I bought my first multi tool, a Gerber in 1995. At the time, there weren’t nearly as many to choose from as there are today. I remember the primary contenders being Gerber (which I think had just come out about that time), Leatherman, or the SOG Paratool. I wanted a convenient pocket sized tool chest that contained what a I felt were the most useful tools I’d need/use at the time, that could be carried comfortably in a pocket. All of my choices were a little heavy in a pocket, todays choices provide a lot more options. My criteria hasn’t really changed tool selection wise . I still like a knife blade, a file, some basic tools like screwdrivers, wood saw, pliers, scissors, and wire cutters. After quite a few years the Gerber went missing and I missed the convenience of that tool so much I went out looking for a replacement. At the time about 2003, I picked up a SOG Powerlock. Since then I’ve bought a variety of Leatherman tools, but about 2007 I discovered the Utility and convenience of a lighter weight and more compact Victorinox Swiss Army knife and find a good SAK supplemented with a Leatherman Squirt covers most of my everyday needs and these combined tools are pretty easy on the pocket. Something I don’t like about so many of the current multi tool choices is how gaudy they look. They remind me of the cheap looking overseas made models of yesteryear. I still prefer the tool metal, utilitarian tool like appearance of those early multi tools. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
My first was a Gerber Carolina, then the mp400 and both were seriously lacking what I really needed was screw driving options, I one day saw the Leatherman wave with the removable bits and had to have it for my small tool compliment that I used at work to avoid tramping up or down stairs to the drivers toolbox and hunting. Taking apart furniture and bicycles to pack for overseas moves was never easier. And it has all the other functions I might have needed as well. I recently changed jobs and no longer need the pliers and screwdriver functionality daily so the wave remains in the maxped micro pouch until it's needed, I might install it under my ebike seat as a permanent toolkit but I still use it in the house for little fixit jobs. I always carried a Vic classic with my keys and very recently bought a minichamp to replace it and gave the classic a refresh with the minichamp scales(pen). now day to day I carry a one hand trekker(work) pioneer x, fieldmaster+ or an explorer+ (in the house or out and about). Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
Buck Model 350, 355 and 350 were my first multi tools. I still own all 3. The 350 can be carried on a keychain with non locking blades. The 360 has locking blades.
I bought my first pliers based multi-tool, a LM Wingman a several years ago when I first got into EDC through this website. That was back when you could still get them on sale for $20 in brick and mortar stores. The fit and finish wasn't perfect, but I thought it was decent for $20. The Wingman is still my main bigger multitool, but I only carry it when I know I might need it. I wanted a bladeless multitool and found the LM Style PS. I keep it on my keychain and EDC it everywhere. It's a little small for the biggest of chores, but it'll handle most and I barely notice that I have it, so it is always with me. My newest plier based multitool is the SOG Power Pint. I wanted something a little smaller than the Wingman that still had one hand opening pliers and blades and was still in the cheaper price range. The Power Pint is great for a 5th pocket carry as it doesn't bump into my legs as much as the Wingman does and I typically EDC it whenever I'm wearing jeans. I had always liked the idea of knife based multi-tools like the Swiss Army Knife, but didn't like their thickness and plastic looking scales. However, I discovered the Alox Cadet and that is my main SAK that goes with me everywhere I can legally carry a knife. The Cadet is awesome because of it's fancy metal scales and thin profile. I wanted a SAK with scissors, so I bought the Compact. The Compact is what I carry for landscaping/construction/demolition tasks and I like that it has a pen for times when I don't have pocket space to carry a full size pen. After the Pioneer X came out, I bought one and it's awesome with scissors and those beautiful blue aluminum scales. It's a little thicker than the cadet though, so I don't carry it when my pockets are loaded with other things. When I joined this site a ways back, I discovered the mini-prybar or One Piece Multi Tool. I first got the County Comm Mini pocket widgy, which is great for heavy duty prying, ripping tape, removing staples, and scraping adhesives. I also have the Gecko Shark, a now discontinued titanium prybar in a shark shape that rides on my keys - good for turning larger flat head screws, minor prying, and undoing knots. Finally, I have the Boker Toucan, a mass produced version of a custom pry bar that is designed around a small, robust fixed blade. The Toucan is perfect for opening and breaking down cardboard boxes. I recently purchased my first pen-based multitool, the SOG Baton Q1. The Q1 has a pair of smaller scissors with big handles and a pry/flathead/bottle opener tool in addition to a pen. The pen and opener tool are decent, but the scissors are awesome. They are incredibly handy because they can be pulled out, used, and put away again one handed.
Original Leatherman tool from 1990s - mid-2000s, sadly, lost it. Currently Leatherman Pulse which I got for free, stays in the car, almost never used. An LM Squirt and LM Juice S2 that used to get used pretty often, when I actually did work that needed tools. Those are all I expect to need for the rest of my life.
