How many of you carry a multitool?

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Doug S

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I was just wondering how many of you consider a multitool an essential part of your daily carry. If so, why? Also, what kind do you prefer?
 
I carry a Gerber multilock. Why? I manipulate things in the physical world. It's helpful to have these tools at hand.

I'd prefer a SAK, but they don't have an effective pair of pliers.
 
I appreciate the feedback. I recently was on the market for a new multitool. I had a Gerber for years, but somehow managed to lose it. I always kept it in my car, and I found it useful more than once. I never really considered it a part of daily on the body carry though, & as a result I've been caught more than a few times unprepared. Most recently I was in a classroom and had to hook my laptop up to the university’s system. The problem was that the monitor cable required a phillips screwdriver to get it off. After this incident I decided to pick up a new multitool so that I would be prepared for such things in the future. Unfortunately I haven't been able to decide on the perfect tool, and went a little overboard. I picked up a SOG power plier, a Letterman Crunch, Blast, Squirt P4, & Micra. I did not intend to buy more than one tool, but I couldn't decide which I liked best. It seems like I'm picking a new one up every time I go to the store. I thought that I could put one in each car, and still have one to carry. I really need to quit looking for the perfect tool and start carrying one. Was just wondering how others view the tools, in regard to model, essential tools, and mode of carry or placement?
 
I have carried a multi-tool daily for many, many years. My current carry model is the Leatherman Blast. I carry it sheathed in my pocket, and the tools I use most frequently are the scissors, screwdrivers and pliers, in that order. If the tool does not have a good set of scissors, I don't buy it.
 
Gerber MultiPlier, since 1993.

Been around the world with me, through bad times and good, always useful.

I think I will be replacing it with a Gerber 600 Pro Scout, will have to try that one out.

With a multitool and a flashlight I have fixed a lot of stuff in many different situations, and wear both whenever I am clothed.

:D
 
I have to cheapo Sheffields that I carry daly for the light mechanical work I might have to do.

I have a Leatherman, Wave I believe, but I don't like it as much.

I have been considering m0oving up to a "better" brand but the Sheffields have never let me down
 
My current carry model is the Leatherman Blast. I carry it sheathed in my pocket, and the tools I use most frequently are the scissors, screwdrivers and pliers, in that order. If the tool does not have a good set of scissors, I don't buy it.
Click to expand...

I just picked up the Blast today. It seemed to have a nice selection of what I thought would be the most useful tools (to me). That being a selection of screwdrivers, a file, saw, & scissors. Thanks for the info on the scissors. I had been wondering about their general usefulness, quality. The Leatherman add made it sound like they were pretty strong, but in my experience advertisements don't usually live up to the claims. Glad to hear that they are pretty good.

I also gave the Gerber Diesel (I believe this is a new model) a good look. It was priced right ($49), and included a set of useful tools. I liked the file better on the Gerber. It also came with a bit set (which I had to order separately for the Leatherman). I went with the Leatherman because, at least superficially, it seemed a bit more durable.
 
I carry a Gerber multitool (scout or something, I'm not sure) back in the States. I have a Leatherman Kick here in Germany because I'm rebuilding my carry loadout. I'm not sure whether I just want to use cheap stuff or ask my parents to ship my regular stuff to me.

I carry a multitool because the pliers is VERY handy sometimes. For a flathead screwdriver and a scissors I carry a Victorinox Swiss Army knife. But I don't like being w/o my Gerber. I usually carry it at the small of my back to keep it out of the way of my Glock 23 and reload. Happy New Year!
 
I have carried one sort of multitool or another since the early 1990s. I experimented a bit with various multitools and finally settled on an SOG Paratool. I've carried a Paratool for the last 13 years or so.

Why I like the Paratool.

It's flat and small enough to carry in a pocket like a large pocket knife (after grinding off the protrusion they add for easy opening.)

The blades can be easily replaced with simple tools.

