Unloved and underrated?

GraysonK · **on:** October 24, 2009, 07:43:30 PM

Hi all,
I was just sitting here playing with one of my Cadets and reading through some posts and such and got to thinking...what do you all all consider the most underappreciated tool? Not that I think the Cadet is under appreciated, but there's a lot of info around here and with the new keychain and one piece tool section I thought it might be interesting. Plus, I'm always looking for more ideas of things I could get obsessed with. LOL! So, is there a tool, knife, SAK, etc that you personally feel is awesome but doesn't get mentioned a lot? It could even be a company like SOG or Gerber.

Flash · **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2009, 07:45:57 PM

Most underrated and underused tool?? ?Don't ask my wife

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2009, 09:22:48 PM

I did, and she said your brain!

Def

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2009, 09:27:48 PM

Well, the Gerber tools don't see a lotta love here...

On the SAK side, I think the Wengers tend to get side glances and behind the back whispers too.

I think Gerber needs to give us all a MT to sway our opinions.

And seriously, if you haven't tried out a Wenger, they are definitely worth a go.

Neil · **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2009, 09:40:42 PM

I would say though that you're best buying a new Wenger. Some of the older models are not quite up there quality wise.

The Victorinox 74mm line is one that often gets overlooked. Still definitely in the small key ring tool category but big enough to use the blade without risk of fumbling it.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2009, 09:44:45 PM

Sadly my Kukri's

scrappy · **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2009, 10:05:29 PM

I always thought the schrade vise grip and schrade professional were under rated. the locks on the professional are in adequet but the more I use the tool the more I believe it has the strongest pliers

american lockpicker · **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2009, 10:09:21 PM

Bear & Son also Wenger as a lot of people think they are knockoffs.

Flash · **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2009, 11:02:02 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 24, 2009, 09:22:48 PM

I did, and she said your brain!

Def

Oi, I resemble that remark.

On a serious note I would say the most under rated is the hook on a SAK. For some reason I use that on a weekly basis. On the same vein the fishscaler, but only for the ruler.

nuphoria · **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2009, 11:26:22 PM

Flash, what do you use the hook for?

(clean answer please)

Flash · **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2009, 11:29:41 PM

Quote from: nuphoria on October 24, 2009, 11:26:22 PM

Flash, what do you use the hook for?

(clean answer please)

Hmmm clean answer.....I am struggling.

Well, carrying bags for one thing....I use it to carry my riot gear bag (that has handles that could double up as garottes).
I use it to reach the window locks at work to save me from having to get a stool (works a treat every time)
I use it to "hold" paracord. I wedge the knife between my computer speakers and then I have both hands for those ever so important tactical knots/sewing you know all about

I also use it to "hook" things from time to time

nuphoria · **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2009, 11:41:16 PM

OK... I'll buy that

Benner · **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2009, 12:35:19 AM

I think the Buck X-tract is quite underrated for what it is and for the price it is.

NutSAK · **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2009, 01:18:28 AM

The Farmer!!

no wait.... everyone loves those.

GraysonK · **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2009, 01:26:57 AM

You know I didn't think about individual tools on a MT or SAK...thanks Flash for mentioning the hook on the SAK's. I'll admit, I haven't used it yet but I can see how it could be useful. The Buck X-Tract is getting some attention lately, I might have to give it another look. I handled one at Dick's once and it didn't really appeal, but that was before I started playing with all these other ones.

Until the other day the most underused tool for me was the file on my Pulse. I hadn't used the big file on any of my tools really until I came across a nail that needed filed down. The file on the Pulse worked like a charm. I love that little tool! And it's purdy too! Keep 'em coming guys and gals. Thanks for all the great responses so far.

Pacu · **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:55:12 AM

SOG Paratool. Great tool and it is made well.
and Leatherman knives in general. I say give them a go. Cheap.well made. stays sharp.

MultiMat · **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2009, 03:18:28 AM

WENGER BUSINESS TOOL

I use it every day & I love it. A little mad but great to use

Spoonrobot · **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2009, 03:28:50 AM

I always felt like the Blast didn't get the credit it deserved. Everyone goes for the Wave but often times the Blast is just as good or better in certain roles.

Styerman · **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2009, 03:44:33 AM

Ramblers get less love than Classics , but are far more usefull .

Chris

David Bowen · **Reply #19 on:** October 25, 2009, 04:09:33 AM

Most underrated huh? Let me think.... SOG CrossGrip, some think it's too small for many tasks and that wacky phillips is a joke compared to the phillips drivers on most other small multitools (LM Squirt for instance). It's not without it's drawbacks but I have turned some screws with that phillips that otherwise would have not gotten turned and those compound leverage pliers work better in a pinch than something like a Gerber Clutch.

ducktapehero · **Reply #20 on:** October 25, 2009, 05:03:27 PM

Quote from: Spoonrobot on October 25, 2009, 03:28:50 AM

I always felt like the Blast didn't get the credit it deserved. Everyone goes for the Wave but often times the Blast is just as good or better in certain roles.

