Importance of a few tools.

[cbl51]

We live in a complicated world. Modern 21st century life depends on all kinds of gizmo's, both mechanical and electrical, or a combination of both. And sometimes those gizmos need a bit of tweaking to keep on going.

In days past, when I was a knife nut for a while, I'd carry a Spyderco or Buck knife, or other "cool" knife. But they were always a one trick pony. A limited item, unlike the Boy Scout knife I grew up with or the army issue Camillus "demo' knife they handed out at the supply room like lollypops at the doctors office. Yes, there was times when I carried two separate pocket knives, one for cutting and one for tools. But that got more ridiculous as I got older.

Getting "older" things got more complicated and needed more stuff in pockets. There's the pain killers like aspirin or Ibuprofen for the arthritis, and the aspirin is good for an impending vapor lock. Then there's the reading glasses, since my arms didn't get longer as I aged, and holding the menu out far enough to see what I wanted to order was hard. Then there was the EDC stuff like a small flashlight, since it's gotten dark every night I've been alive. Then the RONCO pocket defribulator in case of vapor lock takes up some pocket space. So, it was one pocket knife. May as well have one with some tools on it.

I really can't count the times a simple tool like a screw driver got me home. I used to love old funky Vespa motor scooters and BMW motorcycles from the 1960's and earlier. When my old PX150 conked out dead on me on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, I found the loose connection and used the SD tip of the nail file of my classic to get going again. When on vacation in Key West, and the rented boat's outboard motor died out on the water in the Florida Straits, it was a recruit that let me take apart the gummed up carburetor and semi clean it out with some hand sanitizer that was mostly alcohol, and get up back home. We'd been drifting south and a visit to Cuba and possibly a Cuban jail was not on the schedule. Having a screw driver on hand let me have the capacity to, for lack of a better term, "get into it" and tinker around and solve the problem. A spare pipe cleaner from my tobacco pouch made me glad I was a pipe smoker. 

I guess that's why I ended up a SAK nut rather than a knife nut. The SAK is a pocket size solution to a bunch of those problems that life tends to toss in our path. Most times a simple tool that lets us 'tinker' with the problem, gets us on the way on the road of life.

[powernoodle]

Mr. C, do you carry a Tinker or summin' else?   

[Simon_Templar]

Most times a simple tool that lets us 'tinker' with the problem, gets us on the way on the road of life.

Well said. And at least in my case, that simple tool rarely happens to be the large blade of my SAK. Which is why I don't understand the interest in pocket knives (or even handguns) as everyday carry items.

[Farmer X]

A visit to Cuba and possibly a Cuban jail was not on the schedule.

That doesn't exactly sound like a rollicking good time to me, either.

Great story! And it sounds like an Alox Bantam could be a perfect addition to your carry.

[cbl51]

Mr. C, do you carry a Tinker or summin' else?   

My little classic is my regular EDC, but my old Wenger SI is my back up for it when I think I will need more knife/tool in the course of the day. There's an alox bantam in my desk drawer that gets carried now and then. There's a cadet in the glove box of my car, and that's it. I don't actually own many knives or tool these days. If I need more knife than my SAK, theres my old Buck 102 woodsman in my daypack, along with a Gerber/Fiskars sliding blade saw.

I had a tinker up to a few years go, but it dropped on the bathroom floor and the handle scale broke off a good chunk. Now with the sole exception of my classic, all my larger SAK's are alox. I lost Faith in the newer plastic scales that have the empty cavities in them when my son-in-law's hiker got knocked off a kitchen counter and it broke in the exact same way that my tinker broke. Now it's alox all the way, baby!.

[powernoodle]

[cbl51]

Well said. And at least in my case, that simple tool rarely happens to be the large blade of my SAK. Which is why I don't understand the interest in pocket knives (or even handguns) as everyday carry items.

YMMV.

Different people have different needs. One thing my old man told me as a kid, stayed with me. "Never forget who you are, what you are, and where you are doing what you do."

[powernoodle]

I don't understand the interest in pocket knives (or even handguns) as everyday carry items.

I like pocket knives and firearms, but have no need for micro pry bars, fire starters, and paracord bracelets.   

[cbl51]

I like pocket knives and firearms, but have no need for micro pry bars, fire starters, and paracord bracelets.   

 

Not to mention complete tool sets for every size of torx and Allen screws, a separate carry bag because it all won't fit in your pockets, and the grapnel hook. I've never understood the pry bars and grapnel hook??

BUT...twice in my life, my butt was saved from  being a victim of a violent crime by that little revolver in my side pants pocket. The would be criminal didn't want my car badly enough to get some unwanted holes in his person.

It's all a case of YMMV. In January of 1991, I had a pocket knife on me, and no other tool would have done as well when I had to crawl into an upside down old Datsun B210, that was starting to burn, and the driver was hanging upside down ion her sear belt that would not release. A nice sharp little blade cut right through it and we both got to crawl out of the smoldering wreck.

YMMV.

[nate j]

Well said. And at least in my case, that simple tool rarely happens to be the large blade of my SAK. Which is why I don't understand the interest in pocket knives (or even handguns) as everyday carry items.

