Pocket knife vs Multi-tool

[737tdi]

Following the thread on US/China made pocket knife a question came to mind.

Do you prefer a pocket knife or a multi-tool?

Backstory: I have always carried some type of edged utility "tool". Whether it be a pocket knife or multi-tool because of my mechanic based occupation. First I carried small peanut type knives that were comfortable in the pocket, then moved up to Schrade/Buck larger folders that were carried in a sheath. When Leatherman came out with the original multi-tool I was skeptical due to size. A few years later quite a few manufacturers started designing smaller multi-tools that were quite convenient. This is where my carry preference changed.

I now carry a Leatherman Skeletool, it is light, has 2 phillips and 2 standard screwdriver tips, pliers, cutters and of course a knife blade. It is made in the USA (Oregon) and works like a champ. I can remove aircraft instruments with it, cut safety wire, remove some nuts with the pliers, it is a perfect design in my opinion. They also have an awesome warranty. I wore out the cutters on stainless steel safety wire to the point they would no longer cut. Filled out a form on-line, sent it and the tool to them and they shipped me a new one back.

http://www.leatherman.com/18.html

To answer the question: I no longer carry a pocket knife but this Skeletool is on my hip always.

Let's see what wins. I think it will be the pocket knife since not everyone needs a pair of pliers like mechanics.



Karl

 

[sfhogman]

Before retirement I always carried a Leatherman Wave. I also carried the same Case Copperhead for 25 years. These days the knife is a Kershaw Leek, which is more of a thin gent's knife, and the Leatherman part time. Wouldn't be without either of 'em.

Jeff

 

[cas6969]

I no longer carry my multi tool as most of my work involves electricity. I figured it was only a matter of time before I got hurt.

 

[Mike J]

Years ago I got one of the Gerber multi tools because I thought it would be handy. The problem was it got in the way of me wearing my tool pouch & made it uncomfortable. I have always carried a pocket knife (currently a buck clip knife with a black plastic handle).

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Well you would think that as much money as SWA makes they would provide their Mecks with real aircraft quality tools. You know like Dikes, Duckbills, #2 Philips and such
In Uncle Sam's flying club we had a small pouch with all of the proper tools.

remove some nuts with the pliers,

Don't come to my hangar The proper tool for the proper job.

 

[wwb]

How about both ? I carry a Buck 055 in my pocket, and one of the mid-level Leatherman tools in a belt sheath.

 

[k22fan]

I like a folding knife in a sheath to leave pocket room for other stuff. I'm happy with my old two hand opening folders but admit I don't have to get them out frequently. When more formally dressed I leave the sheath size home and pocket a smaller traditional knife. My Leatherman just sits in a drawer.

 

[tookalisten]

I keep a multi-tool in each vehicle and have one in my mountain bike seat bag; but i have only carried a pocket knife.

 

[redhawker]

I always (unless going to an airport or court) carry an original Leatherman Multi-tool. I also always carry a small Swiss Army knife. Each has its advantages but if I had to choose between the two the Leatherman would win out. About 2 months ago I lost it, (laid it down while working on something and walked off without it and, apparently, someone decided it was their own). Felt nekid without it (different then naked - but those that know what I mean, know what I mean) and ended up going on ebay and finding another one (since they don't make the original Multi-tool any more). Relieved to have it back on my belt.

 

[737tdi]

Well you would think that as much money as SWA makes they would provide their Mecks with real aircraft quality tools. You know like Dikes, Duckbills, #2 Philips and such
In Uncle Sam's flying club we had a small pouch with all of the proper tools.

remove some nuts with the pliers,

Don't come to my hangar The proper tool for the proper job.

:lol: Well, when you get a gate call, don't know what the problem is, and trying to turn the aircraft in 25 minutes, if you can carry a tool that gets the job done quickly and safely you do it. We don't carry tool pouches because they get in the way. At least 50% of our calls are for cabin items, that usually means working between and under the seats. If I have time I go back down to my golf cart and grab everything I need but the multi-tool takes care of a lot of minor problems.

Karl

 

[Kevin]

I had one of the original Leatherman tools. The ones with the leather sheaths. Kind of clunky. Now I have a few Victornox Swiss Army knives I use a lot. One stashed in my car, one in my range bag and a couple around the house. I can't stand stuff in my pockets so I don't carry one but there is always one close.

How wod you classify a Swiss army knife then? Not a multi tool and more than a regular pocket knife...

 

[737tdi]

Kevin: I would think it depends on which Swiss army knife. They make some mighty big ones that would rub a giant hole through your thigh. Just an FYI check out the link I posted. The Skeletool is very light and handy for everything it can do, they also make the same tool with the handles out of carbon fiber, they are night & day to the originals.

Karl

 

[coach]

Always a knife in my pocket. A multitool in my case or on my belt only if I think I'll need it or going fishing. I won't twist or pry with a knife, so the leatherman sometimes comes in handy when in the field. I like the scissors for cutting line. A single bladed knife rides easy and I generally feel lost without it.

