EDC Experiments

Tom Munch · **Reply #30 on:** March 09, 2007, 05:17:36 PM

It has now been over a week (since Feb 27) when I started this experiment by not carrying a multitool. I'm missing fiddling with my multitools, but not their function yet.

Why is this?

It could be because I rarely need all the functions of a multitool.

It could be because I've found a way to carry adequate tools in my bag & mini tool set. I do think the "minitools" may be a neat marketing idea. Of course I haven't knocked them all out of the sheath in deep grass or water yet, so I haven't experienced the downside of separate tools yet. I also couldn't get a double-ended bit (phillips/slotted) to fit in the little bit driver. I'm sure I'll lose the extra bit unless I make a kydex sheath or drill out the other end of the bit driver for storage. I did make an effort to find another small bit driver without any real luck.

It could be because I'm carrying a SwissChamp which has all the functions of a multi (although I haven't used it except for the toothpick since I started carrying it).

It could be because I like playing Devil's Advocate & rebelling against carrying a multitool.

All I know is that now I have many interesting alternatives to carry in my EDC.

The Knipex Plier Wrench finally arrives today (Sears waited 6 days after I got the "Your Order Is On Its Way" e-mail until it finally entered the UPS system. Arggh!) I'm looking forward to seeing how this works & I'm excited to make some designs using it as the heart of a new tool.

Tom

Tom Munch · **Reply #31 on:** March 10, 2007, 08:30:44 PM

Posted some quick pics of the Knipex Plier Wrench.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=884.msg10338#msg10338

Tom Munch · **Reply #32 on:** March 15, 2007, 03:12:15 PM

I'm still not carrying a multitool when I go out although I do play with them at the house. I added a tiny ViseGrip needlenose to my EDC bag in addition to the Knipex Cobra & Plier Wrench. I also have my little minitool set on my belt.

Tom Munch · **Reply #33 on:** March 15, 2007, 03:14:48 PM

I ordered an even smaller version of the Knipex Cobra a couple days ago & the 10" version of the Plier Wrench to put in my toolbox.

I'm ordering from Chad's Toolbox in Wyoming.

Tom Munch · **Reply #34 on:** March 15, 2007, 03:15:27 PM

I also ordered a SuperKnife SK2 from AGRussell. I'm making a bag of tools I can carry on my belt in a CountyComm organizer. I'll try to put a handyman tool assortment in there of a bit driver, utility knife, channellocks, needlenose, adjustable wrench, & 5-in-1 tool.

I'm sure I'll go back to a multitool when I get the CRKT's in next month.

Tom

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #35 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:55:06 PM

Isn't the experiment getting significantly heavy yet?

Def

Tom Munch · **Reply #36 on:** March 15, 2007, 07:15:25 PM

Yah, Def, it is a little heavy, but since it's in a small Eagle Creek bag I don't mind it too much. The bag is small enough that it doesn't look like a man purse. I'll take a picture of the whole setup when I get a chance. I travel with so much equipment to gigs that I don't even notice the extra bag. The bag has also a few emergency items that I've written about before.

I figure I'll always be experimenting with what I EDC. My present Eagle Creek bag setup comes from the fact that multitools don't offer enough capability to fit the tasks I need to do. So do I just carry a multitool when I'm out & then carry a toolbox in my car? Or should I carry a toolbox around the property when I have projects. I'm trying to make my EDC just a little more capable than what a multitool can do, but still small enough to have it with me most of the time. I really find that I need a plier or wrench with jaws bigger than the current multitools offer.

Most days when I'm working on a project I'll carry & try several tools in each kit against each other to see which works best. The kits as I have them now are:

Multitool (smallest)
Minitool sheath (small)
Eagle Creek bag (medium)
Toolbox (biggest)

I'm working on what I'm calling a Handyman kit that I detailed above which will be beltable but bigger than the Minitool kit.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #37 on:** March 15, 2007, 07:29:13 PM

Other than the plier size issue, would it not be better to start with a multitool then add missing or specialized tools as you go? I am a big believer in a multitool (or SAK, or knife, or toolbox) really only being useful to you if you carry it, and so convenience seems to be one of the biggest factors.

While I agree that your tool bag would certainly be more handy than most plier tools on the market today, it kind of defeats the purpose if you decide to leave it home once in a while because it's too bulky.

Fascinating experiment though- I can't wait to see which way you go with it next!

Def

Tom Munch · **Reply #38 on:** March 15, 2007, 08:08:44 PM

I am carrying a Vic SwissChamp, so I've got everything covered in the multitool. In fact a SAK & good pair of pliers is a pretty good EDC.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #39 on:** March 15, 2007, 08:27:16 PM

Quote

In fact a SAK & good pair of pliers is a pretty good EDC.

