The ongoing search for the ideal multitool

Jors · **on:** February 27, 2011, 12:15:53 PM

I have read the article "My multitool use over the last couple of years" by Dunc at

Quote

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,26202.0.html

, that made me think about my current thoughts about multitools.

I am currently still thinking on the ideal multitool, as I have not found it up to date.
I want a multitool which have all the possible features that I may need in one multitool frame.
I want a large, heavy duty and strong multitool.

I am currently using the Leatherman Surge. My opinion on the Surge can be read at

Quote

[http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,25332.0.html/quote]

I upgraded my Wave to the Surge because I wanted something bigger with a big pliers and an awl. I was immediately happy with the Surge although I still needed something better.

I have since then bought the following mutitools as well:
Leatherman Supertool 300, Leatherman MUT, Victorinox Swizztool and the SOG Powerlock (S60).

I am still carrying the Surge because The other tools still can not kick it off the thrown.
The Leatherman Supertool 300 came near, but lacks a bit holder and a scissors.
The Swizztool is too tight for my soft nails but is a very strong tool.
The Powerlock is also very near but the screw drivers....(I don't know) and the scissors don't lock and some other items also still have too much play after it has locked open. The pliers however is quite good. This tool is still a very serious tool but it can be improved to a better quality.
The MUT is for rifle guys on is currently at the bottom of the ladder for me as a person.

I have been installing irrigation the past week and I ran across some roots when I dug the trenches for the pipes. I was dirty, my hands was full of soil and sweaty, my face was full of sweat and the sweat was threatening to drop on my glasses. I could not reach for the wooden saw pouch in my PockIts sheath as my hand was too dirty (I carry the file in the blade changer as default). I was not willing to let mud get ito the blade changer and I rather walked to my garage and fetched the ax. This lack at that moment made me think more on my ongoing quest for a better multitool.

I want a multitool that must have the following tools permanently in one package:
Large Pliers wir replaceable cutters *
Straight edge knife (10Cm) *
Serated edge knife (10 cm) with sheepfood tip and straigt cutting edge) *
File (10 cm)*
Wood Saw (10 cm) *
Scissors (large)
Phillips screw Driver *
Flat screw driver Large *
Flat screw driver Medium *
Flat screw driver narrow *
awl with hole *
Bottle opener / tin opener / wire stripper v combined *
Blade chander (Leaterman) Large X 2
Bit Holder (either Leatherman's or the type simular tha SOG, but with the adapter permanently fixed like some other cheap makes do.
Chisel
Wire Strippers (SOG) or other adjustable type
V-Cutter (SOG) or similar
Spike (not necessarily C4 size)
The part of the Leatherman MUT that accepts the Replaceable Firearm Disassembly Punch so that I have the threaded part to add tools.

No multitool frame will be able to contain this as they will be too thick. The multitool that come nearest will be the Leatherman Supertool 300 as most of the tools I already have (those marked with *) on that frame. Currently the inside space of the frame is 14 mm but if the folded over parts was not there it would have been around 18 mm each side.

The only option for me may be to remake the frame of the ST300. Just a little bit fatter and all these tools will be there / can be added with a slight weight gain if I use my ST 300's tools.
I don't care if the blades are not one hand opening, although it will be nice. I also don't care that the blades is on the inside of the frame.
I don't want to impress somebody but I want a tool to be available when I need it. If you have this Fatboy, you will be able to do more jobs as you are without having to go to fetch more other tools first.

The frame of the Powerlock will be easier to make, but I won't be able to use the pliers head of the ST300 as it can not open wide enough. you will have to also grind away too much of the replacable cutters.

Styerman · **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2011, 03:51:34 PM

It's an unattainable goal . I think I have found an answer by pairing a multi with a competent SAK , that can be changed based on the probable course of the days events , plus a folder if needed . ATM I'm rocking a MUT , a Vic. Handyman , and a Vic. Mini Champ , covers my bases .

