Pairing Multi-Tools

[Shawn7656]

I love my little Leatherman Style CS. I feel like the tools it comes with are the tools I use the most (markedly the scissors). I picked up the Wingman a couple days ago and I really like it, but the tool overlap between the two makes it seem like carrying them both is a bit useless (two pairs of scissors, both have knives, bottle-openers, and screwdrivers). It seems that the Skeletool would be a nice pair with the Style CS, and it seems like the Wingman negates the need for another multi-tool, but I like the Style CS's scissors way more, so I don't want to stop carrying it. But continuing with the Skeletool, I think the beefier knife (of 154cm) would compliment the Style CS, the bit driver would be stronger than the little screwdriver on the Style CS, and the pliers would be very handy - not to mention these knives are very similar in shape and design. My only gripe is the Skeletool CX is around $60, and I could just get myself the Benchmade Griptilian I want if I'm going to be spending that much...

So I guess I'm typing this out to organize my own thoughts (even though the post above lacks organization ), and to ask you guys what you carry. Do you carry multiple MTs, or do you try to find one that has all of the tools you need, and settle with the small setbacks that come with it (extra/unneeded tools, lesser quality tools, etc etc)?

What I'm liking about the Wingman is the spring-loaded pliers, something that's oddly rare in MTs. I love the Style CSs scissors as well. My most needed tools would probably be scissors, screwdrivers, pliers, and a nail file, roughly in that order. I can easily carry a separate knife, and would almost prefer to, though if the MT has a knife I'd prefer it to lock and be outside accessible (like the Wingman).

 

[bdmicarta]

I carry the biggest tool I can get away with.

Typically I carry a Juice S2, but sometimes a Charge ALX or a Skeletool. I tend to carry the little Juice to my office on weekdays along with my normal folding knife. I sometimes carry the Skeletool instead of a knife. On weekends if I think I might have a need for a bigger tool then I will carry the Charge.

 

[PocketEdge]

I have a Wingman and it's great. I bought it for the pocket clip and it's light weight but I found that I really like the spring loaded pliers and the amazing plastic clamshell opener. I pair mine op with a Vic Midnight Manager light. It ads a light, pen, small phillips, real nail file, and a small detail pen knife. Between the two you can do most anything.

If you are looking for a real enjoyable blade on a multitool then get some kind of SAK. The blade steel and geometry is so much better; not to mention you will never use the scissors on your Leatherman after having a Vic SAK large scissors.

 

[OzarkCreekWalker]

How bout an Alox Cadet and a Rambler

 

[BoxANT]

There are a lot of good SAK that would pair well with the dedicated scissors of the Style CS. Alox Pioneer, Cadet or Farmer all come to mind. Of course, this is a question of what do you prefer, the pliers on a multi-tool or the ergonomic blade of a SAK or dedicated knife.

 

[Smaug]

Lately I've been pairing a large SAK with the Victorinox Rambler on my keychain. I got the Rambler used, but I prefer the Manager, which loses the toothpick in favor of a retractable ballpoint pen. I'm always getting caught without a pen. I'd probably take the tweezers out and throw them away, and replace them with a toothpick, as I find myself using that a lot more often than the tweezers.

I have a desk job, so that is really all I need. But what kind of knife lover would I be if I admitted that to myself?

So today, the Rambler was paired with a Wenger Evo S557. Wonderful little tool set in a medium sized SAK. Not as thick as you think either.

A couple days ago, it was paired with a Minichamp. The orange peeler on it can be pressed into service as a clamshell package opener too. I find this too thick for keychain carry, but it makes a wonderful pocket carry.

Before that, the Rambler was paired with a Wenger EvoGrip S16. Again, a great toolset, and not too thick for pocket carry. Locking blade and screwdriver on these 85mm Wengers are wonderful.

 

[Shawn7656]

Jeez so many models.. This is gonna take awhile to sift through. Thanks guys!

 

[Hard H2O]

I carry the biggest tool I can get away with.

Typically I carry a Juice S2, but sometimes a Charge ALX or a Skeletool. I tend to carry the little Juice to my office on weekdays along with my normal folding knife. I sometimes carry the Skeletool instead of a knife. On weekends if I think I might have a need for a bigger tool then I will carry the Charge.

Looks familiar

 

[manowar669]

How bout an Alox Cadet and a Rambler

That's a good combo. I use an Alox Soldier and a Rambler. Recently though, I've been carrying a Compact and the Rambler. Although I prefer the Soldier, the Compact has a lot more functionality with the pen, large scissors, and straight pin. The magnetized #1 phillips on the Rambler is extremely useful.

