A knife is just a knife.

[stuntzombie]

I've been a knife nut a long time, probably close to 30 years now, and I think I'm finally finding myself healing from the sickness. From time to time, I've experimented with just carrying multitools or Swiss Army knives, but I've always gone back to carrying a folding knife. Well, I'm not sure what's changed in the past couple months, but I think I'm finally "cured". Just recently I sold off or gave away all my user folders, just keeping ones with sentimental value, and I've gone all in on multitools. I've found a couple options that fit my usage without being too bulky, and feel confident that there's no looking back. It's not that I have anything against knives, it's just that in the end, I found myself using pretty much everything but the knife most days. And, if I needed to cut something, the blade on the multitool was more than capable of handling it.

So, that's where I'm at for now. I've fallen off the wagon before, but something about this time feels different. I guess time will tell if it sticks.

[Petri Lipponen]

Fixed knife has toughness offering extra utility
Utility knife has replaceable blades
Folder has small form factor
Multitool has folding blade

In my opinion if you like to carry another knife, second folding knife is the least useful

[Old Boy]

Coincidentally just went through this 2 months ago. Got tired of carrying too much stuff in the pockets and the marketing. Now just carry a Leatherman P2 that I got for free. Being an office worker the only tools I haven't tried is the useless ruler. I did buy the pin and tweezer holder from Etsy. Haven't used those yet but they are handy when needed.

I still like to check out knives, but yeah. Unnecessary expense and unnecessary enhancements. I don't really need damascus adamantium steel with carbon fiber handles. But no judgement on folks who carry the fancy stuff. To each his own.

Been meaning to go through the collection and see what I want to sell.

[stuntzombie]

That’s where I am as well. The differences in steel aren’t enough for me to care anymore. The 154CM on the Skeletool has been more than enough, as has the 420HC on the rest of Leatherman’s blades. For actual EDC, I really don’t need anything more, and it’s so much nicer having tools handy without having to carry another implement.

[Grand_Banana]

I found out my coworker is into MTs and such the other day. I don’t think he’s on MTO but used to be on knife forums.  We’ve had a couple conversations about fancy steel and such.  We’re both of the same mind we don’t need 3 knives with different steels and profiles.  Instead, like stuntzombie stated the standard steels on the knife on a SAK or standard PBMT is just fine. And it’s easier to sharpen when needed. 

[IMR4198]

   I hired a crew to do some home repairs a few years ago.  One young man loved knives.  He told me about all the nice things he had.  Then while he was on a ladder, he asked if I had a knife.  I said, "Where is yours?"  He said he never carried one of his because all of his were too good to use.  He had a tool belt on.  Not even a Stanley utility knife in it, like most everybody else in his trade.   
   I never went in for the knife as a piece of man-jewelry or status item.  I have owned hundreds of knives, but mostly just to amuse myself with for a while.  When I got tired of them, I swapped them off for something else. 
Best wishes.  Gary
 

[stuntzombie]

   I hired a crew to do some home repairs a few years ago.  One young man loved knives.  He told me about all the nice things he had.  Then while he was on a ladder, he asked if I had a knife.  I said, "Where is yours?"  He said he never carried one of his because all of his were too good to use.  He had a tool belt on.  Not even a Stanley utility knife in it, like most everybody else in his trade.   
   I never went in for the knife as a piece of man-jewelry or status item.  I have owned hundreds of knives, but mostly just to amuse myself with for a while.  When I got tired of them, I swapped them off for something else. 
Best wishes.  Gary
 

A friend of mine has an acquaintance like that. He buys these high priced knives in fancy steels, but then when he’s asked how it performs, he just gives a blank stare. He’s just buying them to buy them.

