Recommendation? SAK or Leatherman or Gerber for school?

TripleB67

TripleB67

Joined
Jan 28, 2016
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183
In a previous post about a knife to carry to school (7th grade Math teacher) that doesn't contain a blade I received a lot of fantastic information.

If I'm not willing (and I'm not at this point) to cut/remove/file/destroy the blade from a "knife" that already comes with a blade, it seems like I have three main options.

The main tools I'm looking for are fingernail file (finally stopped biting my nails after 51 years, easier to keep them if I have a file with me at all times), small, attaches to my keychain, and scissors. Others that would be nice to have are a toothpick (after lunch so I don't gross out the kids), tweezers, and something that will last.

1) Gerber Dime Travel $13 https://www.gerbergear.com/Activity/EVERYDAY/Tools/dime-travel_31-002777

2) Leatherman PS $30 https://www.leatherman.com/style-ps-25.html

3) Swiss Army Knife Jetsetter $18 https://www.swissarmy.com/us/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Small-Pocket-Knives/Jetsetter/p/0.6263

If you have used any of the three, how did they work out for you? Did they last?

btw: I don't travel so getting it taken at the airport isn't a concern

Thanks for any and all help!

TripleB67
 
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I have read here that the Gerber Dime isn't very good and as a result have not tried one. I generally have not been impressed with Gerber multi-tools overall. But I believe the Gerber is what the military issue.

I have a Leatherman Style PS and have been pleased with it. I mostly use the pliers, but the scissors does okay. Haven't used most of the other tools on it. It is well made and inexpensive.

I feel sure that the Vic Jetsetter is well made. I think you get more for your money with the Style PS. Don't have one. I carry the Vic Bantam (which has a blade) when I want "small" but functional.
 
Adhering to the rules, I'd go with the style ps. It's a great little multitool.

I tend to ignore silly rules though, so I'd just carry an SAK cadet unless there was something physically preventing me from bringing it in.

Also, on the style ps, the pliars are small enough to do a lot of tweezer tasks so I'd be willing to bet you could stick an SAK toothpick into the tweezer slot instead.
 
The problem is that a teacher sets the example and could be fired for breaking the rules. Not worth it. But I tend to do as you do as well unless there is a metal detector and possible search kind of thing going on such as at a court house.
 
I once worked for a place that wouldn't allow you to carry a pocket knife, but was fine with you bringing a paring knife in your lunch box... :rolleyes:

This sort of nonsense annoys me. Let's not worry about whether or not the kids can read the constitution since it's written in cursive, if they can manage basic household finances or that Christopher Columbus was a monster who failed to reach his destination. Nope, we gotta worry about whether or not the faculty, whom we've entrusted with our child's education, has a small cutting tool on his or her person.

Anyway, back on track, go with the leatherman. Sure, its a bit heavier but it's still a featherweight and you'll be glad you had it the first time you find use for those pliars... which happens more than you'd expect.
 
The Carabiner would annoy me long term on the Style PS, but aside from that it seems the most practical to me. Have you asked about an actual Swiss Army Knife? Or are you just going by an all encompassing "No Knives/Weapons on School Grounds" rule? Because if you haven't asked, I'd ask, a SAK is pretty harmless and usually okay in polite company.
 
As far as I know, the teachers have to adhere to the same rules as the students. Would a SAK be okay for a student to bring to school? Unfortunately it isn't. I think it's a bad rule, but I don't make the rules. That said, some schools are arming or allowing teachers to be armed.
 
22-rimfire said:
As far as I know, the teachers have to adhere to the same rules as the students. Would a SAK be okay for a student to bring to school? Unfortunately it isn't. I think it's a bad rule, but I don't make the rules. That said, some schools are arming or allowing teachers to be armed.
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It depends on the school. Since we don't know the specifics, I felt it was reasonable to suggest. Some schools allow teachers to carry a concealed firearm but not students. We weren't allowed to bring knives to school, but I know my shop teacher had a SAK. (I know different country, but still. Sometimes teachers, being the adults at the place, don't have to follow the same exact rules.)
And it's not like he's asking permission to bring a Busse Battle Mistress or a Spyderco Civilian.
 
I haven't owned or carried any of the MTs in question. I don't care for Gerber to be honest. I have handled the Dime though, and it gave me mixed feelings. I've heard extremely good things from owners and extremely negative things about the Dime. The dime is also the the bulkiest and the heaviest and would be much more noticeable if you keep it on your person.
My vote is easily for the LM! I'm very familiar with LM as a whole just not that particular model. I love their small pliers and great warranty!
Good luck in your quest for the right MT!
 
If the OP has never seen one, I suggest he/she take a look. They're small and certainly not as robust as larger multi-tools. If a larger multi-tool is more in line with the reality of use, I would suggest that the blade just be cut off on one. Just maybe it would be okay with the school district with the blade? I'm not a teacher, so I can't really even guess. But there is such a wide array of schools in different areas from high crime urban areas to rural areas where felony type crime is more rare.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Also, on the style ps, the pliars are small enough to do a lot of tweezer tasks so I'd be willing to bet you could stick an SAK toothpick into the tweezer slot instead.
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Great idea...maybe it would...the toothpick would definitely be more useful to me than the tweezers - tried using my SAK tweezers the other day to pull a hair and they didn't work very well for it. Thanks for the input!

22-rimfire said:
The problem is that a teacher sets the example and could be fired for breaking the rules. Not worth it.
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Totally agree. Definitely don't want my kids to see me carrying a knife. I can explain the different tools in one of these three if they ask but wouldn't be able to explain away me actually having a knife.

I've got some reading glasses that fold up into a case and fit nicely in my pocket...I don't know how many times I've had to explain to my kids that it isn't a lighter! :D

I appreciate all the input so far!!!

TripleB67
 
22-rimfire said:
If the OP has never seen one, I suggest he/she take a look. They're small and certainly not as robust as larger multi-tools. If a larger multi-tool is more in line with the reality of use, I would suggest that the blade just be cut off on one. Just maybe it would be okay with the school district with the blade? I'm not a teacher, so I can't really even guess. But there is such a wide array of schools in different areas from high crime urban areas to rural areas where felony type crime is more rare.
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My actual suggestion would be a knifeless Rebar but that didn't seem to fit the criteria. I have a rebar with a knife and that knocks out the wave in the surge right ofd of my belt.
 
I'm no expert, but can't you disassemble a Leatherman and take off a tool or in the case of broken tools, replace one? So, the knife blade could easily be removed if a larger multi-tool is a better fit.
 
Leatherman. I have the style cs, and it works great.

Also, the clip doubles as a bottle opener so when the kiddoes drive you to need a beer after work, you're good there as well.
 
TripleB67 said:
Totally agree. Definitely don't want my kids to see me carrying a knife. I can explain the different tools in one of these three if they ask but wouldn't be able to explain away me actually having a knife.
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Student: Is that a knife?! Why do you have a knife?
Teacher: Because I'm a responsible adult and civilized people don't do the open scissors pinch grip thing.
Student: But we're not allowed to have knives!
Teacher: You're not allowed to drink, smoke, sign for a loan or have a full time job either... Now be quiet and solve for X.

I may be a bit biased. Growing up in Texas nobody cared even if the students had a small pocket knife. Not until 9/11 anyway. As long as you weren't waving it around like a jackass.
 
I would recommend staying away from the dime.

I had the BG tool which uses the same pliers and some of the same tools and it was garbage.
The first broke in a week and the replacement broke in just a couple days.
If they share components and come from the same factory I'd expect the same level of poor quality.
 
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