POLL:What is your defintion of a multi tool?

[damota]

What I would like to know is how to write the word or is it 2 words with a hyphen or space?   

Dave

[J-sews]

Some (crazy) people call leatherman-like tools "leathermans" even though they are manufactured by other companies. 

That is how multitools are general known by most people I am afraid, crazy does not come into it, it is fast becoming the genetic term along with mutitool. I think it would be hard to change or stop it. I do not know about in the US but over here a floor cleaner referred to as either a Hoover or sometimes a Dyson no matter who manufactured it just depends what system it uses.

Dave

Calling any multi-purpose plier tool a "Leatherman" is one of the options I was thinking of. We all know it would not be technically correct, yet it would meet the criteria of being a term impossible to mistake for any other device. I don't think this is the best word though.....

How about the term "multi-plier"? (Yah, I know, Gerber already uses that name for many of their multitools.) Nevertheless, it has some advantages; "multi-plier" specifically describes a Leatherman-like plier tool with many functions. It also cannot be mistaken for other devices, such as Swiss Army Knives. When you hear the term multi-plier, you know exactly what the speaker is talking about. 

(and the word would have to be spelled with a hyphen, so as to distinguish it from the mathematical term.)

[CQC-7]

In my opinion, a multi tool must have multiple tools.  Multiple functions help but dont make somthing a multi tool.  I tend to lean toward 5 as a number that best describes a multi tool.  Pliers, blade, 2 screwdrivers, can opener, etc constitutes a multi tool.  But pay attention to Pliers.  Pliers make a multi tool.  Other than that you have a SAK.  Still multiple functions but without pliers I dont think it is a multi tool.  However, Pliers are available on some SAKs.  This is a case of what came first chicken or egg?

[supratentorial]

How about the term "multi-plier"? (Yah, I know, Gerber already uses that name for many of their multitools.)

Works for me.  The only possibility of confusion are those el cheapo multiple plier head tools.  I just hope Gerber doesn't get a swelled head.