Why do folks use MT with no access to main tools without opening the tool?

R

RangerR47

Joined
Jan 16, 2006
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I have been wondering lately, why would anyone choose a multi-tool that you must open the tool up to get to every tool. Now aside from just having a few and some just being this way, why do some choose something like the Kick for the main EDC? Weight alone is the only thing I can come up with, maybe cost. Im in no way dissing on any tools or users, but wanting to see why some choose these over something like the Wave. Tools for the most part are the same, just having more or less. I could totally see choosing a lighter less tool model, if they would have access to the main tools with the MT closed. It just seems obsolete to have to open it up to access the knife and the like. So maybe this thread is more about why do they not just make all MTs with the main blades and such accessible from the outside.....
 
I carried a Kick around for two years at work. It proved itself very competent , and the phillips screwdriver on the Kick is much better than the Wave. I hate that little bit driver on the Wave and Surge, if a screw is recessed they dont work. It only cost twenty dollars.
 
Ease of accessing implements is not the only reason to choose one multi tool over another. Size and tool mix and are also important considerations, among others. As someone who uses both kinds, I have found there are advantages to both insiders and outsiders.

Innies are not difficult to use and only sometimes inconvenient, but that's also true of outies. Because of the way blade spines protrude into the space between handles when in pliers mode, if the jaws slip off the work, two spines will close on each other. If your palm is in the way, it will get pinched a blood blister's worth. Had a few, they smart :eek:. Never happens with innies.

Leathermen regulars in my rotation are Super Tool 300, Charge Tti, Juice CS4, and Micra. Except for the ST 300, recently replacing a Core (pretty much the same thing,) each has been with me for several years. After a little time, any of them could be easily operated without concern about how they opened. Hell, I was happy with my original Super Tool for 9 years.
 
Since I am primarily a SAK guy, most of the time if I am reaching for one of my multis I need the pliers. This makes comfort the most important factor for me, followed closely by ease of access. For me, This equates to one of Gerbers sliding head models. Innie opening leaves the handles smooth and access to the pliers is very simple. On many of the butterfly models the outies would probably be better.

P.S. Don't forget the Schrades with their side opening or the Buck with the rotating handles.
 
The main tool on many MTs is the plier. The plier often needs the most effort to deploy.

If your most used implement on a MT is, say, the knife blade, it may make sense to buy a MT that offers one hand opening. For me, that isn't much of a sell. My wife bought a Leatherman Wave years ago. I rarely use the outside opening implements. It's usually used for the drivers or pliers. And the Kick is one I prefer, because the drivers are better, and the pliers are the same. For me, the Wave offers no real advantage, is more expensive, and is less pocketable.
 
I love the Surge with its easy access to its four main tools, but I also love my Super Tool. I just really love the other tools inside, and to be honest in some situations I prefer the lack of a bit driver and other "pieces".
 
Weight, size of pliers, tool selection, and tool customizability (if the feature is available) are my reasons. Outside accessibility becomes important only when you use the tool a lot, otherwise it's just a convenience. Also my EDC always includes a separate one-hand opening folder, so I don't need outside blades on the MT.

I rarely use my MT because I have a desk job, but I still need to carry one. As such weight is more important.
 
znapschatz said:
Ease of accessing implements is not the only reason to choose one multi tool over another. Size and tool mix and are also important considerations, among others. As someone who uses both kinds, I have found there are advantages to both insiders and outsiders.
Click to expand...

Exactly right.

I don't even factor it in when choosing one.

Even for something like the SOG PowerAssist, IMHO the assist is kinda fun and interesting, but doesn't really increase the utility and isn't really a good reason to choose it.
 
I had a Leatherman Wave which I sold because of inside tools. Have a Skeletool CX which I love because of its intuitive operation. Will get a Victorinox Spirit X. Also have a couple of SAKs which I like.
Fidgeting with a multitool is something I have zero patience for. I also feel stupid doing it.

(no disrespect for fans of "inside tools" out there)
 
I lived nearly 50 yrs without perceiving the need for a multi tool. When I decided to get one, it was mostly to pull quills from hunting dogs. I wanted cheap, simple, light & durable w/ good pliers. That was a Kick.
 