[MadPlumbarian]

Every time I left the house I had to have a multitool, a huge high power flashlight, pocket knife, and other assortments, but things changed, I’m good with my FarmerX which stays in its sheath, and a simple keychain flashlight,
JR

[IMR4198]

   Of course I had no intention of stomping on anyone's toes.  Lots of friends on here have knife and multi collections.  Probably the vast majority of MTO members buy things they don't just use on the job or carry every day.  Hobby.  Better than collecting bottle caps or something.  I like to read about the stuff members buy and look at the photos. 
   To anyone who wants to buy the latest and best, I say go for it.  That's just not me.  Sometimes I carry a SAK or something.  Sometimes a L-man.  It works for me.  I always have some sort of knife or multi on me unless I am in the shower or bed. 
    The young men who did the work that I mentioned had to borrow other items.  A multi would have come in handy for them.   
Best wishes.  Gary
 

[Old Boy]

Then while he was on a ladder, he asked if I had a knife.  I said, "Where is yours?"  He said he never carried one of his because all of his were too good to use.  He had a tool belt on.  Not even a Stanley utility knife in it, like most everybody else in his trade.   

I used to enjoy looking at other people's edc pics or those pocket check videos. It satisfied my curiosity or gave me an aha moment where I saw it was an improvement that I could adopt. Nowadays it just stopped satisfying that itch. No offense intended to other folks, but I'm no longer curious or there is nothing new to learn. I still enjoy seeing a working man's edc though when the algorithm brings it up. Scratched, abused, and ultimately useful.

[RADwriter]

I used to carry nothing but fixed blade knives. Still have a good number of them. But I only carry them when I'm doing something that warrants it. Ever since getting my Gordon Multitool, it's been the only knife I carry every day for around a year.

[Lurker]

I got over my knife obsession years ago. I would buy both fixed and folding knives. The fixed blades were for my camping trips and the folding knives were to EDC.

Of the 20+ fixed blades, only two had ever cut anything on a camping trip. Now I bring either Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife when I go camping, and both of those are used constantly because I need the other tools more than a knife when camping.

After I started carrying a SAK as an EDC, the folding knives started to stay at home. It turned out that I didn't need a knife that flicked open quickly, had powdered steel, or G10 handles just to open boxes.

I gave away a lot of my fixed blades and folding knives to friends and family, and I have a much smaller collection now; mostly the expensive ones.

[nate j]

For a lot of folks, the objective value of having a separate dedicated knife probably isn’t there.

But I do think there are valid reasons for some to at least consider it…

Ease of cleanup - Dedicated knives are easier to clean than MTs.  Fixies obviously easiest, but a single blade folder still much easier than a MT with many functions.

Better edge retention - Yes, there are some MTs with premium steel, but for the price one could probably get a good standard steel MT AND a decent dedicated knife.

Better ergonomics - MTs are inherently about trade offs.  One of those trade offs is that they (especially PBMTs) just aren’t as comfortable to use as a dedicated knife.  If you’re only opening an occasional package, no big deal.  But if you’re going to be using it for an extended period of time (e.g. work, whittling, food prep for a group), you’ll appreciate the difference a dedicated knife makes.

Bigger blades - Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but off the top of my head the longest blade on a PBMT is probably the LM Surge at a bit over 3”.  Longest blade on a KBMT likely Vic Ranger series at just under 4”.  If you want or need something larger, you’ll need a dedicated knife.  (Yes, there are probably some huge Rambo-style knives out there that have a bottle opener or glass breaker on the handle, or a “saw back”; no, I’m not going to count them for purposes of this discussion on the grounds of limited tool sets and the fact that they are impractical to EDC for pretty much anyone.)

Sometimes disposable (or cheap) blades just make sense - If you’re going to have to do hateful things to your blade (e.g. cut carpet, strip lots of insulation, cut cardboard all day, lend it to Scouts), there’s no good reason to beat up your $100+ or $200+ MT.  Conversely, there are good reasons why those folding utility knives are so popular with folks in construction and the trades.

Speed & OHO/OHC - No, I don’t need these things.  But they do make life more efficient and convenient.  Yes, there are MTs that offer them, but they aren’t as quick or clean as well-executed dedicated knives.

[powernoodle]

To many people, a knife is just a knife.  To others, it is enjoyment, something fun to collect that you can carry with you and use on a daily basis, and it can distract you from the sad reality that you will never walk on the moon or play backgammon with Caroline Catz.

