Multiple dedicated pocket tools vs single combined

[Steinar]

Lynn's comment about a Style PS vs the Vic 91 mm pliers had me thinking a little. The backsprings on a Vic adds a non-negligible amount of weight to any given mini tool. On the other hand, there's a limit to how many mini tools are practical to lug around (at least in my opinion). Also, let's couple a Style PS with a Vic; the Style has scissors, but I think the Vic scissors are superior, but then again, I find the folding scissors sold as 8.1034.10 in the 2008 Victorinox catalogue superior to using a SAK with scissors (those folding scissors are great). So, instead of a Huntsman, one could couple a Farmer with folding scissors and e.g. Uncle Bill's Sliver Grippers. Also, dedicated tools are easier to clean and maintain.

There are quite a few axes of freedom here. What is your approach? Do you optimize for weight, bulk or convenience? Do you consider redundancy a bug or a feature (i.e. backup)?

[RamoN]

I dont mind carrying some bulk and weight as long as i have a wide selection of tools i need. Redundancy for me its a bad thing so if i have another tool that offers more of the same then it doesnt get carried.

I tend not to carry single tools so i look that my multis or sak can perform the job, maybe with a little more effort, but without the need to carry single tools. The reason being that if i carry a pair of scissors then there is no reason not to carry a vise grip, or a good screwdriver, etc so i end up with a full toolbox in my back (it already happened . So its a way to keep it small and make a compromise for me.

Right now i carry a wenger ranger 90 and a swisstool rs, two heavy and big tools, but i have everything i need there and i can carry them everywhere without the worry of needing anything extra. They have almost no redundancy and both are good at different things.

[stealth007s]

I am a man of convenience in pretty much everything I do and my MT selection is no different. As for the bulk and weight of a MT, I'm indifferent to both. I don't care if a tool is heavy or bulky but with every rule there's always an exception. If I'm wearing a suit or dress slacks, I go for a smaller and thinner MT. I really don't think the word redundant is in my vocabulary. If I can carry 10 MTs, I carry them regardless of whether they're redundant or not. As with the convenience thing, I'd rather have the MTs and not need them than not have them and need them, if that makes any sense.

[nate j]

I usually carry at least two knives, but beyond that I try to keep redundancy to a minimum.  Actually, while some may disagree, I don't consider having a "dirty" or "beater" knife (for scraping paint and other such nastiness) and a "clean" knife for food etc. redundant.

I view four separate tools as the absolute maximum practical for EDC, and two or three to be ideal.  Then I try to minimize and distribute weight and bulk.

In general, I think the old 80-20 rule applies, i.e. (1) SAKs & MTs provide 80% (or more, though not 100%) of the capability of dedicated tools for 20% (or less) of the weight and bulk, and (2) while there are one or two items I carry for that rare occasion when nothing else will do, I try to focus most of my EDC gear on the 20% (or less) of tools and items that I will use 80% (or more) of the time.

[Dem]

I don't mind carrying multiple tools, but I prefer most of the work to be done by my MT and the rest to be (mostly) situational.

So at the least I'm pretty much always carrying an MT + flashlight around. If I'm in the woods, a hunting knife gets added. When I expect I'll likely be doing some proper work (say, on a property) I add the Silverline crunch clone and a couple Robertson bits, as that takes up less space than locking pliers and a couple Robertson screwdrivers. Actually, that crunch clone has been handy enough to sell me on buying the real thing, though I sure wish the real Crunch didn't cost $80. Looking forward to having a Leatherman tool again, though, since I just hadn't found anything I'd liked since the Pulse.

I don't find any of those combinations too bulky to carry. Then again I consider the Swisstool Spirit to be something I'd mostly carry with dress pants or when I'm at the office, and otherwise have lately been hauling around a full sized Swisstool or SOG Powerlock lately. Occasionally a Gerber MP600 Pro Scout, too, just because I find the thing so damned charming that I can't help but use it sometimes.

So anyhow, I figure MT for the main tool, and specific tools for everything else. With the exception of Robertson screwdrivers and locking pliers / small clamps, because the Crunch-design is so damned handy for covering both those things compactly that I can't see why you'd want specific screwdrivers + carryable locking pliers instead.

Dem

[Monrogue]

I don't consider redundancy as much of an issue for the most part, and instead think of it as backup.  My typical carry lineup consists of a full size MT in my right back pocket next to my wallet, with the heaviest being the Charge TTi (probably as heavy as I'm willing to go), a SAK in my right front pocket and the Leatherman Crater c33 clipped in the same pocket.  This is my work EDC formula, but outside of work it varies depending on my attire.  I prefer to have a MT/SAK combo as long as the attire allows.  The Crater is mainly just to have a OHO blade on me, but I can't say that it's really necessary, but can come in handy in the occasional situation where only one hand is available to deploy a blade.  Although I can't say that happens much at all for me, but one can't predict these things, and I like knowing I have the option available should the need arise. 

