The Truth About Multi-Tools...

jideta

jideta

Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
2,099
Well, my multi tool anyways.
I've only used the knife blade and the pliers.
Okay, maybe the scissors. Once.
There's even a blade on it that I don't know what the hell it's for!
Probably because I'm right near a tool box most of the time.
Still, I could've saved me some bucks by just carrying a box cutter and cheap pair of pliers.

What about you? Honestly, how many tools on that thing have you actually used?
Oh, Swisstool here.

IMG_0990.jpg
 
If I’m carrying a multi tool with pliers, it’s obviously because I need pliers... maybe the file... but as for the knife, screwdrivers, bottle opener, reamer, I’d probably just carry a SAK.
If I’m carrying a leatherman or gerber multi tool it’ll be because I need the pliers.
 
jideta said:
Well, my multi tool anyways.
I've only used the knife blade and the pliers.
Okay, maybe the scissors. Once.
There's even a blade on it that I don't know what the hell it's for!
Probably because I'm right near a tool box most of the time.
Still, I could've saved me some bucks by just carrying a box cutter and cheap pair of pliers.

What about you? Honestly, how many tools on that thing have you actually used?
Oh, Swisstool here.

View attachment 1345249
Click to expand...

I'm a technician by trade and most of my jobs are resolved with a phillips #2 driver and a tool that none of the multitools on the market have... a pair of snips.

Cable management was once accomplished via cable stays that permanently mounted to some internal framework, but now manufacturers just use zip ties every inch along a harness. (I think it's a conspiracy just to piss me off.)

I've been trying to compell Leatherman to make something like the Skeletool with snips for years. Hasn't happened yet though.

I keep a Wingman in each of our personal vehicles for emergencies, but that's the only use I have for the current multitools on the market.
 
Most of us are not near a tool box most of the time.

I usually carry an MT, and have a Spirit in one of the vertical pockets right now in my 5.11 Taclite Pro pants. I'm not even aware its there until I reach for it. I do use it only rarely, but when I reach for it I'm glad its there.

I agree with you that most of the tools don't get used often. I really don't need to whip out a file or an awl on a daily basis. Or even a monthly basis. But I like being prepared, and from time to time, an MT can save the day. Often someone else's day.

Now, I don't find the MT pliers all that awesome, and have taken to carrying a 5" Knipex Cobra or Pliers Wrench. Those are much superior to MT pliers, they take up less space and are lighter than an MT, and I always have an Explorer Plus or similar SAK on me anyway.

For my part, the only scissors worth using are found on a Victorinox. They are super precise. Leatherman scissors are adequate for something like canvas or string, but are not nearly fine enough for precise usage IMO.

This is all about convenience, and cost/utility. It is certainly convenient to have some rudimentary tools with you at all times, and the cost (size and weight) is, for me, surpassed by the utility an MT or Knipex provides.

s3dqXeT.jpg

Though it changes regularly, this is representative of what I carry daily. The Rebar is, for me, just about the apex of utility per size, though the Knipex is far better suited for nuts and bolts. The design of the Knipex, which is one of the marvels of the 20th century, mimics a ratchet. Its hard to explain, but you Knipex guys know what I'm talking about.
 
I don’t carry one at work. Because I think eventually I’ll electrocute myself.

I prefer a dedicated blade, real pliers, and a 6 way driver.

The multitools are good for emergency kits. That’s about it.
 
powernoodle said:
Most of us are not near a tool box most of the time.

I usually carry an MT, and have a Spirit in one of the vertical pockets right now in my 5.11 Taclite Pro pants. I'm not even aware its there until I reach for it. I do use it only rarely, but when I reach for it I'm glad its there.

I agree with you that most of the tools don't get used often. I really don't need to whip out a file or an awl on a daily basis. Or even a monthly basis. But I like being prepared, and from time to time, an MT can save the day. Often someone else's day.

Now, I don't find the MT pliers all that awesome, and have taken to carrying a 5" Knipex Cobra or Pliers Wrench. Those are much superior to MT pliers, they take up less space and are lighter than an MT, and I always have an Explorer Plus or similar SAK on me anyway.

For my part, the only scissors worth using are found on a Victorinox. They are super precise. Leatherman scissors are adequate for something like canvas or string, but are not nearly fine enough for precise usage IMO.

This is all about convenience, and cost/utility. It is certainly convenient to have some rudimentary tools with you at all times, and the cost (size and weight) is, for me, surpassed by the utility an MT or Knipex provides.

s3dqXeT.jpg

Though it changes regularly, this is representative of what I carry daily. The Rebar is, for me, just about the apex of utility per size, though the Knipex is far better suited for nuts and bolts. The design of the Knipex, which is one of the marvels of the 20th century, mimics a ratchet. Its hard to explain, but you Knipex guys know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

Those Knipex pliers are calling me!
 
