POLL:What is your defintion of a multi tool?

[Kapt Kopter]

I was just wondering what everyones defintion of a multi tool is?
Does a multi tool have to be scissor or plier based?
Does a multi have to have screwdrivers, files etc
Does a knife like the HOBO constitute a Multi-Tool
How about a Case Bartender, its got a specilaized cutter for aluminum foil and a corkscrew.
I think in some ways any knife or tool with multiple implements is a multi, am I wrong?

Kap

After I posted this I thought it might be a good topic for a poll.....sorry for the double post

[Kapt Kopter]

New to this poll idea so bear with me folks...........any and all comments are appreciated

Kap

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have often thought of this concept too.  I mean, if you say it has to have pliers then that gets rid of the Micra (and others) because they are based on scissors rather than pliers.  Of course, being of the same relative design as the "traditional" plier based multi, I would guess that they would have to be considered a multitool.  I considered this long and hard when writing the "Black Sheep" article on SOSAKOnline which described Victorinox's early attempts at multitools.  Of course, that's assuming we aren't considering standard SAKs as multitools, which is open to interpretation.  At any rate, no one can really argue about the AutoTool's status as a multitool, being a plier based unit with multiple tools including screwdrivers and a knife blade, but what about the Vic Sport Ratchet, which doesn't really fall into a "traditional" Leatherman style multitool definition, but also doesn't really fall into a SAK definition, or any other definition either.
I basically came to the conclusion that with all the various multitools available, I define them as a tool with multiple features that doesn't fit into any other catagory.  That way, the Sport Ratchet qualifies, but SAKs don't.  Of course the Auto Tool, Sport Ratchet, SwissTool, Spirit, PocketGrip and SwissGrip are all considered multitools because, while made by SAK companies, they are not "traditional" SAKs.
Also, using that definition, you can also include things like the National Geographic carabiner tool from Kershaw, the Schrade I-Quip mentioned in another thread and so on.  I guess if you wanted to, you could list SAKs as multitools, just as you could also call SAKs slipjoints, but I am sure the slipjoint guys would be a little upset about that!  In theory, you could upset them alot more by suggesting that their slipjoints are also considered multitools if they have more than one blade!  That's why I like to think of multitools as being anything that doesn't fit anywhere else.  I can't see a hobo knife being in the same class as a Leatherman SuperTool or SOG PowerLock, and to be quite honest, I don't think the world is ready for a folding set of pliers with a fold out spork attached.
Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Do absentee ballots count?  What about the senior vote?  I demand a recount!
Def

[Fred]

Not made in pakistan!

[Fred]

I voted.Now who is getting sent home?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I just successfully merged these two topics.  Now it looks like we are all morons, posting repeatedly!
Def

[Kapt Kopter]

Thx Def,,it what I should have done in the first place

Kap

[Grant Lamontagne]

No worries- it gave me a chance to play with some of the software options.  I should know how these things work, and the only way to figure them out is to use them!
Def

[NutSAK]

I've never considered a SAK a multi-tool, so I chose scissors or pliers.

Then again, many SAKs have scissors or pliers.  DOH!

[J-sews]

I've been struggling to define exactly what constitutes a multi tool for quite some time now. Nothing I've came up with has been entirely satisfactory. Here's my latest.

A multi tool is primarily a tool, such as pliers or scissors or a wrench, which has secondary blades or other functions that unfold from it.

(Whereas a SAK is primarily a folding knife, which has secondary tools such as pliers, scissors, etc that unfold from it.)

~Bob

[Ging]

I've been struggling to define exactly what constitutes a multi tool for quite some time now. Nothing I've came up with has been entirely satisfactory. Here's my latest.

A multi tool is primarily a tool, such as pliers or scissors or a wrench, which has secondary blades or other functions that unfold from it.

(Whereas a SAK is primarily a folding knife, which has secondary tools such as pliers, scissors, etc that unfold from it.)

~Bob

I think you have it Bob multitool = tools in a pliers/scissors handle, where as an SAK is a knife. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

At the risk of shooting holes in that one, which seems to be the best idea so far, what about the Victorinox Sport Ratchet, Spyderco SpyderWrench, Byrd Harp and Myerco Paradox?
Def

[J-sews]

With those examples we need to apply a little Defender logic:

I basically came to the conclusion that with all the various multitools available, I define them as a tool with multiple features that doesn't fit into any other catagory.  Def

Hmmmm, it seems like this definition thing should be easy, but it ain't.
~Bob

[Grant Lamontagne]

Unless someone wants to coin a new phrase like "MiscellaneousTool" to cover the others!
Def