Multitool.org Forum

Tool Talk => General Tool Discussion => Topic started by: enki_ck on January 03, 2013, 10:46:13 PM

Title: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: enki_ck on January 03, 2013, 10:46:13 PM
I see them around all the time on the internet. Various shops offer those cheep 2 for a buck 13 in 1 tools.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413NtFiARRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)


The Vic SwissCard is also a classic example.
(http://victorinox.saam007.com/imgs/swisscard/cards.jpg)


Tool Logic has one,
(http://www.gearculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/tool-logic-cc1sb-credit-card-companion.jpg)


and there was that Iain Sinclair Cardsharp credit card that folded into a knife ( that one still seems weird to me :shrug: )
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41idwgwOUjL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)


And there are those "emergency " too. ::)
(http://static.neatorama.com/images/2012-03/lock-pick-card.jpg)

I know some members here carry some kind of a wallet/credit card sized multitool. What do you guys use them for? How often does it come in handy? How resistant are they to wallet carry? I'm more of a minimalist as far as my wallet goes. I carry a slim LA leather wallet with just an ID, bank card, medical insurance card, fresnel lens (can't remember when I last used it) and money. I could probably find space for one of those card tools but as I carry my wallet in the back pocket, I'm not sure how sitting on it would affect the tools inside. Any long time users/carriers of those things have experiences they'd like to share?
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: nuphoria on January 03, 2013, 11:18:49 PM
I used to carry a Gen 1 Swiss card, but eventually replaced it with a regular SAK (or 50) :D

Seemed redundant if you are carrying another tool, and if it's an issue of stealth, you still can't get in anywhere you should with it if they look properly!
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: AimlessWanderer on January 04, 2013, 12:02:19 AM
Tool Logic has quite a few. I have two of them, both different to the one above. One of them was only received this week, and the other has seen very little use. From my perspective they're purely back up tools rather than primary use items. My regular wallet tools are currently a Minibuck, a Classic, Screwzall, Twistick, Endless Match lighter, Fisher Runaway, Fresnel Lens (maybe a couple other bits too  :think:) ... oh, duck tape, notepad, mini FAK ... yeah, that's most of it
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Syph007 on January 04, 2013, 12:06:13 AM
I still carry a swiss card.  I guess it gets less use than it used to, but I still like it.  If i do go with a pioneer or simple alox for EDC then the swiss card has tweezer, pen, scissors if I need them.  My wallet has room for it, so I never felt the need to remove it.

Mine is a black (onyx) swiss card lite, with the brighter white LED.

Oh I also have this tool logic card, but its thicker and Ive never felt the need to carry it.

(http://www.heinnie.com/uploads/images_products_large/3834.jpg)
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: dks on January 04, 2013, 10:18:10 AM
I have often wondered about them but I do not see them fitting in the wallet pocket for credit cards. Also, they are always costing too much on eBay, used.
I have several of the cheap metal ones, shown in the 1st picture and they are OK. They cut and make a decent bottle opener too.
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: dks on January 04, 2013, 10:35:56 AM
Just saw this, if anybody is interested:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1980-Old-United-Cutlery-UC942-Survival-Tool-Card-Camping-Fishing-Hiking-/261135112650?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cccdd99ca

Vintage 1980 Old United Cutlery UC942 Survival Tool Card
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: AimlessWanderer on January 04, 2013, 11:02:36 AM
Just saw this, if anybody is interested:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1980-Old-United-Cutlery-UC942-Survival-Tool-Card-Camping-Fishing-Hiking-/261135112650?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cccdd99ca

Vintage 1980 Old United Cutlery UC942 Survival Tool Card

I used to have one of those years ago  :D Might still be kicking around somewhere  :think:

I have often wondered about them but I do not see them fitting in the wallet pocket for credit cards. Also, they are always costing too much on eBay, used.
I have several of the cheap metal ones, shown in the 1st picture and they are OK. They cut and make a decent bottle opener too.


I've found they do work in canvas wallets, but not on all leather wallets  :)
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Steinar on January 04, 2013, 11:17:02 AM
I'm really no fan of credit card sized multitools. Perhaps because I carry a leather wallet, ref 50ft-trad's comment. I have a SwissCard and a couple of the all steel models. The SwissCard is a collection of tools less functional than in a SAK, in a packaging weaker and less ergonomic than a SAK. The all steel ones are, in my perspective, mostly gimmicks with horrible ergonomics.

Still a lot of fun, though... ;)
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Ombudsman on January 04, 2013, 10:14:30 PM
I liked the original Tool Logic Card concepts that included pliers  :tu:

(http://www.google.com/patents?id=bxKzAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA7&img=1&zoom=4&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U32mN0OBba-AHJE0ghwLhCIvV8Vfg&ci=95%2C208%2C835%2C905&edge=0)
(http://www.google.com/patents?id=bxKzAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA13&img=1&zoom=4&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U02zrzdVuauJS7BbAeRWT-6Z7AZEw&ci=95%2C123%2C805%2C693&edge=0)
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Santos on January 05, 2013, 11:25:43 AM
that plier one is cool

i bought mum a swisscard years ago
she loves it and given how often i use the loose quattro driver on my keychain i can see the swisslite being really handy for 'nontool' types.

but in many instances a 74mm or a 54mm sak does it better on a keychain
Title: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Farmman on January 05, 2013, 01:33:57 PM
I have a card sharp. Don't waste your money far too flimsy to be useful.
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Sparky415 on January 05, 2013, 04:05:14 PM

I used to have the first one, carried it around for ages but never used it for anything
It was replaced by Kamasa diamond key fob  :)

Link to discontinued tool  :(
http://www.kamasa.co.uk/item.aspx?cat=0&item=3854

Not a multitool but will sharpen a multitude of tools  :angel:
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Gareth on January 05, 2013, 04:19:58 PM
I've got one of the Tool Logic ones myself.  Like many other here though it sees little to no use. :shrug:
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: Landrew on January 05, 2013, 04:36:44 PM
I've carried the Swisscard for so long, I forgot I had it:
(https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUHKhg5m7bHn8rCfA28MH0c38ZXrVH-GHe86dBoHzIHJFuzRd-)

I carried the Tool Logic Card for a few weeks before that before it broke:
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRw70so7RGaOciHWJpyPB9PAaVOaa974b7mGS-38tl3gcvQbkgQ-A)

Originally, I paid roughly the same price for both of them.
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: El Rago on January 05, 2013, 05:21:09 PM
when I worked at the front desk of a hotal, a client once gave me his as a thank you. It was the swiss gen 2. I did find it very usefull back then, because it really had tools handy for an office based enviroment.

Mine got a bit beat up, and I am looking to change it. Maybe for a tool logic.

it is true that the functionality is quite limited, I keep thinking at my current job, where sharp pointy things are all but banned and could even lead to termination. Scissor and a pen are quite handy to carry them around in lieu of full size pen or scissors.
Title: Re: Credit Card Sized Multitools?
Post by: ironraven on January 07, 2013, 04:44:23 AM
I used to really dig these when I was a younger. The Swiss Card is probably the best of them, but the limits outweight the convenience IMO- put a Manager on your keyring and you'll be fine.

I bought some TSA seized ToolLogic cards last spring. I think I paid $4 for the pair of them, but I think I paid too much. Fit, finish and just the quality itself is bad. I also have one of those little one piece United tools someplace. And a scar from it- they are a bad design.

I don't have but have handled the Sinclair, a coworker has one. It is good for what it is, but it's basically just a small steak or paring knife you can carry with you. No guard, not much to grip, thin blade, but it will take a good edge.