I would far rather find enjoyment in knives specifically, and life generally, than not.  But others find enjoyment in all manner of things that bore me, from baseball to golf trips.  Finding your own fun stuff is part of one's personal joie de vivre.

[stuntzombie]

To many people, a knife is just a knife.  To others, it is enjoyment, something fun to collect that you can carry with you and use on a daily basis, and it can distract you from the sad reality that you will never walk on the moon or play backgammon with Caroline Catz.

I would far rather find enjoyment in knives specifically, and life generally, than not.  But others find enjoyment in all manner of things that bore me, from baseball to golf trips.  Finding your own fun stuff is part of one's personal joie de vivre.

And I think that's what happened for me. There's no more enjoyment with knives. Really there's no enjoyment of multitools beyond having more utility without having to carry more objects.

@nate j,

I still have one or two fixed blades for the rare occasions I need something for a larger job, and I also have a small set of whittling knives for when the mood strikes. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of just general EDC philosophy. I'd rather carry something that has more utility than just cutting, just because cutting stuff makes up so little of my actual usage anymore.

[Old Boy]

Ever since getting my Gordon Multitool, it's been the only knife I carry every day for around a year.

Not to derail this thread. How do you like it? I heard the QC is spotty.

[Old Boy]

I will admit, that LM Vault lottery almost got me. But knowing that it will just gather dust saved me if I win. 

[buggs]

Interesting topic and one I intend to test out this summer. 

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away I used to spend a ton of time out in the woods.  Now that I'm retired I'm planning on returning to some of that lifestyle.  Berry picking, mushroom hunting, generally wandering about the woods.  Insect collecting which can involve all sorts of media, not just flying stuff.  I have a friend who is also retired, that I used to do that stuff with.  We're both eager to get back to it. 

At that time money was far, far more limited and I had limited tools available to me.  A large Gerber fixed blade (still have it), a pretty basic SAK (Spartan is my guess, later had a Huntsman) and a Spyderco Delica were what I carried at various times.  The fixed blade was as much a digging tool  as anything as the Delica was too delicate and I actually bent the blade digging under bark.  Whoops.  The Sak was sturdier, though I more used the tools on it (lots of ticks about and the tweezers were invaluable). 

This time around I've spent far too much money on various blades and tools.  A big part of it is the collector aspect of my personality that has applied throughout my life (bottle caps someone mentioned?  Yeah, had that phase). 

This summer's experiment will check what I need and may actually use. 

Still only the one larger blade so it's a given though not sure it's necessary an longer.  Remains sturdy, old school steel but a digger more than a cutter, depending on the situation.

SAKs expanded tremendously and we'll see what actually proves itself useful.  There'll be a classic on the keychain regardless but a bigger SAK in the pocket is part of the trial.  Multiple models involved. 

Folders are a huge part.  I acknowledge readily I have too many.  Far too many.  Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, Kershaw and other brands vying for a place in my pocket to see what has utility.  Some classic models in there.  Some very new types of steel.  From this topic: do I need one at all? 

Multitools are definitely to be carried.  For me that means Leatherman but which model will win out over time?  Is a Skeletool enough?  Will I regret that choice.  How about a Rebar?  Maybe a Wave?  Could the Signal be the dark horse in the race? 

I surely don't need all that I own, but what will stay, what will go?  Going to be a very fun and interesting summer. 

[buggs]

duplicate.  I really should go to bed.   

[nate j]

@nate j,

I still have one or two fixed blades for the rare occasions I need something for a larger job, and I also have a small set of whittling knives for when the mood strikes. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of just general EDC philosophy. I'd rather carry something that has more utility than just cutting, just because cutting stuff makes up so little of my actual usage anymore.

Seems perfectly reasonable to me.
 

[nate j]

Interesting topic and one I intend to test out this summer. 

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away I used to spend a ton of time out in the woods.  Now that I'm retired I'm planning on returning to some of that lifestyle.  Berry picking, mushroom hunting, generally wandering about the woods.  Insect collecting which can involve all sorts of media, not just flying stuff.  I have a friend who is also retired, that I used to do that stuff with.  We're both eager to get back to it. 