 

[Chris Pierce]

I'm generally caught carrying these.

It used to be these, but lately I find the pliers and real Philips head too useful to go without.

 

[Shawn7656]

I'm thinking that my combo will end up being the Style CS and a Griptilian (still debating between full size or mini, though I'm leaning towards full). The only thing I don't really get with that is a solid screwdriver. I honestly rarely have a use for pliers, but if I keep my Wingman in the car when I don't need it,which is never too far away, I should be okay.

 

[KYenglish]

I'm trying to come up with a pair myself and considered doing the wingman and the style cs, love to know how it works out for you. Good luck.

 

[Shawn7656]

I have actually decided to stop carrying the Wingman due to my lack of need for pliers and it's hard-to-access blade for me (I'm left handed, but it's SUPER easy right handed). I bought a Benchmade Griptilian and I feel it suites me better

There's is tool overlap, but I'd say the Style CSs scissors are way better compared to the Wingman, and where its screwdrivers lack, the Wingman picks up. IF you use pliers you'll love the Wingman. They're one of the only spring-assisted models I've seen, especially that cheap. They're both great tools, and my go-to multi-tools when I need them. I think the tweezers on the Style are great to have around, and the nail file has come in handy multiple times.

 

[KYenglish]

thanks for the update, good to know I'm still unable to decide just right now, I'll sleep on it

 

[DrivebyTrucker]

It never ends. I to have been wanting some pliers on me. But seeing as how I edc a swiss champ, a large sak but one that I have grown to like, I find any addition of a leatherman tool to be very redundant and heavy. I think a leatherman tti would be great, but expensive.

 

[Knife Crazied]

Kick or fuse drivebytruck?

Sent from Ash forum mobile

 

[KP]

What about a freestyle? Haven't tried it myself but if you're tied to the champ then it's about as small as you can go for medium duty pliers.
[/B]

It never ends. I to have been wanting some pliers on me. But seeing as how I edc a swiss champ, a large sak but one that I have grown to like, I find any addition of a leatherman tool to be very redundant and heavy. I think a leatherman tti would be great, but expensive.

 

[DrivebyTrucker]

I have a Leatherman Wave I bought five years ago that has seen very little use. I have been kicking myself ever since for not buying the TTI. Immediate buyers remorse. But the TTI was about double the price of the wave at the time. However, I just discovered the other day that you can get a bit kit for the Wave model! It's the same bit kit for the Charge/Surge/Wave/etc. I had just assumed the bit kit was only for the TTI.
I didn't know that. Did you?
It turns out, there is also a Victorinox plier/multitool that has a bit driver as well. If you did not already know.
Anyway, I will be ordering the bit kit/extender and will figure out a way to carry them all in a sheath of sort. I don't think the leather sheath supplied will work. I am open to suggestions. This will add a ton of weight to what I already carry so I still don't know if I will edc it or not.

 

[BoxANT]

Here's a little combo I've been trying out recently. Sorry for the poor pic quality.

Spyderco Ladybug Salt Hawkbill SE & a Victorinox Rambler in Stayglow.
Really like the utility in this minimalist package.

 

[znapschatz]

I have a Leatherman Wave I bought five years ago that has seen very little use. I have been kicking myself ever since for not buying the TTI. Immediate buyers remorse. But the TTI was about double the price of the wave at the time. However, I just discovered the other day that you can get a bit kit for the Wave model! It's the same bit kit for the Charge/Surge/Wave/etc. I had just assumed the bit kit was only for the TTI.
I didn't know that. Did you?

In terms of utility, you give up nothing with the Wave compared to the Charge. Functionally, the two are almost identical and accept the same accessories.

It turns out, there is also a Victorinox plier/multitool that has a bit driver as well. If you did not already know.

Not the same thing. Vic provides a separate kit consisting of a handle in choice of rigid or ratcheted, and a set of standard bits. The Leatherman bit drive holder is part of the multi-tool as an implement. It takes proprietary flattened bits, although an accessory extender accepts standard ones as well. Both systems have their advantages.

Anyway, I will be ordering the bit kit/extender and will figure out a way to carry them all in a sheath of sort. I don't think the leather sheath supplied will work. I am open to suggestions. This will add a ton of weight to what I already carry so I still don't know if I will edc it or not.

So far, I have been pretty happy with the regular Leatherman nylon sheath. It holds one of those plastic bit trays in a rear pocket and the extender in a side elastic holder, with room left over in the other for a AAA flashlight. For me, this has been no burden at all, and I hope the same for you .