Hello from Virginia: A Story of Tools.

infinite_zero · **on:** April 15, 2010, 11:15:37 PM

I have been lurking here for awhile, and I finally decided it was time to introduce myself.

I am from Northern Virginia and have only more recently become a multitool aficionado. My first multitool came to me as a graduation gift back in 1997: a Leatherman PST II (which I wouldn't have known if not for comparing it to the "Retired Tools" section of Leatherman's site). It has seen some wear and tear, but its still in decent condition.

I was given a second generic keychain multi tool for christmas a few years later as a stocking stuffer. I have never been able to identify it, but its basically a piece of junk that I have never actually used after opening it.

That was it for my multiools until 2 years ago, when I took a job fixing computers. I had a full size toolkit, but I found i needed a knife to open boxes. I brought along my PST II one day and realized how damned useful it really still was. The only issue was that it was a little uncomfortable to use.

I took a look at the Leatherman site and found that they had long since tamed the sharp edges on the handles that were my only complaint. I read up on everything that they sold and actually ended up getting one of their Expanse series of knives, the e33BX, for its nice blade and bit driver. I was so tempted by its shiny blade and bit driver, and I figured that I could always use the pliers from my toolkit in the rare instance I needed them.

I used the e33BX as my EDC for several months, but kept thinking I should've bought a more traditional multitool with pliers. I started doing some more research, and came upon the Gerber brand. I ended up waiting another month for their new Octane tool to come out, and I bought it. I gave my e33BX to my girlfriend, as I thought she might find a use for it.

Unfortunately, I missed it rather quickly. The Octane just didn't have the quality that people had led me to expect, and that I got with Leatherman. I missed the slim, solid e33BX. Ever one to go "onward and upward," I got myself the e55BX in replacement.

The e55 was maybe too much of a good thing. Very well made, but.....HUGE! Plus, I was again without pliers. I got used to its size and it became my EDC. One day I was at a customer's and needed a set of pliers, but I forgot my full toolkit. The customer didn't have a set either. I ran to the nearest store I thought would sell them, a Target, and they were out.

I ended up getting a littler Gerber Clutch because it was the cheapest way to get pliers at the time. The pliers were decent (way better than the Octane) but the rest of the tool was extremely poor. That weekend, I did some more research (this time only looking at tools with pliers), and found that the Charge ALX would be absolutely perfect for work.

I got the Charge, which is still my EDC for work (I clip it to my pocket, and keep the sheath with the spare bits in my work vehicle). I also at the same time got a Squirt S4 (both were on a very good sale), which had a few tools that the Charge ALX didn't.

That brings us to today, when it hit me that I got the Octane at REI, and they have an infinite return policy if you bought your item under an REI membership. I took the Octane back and picked up a Freestyle CX on sale for roughly the same price (the Skeletool CX was out of my budget, and the regular Skeletool doesn't have the 154CM blade that I have become quite fond of). Its a very cool minimalist tool that I think I will make my EDC when not on the job.

Driving home from REI, I thought to myself, "why am I not a member of multitool.org yet?" and here I am.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2010, 11:17:20 PM

Welcome aboard mate

Benner · **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2010, 11:30:14 PM

Welcome

Smitty44 · **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2010, 12:09:42 AM

Great story mate,sounds like your a multitool type person now,welcome to the forums.

&

donvito · **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2010, 04:14:36 AM

Welcome to the forum

Skeletool is a great light edc MT

Zed · **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:37:57 AM

welcome mate

Kmarr · **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:53:56 AM

I was asking myself "kmarr(yes I used my alias) why don't you read more novels?"
My split personality reminded me- "cuz they don't involve epic multitool tales of triumph and glory!!"

I liked your essay length story cuz I can relate to the same situation. except if I was writing it, I'd include a segment of how I used an MT to rescue scandily clad lifeguards when their oversized booster seat on the beach got all loose

welcome home

Gareth · **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2010, 11:03:04 AM

Great opening post zero.

Welcome to the forum.

Zed · **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2010, 12:00:25 PM

Quote from: Kmarr on April 16, 2010, 09:53:56 AM

I was asking myself "kmarr(yes I used my alias) why don't you read more novels?"
My split personality reminded me- "cuz they don't involve epic multitool tales of triumph and glory!!"

I liked your essay length story cuz I can relate to the same situation. except if I was writing it, I'd include a segment of how I used an MT to rescue scandily clad lifeguards when their oversized booster seat on the beach got all loose

welcome home

$:-\$ that would be copyright as i did that last weekend

Chako · **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2010, 02:01:29 PM

Welcome aboard.

J-sews · **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2010, 03:41:48 AM

Sounds like you were due to join alright I.Z.

BlueDot · **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2010, 03:48:40 AM

Well written story.
And welcome.

Teofilo · **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2010, 12:31:54 PM

Welcome!

AHB · **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2010, 12:39:52 PM

Hi there..

MultiMat · **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2010, 04:41:59 PM

G'day too you mate & welcome.

If you still fix computers you may need a Paladin MT or two

infinite_zero · **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2010, 08:34:09 PM

Thanks everyone!

Quote from: MultiMat on April 17, 2010, 04:41:59 PM

If you still fix computers you may need a Paladin MT or two

Never heard of those until you mentioned them. Very cool, but definitely geared more towards someone who runs the data cables. I do more software troubleshooting and hardware installation/upgrades. The Charge ALX kicks butt for that stuff. I could've probably gotten away with using a Skeletool, but I wanted beefier pliers and more screwdriver bits.