YMMV.

Different people have different needs. One thing my old man told me as a kid, stayed with me. "Never forget who you are, what you are, and where you are doing what you do."

YMMV indeed.

I certainly appreciate the utility of other tools on SAKs/MTs, but my blades also get used pretty often.  I’m sure there are heavier users out there, but opening packages, trimming cigars, being pressed into food service, cleaning and whittling my fingernails, etc., happen often enough that I wouldn’t voluntarily go bladeless, and also don’t consider the carry of a blade(s)-only knife to be a waste of time/pocket space for me.

With regard to handguns, (at least for non-LEOs) they are a low-frequency high-impact item, not something that is carried because it is needed so often.  Like fire extinguishers or flood insurance, you hope it is something you never have to use.  But it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

[cbl51]

YMMV indeed.

I certainly appreciate the utility of other tools on SAKs/MTs, but my blades also get used pretty often.  I’m sure there are heavier users out there, but opening packages, trimming cigars, being pressed into food service, cleaning and whittling my fingernails, etc., happen often enough that I wouldn’t voluntarily go bladeless, and also don’t consider the carry of a blade(s)-only knife to be a waste of time/pocket space for me.

With regard to handguns, (at least for non-LEOs) they are a low-frequency high-impact item, not something that is carried because it is needed so often.  Like fire extinguishers or flood insurance, you hope it is something you never have to use.  But it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

YES!

Way better to have it and not need it, than the opposite. I can't remember the last time I had a flat tire. Maybe 20-25 years? BUT...I won't save space by getting rid of the spare tire in my car trunk.  I know that the law named after an unlucky Irishman named Murphy,  will catch up to me a day or two after I take out that spare.

Living in an era that has both coyotes and wild hogs, a side arm should be carried on hikes. Our former governor was out jogging with his daughter's golden retriever when they were attacked by a rabid coyote. The Gov, pulled a Ruger .380 from his pocket and shot the coyote before him or the dog was harmed. And I'd have been hard put to saw through that seatbelt material with a screw driver to get that driver out of that burning wreck.  A good sharp blade is needed sometimes. BUT...if I can combine a good sharp blade with some tools, then I'm good. again; YMMV.

Thats why I love SAK's so much, they give me the best of both worlds. 

[Simon_Templar]

Carl, Powernoodle, Nate,

Thanks for elaborating the US point of view, I appreciate it. Although I have no doubt all members of this forum are sensible folks who can be trusted with a gun, I have come across so many instable / short-tempered / immature people in my time that I will gladly trade the freedom to carry a gun for the knowledge that no one else does either (except hard-core criminals, terrorists and law enforcement). All the more so as it gives me the freedom to move around in public places without fear or the need to be prepared for a potential firefight in the first place;)

I will admit it might be different if you live on the countryside with dangerous animals around, but I wouldn't consider preparing for such encounters when going into the woods a classic EDC case.

[Simon_Templar]

YMMV indeed.

I certainly appreciate the utility of other tools on SAKs/MTs, but my blades also get used pretty often.  I’m sure there are heavier users out there, but opening packages, trimming cigars, being pressed into food service, cleaning and whittling my fingernails, etc., happen often enough that I wouldn’t voluntarily go bladeless, and also don’t consider the carry of a blade(s)-only knife to be a waste of time/pocket space for me.

I agree that some kind of cutting device is necessary, which is why I wrote I don't use the large blade very often. The small blade, awl or package opener (in the case of the Companion) see action quite often. I wouldn't want to be without at least one of those three.

[Farmer X]

I lost Faith in the newer plastic scales that have the empty cavities in them when my son-in-law's hiker got knocked off a kitchen counter and it broke in the exact same way that my tinker broke.

I don't think I've ever managed to break Cellidor scales. However, I have gotten a few used SAKs with busted scales. The up side is that bad Cellidor scales are easily replaced (on a Victorinox, anyway).

I...have no need for micro pry bars, fire starters, and paracord bracelets.

I made a few paracord bracelets, but rarely wear them anymore. A fire starter isn't something I'd carry in an urban setting, but I'd keep several in my camping gear kit. As for micro pry bars, Shards and Mullets work pretty well for me. I can't see spending hundreds of dollars on such a tool, though.

With regard to handguns, (at least for non-LEOs) they are a low-frequency high-impact item, not something that is carried because it is needed so often.  Like fire extinguishers or flood insurance, you hope it is something you never have to use.  But it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

[SteveP]

Interesting topic...

I agree with the YMMV assessment.

EDC seems to run the gamut from carrying a multitool to carrying a bag that will help you survive the apocalypse, and everything in between. Plus variations for urban and camping/outdoors scenarios.

For me, I'm in an urban environment, but carry a Swiss Champ for versatility. For example, I've used the wood saw several times around the house or at work. One time I was on the roof and wanted to cut off a tree branch that was hanging on the roof. Swiss Champ to the rescue! Or I could have climbed off the roof, gone to the garage, got a saw, then climbed back up on to the roof. The Champ was in my pocket when I needed it and it provides a lot of options in a relatively small package.

