The small multitool.

jackncoke said:
I loved reading that OP. A very pragmatic and practical view on what we actually need and use. In a world of abundance and choice, it’s nice to hear stories, like your father’s, of the depression era generation making due with what they had available. Till the day he died, my grandfather never threw anything away and always made due with what he had.
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I can't begin to feel how desperate times must have been in the depression. Like your folks, dad saved stuff that I thought was near worthless. I once asked him why all those old burned out electric motors were under his workbench in the basement. He'd saved every motor he had to replace on a electric furnace, or whatever. His answer to me? If times got hard again, all the copper wrapping in those motors would be valuable. He had stashes of gold coins, old jewelry, in case. Mom had stashes of canning jars in case food had to hoarded, and supplies of material and needles and thread.

Those people that came through the Great Depression had a kind of trauma that affected them the rest of their lives. Dad had his one pocket knife, so he never got another one. He considered it almost a sinful waste of money to have a duplicate. Just like he had that one old Colt .22 woodsman, he'd never get another gun because he had one that worked just fine.

Growing up in the prosperous post WW2 era, I can't begin to comprehend how horrible the Great Depression must have been.
 
I remember when I was young, my dad (who, if he were still alive today, would be turning 97 in a couple weeks), who grew up on a farm during that era, saw that I had accumulated about 7 pocketknives for myself, said, "What the heck do you need that many knives for?" He was one of those who used his pocketknives hard, and only bought another when the one he had became pretty much unusable. Then he would toss the remains into a toolbox.

Jim
 
What has stopped me from getting the little multitools is my mind set regarding these implements. I have to trust that I can roughly man handle one of these tools and expect it to keep functioning. I have or had 4-5 different models and now realize that my sweet spot is the old Blast/Rebar versions. I had a super 300 for a couple of years before I forgot it at an auto wreckers. I never bothered going back for it as the odds where that it was gone and it was always just a hair heavier and bigger than I liked. And I'm a large guy. I guess we all find our comfort zones with these tools.
 
upnorth said:
What has stopped me from getting the little multitools is my mind set regarding these implements. I have to trust that I can roughly man handle one of these tools and expect it to keep functioning. I have or had 4-5 different models and now realize that my sweet spot is the old Blast/Rebar versions. I had a super 300 for a couple of years before I forgot it at an auto wreckers. I never bothered going back for it as the odds where that it was gone and it was always just a hair heavier and bigger than I liked. And I'm a large guy. I guess we all find our comfort zones with these tools.
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You would just have to get used it and remember that they're not meant to replace a full sized multitool.
The fuse still goes on my belt at work, but this is there when " I don't need a multitool " because that's really only the case when I'm asleep.
 
I carry a leatherman squirt. it does what I need it to do, when I need it to. I have full size but size and weight keep it in my backpack
 
I carry a Surge, with all the accessories, in a pouch on my belt and don't know how I would get through the day without it, BUT, that being said, I was intrigued by what I read in this thread enough to find and buy a Squirt PS4 nearly new for cheap on line and am awaiting its arrival. We'll see if I can be converted to "petite-carry" for maybe one or two days a month!! T-A
 
Couple of comments...

1) I feel like a drug dealer. Glad the Micra opened up something positive for you Carl.

2) IME, the secret to any of these "keychain" tools is moving them off of a keychain and into a pocket. An old timer at work gave me this advice and I fought it. Then I found myself at a wedding party with a cold beer in my hand and no bottle opener. Yes, I'm not man enough to pop off the cap with my teeth or knife spine, so I fetched my coat, got my keys and put the tool in my pocket (after opening the beer). Haven't looked back.

3) I find knife blades on pocket tools as useless as a capon in a hen house. But then, I always carry a small pocket tool in conjunction with a knife and I guess I'm not alone. Fun fact, when you cut a knife blade off of a small pocket tool, it will pass through TSA.

