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Tool Talk => General Tool Discussion => Topic started by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 04:33:20 PM

Title: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 04:33:20 PM

There are several fantastic threads here at MTO, documenting the growing collections of various members. I accumulated a stupid number of tools over the years, but never really did that, as I didn't see myself as a collector, just an undisciplined and rapidly accumulating user :D

Now however, I'm going the other way, and have been gradually and selectively scaling down, and trying to zone in on my absolute favourites along the way. Many tools have already gone, tools which I personally will not miss for various reasons, but ones that I hope are welcome additions to their new owners' hoard of tools.

The work is not yet done, and many tough decisions are yet to be taken, but I'm down to the ones that all have far worth to me, than the ones I've already parted with. That worth might me pride, scarcity, or just the fact that it's been a damn good tool for me.

Over the following posts, I'll go over where that journey has led so far, upload piccies, and maybe share a few words as to why these items have survived the cull so far.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 04:41:25 PM

The easiest ones to part with, were the locking knives. As a dedicated slipjoint user, I found locks to be more hassle and hazard than safety mechanism, even though health issues have left me less coordinated and more accident prone than I used to be.

I can do all the cutting tasks that I'd use a locking blade for, just as efficiently and safely with a slippie. There's also the additional aspect, that I might have more questions asked of me with a locking blade, than I would with a slippie.

So the remaining selection is pretty lean. A couple of utility blade knives, namely the Gerber EAB and EAB Lite, and a cheapo off-brand liner lock knife, which was the first knife I ever bought myself. These knives are the ones that get used for nasty jobs, that I don't want to wreck my nicer knives on.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: SteveC on February 14, 2019, 04:45:06 PM

Good thread Al and nice to see you posting again !    :cheers:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 04:52:53 PM

While I don't like locking blades, a pocket clipped OHO folder is still very nice to have at times. Thankfully, there have been a lot more knives over recent years which have enabled these features, been good reliable users, and stayed within the realms of being UK legal (which are in-line with my preferences for a pocket knife anyway).

I prefer slippies, and have no need of a pocket knife with a blade bigger than 3", so these modern folders not only keep me legal, but also fit my needs and preferences very well indeed.

Many have come and gone, and all the ones that remain, are the type where it's the presence of your own hand, which prevents inadvertent closure. Not that i've needed that, I don't think these knives have ever tried to close on me like that, but I do like the grip they afford, and the security of not letting my finger ride up onto the blade if I'm doing a penetrating or scoring cut with wet or greasy hands.

Most of these are also low end knife steels. I prefer ease of sharpening, ability to steel an edge, and resistance to chipping over marathon edge retention.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 04:54:20 PM

Quote from: SteveC on February 14, 2019, 04:45:06 PM

Good thread Al and nice to see you posting again !    :cheers:

Cheers Steve  :cheers:

Pocket tools are less of a focal point for me than they used to be, but I'll keep drifting in and out  :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on February 14, 2019, 05:02:24 PM

I always appreciate your perspective.   :salute:.   

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 05:03:20 PM

So far as more traditional pocket knives go, I'll always have a bit of a soft spot for knives from my home town. I don't have a huge array of those, but won't be culling them further either.

Some of these do get regular carry, and others not so much, if at all. Everything that had more than two blades has gone though. Not just with my Sheffield knives, but my other traditional's too. Gone are the Stockman and Whittler style knives, and it's the one and two bladed knives which are here to stay.

The buffalo horn IXL and two carbon steel knives are the ones that win most carry time. There's a simplicity to them, but also capability and reliability. They've always done what I've asked of them, and for me they are the ideal size for a general use knife.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 05:03:57 PM

Quote from: Aloha on February 14, 2019, 05:02:24 PM

I always appreciate your perspective.   :salute:.   

Thanks Aloha  :hatsoff:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 05:21:40 PM

Outside of the Sheffield knives, Case knives have a strong appeal for me. I've found their blades to be very reliable in use, and a good balance of performance and ease of maintenance.

The herringbone barlow shown in the picture is a particular favourite of mine, and has quite a bit of pocket wear from all the days it's spent with me. The barlow with the scrolled bolsters has tended to find its way into waistcoat pockets when I've been suited up. The same function and reliability of its herringbone sibling, with a little more refined elegance.

The Soddie Jr is a knife that should win more pocket time than it does. It is a very comfortable knife to hold, I do have to be careful about corrosion with that one though. Not having the same polish as it's stablemates, I have had to chase away a little bit of staining and brown fur occasionally

The Scout Jr is a lovely little knife. It's the only non-Swiss multifunction knife that wins pocket time from me, and is part of my "outdoors" kit, due to its high visibility. In fact, at the UK meet, with the abundance of knives and multitools I had with me, the Scout Jr was the one in my pocket for opening packets of food

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 05:39:10 PM

Here's the rest of the slippies that have survived the cull.

The Nieto Manolina is certainly my favourite of this bunch. Not having liners, it is an incredibly light knife, but no less functional, capable, or reliable. Like the herringbone barlow shown earlier, and the three single bladed Sheffield knives, it has had a lot of time in the pocket, and is a knife I'll never sell.

The SanRenMu HO2 knives on the other hand, are ones I've never really gotten that attached to. While they have had a bit of pocket carry, they tend to be overlooked in favour of something else. The only reason they're still here is that they are so cheap, and have little resale value. That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with them at all, I just like some of my others a lot more.

The Camillus electricians knife, is my tobacco knife. It breaks open vacuum sealed tins, dispenses snuff into my snuffboxes, cube cuts flake for the pipe, but never makes it to the pocket. It stays with my other tobacco paraphernalia to handle whatever's needed.

The Boker+ Tech Tool knife, is the one that keeps the Soddie Jr out of the pocket. Almost identical blade, but better polished, and the pocket clip gives me a little security against it falling out of my pocket. The glassbreaking nub on the bottom has been removed, and is much more comfortable to use as a result.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 05:47:24 PM

So without counting the Swiss knives, that's all the pocket knives that have survived the journey so far - well not quite all - but most of them. There's an Opinel or two kicking around somewhere, and a couple of Rough Riders too, again, they don't tend to get awarded pocket time, but are too cheap to bother selling. The postage cost would be higher than the knife itself.

While each picture I've uploaded has less than 10 knives (I think, I didn't count), the total quantity of my pocket knives still feels like too much for my current lifestyle. The cheaper ones will probably get given away in time, and the others will be harder to choose from to sell or otherwise let go of. After all, that's why they're still here today :D

In time, I hope to let this dwindle further though, and just be left with the ones that I've gotten most attached to.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 06:07:08 PM

Moving onto the Swiss knives, my array has seen a lot of changes here too, and there will be more changes to come in time.

Like many of us, I've dabbled with a bit of modding, and hope to do more in future once I've gotten a few real life challenges out of the way. There are a few stock models that have stayed the course too though.

So far as 91mm knives go, the Cybertool 41, Voyager Lite, Original Outdoorsman and Compact (not shown - it resides permanently in a first aid kit), have all proven their worth.

The horn scaled Huntsman is a bit of a head scratcher. It's nearly been sold a few times, because it never makes it out of the box. Why? Because it's a Huntsman, not a Climber, and I don't have regular use for a saw. That really shouldn't make that much difference, but for some reason it has. It has been the most "shall I, shalln't I" knife of indecision that I think I've ever owned, and while it never gets carried, there's a lingering feeling that I might regret selling it, so it's still here - for now.

The smaller ones with the most pocket time though, and the cream of the crop have been as follows, from left to right:

Clipper - which resides in my travel washkit.
Climber Small - Fantastic little knife!
Brushed stainless Traveler, Soft Touch 14, Evowood 14 - the three versions of the Wenger Traveler that I couldn't bring myself to part with.
Salesman - one of the very few backspring Phillips knives that get carried. I need to do a little work on the scissors on this one, but otherwise another excellent little knife.
Brushed stainless PTC. If you ever see me in evening suit and black tie, you can be pretty sure that'll be in the waistcoat pocket.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 06:37:15 PM

I've only done three mods so far, and ech one of them is only Stage 1 in their development. Proof of concept if you will. In time there will be more refinements made.

The Sheepsfoot Duke has had the "children's" knife reground to something more versatile, but the rest of the knife remains stock. The Mega84 is a composite of every tool I wanted on the 84mm frame, with the exception of a metal file, which I was unable to source at a price I was willing to pay. The Traveller that had the Phillips and carabiner added, left me bereft of a suitable name, so I just call it Brian.

All these have been a functional success, and have seen a fair bit of pocket time. I'm not sure when I'll get round to the rest of the modifications planned for these three, but Ill continue to give them some carry time until I get round to it.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 06:42:48 PM

This is the pile of donors. There's also a tub of spare parts that will play a role in future mods too. Some of these parts will be destined for the three mods shown in the previous post, and from the rest, at least four more mods will be born.

