What is the point of this crap? (bulky multitools)

[Landrew]

I mean, the thing is heavy, 160g (6 0z). It only has a few crappy tools; a combo blade, a dim flashlight, a fish-scaler/hook remover-ruler thingy, small scissors and some sort of thin rod that's too big for opening a SIMM tray.  Who would lug such hunk of crap around?

[pfrsantos]

I mean, the thing is heavy, 160g (6 0z). It only has a few crappy tools; a combo blade, a dim flashlight, a fish-scaler/hook remover-ruler thingy, small scissors and some sort of thin rod that's too big for opening a SIMM tray.  Who would lug such hunk of crap around?

Why buy one, then?!

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

These kinds of tools are not meant to be useful- they are meant to be manufactured as cheaply as possible and sold I'm huge volumes.

As for who buys them.... well, your family and friends do.  They think "Landrew is a handy guy, he'd really appreciate this!"

Then they buy it, give it to you as a gift and you spend the rest of your life pretending it is the best thing ever so as not to hurt their feelings.

Def

[BPRoberts]

It looks like it should have enough space to hold something. I can almost see the point of a large (but limited function) multitool that also held a mini first aid kit, fire starter kit, etc.

[Landrew]

Why buy one, then?!

 

It came to me free of charge, besides, I have a collection of all sorts of such junk.

[dimledger]

I loved these sorts of tools when I was a kid. They were cheap and they looked cool and that was all that really mattered at the time.

As an adult, I don't think I've ever seen one being carried or used. They just collect dust in junk drawers and glove boxes.

[nate j]

Who actually pays money for them?
Generally, people who don’t know any better.

Who carries them?
Probably no one.

[tango44]

Useless...

[Farmer X]

Poorly designed and/or built multis should be collected and preserved just as good ones are...if only to serve as a reminder of how bad things can be and examples of what to avoid when designing new tools.

[Sos24]

These kinds of tools are not meant to be useful- they are meant to be manufactured as cheaply as possible and sold I'm huge volumes.

As for who buys them.... well, your family and friends do.  They think "Landrew is a handy guy, he'd really appreciate this!"

Then they buy it, give it to you as a gift and you spend the rest of your life pretending it is the best thing ever so as not to hurt their feelings.

Def

I love this explanation because in many ways it is right on target and a familiar theme with many items. 

People know your interest, but know nothing about it, buy something that looks cool to be kind.  I have a few things like that which have sat in the same box I brought them home from Christmas in.

[cody6268]

I have a few of them myself. These are the things kids buy as father's day gifts, or super-cheap relatives.  Or me because I'm a sucker for such things.  I have around 3-4 I bought myself on clearance for less than $10.

It looks like it should have enough space to hold something. I can almost see the point of a large (but limited function) multitool that also held a mini first aid kit, fire starter kit, etc.

Kind of like the Schrade Navitool. The oversize handle held a full-size compass, signal mirror, red LED (remember, it is a 20 year old design, and a space big enough for a BIC or survival items.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I love this explanation because in many ways it is right on target and a familiar theme with many items. 

People know your interest, but know nothing about it, buy something that looks cool to be kind.  I have a few things like that which have sat in the same box I brought them home from Christmas in.

I'd be surprised if we didn't all have some like this!

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Poorly designed and/or built multis should be collected and preserved just as good ones are...if only to serve as a reminder of how bad things can be and examples of what to avoid when designing new tools.

I agree wholeheartedly.

This site wasn't built to worship Leatherman, Gerber, Victorinox etc- it's about what tools work and what don't, regardless of brand.

Further, many of the "failed" tools of the past are the highly collectible tools of the present.  Look at the Victorinox Autotool, Scientist, Voyageur or three layer Explorer.  Or the Leatherman Flair.  Gerber's Fit.  Schrade Navitool.

All of these are in the "what were they thinking?" pule at one point, but are getting crazy only on eBay now, and I can continue the list for a lot longer than what is above!

Def

[Vidar]

Then they buy it, give it to you as a gift and you spend the rest of your life pretending it is the best thing ever so as not to hurt their feelings.

Def

I suspect some actually know better. For them the line would read: "Then they buy it, give it to you as a gift, and then have fun at your expense by making you squirm and pretend it is the best thing ever so as not to hurt their feelings... 

[Pete.Z]

Most of that sort of stuff is made as cheap as possible, and primarily meant to be sold in bulk, print your company name on it and use it as cheap give-away. They all end up in a drawer, and in the end, landfill.

[Vidar]

That might be as true as it is silly. Having gotten a few of these over the years I can say that it does indeed reflect on the companies which put their names on on them, but not in the positive way they wanted.. The items might have been cheap but I'm guess it was expensive overall. They actually paid good money to worsen their reputation and relations by indirectly saying "we are clueless" or "we don't care".

On the other side of things I still use and remember some of the actually worthwhile gifts I gotten from some companies who actually put some thought, care and expenses into the gifts. The message there is quite different.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I wrote about that very thing many years ago!

https://swissarmyknights.com/articles/2007/345-any-ad-is-good

 

Def

[Vidar]

Indeed! Some gift givers should have read that.

There is the flip side of the coin too - if you receive a gift of significant value you start wondering whether you've overpaid...