POLL: VICS (Combo tool) or (can+bottle opener)???

[alexTOOL]

Surpringsely I prefer the combo tool.

One layer less and more practical to me 

[magentus]

Love me the opener layer 

[Ron Who]

I don´t need the full opener layer. Beer opener and corkscrew will do for me. So I vote combo tool.

[smiller43147]

I carried a Compact with the combo tool for a number of years.  Replaced it as my EDC with a Pioneer X when they came out. So I've used a SAK with both approaches.  I appreciate the dedicated tools, but I also appreciate the slimming effect of combining them with the combo tool.  No surprise that I would love to have an old Voyager.
Guess I didn't really answer the question.

[AimlessWanderer]

Depends on the knife, and the intended carry situation. I have, like, and use, both configurations. I have a few mods planned, which will use both configurations too

One of the deciding factors for over of which I'd prefer on a knife, is not the openers, but the awl. From a modding perspective this can be frustrating. If I add the 93mm awl to a 91mm or 84mm knife, and keep the opener layer, I have two awls, which I don't want. If I use the combo tool opposite the main blade, and ditch the opener layer, there's no awl. I managed to conjure up a solution on the Mega84, and have another solution in mind for one of the other upcoming mods.

[G-Dizzle]

Opener layer is worth it to me for the phillips driver alone. Also, the dedicated bottle opener makes a better prybar. My dream SAK has an inline phillips across from both openers on the same side. By the way, I can't see where the poll is.

[sir_mike]

Opener layer is worth it to me for the phillips driver alone. Also, the dedicated bottle opener makes a better prybar. My dream SAK has an inline phillips across from both openers on the same side. By the way, I can't see where the poll is.

^^^^  This.

I have seen mods that had this layout and yeah that would be the best.  I too have used a Compact as well as other stock 91mm's with the opening layer and I actually prefer the opening layer as I think it is more useful but do like the slimmer designs and thought behind the combo tool.

[MacGyver]

For me its the opening layer all the way, no contest...

The combo tool is near useless to me. The diference in thickness of the Compact for Climber/Super Tinker is not much for me.
And if i want 2 layers id rather go scissor-less (full size at least) than to go with anything with a combo tool/scissors.

Just to gove some perspective on this however, the actual oficial functions of cap lifter and can opener are near irrelevant to me. The opening layer are my screw/bit drivers, pry bars, scraper, pusher, puller, and what ever else i can come up with uses for them.
The combo tool is too unreliable with mist of it IMO.

I would only give up a full opening layer for something identical to a Voyager, with the reverse standard bottle opener on the blade layer, and a Philips on the back (no CS)

[NutSAK]

Like others, for me it depends.  In a SAK with the in-line Phillips/mag layer or the bit-driver layer, I usually prefer the combo tool to keep the SAK as compact as possible.  However, I do sometimes miss the awl.

Otherwise, without the in-line Philllips layer, I prefer the opener layer because the can opener works well for Phillips screws and I always prefer the corkscrew w/mini screwdriver to the backspring Phillips.

[trichosirius]

The combo tool works fine for my needs, but I won't sacrifice the awl just to have one less layer.
 

[Don Pablo]

Can+Bottle opener.  I edc a Rambler and a Pioneer duo.

[zoidberg]

For a long time I've liked the opener layer.
Then about a year and a half ago I threw a combo tool into a mod for kicks and giggles.

I've been keen to remake/change up my edc 91 and 93mm saks but deciding between the openers isn't easy.
The 93mm has 3 options based on the phillips, 4 layer with mag glass, 4 layer with both openers, 3 layer with bottle opener.
Is the can opener worth all the weight and size of a 4th back spring?

[gene stoner]

I love the space the combo saves on my Hunter and Bantom but it's the worse bottle and can oppener I've ever used.

[NutSAK]

You can't expect perfection from a tool that does both jobs, but I've never had any issue opening a bottle with one, and it's something I do frequently.  I don't really feel it's better or worse at bottles than the dedicated opener, it just takes a slightly different technique.  It's definitely not as good at cans, but it works and I rarely open a can with a SAK.