Tomm. the SAK may change .

Chris

Chako · **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2011, 03:54:57 PM

There is no perfect or ideal multi-tool. By their very nature they are a compromise. Not to mention that different tasks/needs requires different tools. And those tasks and needs can change on an all too frequent schedule. So if you take it upon yourself to travel that journey...just be forewarned that there probably is no destination. Of course, sometimes, the journey can be all the fun.

I am lucky in many ways. My work restricts what I can use....and being forced to wear a knifeless Fuse, I have come to understand that if you wear one tool long enough, you can find yourself not needing what you may previously have thought you needed....because necessity is the mother of invention. Thus, I find myself not wanting or needing a knife blade due to those wonderful and highly adaptable little scissors. Not to mention I have found inventive ways to use/misuse most of the tools my Knifeless Fuse has to offer.

I guess sometimes, less is more. Dang...am I getting all Zen in my old age?

scrappy · **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2011, 04:08:27 PM

This thred is a good thought provoker. I don't have a perfect tool either but the charge is very very close and the surge not far behind. I need a good blunt nose tool to be the perfect tool.

PyroJames · **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2011, 04:29:29 PM

Quote from: Chako on February 27, 2011, 03:54:57 PM

There is no perfect or ideal multi-tool.

Every user's idea of the "perfect tool" is based on their own needs. I'm quite content with my Powerlock as being perfect even though other people might disagree. Some people prefer their Wave or Charge or SAK to be perfect and that's fine too. It's whatever each user finds handy. Perfection is in the hands of the beholder.

GraysonK · **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:45:37 AM

I totally agree that it's a never ending quest. Truthfully, I'm simply trying to figure out which SAK is my "ideal, everyday, never need anything else" SAK. I switch them out almost everyday. right now I'm bouncing between a recruit, farmer, ranger, cybertool 34, climber (my current fave), and a deluxe tinker. I just can't make up my mind.

As far as plier based tools go, I truthfully love my Pulse. I have a Kick and 2 KF4's, but I always grab the Pulse. My problem is that I'm looking for that combination that is as basic as possible but will still cover all the bases. It's an impossible task, but it's a thrilling pursuit!

Styerman · **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2011, 03:50:26 AM

One near fatal flaw with large frame Multi's , that limits their utility - cast pliers . Large heavy frame , not terribly usefull if combined with no better than medium duty pliers . Hopefully young Mr. Multitasker can deliver us from this evil !

Chris

glorn · **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2011, 07:14:20 AM

I await the Multitasker EDC with great anticipation, and will surely buy one if it lives up to my imagination.

I just wish he could make "aftermarket replacement plier heads" for some of the more popular tools out there. I'd void my warranty for a billet ST300 plier head! Surge too!

Sazabi · **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2011, 05:55:52 PM

Quote from: glorn on March 01, 2011, 07:14:20 AM

I await the Multitasker EDC with great anticipation, and will surely buy one if it lives up to my imagination.

I just wish he could make "aftermarket replacement plier heads" for some of the more popular tools out there. I'd void my warranty for a billet ST300 plier head! Surge too!

P4 for me.

Not to just be different or anything...

hawkchucker · **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2011, 01:57:17 PM

All I can say on this is .... If ya find it will ya let me know? I have been searching for the perfect edc tool for years, to no avail. it is a speSmurfpillsed thing that goes to the Golfclub selection proccess. You use the one at the time that is the best for its inteded uses.

For instance I am down to three really. A old beater 600 BO that is really the tool I carry most. ya I knwo its a gerber and it is me talking but it is the one that does the most. At work I carry the 300. Reason being the length of all the drivers. at home I carry mostly the cliped kick. it goes with me on the weekends to camp.