I couldn't agree more. SAKs and multis especially make good partners, as what is lacking on one can often be made up for in the other. A decent full sized multi and a Farmer model is one of my favorite combinations. So is a Juice model and Explorer.

Great combos, and if I recall correctly, that was the original point of Tim Leatherman's new tool- to compliment a SAK.

Def

Tom Munch · **Reply #40 on:** March 15, 2007, 08:36:44 PM

So part of my experiment is to find out just how much I need out of the plier side of the equation. I would like to have & would encourage manufacturers to think of how to get a more versatile & capable plier into a multitool.

J-sews · **Reply #41 on:** March 16, 2007, 03:18:50 AM

I'm still trying to come to grips with this whole concept of NOT carrying a multitoooolkjx (shudder)....

Sorry, little involuntary muscle spasm there.

Tom Munch · **Reply #42 on:** March 16, 2007, 03:22:20 AM

Bob,

I have everything in a plier-based multitool in the SwissChamp except the pliers, so there really isn't any loss for now. If I didn't have the SAK with me though I'd feel quite naked.

Tom

Tom Munch · **Reply #43 on:** March 20, 2007, 03:20:22 AM

I got in the Mini Cobra & larger Plier Wrench. The Mini Cobra is really a good size for EDC.

Tom Munch · **Reply #44 on:** March 20, 2007, 03:23:28 AM

Here's a comparison to a LM Wave & Vic Spirit.

Tom Munch · **Reply #45 on:** March 20, 2007, 03:24:23 AM

Here's why I like a water pump plier so well - the jaw size.

Tom Munch · **Reply #46 on:** March 20, 2007, 03:25:08 AM

Tom Munch · **Reply #47 on:** March 20, 2007, 03:26:17 AM

Close-Up. Could a multitool be designed around this?

CQC-7 · **Reply #48 on:** March 20, 2007, 03:34:18 AM

I dont know. That would be a tough toolto engineer. But I guess that someone will try to make one or someone already has.

Tom Munch · **Reply #49 on:** March 22, 2007, 03:33:06 PM

I know some of you are questioning my sanity as I continue on without a multitool, but it is truly shaping my ideas for what I really want in a multitool. Hey, this is the kind of guy I am - always testing & experimenting.

So for the last three days this has been my EDC. It's just the bare bones knife, screwdrivers, bottle opener, pliers, & Photon. Of course I still have my bag with me a lot of the day with the Knipex Plier Wrench, bit driver & bits, SwissChamp, utility knife, & daily sundries. I find I really do need the wider jaws of a water pump pliers, so I'll either have to mod my own multitool or hope for an offering from the big manufacturers with one sometime.

I'm using the sheath from the FlipGrip I got recently for the pliers with the knife in the front right pocket clipped & Photon in the watch pocket.

parnass · **Reply #50 on:** March 24, 2007, 02:07:55 AM

Tom, I stopped in at Sears to view their version of the Knipex Cobra pliers. Too bad they don't carry the mini version in the store.

Tom Munch · **Reply #51 on:** March 24, 2007, 04:51:36 AM

I agree. I had to order mine from Chad's. It was $17.69 + shipping. Sears doesn't have the 6" or 150mm online either. That's how they size the tools since they're German - 150, 180, 250, 350...

Tom Munch · **Reply #52 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:33:25 PM

I bought & modified a sheath from AG Russell that will allow me to carry longer-handled pliers. I can now carry the 7" Knipex Plier Wrench & Cobra as easily as the 6" Cobra in the smaller sheath.

Tom Munch · **Reply #53 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:39:11 PM

6" Cobra in smaller sheath.

Tom Munch · **Reply #54 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:39:46 PM

6" Cobra in FlipGrip sheath.

Tom Munch · **Reply #55 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:40:34 PM

6" Cobra in news sheath.

Tom Munch · **Reply #56 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:41:07 PM

7" Cobra in new sheath.

Tom Munch · **Reply #57 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:41:42 PM

7" Plier Wrench in new sheath.

Tom Munch · **Reply #58 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:47:13 PM

I have a multitool thought in relation to all this experimenting. At times I like having duplication of tools with carrying more than one device. At these times I'll carry two multitools like a Spirit & Charge - Charge clipped to the pocket & Spirit in a sheath. Other times I like extreme efficiency & don't want any duplication between tools. That may be one of the things that has me preferring a regular plier right now. Of course a plier & a multitool would give me the needlenose & sidecutter in the multi. Maybe that will be my next EDC. I do like a dedicated knife because of it's feel in the hand though.

Tom Munch · **Reply #59 on:** April 21, 2007, 07:04:40 PM

Just so you guys don't think I'm totally crazy, I did carry my Charge last week a few times & my Spirit as well even though I'm still preferring the LM c304/Mini Cobra combo most of the time. I've been trying different screwdrivers & nutdrivers in my Possibles bag.

Tom

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