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Multi-tools

arcticcat | Posted in Tools for Home Building on May 20, 2007 05:56am

Anyone else here a fan of mult-tools?

I’ve got the Vise-Grip/Schrade, I think they called it the ToolBox or something.   It’s a small Vise-Grip with two Schrade blades and an interchangeable-tip screwdriver that fold into the handle.  Very durable; I use it all the time.  A couple years back, I bought probably twenty from various ebay sellers for under $10 shipped.  Gave a lot away as gifts & I’ve got them stashed in the truck, shop, snowmobile, tractor, etc.  Pretty handy to have one with ya all the time.  This one is a bit bigger than some, but it is a real pliers that holds up well to everyday use.

I’ve also got a couple Gerbers.  The one-handed opening pliers is nice.  These mostly get used for camping/hunting trips.  The needle nose works pretty good for pulling out fishhooks too.

I think Leatherman makes a pretty good tool also, but I’ve never owned one.  Lots of different models out there these days.

Mike

 

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    Gunner | May 20, 2007 06:32am | #1

       At work I carry the original Leatherman. I don't know the model name but it's the original one they put out.  Last Christmas I bought the Blast  I think it was by Leatherman. Too big and bulky. That's Why I liked the original in the first place and went back to it. In over fifteen years of daily use this is my second one. The only reason I retired the first one was because I loaned it to a moron and he was cutting wire that was too big and too stiff for it.

       It covers the basic tools that you need so you don't have to walk all the way back to the truck. (Especially when your up in an attic or in a crawl space) But it's not weighing me down with all the BS that I never need. It just covers the basics. Anything else I can go to the truck and get a saw or a drill for.

     

     

     

    "Without education, we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously."   G.K. Chesterton

     

    http://thewoodwhisperer.com/

  2. User avater
    zak | May 20, 2007 07:01am | #2

    I've got a leatherman juice- the pliers are a bit smaller than the original leatherman's, but it's still got a great assortment of tools. I think I use it for repairing tool more than anything else- it has some nice small screwdrivers, an awl, good needlenose pliers, etc.
    Before I got this, I always carried a yachtsman style knife- a big straight blade, and a marlinspike. There are a lot of uses for a marlinspike, especially if you're rigging, or using rope and straps for anything.

    zak

    "When we build, let us think that we build forever.  Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin

    "so it goes"

     

    1. MisterT | May 20, 2007 03:04pm | #4

      One guy here actually held off the ENTIRE Nicoraguan Navy with a marlinspikeI don't Know what I am doing

      But

      I am VERY good at it!!

      1. sharpblade | May 20, 2007 04:23pm | #5

        Similar to the story of the other guy who held off the entire Swiss Navy with a swiss army knife.

      2. User avater
        Gunner | May 20, 2007 07:17pm | #6

           And a cup of coffee in his other hand.

         

         

         

        "Without education, we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously."   G.K. Chesterton

         

        http://thewoodwhisperer.com/

        1. MisterT | May 20, 2007 08:34pm | #8

          It was REAL Canadian Coffee!!!
          not roofing tar!!!I don't Know what I am doing

          But

          I am VERY good at it!!

          1. User avater
            Gunner | May 20, 2007 08:40pm | #9

                That's right. If it had been later in the day say after ten am he would have had a Molsens in his hand instead.

             

             

             

            "Without education, we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously."   G.K. Chesterton

             

            http://thewoodwhisperer.com/

          2. MisterT | May 21, 2007 02:26am | #10

            And he woulda been whistlin' Oh Canada!!!or the theme to Dudley Do-RightI don't Know what I am doing
            But
            I am VERY good at it!!

            Edited 5/20/2007 7:27 pm ET by MisterT

          3. JulianTracy | May 21, 2007 04:22am | #11

            I've had two or three diff. LMans and maybe a Gerber and a Vitorinox (sp?).I've not paid any attention to the newer offerings through the last 5 years or so, but have been very happy with the Leatherman Wave as a basic all in one tool.It's a nice size - not too big or heavy, and the the blades can be opened with one hand without needing to unfold the entire unit.It's got good scissors and two types of blades.Having said that - I wouldn't use it for more than one screw - but handy to have in the truck or belt for the moment you are un-equipped.My problem is, I don't wear belts consistantly enough to always wear a sheath on my side.JT

          4. GOLDENBOY | May 21, 2007 07:32am | #12

            Not too heavy?  About half a pound if memory serves.  (I use one too).  I think it cost more than my skil saw, too.  (Xmas present from wife). 

