Do you collect, use, or both?

[lovenhim]

I know that many on here collect multi tools and knive of all types.  Some on here collect only a certain brand.  Some on here simply have a small collection and use what they have.  I am curious, what is the reason you love this hobby of multi tools, SAKs, and torches?  I prefer to have a few multi tools, SAKs, and torches that serve me well and do what I need rather than collecting.  I am in that stage where I am searching and looking for the right items for me.  I have found a full size multi tool that I just love.  It is the SOG Powerlock.  I also think I want a Swisstool.  I also have a Preon 2 and I can not see me trading it or selling it.  I just got one of my dream SAKs which is the Deluxe Tinker.  I feel like I am in that awkward stage of finding what I like rather than being comfy in what I do have.  I do not have the money to just buy on a whim and hope I like it.  I try to read, ask questions, and learn as I go. I prefer to have items that I use day in and day out rather than a large collection that I just look at, but that is just me.    So why do you love this hobby? 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I tried collecting supermodels, but I spent all my money on leather pants and needed to switch to something cheaper.  Multitools and SAKs fit the bill wonderfully! 

Def

[Zack]

I would say I try out different tools and then just trade them to GG.  I was going through some of my PMs and I think we have done close to 20 trades together.  I have a small collection and I just prefer to try out different models and then send along to someone else the ones that don't work for me.

[markn951]

right now, only use, because I can't afford to have a collection! 

[lovenhim]

I would say I try out different tools and then just trade them to GG.  I was going through some of my PMs and I think we have done close to 20 trades together.  I have a small collection and I just prefer to try out different models and then send along to someone else the ones that don't work for me.

Maybe we can do some trades as well.  GG is a nice guy and he has helped me quite a bit to get started.  I do not have much at all to trade and many of the people on this forum have been where I am now.  The items that I have right now are the same ones no one else wants or needs.  LOL 

[Zack]

You'd be suprised...sometimes the regular items are most needed.

[Pacu]

about 50/50 for me

tools like my big letter japanese pst and my flair are cozy in their storage where the wave and surge gets constant brutal use 

[Styerman]

I'm a user , I only own two Pliers based tools ( used to have about 50 ) , I only have about 7-8 SAK's .

Chris

[jim guy]

Ive got some that never see the light of day, and some that get used hard. You think I should use my nib 20 th ann. Wave as edc?

[lovenhim]

Ive got some that never see the light of day, and some that get used hard. You think I should use my nib 20 th ann. Wave as edc?

Nope.    Hang on to that one.  The funny thing is if I had that multi I would end up trading it to a collector who wanted/needed it for a collection and get something I could use.   

[jim guy]

the bad thing is I guess Im more of a collector. I have over a hundred LMs and there is only about 4 that I actually use. When I joined mto I had a pst, wave, and a gerber, that was only about a year ago!

[cliosguy]

both

[lovenhim]

the bad thing is I guess Im more of a collector. I have over a hundred LMs and there is only about 4 that I actually use. When I joined mto I had a pst, wave, and a gerber, that was only about a year ago!

Wow, that is a lot of LM's.  I have a Supertool, Wave, Juice KF4 (my wife EDC's that), micra, and a Squrt P4....and a SOG Powerlock, that is it for MT's.  I would be willing to take some of that off your hands sir.  LOL   

[jzmtl]

User mostly, but if I get something that too good/bad to use, or just doesn't suit me well it goes in the storage box, sort of a collection I guess.

[turbov21]

So why do you love this hobby?

I collect multitools, no doubt.  I don't have as large a collection as some, but I certainly have more than I can reasonably use, even if I rotated through them.  So, yes, it is a collection in that sense.

However, I also use my multitools as I need them.  The three I EDC get used when circumstances call for them.  My Leatherman c301 gets used when I'm at home and need to cut things, from food to boxes, and it even spreads jelly quite well.

I think what draws me to multitools as a collector's item is the functionality, though.  Yes, a good number are drawer queens, but unlike art or building toys (which are other things I like) if I need pliers, blades, files, etc., I can go to my collection and use them.  But, yeah, there is a good bit of "ooh, shiny" to the why of my collection as well.

[Zed]

Ive no shelf queens here, all users, and if it dont get used it gets traded etc, 

[ryan1835]

bit of both more u user though

[MultiMat]

Use & collect for me 

How many do I have , I choose to not know the exact number 

[DaveK]

....... but I certainly have more than I can reasonably use, even if I rotated through them.  So, yes, it is a collection in that sense.

