In my opinion (and I'm not a lawyer, just a middle aged, middle class white guy) having a multi tool as part of a bike toolkit is a good enough reason to carry a locking blade. As long as it's tucked away in your saddle bag and you're discreet when using it you'll be OK.
Apparently the newer SOG bit driver doesn't work well unless you clamp on the handles and the bits tend to turn in the socket otherwise. Also the compound leverage is a great concept but only works well for small-ish nuts, due to the handles opening up twice aa much compared to normal pliers. Of course, YMMV.
I've been in your shoes ever since I moved to the UK a few years ago and I've resorted to carrying moded knifeless MTs. In the rotation I now have:* a Vic Spirit sans blade/saw/awl/scraper (added lanyard loop and spacers, thinking of throwing in a Vic scaler just for the ruler).* a Paratool sans blades/saw, plus LM Wave-style scissors.* a LM Rebar sans blades/saw/awl, plus LM Wave-style scissors.* a butchered LM Charge TTi sans blades/saw.
I've been contemplating removing the blade from my LM pulse as well but haven't gotten round to it yet.When not around school I may go for a Juice CS4 or KF4, and soon I'll have a PST II in the mix, or I complement the knifeless MT with a Vic Cadet/Pioneer/Compact.Keep in mind, though, that even a <3' non-locking blade isn't "safe" per se, as anything can be classified as an offensive weapon under UK Prevention of Crime Act 1953...
I'm pretty sure that if an individual officer considered a locking saw blade to be illegal, then his superiors would correct him if you refused to give it up! The legislation as I remember it was written specifically for knives and saws and other implements were not mentioned at all.The locking blade however is a grey area. What constitutes a "good reason" to carry it? We know that anglers are fine having a knife in their tackle box, personally I don't see the difference between that and a cyclist having one in their toolkit. I'd fancy my chances with a copper if I did get stop/searched anyway.But if you don't fancy it - how about a Leatherman Kick with a bit adapter? Lightweight, compact, pretty well featured and of course completely legal. No saw though.
But if you don't fancy it - how about a Leatherman Kick with a bit adapter? Lightweight, compact, pretty well featured and of course completely legal. No saw though.
The Knifeless Fuse is basically the standard Fuse, but they swapped the knife blade for a file. Everything it does have however, does lock:The Kick does have a blade, but its < 3" and nothing locks.I'm afraid I've been out of the loop for a while so I don't know how easy any of these might be to find any of these retired tools :/
Yeah, it is (was) a perfectly good tool. Don't let the Zytel put you off, it does nothing structural and is there to provide a more comfortable grip if you really have to put some oomph into cutting with the pliers. It largely manages that too.It might be worth waiting to see if anyone else chips in with suggestions though as I say I've been out of the loop for a good few years and there could easily be something more suitable that I'm not aware of. That said, I'm confident the Fuse would serve you perfectly well if you can find one. Have a look at the bit adapter too which turns the phillips driver into a hex bit holder - would be useful on a bike I'm sure for allen bits.
Ok, so having read all the spins this thread's doing and all, my pick would be a SOG PPP. Why?(Image removed from quote.)+ Non locking blade, and less than 3 inches+ Lightweight tool, slim and flat+ Powerful needlenose jaws and nice cutters, with C.Leverage, flat head design allows to lay the jaws completely flat on surfaces (comes useful at times)+ Strong gripping action, very fine tip, easy to flip open with one hand while the other is doing things+ Easily to mod, to take out the blade and incorporate a SOG 1/4 bit driver, for instance+ Comes with a dedicated Phillips driver(Image removed from quote.)- None of the tools/implements lock- Has no bit driver included per se,but you can add it later- Can be uncomfortable if you apply lots of pressure- Has no clip, that might be a problem to some- Handle splay limits the size of nuts you can manipulate(Image removed from quote.)So, I believe it's the one that fits you tthe best while still being available/in current production. What do you all say, guys? PS: On a second note, the FUSE is indeed a fantastic tool and capable, durable and versatile while being light enough for pocket carry, IMO
There is a version of the PowerLock that is supposed to be allowable on airplanes by the TSA here in the US, and has no saw or a blade. It's called the Traveler, and has three flathead, one Phillips, one Robertson in screwdrivers, a bottle opener, can opener, file, and scissors. Looks to cover everything you need but the saw. http://www.sogknives.com/travelers.html
Quote from: cody6268 on July 23, 2016, 09:04:31 PMThere is a version of the PowerLock that is supposed to be allowable on airplanes by the TSA here in the US, and has no saw or a blade. It's called the Traveler, and has three flathead, one Phillips, one Robertson in screwdrivers, a bottle opener, can opener, file, and scissors. Looks to cover everything you need but the saw. http://www.sogknives.com/travelers.htmlLooks like it's a well-equipped tool, though looks larger and heavier than what I'm looking for - it's 258g / 9.1 Oz, whereas the Knifeless Fuse is only 170g / 6 Oz and considerably smaller. Seems odd that it's one of Sog's larger and heavier MTs that they decided to convert into a "Traveler"!BTW I doubt you'd be allowed to carry any multitool on a European flight, especially not one with scissors - I think a rounded butterknife is about the only implement you're allowed!BTW what's a Robertson screwdriver? Never heard of that before - Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, Hex, Slotted yes, but not Robertson!
