Whats the hook for?

[THXbobuk]

Had this Cybertool since the dawn of time, used every tool on it bar the bloody hook.  Can some one finally tell me its purpose? Or has anyone used it at all.... ....for anything?

Confused.

Robert

[Mr. Whippy]

On my cybertool,  I've used the hook to pull telephone wire, house wiring and data lines in races in the wall.  I've also used it to pull back an edge of sheetmetal so I could get a clear shot at the sheetmetal screw

[kirk13]

Personally,I think we should thank Vic for creating a tool that keeps forums running

[maba]

Compact & Pen

[tattoosteve99]

It was used to carry parcels. The old type with the string.

[KiwiMark]

Compact & Pen

I'll have to try that!

I have used my hook to hold onto a plastic shopping bag - the SAK makes a comfortable handle.

[jerseydevil]

Compact & Pen

I've never seen that before. Just tried it with my Compact, and it works great! Thanks!

Or has anyone used it at all.... ....for anything?

On the Compact, the nail file is mounted on the back of the hook. Other than that, never used it.

[parnass]

You can use the entire tool as a hangar for your jacket if you place the hook over a wire or in the hole in a public bathroom stall.  Really.

[tattoosteve99]

You can use the entire tool as a hangar for your jacket if you place the hook over a wire or in the hole in a public bathroom stall.  Really.

Never thought of that one. I like that idea as I have a nice jacket I wear sometimes our and about that I don't like laying down.

[ironraven]

The hook is there for possibilities.

I've used it for tightening lacing, mostly on boots, but there was one rather memorable time that involved a ren faire, a damsel, a bodice, and a request to make it tight. 

And I think the file should be on EVERY hook. Since I switched to a Compact for my EDC, I've struck quite a few matches off it, shaped the tips of pencils, and smoothed a snagged fingernail.

[WhichDawg]

The hook is there for possibilities.

but there was one rather memorable time that involved a ren faire, a damsel, a bodice, and a request to make it tight. 

  that's a great use!

also (and not as fun) for carrying parcels (some places/countries still use them/string),
for a hanger for clothes,
for pulling laces (and more fun garments as ironraven stated),
for a longer/more comfortable pen,
for pulling wire and cord,
for holding hot pots (with a bail) like at a campfire,
for hanging food from animals camping,
for getting in tight places to retrieve something,
I've used it for pulling apart panels easier because the leverage you get is pretty good in the hand with the "T" configuration.

enjoy the Hook it is only limited by your imagination (like many tools) it's a good tool and I'm glad it's there

[edcgear]

For mounting bicycle chain without dirting hands...

[THXbobuk]

Wow some great ideas.

I consider myself resourceful, I suppose we all do thats why we EDC etc, but would never have thought to use it for some of those applications!

Nice one.

Robert

[El Rago]

dont forget carry of (small) potato bags from the grocery. Sometimes you just cant carry those in a comfortable way

[Singh]

• Holding the pen.
  
  
• Booger picker

[ironraven]

Booger picker

I thought that is what the old long nail file was for, and it was withdrawn at the request of medical organizations 

[Carlos]

I like the hook although not being used that much. A situation where I have used it, however, was on replacing the Sony PS3 2.5" harddrive. The harddrive case is inside the book and used the hook to pull it out.

[Singh]

I would think if the hook was end-mounted (instead of back-mounted) then it would be really useful.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Someone just posted a use that I've not seen mentioned before.
Sorry it's on another Forum, but I think it's unique enough to post a link - Crochet Hook

Who's gonna give it a try?   

[Donald]

This use is already shown above, but since I came across my picture, I'll also post it.

[TweezersAndAToothpick]

I would think if the hook was end-mounted (instead of back-mounted) then it would be really useful.

I've always thought that would be more useful too. Has anyone ever done that mod? I'd carry an Alox Pioneer with an end mounted parcel hook, that could be pretty useful in every day life.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

When I was in grad school, I used the hook for actually carrying bundles of newspapers to the recycling bins in the family student housing barracks apartments at UC Santa Cruz (back when newspapers were still relevant).

I do a lot of recreational hiking, and my most recent, and common, use of the hook is for adjusting the laces in my hiking boots.

[Donald]

I some time ago compiled a list and and a few more from this thread. Let's see if I can get this pasted in properly.
------------------------
SAK Hook uses

I think the multipurpose hook is one of the least useful tools on a SAK, although I do not mind it as long as their is also an awl. Like other tools on a SAK though, one always seems to find a use for them eventually, when it is what is at hand at the moment.

Here is a list of uses for the multipurpose hook that I posted elsewhere a long time ago, so some references such as turning it into a scraper do not necessarily make as much sense in this thread.