Same here. I have a handful of tools that I won't use, but they are true limited edition collectables.

The rest are candidates to be used, and I'd say I've used nearly all of them at least once for something (otherwise how can you have an opinion on how good or bad they are)?

As far as EDC goes though, I've settled on five or six tools that do everything I need, so I tend to stick with them and rotate occasionally for variety. Most of my tools live in the toolbox and get used for something when I think about them though

[Chako]

A focused user and a general collector. 

I have worn and used a Multi-tool since the early 90s. I have only started to collect in earnest a year and a half ago. I do not rotate as I am the type of person that finds one thing and stays with it for a long time. Right now, it is the Knifeless Fuse due to work restrictions. I currently see no need to replace it on my off duty times, as I rarely need a knife...and when I do, the built in scissors will often do the job.

[grimm_kaosboy]

Upon careful consideration I say I'm a bit of both, although the majority of my collection is simply users that have been retired. Or semi-retired. Most my SAK's get rotated. Either my Swisschamp or SwisschampXL rides in a belt holster, along with another thin one in my pocket. Farmer, old soldier or executive usually. I use the alox as "worry stones", the exec for when I need to maintain my nails. Or eat oranges
My multi is Vic Swisstoolx. Have a standard Swisstool back up in the purse. All the others are in the knife box in the closet, except for 2 that are in a ditch box for hurricanes. 

[Zack]

the bad thing is I guess Im more of a collector. I have over a hundred LMs and there is only about 4 that I actually use. When I joined mto I had a pst, wave, and a gerber, that was only about a year ago!

Also about a year ago you had about as many Spyderco.

[jim guy]

thats so true Zack!

[Mercury]

I am beginning to collect, but I use what I have and always will, really.  The only tool I own that doesn't see use is my PST.  It was a gift from my grandfather and it is just pristine.  I can't see damaging it when I have a Blast that will do everything it can do and is still replaceable for little cost.  I just got a kick for work so I don't ruin my sideclip, but the sideclip will still see some carry because it is really my favorite multi.  I have owned it for ten years(minus 6 months this year when it was sold on ebay and then sold back to me in the same condition).  I really dig the LM zytel line(I think I am alone in this) and a Fuse is next on the list just so I have another light MT carry option.  After that it's a Core and then another Crunch.  All will have their spot in my rotation.  I use all my SAK's as well, except my 15 year old classic.  That was my first pocketknife that my father gave me, it will never be carried again.  The only multi's that will wait are the LM OH models.  I don't really care for them in a practical sense, as I seem to cut myself with them, but they are sweet items to look at and I will end up with more.  I think the wave is a thing of beauty.  I will own another Powerlock, but not for carry, it will stay in the car in my go bag.  O yea, the swiss tool spirit is up there as well, that is one sweet tool.  Nearly perfect for EDC. 

[lovenhim]

Thanks for all the great replies and opinions.   

[yud]

both I have a few that I got for the reason that I thought it was cool but not to carry I also have a line of main and 2nd EDCs and I have saks gotten in ebay lots to mod

[lovenhim]

Moding SAKs?  I read about people doing this and it sounds interesting.  Changing scales is the extent of my SAK mods so far.  LOL  Pretty deep/hardcore stuff, right? 

[Mercury]

Moding SAKs?  I read about people doing this and it sounds interesting.  Changing scales is the extent of my SAK mods so far.  LOL  Pretty deep/hardcore stuff, right? 

Be wary if you enter the world of SAK modding.  Be prepared to ruin a few liners and bushings.  You will spend more on parts than you would on a new knife, but the point is making a configuration that isn't stock.  It can be fun.  My only successful mods were actually rebuilds of two layer SAK's that were just as good as Vic's to the naked eye.  Anything larger than that has evaded my skill, I keep bending pinstock and smashing bushings.  If you need help or want to get started, contact Rotokid (Tom) over at Sosakonline.  The dude is crazy generous and knows his stuff.

[yud]

I've done some pin bashing but mainly scale mods

[sawman]

I've gotten further away from collecting and more towards using with some exceptions. I generally insist on not having a tool I would not use, so technically, just about everything I have these days is a candidate for use - some duplicate items being backups for the time being. I guess I find it hard to enjoy a MT/SAK/Knife not knowing first-hand if and how it would actually work for me.