Now the thing is funny I still cant find my perfect edc One hander. For the past six monthes it has been really the emerson a 100. But I will tell ya the perfect edc sak!! My Niel special bantam with the added phillips. That is in my pocket every day!

thebullfrog · **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:08:31 PM

After what? Like ten years of experimenting, I've finally come fairly close to perfect by combining a Swisschamp and Skeletool CX, but it is still by no means ideal. Just the closest I've managed to get. I would prefer to get it down to a single tool, but one that fulfills all my needs quite simply does not, and likely never will exist. There has been a long thought out logic behind every purchase and carry combination I've tried over the last decade and none have ever quite measured up. Surge came close, but it required carrying 10 pounds of accessories. Swisstool X came even closer, but was still missing critical functions. Honestly on an ever day basis the Swisschamp is actually by far the closest to having everything I need in a package that can be easily carried, but there's obviously some serious sacrifices with that. I think ultimiately no single tool can ever fit the bill, and it's going to take a full-sized multi (Swisstool X or I have hope for the Multitasker EDC when it comes out) combined with a custom SAK. Getting a SAK custom made for me allows me to get the extra functions I need without literally layers of supurfluous fat along side something big and tough enough for more serious jobs.

Gareth · **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:40:01 PM

What makes this complicated is not just that different people have different needs, but also that any one of us has different needs at different times. While some folks love their ST300 (and why not) I'd say it's not exactly the thing to wear to a wedding or similar. Are you having a day at home or going to work? Average day in the city or hiking in the wilds?

Now I'm not a fan of trying to have just one MT that'll cover me for all eventualities, I much prefer to have a selection of MT's so as I can carry the perfect one for the circumstances I'm facing for the day. YMMV though.

thebullfrog · **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:35:46 PM

The reality is that you will always need different set-ups just as Gareth said. He is 100% right.

Doesn't stop my obsession to find "the one" however

ironraven · **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2011, 01:57:02 AM

Ideal? Never happen. To me, the "ideal" multitool for when I'm working on electronics has different tools than my "ideal" multitool for keeping in the truck- and neither of them have knives! Heresy! The ideal general purpose, around town EDC one has a knife, but the one for going up in the woods doesn't (and is carried with a couple of real knives).

That why we mod them.

Mercury · **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2011, 08:52:51 PM

Quote from: GraysonK on February 28, 2011, 02:45:37 AM

I totally agree that it's a never ending quest. Truthfully, I'm simply trying to figure out which SAK is my "ideal, everyday, never need anything else" SAK. I switch them out almost everyday. right now I'm bouncing between a recruit, farmer, ranger, cybertool 34, climber (my current fave), and a deluxe tinker. I just can't make up my mind. As far as plier based tools go, I truthfully love my Pulse. I have a Kick and 2 KF4's, but I always grab the Pulse. My problem is that I'm looking for that combination that is as basic as possible but will still cover all the bases. It's an impossible task, but it's a thrilling pursuit!

That's quite a range of SAK's there Kelly! Many different styles there. I am currently sporting a supertinker, and have been for awhile now. As far as my plier based tool, I adore my pulse, but I tend to rock the ST300 at home because of it's ruggedness and the huge serrated blade. I still carry the pulse at work though, because I run a lot and the ST tends to drag my britches down. I guess my perfect tool is a mix of those two, for now...

GraysonK · **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2011, 10:10:50 PM

Quote from: Mercury on March 05, 2011, 08:52:51 PM

Quote from: GraysonK on February 28, 2011, 02:45:37 AM
I totally agree that it's a never ending quest. Truthfully, I'm simply trying to figure out which SAK is my "ideal, everyday, never need anything else" SAK. I switch them out almost everyday. right now I'm bouncing between a recruit, farmer, ranger, cybertool 34, climber (my current fave), and a deluxe tinker. I just can't make up my mind. As far as plier based tools go, I truthfully love my Pulse. I have a Kick and 2 KF4's, but I always grab the Pulse. My problem is that I'm looking for that combination that is as basic as possible but will still cover all the bases. It's an impossible task, but it's a thrilling pursuit!

