The beauty of 'real tools'

[Philby]

How many here have used a multitool exclusively for little jobs around the house, only to pick up a real screwdriver/pliers/snips/shifting wrench/grips/e.t.c and find it an absolute joy to use.
Multitools are great in a pinch, but following a moment of clarity I'm loving real tools. Made in England Stanley drivers/ Elliot Lucas pliers/ bahco shifting wrenches/ knipex grips, and all available at a fraction of the cost of a new quality brand multi! Here's to real tools 

[ToolJoe]

  I usually carry a Crater C33T or a Vic Hercules but for pliers, I primarily carry a pair of Channel Lock slipjoint pliers and also a pair of lineman pliers for plier duties. I also have a pair of electrician scissors for cutting purposes. I keep a tool kit under my seat in my car that has Vice Grips, the electrician scissors, a utility knife and an electricians screwdriver.

[Toolslinger]

I have a very nice collection of 'real' tools and will use them whenever I have the chance. Usually this means it's a planned project or task. If I'm in a pinch, the MT will do most times and usually gets the call as it is always to hand. I try to be prepared and have the tools available to do the work but sometimes you can get caught away from the box and this is where the MT shines.

to real tools
and
to multi-tools

[strmliner]

I have a very nice collection of 'real' tools and will use them whenever I have the chance. Usually this means it's a planned project or task. If I'm in a pinch, the MT will do most times and usually gets the call as it is always to hand. I try to be prepared and have the tools available to do the work but sometimes you can get caught away from the box and this is where the MT shines.

to real tools
and
to multi-tools

+1   

[HarleyXJGuy]

Since coming around here last year I find myself going out of my way to use a MT or SAK. That said the correct tool.for the job was something instilled in me from a young age by my Father.

Something that gives great pleasure is having a job and being able to go to my shed and have all the tools ready to complete the job correctly.

[Mr. Whippy]

I have a very nice collection of 'real' tools and will use them whenever I have the chance. Usually this means it's a planned project or task. If I'm in a pinch, the MT will do most times and usually gets the call as it is always to hand. I try to be prepared and have the tools available to do the work but sometimes you can get caught away from the box and this is where the MT shines.

to real tools
and
to multi-tools

+1   

I was going to type nearly the same thoughts. 

+2 

[Kampfer]

I don't have any real tools.   
MTs are all I got.

[HarleyXJGuy]

I don't have any real tools.   
MTs are all I got.

Good think you are a desk jockey then.

[Smaug]

How many here have used a multitool exclusively for little jobs around the house, only to pick up a real screwdriver/pliers/snips/shifting wrench/grips/e.t.c and find it an absolute joy to use.
Multitools are great in a pinch, but following a moment of clarity I'm loving real tools. Here's to real tools 

Grant, time to get to work on this character ^.

[Aloha]

I have a very nice collection of 'real' tools and will use them whenever I have the chance. Usually this means it's a planned project or task. If I'm in a pinch, the MT will do most times and usually gets the call as it is always to hand. I try to be prepared and have the tools available to do the work but sometimes you can get caught away from the box and this is where the MT shines.

to real tools
and
to multi-tools

My thoughts as well. 

[collim1]

Very true that no multitool comes close to a dedicated tool.  That being said I get by with a multitool for a lot of minor jobs even when I could locate a real tool without a major inconvenience. 

Anything expensive or important gets a real tool though.  I have stripped screw heads out with improper fitting drivers.  I have also literally twisted a multitool apart trying to free a tightly stuck screw. 

[Kampfer]

MT are like pistols, they are made to be carry, if you want the best tool for the job, get a rifle.

[Henry]

I can't carry my toolchest with me, though my toolbag is well over 15kg! Still when I put that down, I still have a multitool on my belt.

Also, although I'm a mechanic I've worked around the world, generally the only things that make it into my bag are Multitools, verniers, steel rule, tape measure and my PPE.

I've got stashs of real tools in 4 countries, it makes me sad to think about them!