          5. JulianTracy | May 21, 2007 08:09am | #13

            It's not in my hand at the moment, but I'd bet it's not as heavy as 1/2 a pound - doesn't seem any heavier than a solid medium to large folding pcket knife...As to cost - the Wave's run about $59 or so depending on where you get them. Costco's had them (maybe still) for a while and Target usually carries the as well.These days, you can buy Skil (brand) saws for $27 - that doesn't mean you should.(Must be a regional thing or an oldtimers thing to call any circular saw a skil saw? - don't know if you are an old dog or not...)I just like being able to use the knife blades as easily as a real knife - the Wave's blades have a raised "shoulder" to them that has an elongated hole that's easy to flick with your finger to open quickly.Regards,Julian

          6. GOLDENBOY | May 22, 2007 06:18am | #15

            Hi Jullian,  yes it is over half a pound, 240grams = 8.5 oz.  Cost I am seeing in catalogue (MEC.ca) is $77CDN.

            You can probably find one cheaper.

            Yes, I am an old dog.  In western Canada.  What do you call a skilsaw in metro Detroit?  Maybe a portable hand held circular saw??

            I do like the Leatherman, though.  Espescially the one hand opening blades.  If a gator ever has you by one arm, you can at least open the knife.  If you are clever you can even select the serated or plain blade.  The serated blade is marked near the thumb opening hole with little notches.  The plain blade doesn't have the notches.  I wonder what left handed people do?  It is nearly impossible o open the blades with the left hand??  I guess of a gator has you by the left arm...

            I find it a bit of a lump under the tool belt,  but I usually do not take it off.

            JM.

             

  3. MSA1 | May 20, 2007 03:04pm | #3

    I havent been without my Leatherman in about four years.

  4. renosteinke | May 20, 2007 08:24pm | #7

    I must confess to being a gadget guy. I just can't wait to try out the latest geegaw. I've have a variety of multi-tools, and I must say the verdict is: leave them for camping. Maybe, not even there.

    Only in the past few years have there been mukti-bit screwdrivers that were worth using: The Klein 10-N-1 and the Ideal 7-N-1. Until these came out, every one I had tried was a disappointment.

    I own a Leatherman Wave (one of their premium models), and I found it of use ... as long as the use of it's tools was not something to rely upon. If a tool saw any regular use, then you're better off with a 'real' one.

    There IS a use for 'smaller' tools. I've probably used my 5" Vise-Grip, 4" Crescent wrench, and 5" Channellock more than all their big brothers combined.
    For plier-type tools, I've had no luck at all in eliminating an amazing assortment of specialty tools.

    When knives are the issue, it's pretty hard to beat anything that uses a replaceable box-cutter blade.

  5. toolbear | May 22, 2007 05:03am | #14

    Anyone else here a fan of mult-tools?

    @@@

    Time had been when I wore a sheath knife on one side and a pouch with a Swiss Army pocket knife, a stainless sailor's fid and a pen on the other.

    Times change. Some years now I have been wearing a folding box knife and a multi tool.

    The current one is the Leatherman WAVE. Has a nice case. I have it fitted with a small LED flashlight on one side and an aluminum whistle on the other, WAVE in the middle. WAVE has a decent selection of tools and I don't notice it when I strap the bags on over it.

    The goody drawer has a collection of multi tools collected over the years. Others are in various bags. Saw one I wanted - it was set up for blasters - had the crimpers, the fid for making a hole for the cap, etc. But I don't do that stuff nowadays so...

    The ToolBear

    "Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.

  6. User avater
    jagwah | May 22, 2007 06:25am | #16

    The Core, leatherman. I wouldn't go any where with out it.

     



    Edited 5/21/2007 11:27 pm by jagwah

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