That's quite a range of SAK's there Kelly! Many different styles there. I am currently sporting a supertinker, and have been for awhile now. As far as my plier based tool, I adore my pulse, but I tend to rock the ST300 at home because of it's ruggedness and the huge serrated blade. I still carry the pulse at work though, because I run a lot and the ST tends to drag my britches down. I guess my perfect tool is a mix of those two, for now...

Thanks! I actually switched it up again as far as SAK's go...I've been carrying an Executive for the last few days at school and work. I'm really liking it quite a bit. Small, but not too small, good range of tools, and totally not threatening. As I mentioned in another thread, if they made a phillips/caplifter combo tool for this thing it would be perfect for working in a hospital.
As for the Pulse...I really think it is such an elegant tool for the amount of work it's capable of. I just love it. It's relatively thin, fits nicely into my hand, great tool compliment. If I'm working in the yard or any type of outdoor stuff, I combine it with a farmer and poof...bases covered. I do like the KF4 (the saw is awesome!) but I just can't help grabbing the Pulse.

Mercury · **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2011, 09:13:10 AM

Quote from: GraysonK on March 05, 2011, 10:10:50 PM

Quote from: Mercury on March 05, 2011, 08:52:51 PM
Quote from: GraysonK on February 28, 2011, 02:45:37 AM
I totally agree that it's a never ending quest. Truthfully, I'm simply trying to figure out which SAK is my "ideal, everyday, never need anything else" SAK. I switch them out almost everyday. right now I'm bouncing between a recruit, farmer, ranger, cybertool 34, climber (my current fave), and a deluxe tinker. I just can't make up my mind. As far as plier based tools go, I truthfully love my Pulse. I have a Kick and 2 KF4's, but I always grab the Pulse. My problem is that I'm looking for that combination that is as basic as possible but will still cover all the bases. It's an impossible task, but it's a thrilling pursuit!

That's quite a range of SAK's there Kelly! Many different styles there. I am currently sporting a supertinker, and have been for awhile now. As far as my plier based tool, I adore my pulse, but I tend to rock the ST300 at home because of it's ruggedness and the huge serrated blade. I still carry the pulse at work though, because I run a lot and the ST tends to drag my britches down. I guess my perfect tool is a mix of those two, for now...
Thanks! I actually switched it up again as far as SAK's go...I've been carrying an Executive for the last few days at school and work. I'm really liking it quite a bit. Small, but not too small, good range of tools, and totally not threatening. As I mentioned in another thread, if they made a phillips/caplifter combo tool for this thing it would be perfect for working in a hospital.
As for the Pulse...I really think it is such an elegant tool for the amount of work it's capable of. I just love it. It's relatively thin, fits nicely into my hand, great tool compliment. If I'm working in the yard or any type of outdoor stuff, I combine it with a farmer and poof...bases covered. I do like the KF4 (the saw is awesome!) but I just can't help grabbing the Pulse.

The pulse is and always will be one of my top favorites. I just like having a full serrated blade for now, so the ST300 is beating it out for EDC. The pulse still rides in my bag in case my eyeglasses need repairing. Why LM ever did away with that tiny dedicated driver is beyond me.

Jors · **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2011, 08:12:17 PM

Since I have started this thread I have added the Supertool 300 to the Surge as my EDC (Both). I don't know yet if I will continue with this practice, but with the two I a fairly satisfied. I have bought a Pulse a week ago at a very reasonable price an also carried that for a week but have since packed it away.

I carry the two in a NiteIze PockItz pouch and I really like to carry both.

The Powerlock and the PPP have potential as you can customize it without having to change very much, but I think some of the default tools are too flimsy. Lately I am relative contend with my Leathermans and I am still enjoying them as I am satisfied with their quality and strength.

dks · **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2011, 10:10:15 AM

My thoughts..

For me it’s a compromise, as the ideal has to be one I have on me at the time, which is always the Micra. By carrying keys with me everywhere, outside the house (walking, driving, cycling, working outdoors etc..) I always have one on me and have used it to cut, screw, pry, measure and so on.

