Pocket multi tools
- Thread starter Kscardsfan
- Start date
I have been a EDC guy for about 10 years. What I have found is what your carry really depends on your situation and preferences. Duh, I know. There is not one right answer that covers everyone.
My requirements are:
- I will not wear anything connected to my belt (sheath, etc.)
- It has to fit ok in my front right pocket
- I can’t be just a knife, it has to have tools
- It has to be something I carry all the time
Minimum tools are:
- Blade
- Scissors
- Screw driver(s) that can do both flat head and Philips
- Bottle Opener
- File
I don’t work in a factory or shop, but I love to tinker and fix things.
Given all that I have tried to carry the Leatherman SuperTool, Juice and Squirt PST. These are very capable EDC’s but just not for me. I carried the Squirt in my front coin pocket with a knife in the main pocket for a while. That worked pretty good. The Squirt wore out the coin pocks on my jeans. For the person asking about the Gerber Dime. I have one of those as well and the Squirt is much better – IMO.
What I find I carry the most are Victorinox (Swiss Army Knives). I currently have the Swiss Champ. A little on the large size but I love the tool selection. I use most all of them (less the hook). The magnifying glass comes in handy as my eyes age. When I want something smaller I switch to the 18 tool Evo Grip. Again, I have most all tools I need for a quick fix around the house or on the road. I use it every day, multiple times. Again, comes down to environment/need and personal preference.
My requirements are:
- I will not wear anything connected to my belt (sheath, etc.)
- It has to fit ok in my front right pocket
- I can’t be just a knife, it has to have tools
- It has to be something I carry all the time
Minimum tools are:
- Blade
- Scissors
- Screw driver(s) that can do both flat head and Philips
- Bottle Opener
- File
I don’t work in a factory or shop, but I love to tinker and fix things.
Given all that I have tried to carry the Leatherman SuperTool, Juice and Squirt PST. These are very capable EDC’s but just not for me. I carried the Squirt in my front coin pocket with a knife in the main pocket for a while. That worked pretty good. The Squirt wore out the coin pocks on my jeans. For the person asking about the Gerber Dime. I have one of those as well and the Squirt is much better – IMO.
What I find I carry the most are Victorinox (Swiss Army Knives). I currently have the Swiss Champ. A little on the large size but I love the tool selection. I use most all of them (less the hook). The magnifying glass comes in handy as my eyes age. When I want something smaller I switch to the 18 tool Evo Grip. Again, I have most all tools I need for a quick fix around the house or on the road. I use it every day, multiple times. Again, comes down to environment/need and personal preference.
Harley94
Well-known member
Leatherman Wave
OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
KnurledNut
Well-known member
@Kscardsfan
You have room anywhere on your setup to keep a Spring-tools punch or nailset? Those things are soooo handy for a multitude of tasks. Minimal size and weight.
You have room anywhere on your setup to keep a Spring-tools punch or nailset? Those things are soooo handy for a multitude of tasks. Minimal size and weight.
O RLY
Well-known member
Came here to post this !
I once worked with a guy who carried a Leatherman multi tool. I asked him one day, "You got a screwdriver I could borrow"? He pulls out his Leatherman. Some time later I asked him, "You got a small plier handy"? He pulls out the Leatherman. I asked a few weeks later if he had a sharp knife handy....you know the drill.
So I bought a Leatherman to give it a try out. Couldn't stand it. Showed it to my wife - she takes it to work (as an accountant) just in case she needs a small tool around the office. She absolutely loves it. Go figure.
For a while I carried a Gerber Gator knife, an Enderes 6-in-1 screwdriver, and a farmers plier with me all the time. Rarely had any need for anything else. Though recently picked up a Leatherman type tool and hid it in the glove compartment of the truck.
So I bought a Leatherman to give it a try out. Couldn't stand it. Showed it to my wife - she takes it to work (as an accountant) just in case she needs a small tool around the office. She absolutely loves it. Go figure.
For a while I carried a Gerber Gator knife, an Enderes 6-in-1 screwdriver, and a farmers plier with me all the time. Rarely had any need for anything else. Though recently picked up a Leatherman type tool and hid it in the glove compartment of the truck.
Same here, whether I'm at home or work I'm surrounded by tools. Think there's one in the truck glovebox and one in the Grizzly cargo bag but I never thought much to EDC a multitool. One thing I do always carry, and some think it's odd, is a small Zebralight and I use it almost every day. Awesome, awesome little light that has been a constant companion for over ten years.
OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I think I have 4 flashlights on me total at any given time when I’m on duty. What you don’t see can hurt you.
OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Amen. Especially since nothing good happens after dark anyway lol.Thank you for your service, own the light, own the night.
klassenl
Well-known member
I carry a non branded Swiss Army knife. It fits in my pocket and it's not too big. I use the knife about 99% of the time.