I'll not bother doing an "all my Swiss knives in one pic" post, as the mod fodder kind of messes with the whole concept. Eventually, once all the mods are done, I'll line all of them up together, to see if and how they cluster can be reduced further.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 06:52:18 PM

In much the same vein as the start of this thread, I don't need pliers based tools with locking knife blades. Where practical, I have either offloaded the ones with locking blades, or modified them into knifeless tools. I tend not to use the knife blades on pliers tools anyway, and out of habit, I reach for the accompanying Swiss knife, or whatever other pocket knife I have with me. So culling anything with a locking blade which couldn't easily be modified was easy.

Out of the several dozens of tools which have passed this way since me being a member here, there's only two locking blade tools still here, which would ever leave the house with me. The attached picture shows both the one I carry (X), and the one that stays at home in its box in reserve (RT).

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 07:11:15 PM

Of the stock multitools I've used over the years, there are very few which have stayed the course with me, which I would carry as an urban tool.

The Knifeless Fuse went, as did the PSTs that passed my way. The Mini Tool was a contender for awhile, but it was kicked out of bed for the Sideclip. I had tried the Sideclip before and passed up on it, before I realised the smallest driver on there was so much more versatile for odd jobs (particularly electrical jobs) than the PSTs. After I got my replacement Sideclip, I happened one day to weight up the pros and cons of it, in relation to the Mini Tool.

The Sideclip was easier to carry, slimmer, had the pocket clip, and was a lot more versatile. The Phillips meant that I could carry a slimmer Swiss knife, and just like the Mini Tool, it was compatible with the Tool Adapter that takes hex bits. I sold the Mini Tool shortley after, and have found the Sideclip, to be an excellent companion to a slim (three layers or less) Swiss knife with scissors.

I tried the Juice line many times, desperately trying to like the CS4 and XE6. I couldn't do it. While the promise of the tool was great, the failings of what was actually made, never failed to disappoint. Eventually I settled on the KF4 as a "light hike" companion to the yellow Climber Small shown earlier. Symmetrical handles, all the good tools, no crappy scissors or openers, and a role in life that meant I'm highly unlikely to ever need to get those profanity inducing drivers out.

Finally, we have the Balance. The only one of my pliers tools that I'll carry, without an accompanying knife. The build quality isn't as robust as many others, but as an urban tool, it's perfectly adequate. I ended up replacing my much loved MP700s with this tool, simply because of that non-locking blade. The one handed pliers are very useful too.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 07:15:48 PM

Aside from those stock models, I'm just as likely to carry one on my knifeless mods. Not only do they remove a knife i'd hardly ever use from the equation, but they replace it with something else which my accompanying knife tool might not have.

It's probably worth giving each of these tools, a post of their own.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 08:02:34 PM

The MP400 modification is a long term favourite of mine, and is the one I tend to reach for most, if I'm carrying a traditional knife or pocket clipped folder, instead of a Swiss knife.

The single overriding reason that I carry a Swiss knife to often, is the scissors. Nobody else makes scissors that come close, and I never carry a Victorinox or Wenger that doesn't have them. The MP400 scissors, while a step down from the Swiss knives, are good enough to see me through, and a pocket knife is really the only other tool needed.

It's pocket friendly, reliable, and rugged enough for most urban tasks. It's rare that I need a screwdriver that's longer than the ones on here, and overall, it's a good reliable workhorse of a tool. Even before I left the engineering and marine environments I used to spend a lot of time in, if I got there and realised I'd pocketed the MP400 that morning, instead of something more heavily laden, it would typically get me through the day just fine.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 08:21:25 PM

The Neutered Octane as I call it, not only has had the blade removed, but also had the Phillips replaced too. The ones that comes on the tool as standard, isn't all that great.

This isn't a tool that gets as much carry time as others. The two reasons that I would reach for this tool over others, is if I wanted the slimmest possible companion tool (with pliers and Phillips) for a Swiss knife (it's even slimmer than a Sideclip now the blade has gone), or if I wanted an immediate access bottle opener, for garden parties, BBQs and the like.

Nowadays, it has a much less glamorous role in life. It spends most of its life on a shelf in the bathroom, and is used for fetching my shed long hair out of the plugholes.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 08:34:25 PM

The Leatherman Wave was one of the most awesome tools on the market, until it too got afflicted with the indexable cutters overhanging the main gripping area (a major deal breaker for me), and was one of my most carried tools when I was running an engineering facility.

As that phase of my life came to a close, and I moved into lighter production facilities (ironically working with and visiting MUCH heavier engineering facilities), I wanted to move the tool to a knifeless format, so I could carry it more often. I also wanted to have the dedicated drivers from the Blast family, instead of the bit drivers.

In fairness, this modification could still do with a couple more tweaks, the diamond file and saw are a little tricky to get out since I moved them to the knife slots to make space for thescissors and prybar, and the handles are left very slightly open with the pliers folded away. However, it's still a very good tool, and one I'm pleased to have around, when I want something a little more tool heavy.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 08:55:30 PM

The TurboDiesel is one of the least modified tools. It only lost the knife and lanyard rind to make way for the blade exchanger. It was one of the primary tools in a little grab bag that I used to use when visiting friends and family, especially when I know odd jobs would likely need doing. That role has now gone too, but it's such a good tool, i'm loathed to part with it.

As highlighted in another thread of mine a few years ago when comparing the ergonomics of a wide range of multitools, the Diesel had by far the most comfortable handles when using the main gripping area. It's also one of the few full sized Gerbers that has the woodsaw, with the Strata being the other. The tool is to my mind a better alternative than the knifeless MP600 offered by Gerber, due to the absence of the evaporating carbide cutters. That said, the Diesel shouldn't be used for hard wire cutting, as the geometry of the cutters is all wrong for that.

So now, this is a bit of a "solution looking for a problem" type tool, but too damn good to let go of. Another minor weakspot on this tool is the 2.5D Phillips, whose form is rather like one of the Leatherman bits. However, in that grab bag, I also had a bit adapter, and a range of 1/4" bits. If I keep this tool, but not the whole grab bag, I might be better off replacing the Phillips with a full 3D one.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:16:12 PM

The MP6000 is another tool I don't have much use for at the moment, but is far too awesome to get rid of. It takes the tank like MP600, and adds a lot of function that just isn't available on them today.

Blunt nosed pliers with integral cutters, diamond file, awl, woodsaw and tweezers, all go towards making this tool 10x better than a regular stock MP600 for me (hence the naming as MP6000). I also have in my parts bin, a regular plier head with integral cutters, in case I want to ditch the blunt nosed pliers in future.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:27:13 PM

The final one of the urban knifeless mods is this Fuse-ilier mod. This is why I sold my NIB stock Knifeless Fuse. For being outdoors in a public setting, such as camping or hiking anywhere there's likely to be others (I'm never going to venture anywhere remote), this is typically my first choice. Paired with the Case Scout Jr, and the Vagnino Zipslip (orange clipped folder from post #4), or even the Mora Hi Vis fixed blade, this is the "fully loaded" equivalent of the KF4 and Climber Small combo I mentioned earlier. both those combos are used less than they're carried, but just like a first aid kit, are worth their weight, just for peace of mind.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:30:52 PM

On top of all those options for pocket carry, there's also a few tools that never leave home. These just sit on or near the desk, in case I need something special a regular multi can't provide, namely heavy duty shears, compound leverage pliers, or locking pliers. I don't actually have any dedicated tools to compete with those functions that these multitools provide.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:38:35 PM

So just like the other stuff I mentioned before, this all adds up to way more than I could possibly need, but dropping down lower than this, means taking some VERY tough decisions. I'd like to get this down further, probably to around half, but there's none of them I want to part with.

In time, it will dwindle, I'm sure. However, I need to wait for one of those Eureka moments, where I pick up a tool and ask myself "why do I still own this? I'll never use it". Maybe I ought to force myself to start carrying them all more, and see which ones I get sick of quickest.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Smashie on February 14, 2019, 09:41:33 PM

A lot of tough decisions to make, but you seem to have made them for all the right reasons :tu:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:44:35 PM

Fixed blades are exactly the same too. Way more than I need, but none I can single out as wanting to part with.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 10:07:44 PM

Quote from: Smashie on February 14, 2019, 09:41:33 PM

A lot of tough decisions to make, but you seem to have made them for all the right reasons :tu:

Yes indeed. I have come a long way already, and obviously what all these picture's DON'T show, is just how many tools have already been moved on. They were the easy decisions, and these are FAR harder. From my perspective, this is the cream of the crop. However, I thought it might be of interest to some here, to show just what my top tool choices would be, if I was a little more active than I am today. This is probably less than a quarter of everything I've owned, and I haven't even touched on the keyring stuff yet.