I don’t like carrying any extra weight (don’t have lots of pockets on my clothes, don’t usually carry a rucksack) and if I will be doing so, it would probably be a larger knife rather than a multitool, as it is not likely that I will go far from a toolbox, if I am likely to need pliers, bigger screwdrivers etc.

I also tried to use a ps4, but I have a Micra on all my key sets (cheap…

.), so the Micra is more likely to be with me than the ps4. I usually keep the larger mutitools either in a desk, or in the car, to, usually, support the main toolbox, rather than to replace it.

In a situation where I knew that I will be away from a toolbox and had to have tools then I will probably take the swisstool, and try not to scratch it, lose it, damage it..

Micra pluses: solid for its size, good tool variety, Cheap, Light.

Is it ideal? No, it’s a good compromise, but by not being ideal it gives me an excuse to buy more multitools…

Gareth · **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2011, 07:37:53 PM

I'd say the one big plus (IMO) that the Micra holds over the PS4 is far better screwdrivers.

Styerman · **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2011, 02:24:20 AM

I used to carry a Crunch and a Wave . Later i carried a SOG ( model forgotten ) and a Supertool . The second multi in an ankle sheath - strapped around the outside of my boot . Worked very well , can't say why I stopped doing it . I'm seriously thinking about re aquireing a Crunch . Gave my original Crunch to a fella going to A$$crackastan .

Chris

enki_ck · **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2011, 02:48:56 AM

Quote from: Gareth on March 15, 2011, 07:37:53 PM

I'd say the one big plus (IMO) that the Micra holds over the PS4 is far better screwdrivers.

And a far better bottle opener. The one on the ps4 is lousy at the job.
Sent via Tapatalk, sorry for the spelling.

powernoodle · **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2011, 01:05:41 AM

For a long time now, I have been migrating toward the smallest EDC items which still demonstrate adequate utility. Kahr PM9 pistol, Quark Mini 123 light, etc. So when it comes to a multitool, I've settled for the most part on a Juice XE6, as in my view its the smallest tool which maintains sufficient utility. A PS4 for example is much smaller of course, and I have carried one and like it, but utility starts to go out the window with something that small. Its a sliding scale of compromise, with "smallest" on one end of the scale and "maximum utility" on the other.

Gareth · **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2011, 01:12:30 AM

Quote from: enki_ck on March 16, 2011, 02:48:56 AM

Quote from: Gareth on March 15, 2011, 07:37:53 PM
I'd say the one big plus (IMO) that the Micra holds over the PS4 is far better screwdrivers.

And a far better bottle opener. The one on the ps4 is lousy at the job.
Sent via Tapatalk, sorry for the spelling.

very true.

Malarauko · **Reply #24 on:** March 17, 2011, 03:52:15 PM

The Surge is basically my perfect tool. I like pretty much everything about it.
If they release a civilian version of the MUT

Jors · **Reply #25 on:** March 20, 2011, 09:18:22 AM

Even if Leatherman can improve the Surge:
Make the handles (frame) thicker,
Move the saw to the inside of the one handle, adjacent to what is there currently,
Move the empty file/saw blade changer to the other handle, adjacent to the existing tools (you can choose then what to ad there yourself),
In the existing blade changer slot, fit the file there.
Because the blade changer is thicker than the saw, you can fit at the saw side a thin spike, or a flat with various sizes sharp U shaped cuts to serve as a wire strippers.
Fit the Supertool 300 pliers head with replaceable wire cutters.

My choice is for the saw to be inside the handles as you don't use it so often as the file. On the blade changer you can fit your own metal cutting blade and keep it there or any other tool that you may design yourself. This bigger Surge will be the big daddy of Leatherman and will still be adaptable by fitting your own bits and blades, without having to change blades on a job.

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The ongoing search for the ideal multitool

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