IT Tech tool recommendation

[Turing Complete]

Hi all!  I've been using a SAK (unless that doesn't mean Swiss Army Knife.  Don't hit me, I'm new!) for a few years, but it has gone missing.  While I'm hopeful it will be recovered, I've been wondering if there might be something better for me out there.  I spend a lot of time working on computers, networking, and electronics and such, and I'd like to have something well suited to that type of work.

On the face of it, it shouldn't be that hard, because what I mostly use are a phillips screwdriver, a knife, and needle-nose pliers.  However, there are a lot of things that don't come up as much but would be really nice to have handy:

telescoping magnetic pickup
tweezers strong enough to remove jumpers (my SAK tweezers couldn't)
a variety of bits like torx and a hex nut driver
drywall saw
scissors
utility knife blade (replaceable)

also a few non-electronics items like a bottle opener and can opener (Having actually been hungry, with a can of food, and without a can opener, this is a must.)

I doubt there's something out there that has everything I want, but there's probably something that does a lot of it.  However there's one more requirement:

Since I do a lot of work inside computer cases, I often need to reach screws that are several inches away.  Despite having power screwdrivers and multi-use bit drivers, I very frequently have to get a standard phillip's screwdriver in order to reach it.  Is there anything out there that will be long enough to handle this?  Does anything have a bit driver with a shaft as long its handle?

Thanks in advance!

[Anthony]

Check out the Cybertool series;

http://www.victorinox.com/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=350&lang=E

[max6166]

Welcome Turing!

Check out the Cybertool 34.

More likely you should think about complimenting a SAK with a multitool for pliers, saw, etc. Even a Squirt P4 can be very handy for moving jumpers and very light plier work.

SOG made some Paladin multitools for telecom work that have drywall punches and saws, punchdown tools, etc.

I have not found a suitable replacement for a long-shafted phillips myself. The longest phillips is on the Leatherman Core, which is a big heavy duty tool, followed by the Blast/Fuse/Kick line. None of these phillips are as long as you are likely referring to though.

Personally, I haven't found a single perfect IT tool. The closest I have come is a SAK complimented by a plier-based multitool. Anything beyond basic PC repair still requires a few dedicated tools though.

[AndyTiedye]

If you're looking for a Squirt for electrical/electronic stuff check out the E4.  That's the one with the wire stripper.

(edit: The Squirt E4 and the Radio Shack Squirt are the same thing)

[BIG-TARGET]

Either the LM "RAdio Shack" Squirt

Or the Vic Cybertool

Welcome aboard

[jzmtl]

I have not found a suitable replacement for a long-shafted phillips myself. The longest phillips is on the Leatherman Core, which is a big heavy duty tool, followed by the Blast/Fuse/Kick line. None of these phillips are as long as you are likely referring to though.

I imagine best would be leatherman with bit adaptor, and buy those bits that's 6 inches long.

[Smitty44]

Welcome to the forums TC,all the ones I was going to mention have already be taken,but hope to hear what you come up with,then let us know how it works.

[Turing Complete]

Wow!  You guys are fast.  I've looked briefly at the recommendations so far.  Looks like they could be good.  I'll take some time to make a decision, but if there are any more suggestions, please keep them coming.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Welcome to the forum mate

Another vote for the Cybertool series

http://felinevet.sosakonline.com/index.php?keyword=cybertool&Search=Search&Itemid=1&option=com_phpshop&page=shop.browse

[silentio]

I vote for the Cybertool as well! One downside to it is that the screwdrivers are not magnetic.

[duckman1975]

When In doubt buy both (cybertool and squirt), thats the multitool.org way  Welcome to the Forum 

[NutSAK]

I'm in IT also, and I can't agree with the others more--the Cybertool 34 is ideal.

Pairing it with a Squirt E4 sounds like a great idea too!

[Benner]

Welcome to the forum buddy! 

I'm going to be really original here and suggest the Cybertool. 

[max6166]

And I also strongly second Mickey's suggestion that you buy from Felinevet as well. His prices also include free shipping within the US for most items,  and he offers very reasonable international shipping.

Incidentally, you might also want to look at the Cybertool 29 if you are going to couple it with a tool that has pliers.

I often carry the Squirt P4 just for the pliers. The wire stripper head on the Squirt E4 is definitely useful too, but I am fairly used to stripping wire with a knife blade and find I need pliers more often. Of course, they are small enough that you might even carry both. The Squirts are about the size of two 58mm SAKs laid side by side.

