Has anyone actually used a Multi-Lite?

[kirk13]

Just wondering...the Multi-Lite is rather collectable,and rather quaint and unusual,but has anyone actually EDCed one?

[kirk13]

So...I'm guessing this is a no?

[ducttapetech]

I guess so. I have never carried one.

That's us mobile.

[kirk13]

 
 

[lowtech]

I own 2 and while I like the idea, I guess there is not much a similar sized sak would not be able to do while being more comfortable in the pocket.

Maybe I should employ one for off-day carry to get some real life experiences?!

[gregozedobe]

Not me, and I have several different versions ....  (but I have a strong bias towards MTs with pliers).  There might be a reason Gerber stopped making them 

[Gareth]

I have.

[Chako]

Likewise...but only for a week.

[jerseydevil]

I have.

Same here, several times just for the hell of it.  I think I know what my Throwback Thursday tool this week will be.....

[kirk13]

Thanks folks

I think,then,when my last week of the Blast finishes on Saturday,we'll have to put the Multi-lite up for a two week test

[neillcurrie]

I have two that are identical, the ones without the blade-exchanger or the corkscrew. I have tried them in my pocket for several days at a time, but have always switched back to a SAK.
Here's why IMO: they suffer from a fairly poor "pocket feel", being not only chunkier than a fairly typical 4-layer SAK (take a Deluxe Tinker for comparison), but the edges and corners on the Multi-Lites are much more squared off. It's just a matter of a few millimeters, but it makes a big difference in comfort.
The other thing about the Muti-Lite that renders it less quick to deploy, is the plastic cover. To use any of the tools within, you have to release and open the cover fully, dig around for the right tool (and the nail nicks are not very well thought out/integrated), open the tool fully, then close the lid fully. Repeat the operation whenever putting the Multi-Lite back in a pocket. Compare this to a SAK: pick your blade, open it and use it. To put the knife away just snap the blade closed again. That's a huge difference in usability in my book.
The plastic lid itself adds several mm of girth to the tool, without adding too much functionality. I believe it could have been designed better too. Put the flashlight portion at the opposite end of the lid where there is more space available as several tools don't run full length. They could have done away with the secret drawer too, all I ever use mine for is to hold a toothpick, and that could easily be inlet into the lid, Victorinox style. The end result could easily be a lid that closes flush with the main body, not ride about 4mm proud of it. But this was all never to pass. Too bad, as the tool is remarkably sturdily made, and absorbs wear and tear admirably with it's satin-finished stainless body and robust tool-set. Everything locks securely too!!

[JAfromMn]

I carried and used one quite alot back in the day

It was my first real multitool.

I lost it long ago and I did replace it but I traded it off for a tool I wanted more

I think it's a good little box of a tool.

[kirk13]

Cool! Two very different opinions there!

We'll soon see how it performs in a 21st century retail enviroment!

[Gareth]

I have two that are identical, the ones without the blade-exchanger or the corkscrew. I have tried them in my pocket for several days at a time, but have always switched back to a SAK.
Here's why IMO: they suffer from a fairly poor "pocket feel", being not only chunkier than a fairly typical 4-layer SAK (take a Deluxe Tinker for comparison), but the edges and corners on the Multi-Lites are much more squared off. It's just a matter of a few millimeters, but it makes a big difference in comfort.
The other thing about the Muti-Lite that renders it less quick to deploy, is the plastic cover. To use any of the tools within, you have to release and open the cover fully, dig around for the right tool (and the nail nicks are not very well thought out/integrated), open the tool fully, then close the lid fully. Repeat the operation whenever putting the Multi-Lite back in a pocket. Compare this to a SAK: pick your blade, open it and use it. To put the knife away just snap the blade closed again. That's a huge difference in usability in my book.
The plastic lid itself adds several mm of girth to the tool, without adding too much functionality. I believe it could have been designed better too. Put the flashlight portion at the opposite end of the lid where there is more space available as several tools don't run full length. They could have done away with the secret drawer too, all I ever use mine for is to hold a toothpick, and that could easily be inlet into the lid, Victorinox style. The end result could easily be a lid that closes flush with the main body, not ride about 4mm proud of it. But this was all never to pass. Too bad, as the tool is remarkably sturdily made, and absorbs wear and tear admirably with it's satin-finished stainless body and robust tool-set. Everything locks securely too!!

That pretty perfectly sums up my feelings as well.  Well made and useful, but too boxy to be very comfortable.