Fix Until Broke
Well-known member
Leatherman Surge here along with a Knipex Pliers Wrench
www.knipex.com
Had a gerber and really likes the way that you could quickly snap out the pliers vs folding/unfolding the Leatherman, but the Gerber didn't take the abuse that the Leatherman's have over the years. The Knipex Pliers Wrench has made the leatherman pliers really only get used as a secondary pliers or something to cut wires with.
Pliers Wrenchespliers and a wrench in a single tool
Auch hervorragend geeignet zum Greifen, Halten, Pressen und Biegen von Werkstücken, Keine Kantenbeschädigung bei empfindlichen Armaturen durch spielfreie, vollfläc...
Had a gerber and really likes the way that you could quickly snap out the pliers vs folding/unfolding the Leatherman, but the Gerber didn't take the abuse that the Leatherman's have over the years. The Knipex Pliers Wrench has made the leatherman pliers really only get used as a secondary pliers or something to cut wires with.
Somewhere I lost my sog crossgrip:
These are tiny. You can grip like a MF because they compound leverage like bolt cutters. 4 ounces. I decided I needed a plier tool back[packing and this was the smallest and lightest. Discontinued. But looks like they doubled down. This appears to compound leverage too:
These are tiny. You can grip like a MF because they compound leverage like bolt cutters. 4 ounces. I decided I needed a plier tool back[packing and this was the smallest and lightest. Discontinued. But looks like they doubled down. This appears to compound leverage too:
OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Been curious about the SOG options. They looked interesting to me because of the pliers design, but nobody I know has ever tried them.
sog's used to be a heavy-duty tool. now the little springy parts that are part of the handle and lock mechanism are very light. i had one break on my first one. it was replaced and another one broke soon after, it sits in a drawer now.
if one wants the basics, pliers, wire cutters, knife, bottle opener and screwdriver bits. the skeletool is very competent and hard to beat. it is relatively thin and compact. it is equally at home clipped on the top of your pocket or in it.
if one wants the basics, pliers, wire cutters, knife, bottle opener and screwdriver bits. the skeletool is very competent and hard to beat. it is relatively thin and compact. it is equally at home clipped on the top of your pocket or in it.
I have an SOG Powerlock. It was my primary multi-tool for a long time - but I ditched it eventually because of the weight.
However, if weight is less of a concern, those full-sized SOGs aren't bad.
When choosing a multitool, I would personally look for good pliers, a rapidly accessible knife (i.e. external) that LOCKS, the ability to use bits (1/4 inserts or proprietary (but then you got to buy them separate), a comfy grip, locking tools if possible and then as many tools as I can comfortably carry (n my case, that's not many, but more is better until you leave the tool behind to save weight).
However, if weight is less of a concern, those full-sized SOGs aren't bad.
- Pliers are excellent. The heads are very precise. On mine the teeth on the jaws all interlock with each other - which I think is impressive. The plier head comes to a pretty fine needle-nose tip for precise work. The compound leverage is a real benefit. The joint design also allows the pliers to swing open, which is nice compared to the fold-out of most multi-tools. There's no replaceable cutter insert like Leatherman - but the whole plier head can be replaced cheaply. SOG sells the parts (you can even customize the tool loadout).
- The Powerlock is an old multi-tool design. I prefer the knife-on-the-outside style of most new designs. The Powerlock is especially cumbersome in this regard because you must open the pliers, unfold the handle cover, pry up the knife, fold the handle cover back down and then close the pliers. It's not a particularly large knife either (the knife on my Skeletool is better).
- Scissors are pretty good. They feel a bit small compared to the bulkiness of the pliers, but they cut well.
- The awl is sharp!
- I find it hard not to pull out several tools at a time. The tools work pretty well - and I especially like that they all lock - but the design isn't meant for rapid deployment.
When choosing a multitool, I would personally look for good pliers, a rapidly accessible knife (i.e. external) that LOCKS, the ability to use bits (1/4 inserts or proprietary (but then you got to buy them separate), a comfy grip, locking tools if possible and then as many tools as I can comfortably carry (n my case, that's not many, but more is better until you leave the tool behind to save weight).
Iridium rand
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2021
- Messages
- 218
my go-to is a leatherman surge, whether it be tinkering with something in my room, camping, carrying to a job etc. has been in regular use since around 14 years ago when my father bought it for me, pic from the website looks like it’s been updated cosmetically (and so has the price) but tool selection is the same.
to me it’s about as perfect as it gets, perfect size and shape, nice case with a belt loop, can flick it open with one hand and use almost all of the tools regularly except for that pointy one with the hole in it and the screwdrivers which are a little awkward. Somehow after all this time the Knives are still sharp, pliers still grip great and surprisingly the scissors are exceptionally good. That wood saw blade can be swapped out for the included file, diamond coated on one side crosshatched on the other. Only thing I’ve ever had to do was lube it a little after the smaller tools started getting hard to unfold.