[Mr. Whippy]

I can't carry my toolchest with me, though my toolbag is well over 15kg! Still when I put that down, I still have a multitool on my belt.

Also, although I'm a mechanic I've worked around the world, generally the only things that make it into my bag are Multitools, verniers, steel rule, tape measure and my PPE.

I've got stashs of real tools in 4 countries, it makes me sad to think about them!

Oooh!
A treasure hunt   

[Lynn LeFey]

I have a tool kit in the back of my car. I have another one in my kitchen. I have a ton of tools in my garage.

When I do work as Electrician's assistant, I carry a small set of dedicated tools.

However...

In my day to day life, out and about, where I'm not likely to need any specific tool, but occasionally still do, THAT is when MTs are best, and honestly, my most frequent need for tools, usually for incredibly light but oh-so-helpful tasks.

I can't carry as many dedicated tools for the same space/weight as an MT. I think we all get that MTs are usually a compromise, but they are one that can be more readily at hand.

Given infinite space and weight, though, dedicated tools are preferred.

And, as an aside, this is why I don't often post in the 'what did you use your MT for today' threads. Because I'm usually within 20 feet of a set of dedicated tools. Sometimes, though, I'm too lazy to walk 20 feet, and I have an MT in my pocket or within reach.

[Lichtbote]

MTs are nice to tinker a little bit, fix small things.

But when real work needs to be done .... go away little grasshopper, now the heavyweight class comes to play.

[Rossko07]

I carry a mt to work everyday. It's a convenience factor for me which is still important but I'm a sparky by trade and the truth is I need my ridiculously heavy tool bag to do my job safely and to a high standard.

[getahl]

I don't have any real tools.   
MTs are all I got.

That's me, about eight years ago. More specifically, I owned a small Crescent wrench and a Charge TTi,   and that was my tool chest for the year that I rented,  and then the first half year I owned my house. Built a few IKEA pieces if furniture with it, and generally got by
Nowadays, the only multis I carry are keychain sized ones. I have a toolbox in the garage, in the house,  and in the car otherwise.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[aerojet]

Two classes of tools. First is the real thing as it was. Nothing beats having the right tool to do the job. For my trade, there are tons of specialized tools which the public never gets access to, or ever sees. For other work a full set of hand tools backed up by portable electrics get the job done.

Second is the ones one carries. SAK and Swiss Tool. Is the right tool for the job? Depends. For a lot of things it can be. At hand, ready to be used, and if one knows what one is doing the tool in your pocket or on your belt is all you need. Many jobs can be done quickly and correctly with either a SAK or Swiss Tool.

If you are mechanically inclined an improvised tool can work well too. Here again, it is what you carry, more than go look for the right tools. Sometimes just the time spent going on an all points dig for the right tool can be more than just grabbing what you have on you and getting the job done.

It depends on the job, and what fasteners are employed. How the job needs to get done, and your knowledge of what needs to get fixed -- and how to do it.

For me, generally, "clean jobs" not involving a ton of oil, grease, or dirt are candidates for what I carry. Messy, hard, jobs which are going to need a lot of horsing are what the box full of tools is for.

[av8r1]

I don't know, more and more often I find myself wanting my Leatherman over a "real" tool. I can get a lot of wiring tasks done with my Style ES faster than I can with a small pair of side cutters and an automatic stripper.

[Philby]

I don't know, more and more often I find myself wanting my Leatherman over a "real" tool. I can get a lot of wiring tasks done with my Style ES faster than I can with a small pair of side cutters and an automatic stripper.

You need one of these, snip and strip!

[Gerhard Gerber]

Close to 4 years ago I bought a '96 Toyota RAV with my retrenchment package, and at that stage I was watching way too much Wheeler Dealers and all the Is Born series....and the RAV needed a lot of work including de-Japanesing it and some general maintenance....

I bought a toolbox and consolidated all the tools I had lying around.  Big change in my life, pretty sure I spent more on tools than on fishing tackle during the intervening years.....

You can never argue with having the right tool for the job, just makes life easy.