I've gotten rid of Charges, Waves, Rebars, Core, ST300, Pulse, PST I & II, Juice, Fuse, Blast, Kick, Swisstool, Swissgrips, different Spirits, assorted SOGs, many many Gerbers, Bear Tools, CRKT offerings, and a load of other stuff I can't recall at the minute. This is the stuff that beat them all in terms of my own personal needs preferences. This is the stuff that saved the day countless times, be it at work, at play, or just helping friends and family through their life challenges. I appreciate much of this won't be to everyone's taste, and many would have gotten rid of these, and kept some of the other stuff instead, but for me this is all tried and tested tooling, and throughout the various little triumphs that i've had in life, this is the gear that did it :)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Happy Gilmore on February 15, 2019, 12:39:31 AM

This discussion has made me realize.. are there any knifeless multi-tools that have outside facing tools? Seems like a quick deploy outside facing tool would be great.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 01:48:37 AM

Quote from: Happy Gilmore on February 15, 2019, 12:39:31 AM

This discussion has made me realize.. are there any knifeless multi-tools that have outside facing tools? Seems like a quick deploy outside facing tool would be great.

There's small ones, like the knifeless version of the Dime and the Style PS. There's also the newer versions of the Sync that have just been announced. However, no "full sized" external access knifeless tools spring to mind.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Happy Gilmore on February 15, 2019, 02:22:09 AM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 01:48:37 AM

Quote from: Happy Gilmore on February 15, 2019, 12:39:31 AM

This discussion has made me realize.. are there any knifeless multi-tools that have outside facing tools? Seems like a quick deploy outside facing tool would be great.

There's small ones, like the knifeless version of the Dime and the Style PS. There's also the newer versions of the Sync that have just been announced. However, no "full sized" external access knifeless tools spring to mind.

Maybe the P2 will be that tool, all I need to do is replace the blade with another tool.

Cheers,
HG

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 03:14:54 PM

Following on from before, here's part of the cluster of keyring sized items which are also part of the thinning out process. Why only part of them? Well, that will become clear in the next post or two.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 03:38:02 PM

Now we get to the fun bit, or at least, the fun bit for me. Weighing up one tool against another is all well and good, but that doesn't take into account the fact that I very rarely will only carry one pocket tool. As I mentioned before, the only one I might do that with is the Gerber Balance.

Most of the time, I'll have a combination of items, and as far as I'm concerned, combos are king. I find that it's how good a combo I can put together which dictates how frequently something gets carried, rather than how good individual items are. This is also how I was able to easily offload the stuff that went before taking these pictures without any sellers remorse. It wasn't just about an item not quite meeting my requirements, but about other tools building better combos.

The combos don't need to be large. The tool cluster on my keyring is a good example of that (Pic 1). A Gerber Dime, Utilikey and Nitecore tube. Some days this might be all I have. Other days, I might have the neck lanyard in the second picture, or I might have one of the trios from picture three. A good basic combo (for me) consists of scissors, knife, awl (or some form of general purpose pokey thing), pliers and Phillips. Not all combos need all of these, but it is the general template that I like to build around.

There's other "rules" too, such as making sure that if I'm carrying a locking blade tool, fixed blade, or a pocket clipped OHO folder, which some people might get the wrong impression from, I'll also have a low key traditional knife or other "people friendly" option, in case I need to use a blade in the midst of people who don't know me. But more on that later...

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 03:53:01 PM

I do have some combos, which don't tend to get reached for, unless I'm doing a specific activity. For example, outdoorsy stuff is when the higher visibility stuff comes out to play.

The knifeless Fuse modification has two key shortages. A knife blade, and can/bottle openers. The Scout Jr handles both those roles easily. Also, whilst the Fuse has a custom awl which Eric (Metro) milled for me, there's also a good substantial awl on the knife, which is great for poking out stuff jammed in your boot tread, without either having to get the pliers tool out, or damaging the sharp edge on the custom awl. On top of all that, the knife can stay attached to me (along with a few other useful goodies) so it's unlikely to fall out of my pocket without me noticing. The kit can also be supplemented as required, if that little knife blade won't be up to the tasks I think I'm liable to encounter.

The lightweight version of all this, is the KF4 and Climber Small combo, again, most stuff I expect to encounter will be handles by the pocket knife, but I do have a small pliers tool with an assortment of useful functions should I need something that the 84mm Vic can't handle.

These two combos are hands down the best that I've come up with for the role. A great balance of size, weight and function. Easy to find should I drop it, or place it down to free my hand up for something, and therefore a good chance of them all making the journey back home with me.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 04:13:20 PM

I mentioned earlier, that the TurboDiesel resided in a "grab bag" for taking with me if I was visiting friends or family where odd jobs might need doing. I also grabbed this kit if someone was moving house, or there was some other activity where surprise jobs might arise. This kit has been a real day saver on many occasions.

Obviously the Diesel is knifeless, so the Boker XS takes care of that, as does the Swann Morton craft knife in the bottom right of the pic. The Soft Touch 14 is also on hand for when the XS might cause a stampede of unwanted questions. It also provides splinters, a better awl than the can opener on the Diesel (which does work very well as a scribe though), and as the can opener is BO coated, I won't use it for food, so the Wenger handles that too.

I also have the bit kit for the Diesel, and a couple of hacksaw blades which fit the blade carrier. The marking and measuring tools, plus the adjustable spanner and Knipex Cobra, round this kit off very nicely. I usually have some superglue and little tie wraps in there too, but they've been used and need replacing.

EDIT:  :oops: the Gerber Shard should have been in that picture too.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 04:44:56 PM

Not every combo is so rigidly defined. Some are more "mix and match". There's still a logic path of sorts though.

For example, if I fancy carrying a clipped folder, I need a "people friendly" option too, so that's either a traditional knife, or a Swiss knife with scissors. I see no benefit to carrying a Swiss knife WITHOUT scissors. I made that mistake on my first one, a Tourist, and that now lives in the kitchen drawer.

If I choose to pair the clipped folder with a traditional knife, or even forego the clipped folder and just carry a trad, I need a pliers tool with good enough scissors that I can get by without a Swissie. The top two choices here, are the MP400 modification, and the Balance. I may however go for the knifeless Wave instead, should I want a more heavily loaded toolset. The Balance does have its own non-locking sub 3" blade, but it's not the world's greatest, to be honest. Adding another plain edge blade gives me the option of serrations or not, but the Balance blade is people friendly enough that I can choose to carry it on its own, or add EITHER a clipped blade or traditional. I don't really need both like I do if I carry a clipped folder with the MP400. If I chose to, I can omit the clipped folder, and still have a good urban carry setup with either tool.

If however, I choose to go the Swiss knife route, a Sideclip or the knifeless Octane, provides both Phillips and pliers in a slim package, so I don't need a knife with inline Phillips. This gives me the choice of a wood or stainless Wenger Traveler, Salesman, the Sheepsfoot Duke, or the Original Outdoorsman, which not only adds a saw and file, but serrated and pruner blades too. Of course, I can forego the clipped folder here too, and still have a great urban pairing.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: ThePeacent on February 15, 2019, 04:54:50 PM

I really enjoyed the posts, thoughts and pics in here!  :like: :hatsoff:
Totally agree with you on the Diesel, and this:

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:30:52 PM

On top of all those options for pocket carry, there's also a few tools that never leave home. These just sit on or near the desk, in case I need something special a regular multi can't provide, namely heavy duty shears, compound leverage pliers, or locking pliers. I don't actually have any dedicated tools to compete with those functions that these multitools provide.

this applies to me and my tools as well,  :tu:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 05:08:53 PM

Quote from: ThePeacent on February 15, 2019, 04:54:50 PM

I really enjoyed the posts, thoughts and pics in here!  :like: :hatsoff:
Totally agree with you on the Diesel, and this:

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:30:52 PM

On top of all those options for pocket carry, there's also a few tools that never leave home. These just sit on or near the desk, in case I need something special a regular multi can't provide, namely heavy duty shears, compound leverage pliers, or locking pliers. I don't actually have any dedicated tools to compete with those functions that these multitools provide.

this applies to me and my tools as well,  :tu:

Thanks TP  :salute: It's useful for me to "think out loud" like this, and good to know others enjoy following along  :)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on February 15, 2019, 05:24:52 PM

What I find interesting is, no matter how many times we begin the "process" we will always tend to have more than we "need".  I try to stay away from the "need" perspective.  Reason being,  simply because I like certain tools regardless if they are used, seldom used, or not used at all :salute:.  YMMV as each of us knows what works best for ourselves.   

Unlike the long standing myth of Crows collecting shiny things, we however as humans do.  Its just that way and I'm a lot better at accepting it.  That being said, I've gone thru many of my tools and culled quite a lot.  I go thru periods of separating the tools I feel I no longer "need" and place them aside for further analysis.  A few tools continue on their way to new homes and new owners while many return to their dark resting place  :D. 

I'm am thankful to not have been so hasty with some tools.  I also make it a point as you allude to, to put certain tools into use to get a clearer understanding of that tool or as you state "Maybe I ought to force myself to start carrying them all more, and see which ones I get sick of quickest."  My Skeletool CX is such a tool.  I am glad I just put it aside and let enough time pass to try again.  My Charge TTi is another.     

