Multitool.....But do I need one?

[tkl]

I've been drooling over the Swisstool lately. But do I really need one? I can't think of a time that I said "If only I had my swisstool batman!" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

 

[cabletech]

what do u do for a living

 

[kubolaw]

To me it boiled down to how often I would need pliers, since my SAK had amost everything else, and is easier for me to pocket carry. I carried a Juice around for a while, but found that I almost never needed pliers, and so went back to my SAK (blade most used, but screwdriver, awl, and flat head blade are often handy). But that's just me.

John

 

[Flying Turtle]

I'm still looking for a small quality multi with pliers and good scissors. I carried a Micra for a couple years and loved the scissors, but wished for pliers too. Found a similar sized elcheapo with everything, but the scissors stink. Any good solutions out there yet?

 

[Deanster]

I've mentioned it here before, but the Leatherman Juice S2 is pretty much SAK sized, and has good pliers and scissors. Or the Squirt P4 with little pliers, S4 with scissors.

My S2 is small enough that I'm willing to carry it full time.

 

[paulr]

I've never been that enthusiastic about multi pliers. Better to have a 6" vise-grips along with your SAK. It's heavier than a multi-tool, but strong enough for a lot more situations, and costs a lot less too.

 

[kubolaw]

[ QUOTE ]
paulr said:
Better to have a 6" vise-grips along with your SAK. It's heavier than a multi-tool, but strong enough for a lot more situations, and costs a lot less too.

[/ QUOTE ]

This hits the nail on the head (figuratively speaking) as to why I gave up the Juice - when I really needed pliers, the Juice pliers were a bit too small. And while the form factor of the S2 is pretty close to a SAK, it is still bigger, and the position of the lanyard hole gave it a tendency to unfold as I pulled it from my pocket.

John

 

[snake]

B4 I got the wave I think "I need one", after I got one I didn't use it very often. I guess when the Ti wave came, I will think "I need one".. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

 

[paulr]

I wonder if anyone will make a titanium vise-grips. Countycomm are you listening? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[pedalinbob]

paulr, the wise one speaketh!

i have an old gerber multi-tool that i rarely use, because the grips are so uncomfortable, and it feels flimsy.

im still shopping for a good multi for a simple reason: when i am in handyman-mode, i dont want to drag a big toolbox all around the house/yard etc. it is nice to be able to stuff a multi in a back pocket and scramble all over with a toolbox.
i find that i can still do most things without specialist tools.

but back to paulr: he is right. i could stuff a set of vice-grips and one of those convertible-ratcheting-screwdrivers in my back pocket, and have most of what i need (the little SAK recruit rides in the front pocket).
this is a very practical and inexpensive solution.

back to the insanity: the multis are COOOLLLL! love the gadget factor.

Bob

 

[Harrkev]

I use my Wave almost every day. Today, I used the knife to chop up my pork chop for lunch. It is also good at opening boxes, and the small screwdriver doubles as an effective staple puller.

I always carry my Arc LSL and my Wave everywhere...

 

[daloosh]

I hate to carry things, so the only thing I carry in my pants pocket is a little knife, the aluminum beretta airlight. The LSH + twistie sits in my coat pocket.

However, to the question at hand, there have been uncountable times when I say to myself, why don't I have my Paratool or (now) Wave with me????

When I needed a screwdriver to take a basket apart at work, or a pliers to pull fat staples out of a box, to open a can with a defective pull tab, to tighten a screw in my glasses, and on. When I have it, I use it. And around the house, it easier to lug around than a toolbox, like pedalinbob sez.

go for it,
daloosh