Quote from: Oxford_Guy on July 23, 2016, 10:29:39 PMQuote from: cody6268 on July 23, 2016, 09:04:31 PMThere is a version of the PowerLock that is supposed to be allowable on airplanes by the TSA here in the US, and has no saw or a blade. It's called the Traveler, and has three flathead, one Phillips, one Robertson in screwdrivers, a bottle opener, can opener, file, and scissors. Looks to cover everything you need but the saw. http://www.sogknives.com/travelers.htmlLooks like it's a well-equipped tool, though looks larger and heavier than what I'm looking for - it's 258g / 9.1 Oz, whereas the Knifeless Fuse is only 170g / 6 Oz and considerably smaller. Seems odd that it's one of Sog's larger and heavier MTs that they decided to convert into a "Traveler"!BTW I doubt you'd be allowed to carry any multitool on a European flight, especially not one with scissors - I think a rounded butterknife is about the only implement you're allowed!BTW what's a Robertson screwdriver? Never heard of that before - Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, Hex, Slotted yes, but not Robertson!Welcome to Seems that you have been given a lot of options already The Robertson bit is a screw with a square in the top so you need a square ended bit for it
If you have found a knifeless Fuse then jump on it as they are discontinued and have been for some time Then you can get a Leatherman Bit adapter that fits over the square shank of the Phillips and turns it into a bit driver
Quote from: Poncho65 on July 24, 2016, 12:16:47 AMIf you have found a knifeless Fuse then jump on it as they are discontinued and have been for some time Then you can get a Leatherman Bit adapter that fits over the square shank of the Phillips and turns it into a bit driver Okay, am on it! Will post here if I manage to snag one.Am I right in thinking that bit driver can use both regular 1/4 bits as well as slotted Leatherman bits? If so - winner!
..........BTW what's a Robertson screwdriver? Never heard of that before - Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, Hex, Slotted yes, but not Robertson!..........Don't think I've ever seem a a Robertson screw in the UK!
Welcome to the forum OG - Another bike riding multitool fan - Brilliant Quote from: Oxford_Guy on July 24, 2016, 12:43:43 AM..........BTW what's a Robertson screwdriver? Never heard of that before - Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, Hex, Slotted yes, but not Robertson!..........Don't think I've ever seem a a Robertson screw in the UK!I guess you have never installed (or scrutinised) decking !I have no idea why - But in the UK decking screws are nearly always Robertsons (not sure if we call them that tho')They are very, very common in Canada (invented by a Canadian bloke) - and you will often hear the Canucks on this forum moaning that they are not as common as they should be on MTs!! Re the problem.I have a small bike toolkit:Bike specific MT - You know hexes, flat, phillips drivers only - available in all bike shops and very cheap!Tyre leversBike spanners - box and flatPunture outfitSpare inner tubeAnd there is a small adjustable wrench in there too (possibly overkill) When I cycle I just throw my normal SAK (Huntsman or such like) into that kit (or have it elsewhere - in a panier etc)So that takes care of the legal stuff I am well equiped and can do everything I need to on a bikeI think you don't really need a traditional multi on a bike! Eg wrenches and hexes much more useful than pliersOne slight problem, if you are really worried about weight, my kit is quite heavy! And not to say a knifeless Fuse is not a great tool to have for use/carry around the UK - Go for it!!
If you've managed to find a source for knifeless fuses and they have more than one available, please let us know. I know I'd love to get one again. I swapped mine away several years ago as the zytel inserts made the handles too wide for my liking (at least compared to the Spirit I edc'ed back then) and have definitely regretted it...
Btw the reason why I personally opt for completely bladeless, as opposed to non-locking bladed, MTs is that I spend most of my days on or around a university campus, and when I head to a pub that usually is straight after work. In these settings, I'd rather be on the safe side of the law. I understand that you want a tool for your bike, but if there is a chance you might want to have it on you at all times, think twice.
If I were a policeman I would not believe you need a Knife for bike maintenance...I don´t think UK police were so stupids to believe that