I am not hesitant to assign a tool a purpose even if that purpose on the surface is lowly  ;).  I don't currently have a bathroom drain tool, YET  :whistle:.  I have tools parceled about my home.  I have them on my coffee table, in my shed, garage,  kitchen drawer, hall closet, small tool box, vehicle, evacuation bag, and other places.  These are tools that are good tools just not tools I want to carry.  This is yet another distinction I tend to make when deciding a tools fate.  Just because I don't want to carry it doesn't mean its time to go.

I really like this thread.  :salute:

       
       

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 06:04:51 PM

Quote from: Aloha on February 15, 2019, 05:24:52 PM

What I find interesting is, no matter how many times we begin the "process" we will always tend to have more than we "need".  I try to stay away from the "need" perspective.  Reason being,  simply because I like certain tools regardless if they are used, seldom used, or not used at all :salute:.  YMMV as each of us knows what works best for ourselves.   

Unlike the long standing myth of Crows collecting shiny things, we however as humans do.  Its just that way and I'm a lot better at accepting it.  That being said, I've gone thru many of my tools and culled quite a lot.  I go thru periods of separating the tools I feel I no longer "need" and place them aside for further analysis.  A few tools continue on their way to new homes and new owners while many return to their dark resting place  :D. 

I'm am thankful to not have been so hasty with some tools.  I also make it a point as you allude to, to put certain tools into use to get a clearer understanding of that tool or as you state "Maybe I ought to force myself to start carrying them all more, and see which ones I get sick of quickest."  My Skeletool CX is such a tool.  I am glad I just put it aside and let enough time pass to try again.  My Charge TTi is another.     

I am not hesitant to assign a tool a purpose even if that purpose on the surface is lowly  ;).  I don't currently have a bathroom drain tool, YET  :whistle:.  I have tools parceled about my home.  I have them on my coffee table, in my shed, garage,  kitchen drawer, hall closet, small tool box, vehicle, evacuation bag, and other places.  These are tools that are good tools just not tools I want to carry.  This is yet another distinction I tend to make when deciding a tools fate.  Just because I don't want to carry it doesn't mean its time to go.

I really like this thread.  :salute:       
     

You raise some good points there.  :cheers:

I just don't like owning stuff which I know I'll never use. It doesn't matter how infrequently I might reach for it, I just need to know that at some point I WILL reach for it.

The four tools that stay on my desk are good examples of this. It's very rarely that I will need locking pliers, compound leverage, or heavy duty shears. However, when you do need that, nothing else will do. Likewise, the bright orange and yellow combos are the best tools for that role. The last time I toted the bright orange kit was the UK meet, and I haven't pocketed the yellow combo for several months either, but when the time comes for me to be off tarmac, with mud, grass or shingle beneath my feet, those are absolutely the combos I want with me.

The ones I've already parted with, are the ones that I'd only use if I forced myself to. In all other situations, I'd have reached for one of the tools or combos I've posted pics of in this thread. The point of the journey for me, was always to find my ideal tools, I just failed to dispose as quickly as I acquired, but that gave me more assessment time with each item. Some trends became clear deal breakers for me, such as 3+ blade slippies, splayed handles, impeded gripping areas, Swissies without scissors, obvious design or production failings (such as the Flik pawls, I've just been discussing in another thread), and meant I could avoid or offload clumps of items easily. Now I'm just down to too many good workable options.

I still want to keep an element of surplus and redundancy, specifically a Plan B for each role or category in case of loss or breakage. That's why there's two Spirits and two Sideclips. The yellow and orange combos serve as a "reserve" for each other too. Yet I don't want five of something in the drawer, when I'll only ever reach for one or two of them. If there's something in there that's always overlooked for something else, I need to question why it's there at all.

I could come up with some convoluted reason for keeping everything, but I know when I look at the big group shots, there is no sensible justification for me other than pride of ownership - but ownership alone doesn't make me content. I have to feel benefit from it as a tool, not just a possession. That's just my quirks though, and I fully understand and appreciate that others think differently. So I feel the need to streamline, without losing options, back up plans, versatility, and suitability, which is where the tricky decisions come in :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on February 15, 2019, 08:27:51 PM

It is super tricky to find that balance you seek.  There are some tools that can be easily parted with after trying and trying.  I know those all too well.  Back ups are good.  Once I deem a tool a back up then I make peace with it so I don't deliberate on and on about selling or keeping. 

Beater tools.  I have tools that are tools I have no problem working hard with little regard.  It if breaks then it breaks.  I have a Swisstool in my garage for that as well as in my house tool box.  I don't mind keeping them in their places.  Out of sight, out of mind, till of course I need them.  I have a few SAKs and folders that also fall into this category. 

Next up the ladder are tools that are on standby.  These tools are good tools that have proven themselves.  I keep them closer at hand for things that pop up.  My OG Surge and Modded Wave are my coffee table tools.  If I need a tools I grab these first.  If I need dedicated tools then I get my house tool box.  If I need more specialized tools then out to the garage.  I keep a SAK, folder, and Micra on my coffee table as well as a headlamp. 

Further up the ladder are my on person tools while home doing chores.  These are tools I rely on as I will have them on person.  Today for example I have my Skeletool CX, OC Farmer, Squirt P4, and Benchmade Nimravus on me.  If I require more then I can go to my garage or house tool box.  If my Farmers saw comes up short for example, I'll go to my shed and fetch my saw.  If my Skeletools pliers are a bit weak then out to my garage to get the big channel locks. 

Work tools.  This is much like my on person tools except that these tools are only used at work.  My Charge TTi, Deluxe Tinker are examples of those tools.  I like both tools a lot.  They earned their spot on work detail. 

Off day tools.  I have tools that I carry off days.  These are tools that I will leaving the house with on off days.  Errands, trips to the store, lunch with my kids, etc. 

Hiking, camping, walks tools, evacuation bag tools, etc. 

Like many here I ended up with a lot of tools.  Some were easily moved on.  Some are just wonderful and are now shelf queens.  Some have jobs.  The spillover tools are the ones I have a hard time with, I've recently referred to these as benchwarmers.   These are tools that aren't back ups, aren't still being tested, aren't bad tools, they are just EXTRA stuff accumulated over this process.

I think many of us who aren't actively collecting or seeking out tools to collect find ourselves in similar circumstances.  I am still a collector to an extent admittedly.  Funny thing is, I just don't know what the next tool I'd designate to shelf queen status until I meet it  :rofl:. 

 

 

   

 
   

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 15, 2019, 09:28:13 PM

Quote from: Aloha on February 15, 2019, 08:27:51 PM

It is super tricky to find that balance you seek.  There are some tools that can be easily parted with after trying and trying.  I know those all too well.  Back ups are good.  Once I deem a tool a back up then I make peace with it so I don't deliberate on and on about selling or keeping. 

Beater tools.  I have tools that are tools I have no problem working hard with little regard.  It if breaks then it breaks.  I have a Swisstool in my garage for that as well as in my house tool box.  I don't mind keeping them in their places.  Out of sight, out of mind, till of course I need them.  I have a few SAKs and folders that also fall into this category. 

Next up the ladder are tools that are on standby.  These tools are good tools that have proven themselves.  I keep them closer at hand for things that pop up.  My OG Surge and Modded Wave are my coffee table tools.  If I need a tools I grab these first.  If I need dedicated tools then I get my house tool box.  If I need more specialized tools then out to the garage.  I keep a SAK, folder, and Micra on my coffee table as well as a headlamp. 

Further up the ladder are my on person tools while home doing chores.  These are tools I rely on as I will have them on person.  Today for example I have my Skeletool CX, OC Farmer, Squirt P4, and Benchmade Nimravus on me.  If I require more then I can go to my garage or house tool box.  If my Farmers saw comes up short for example, I'll go to my shed and fetch my saw.  If my Skeletools pliers are a bit weak then out to my garage to get the big channel locks. 

Work tools.  This is much like my on person tools except that these tools are only used at work.  My Charge TTi, Deluxe Tinker are examples of those tools.  I like both tools a lot.  They earned their spot on work detail. 

Off day tools.  I have tools that I carry off days.  These are tools that I will leaving the house with on off days.  Errands, trips to the store, lunch with my kids, etc. 

Hiking, camping, walks tools, evacuation bag tools, etc. 

Like many here I ended up with a lot of tools.  Some were easily moved on.  Some are just wonderful and are now shelf queens.  Some have jobs.  The spillover tools are the ones I have a hard time with, I've recently referred to these as benchwarmers.   These are tools that aren't back ups, aren't still being tested, aren't bad tools, they are just EXTRA stuff accumulated over this process.

I think many of us who aren't actively collecting or seeking out tools to collect find ourselves in similar circumstances.  I am still a collector to an extent admittedly.  Funny thing is, I just don't know what the next tool I'd designate to shelf queen status until I meet it  :rofl:. 
 