 

[Fox Mike]

I have carried some type of pocket knife since I wa old enough to have pockets in my pants. I have a Victorinox Boy Scout knife that I have carried all the time (except on airplanes) for the past 16 years. I am about due for a new Scout knife as the two cutting blades have been sharpened so much that they are nearly 1/2 the original size. I also have a Leatherman Wave that I wear whenever I go to the range.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I carry a clip knife on my pocket and I also carry a Leatherman Wingman, unless I'm headed to the Airport which is darn seldom. I'd prefer to drive.

 

[loaded round]

Mine is either the Leatherman Wave or a Victorinox ''Mechanic'' knife.

 

[gramps]

I always carry a clip knife, when I carry a multi-tool it is a Gerber, because it opens ( one handed)with just a flick of the wrist. Same as the knife.
gramps

 

[Boneman]

I keep an Emerson clipped on my belt and a Leatherman in the Jeep.

 

[luvmyRugers]

I carry the Skeletool AND a Victorinox Super Tinker almost daily. The Super Tinker is carried daily and the Skeletool is only dropped when dress clothes are required (such as funerals, etc). I could probably just use the Skeletool since it has a knife blade but I like the other tools provided by the Super Tinker...especially the scissors, toothpick, and tweezers. YMMV

 

[Goldstar225]

I always have a pocket knife on me, carried one since I was six. My multi-tools ride in the glove box.

 

[george preston]

Pocket knife in my pocket, multi tool in the glove box of all my vehicles and in my backpack.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

I carry a pocket knife that is stout enough for general use (Spyderco Endura 4 with a plain edge) if I'm awake. Use it many times a day and can't understand how anybody can stand to be without one. I'd carry a multi-tool if work or liesure required it, but mine doesn't and it stays in the tool box.

When my son went to Afghanistan the first time he took a green-scaled Endura with a combo edge. He very quickly asked me to send him a Leatherman, and carried it in the field and in the office, and still does in his civilian LEA job. And he carried a Kabar except when he was asleep and then it was next to his hand until it was "replaced" there by an M9 when he made E-6. But he still carried it.

Edged tools are part of what made and makes us human. A BIG part. We wouldn't be here, and we wouldn't be US without them. Why do some of us now think we can get along without them, when we couldn't for several million years?

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I can't walk in a straight line without a 3-blade stockman pattern pocketknife in my front right pocket. Been one there since I was about 10 yrs old. I have a messenger bag/satchel that I carry everywhere I go since I work out of two different offices plus home. That bag has Leatherman wave and a Streamlight 2-AAA cell light in a side pocket. And, since Christmas, it also has the small Gerber multitool (I forget the name of it) clipped on a carabiner on the carry strap. That little tool has really become a favorite in a hurry. My sweet daughter gave it to me for Christmas.

 

[737tdi]

Funny some of y'all have mentioned "except the airport". I have almost lost my Leatherman a few times due to TSA. I wear it so much that I sometimes forget it is there. I fly, downline, (out of town to fix our aircraft) quite a lot and of course we take all of our tools with us downstairs in the bag bin. Well the first thing I do is put it back on my belt. We get done with the job and then have to back and go through security before returning home, of course I have forgotten to remove it. Beep, Beep, Beep, fortunately I can back out of line and I give it and my address to one of my fellow employees who will send it back to me COMAT and it shows back up a couple of days later.

Karl

 

[longspurr]

I carry the Leather man Wave on my belt at work and use it daily. At play I usually carry a CKRT Michael Walker because of its locker mechanism. I also carry a small blade Victornox for its blade and scissors that save my teeth opening mustard packets.

I bought a Leathman Freestyle on sale, but rarely carry it. the Skeleton looks like what I should have bought.

 

[Number9]

Pocket knife vs Multi-tool...
I have both near by.

Question for you aircraft mechanics...
When working on or around fuel systems.. do you use bronze alloy tools?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

There's a tiny Swiss Army knife on the keyring. Been there so long it's falling apart and should be replaced. In the pocket on the other side is a small Buck 425, which is the one my clients see me use. What they don't see is whatever else is in that pocket, which normally rotates between a regular sized trapper, a medium sized stockman, or a Swiss Army knife, Wenger's version of the Victorinox Tinker.

Used to carry a Leatherman, the original, all the time, but I don't need pliers that often these days, which was what it got used for most of the time. While it's frequently in the glove box or a back pack, it usually just stays there.

Rick C

 

[737tdi]

Pocket knife vs Multi-tool...
I have both near by.

Question for you aircraft mechanics...
When working on or around fuel systems.. do you use bronze alloy tools?

To answer the question, in the USMC we did, but in commercial we don't. The military were very anal when it came to working around fuel. As you well know starting a diesel/jet fuel fire with a spark off of a tool is impossible. Now if actually working in the wings/center fuel tanks we maintain positive air flow to keep the vapors at bay.

Karl

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

I have been carrying a Cold Steel Recon 1 lately.

I miss my Kershaw Leek sometimes.

 

[blume357]

I carry a Gerber multi-tool on my belt and a Swiss Army in my pocket.... a State trooper had the nerve a few years ago to ask me why I carried two 'knives' on me.... the reality is I hardly ever use the knife function on either but I sure use all the other items.... often.