Reasons to not carry a multitool

I generally do carry a multi purpose knife, Nowadays I never bother with a pliers based MT. When I need pliers I often need a screwdriver, spanner, hex key at the same time. Even when cycling I find it more convenient and effective to carry a minimum set of proper tools.
 
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willisoften said:
I generally do carry a multi purpose knife, Nowadays I never bother with a pliers based MT. When I need pliers I often need a screwdriver, spanner, hex key at the same time. Even when cycling I find it more convenient and effective to carry a minimum set of proper tools.
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I've been paying attention to the tools I use most and have found that the proper tool is usually the best way to get things done Sometimes using my multi-tool is faster but when I need a screwdriver what are really apply some pressure to a nut a proper screwdriver and a proper pair of pliers or a lot better
 
I’ve actually stopped and don’t think most people benefit much from carrying a multi-tool.

If your profession or etc calls for it; that’s another story.

For most people, including myself. Even a knife is overkill for most days. Most people go through life with their only tool in pocket being wallet, keys, cellphone. My Leatherman Surge lives in the car for emergencies. My Leatherman Rebar lives at home on my desk for inconvenience solutions.

I’ve come to this conclusion because I’ve been looking at multi-tools to buy one recently. I questioned what I needed one for. I have yet to need anything outside of a knife in my day to day life, just for box opening and package opening etc. having pliers, a screw driver, scissors, etc. Seems like a lot of preparation for situations that most likely will never befall you. In my situation, I’m always around tools, or near my Multi-Tool. Since my profession isn’t plumbing, construction, electrical, etc, I really don’t need it on my person.

Not to mention, most multi-tools are designed to get you by. Not really designed to be a competitor for the real deal. Also, it seems like most multi-tool makers never really nail down the tool set. Victorinox and Leatherman are not only expensive now, are slow to innovate or lacking in quality control. Victorinox just removed the can opener, replacing it with a package opener, on the new Companion, but it still has a parcel hook/corkscrew instead of a Phillips head screwdriver?? Granted you could get by with the micro drivers, but man it just does not make sense in my opinion.


At this point, I’ve come to the conclusion in my life 80% of the tools on a multi-tool are not needed on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. I’ll keep multi-tools where they may be needed (my car) but to carry them over a dedicated folder that is easily cleaned and serviced does not make sense. I’m not going to life controlled by hypothetical situations that may occur. Instead, from what I’ve encountered on a day to day, a knife is more than enough. Like I said, your life may warrant a multi-tool for convenience or necessity, but for the majority of people I think most of the tools on a multi-tool go unused, or pushed into a roll just to get use for the sake of use.
 
I usually only carry a folding knife, sometimes along with a fixed blade. I do have extra knives in my truck and jeep consoles. Multi-tool usually in one of the consoles in a knife roll. Sometimes I carry it in a backpack on hikes.

The reason I usually don't carry a multi tool on my person is bulk.
 
ron55 said:
I usually only carry a folding knife, sometimes along with a fixed blade. I do have extra knives in my truck and jeep consoles. Multi-tool usually in one of the consoles in a knife roll. Sometimes I carry it in a backpack on hikes.

The reason I usually don't carry a multi tool on my person is bulk.
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For me it’s the bulk, and also the fact that none of the tools get used outside of the blade and maybe a pry tool on a blue moon. My life just doesn’t warrant it I guess. I can understand the need for those in the trades however.
 
Slice-E said:
I’ve actually stopped and don’t think most people benefit much from carrying a multi-tool.

If your profession or etc calls for it; that’s another story.

For most people, including myself. Even a knife is overkill for most days. Most people go through life with their only tool in pocket being wallet, keys, cellphone. My Leatherman Surge lives in the car for emergencies. My Leatherman Rebar lives at home on my desk for inconvenience solutions.

I’ve come to this conclusion because I’ve been looking at multi-tools to buy one recently. I questioned what I needed one for. I have yet to need anything outside of a knife in my day to day life, just for box opening and package opening etc. having pliers, a screw driver, scissors, etc. Seems like a lot of preparation for situations that most likely will never befall you. In my situation, I’m always around tools, or near my Multi-Tool. Since my profession isn’t plumbing, construction, electrical, etc, I really don’t need it on my person.