That sounds very much like I used to do. :)  I had all the above categories that I made posts on, plus the ones I haven't mentioned yet (waiting for natural daylight for more pics), then I'd have my work tools, my car tools, and my boat tools. Those last three categories no longer apply,

When I had more facets to my life, I needed more tools. As my life has simplified, I'm looking to simplify the tool array to suit. Even when I've done, I'll still have more tools than "normal people" do :D However, I'll have the very best suited tools for my evolved preferences, and tested methods.

I've got a few more combos to chuck up here when I get some daylight, then I plan to move onto looking at what didn't work, what things still feel incomplete, what's needed to fix them, where I might be able to simplify overlapping areas, or redefine the boundaries between them. The stuff I've posted so far, is some (most) of the background to the thought processes which follow next. I'm trying to not just show my tools and explain why they're here, but open up the thought processes about what's next, as well as what's behind me.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 04:11:08 PM

Moving on to the Spirit, which as mentioned earlier, is the last locking bladed tool in the array. This is a tool that tends to either get used at home, or taken with me if I'm going to be staying somewhere for a while - either on holiday, or staying with friends and family. It's an excellent tool for that, as the tool set is so diverse, you're unlikely to ever encounter a challenge that the Spirit doesn't offer something to attempt to conquer it with.

There's still the chance I might end up in the midst of people who don't know my intentions though, and still like to have a good "people friendly" option to hand. As such, I tend to carry a more capable (heavily tooled) Swiss knife, so there's a higher probability that I won't need the Spirit. Specifically, I want a Swiss knife with a Phillips. So while the Spirit is a fantastic tool, I only want to use it when not surrounded by idiots, or when all else has failed.

I may or may not choose to add a clipped OHO folder to the ensemble, but a Swissie with Phillips forms the foundation for a combo with a Spirit for me.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 04:19:50 PM

The only two full sized tools that haven't been attributed to a combo yet, are the MP6000 and the knifeless Wave. Both these are very capable tools in their own right, and the only thing they're missing, are the plain and serrated blades they started out with. The Wings Slipit nips that problem in the bud.

I don't know exactly what it is about the Wings, but it's the only one of my clipped OHO folders, that I feel comfortable not carrying a "people friendly" option with too. It just seems inherently less "tacti-cool" than the others. I do wish I'd picked up a spare when they were still in circulation.

I do have a people friendly alternative though, in the Victorinox Original Outdoorsman, which carries both serrated knife and pruned blade.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 04:33:22 PM

As regards spares and back ups, the modified MP600 and Wave also overlap with the Diesel, and each could serve as a replacement for one of the others, should they be wrecked, lost, or stolen.

The Wave does get carried a fair bit, but the MP600 does not, even though I really like that mod. The issue is the blunt pliers. It made sense to have a blunt pliers tool in engineering or marine setting, where I might need a little more grunt from my pliers, but it's overkill in my current lifestyle. A standard hybrid needlenose plier would probably be a better urban tool.

Luckily, I can do that. I do have a regular MP600 with integral cutters (I've no love for the evaporating carbide ones), in a pair of black handles. That would make this tool a much better pairing/alternative for the Wave as a fully loaded urban tool, as a step up from the MP400 or Balance mentioned a whileback.

The only reason to keep the blunt nosed pliers in it, would be for hobby use at home, and assign this tool to the other speSmurfpillsed ones with the shears, compound leverage, and locking pliers. However, unlike those tools, I do have several other dedicated options that I could reach for instead.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 04:41:59 PM

Of course, the other option for carrying more tools in an urban combo, is stick with the lighter, simpler pliers tools, and carry a thicker and more tool heavy Swiss knife instead. This can make more sense when pocket space is limited (I don't do the Batman utility belt sheath thing for several reasons), or you don't want to be faffing around with a pliers tool for everything that might need doing. Sometimes it's nice to just let the knife do the bulk of the work.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 04:59:39 PM

One of my combo themes, still isn't complete, even after all these years, and I've come to the conclusion that I won't be happy until I build my own solution - and that's formal carry.

When it's time to get suited up, a different set of tools come out to play. I want something light, pocketable without "printing", more glamorous looking than usual, and yet still be able to handle tasks that I realistically expect I might encounter.

At the larger end of the options, is a Wenger Traveler and Sideclip. I never got my hands on a polished version, but intend to polish one of mine up. I have some micro-mesh cloth, and some of those multi-grit nail buffer pads for that specific reason.

If I want to go lighter than that, I have the scrolled bolster Case barlow, and a decent little stainless toolset with quartz pocket watch, which will easily distribute about my person. I haven't quite got the "yellow metal" one complete though, to pair up with the gold plated mechanical watch. I do have the TiNi pliers and Cu Maratac, but need to carry out my intended modification of a Victorinox Executive to really round off that set.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: SteveC on February 16, 2019, 05:05:08 PM

Good thread Al and I'm enjoying reading your thoughts regarding what and why you carry .    :like: :tu:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 05:23:22 PM

One way of managing combos like all these, is to relate them to shoes. Bear with me, there is a logic path here, honest! :D

Lets go back over some combos to illustrate my point.

Hiking Boots

Show content

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422014)
(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422016)

Work Boots

Show content

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422020)
(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=421918)

Polished dress shoes

Show content

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422179)

Light trainers or sandals

Show content

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422002)
(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422004)

Slippers (at home, or on holiday)

Show content

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422169)

And then there's the issue of the casual shoes for ordinary daily carry. Here's where is goes completely ape.  :facepalm: While I've posted pics only showing one or two combo formats at a time, once you push the "specific role combos" to one side, there's a huge abundance of regular daily carry options.

... and it will get worse, before it gets better...

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 05:25:02 PM

Bah!  :rant: Why do those spoiler tags not have images in.

OK, brief interlude while I fix this....

Talk amongst yourselves  :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 05:39:24 PM

OK, fixed. Sorry about that.  :)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 05:40:19 PM

Quote from: SteveC on February 16, 2019, 05:05:08 PM

Good thread Al and I'm enjoying reading your thoughts regarding what and why you carry .    :like: :tu:

Thanks Steve  :D

Glad it's all been worthwhile. I hope I'm not boring too many people  :-[

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 05:51:18 PM

Where was I ... Ah, yes! It'll get worse before it gets better.

That's because I've still not done  >:D

As shown above, I still need to rebuild the MP6000, and "archive" the blunt nosed pliers.
I still need to do the Executive mod.
I still need to polish the Sideclip.

... and I still have A LOT of knife mods to do.

The three Victorinox and Wenger mods I shown earlier, are all going to be redone. Out of the pile of donor parts, another four new mods will be born. One 93mm non-alox, another couple of 91s, and the 74mm mentioned already, These will be a long time coming, as I have quite ambitious plans for all of them. I've given insights into some of the tweaks I have planned in the past, but I don't want to spell out every last detail of each one. I'll let that be a surprise for later. However, I expect there will be several tens of hours spent on each one, and each will have it's own new set of logistic and technical challenges.

So until I get all those done, and spend time "testing" them in their relevant combos (it ALL revolves around the combo), I won't know which my favourites are, and which other combo elements will suddenly find themselves redundant.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 06:23:09 PM

For me, everything revolves around the combo, and the environment/role that combo will be carried in. Some things just don't fall neatly into a combo. I mentioned before, that the MP6000 mod had lost it's "placement" since I no longer found myself in the two hard use environments, but that's something that I can address and change.

Some stuff, like the Style PS, just ends up being a bit of an odd sock, and never really pairing up well with anything. I've tried to like it, and repeatedly tried to incorporate it, but never achieved either to my satisfaction.

Here's why...

It's got pliers, scissors, bottle opener, nail file, and a small driver that will actually turn a loose-ish PH2 headed screw. It's even got a pair of tweezers tucked in there too. Brilliant. All I need is to add a traditional pocket knife, and I've got a cool little combo, that's great for carrying in shorts.

Except I haven't.

The scissors spring has crapped out again. I've already had this replaced once, and it's not worth the stamp to send it back in again. The next one will be no better, and it's just a matter of time before that one meets the same demise. So now I need a knife, and I need scissors.

A Classic gives me decent scissors, but doubles up on tweezers, nail file, and driver - so the only benefit the Style gives is the pliers and bottle opener. Pairing it with a Micra is even worse, as that doubles up on the bottle opener too, not to mention the build quality on mine - despite it celebrating their 30th Anniversary - is abysmal. The scissors are next to useless, and if I ever find a role for them, I'll need to repeen the scissors to take the gross slop out of them, and look at why the "backspring" part of the handles, isn't giving the retention it should on the smaller tools  ::)

Well, it is another Leatherman after all. There's a good reason I own more Gerbers  :P  :D

... but moving swiftly on before I get flamed...  :whistle:

The comedy, highly sprung, ping out of your hand and fly across the room, True Utility SciXors, are a fantastic prank to play on someone who desperately needs scissors, but doesn't carry their own tools. However, they're next to useless if you actually need scissors yourself  :D In fact the best way of making up for the Style PS scissor defecit (which is still oK for single snip solutions, just not multiple snips), might be adding nail clippers. Unfortunately that tool, a penknife and nail clippers, just doesn't feel like a proper combo to me.