The Knipex Cobra XS pliers were in my pocket when I needed them. So was the lighter that I used last winter to heat up a stranger's car key so she could unlock her frozen car door lock.

Could I go back to the tool chest (or a hardware store if out) and get a more purpose-built tool to solve whatever issue I've got? Sure. But having some basics in my pockets gets me by for most things.

A YouTuber I've run across (Earthling EDC) believes in carrying stuff that will have a positive impact on your life and the lives of others. Seems like a good approach.


P.S.
I have one of those (cheap) 3" micro prybars. Picked it up years ago and have it in the small tool kit I carry in my pocket. Had never used it and was on the verge of removing it from the kit when I used it twice in one day - first as a pry bar to split apart some small wood blocks that were glued together, then later to drive in some odd-shaped wood fasteners. The prybar end fit the fastener head exactly and I could hammer the other end of the prybar. So it stayed in my tool kit.   

[Juergen23]

With EDC it's all about where you live and how you live your life. I live in one of the most densly populated areas in the world; the western part of The Netherlands. It's basically a large urban metropolitan area with such cities as Rotterdam, Den Haag and Delft all being connected by adjacent towns and a public transport network. There is no wild nature here and the ducks in some ditch are the most 'wild' animals I would encounter on an average day! If I happen to be outside after dark, then all streets have very modern led lamp posts so I don't have much need for a flashlight either. Let alone some stupid pry bar to pry what?!? I really don't understand this nonsense.

What do I need and what would be handy? A small cutting tool to open up my lunch at work. Or a small driver to fasten a loose screw on some electric appliance or something similar. This is were the SAK shines, especially the simple and smaller models. Those with a combo tool or file. The Bantam and most of all the Classic.

[cbl51]

With EDC it's all about where you live and how you live your life. I live in one of the most densly populated areas in the world; the western part of The Netherlands. It's basically a large urban metropolitan area with such cities as Rotterdam, Den Haag and Delft all being connected by adjacent towns and a public transport network. There is no wild nature here and the ducks in some ditch are the most 'wild' animals I would encounter on an average day! If I happen to be outside after dark, then all streets have very modern led lamp posts so I don't have much need for a flashlight either. Let alone some stupid pry bar to pry what?!? I really don't understand this nonsense.

What do I need and what would be handy? A small cutting tool to open up my lunch at work. Or a small driver to fasten a loose screw on some electric appliance or something similar. This is were the SAK shines, especially the simple and smaller models. Those with a combo tool or file. The Bantam and most of all the Classic.

Yes, where you live, what you do have a huge amount to do with it. It's always the old YMMV. I too am a city dweller, but enjoy outings out to the more nature areas. But here in Georgetown Texas, once you leave town, things get very rural very fast. We go hiking to state parks and there is an assortment of dangerous creatures around. Theres the rattle snakes, but in the 9 years since moving here from the Washington D.C. area, we've seen maybe three of them. Just gave them wide berth and left them alone. There are bobcats, some wild hogs that can get very territorial. We can upon a wild boar and he gave us some warning clicking of his tusks, but Abby was going ape barking and snarling and brainlessly pulling at her leash, so he ambled off in the cedar thicket. Coyotes are a problem, and they are what you need to be careful of. Usually they will retreat. Usually. Our former governor had to shoot one that attacked hi dog when he was out jogging.

But for the most part, a city dweller here in Texas is similar to city dwellers elsewhere. A small sharp knife for opening packages, some Phillips screw capability, and the scissors and file for nail care is nice. The classic serves me here as well as in Washington D.C.. Camping in the state parks my old Wenger SI does it all well. The big difference here is we have a back yard that is huge cockered to what we had back east, with a shop building and garden. We're growing tomato and peppers, and I cut jute twine to hold up the sagging branches with not ready to pick veggies. The little classic cuts the twine just as well as anything else, so it gets used a a lot.

Even driving out to Mission Viejo California to visit the daughter's family, not much knife is needed. Modern interstate travel isn't quite like setting off with a conestoga wagon across the plains. But, there is a LOT of vet empty areas to go through. sometimes we see waring signs "Last Services for 82 miles" and we stop and do a quick check for gas. We'll carry bottles of water and snacks, and we make sure our car chargers for the cell phones are working. But, there are areas with no cell phone services. But...if something happens, I can't see where a large knife is going to be needed. Water, yes. Cell phone, yes. some food, yes. Knife? Not much. It's a modern interstate not the middle of nowhere in a wagon train with attacking Comanche's trying to kill us. The same little classic I carry all the time will do for opening snacks as well in an Arizona highway rest stop as home in Georgetown Texas. It's the 21st century, not 1870. The most important thing to do is just keep your car in well maintained shape. Replace the radiator hoses every five years, and change that oil every 3 to 5 thousand. Hell with that 10,000 mile nonsense!

The small SAk's shine as the lost do-all of pocket knives. The classic, bantam, waiter, are maybe the greatest SAK's for usefulness per ounce that there is. Most of what you need, and nothing you don't.