Not all of my hooks seem to have the fingernail file which I gather from someone’s post, and when I finally got one that had the roughened area, that it is on the back or facing outward with the hook closed and opposite the throat of the hook. Perhaps I could pit it a bit with an electric engraving pen to improvise one. If I do though, I think I might put it on the inside instead. If I wanted to use it as a scraper, just squaring it off perfectly, i.e. getting rid of the relieved edges should work about as well as the demonstrated modifications. Some might be uses that I have made of the hook, something I thought of, instructions with the SAK, and in many cases uses that other SAK enthusiasts have provided.

Hook uses:

1 - Hold the plus pen in place, as that thin tube is hard to write with on its own.

2 - Pull tabs on cans, the "new can opener."

3 - It's original use, carrying parcels or bundles. I have used it for that sort of function occasionally. I was in the store with my parents and they bought a medium sized Kitchen Aid frying pan. The thin bag handles were cutting into my hand, so I used the hook. I may have used it to carry a bundle of twigs back to Girl Scout camp once, similar to what Cold Canuck has used it for. Perhaps a stringer of fish, or anything tied with wire. Good for 1 gallon paint can bails.

4 - Picking up the bail of a billy, if it has gotten hot.

5 - Removing water filter tube from a Kitchen Aid refrigerator. [Before I found that it should come out with the cap.]

6 - Fingernail file if it is so equipped.

7- Scraper, as illustrated, but IF I wanted to do this, I would probably just square it.

8 - Improvised fly tying vise or to hold something else. Since the lanyard ring is probably in the way for use as a fly tying vise, just use SAK hook to jab into the ground or a crack. Wedge fishing hook in with one or more of the tools on the front of the knife.

9 - If you don't have a plus handle, you can carry a pin, or in the alternative a short needle under the hook, but it would be easy to forget, and drop whatever was under there. Hmmm....perhaps combine it with a bit of sticky tack. I wish I knew a source for stainless steel needles.

10 - That dull point might be of use as an emergency stylus, if care was used.

11 - As a really painful knuckle sticking out from one's fist for self defense, if you don't want to escalate to the blade, or walking to the car and you don't really think you need a knife, but for some reason the hairs are standing up on the back of your neck. It would be instantly available, until you could run, or use something else, and you would not trip, fall on it and hurt yourself as you might with an open blade. Keep the keys in the other hand.

12 - The awl might be better, but it would break apart those ice cubes at a party, or chip some ice off a block when fishing.

13 - Pulling on anything else where a dull hook might work. That would include the aforementioned drain screen. Perhaps a button hook, but it is probably a bit too thick. Similarly, to pull laces tight on a boot or clothing.

14 - Might sometimes work as a hoof tool, if one did not have the Equestrian model SAK, or the proper hoof tool.

15 - Hold the end of a paperclip or other wire if you need to bend the end.

16 - Pull something through a hole, such as a loop of wire through a hole in the wallboard.

17- Pull snare wire loose.

18 - Pull on something that might be too sharp, or too small, to otherwise pull, such the edge of sheet metal.

19 - Pull vent covers off of fire places.

20 - Pull on bicycle chain to mount it, possibly the bead of a bicycle tire if a more appropriate lever is not at hand.

21 - Hanger for clothes, using the hook to suspend the body of the knife with the clothes hanging from the body of the knife. For example, where the hook has been pulled out of the bathroom stall door, hang the hook from the hole. 

22 - Pull on a stuck zipper.

23 - Pick up something you otherwise do not want to touch.

Another use for the hook.   

[firiki]

I have found the multi-purpose hook very useful when using the scissors and the pliers on the Handyman. Extended between my fingers it makes the knife sit securely in my hand, so I don't need to hold it tightly while using the aforementioned implements. I find it can provide a more comfortable grip when using the saws as well.

[Jothra]

If you find a short enough sewimg needle (easy!), and wrap it all over with thread until you have a bundle just big enough to keep it from falling out when the hook is opened, it fits under the hook without affecting any of your tools. This has been a minor life-saver on more than one occasion.

[Ross]

so I used the hook to carry out a rubbish bad the other morning.

[kkokkolis]

I just did what Jothra suggested. And I have also a longer, magnetized, needle under the other much hated tool, the fish scaler. This is a boost of options, thanks!

[396988]

I use it for pulling small wires out of krone blocks (telecommunications equipment) as I snapped the hook off my tool a few months ago.

Everytime I think of it though I am always annoy me that mine doesn't have a file. I don't use the file on my cadet when I carry it but It is like I have been cheated.

[Nhoj]

I have used the hook to pull out tent stakes and it has been very useful. I'm just mindful not to pull harder than it is meant for.

[Jothra]

I just did what Jothra suggested. And I have also a longer, magnetized, needle under the other much hated tool, the fish scaler. This is a boost of options, thanks!

Ironically, I'm using a Wenger these days, so I don't have the beautiful needle and thread space under the hook. Fortunately, the same bundle wedges nicely between the liners under the Wenger scissors.

Also: a use for the fish scaler? Nice!