So that's just a brief insight into the type of thoughts my head spews out when putting together these combos  :)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 16, 2019, 06:43:19 PM

So, summing up,

• I've come a long way, but still have more to do.
• I have more to come, as well as more to go
• When the new stuff comes, that might changes what old stuff goes
• I never say in a single paragraph, that which I can spread over two pages  :rofl:

Also, despite feeling snowed under with options, they are all (or at least most of them) getting some use. I'm pretty sure I've used every one of the knives in the attached picture over the last 12 months. There's also the issue of "tomorrow".

My life has changed immensely in the last three years. Who knows what further changes my lie in store. Even if my health and lifestyle don't change, tools break, or get lost or stolen, despite the reasonable care we give them. The surplus that I currently own, would be incredibly difficult or expensive to replace should I need to do so at a later date.

The Wave consists of parts from a 2004 Wave, a Grappler, a Blast and a Wingman. Try tracking all those down in good condition in 10 years time. Will the market continue to offer pocket clipped OHO sub 3" slippies? The parts for the planned Swiss knife mods took a long time to round up too. So while I do sometimes feel swamped in my residual excess, even though I've managed to offload great swathes of stuff that was overshadowed by what i've shared in this thread, I have to bear in mind that anything else I let go, might never be replaced by its equivalent or equal.

So the journey continues, to and fro. Tools in, tools out, tools killed, tools born. No matter how frustrated and crochetty I might get along the way, I'm certainly a lot happier in my tool selection than I was when I started. Many of the trophies I collected, were hard won, and I'd be unlikely to win them again. I can honestly say that I have some of the best tools and mods I could wish for, in terms of my own evolving needs and preferences.


Ok, I'm done  :)


Thanks for following along, and putting up with my ramblings in my tale of the journey so far  :salute:

 :cheers:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 17, 2019, 02:54:51 AM

Quote from: Aloha on February 15, 2019, 05:24:52 PM

I'm am thankful to not have been so hasty with some tools.  I also make it a point as you allude to, to put certain tools into use to get a clearer understanding of that tool or as you state "Maybe I ought to force myself to start carrying them all more, and see which ones I get sick of quickest."  My Skeletool CX is such a tool.  I am glad I just put it aside and let enough time pass to try again.  My Charge TTi is another.     

I've revisited tools a few times now. I didn't instantly connect with the Gerber Multipliers, which have now become a strong favourite, and I sold my first Sideclip, only to really notice the benefits and true potential of the Sideclip/Swiss knife combo a couple of year later.

The CS4, XE6, and Blast are tools I bought, sold then bought again, only to realise I didn't like them any better the second time around. However, revisiting them helped me settle on the Fuse and KF4 as the sweet spots in the Zytel and Juice lines.

The Rebar was a fail for me both times, and even after modding it, and trying a custom loadout with the integral cutter pliers, I still couldn't abide it. I tried Bear and Sons pre-Swisstools twice too. Solid tools, and an interesting point in the timeline, but just that little bit too clunky for me.

One thing that's been great for wondering if I made a mistake before, is the UK meet. It's good to try tool versions that I've let go in the past, and see if my perceptions have changed. That's how I "rediscovered" the Sideclip again.

Quote from: Aloha on February 15, 2019, 05:24:52 PM

I am not hesitant to assign a tool a purpose even if that purpose on the surface is lowly  ;).  I don't currently have a bathroom drain tool, YET  :whistle:.  I have tools parceled about my home.  I have them on my coffee table, in my shed, garage,  kitchen drawer, hall closet, small tool box, vehicle, evacuation bag, and other places.  These are tools that are good tools just not tools I want to carry.  This is yet another distinction I tend to make when deciding a tools fate.  Just because I don't want to carry it doesn't mean its time to go.

I really like this thread.  :salute:   

I really ought to do this a little more, and put one of the more comprehensive pliers tools in the kitchen. All that lives in there is a Tourist knife in the cutlery drawer, and a few specific food and drink oriented tools (a huge BBQ tool I got from Beat, the Bar10der, and a pair of CRKT Crossover shears). The orange hiking gear lives in an outdoors vest in the wardrobet, the Octane currently resides in the bathroom, and the rest is stored all together in drawers.

I used to be a lot better at having tools spread out where I might need them. I suppose I've tended not to bother as I don't stray as far now. I do have a couple of items stashed in kits though, such as the Clipper in the washbag, and the Compact in a first aid kit.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 17, 2019, 03:16:49 AM

Quote from: Aloha on February 15, 2019, 08:27:51 PM

It is super tricky to find that balance you seek.  There are some tools that can be easily parted with after trying and trying.  I know those all too well.  Back ups are good.  Once I deem a tool a back up then I make peace with it so I don't deliberate on and on about selling or keeping. 

Beater tools.  I have tools that are tools I have no problem working hard with little regard.  It if breaks then it breaks.  I have a Swisstool in my garage for that as well as in my house tool box.  I don't mind keeping them in their places.  Out of sight, out of mind, till of course I need them.  I have a few SAKs and folders that also fall into this category. 

Next up the ladder are tools that are on standby.  These tools are good tools that have proven themselves.  I keep them closer at hand for things that pop up.  My OG Surge and Modded Wave are my coffee table tools.  If I need a tools I grab these first.  If I need dedicated tools then I get my house tool box.  If I need more specialized tools then out to the garage.  I keep a SAK, folder, and Micra on my coffee table as well as a headlamp. 

Further up the ladder are my on person tools while home doing chores.  These are tools I rely on as I will have them on person.  Today for example I have my Skeletool CX, OC Farmer, Squirt P4, and Benchmade Nimravus on me.  If I require more then I can go to my garage or house tool box.  If my Farmers saw comes up short for example, I'll go to my shed and fetch my saw.  If my Skeletools pliers are a bit weak then out to my garage to get the big channel locks. 

Work tools.  This is much like my on person tools except that these tools are only used at work.  My Charge TTi, Deluxe Tinker are examples of those tools.  I like both tools a lot.  They earned their spot on work detail. 

Off day tools.  I have tools that I carry off days.  These are tools that I will leaving the house with on off days.  Errands, trips to the store, lunch with my kids, etc. 

Hiking, camping, walks tools, evacuation bag tools, etc. 

Like many here I ended up with a lot of tools.  Some were easily moved on.  Some are just wonderful and are now shelf queens.  Some have jobs.  The spillover tools are the ones I have a hard time with, I've recently referred to these as benchwarmers.   These are tools that aren't back ups, aren't still being tested, aren't bad tools, they are just EXTRA stuff accumulated over this process.

I think many of us who aren't actively collecting or seeking out tools to collect find ourselves in similar circumstances.  I am still a collector to an extent admittedly.  Funny thing is, I just don't know what the next tool I'd designate to shelf queen status until I meet it  :rofl:.   
 

One thing I noticed that made a big (perceived) difference, was rounding up all the mod fodder, and dumping it in a cardboard box by the hobby desk. Instantly the number of Swiss knives I was faced with every time I opened the drawer, halved in one foul swoop :D

There are other duplications in the drawers, such as both Sideclips, both Byrd Terns, the spare MP400 that has all the offcast parts from a knifeless mod, and the spare handles for the MP600..Clearing those out and stashing them somewhere out of sight might give a little psychological lift Too. I have got a box with assorted spare parts in, and maybe organising that a bit better and putting the duplicates in there, would make sense, but I don't want to fall into the hoarding trap of keeping stuff but just hiding it so I can pretend its not really there :P.

I'll have a play with the idea though, and just have a "pick of the day" drawer, and just put the rest in a different drawer, just so it's not hitting me between the eyes every day.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on February 17, 2019, 05:02:31 PM

Some of my favorites threads and videos to watch are ones discussing what people carry and why.  I like to read and hear about the mindset of how one reaches conclusions about gear.  I also like to see how one item may not have worked for someone yet I find does for me, or vice versa.  When it comes to choosing what to carry and what works is a matter of personal discovery if one decides to go that route.  Another route is simply familiarity.  This can work too. 

I have come to really appreciate combinations.  Yeah I carried a MT, SAK, light, but until I gave it some further thought it was just tools.  This might sound a bit much for some but for me it has streamlined what I carry and how.  I'm also not lugging around a bunch of gear "just incase".  The Squirt for me has become a staple of my carry.  I want to like the Micra but after several attempts to carry it I find it needing a V.2 variant YMMV.  If I want a scissor based tool I'd rather carry my Style CS. 

Your keyring set ups are well very well thought out for what you desire and want to carry.  I believe I am still working on the right combination myself. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread.  Its helped me take a closer look at what I carry and has given me some great things to think about. 