At that time money was far, far more limited and I had limited tools available to me.  A large Gerber fixed blade (still have it), a pretty basic SAK (Spartan is my guess, later had a Huntsman) and a Spyderco Delica were what I carried at various times.  The fixed blade was as much a digging tool  as anything as the Delica was too delicate and I actually bent the blade digging under bark.  Whoops.  The Sak was sturdier, though I more used the tools on it (lots of ticks about and the tweezers were invaluable). 

This time around I've spent far too much money on various blades and tools.  A big part of it is the collector aspect of my personality that has applied throughout my life (bottle caps someone mentioned?  Yeah, had that phase). 

This summer's experiment will check what I need and may actually use. 

Still only the one larger blade so it's a given though not sure it's necessary an longer.  Remains sturdy, old school steel but a digger more than a cutter, depending on the situation.

SAKs expanded tremendously and we'll see what actually proves itself useful.  There'll be a classic on the keychain regardless but a bigger SAK in the pocket is part of the trial.  Multiple models involved. 

Folders are a huge part.  I acknowledge readily I have too many.  Far too many.  Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, Kershaw and other brands vying for a place in my pocket to see what has utility.  Some classic models in there.  Some very new types of steel.  From this topic: do I need one at all? 

Multitools are definitely to be carried.  For me that means Leatherman but which model will win out over time?  Is a Skeletool enough?  Will I regret that choice.  How about a Rebar?  Maybe a Wave?  Could the Signal be the dark horse in the race? 

I surely don't need all that I own, but what will stay, what will go?  Going to be a very fun and interesting summer.

Sounds like a fun time!

Personally, my favorite woods SAK is the Swiss Army 7.  The second knife blade is more useful in the woods than the can opener.  The smooth back (no annoying key ring nub) makes it comfortable in hand.  The awesome 93mm awl needs no introduction.  And while I’ve had good luck with cellidor and nylon over the years, I feel a little more comfortable heading into the woods with the superior heat, chemical, and impact resistance of alox.  One downside is that the large scissors are convenient to have for moleskin.  My second choice would probably be the Huntsman, which obviously offers the advantage of a few more tools in exchange for not being quite as bombproof as the Swiss Army 7.

Does one need another folder, if one has at least a 91mm SAK?  They’re fun, but when ounces count, my answer is “no”.

When it comes to PBMTs, I reserve the right to change my opinion at a later date, but at this point I’m not at all convinced they are worth the weight to take on general woods outings.  I have a Skeletool, a Rebar, and a Wave.  They’re decent tools for what they are, but pretty heavy; even the Skeletool generally outweighs a four-layer or smaller SAK.  I’ve never taken one into the woods, and have yet to regret not having one.  I do have a Signal on the way though.  I’m most intrigued by the hammer; perhaps it will be the PBMT that changes my mind about hiking with PBMTs.

I used to think I needed a fixie.  I still think they’re handy for cutting up food in camp.  Years ago, I had the pleasure of working with a friend who was a pretty experienced hiker, camper, and all around outdoorsman.  On the subject of knives, he admitted that all he typically carried was his pocket knife.  I asked why he didn’t carry a fixed blade.  His response: “I’ve never needed one, and I don’t want to carry the weight.”  The more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right.

When I read that you use your fixie primarily for digging, I thought, “That man needs a hori hori.”  For anyone who is not familiar, a hori hori is a Japanese digging knife.  It’s sort of like the love child of a dagger and a spade.  I wouldn’t necessarily walk down a city street with one, as they are fairly long blades and, with one PE and one SE, could technically be classified as a dagger.  But only the smurfiest smurf would give you grief for carrying one in the woods.  Because they are really gardening tools, the frankly ridiculous pricing that we see on a lot of knives these days hasn’t really impacted them.  One can get a genuine Nisaku brand made in Japan hori hori, either traditional with wood handle and leather sheath or modern with plastic handle and sheath, for the princely sum of about $20.  Here’s a pic of one of mine…

[z1913]

To many people, a knife is just a knife.  To others, it is enjoyment, something fun to collect that you can carry with you and use on a daily basis, and it can distract you from the sad reality that you will never walk on the moon or play backgammon with Caroline Catz.