[alexTOOL]

I love the space the combo saves on my Hunter and Bantom but it's the worse bottle and can oppener I've ever used.

You can simply pry by the side with the combo tool, is it difficult for you? 

[gene stoner]

I love the space the combo saves on my Hunter and Bantom but it's the worse bottle and can oppener I've ever used.

You can simply pry by the side with the combo tool, is it difficult for you? 

Pry the side? Not sure what you mean? The combo tool works it's just it doesn't work any where near as well as the oppener layer. But I do like the space it saves.

[AimlessWanderer]

I've found that different cans prefer different openers. If i'm at home and either type seems to be struggling, switching to the other type sorts it out. If i'm not at home, and I have either with me, I know I'll not go hungry. As to the cap lifter function, I think the combo tool does an excellent job.

[Nix]

Where's the Poll?   


Opener lay rocks. And provides more options.

Combo tool......is OK.

[Rapidray]

  no poll

[zoidberg]

If alex asks nicely then a mod can post up some poll options.

[Sawl Goodman]

I have just one combo tool. I've never used it and really only bought the knife it's on for collecting's sake.

Everyone has different needs and the opener layer fits mine very well. Without it, a SK is naked - not in a sexy way!

The can opener is my favourite of any kind and I use the Phillips tip often. It's also the best tool ever for removing broken spitter connectors in irrigation lines.

The flat screwdriver makes a fine flat SD as well as pry tool or whatever. On the 111mm liner locks it's a pleasingly substantial tool (that locks!). I don't refer to it as a cap lifter or bottle opener because I'm not much of a drinker, thus only rarely needing to open bottles. 

[hiraethus]

The combo tool is never the right answer.  It works just fine as a tool but you miss out on so much more: the robust cap lifter, excellent can opener, lovely poky awl and the wonderful small blade.

[magentus]

The combo tool is never the right answer.  It works just fine as a tool but you miss out on so much more: the robust cap lifter, excellent can opener, lovely poky awl and the wonderful small blade.

 

[nmpops]

Where's the Poll?  I prefer the two separate tools. The combo tool is about useless.

[Aloha]

I really wanted to like the combo tool.  I really did.  Just isnt for me.  The can and bottle opener are so versatile in their own right.  I have never opened a bottle but I've pried and scraped and turned my fair share.  The can opener is used several times a week in the kitchen.  I have also used the sharp edge to scrape and cut tapped boxes open.  The little drive on the tip is pretty terrific too. 

My 84mm Golfer has become a shelf queen because the combo tool.  I tried to like the combo tool, I really did.   

[MacGyver]

The combo tool is never the right answer.  It works just fine as a tool but you miss out on so much more: the robust cap lifter, excellent can opener, lovely poky awl and the wonderful small blade.

 

+2 

[ghiekorg]

I never tried to use a knife with combo tool as EDC. I don't know, I like the idea of having different size screwdrivers. A 84-91mm with openers layer and a corkscrew with mini screwdriver (+ a 58mm signature as keychain) and i have more then enough, i guess.
I also love the small blade 

[Nix]

I've EDC'd the Compact. It makes a great EDC.

....if you can live without the openers.   

[NutSAK]

 , but you're not really living without openers with the combo tool, you're living without a small screwdriver, blade and an awl.

The compact and other combo-tool SAKs are excellent to pair up with other multitools for lightweight carry.  I'm guessing that most people who feel they have to have the opener layer carry a SAK exclusively, and I get that.  I used to do that years ago, and at that time I always preferred the opener layer.

Also, I use multitools--including SAKs--as backup or convenience tools.  If I'm in the kitchen I grab a proper can opener, cap lifter or knife and don't typically use the one on my SAK.  Likewise, if I have proper tools nearby I use them (screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.) and not the ones on my multi-tools.  As a backup opener, the combo tool works just fine but I wouldn't use it every day.  I don't consider it "about useless" by any means.  I've opened many bottles and cans with one and turned many screws with success.

[Nix]

 

So much so......