Slim MultiTool??

JPF · **on:** October 04, 2012, 06:47:36 PM

My EDC knife alternates between a Swiss Army Cadet with a mod clip and a Christ Reeve small Sebenza. The Sebenza when I’m in the city and the Cadet when I’m at home or around town.

They are both great knives and get use on a daily basis. I have a LM Wave 1st generation and worship it. Really, really great piece, can’t say enough about it but just too large and too heavy to carry around day to day.

What I am looking for is a simple, straightforward multi tool. Thin and light with minimal features. Exterior blade, pliers, phillips, flathead, pocket clip.

The Skeletool CX almost fits the bill but I really don’t like the carabineer butt…IMHO it is redundant and adds to much length.

Any suggestions?

Does anybody make custom / handmade multitools?

David · **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2012, 06:53:15 PM

Leatherman SideClip.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:17:27 PM

The sad part about the Skeletool is that when you cut off the carabiner, effectively turning it into the Freestyle, you lose four screwdrivers and a bottle opener as well. The Freestyle, being just a knife and set of pliers doesn't really have a lot of function on it's own.

The SideClip is discontinued and fairly hard to find for a decent price.

You could have a look at the CRKT Zilla (or Zilla Jr) or Guppie (or Lil Guppie) as they are fairly slim. SOG's ParaTool isn't that thick and neither is the Gerber Octane. Those are the best suggestions I have off the top of my head anyway...

Def

AHB · **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:18:28 PM

Quote from: David on October 04, 2012, 06:53:15 PM

Leatherman SideClip.

Exactly..

I never leave the house without mine.

dks · **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:20:26 PM

The pocket clip limits your choises.

Some multitools can have a clip added later.

You seem to like fashionable items, so maybe a zila jr will do:
http://www.multitool.org/CRKT/IDWorks/Medium-Tools/2008/03/20/crkt-zilla-jr.html

EDIT: Grant beat me to it... I lost time looking for the review link...

Nikos · **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2012, 09:11:12 PM

FWIW the Spirit is the slimmest of the multitools I've set my hands on.

Taxi Dad · **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2012, 09:26:25 PM

forget the 'hate' and think about a Wingman ?

redbaron · **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2012, 09:58:07 PM

Quote from: Taxi Dad on October 04, 2012, 09:26:25 PM

forget the 'hate' and think about a Wingman ?

I would agree there, it fits the bill perfectly, and its dirt cheap

kirk13 · **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2012, 10:13:23 PM

Quote from: David on October 04, 2012, 06:53:15 PM

Leatherman SideClip.

+1

Syph007 · **Reply #9 on:** October 04, 2012, 10:18:51 PM

Swisstool spirt and the sog pocket power plier are both slim and favorites of mine.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2012, 12:06:00 AM

Gerber Octane!! Slim, light, deep carry clip

MeadMaker · **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2012, 02:48:49 AM

A Juice S2 with a P7 clip would fill the bill.

JPF · **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2012, 05:22:09 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Just straight do not like the design of the CRKT. Too much going on there. I like the the Juice, sideclip and Para but all are lacking the exterior blade.

The Wingman got serious consideration from me but the weight and thickness ultimately put it firmly in the no category.

I am now thinking Skleletool CX mod...post to follow in the mod forum.

Thanks again!

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:18:00 PM

I'd seriously suggest trying the Gerber Octane before hacking up your Skele

It does ride brilliantly in the pocket, has all the tools you're looking for plus a clampack opener (more useful than I though it would be), and an excellent bottle opener.

The drivers will benefit from a little file work (they do come with a slightly odd profile), but you'll have an excellent lightweight slim tool with OHO blade and pliers, plus an always accessible beer access tool

I have tried the Skeletool, Sideclip, Zilla Jnr, Li'l Guppy and one or two others I can't think of before eventually trying the Octane. For me it's the best of the bunch in the slim/lightweight category. Not perfect - but for me far better than the competition

cncguy · **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:35:05 PM

I really like slim multitools and I have not found a design that is as good as the the Sideclip. I think a very slim tool is the one design that's missing in the current multitool market. I always carry a dedicated folder, so the internal knife blade isn't an issue. I agree with the Octane recomendation though. My Sideclip is my most carried multitool, but I bought the Octane a while back, and while being a nice tool, I ended up returning it as I didn't like it as much as my Sideclip. The problem with the sideclip though is they are getting very hard to find at a decent price, so for that reason I'd go with the Octane.

jerseydevil · **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2012, 07:04:46 PM

I got an Octane a year or so ago on a whim. It was half price, though at the time I was a bit put off my Gerbers due to breaking a Suspension while looking at it in the store....

I bought the Octane, and boy am I glad I did. It's a great, light, slim, simple tool. Maybe I got lucky with mine, I've had no problems with the drivers at all, and they've seen a lot of use. I find it to be much more comfortable to use than the Skeletool I had, which just didn't get along with me. The Octane, though, is right at the top of my favorites list.

MeadMaker · **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2012, 01:23:14 PM

Quote from: JPF on October 05, 2012, 05:22:09 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Just straight do not like the design of the CRKT. Too much going on there. I like the the Juice, sideclip and Para but all are lacking the exterior blade.

The Wingman got serious consideration from me but the weight and thickness ultimately put it firmly in the no category.

I am now thinking Skleletool CX mod...post to follow in the mod forum.

Thanks again!

Ah, but the Juice does have an exterior blade.

Gareth · **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2012, 01:58:57 PM

Another fan of the Octane here. As 50ft says you might have to do a bit of fettling with the screwdrivers, but I don't think that's a given as it just seems to have been the two of us who have had the issue. Definitely one worth going to have a look at.