you should reference your military experience to demonstrate the value of a multitool, because mine led to an opposite conclusion.

During my time as an Army mechanic a multitool would have been superfluous. Every tool I needed could be found in a motor pool shop or mobile shop vehicle when in the field. The only thing I carried extra was a Kamp King boy scout style pocket knife, that mostly out of habit and, of course, a P38. This was long ago, before Leatherman (late '50s, early '60s), but it is doubtful I would have been interested then. That came decades later.

Point of interest (to me ) : except for the 2 1/2 ton truck, every vehicle, weapon and item of equipment I trained for and worked on have been long retired from service. Every Veteran's Day parade included fewer and fewer, and some of these things were eventually displayed as military antiques. OTOH, some of the newer gear passing in review I can't even guess what they do.

That's how old I have become.

 

[edamhcneb]

That's how old I have become.

I am pleased to hear when any soldier gets the chance to become an old soldier. (so many of them don't)

I see that we have had similar experiences and still end up agreeing to disagree on the value (or need) of/for a multi tool. During my military service, I did not have access to a motor pool or a tool box in the field, so (in my experience) the multi came in quite handy every day. Hell, the Army now issues Gerbers to soldiers as a class 9 item. I am sure that before it's invention, those who went before me did fine without one. They also wore steel pots as helmets, carried heavy, wooden rifles, had nonsecure communications equipment and were blind as bats in the dark.

I suppose that this debate could go on for days with one stating for and the other against. In the end, it all boils down to personal preference and personal experience.

Back on subject though, I have been carrying the swisstool a lot lately and I am really starting to like it more and more.


BTW, my curiosity is getting the best of me. What situation did you find yourself in that your multi saved your life?

 

[znapschatz]

I am pleased to hear when any soldier gets the chance to become an old soldier. (so many of them don't)

I see that we have had similar experiences and still end up agreeing to disagree on the value (or need) of/for a multi tool. During my military service, I did not have access to a motor pool or a tool box in the field, so (in my experience) the multi came in quite handy every day. Hell, the Army now issues Gerbers to soldiers as a class 9 item. I am sure that before it's invention, those who went before me did fine without one. They also wore steel pots as helmets, carried heavy, wooden rifles, had nonsecure communications equipment and were blind as bats in the dark.

LOL. I think you are describing me; steel helmet, M1 rifle 9.5 lbs (10 lbs w/butt-stored cleaning equipment), no night scopes (or whatever you youngsters call them) etc. But I didn't spend a lot of time in the field, really, and when I did there was nobody shooting at us in the lull between Korea and Vietnam.

I suppose that this debate could go on for days with one stating for and the other against. In the end, it all boils down to personal preference and personal experience.

Actually, I don't think it is so much a debate as an attempt to define what is meant by "serious use" as applied to a multitool. For many, that might mean frequent daily use on tough jobs. To me, it means carried in anticipation of need, which could be less often but possibly urgent, maybe an emergency. We certainly agree on the value of having one on hand.

Back on subject though, I have been carrying the swisstool a lot lately and I am really starting to like it more and more.

Another coincidence! When I bought my Leatherman Super Tool more than 9 years ago, the Swisstool was not yet on the market. When it did come out I took note, but was enough satisfied with the ST that I had no interest in replacing it, mostly because I hate spending money.

A few months back I had an opportunity to buy a Swisstool brand new for $20, and while cheap, I am not stupid. Although I considered myself a Leatherman kind of guy, I strapped on the Swisstool out of curiosity to see how it compared. After many weeks of EDC, I am completely impressed with the quality and capability of the Swisstool. So I am with you on that. It's definitely a cut above.

BTW, my curiosity is getting the best of me. What situation did you find yourself in that your multi saved your life?

My actual words were "a possible life or death situation". That is, I will never know how far it could have gone.

A few months after picking up the Super Tool, which I carried every day everywhere, I was waiting for a bus in early afternoon near a college campus when confronted by a local burnout who threatened me with a chain. There wasn't any time to open a blade, so I was figuring if it came to blows to use the Leatherman as a fist weight or striking tool. I turned a left 3/4 profile to him and reached under my jacket, which concealed the leather sheath. It was still new enough for the fastener to pop loudly when I unsnapped it, causing the guy to back away for not knowing what I might be packing. That gave me enough space to exit smoothly (or so I flatter myself to think ).

I would have been at a serious disadvantage if the guy had not been impressed. He was at least 30 years younger than me, and although a dissolute life had taken its toll, he had the look of someone with a lot more experience in street fighting than me.

It could have ended badly. Instead, the sound of the snap was all I needed. But it still counts in my book as "multitool saves the day."

 

[Foilist]

If I had some metal shop and machining tools, I'd take my various multis out into the garage and create a "Frankentool."

Some of my creations would be:

-a Vic Spirit with a traditional knife blade.

-a Vic Swisstool with a scissors and LM diamond coated file.

-an old style Wave with an awl.


As it stands, my Spirit is still my most frequent edc; the Swisstool comes out for motorcycle touring, camping, and heavier work; the old Wave stays in my briefcase for work, where it has "saved the day" many times.

 

[nekto]

Foilist,

If by Spirit with a traditional knife blade you mean spearpoint blade, such tool exists - it's called Spirit S.

 

[Foilist]

Foilist,

If by Spirit with a traditional knife blade you mean spearpoint blade, such tool exists - it's called Spirit S.

Yes, but the scissors is deleted.