I would far rather find enjoyment in knives specifically, and life generally, than not.  But others find enjoyment in all manner of things that bore me, from baseball to golf trips.  Finding your own fun stuff is part of one's personal joie de vivre.

Playing backgammon with Caroline Catz…. Can you please expand this reference? Basic google search did not give anything specific. Thanks!

[ThundahBeagle]

Playing backgammon with Caroline Catz…. Can you please expand this reference? Basic google search did not give anything specific. Thanks!

A quite classy-looking brunette British Actress who one would not mind sitting across from for the duration of a game of backgammon. 

[ThundahBeagle]

So many threads like this, though now as many as "collecting more" threads.

To those who feel that modern day Leathermans are too big and heavy, I can understand that.  Try a PST 2, and that was more akin to the size and weight of a Swiss army knife, though clearly a different configuration.

I've never really carried a fixed blade into the wilderness, beyond a few times when I was in my teens and early 20's.  I quickly learned that my Super Tinker was ALMOST all I needed.  Some time later, a PST2 picked up some slack.

I usually have a Spyderco Native 5 or original Native, sometimes it is an Atlantic Salt if I'm at the coastline.  That and a Leatherman and a Swiss army knife has me well covered.  I do have a few Buck folding 110's.  I keep one in the day pack, the one with FRN handles, so it's light.  But have rarely used it especially if I have a Spydie clipped in my pocket.

A number of times I have stated that the outside opening knives on Leatherman tools is unnecessary because you are almost never caught unawares and by surprise at the task at hand.  But I still do love my Surge (in the truck center console, not in a pocket!), and Lady Beagle uses her Wave sometimes.

I could very easily leave the Spyderco at home when I'm at work.  I have sometimes taken to removing it from my pocket and placing it in my Igloo little lunch box.

Most of the time I have a Rebar on my belt and a Huntsman or Tinker Deluxe in my pocket but lately I've been realizing that my Ecoline Camper in my pocket with a PST2 on my belt (unfortunately it's in a gen1 Wave sheath, so it jiggles around in there) gives me a saw, plyers, scissors and pretty much everything I need.  Only trouble is, the Ecoline seems to have been phased out and of course, the PST2 is well out of production.

I'm betting a Huntsman or Fieldmaster would really be all I need out there as they both have both a scissors and a wood saw, but I like the idea of having plyers to lift hot pans off the campfire or helping with any vehicle repairs that crop up.

The "danger" of no longer carrying so much as a folder is that in the bigger picture, the general public will begin to expect grown men and women not to carry even a small folder or SAK.  As it is, when we go into Union negotiations I make sure to slip the Spydie all the way into my pocket or leave it in the lunchbox.  We don't need people to start out apprehensive in those meetings, after all.

Someone has already come up and asked "is that a Buck Knife" in the sheath on my belt.  Of course, it is not, it's my LM Rebar in an American Bench Craft sheath.  I show them it's a folding plyers and they all say "oh, cool!".

Sorry for the rambling post

[nate j]

I'm betting a Huntsman or Fieldmaster would really be all I need out there as they both have both a scissors and a wood saw, but I like the idea of having plyers to lift hot pans off the campfire or helping with any vehicle repairs that crop up.

Curious how much you really use the wood saw.

For me, while I like the idea of having a wood saw in the woods, actual experience suggests that I actually need/use it rarely or never.

If this is the case for you as well, perhaps a Deluxe Tinker or Deluxe Climber would be the best option?

A number of times I have stated that the outside opening knives on Leatherman tools is unnecessary because you are almost never caught unawares and by surprise at the task at hand.

I have to admit I prefer at least one OHO/OHC blade.  I may not need it, but I find it convenient, especially when I already have something in one hand that needs cut (cigar, paracord, bag of chips, whatever), and haven’t opened a knife yet.

