Which multi-tool for keychain?

Harry Callahan

Harry Callahan

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I'm putting together a keychain system for toting some essentials. So far I have a serrated Ladybug and a Maglite Solitare. A P-38 can opener also. Anyhoo, I went to Lowe's and can't believe they don't sell those itty-bitty Leatherman Micros or whatever they were called. You know, the ones that had scissors instead of pliers.

While that would have probably done the trick, I suppose pliers would be a whole lot handier than scissors. So the Micro is out. Is there a similarly sized multi-tool that has pliers? If so, which one is best? Doesn't have to be a Leatherman either.

Thanks for any suggestions. :)
 
Another offering from Leatherman is the Squirt P4.

DSCF0871.jpg

I keep mine in the bottom of my bag so I know I always have pliers of some kind.

Other options (none of which I have personally) would be the SOG Crossgrip, Gerber Clutch or Vice. I'm sure there are more but I can't think of any ATM.

For myself I carry a 58 or 74mm SAK on my keys and (as I already said) drop the Squirt P4 in my bag. Good little tool IMO.
 
Don't forget a SAK! (some models come with pliers) and if you want to actually see at night and have it last,
may I suggest a Fenix EO1 flashlight, same size only works way better ;)
 
I carried a LM Squirt P4 on my keychain for years until I minimized my keychain setup so it wasn't so big and heavy, still regularly carry a Squirt P4 though, really nice little tool for the money and size. I also have a LM Micra, but it doesn't get used much as I typically prefer a sharp knife to small scissors for msot tasks, and the Squirt E4, which has a wire strippers in place of the pliers of the P4.
 
Not trying to hijack your thread but....I noticed some small SAK have a built in LED light. Anyone know if there is a leatherman style tool that has the same? In some cities even the small SAK can be frowned on/maybe illegal but a leatherman should be ok.
 
I second the Fenix idea. I flip-flop between carrying a L0D-CE and the E01. Frankly, I don't know why as the E01 is *perfect* for keychain carry... Guess I just like the "toys" on the L0D.

In either case, I highly recommend the clip that 4seven's carries for the Fenix AAA lights. Works great on a hatbill to create an ad-hoc headlamp!
 
Squirt E4 or P4, and its worth springing for some kind of keychain Quick release so you can pop it on and off when you need it.

I have a beat to hell E4 that has been riding on my keychain for almost to years now, Im guessing that with more normal use the tool would be in better shape, but i really abused the thing on several occasions :)
 
Vic Manager and Maratac AAA flashlight. On a small S-biner.

You get a very bright 3-setting light with common batteries, a knife, scissors, nail file, a Phillips screwdriver/bottle opener, tweezers, and a pen. The pen is very useful.

I find that small pliers just aren't that useful to me. I bought a larger multitool than what some are suggesting, and then added a ClipDraw (universal semiauto) to give it a pocket clip without any tools at all. I'm extremely pleased with it.
 
I have a Victorinox Ambassador on my keychain and I like it a lot. It is a small and light package with a small blade, scissors, nail file, toothpick and tweezers. I use scissors a lot more than pliers and if I want to have pliers with me, I'd take a Leatherman Juice S2 or such.
 
but I would like to make a suggestion in a different direction for a keychain plier. I carry and use the Swisstech 9-in-1 Technician. Check them out online. An extra bonus is that it comes with a built in light (granted not the best) and it does not have a blade. That is important in some locations. Use what you like. If you are like most of us, you will switch things in and out of your EDC rotation just to have new toys.:)
 
+1 on the Swisstech suggestion. On the rare occasion that I fly, the SAK on my keychain gets replaced with a 6in1 pliers.
 
I carry a Gerber Clutch. Its half the price of the Squirt. I has mixed reviews, but mine has held up fine.
 
I third the Squirt P4.

I'm on my third one...broke the first one, lost the second one, but loved it too much to go without one.
 
I switch between the:

SAK rambler
SAK "that is just like the rambler, subbing the tooth/tweez for pen/light
Leatherman Micra
 
I also use the gerber clutch sometimes (mostly cary mircarta). Recent trip to the DC area was an excuse to remove the "knife" blade. I never had a problem with it at security and have yet to put it back. A good option even tho I find the plyers more useful than the sicissors in general. Still carry the micarta as EDC and sometimes backup with a full size multi and tactical style folder - so all bases covered. No concealed FB in VA, open carry to much hassle.
 
+1 on a good AAA light.

I have a Utili-key on my key chain, and a mini prybar.
 
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