I think only multitool aficionados would consciously select a tool based on innie vs outie.

I think the biggest factor is price. When I first decided to get a multitool, price was an issue. I would see that Leatherman Kick calling to me every single time I walked past. It was the least expensive one on the rack, and the Leatherman label helped a lot. Sure, the Wave is pretty sexy, but at the time I wasn't sure if I could justify the price.

If I hadn't gotten a screaming deal on a Vic Spirit, I might have very well ended up with a Kick.
 
I don't care about having the tools inside or outside the multitool. Having some blades on the outside like the Wave is convenient, but having to open a tool like the Kick to get some tool is fine for me too. And for me it's quick enough too, just folding the multitool a bit open en fold the tool out, that's okay.

But I prefer accessing the tools on the Kick than on my Gerber Multiplier. I don't like having to slide out the pliers first and then opening the multitool to get a tool.
 
The main disadvantage I've found with having tools on the inside, is that I can't look at my Leatherman Pulse, and remember which tools are on which side. Other than that, I have no problem with tools on the inside of the handles.
 
One nice thing about the Juice S2 I carry in the pocket is that with the tools inside they are somewhat protected from pocket lint and dirt.
 
Well, the only multitool I have is the original PST (from 25 years ago). Therefore, I've got no choice, must be opened.

Perhaps, I should remedy that someday....

Vin
 
good question... good answers too :)
I use the knife and the file a lot. all other tools are handy for more involved work and therefore opening it is not a nuisance as I'm digging into the job...
 
I have had a few Leathermans, the first revision of the Swiss tool from Victorinox, and a few Gerbers. The tools on the inside is a safety feature to me. The tool will be gripped with the bit/tool at the top, and the blank handle at the bottom. If the tool folds towards the closed position for any reason, you have the blank handle to keep your fingers away from whatever you are working on. The tools that don't lock are using the empty handle as their safety, as it were.

I've yet to find a multi-tool that I really love. The ones that open like a butterfly knife have problems with jamming if you get something soft clamped in the wire cutter. Stranded wire sheathing comes to mind. They will start to fold closed if you apply reverse pressure to the handles, instead of freeing the jaws. The slide forward models have a lot of wiggle in the jaws. Especially the new sheet metal handle Gerbers.
 
vba said:
Well, the only multitool I have is the original PST (from 25 years ago). Therefore, I've got no choice, must be opened.

Perhaps, I should remedy that someday....

Vin
Click to expand...

If it is still going strong, the original PST is still an awesome multitool. I still carry from time to time my Super Tool that is well over a decade old now and sure it has a funky unlocking mechanism, but it size, weight, and utility is hard to match even with many newer Multitools. It been abused to hell and still keeps on ticking. Sure I have newer ones, but the Super Tool never seems to go out of circulation. The most it has needed is a little sharpening of the tools and occasionally the handle tightening up with a couple of pliers.

Viva la old multitools!
 
Limeyfellow said:
If it is still going strong, the original PST is still an awesome multitool. I still carry from time to time my Super Tool that is well over a decade old now and sure it has a funky unlocking mechanism, but it size, weight, and utility is hard to match even with many newer Multitools. It been abused to hell and still keeps on ticking. Sure I have newer ones, but the Super Tool never seems to go out of circulation. The most it has needed is a little sharpening of the tools and occasionally the handle tightening up with a couple of pliers.

Viva la old multitools!
Click to expand...

Guy I met owns a successful dairy, makes serious money, but does manual labor along with his employees. An item he wears in all circumstances, work, casual or dress-up, is a PST in its leather sheath on his belt. Out of curiosity, I asked him if he were familiar with current Leatherman offerings. His answer was that the PST does perfectly everything he needs done and he has no need for an upgrade, although he has had to replace worn out sheaths a few times.

While a ringing endorsement of its product, the dairyman's enthusiasm for the one Leatherman he bought decades ago could be mixed news for the company. They probably prefer customers like me :D .
 
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