What do you do for a living???

[getpower]

First off, please forgive me if you guys think that this is too personal, but recently I kind of found out that I couldn't carry a multitool at work.

Kind of got in trouble for it because it doesent really look professional. I didn't really get into trouble, rather I was told that if the big boss saw me using a multitool rather then a real screwdriver, he wouldn't be happy.

So, I was just wondering what you guys did for a profession and which multitool you carry (actually on your belt all the time) when you are at work.

I'm not asking because I am looking for a career change, I just think that if this isn't too personal of a question that it might be kind of a fun post.
 

[rp252]

We've had something like this fairly recently.  You should start by giving us the lowdown on what you do and what MT you shouldn't have been carrying

Personally I'm a superhuman mutant zombie pirate ninja, sent back in time to change the world for all those lucky ladies out there...

No, honest... I really am! 

I don't carry a multi at work, too much in the pockets and round my neck already.  I'm a doc, so MT isn't all that useful to me whilst I'm on shift, but I keep a SAK Ranger in my bag just in case.

[Chako]

High School Edumacator here. I teach mostly Science, Computers, and Graphic Arts.

No MT or SAKs allowed at the work place.

[Medic82]

I work in the security business. Initially my boss said no to multitools and the reason for it is that you are not allowed to carry a knife here in Norway. But I talked with a police lawyer and he said that if you have an honorable purpose for carrying a knife then it’s ok, he also said that the police wont stop a security guard in full uniform.

So armed with this information the boss said OK, I started out with my Paratool went over too a Powerlock, got myself a Swisstool and now using a SURGE. The best EDC work MT for my use is a Swisstool so I have one on the way

[RaptorMan]

I am a Quality Engineer for an automobile seating systems MFG. The floor associates arent supposed to carry MT's or knives, however our Maintenance and Quality department has been given the unsaid rule that we can.

[ufox9al]

Mostly, I draw big boxes on the the whiteboard for a living. I also make coffee in the morning and do minor janitorial duties, as required. There are no EDC restrictions my office.

[Zack]

Somedays I clean up poop, other days I take my wife lunch.  Right now I am stay at home father/husband, but the little tike is in daycare most days, so I mainly wake up take him to daycare, clean, look for jobs, then pick him up at 3:00.  No EDC restrictions, and I can change it multiple times a day.

[jim guy]

Somedays I clean up poop, other days I take my wife lunch.  Right now I am stay at home father/husband, but the little tike is in daycare most days, so I mainly wake up take him to daycare, clean, look for jobs, then pick him up at 3:00.  No EDC restrictions, and I can change it multiple times a day.

Zack, thats crazy, that sounds like my work schedule, to the T!

[appletree_man]

Office administrator.  No problems that I know of, even the safety manager carries a MT. Only a cheapie, but it's a start 

[Mr. Whippy]

I am a Quality Engineer for an automobile seating systems MFG.

I don't know if you're responsible for them or not but the Chevy Tahoe seats are the best ev4R!  It is the only vehicle where I can drive for back to back 600-800 mile days with absolutely no butt or back fatigue.  Really.  The best seats-especially the leather heated ones.  (I think their the same as the ones in my Chevy Silverado too  )

The seats are my only complaint about Hondas--not enough back support for long drives--I have to bring a towel to make a lumbar roll.

[getahl]

I work as a traveling field-rep (not sales, more sample and data collection for a medical labeling company), but I've been in the office a lot recently, working on cost-comparison quotes between ours and our competitor's products. Essentially, office job with occasional travel. There hasn't been any mention of EDC restrictions, but I've never seen another pocket clip or a MT sheathe. I keep my ST300 or my Charge TTi in my bag; close at hand, but not visible. I also have a Squirt S4 on my keyring, which I actually use as my main pair of scissors. I surrendered my real scissors to my boss since I was traveling heavily at the time, and she didn't have a pair.

I do have a Juice CS4 on the way. Yes, I realize I've bad-mouthed them in the past, but I need something that doesn't lock for when I go back to school in the Spring Semester.

[Shane769]

Full time student And I still carry the Surge everyday. Pretty sure at least a small portion of my program carries them, and my one prof thought it was pretty cool.

[Mr. Whippy]

Full time student And I still carry the Surge everyday. Pretty sure at least a small portion of my program carries them, and my one prof thought it was pretty cool.

That prof must be on the "cutting edge" of his field.   

[cliosguy]

i see for the integrity of a national ISP network

[Shane769]

Full time student And I still carry the Surge everyday. Pretty sure at least a small portion of my program carries them, and my one prof thought it was pretty cool.

That prof must be on the "cutting edge" of his field.   

  He is though, to be serious. But then again, how many profs do you know that research arctic tourism?

[Dunc]

I'm a Navigation Quay Ranger and and carry a LM Wave in a horizontal position on my belt with a Fisher matt black Bullet pen and a Fenix L0D in the sheath , Vic Helmsman in my pocket ( For the shackle key) and I'm also issued with a ( Crap) fixed blade knife that I wear on my life jacket .

Either have the above combo ( minus fixed blade ) for when doing lifeboat stuff or sometimes have a Vic Swisstool .


Dunc

[Benner]

Like I said in the recent thread in the break room, I work with children with Epilepsy, learning difficulties and challenging behaviour.  No blades allowed there obviously. 

[max6166]

I often have to tailor what I carry to a particular environment or situation. It runs the gamut from a full toolbelt and jeans to a business suit and Classic.

I have been in the same situation as getpower many times. I have even quietly used blunt screwdrivers rather than my MT, because I know using the MT will lower people's impression of me (rightly or wrongly). I could use the MT if I really wanted to, but it would negatively affect other people's impression of me.