For the pliers side, you might also consider getting a Juice if you want to travel light. The pliers on the Squirt and Cybertool are pretty lightweight, but the Juice pliers are substantially more robust and it is still a fairly small tool. The Juice KF4 is a very popular but discontinued model. It can still be found if you hunt around a bit though.

[Medic82]

The Cybertool is CRAP!!!! It make’s me puke. I just puked all over my keybord just writing about it! The Swiss don’t know a God damn ting about tools or knives!! Bye a Gerber Suspension instead!! The best and most perfect tool ever made!!

[Benner]

The Cybertool is CRAP!!!! It make’s me puke. I just puked all over my keybord just writing about it! The Swiss don’t know a God damn ting about tools or knives!! Bye a Gerber Suspension instead!! The best and most perfect tool ever made!!

I'm assuming you're either having a laugh or extremely drunk? 

[american lockpicker]

The Cybertool is CRAP!!!! It make’s me puke. I just puked all over my keybord just writing about it! The Swiss don’t know a God damn ting about tools or knives!! Bye a Gerber Suspension instead!! The best and most perfect tool ever made!!

I'm assuming you're either having a laugh or extremely drunk? 

I think hes on Crack or something....

[Tarrodemierda]

The Cybertool is CRAP!!!! It make’s me puke. I just puked all over my keybord just writing about it! The Swiss don’t know a God damn ting about tools or knives!! Bye a Gerber Suspension instead!! The best and most perfect tool ever made!!

I'm assuming you're either having a laugh or extremely drunk? 

I think hes on Crack or something....

our medic has been testing some medicines it seems.

i would take the cyber without a second of hesitation,if id had to choose between it and that suspension multi-toy.

[DaveK]

^^ lol - he's kidding I'm sure.

Cybertool / Squirt E4 combo should have it pretty well covered I'd say!

Unusual to see so much rapid agreement on here - a nice Vic / LM combo too ............

[Medic82]

I'm just having a little laugh  

[Benner]

I'm just having a little laugh  

Phew! 

[Tarrodemierda]

I'm just having a little laugh  

i can send you one suspension to laugh at,its already really s-----y condition and pliers,handles and tools and drivers&openers are twisted,cracked etc.but i bet u can melt it and use it as a weight on fishnets,its really good in that.

[Offroad]

  

[american lockpicker]

I'm just having a little laugh  

i can send you one suspension to laugh at,its already really s-----y condition and pliers,handles and tools and drivers&openers are twisted,cracked etc.but i bet u can melt it and use it as a weight on fishnets,its really good in that.

Do you have a picture of it?

[Rodion]

Cybertool 34 + needle nose pliers.

Magnetize the pin.

[Tarrodemierda]

I'm just having a little laugh  

i can send you one suspension to laugh at,its already really s-----y condition and pliers,handles and tools and drivers&openers are twisted,cracked etc.but i bet u can melt it and use it as a weight on fishnets,its really good in that.

Do you have a picture of it?

if i can make it to our cabin as ive planned,yes i can take a pic and post some if u want to;)


after that cursed gerber,ive been horrified whaen i hear the word gerber.i know theres some better ones still manurfactured but i have now a bag ful of far better made generic multis taht could beat the hell out of that POS

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm just having a little laugh  

I'll take you off my ''To be smited'' list then

[Neil]

I worked in IT for many years and for a long time carried a bunch of tools.  Eventually I got a Cybertool 29 and later a Cybertool Lite.  This cut down the number of tools I needed to carry to ... most of the time, one   Occasionally I'd need a punch down tool or a long phillips screwdriver but that'd be about it.

The CT29  despite having less tools does have the benefit of being thinner, making the driver easier to use.  The CT Lite has the pliers and whilst not the largest in the world, they are good for shifting jumpers and assisting in the removal of stubborn molex plugs and the like.

Although I no longer touch computers for a living, once in IT all your friends and family will forever call you to sort their little technical troubles out for them.  As a result I finally got round to making my own techy SAK.

The NKB CT... ... This has a blade, pry tool, metal file, bit driver and pliers. Its not an every day knife but one suited to its role.

If you ever do any comms. work the Paladin multi tools are definitely worth a look.  I've just got a couple but haven't had to use them in anger yet

Neil

[DaveK]

Hey Neil that's a great tool - I like that. I'd really like one of those bit drivers to build my own too, but they seem really difficult to come by!

Sorry for veering off-topic, but have you ever come across any Titanium SAK scales? I want to build a Ti SAK

[gafftapegreenia]

Ohhh, that PT-540 has got me drooling. I must get one!