Slim EDC Leatherman Knife/Bit Driver Combo

[Peso]

Hi - long time since I last visited. Hello again! I'm revising my EDC:

I want a slim, light, straight blade knife with a Leatherman full size bit driver. That's all, no other tools required. I know some of the old Leatherman knives had this Combo (Crater C33B, C55B or Expanse E33B, E55 etc.). However, all these knives have the bit driver next to the blade, making the overall thickness of the knife unsuitable for my purposes.

What I would ideally like to do it replace the Carabiner on something like the Crater C33 with the full size 2D Leatherman bit holder. Is this feasible? Has anyone done it already? I think it might work from some teardown videos I've watched but I don't want to invest in what is increasingly becoming a collectible knife AND buy a bit holder and find it doesn't work.

Thanks for any and all assistance and apologies if already answered (I have had a quick search).

[LoopCutter]

Other than modding a handle of a Charge or Wave to remove pliers and other implements.  You may find either version of the SKELETOOL will provide a slim like version right out of the box.

[IMR4198]

   Not exactly what you asked for, but a good off-the-shelf usable tool.  It would be easy to cut off the pliers and end up with a half Skeletool with just a knife and bit holder.  Best wishes.  G

[Antti Lammi]

Maybe you could try Free K2/K4 and install ARC bitholder to it

[enki_ck]

Other than modding a handle of a Charge or Wave to remove pliers and other implements.  You may find either version of the SKELETOOL will provide a slim like version right out of the box.

Why not just half of a beater skeletoo off of ebayl? Easier to disassemble, slimmer, and all of what is wanted.

[Antti Lammi]

If your not picky there is always Gerber Armbar slim drive, it has bitdriver and knife, sadly bitdriver doesnt lock but otherwise it has what you want.

[ToolJoe]

I'm in the camp of a Gerber Armbar might be the tool for you. It's a solid tool overall and you could always pair it with a pair of smaller pliers if need be to cover that base.

[Peso]

Thanks for the recommendations all. As is pretty normal for this hobby/interest the suggestion of a modded Skeletool took me on a rabbit hole starting with the modded Skeletool (don't like the non-foldable bit driver), via modded Signal (almost perfect but frankly too expensive to justify and no tool where plier pivot would be). Considered Armbar (don't like the knife), Nextool E1 (also don't like knife) before finally settling on the Rocktol 12in1 with the S35V blade addition. It's a pretty perfect solution  - if I'm being picky I'd like to see a locking bit driver and some skeletising of the scales (it's a tad heavy), but other than that it fits the bill pretty well with some other useful tools to boot.

Thanks for the suggestions - without them I wouldn't have landed on my solution which I'm really happy with overall.

[LoopCutter]

Pictures ?    

[Peso]

https://www.rocktol.com/products/rocktol-black-multitool-knife-12-in-1-pocket-multi-tool-knife-with-2-68-pocket-knife-and-leather-sheath-edc-gear-for-camping-hiking-survival?_pos=8&_sid=a5ff24221&_ss=r

Essentially half-a-Leatherman-Wave

https://www.rocktol.com/pages/accessories/accessories-3e270u4f

And they sell a couple of blade upgrades - I went for the S35
Very good build quality overall as far as I can tell - not abused in anger yet so we'll see over time...
Oh, drop a 6mm diameter X 2mm thick magnet in the bit holder to get it to hold the 2D Leatherman bits.

[Poncho65]

I like those blades I have a Leatherman Charge Knife (basically like the half handled Rocktol knife ) and it makes me want to buy the s35vn

[Peso]

Yes, I've got a Charge TTI sat idle that I was considering doing the same with but it seemed a shame to start breaking it down when there's such an affordable alternative. My Charge is earmarked for Son #1 when he goes to college in a couple of years - he's already been issued his SAK this Xmas....

I was actually going to take the handle of a Signal and mate it with some of the tools from the Charge but that's a very expensive solution to a problem that doesn't really exist. I'm also wary of having too expensive a tool which is, in essence, irreplicable should it be lost or confiscated (although in 25 years of carrying some form of multi-tool I've never had it happen...).

[IMR4198]

   Seems like a reasonable equivalent.  At any rate, the Rocktol price should help alleviate any fears.  Did you get your tool with the upgraded steel blade already installed by Rocktol, or did you have to buy the blade separately and do it yourself?  Best wishes.  G
 

[Peso]

You get the blade separately - comes in a little plastic caddy with a note to heat the pivot before disassembly  as it is 'fixed by glue'. After testing it I conceded to the advice - I suspect CA bonded - it had that white/crusty appearance CA has. Anyway cleaned up the threads and tried to lock it with blue LocTite but insufficient so I'll try some red. However, I reasoned while I had it open I'd order some brass bushing to replace the Stainless ones it comes with as standard. They'll arrive tomorrow, so I'll wait until have them before trying the red.

The S35VN blade came razor sharp with a very nice grind. It's a hard steel - I had to file a couple of thou of an angle of the pivot as it was dragging slightly and it felt like work!

I've also dropped a 6X2mm magnet in the bit holder and replaced the detented bit with a slightly longer DeWalt one.

As with most tools at this price point, it needs just a little bit of fettling to get it up to standard but overall it's excellent. Would recommend.

ADDENDUM: I incorrectly suggested the handles are not skeletonised above - they actually are.