The next step for me are the benchwarmers.  What to do with the benchwarmers  :dunno:       

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Kev D on February 17, 2019, 06:09:28 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:44:35 PM

Fixed blades are exactly the same too. Way more than I need, but none I can single out as wanting to part with.

If you ever decide to part with the Sheffield one on the bottom row 2nd from the left I know someone interested  :pok:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 17, 2019, 07:25:29 PM

Quote from: Aloha on February 17, 2019, 05:02:31 PM

Some of my favorites threads and videos to watch are ones discussing what people carry and why.  I like to read and hear about the mindset of how one reaches conclusions about gear.  I also like to see how one item may not have worked for someone yet I find does for me, or vice versa.  When it comes to choosing what to carry and what works is a matter of personal discovery if one decides to go that route.  Another route is simply familiarity.  This can work too. 

I have come to really appreciate combinations.  Yeah I carried a MT, SAK, light, but until I gave it some further thought it was just tools.  This might sound a bit much for some but for me it has streamlined what I carry and how.  I'm also not lugging around a bunch of gear "just incase".  The Squirt for me has become a staple of my carry.  I want to like the Micra but after several attempts to carry it I find it needing a V.2 variant YMMV.  If I want a scissor based tool I'd rather carry my Style CS. 

Your keyring set ups are well very well thought out for what you desire and want to carry.  I believe I am still working on the right combination myself. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread.  Its helped me take a closer look at what I carry and has given me some great things to think about. 

The next step for me are the benchwarmers.  What to do with the benchwarmers  :dunno:     

Thanks mate. It's taken a long time for each of these combos to evolve and become as fine tuned as they are. I went through a heck of a lot of failed combos along the way too. All it takes is to be faced with one task that you can't handle, even though you really should, and the whole ensemble goes back to the drawing board.

As to your benchwarmers, I think that's a good analogy of the tools that I've been wrestling with. Great tools that you absolutely want on the team, that have no immediate need of. The knifeless MP600 mod is definitely one of those. I think I'll do the swap to regular plier head, and store the blunt nosed pliers as back ups. I'm loathed to part with them, as they'll be too hard to track down again in future, but I'll me more likely to use the tool with regular pliers. In turn, I'll feel better about having it on hand if it's something that I might actually pick up for a day's carry.

I'll shuffle things around over the next few weeks, with all the stuff I want to mod in one pile/drawer, everything that gets regular use/carry in another, and everything that doesn't seem to have a role in the third. Once all the mods are done, I might feel swamped again, but at least I can revisit it all, and see if my favourites are as they were, or have gotten even better :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 17, 2019, 07:36:57 PM

Quote from: Kev D on February 17, 2019, 06:09:28 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on February 14, 2019, 09:44:35 PM

Fixed blades are exactly the same too. Way more than I need, but none I can single out as wanting to part with.

If you ever decide to part with the Sheffield one on the bottom row 2nd from the left I know someone interested  :pok:

Ahh, the Warthog. Yes, that's a knife I don't particularly want to part with, even though I'm unlikely to ever need it. In the mythical "stuck in the woods with only one knife" scenario, that would certainly be my one. Since my personal abilities to get the most from it have shrunk, I've given it a few coats of looking at several times, but so far it's gone back in the keeper pile every time.

If I do decide to put it in the "let it go" pile, I'll be sure to put you at the head of the queue for it, Kev  :salute:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 18, 2019, 08:51:30 AM

The MP6000 is reborn.

Different head and handles, but same tool load. I reckon that just like the modified MP400, this can be carried with just a traditional knife, although it could of course be carried with a clipped OHO folder or Swissknife instead. I do like tools that lend more flexibility to putting together a combo :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 18, 2019, 10:53:54 AM

One thing I haven't mentioned in all this, is lights.

There have been a few strategically included in various kits. The keychain and small tool combos all have them, and there's a Nitecore tube on my keys. The outdoors ones both have them too, as does the travel wash kit, and the tool kit with the Diesel in. In fact, I think everything that isn't regular daily carry, has some form of light assigned to it. There's also one by the bed, and one in the kitchen.

The lights not dedicated to any ensemble are shown in the attached pic.

The bulk of the pocket carry is done my the Quark AA² tactical, with the two cell tube. The second most used is the Sunwayman V10R - fantastic light - but it does have a habit of trying to escape from my pocket.

There's a couple of little ones that clip on top of a 9V battery, and they're excellent if there's a black out (doesn't happen often, and usually only for an hour or so) and also great for use in a small tent. The others don't get much use these days, mainly because they don't have a pocket clip, but I really don't mind having a few spare lights. As they have a more limited lifespan than a knife or pliers, I don't feel as overwhelmed by them. I've given quite a few away over the years too.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 18, 2019, 10:56:23 AM

There's another issue with having too many combos. Sometimes you forget they even exist   :rofl:

I found this tin yesterday...

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Smashie on February 18, 2019, 01:23:20 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on February 18, 2019, 10:56:23 AM

There's another issue with having too many combos. Sometimes you forget they even exist   :rofl:

I found this tin yesterday...

That seems a useful little load out. The kind of thing I would put in my briefcase.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 18, 2019, 05:07:02 PM

I've never carried it  :facepalm: I built it, and promptly forgot about it  :rofl:

It's a solution looking for a problem, unfortunately. If I stash it in the weekend bag for example, I'll just forget about it again, not keep the light charged, and not go get it if I ever needed it anyway. It's also not the kind of thing I'd carry in a pocket either. I was just trying to make surplus stuff useful, and failed  :D

Needs garlic...

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 09:35:20 AM

Quite an interesting thread, AW! I imagine culling can be somewhat arduous. Well, it would be for me anyway, as a collector.

Are you planning several rotational EDC combos?

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 19, 2019, 12:48:34 PM

Pics are broken!  :facepalm:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: hiraethus on February 19, 2019, 12:52:34 PM

I think Whoey's on it.  Hopefully be fixed later today.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 19, 2019, 01:03:02 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 09:35:20 AM

Quite an interesting thread, AW! I imagine culling can be somewhat arduous. Well, it would be for me anyway, as a collector.

Are you planning several rotational EDC combos?

Deciding which to let go is the arduous part, because with many, there's no going back. I'd simply not be able to reacquire the tools or parts at a price I'm willing to pay. This makes parting with things quite daunting.

As to rotation, I think different people have varying notions of what that term means, so i'd be better defining what I do. I like options as much as I like combos. A lot of these combos are "grab and go", so when I know what the day has in store, I can just pick it up and get on with it. For the rest, I like to have a few options to pick and choose from, dependent on what trousers I'm wearing, and how much pocket space I'll have. Do things tend to fall out of those pockets? Will I have extra pockets above the belt? What's the likelihood or needing to use a tool in public? So, having the templates, but being able to fine tune the combo, works very well for me too. I don't rotate as in fixed periods of time, or after X comes Y, or anything systemic like that.

That said, if I feel that I have amassed too many options, I feel the need to thin out, and the daunting task of identifying surplus starts over again.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 19, 2019, 01:03:37 PM

Quote from: hiraethus on February 19, 2019, 12:52:34 PM

I think Whoey's on it.  Hopefully be fixed later today.

Thanks Chris  :salute:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 05:00:33 PM

 :dwts: That does seem as though it would be frustrating.  :ahhh

i'll be looking forward to seeing some of your combinations, even if they are just temporary.  :popcorn:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Smashie on February 19, 2019, 05:05:33 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 05:00:33 PM

:dwts: That does seem as though it would be frustrating.  :ahhh

i'll be looking forward to seeing some of your combinations, even if they are just temporary.  :popcorn:

Yup, seeing how other people combine gear is always interesting and often sparks ideas you may not have had :tu:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 19, 2019, 08:57:50 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 05:00:33 PM

:dwts: That does seem as though it would be frustrating.  :ahhh

i'll be looking forward to seeing some of your combinations, even if they are just temporary.  :popcorn:

The only real changes that I expect from here on, apart from the occasional sale, is modding. I've obviously got all the ones already shown in this thread, but plan on redoing the three I already have, and creating four more. (1 x 93mm, 2 x 91mm and 1 x 74mm).

I'm a lot happier with the modded MP600 now too. That's joined the Wave mod as an option for a more heavily loaded urban tool. With the blunt nosed pliers, it was sitting there waiting for tasks that might need that bulkier plier head, whereas now, it's made itself an option for regular daily carry.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 09:13:48 PM

The 600 BN is one of my personal favorites! I really cannot think of a stronger pliers head on any other MT.  :)

Will you be posting a step-by-step for the SAK mods, AW?