I guess that I started out with cheap no name branded type of multi tool/pliers until my now wife bought me a Swisstool around 20+ years ago now, haven't looked back since, still carry that tool today. I have some Leathermans too, the Crunch for its locking grips, that's unusual and as come in handy,....the Swisstool is still the best all rounder to me though.
Got my first 'multi-tool' when I was 9; a cheap chinese "swiss army" knife. Was starting to get into camping and thought every serious camper needed that kind of knife. Got one for Christmas, barely used it, and it eventually ended up in a drawer. Still have that knife, and it's still a piece of garbage. My brother was more the farm boy/cowboy than I was (I was the bookworm) and he had a number of different multitools growing up, but i never understood them. Seemed to me they were a compromise tool when dedicated tools would be better. So, I never had much interest in them. Years later I was in a friend's wedding and he gave all his groomsmen a little Gerber Shortcut multitool. Scissors are the primary tool, there's a small blade, a few screw drivers, a file, and a near-completely useless pair of tweezers. Regardless, I've used that tool quite a bit as having a pair of scissors around has proven very useful. It currently resides in my EDC bag in case I need it. One Christmas a number of years ago, my brother got me a cheap winchester multi tool set from WalMart. It had a multitool, a small 1.5" lockback, and a small moneyclip with a blade and a file. The moneyclip is barely above trash: not good for much. The lockback is actually decent. Not great, but functional enough. Being all stainless steel it even manages to look gentlemanly, but I digress. The multitool has been in my EDC bag ever since and it's been handy to have. The pliers helped me with some emergency auto work, and I've even used the can opener. But, cheap is cheap and it's already starting to fall apart: one of the rivets that holds the tools into the handle has broken and will fall out wihtout much effort. I've been thinking about getting a new tool but honestly, for as little as I use this one, I can't see replacing it. If I did, I'd likely spring for a Leatherman Surge: the weight is a non-issue since it's carried in my pack anyway. That's my evolution with multitools. I just dont have enough need for one to warrant much research.
I’ve always been tempted by one of the Swiss tools, but somehow haven’t bought one yet. I’m sure I’d be very happy with one. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I can understand your reasoning. Why spend the money if you don’t use one often. Might want to give a Victorinox SAK a try. You can get something like a Deluxe Tinker for under $50 new, and its a good tool with good tool selection including great scissors and a small set of pliers) and is easily pocketable IMO. Worlds better than any Chinese knock-off that may have turned you off of the type...or if you don’t need pliers a Super Tinker which is very cost effective for the quality and utility. I think Walmart carries the Super Tinker. Both models have good blades. I think you’d find them surprisingly useful and durable. I know I have. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
If one hand opening of a blade is important to you then you maybe disappointed. That's the only negative I can think of and doesn't bother me because I carry a Spyderco too. The quality of this tool is the best in my opinion, Leatherman are a close second.
I still have an old PST that's a family treasure, but my actual carry LM is a Micra and Gen2 Wave. The newer stuff doesn't seem to be as durable, and even the beastly Surge I gifted a mate broke. He was cutting wire, and the fancy replaceable cutter snapped off at the screw.
I have looked at SAKs many times over the years and I just cannot find one that appeals to me. I'm sure they have their place for people that like them, but I've found that I'd rather have a dedicated knife and full-size multitool than a SAK. Just my preference. If I were to get a SAK I'd want something like the Farmer X, but with a pruner or electrician blade instead of the cap lifter. Sadly, Victorinox does not seem to have a custom shop wherein one could build a SAK the way they want it, and even if they did the cost would be prohibitive. And while the rivet on my Winchester multitool is broken, it's still holding in place for the time being and I know how to make a new rivet to fix it; I just haven't gotten around to it yet. No need to buy anything new when I can fix what I have, and what I have does well enough for my present needs. Thanks though.
As a teenager a had a few generic crappy pliers based tools that were garbage. Then moved on to a few different swiss army knives (several different swiss Buck models,) eventually moved on to the vic huntsman, which is my favorite. Then I bought a swiss champ xlt that I carried for many years. Then I got into some leatherman units, starting with the Skeletool. Then a Style CS and Squirt ES4 and finally the Surge. I carry a variety of these at different times. Today I'm carrying the victorinox huntsman and a gerber dime. Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
I carried a LM Wave for years as an industrial tradesman. It was in use constantly(even though technically they were not allowed on most sites) Since I've been out of the field it's more weight than I need for how little it gets used. Now I put a LM Fuse on my belt if I think I'll need it, but most days I just carry a LM Squirt in a little pouch with a AAA light.
Great minds think alike...(but we never, ever finish the quote ) I even carry the same light. I like it, but I wish it was a clicky like the thrunite AA Archer. I find it far more convenient than twisting.
Leatherman Rebar when i started working maintenance and it was perfect. Currently only carry a mini crescent wrench , and a coin style screw driver that craftsman sells. Almost everything I encounter is a loose nut on my delivery truck mirror or I need to open my razor handle to replace the blade with hardly any in-between.