[ThundahBeagle]

Curious how much you really use the wood saw.

For me, while I like the idea of having a wood saw in the woods, actual experience suggests that I actually need/use it rarely or never.

If this is the case for you as well, perhaps a Deluxe Tinker or Deluxe Climber would be the best option?
I have to admit I prefer at least one OHO/OHC blade.  I may not need it, but I find it convenient, especially when I already have something in one hand that needs cut (cigar, paracord, bag of chips, whatever), and haven’t opened a knife yet.

Truth is I don't even use the wood saw as much as I once thought.  But I have, and I feel it can be helpful in a camp setting if your kindling has to be well cut and same sized,,,which is never...but...I...still feel I could use a wood saw in the wilderness

Beyond first aid, how much would I use scissors in the wilderness?  Even less?

As it turns out my very second Vic was a Deluxe Tinker, given to me by my old boss as a Christmas gift after I wrecked my original Super Tinker.  It's only slightly thicker than a Huntsman but could take the weight of the Rebar off my belt, if I didn't value the wood saw so much.

I also still enjoy an easily opened one hand knife for much the same reason

So that's me.  A Leatherman, a Vic to compliment that, and a Spyderco.  With a Buck in the pack.

[Old Boy]

Someone has already come up and asked "is that a Buck Knife" in the sheath on my belt.  Of course, it is not, it's my LM Rebar in an American Bench Craft sheath.  I show them it's a folding plyers and they all say "oh, cool!".

I try to pocket carry everything, sometimes I get the cool comment and sometimes I get something else. I think I did convert someone to a LM multitool though last week. I emptied my pockets for a physical and the tech asked me about my LM Free P2. Turns out he carries Victorinox card and I told him how carrying pliers was a game changer. Just a few weeks ago I fixed my office desk with my LM rather than initiating a WO ticket and wait a day for our Maintenance guy to fix it.

He kept asking me questions and I showed him how it works. I also gave him pointers on how to hide it from the general public.

[nate j]

Truth is I don't even use the wood saw as much as I once thought.  But I have, and I feel it can be helpful in a camp setting if your kindling has to be well cut and same sized,,,which is never...but...I...still feel I could use a wood saw in the wilderness

Beyond first aid, how much would I use scissors in the wilderness?  Even less?

As it turns out my very second Vic was a Deluxe Tinker, given to me by my old boss as a Christmas gift after I wrecked my original Super Tinker.  It's only slightly thicker than a Huntsman but could take the weight of the Rebar off my belt, if I didn't value the wood saw so much.

I also still enjoy an easily opened one hand knife for much the same reason

So that's me.  A Leatherman, a Vic to compliment that, and a Spyderco.  With a Buck in the pack.

Of course, you should carry whatever you like.
 

Personally, the farther I know I’m going to be walking, the more interested I am in keeping the weight I’ll be carrying to a minimum.  (Within reason; I won’t be heading into the woods with just a Vic Classic.)

My experience has been that wood that is small enough and dry enough to be good kindling is easily broken by hand.  For fuel wood, I like to let the fire do the work, by either feeding large pieces in starting at one end and pushing into the fire as they burn; or laying them on the fire roughly in the middle, then repeating with the halves as needed once the original piece burns in half.  And if a tree or branch is so large that I can’t carry or even drag it to the fire, then a MT-sized saw isn’t going to help.

The only scenarios I’ve come up with (never experienced) where a saw would be useful would be medical or survival type situations.  If I had to improvise a set of crutches or a stretcher/litter, I think a saw would be handy.  If I had to build a shelter to survive an unplanned night in the woods, it might be useful.

Scissors, OTOH, are always useful.  Personal grooming needs (e.g. hangnails, annoying mustache hairs) can happen anywhere.  Scissors are also great for cutting moleskin, something I’ve needed on multiple occasions.

I’ve never carried pliers into the woods, and haven’t regretted it yet.  (I’m tempted to give my new LM Signal a try, though.). I do keep them in my vehicles though.  When it comes to to taking hot pans off the fire or stove, my approaches (in order of preference:
1. Pan is designed with handles that are cool the touch, even when the pan is hot.
2. Pan has a wire bail style handle, which can easily be snagged with various SAK implements (hook, can opener, bottle opener).
3. Use my bandana from my pocket as a makeshift hot mitt.