Not to mention, most multi-tools are designed to get you by. Not really designed to be a competitor for the real deal. Also, it seems like most multi-tool makers never really nail down the tool set. Victorinox and Leatherman are not only expensive now, are slow to innovate or lacking in quality control. Victorinox just removed the can opener, replacing it with a package opener, on the new Companion, but it still has a parcel hook/corkscrew instead of a Phillips head screwdriver?? Granted you could get by with the micro drivers, but man it just does not make sense in my opinion.


At this point, I’ve come to the conclusion in my life 80% of the tools on a multi-tool are not needed on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. I’ll keep multi-tools where they may be needed (my car) but to carry them over a dedicated folder that is easily cleaned and serviced does not make sense. I’m not going to life controlled by hypothetical situations that may occur. Instead, from what I’ve encountered on a day to day, a knife is more than enough. Like I said, your life may warrant a multi-tool for convenience or necessity, but for the majority of people I think most of the tools on a multi-tool go unused, or pushed into a roll just to get use for the sake of use.
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I went 20 years without carrying any knife and survived just fine. That being said I carry a SAK Recruit and Classic SD these days. I find uses for them nearly everyday. Some SAKs are overpriced (Cough, Compact) but I got my Recruit for like $20. I was over at my inlaws the other day and the toilet seat was loose and they asked me to look at it and out came the Recruit to the rescue. Now could have take two extra minutes to get a screwdriver out of my Father in Law's toolbox sure, but what fun is that.

I have a Rebar in my backpack but it is rare that I need it so in essence I agree with you however I think a SAK is a perfect compromise for portability\usability. MacGyver was my childhood hero and I think he was right as he usually carried a two layer SAK like a Tinker, Spartan, or Recruit.
 
Slice-E said:
I’ve actually stopped and don’t think most people benefit much from carrying a multi-tool.

If your profession or etc calls for it; that’s another story.

For most people, including myself. Even a knife is overkill for most days. Most people go through life with their only tool in pocket being wallet, keys, cellphone. My Leatherman Surge lives in the car for emergencies. My Leatherman Rebar lives at home on my desk for inconvenience solutions.

I’ve come to this conclusion because I’ve been looking at multi-tools to buy one recently. I questioned what I needed one for. I have yet to need anything outside of a knife in my day to day life, just for box opening and package opening etc. having pliers, a screw driver, scissors, etc. Seems like a lot of preparation for situations that most likely will never befall you. In my situation, I’m always around tools, or near my Multi-Tool. Since my profession isn’t plumbing, construction, electrical, etc, I really don’t need it on my person.

Not to mention, most multi-tools are designed to get you by. Not really designed to be a competitor for the real deal. Also, it seems like most multi-tool makers never really nail down the tool set. Victorinox and Leatherman are not only expensive now, are slow to innovate or lacking in quality control. Victorinox just removed the can opener, replacing it with a package opener, on the new Companion, but it still has a parcel hook/corkscrew instead of a Phillips head screwdriver?? Granted you could get by with the micro drivers, but man it just does not make sense in my opinion.


At this point, I’ve come to the conclusion in my life 80% of the tools on a multi-tool are not needed on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. I’ll keep multi-tools where they may be needed (my car) but to carry them over a dedicated folder that is easily cleaned and serviced does not make sense. I’m not going to life controlled by hypothetical situations that may occur. Instead, from what I’ve encountered on a day to day, a knife is more than enough. Like I said, your life may warrant a multi-tool for convenience or necessity, but for the majority of people I think most of the tools on a multi-tool go unused, or pushed into a roll just to get use for the sake of use.
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Which is why I'd choose a tinker or Spartan over any model in the leatherman company, my life doesn't call for 80% of what's found in any leatherman
 
SteeleJ1976 said:
I went 20 years without carrying any knife and survived just fine. That being said I carry a SAK Recruit and Classic SD these days. I find uses for them nearly everyday. Some SAKs are overpriced (Cough, Compact) but I got my Recruit for like $20. I was over at my inlaws the other day and the toilet seat was loose and they asked me to look at it and out came the Recruit to the rescue. Now could have take two extra minutes to get a screwdriver out of my Father in Law's toolbox sure, but what fun is that.