So I have no real dedicated pocket tools (other than the Crater I guess), but rather multiple "single combined" tools.  The most redundancy is with knife blades and drivers I would say.  Bulk is an issue for me to some degree, but based on what I carry usually, I'd say I don't let it bother me too much.  Both of my custom SAKs are somewhat bulky/heavy, but they don't really bother me for the most part.   

[David]

Most of the time I'm very simple about all of this sort of thing and carry what I want regardless of cause or need. But there are exceptions. When exceptions occur the mission at hand dictates the tools carried.       

[Zed]

Ive always got my lm s4 On my keychain so scissors covered, for a lighter option i pair it with my tinker,if i carry my modded kick with file instead of blade and added scissors i usually add a Opinel #5 or a spyderco grasshopper, for my main stand alone sak i carry my Swisschamp, of course ive always got the s4 so sometimes just carry the kick.but if ive got my backpack i have my organiser with my surge or wave in there

[Etherealicer]

I'm a minimalist and try to carry as little as possible, except for blades* I try to avoid redundancy.

I used to carry my Vic Dual Pro all the time, but switched to a Boker Plus folding knife last week (less weight) and a Vic Rambler on my keychain (Primarily for vanity: nail file, scissoirs etc. but also for the acceptable PH1 screwdriver). During the work day I supplement that with a PH1 screwdriver (I'm in IT and that's the only tool I need). My large MT is in my backpack (which I don't carry all the time).

* When outdoors I like to have a blade for food and one for everything else.

[kkokkolis]

(Many) Multiple Combined for me.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Both.

I often carry multiple multiple function tools.  I usually have a SAK and a multi on my person, another multitool in my work vest, another SAK, multitool and a couple of flashlights in my work bag (along with laptop, tablet, mouse, temperature sensor and other doodads and gizmos I need for work) so really, I often have a veritable workshop on or near me.  It comes in handy when you need multiple tools such as when you need to hold a nut and turn a screw, or when the tool you have on you doesn't have a specific function, there's a good chance one of the others will.  It also comes in handy in case I forget to bring a SAK or multi, or if I used one and didn't put it back (or it walked away on it's own!   ), so I have backup.

Def

[comis]

(Many) Multiple Combined for me.

Considering this is MTO, I think might be the standard answer to everyone who chimes in here.  Three is two, and two is one, one is none...

In short, it is probably multiple 'single combined'.  I have a similar approach as Dem earlier, I tend to carry my 'edc' to wherever I go, and depending on the situation, the load might vary greatly.  Usual edc nowadays consist of Victorinox Spirit, 1 AAA flashlight and Leatherman Squirt PS4 on keyring.

Given similar kind of environment, I like to have something I am familiar for higher efficiency when using my tools.  And for different environment, the new tools/gears sometimes supplement the standard gears(for example, all my flashlight and gears use AAA batteries) or simply replace the standard for the day-to-day encounters is so vastly different.

[Metropolicity]

(Many) Multiple Combined for me.

Considering this is MTO, I think might be the standard answer to everyone who chimes in here.  Three is two, and two is one, one is none...

In short, it is probably multiple 'single combined'.  I have a similar approach as Dem earlier, I tend to carry my 'edc' to wherever I go, and depending on the situation, the load might vary greatly.  Usual edc nowadays consist of Victorinox Spirit, 1 AAA flashlight and Leatherman Squirt PS4 on keyring.

Given similar kind of environment, I like to have something I am familiar for higher efficiency when using my tools.  And for different environment, the new tools/gears sometimes supplement the standard gears(for example, all my flashlight and gears use AAA batteries) or simply replace the standard for the day-to-day encounters is so vastly different.

I am kind of oxymoronic in that regard. I don't like redundancy and I often carry something that's is a one stop shop. If it doesn't have what I need, I usually mod it or make it have what I need.

It comes down to recognizing what you actually use and foolish attempts at preparing for any possible situation.

If I am going out or town or the cabin, that's a different story, usually have at least 3 of the same or similar thing in various sizes. And usually a fixed blade and at least one fully serrated folding long blade for camp/cabin BBQ.

[Shorty66]

I like to have mechanical and electric tools seperated - i won't buy a vic-usb knife or a MT with built in led-light.
Other than that, i like to have as few tools as possible to do most of the jobs. I know that MTs have a limit, and i won't try to cover for heavy jobs with them.
I rather take just the tools i know i will regularly need (like a blade, scissors) or which are indispensable in some situations (pliers).
As MTs are all about improvisation, i like to imrpovise tools as much as possible and don't have them on a MT (who needs a bottle opener, awl, can opener?).

For those more serious jobs, i like to carry light standard tools like a mini ratchet with bits or a small visegrips. I won't EDC those, though.

For the electrical tools, i used to carry a compact headlamp (Zebralight), a usb-stick and a mobile. Now, my smartphone does all those jobs. I only use the headlamp outdoors or when working in difficult positions now.

At the moment i am only EDCing a LM Styleand my smartphone. I sometimes miss some pliers, but those need to be sturdy enough to use and the LM Squirt ones just aren't.