Well, that puts it in a perspective....go to Leathermans website. I'm sure you will qualify for their First Responder discount.... I think it's 40% off.
I have an original Leatherman... with the Marlboro Miles emblem inscribed in them ... courtesy of the guys (smokers) I used to work with about 30 years ago. I more than got my money's worth out of them. Great multi tool.
I also bought a Buck multi tool...piss poor design. I used them a frw times and they went to a back up tool.
Keep
Well-known member
I still have some mugs I got from Marlboro bucks, great damn mugs! Damn....thats gotta be 25 years ago now....w t f....
kbeefy
Well-known member
Just thought I'd jump in....
My dad gave me a leatherman charge for
years ago and it's a great little tool. Beltclip, one handed blade access, scissors, bitholder...
It lives in my sxs glovebox.
My EDC is a skeletool cx with a smooth blade. It's my second, and it checks all the boxes. One handed blade, belt clip, bitholder, and super, super light. I understand OP doesn't need lightweight, but I just wanted to cheer for my skeletool.
One more point about leatherman, their warranty is top notch. My first skeletool blade was getting stiff to open so I took it apart and cleaned it, didn't really help. Several month later I was near a 'leatherman store' (didn't realize there was such a thing) so I went in and showed them. I thought I'd drop it off and they would mail it to me in a couple weeks after rebuilding it. Nope. The girl looked at it for about 20 seconds, grabbed a new one and handed it to me. Done. They will always have my business.
Thats actually the only thing I could add to my EDC, a light. Except any light that would fit wouldn't meet my standards.
I carry a streamlight strion led, fits my work pants pocket perfectly, super bright and rechargeable. I have seen them withstand so much punishment that I now own 2.
My dad gave me a leatherman charge for
years ago and it's a great little tool. Beltclip, one handed blade access, scissors, bitholder...It lives in my sxs glovebox.
My EDC is a skeletool cx with a smooth blade. It's my second, and it checks all the boxes. One handed blade, belt clip, bitholder, and super, super light. I understand OP doesn't need lightweight, but I just wanted to cheer for my skeletool.
One more point about leatherman, their warranty is top notch. My first skeletool blade was getting stiff to open so I took it apart and cleaned it, didn't really help. Several month later I was near a 'leatherman store' (didn't realize there was such a thing) so I went in and showed them. I thought I'd drop it off and they would mail it to me in a couple weeks after rebuilding it. Nope. The girl looked at it for about 20 seconds, grabbed a new one and handed it to me. Done. They will always have my business.
Thats actually the only thing I could add to my EDC, a light. Except any light that would fit wouldn't meet my standards.
I carry a streamlight strion led, fits my work pants pocket perfectly, super bright and rechargeable. I have seen them withstand so much punishment that I now own 2.
dar24601
Well-known member
Leatherman makes great multi tools but think for your purposes a victorinox Swiss tool would serve you better. I own leatherman wave and sidekick and victorinox SwissTool. you can access all of the Swiss tool tools from the closed position. It’s very heavy duty tool and has both a wood saw and metal saw/file. You can also purchase accessories like ratchet and corkscrew that would be able hold firestarter and tinder.
Now comparing Swiss tool to the wave is unfair. the leatherman equivalent would be the surge. Don’t own one but have played around with my buddies. It only has 4 tools accessible from outside 2 knives, wood saw, and scissors all one handed opening and a bit driver
In my opinion the Swiss tool does offer more versatility over the surge
Now comparing Swiss tool to the wave is unfair. the leatherman equivalent would be the surge. Don’t own one but have played around with my buddies. It only has 4 tools accessible from outside 2 knives, wood saw, and scissors all one handed opening and a bit driver
In my opinion the Swiss tool does offer more versatility over the surge
Bockscar
Well-known member
That’s the Powerlock I was talking about too. Excellent pliers, but old school design with slower inside tool deployment.
One other selling feature though is that it is considerably cheaper than a similar equipped Leatherman.
I have a SOG. Does good for what I use it for (light duty), but I don't use it often. It rides around in the glove box of my truck.
I only say that because any multi-tool is too big for what I want to carry around in my pocket on a regular basis. I always have a pocket knife on me, so pliers were the biggest thing missing (and my most used tool). So I picked up the 5" Knipex Cobra's (87-01-125) that I throw in my back pocket. They are so small and light that I don't even know they are back there...even sitting on them.