I drive a public transportation bus for a living. I keep a Leatherman in my bag and a couple of times it has come in very handy so I could continue my route instead of waiting on a mechanic to get there. When I’m at home I just go get a regular tool but multi tools have their place where they shine.
 
When I'm on a job my Signal gets a real workout. With the exception of the whistle/firestarter, most days I use all the tools several times. The hammer is probably the most unexpectedly useful feature of the tool. Interestingly, the more I've used the tool the more I've learned when it is and is not appropriate to use it. Much more common for me to just walk back to the cart than try to brute force something with a compromise multi-tool than it was even just a few years ago.
 
I have a Leatherman sidekick in my work bag and I use it all the time. It has a pocket clip, so that's a great feature.

I mostly use the screw drivers and blade. I work in IT , so I'm always taking PC's apart.
Sometimes if I'm working at on employee's workstation and don't have my tools, I use that in a pinch.

Before I carried the Leatherman, I once ran across a family, whose car was stuck on the side of the road.
The battery terminals were loose and no one had a pair of pliers to tighten them. Hand tightening was impossible.
After that day, I've always had the Leatherman with me.
 
banana-clip said:
The only time I used mine much was in the Army.
Click to expand...

I agree. Nothing better for taking apart a 240 or 50 cal!
I do use my SOG multi tool, but mainly the pliers. I do bring an occasional can of soup to work so the can opener gets a close second in use.
 
powernoodle said:
Most of us are not near a tool box most of the time.

I usually carry an MT, and have a Spirit in one of the vertical pockets right now in my 5.11 Taclite Pro pants. I'm not even aware its there until I reach for it. I do use it only rarely, but when I reach for it I'm glad its there.

I agree with you that most of the tools don't get used often. I really don't need to whip out a file or an awl on a daily basis. Or even a monthly basis. But I like being prepared, and from time to time, an MT can save the day. Often someone else's day.

Now, I don't find the MT pliers all that awesome, and have taken to carrying a 5" Knipex Cobra or Pliers Wrench. Those are much superior to MT pliers, they take up less space and are lighter than an MT, and I always have an Explorer Plus or similar SAK on me anyway.

For my part, the only scissors worth using are found on a Victorinox. They are super precise. Leatherman scissors are adequate for something like canvas or string, but are not nearly fine enough for precise usage IMO.

This is all about convenience, and cost/utility. It is certainly convenient to have some rudimentary tools with you at all times, and the cost (size and weight) is, for me, surpassed by the utility an MT or Knipex provides.

s3dqXeT.jpg

Though it changes regularly, this is representative of what I carry daily. The Rebar is, for me, just about the apex of utility per size, though the Knipex is far better suited for nuts and bolts. The design of the Knipex, which is one of the marvels of the 20th century, mimics a ratchet. Its hard to explain, but you Knipex guys know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

Electrician here... I have many knipex tools, including the 5" cobras. I need a 5" plier wrench as well. The 7" is very handy and goes up to 3/4s, but a smaller one would be better for those 1/4" nuts and bolts.

Knipex can be expensive, but worth every penny.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
I'm a technician by trade and most of my jobs are resolved with a phillips #2 driver and a tool that none of the multitools on the market have... a pair of snips.

Cable management was once accomplished via cable stays that permanently mounted to some internal framework, but now manufacturers just use zip ties every inch along a harness. (I think it's a conspiracy just to piss me off.)

I've been trying to compell Leatherman to make something like the Skeletool with snips for years. Hasn't happened yet though.

I keep a Wingman in each of our personal vehicles for emergencies, but that's the only use I have for the current multitools on the market.
Click to expand...

Zip ties are infinitely better than melted black cloth harness tape.
 
eveled said:
... The multitools are good for emergency kits. That’s about it.
Click to expand...
I lean that way. I have never used the blade on a pliers-based multi-tool. But I know it's there should an "emergency" crop up and I don't have a knife with me. Both situations are rare events. I don't like stuff hanging from my belt generally or a heavy lump inside my pants pocket.

Other than my Leatherman Ps4 Squirt, multi-tools stay inside a bag of some sort or just stashed inside my pickup. I normally do not carry a tool bag/box inside my truck. Years ago I carried tools, but no longer. I haven't broke down on the highway for 30 years. Hence I keep a pliers based multi-tool there as it is easy to carry and better than nothing.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
I think the only tool I haven't used on my Leatherman is the knife blade. I carry a proper knife for that.
Click to expand...

Same, I'd prefer a multitool with no knife and something more useful in its place. I work in conservation, I routinely have to carry a chainsaw, brush cutter, gas, ppe, wedges, hatchet, and herbicide a mile into the woods; full tool box isn't on the menu most days.
 
When I was a full time HVAC tech, my multitool was a life saver. My tool bag was only so big (and heavy) so my MT helped out a lot.
I used the saw and file to cut and finish PVC pipe, the multiple screwdriver bits when I ran across something different and of course the pliers.
I always carry at least 1 multitool and most often my Leatherman Surge with the 40 bit set.
Don't leave home without it!
 
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