[ThundahBeagle]

Of course, you should carry whatever you like.
 

Personally, the farther I know I’m going to be walking, the more interested I am in keeping the weight I’ll be carrying to a minimum.  (Within reason; I won’t be heading into the woods with just a Vic Classic.)

My experience has been that wood that is small enough and dry enough to be good kindling is easily broken by hand.  For fuel wood, I like to let the fire do the work, by either feeding large pieces in starting at one end and pushing into the fire as they burn; or laying them on the fire roughly in the middle, then repeating with the halves as needed once the original piece burns in half.  And if a tree or branch is so large that I can’t carry or even drag it to the fire, then a MT-sized saw isn’t going to help.

The only scenarios I’ve come up with (never experienced) where a saw would be useful would be medical or survival type situations.  If I had to improvise a set of crutches or a stretcher/litter, I think a saw would be handy.  If I had to build a shelter to survive an unplanned night in the woods, it might be useful.

Scissors, OTOH, are always useful.  Personal grooming needs (e.g. hangnails, annoying mustache hairs) can happen anywhere.  Scissors are also great for cutting moleskin, something I’ve needed on multiple occasions.

I’ve never carried pliers into the woods, and haven’t regretted it yet.  (I’m tempted to give my new LM Signal a try, though.). I do keep them in my vehicles though.  When it comes to to taking hot pans off the fire or stove, my approaches (in order of preference:
1. Pan is designed with handles that are cool the touch, even when the pan is hot.
2. Pan has a wire bail style handle, which can easily be snagged with various SAK implements (hook, can opener, bottle opener).
3. Use my bandana from my pocket as a makeshift hot mitt.

Agreed, carry what ye will

And all good points.  Say, for making a bow out of two saplings doubled up, fat tip to narrow tip.  Making a lean-to you would conceivably be working  with green saplings as well at least for the basic frame of it, and a saw would be handy.  The litter, as you mentions, would have to be saplings.  All these saplings not wider than your wrist, so a little Vic or LM saw could be handy in the wild...Most CERTAINLY if you were creating a "Home Alone" or Ewoks on Endor a la "Return of the Jedi" sort of spring-loaded, fang and nail encrusted whippit stick booby-trap.  You know you'd need a saw for that one.

Scissors, I could see for bandages 1st aid, but in a true emergency one of the Vic blades would likely do in a pinch.  If I were suddenly stranded in the wilderness and making my way home, I would not likely care about growing a little facial hair, especially if I was recently quoffed just prior to getting lost or stranded.

Tree branch feeding into the fire, yes, I do the "one end in and keep feeding" style.  I also send one longer thinner, directly across the fire and lay several rounds or quarters along that sort of guide line, one end on the cross bar, the other end at the floor of the fire.  Four or five across with some space between them, again like a lean to.  Agreed, kindling needs to be dry, and if it's half the thickness of my wrist or less, and dry, it will probably just snap.

All the methods you mention getting pots off the fire are valid of course and I use them.  But sometimes I use a plyers, and it may come in handy for the vehicle, be it truck, SUV, mountain bike, some other piece of equipment, etc.

Just not the hook.  Not for me.  I have an aversion to it.  Like folks have to come up for uses for it, rather than it having a solid reason for being... But that's just me

[greenbear]

I have been through a similar phase. I amassed a fair few knives, mostly SAKs but a few years back we chose to downsize our property (usual thing, the kids had grown up and left home) and I had a general sort out. I realised I had quite a few knives and the overwhelming majority did not get used. So, with the exception of a couple of speSmurfpillst handmade knives, I slimmed the collection down to half a dozen 'users' and 3 multitools.

I rather like having the ones I have left as actual tools not shelf queens.  Do I still sometimes want more, definitely, do I buy more, not at the moment but I could easily relapse at any moment. Once you're 'in' you can never leave