The Hacker's MultiTool

[andrewnewman]

I'm a hacker. This basically means I enjoy trying something before I'm any good at it. As a result I can now do a large number of things poorly (and a few well  ). A hacker needs a multitool. Before traditional pliers-based tools were available everyone I knew carried a SAK. In college I had a specially selected one. I selected it specially from the bottom of a long abandoned theatre lost-n-found bin. SAK doesn't make this model anymore. They should start again. The main blade was lightly serrated and the secondary blade had a hook like a linoleum knife. I still have this knife. The screwdriver blades are gouged and bent from misuse but it still has utility. When I discovered the first Leatherman PST there was no looking back.

I've made a list of "must haves" for the hacker's tool. They are highly subjective.

• There should be lots of sharp stuff. The more and the bigger the better. A utility knife is obvious. A serrated knife is also nice. A file and saw blade come in handy and a little notch stripper is useful. The pliers should have a bypass cutter that can cut just about anything hard or soft
• The pliers should have sharp serrations for grabbing stuff that doesn't want to be grabbed.
• The philips head screwdriver should be big enough to work in a #2 but with a smallish tip that also fits a #1. Leatherman often gets this right.
• The flat head screwdrivers should be strong enough to be mis-used if they are wider than 1/4 inch.
• The "office stuff" isn't so useful (think nail file, scissors, letter opener). You can usually accomplish these tasks with something else.
• Some "kitchen stuff" is useful. A corkscrew is not critical but nice to have. A can opener is also nice but shouldn't be a special purpose one. A bottle opener is critical. The tool doesn't qualify if it doesn't have a decent cap lifter. You may not drink beer but I bet you have a friend who does!

The "anti pattern"

I made an  impulse purchase recently. It was the wrong impulse. I got a SOG Sync II. When I got it home I put it on a belt and stood in front of the mirror. 5 seconds later I hastily took it off so my wife wouldn't catch me. No way am I wearing this as a buckle. I gave it to a co-worker. He wears it on his belt. I think the other programmers at work are planning to beat him up and steal his lunch money. The tool is a great hacker tool anti-pattern. The blade is small and thin and super pointy. The two screwdrivers don't lock and both gouged easily when I tried to turn screws. The pliers are good but small. The file is also ok but not great. Scissors are too small for much but well engineered. Also this thing weighs a ton. Half the weight is the belt buckle thingy. I suspect REI would take it back but it basically works as advertised, it's just not for me. Also it's made in China which I wouldn't mind if it didn't have a US retail price of $80.00. I sent a polite but critical note to SOG but never heard back. Oh well.

The pattern

A few years ago a very nice TSA agent relieved me of my Leatherman Rebar. She was nice and professional and it was totally my fault. Still sucks to lose a tool. I got a new one and re-remembered why this may be the very best hacker's multitool.

• Lots and lots of sharp stuff. Two full sized blades, a saw and 3 sided metal file.
• Useful bottle opener that doubles as a can opener.
• Awl, wire stripper and super durable bypass cutter in the pliers head that can be replaced!
• Thick robust tools that can be abused beyond the manufacturers recommendation

Just some rambling long-weekend thoughts

[ThePeacent]

I read your thoughts with interest and agree with most of them.
Also a fan of the Rebar here, that little beast hits way above its size, gets abuse like a rented mule and keeps on kickin' !

[AimlessWanderer]

No way am I wearing this as a buckle. I gave it to a co-worker. He wears it on his belt. I think the other programmers at work are planning to beat him up and steal his lunch money.

 

I found the Sync II to be little more than a "dad gift". A gadgetty novelty that was never really intended for use as a tool. As to the Rebar, I tried it twice. Once as a factory standard (sold that pretty quickly), and again as a knifeless mod (which I also sold - though it did get a heck of a lot more use from the new owner). I found it uncomfortable, and have a serious loathing for the new LM plier heads. Some folks love 'em though Just goes to show that you need to handle/use any form hand tool to know if it's any good for you or not

[ToolJoe]

I'm not a hacker per say but I work in an office environment and The Vic Spirit has passed with flying colors and is a daily carry for me. 

[Etherealicer]

I'm not a hacker per say but I work in an office environment and The Vic Spirit has passed with flying colors and is a daily carry for me. 

Not a hacker either, but at least work in IT.

I second the Spirit. Great tool and especially, that long reach Phillips is of great value when working with computer. That said, I still prefer an ordinary screwdriver.
A hacker probably would get more use out of a Midnite Manager@Work with a USB stick tough (his tools being more software than hardware) and if you want to take apart more moder laptops and Mac computers you won't get around the CyberTool and its Torx bits.