4) Preferences of which keychain tool are highly personal like shoes and drinks. I can only say what works for me. I find which I prefer is based on nearby accessibility to pliers. For EDC, I carry a pack most days and a light multitool rides there. Either a Juice or older Blast. Like Upnorth, I think the Blast was nearly perfect. With pliers always nearby and rarely needing them, I carry a Micra. I use the heavy shears several times a week. For backpacking, I go with the Squirt PS4 and a light knife.
 
pinnah said:
3) I find knife blades on pocket tools as useless as a capon in a hen house. But then, I always carry a small pocket tool in conjunction with a knife and I guess I'm not alone. Fun fact, when you cut a knife blade off of a small pocket tool, it will pass through TSA.
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I have to admit that this statement is amazing to me. Useless???

In the four years that I've been carrying the squirt, I can't even begin to estimate how much stuff I've cut with the knife blade on it. Bags of mulch, twine, plastic blister packaging, mail, UPS boxes, fishing line, BBQ brisket at a roadside stop in Llano, cutting the end of a tube of caulking, and more. Very often when still living in the D.C. area the squirt was my only EDC carry when "downtown" and going into the museums and art galleries some of which are in Government buildings. Here in Texas, the squirt was like an extra hand while setting up the new home, exploring the country side, and fishing the San Gabriel river.

The squirt without the knife blade would have no interest to me at all. It would make no sense to me at all. To me the whole point of the small Leatherman is to have a little pocket size tool kit that still has a knife blade and cutting ability. That was what killed my interest in the micra; it was a PITA to assess the knife blade for a small knife job like sharpening a pencil. Maybe half the time I reach for the squirt, it's to cut something. I love how the chisel grind blade cuts through plant stems and stray small branches on a bush or tree.
 
Carl,

As I noted, we carry small tools differently. I EDC a small keychain tool in conjunction with a full sized folder. When I need to cut something, I reach for my knife, not my multitool. Different strokes.

When I go super UL hiking, I do only rely on my Squirt and its blade. But almost always I carry a a light folder or fixed blade. Even with a real knife, the Squirt comes along for the other tools.

Around the property, I carry a Blast. I cut the blade down to form an awl that I use for making Pilot holes.

I generally prefer inboard tools as it allows me to use the tool with the handle opened to form a larger handle. The Micra fits my big hands better this way. YMMV territory.
 
I got my Squirt PS4 today. I like it. It's well made, feels good in my hand, and has a nice (minimalist) set of tools. I could get a lot done with that knife blade: open packages, cut carrots for my horses, peel fruit. With a PS4 I could turn a few screws, open my beer bottle, smooth out some rough edges with the file, and trim stray threads and hairs with the scissors (I much prefer the PS4 scissors to those of the S4 or the Micra.). But, that said, I Love the feel and the weight and the capabilities or my Surge with the bit kit and the extention. It will remain where it belongs: on my belt! To each his own. Consider the fact that I often wear a Leatherman Tread on my wrist. The Tread will never replace my Surge, nor would it replace a PS4 as it is virtually useless (I got it cheap.) except for one purpose: It is a great conversation-starter! Thank you all for making me think about WHY I carry what I carry every day. T-A.
 
I keep a Knipex 87 01 125 Cobra plier in my car, it will handle anything I'm capable of repairing. Other than a Vic Rambler, I seldom have any use for a larger multi-tool, for that matter a Jetsetter would work ( as info, TSA has confiscated three of them from my BIL) as I always carry a knife.
 
jackknife said:
I have to admit that this statement is amazing to me. Useless???

In the four years that I've been carrying the squirt, I can't even begin to estimate how much stuff I've cut with the knife blade on it. Bags of mulch, twine, plastic blister packaging, mail, UPS boxes, fishing line, BBQ brisket at a roadside stop in Llano, cutting the end of a tube of caulking, and more. Very often when still living in the D.C. area the squirt was my only EDC carry when "downtown" and going into the museums and art galleries some of which are in Government buildings. Here in Texas, the squirt was like an extra hand while setting up the new home, exploring the country side, and fishing the San Gabriel river.