I have a Rebar in my backpack but it is rare that I need it so in essence I agree with you however I think a SAK is a perfect compromise for portability\usability. MacGyver was my childhood hero and I think he was right as he usually carried a two layer SAK like a Tinker, Spartan, or Recruit.
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One major component missing from a SAK as well is the one handed opening. I own a Soldier but the disengagement is difficult with one hand. I loved MacGyver as well! Whatever Victorinox paid that guy was well worth it.
 
ShaiHulud said:
Which is why I'd choose a tinker or Spartan over any model in the leatherman company, my life doesn't call for 80% of what's found in any leatherman
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Overall I’ve come to appreciate Victorinox’s quality over Leatherman. I’d much rather have a Spirit or SwissTool than my Surge, but not enough to go through the trouble of buying and selling them.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I get a panic attack when I don't have a multitool on my person. Some guys are that way about their watch or gun or whatever, but a pliers based multitool is the absolutely first thing I strap to my belt in the morning. I use it at least 4 times a day.
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Due to the thread bump, nearly 2 years to the day and I feel the same in 2024 as I did 2022 as I did in 2002 ;)

For my needs, a pliers base MT are infinity more useful than a stand alone knife. If you made me choose between a high end super steel pocket knife and a multi tool made of 400 series stainless, I'd pick the MT if you made me get down to work.

I don't need to cut stuff that often but I need to solve a lot of problems. A good MT augments my imagination.
 
Choosing what to carry is always about balancing what tools you'll definitely need (living in a big city and working in an office, that ain't much) vs. what you MIGHT need (be prepared, as the scouts taught me).

For me, that balance means a smallish MT in my computer bag (Juice S2), and a smallish SAK (Rambler, or 84mm Tourist) in pocket. 👈 All are light, easy to carry and perfectly capable of getting the job done.

All my other bigger tools and/or knives get carried when camping, hiking, working on/around an old house we recently bought, etc.
 
mnblade said:
Choosing what to carry is always about balancing what tools you'll definitely need (living in a big city and working in an office, that ain't much) vs. what you MIGHT need (be prepared, as the scouts taught me).

For me, that balance means a smallish MT in my computer bag (Juice S2), and a smallish SAK (Rambler, or 84mm Tourist) in pocket. 👈 All are light, easy to carry and perfectly capable of getting the job done.

All my other bigger tools and/or knives get carried when camping, hiking, working on/around an old house we recently bought, etc.
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Leatherman are still crazy for discontinuing the Juice… what were they thinking 🙄
 
I think multi-tools suffer from diminishing returns on what you need to get through the day. Sure you’ll need a knife, maybe pliers, a screw driver or pry bar. But once you get to the weird stuff like eyeglasses screw drivers, can openers, etc. it seems like a lot of unneeded bulk. The Skeletool is popular for a reason, people don’t need much. Even those that do need pliers. I think a major multitool company (Leatherman, Victorinox) that offere customizable tools (pick your own) will dominate the game. I think most people would want a Skeletool with scissors on a wave body more or less.

Multitools are useful in other situations as well, in places that don’t allow knives, multitools can make it in.
 
I've been wearing a multi-tool on my belt for almost 30 years, I'm on my 3rd one, an Arc. The other 2 were a Paratool and a Powerlock.
 
I've got a Wave in my LandCruiser along with a pair of mini-Knipex pliers. I have them as just in case items. I wave a Wave+ in my kitchen junk drawer and use it on occasion when I'm too lazy to walk downstairs to my system room when I keep proper tools. On my person, I carry a small SAK (Executive for the last few years, an Ambassador before that, and a Classic before that) and a larger Benchmade folder clipped to my pocket as a just in case item. My lifestyle simply doesn't call for me carrying a larger multitool on my belt. I have taken one when on long hikes or camping. You know, just in case.
 
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