When you started 'carrying'

Anthony · **on:** December 06, 2006, 04:41:58 AM

What was the first multi tool you started carrying every day? Was it the full blown pliers in a sheath, or did you start out with something smaller like a SAK?

I remember years ago seeing a near flat tire on my car one COLD SNOWY and DARK morning and figured I'd shovel out and roll slowly around the block to the gas station to use their air pump. I pull up, put money in the pump, and then realize the valve cap on the tire was stuck shut. I tried until the machine stopped pumping, then walked home down the COLD SNOWY and DARK street to get a pair of pliers

Ever since then I've had pliers in my car (now a Gerber and a whole lot of stuff accumulated in the trunk..crowbar..shovel..misc tools...).

But back on the actual tool subject...I've been putting off the whole pliers/sheath thing...I've carried a SAK for years...now a SAK and a Squirt...and I got a feeling after I get a SOG off ebay or somewhere it's going to be on my hip

Lion · **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2006, 05:20:13 AM

I've carried a pocket knife of some sort since I was 5 or 6. Probably got my first SAK when I was about 10. Got a Supertool as a gift in 1998 or 1999 and have been carrying a plier based tool since. I still carry a pocket knife or 2 or 3 as well, but the plier based tools are just too handy not to carry. I normally carry a Charge or a KF4, but that's mostly because of Leatherman's diamond file. File aside, a Squirt and a SAK would cover most of my needs. Going smaller does have its advantages too and I often wish I could do it. I just miss the file too much.

Leo

Tom Munch · **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2006, 05:32:59 AM

I wish Vic would put diamond dust on their file on the Mountaineer, SwissChamp, Cybertool 41, & Expedition kit.

My first multitool was the original Leatherman (early 80's). I never liked SAK's when I was a kid (in the 60's & 70's) - always thought the other scouts who carried them were geeks. I just had my regular scout knife with the can opener, small blade, & large blade. My first real knife was a Buck fixed blade of some sort, & then the Buck folders came out & I had to have one of those. I never carried a Leatherman all the time back when they first came out, although I always had one in a bag. I didn't start carrying all the time until I got back into fishing a few years ago. Now I don't leave the house without a SAK & a multitool at least.

665ae · **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2006, 06:26:29 AM

If I remember right... I started carrying around age 8 or 9. My parents bought me a Shrade Scout knife that I still have around here somewhere. Since then I've always carried a knife.

I started carrying a multi a few years ago when my dad bought me the beloved Shrade Tough "to open" Tool. I stopped carrying a multi for a while, but started up again when I saw the Xtract. While looking for info on it, I found this site... and now I have more multi's than any one person needs...

bobofish · **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2006, 09:48:21 AM

My parents never let me get a swiss army knife or anything like it...then in college i didn't have any money for a Leatherman...but I did carry a Wenger something or other. (longish blade, can opener, bottle opener, flathead, phillips and an awl) until I got a micra. For the last 6 or 7 years I've only been separated from my micra when it's been lost and thankfully always found.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2006, 11:50:07 AM

I got my first SAK, a Camper, when I was 5. I didn't get a multitool until my knife dealer took a PST II in a trade and offered it to me at a great price, sometime in the late '90's. Almost immediately after that I bought a Micra, then a friend was impressed with them, but had to do one better so he got a SwissTool. Then I went on hiatus for a few years when I got married and dealt with other problems and started up with SAKs again about 3 or 4 years ago, and multis about a year or two ago.

Def

David Bowen · **Reply #6 on:** December 06, 2006, 12:09:45 PM

My first multitool was a Geber MultiLite, a use to carry a Gerber EZ Out before that but the guys at work thought I would get more use out of something with tools on it, after that I got my LM wave, the rest is as you say...history.

David