I only say that because any multi-tool is too big for what I want to carry around in my pocket on a regular basis. I always have a pocket knife on me, so pliers were the biggest thing missing (and my most used tool). So I picked up the 5" Knipex Cobra's (87-01-125) that I throw in my back pocket. They are so small and light that I don't even know they are back there...even sitting on them.
They work well and the pliers are strong. But when i bought mine the warranty offered was that they would repair the tool for life with free labor and just charge for the broken parts. But now they refuse and offer me a meager discount on a new tool from a company i cant trust. They were recently purchased by a company called gsm outdoors. I guess ill look up what else they sell so i will.knpw to stay away.
From what i have googled up, leatherman is pretty good. I always used to use those but i got a nice price on the sog and i liked the pliers on it. The repair issue actually turned put to not be as bad as it first appeared.
They sent a discount code for "a new pair" at 40% off. While i can find the tools on the web for the same price, making the code pointless for a new tool, i just figured out that its good for multiple items and works on replacement parts and tbe parts are on their website. So i can just order the parts i need and fix it myself. Sort of irritating as i really just wanted to pay for the parts and have it all done without having to waste my time on it, and get back a perfectly working tool. But I would not have been quite as irritated if they simply SAID that they no longer offered that service and offered to send me the parts i need for 40% off. If they really wanted happy customers maybe they could have even emailed me an instruction sheet.
So the final verdict is, they DID more or less honor their commitment, but that fact was obfuscated by their poor customer service. When i go to the trouble of calling customer support, and wait on hold for 30 minutes, i should not end up having to figure all this stuff out by myself anyway.
They sent a discount code for "a new pair" at 40% off. While i can find the tools on the web for the same price, making the code pointless for a new tool, i just figured out that its good for multiple items and works on replacement parts and tbe parts are on their website. So i can just order the parts i need and fix it myself. Sort of irritating as i really just wanted to pay for the parts and have it all done without having to waste my time on it, and get back a perfectly working tool. But I would not have been quite as irritated if they simply SAID that they no longer offered that service and offered to send me the parts i need for 40% off. If they really wanted happy customers maybe they could have even emailed me an instruction sheet.
So the final verdict is, they DID more or less honor their commitment, but that fact was obfuscated by their poor customer service. When i go to the trouble of calling customer support, and wait on hold for 30 minutes, i should not end up having to figure all this stuff out by myself anyway.
I carry a Leatherman Micra, less than 2 ounces, only 2.5 inches long folded.
I've had mine for about 20? years
www.leatherman.com
I've had mine for about 20? years
Micra Multi-Tool | Leatherman
Our most popular small multi-tool with anglers, hobbyists, and those who can appreciate the best spring-action scissors around. Official online store. Official online store.
www.leatherman.com
Ton ton
Well-known member
What I hate about multi tool is that I pinch my hand in both the Leatherman wave and SoG power lock. Just my limited experience.
OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Yeah, I’ve done that to myself a few times. Makes one hell of a mark if you’re really getting after something.
WWheeler
Well-known member
A Swiss Army knife is my preference. Been carrying one version or another since I was a cub scout WAAAAY before there was a Leatherman.
For example, this is my forklift key I carry at work. It's a 'Huntsman' in black and I've got it paired with a Gerber Shard, a jeweler's loupe, and an Uncle Bill's Silver Gripper (the best tweezers ever made IMHO), all held together with a hank of paracord. It's a purposefully large and unique assortment both for functionality and to help keep me from misplacing them.
For example, this is my forklift key I carry at work. It's a 'Huntsman' in black and I've got it paired with a Gerber Shard, a jeweler's loupe, and an Uncle Bill's Silver Gripper (the best tweezers ever made IMHO), all held together with a hank of paracord. It's a purposefully large and unique assortment both for functionality and to help keep me from misplacing them.
richfinn
Well-known member
I use this all the time, it's the most useful tool I have probably ever bought!!!
I use this all the time, it's the most useful tool I have probably ever bought!!!
Yes, the old skin wedge, a very valuable tool indeed.
Leatherman Skeletool is my EDC. It's lightweight, relatively compact, but big enough to be useful. I had a Benchmade knife I carried, but lost it. I was sick after loosing a $200 knife...Now, I just keep the Skeletool on me, and if I loose it, it's not quite as painful...
I have an older style Leatherman Wave and a Flair.
I have not carried either in years, but the Wave is a terrific form factor… it feels quite comfortable to use.
I bought the Flair because it had a corkscrew. I took it on one trip, never used it… and never carried it again. At one time, they sold for a lot of money on EBay. It is not comfortable to use like the Wave.
I have not carried either in years, but the Wave is a terrific form factor… it feels quite comfortable to use.
I bought the Flair because it had a corkscrew. I took it on one trip, never used it… and never carried it again. At one time, they sold for a lot of money on EBay. It is not comfortable to use like the Wave.
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