Agree with this. EVERYONE talks about the Wave but just recently I picked between the 2 and I went with a Blast. The Wave, while nice, certainly wasn't $30 worth nicer. Another tool that is undervalued is the Kick. Most people suggest a Fuse when asked to recommend a small light multi-tool, but there's a lot to be said about the Kick too. One is the price, you can sometimes pick up new Kicks under $20. That's a HELL of a good price, second, since the Kick doesn't officially have locks it is politically correct and can be carried almost anywhere. Which is good for a world traveler.

Craig · **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2009, 05:36:20 PM

The Blast is a great tool, I just wish it had a diamond file.

Precise · **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2009, 05:39:33 PM

The Wenger Pocket Tool Chest. Seriously, this thing is waaay underrated. Besides myself, I haven't heard of anyone even mentioning the thing. It is only slightly bigger than a vic classic and is massively more useful without having all the useless implements and bulk that the vic minichamp has.

And for the single tool category: Wenger scissors. The serrations are great for cutting and have a nice grip to things so they don't slip out. I've never broken a Wenger scissor spring. I've broken a couple of vics. (granted vic's lil spring is pretty easy to replace...)

Yay Wenger Pocket Tool Chest!!!

Zack · **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2009, 10:29:23 PM

Quote from: Craig on October 25, 2009, 05:36:20 PM

The Blast is a great tool, I just wish it had a diamond file.

And a pocket clip.

GraysonK · **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2009, 10:47:24 PM

I really need to try a blast one of these days but i'm so happy with Pulse as an alternative to the Wave that I just haven't brought myself to do it yet. Nothing against it, I just love my Pulse. I know that a while back I was happy with my Wave again, but...eh I just can't make up my mind.

turnsouth · **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2009, 10:55:31 PM

I can think of one that was unloved in my experience, the Victorinox Huntsman.

Twenty-some years ago I was in Monterey California, and stopped into a little store that had a lot of outdoor type stuff. I was looking at the Victorinox display and noticed that the Huntsman was 60% off. As I was buying the last 3 they had, I asked why they were on clearance, and if perhaps Victorinox was changing the model.

The young clerk that was checking me out said "No, we just don't want to sell that model anymore, because, you know, it promotes hunting..."

My wife said that I embarrassed her when I laughed out-loud.

Sazabi · **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2009, 12:51:40 AM

Quote from: Styerman on October 25, 2009, 03:44:33 AM

Ramblers get less love than Classics , but are far more usefull .

Chris

I love my Rambler; it's the one knife on my keychain I carry daily. Of course, I had to go the route of Vagabond >> MiniChamp II >> Manager >> Classic SD >> Rambler to get there. XD

NutSAK · **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:12:51 AM

Quote from: Styerman on October 25, 2009, 03:44:33 AM

Ramblers get less love than Classics , but are far more usefull .

Chris

I couldn't agree more. I carry a Rambler every day, and I don't even own a Classic.

NutSAK · **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:14:00 AM

Quote from: turnsouth on October 25, 2009, 10:55:31 PM

I can think of one that was unloved in my experience, the Victorinox Huntsman.

Twenty-some years ago I was in Monterey California, and stopped into a little store that had a lot of outdoor type stuff. I was looking at the Victorinox display and noticed that the Huntsman was 60% off. As I was buying the last 3 they had, I asked why they were on clearance, and if perhaps Victorinox was changing the model.

The young clerk that was checking me out said "No, we just don't want to sell that model anymore, because, you know, it promotes hunting..."

My wife said that I embarrassed her when I laughed out-loud.

LOL. Unbelievable!

Santos · **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:59:13 AM

Quote from: Precise on October 25, 2009, 05:39:33 PM

The Wenger Pocket Tool Chest. Seriously, this thing is waaay underrated. Besides myself, I haven't heard of anyone even mentioning the thing. It is only slightly bigger than a vic classic and is massively more useful without having all the useless implements and bulk that the vic minichamp has.

And for the single tool category: Wenger scissors. The serrations are great for cutting and have a nice grip to things so they don't slip out. I've never broken a Wenger scissor spring. I've broken a couple of vics. (granted vic's lil spring is pretty easy to replace...)

Yay Wenger Pocket Tool Chest!!!

i agree, i have one, i just wished it had a phillips, would stop caring te rambler for it if it did

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