It's purely a business decision. Customers often base their opinions on the most frivolous of things, and not the quality of one's work. Some people can ignore that; others need to pay attention to it or their business will fail.

I often even don't carry a visible MT purely to maintain a certain image, usually when I am in a corporate meeting or making a sales pitch to a new client.

Rightly or wrongly, we are judged on our appearance and sometimes an MT is not part of the image that I need to project to my clients. Sometimes it is. Funny world... 

For the most part, I work at home though where I can walk around pantless wearing a bandolier of MTs (I wish...). 

[getpower]

Alright guys, I'll come out a little bit and tell you that I do maintenance on tug boats.

Seems that out of all you posters so far that my job consists of needing tools the most (not that a pen or a pencil isn't a tool-that's not what I mean).

The tool in question was a Leatherman Blast, but I was known for carrying a ST 200, Core, Charge TTi, ALX, and Camo XTi.

I kind of got scolded for the Blast. I could still have it, and it came in handy kind of. But I can see the point my boss was making (I kind of have two bosses because I work the night shift and the "big boss" works during the day).

When I am doing wiring, its easier to use wire strippers, crimpers, cutters and real screwdrivers rather than use a multitool at all.

When I was talked to, I was in a position where I just needed a screwdriver quick, and it was about 5 minutes to get one and come back because we are on boats off of a pier and tools are in the shop. Made sense to me, but apparently its the image I present, so apparently, its better to waste the time on the clock to go and get real tools.

[Sazabi]

No offense if this is a dumb question, but for all of these complaints about a multitool being unprofessional compared to a "real tool," I just don't understand it.

How does a "real tool" display professionalism over a "multitool?"  Should someone get a Spirit in that case?  It looks better than a "real tool." XD  Definitely shiny. ^^;

[appletree_man]

I think it's more to do with the people (not MT or SAK fans) who don't understand these things.
SAKs still have an image of boy scouts, horse's hooves, etc, not 'professionalism'. Not sure if the same is said of MTs.

[gafftapegreenia]

By day, full time student. For that job I have been carrying just a Vic Manager.

By evening and night, entertainment/theatrical technician, for which I carry a Core, Vic Electrician and a folding contractor knife.

[LatinoHeat]

Somedays I clean up poop, other days I take my wife lunch.  Right now I am stay at home father/husband, but the little tike is in daycare most days, so I mainly wake up take him to daycare, clean, look for jobs, then pick him up at 3:00.  No EDC restrictions, and I can change it multiple times a day.

This, except my daughter is two and a half, so no daycare..

[Bowman1911]

As I said before, I'm an intake speSmurfpillst for a state psychiatric facility. It's a living.

[J-sews]

My job requires various roles. Some days I'm in a suit, no multi tool allowed. The next day might find me in jeans and a teeshirt, filthy up to the elbows. On those days I carry a Skeletool.

[RaptorMan]

I am a Quality Engineer for an automobile seating systems MFG.

(Image removed from quote.)

I don't know if you're responsible for them or not but the Chevy Tahoe seats are the best ev4R!  It is the only vehicle where I can drive for back to back 600-800 mile days with absolutely no butt or back fatigue.  Really.  The best seats-especially the leather heated ones.  (I think their the same as the ones in my Chevy Silverado too  )

The seats are my only complaint about Hondas--not enough back support for long drives--I have to bring a towel to make a lumbar roll.

Well unfortunately Honda is my business.....they are built for endurance and longevity. Comfort is there but for smaller people unfortunately. I am responsible for the 4Door accord and 2 door accord business.

[Mike 56]

I was a flooring installer for 30+ years. I installed linoleum, carpet and hardwood floors. Bad knees, back and wrists forested me to to retire. I carried a Wave on my belt for twenty of the years i installed floors. I used my multi tool to R and R toilets repair a nail guns pull staples and countless other tasks. A multi tool is not allways the best tool for the job but in my trade it was a tool i allways had on me and was very usefull saved me a lot of trips back to the tool box.
Mike

[sappyg]

i am a construction manager for a national home builder. i am suppose to dress a certain way... blah blah blah. no one frowns on an MT though few if any use them.... most don't use tools period. i used my MT countless times today and likely will again tomorrow. it saves me time and time is the one thing i don't have to spare.
i have found that homeowners, trades, and my warranty guy are somewhat impressed with them and what can be accomplished with one in short order. i have no dought that my warranty guy will have a vic spirit in the near future.
i carry my MT in my hip pocket and not in a sheath b/c i have a Ra light in a belt sheath and a blackberry in another already. chances are i will use the light or the BB much more often. i average roughly one BB every 4 months b/c most just can't handle the conditions. yet, you could say that the BB is my MT of choice and that i can do w/o an MT before i can do w/o the BB.  

[Mr. Whippy]

I am a Quality Engineer for an automobile seating systems MFG.

(Image removed from quote.)

I don't know if you're responsible for them or not but the Chevy Tahoe seats are the best ev4R!  It is the only vehicle where I can drive for back to back 600-800 mile days with absolutely no butt or back fatigue.  Really.  The best seats-especially the leather heated ones.  (I think their the same as the ones in my Chevy Silverado too  )

The seats are my only complaint about Hondas--not enough back support for long drives--I have to bring a towel to make a lumbar roll.

Well unfortunately Honda is my business.....they are built for endurance and longevity. Comfort is there but for smaller people unfortunately. I am responsible for the 4Door accord and 2 door accord business.

We have an Element and an older Accord.  Great vehicles, but I'd like better lumbar support on long trips  

[jzmtl]

I drove a 07 civic for some long distance a while ago, seat feels decent.