The squirt without the knife blade would have no interest to me at all. It would make no sense to me at all. To me the whole point of the small Leatherman is to have a little pocket size tool kit that still has a knife blade and cutting ability. That was what killed my interest in the micra; it was a PITA to assess the knife blade for a small knife job like sharpening a pencil. Maybe half the time I reach for the squirt, it's to cut something. I love how the chisel grind blade cuts through plant stems and stray small branches on a bush or tree.
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Like pinnah I don't carry my little MT's or classics as a knife, but like you I absolutely do not consider them useless in any way.
I know the value of a small thin little blade that's kept razor sharp, the blade on them is not my first choice but I do go to them in situations I find them most suitable.
The blade on the squirt is definately great for clambshell packaging, and it is my first choice for these ( besides the scissors of the Micra when I'm carrying it )
 
I have had the PS4 on my key ring for the past 3 years. I have used the knife so infrequently that it's never been sharpened. I carry a pocket knife of some sort so Always have a better option.

I don't know how people get through a week without a pair of pliers! I have a few multi tools but always ensure they have a pliers set before I buy. Can't recall how many hundreds of times I've used the ones on the Squirt.

Do wish the bottle opener was more functional. I think they intended it to serve as a can opener as well. Its just a little too small and fiddly. I end up just using the end of the closed tool to pry off the cap.

The drivers are nice. Great stand ins for a stubby driver when space is limited. The scissors see a good amount of use for nail trimming.
 
View attachment 1055680 View attachment 1055678 One thing that works as an adjunct to multi tools is clamshell coin purse, into which you can insert a sawed off Craftsman ignition 1/4” box end wrench, an assortment of 1/4” hex bits, and spare parts (maybe even a socket or 2). All 8 sizes of Phillips bits will fit. A 1/4” socket driver, TORX bits, TORX Plus, Allen hex bits, slotted bits, Frearson, Roberts, POSI drive, cross and T, multi spline, etc. You get the idea. Pack what you need.
 
JB in SC said:
...for that matter a Jetsetter would work ( as info, TSA has confiscated three of them from my BIL) as I always carry a knife.
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I've had TSA make assumptions and go to confiscate my bladeless Wenger Esquire and also a bladeless Gerber multi-plier. They did take the removable jigsaw blade from the Gerber, but I kept the SAK and MT. Had to get a Manager twice.

Another thing you can do is bring a self-addressed, stamped padded envelope, in case they're REALLY on a power trip...
 
Smaug Smaug he travels in Switzerland and Italy without a problem. It's the US that gives him fits. He does some work for the DoD as a consultant with a high level clearance. Go figure.
 
I have a Micra I've cut the blade off of and when I go through security, I unfold it and alert the screener. On a few occasions I've had to ask that they consult a supervisor. Always have gotten it through
 
Missed this thread. Enjoyed reading it. I'm a Ps4 Squirt carrier on each of my key chains with car keys. Never without it except in court houses and of course airport security. I rarely fly any more. I just don't want to.

Still a SAK guy at heart and have downsized to the Small Tinker which I really like. Think I like it better than a Peanut.

I have a number of full sized pliers based multi tools. Never carry them unless I know I will need to use it. I keep one in my field bag that stays mostly in my truck. I like the larger multi tools, but they are too heavy for me to carry.
 
In reading thru the thread and enjoying the stories. let me share what I did based on this thread. Last christmas was going back and forth on either a style ps (no blade and small scissor in handle and pliers like on the micra) or the micra. I decided on the style and ordered a few gifted all except one and decided to carry it loose in my right front pocket. The style has a caribiner clip on the end and liked that idea. The reason the style won out was my other little knife i carry daily. It is the Buck apex it is so thin and easy to open one handed and also has a caribiner type clip on the end. Both are carried loose in the pocket with the apex moved to the left front now. The complement each other perfectly and do what i need 95 percent of the time. The little buck has a good sized blade and the style has scissors and pliers. I also think a that carried loose works better than loading up the key chain. Alway enjoy your stories and insight Jackknife and look forward to reading them.​
 
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