The pliers head opens out sideways which means that you're not applying force in the direction of opening (deploying) or closing (folding away) the pliers head while using the pliers.

The attachment of the handles to the pliers head is VERY sturdy.

The handles aren't inside out when using the pliers so you can exert a decent amount of force without hurting your hands.

You can fully close the tool with a blade out to prevent the blade from folding on your fingers.

It has a good range of sturdy and useful blades including a saw and a truly functional file.
 
Gerber - not sure of model number.

Scissors, needlenose pliers, file, saw blade that interchanges with saber saw

and a 6V flashlight in a pouch on my belt.
 
Leatherman mini-tool carried in the pocket. Takes very little room and I am frequently finding uses for it no matter where I am. Of course, I also carry a Swiss Army knife for the toothpick and tweezers.:D
 
Doesn't everyone? I usually carry my original Leatherman (for sentimental reasons, my wife gave it to me, engraved, years ago) or a recent Gerber ...
 
Leatherman Charge Ti. It stays in the car or my backpack though, too much other crap already on the belt. :)
 
I find the usefulness of a multitool makes is a worthwhile accessory for my belt.

I have carried a Gerber for years, I also have an older SOG that I really like.

Charles
 
I have a cheap "Coast" (or something like that) multitool that stays in the car. It is not often I have needed to use anything on a multi because I keep several tool boxes in the car, and don't fix things for a living. I have a Victorinox SwissTool but find it a bit of a brick to carry on a belt. But it is well designed, extremely tough and well made, and is around as disaster kit.

I prefer to carry a good knife, of which I have several. An old Al Mar SERE 3" folder which is still going strong after about 20 years, a Spyderco serrated rescue (sheepsfoot blade, un-used, only carried for a real cutting emergency), and a Victorinox Soldier (a great little knife). I recently lost my Spyderco Delica which I have had for about 8 years, and if it doesn't show up I will probably replace it..

A good knife or three is worth carrying, at least for me, and my general utility blade gets used alot. On a multitool I think pliers are perhaps potentially the most useful impliment in the absence of a toolbox. I am looking for a first rate pair of compact pliers as a companion to my knives. Should be lighter than the SwissTool, more comfortable to use, and maybe a smaller overall package.
-----------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
 
First generation Leatherman, a gift from a buddy who bought himself a Gerber. Best dadgum pocket knife I ever had. Can't take it into work, though...
 
LAK,

Check out the Leatherman Blast. It's only 6.9oz and 4in closed, and carries a bit easier than my large SOG powerlock, or something like the very nice Leatherman Wave (8.5oz). The Blast appears very well made, and has a nice set of what I consider the most useful tools (pliers, both hard and soft wire cutters, 5 screwdrivers, saw, file, knive, scissors, can opener. $49 at Wal-Mart.

http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/Blast/default.asp
 
I keep a Gerber Multiplier Scout in my truck and a Multiplier 400 Compact in my laptop bag. I work in an office so I don't carry it on my belt. I always carry a Benchmade Griptilian in my pocket, however.
 
I carry a minimal swiss army knife. no saw, scissors, magnifier, or fish hook remover. I figure if I need pliers then I'll need my whole toolbox too.
 
I carry a Gerber 400 Compact Sport on my keyring. Got a bunch of other 400s and 600s around in other places. Also a few cheap Chinese copies (given to me free) and a Leatherman Wave in my gun tool box. (The only Leatherman multi I'll ever buy due to my disagreement with Leatherman's use of his company's name to back his choices on political issues. Don't mind him choosing differently but don't want to finance a company opposed to my views.) Only criticism I have of the 400CS is that there is no file. That tool is very useful for me and the 600s are too large to carry around. The 400 Fisherman does, though, have a file.

Got a bunch of SAKs (both Vict and Weng) but, IMO, they are for extremely light duty work and I need something more robust (that also lock the tools when open).
 
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