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 19, 2019, 09:14:40 PM

Quote from: Smashie on February 19, 2019, 05:05:33 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 05:00:33 PM

:dwts: That does seem as though it would be frustrating.  :ahhh

i'll be looking forward to seeing some of your combinations, even if they are just temporary.  :popcorn:

Yup, seeing how other people combine gear is always interesting and often sparks ideas you may not have had :tu:

Absolutely! It was talking to people on here, which brought the Sideclip and KF4 forward as contenders. I'd originally written them both off as inferior tools, instead of recognising their value as a combo. Likewise, it was me, Gareth and Kirky talking about the wish for a knifeless MP400 that brought each of our variants about. The Wingman scissors on the Wave came from here, as did putting Strata tools on the 600.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the biggest boost for me has been the UK meet. Handling different tools that I may or may not have considered buying, or even had in the past and got rid of, and seeing up close the issues have with one tool, and why another works better for them. We can get a little overrun by the Welsh occasionally, but otherwise it's all good  :P

:rofl:

It was speaking to Gareth and Neil there that got me queued up for modding, Gareth and Tom's discussion about electrical screwdrivers that brough my attention back to the Sideclip. Tony's enthusiasm for tinkering with various stuff rubs off too. That man is full of ideas. Some of them are even quite good  :D

So yeah, a lot of thanks needs to the MTO crowd for the combos and tool selections in this thread. Understanding different peoples approach to different problems is enlightening.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on February 19, 2019, 09:30:35 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on February 19, 2019, 09:13:48 PM

The 600 BN is one of my personal favorites! I really cannot think of a stronger pliers head on any other MT.  :)

Will you be posting a step-by-step for the SAK mods, AW?

A brief video hopefully. They'll all kind of overlap, as all (well, most) of the scale materials need treating at the same time, as I only have enough low viscosity epoxy to run one batch, and there's an obscene amount of work to do before I get there. A lot of experiments in processing different materials too, like hand cutting garnet and other stones, and seeing how thin Whitby jet and mother of pearl can be processed before they disintegrate or become unstable.

I'll try to get a little footage of everything I do (if I don't get too engrossed and forget), and then stitch everything together for each knife created at the end. Much learning to do first though, so it might be another year or two before I have anything finished.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 08, 2019, 03:26:34 AM

A few changes to the Diesel kit.

I'm swapping over some of the writing and measuring implements, but more importantly, I'm going to replace the Soft Touch 14 with a Cybertool 41. That way, I can pocket the Vic, and leave the rest of the mini toolkit in a bag, so I've got a comprehensive tool selection on me, yet still have the other stuff close to hand if the knife is overwhelmed. At the moment, the 41 has ruby scales fitted, but I'll swap them for black ones, so the knife matches in with the rest. :D

This leaves me back with the ST14 for general pocket carry (I wasn't happy having it tied up to a kit), and everything else just squeezes into this Skinth for chucking in a travel bag, or using as a grab bag. The light/lantern and Cybertool are in the outside pockets, so I can get at those without the pouch vomiting everything else out everywhere

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: SteveC on March 08, 2019, 06:19:44 PM

Nice kit Al !      :like: :tu:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 08, 2019, 06:48:14 PM

Thanks Steve.  :cheers:

It used to be a kit I grabbed when friends were moving house, or had some odd jobs they needed a hand with. These days it sits idle most of the time, but I still throw it in the bag occasionally when visiting friends or family. I think the tools in that kit are better than some of them have in their whole house :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: ThePeacent on March 09, 2019, 01:50:13 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on March 08, 2019, 03:26:34 AM

A few changes to the Diesel kit.

as Steve said, very nice kit!  :hatsoff:
I have a similar one, which I use for similar purposes  :cheers:

(https://i.imgur.com/MKeb0yE.jpg)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 09, 2019, 02:11:46 PM

Quote from: ThePeacent on March 09, 2019, 01:50:13 PM

as Steve said, very nice kit!  :hatsoff:
I have a similar one, which I use for similar purposes  :cheers:

(https://i.imgur.com/MKeb0yE.jpg)

Thanks TP. What else was lurking in the pouch? Do you have a pic of the full kit?

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on March 09, 2019, 03:37:52 PM

I'll echo what the others have said, Nice kit.  I figured we all had some kind of grab and go kit for times when visiting friends/family  :D.  While most items I just want to be a guest like the others, they know we carry tools so.......

I do have an actual bag of tools on my truck but most times a small kit like yours can solve a lot of issues. 

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 09, 2019, 06:47:08 PM

Quote from: Aloha on March 09, 2019, 03:37:52 PM

I'll echo what the others have said, Nice kit.  I figured we all had some kind of grab and go kit for times when visiting friends/family  :D.  While most items I just want to be a guest like the others, they know we carry tools so.......

I do have an actual bag of tools on my truck but most times a small kit like yours can solve a lot of issues.

Absolutely!

I used to carry this kit (with a couple of subtle differences) in the smallest of the Maxpedition EDC pouches, and had it in my pocket when I visited some friends who had just moved into a new house three or four years ago. I went to use their bathroom, and when I tried to get out, the door handle came away, and the spindle dropped on the floor the other side.

 :facepalm:

I heard my friend shout "Oh, has it done it again?", and by the time she'd walked through and picked up the handle and spindle, I was already opening the door :D I fixed that, fixed a dodgy lightswitch, replaced a broken cupboard hinge, and sorted a couple of other things, just with that kit in my pocket. I did have some more stuff in the car, but never needed it.

When another friend moved house, it changed locks, fitted baby gates, harvested sticks for dowels for plugging the door frame where the hinge screws had pulled through... it's certainly paid for itself.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 09, 2019, 07:02:11 PM

I mentioned when I posted the "formal" combo pic, that my intention was to polish up one of my Sideclips.

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422179)

I've since gotten some Micromesh to do this with, but have noticed that the original brushed finish was hiding a multitude of sins. Even after giving the surface a good rub down  with some 600 grit wet and dry, there's some significant "orange peeling" which would involve removing quite a bit of material to fully clear it (pic attached). As such, I might need to polish up both of them, and piece together the best components from each, if I want a flawless finish.  ::)

I think that might be more work than I want to do though, so I might just polish this up as is, and tolerate a little residual "character". Nobody other than me would really know anyway. I just don't want to put all that effort in, and still not be happy with it though  :think:

Undecided....

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on March 09, 2019, 10:33:29 PM

I went down the uber polish hole for a brief moment.  Man I got a little crazy.  I polished a lot of tools that really didn't want to be polished.  A Kershaw Leek for example was so slippery when all done that it was almost unusable.  My Wave, some PSTs, certain SAK tools, a Swisstool ( yup ), and a lot of other things I dare not post  :whistle:. 

I don't mind the character these days.  Not sure whats changed?  My Buck 110 is a great example.  I got it in rough shape but stopped very short of removing the previous life it had.  Cleaned it up just enough for my time with it and development of character.

Oh, but I'm still probably gonna get some micro mesh  ;).  I didn't say I was cured.   

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 09, 2019, 11:49:05 PM

Quote from: Aloha on March 09, 2019, 10:33:29 PM

Oh, but I'm still probably gonna get some micro mesh  ;).  I didn't say I was cured.

:rofl: Still early days for me, but first impressions are very good.  :tu:

I'm a bit odd with acquired character and natural patina (some would say I'm odd with a lot of things  :P ), I don't mind it, so long as it's me that put it there. If this Sideclip gets scratched up a bit in use, no problem - but that orange peel finish in a couple of areas, wasn't my doing, or not necessarily acquired while it was with me.  :-\ I really like the looks of older knives, so long as I got it new.

One of the reasons I wanted to cut back, was so my reduced array would see more pocket time, and start to look like faithful companions sooner. I wouldn't want to buy tools in that condition though, only take on that look from being a part of my life. Patina I put on has meaning, buying a "worn in" tool does not (for me). In five or ten years, I want my favourites to be obvious, purely because they'll reflect the days they spent with me. There's only three of my pocket knives that have acquired that look so far, but some of the multis and Swiss knives are starting to take on that look too.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: ThePeacent on March 10, 2019, 07:37:21 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on March 09, 2019, 02:11:46 PM

Thanks TP. What else was lurking in the pouch? Do you have a pic of the full kit?

H AW,
sorry but it was an opportunnity pic,  :dunno: taken at the moment I was swapping items by chance, but the contents of it are most times:

Crater C33
Pliers based multitool, full sized (such as Spirit, ST300, SOG Powerlock...)
Precise needlenose pliers multitool (such as Squirt, Juice, etc.)
Tweezers, full size and locking, and Nail Clipper
AAA Flashlight
Pencil
Pen
Band-Aids, Steri-Strips
Spare Battery
Tape, Paper Clips, Carabiner
Pocket Prybar with wrench
Lighter(s)
Utility Knife W/Replaceable blades
Bit Kit
OPT with several allen and screwdriver tips

I also have this small pouch, with different gear, which rides in the vehicle permanently  :salute:

(https://i.imgur.com/e2jqe5n.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Et5enFU.jpg)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 10, 2019, 09:32:28 PM

Thanks TP.  :cheers:

For some reason (not sure why, as they're not shown/listed) that reminded me to put some small cable ties in my kit. Now done.

Are they mini vials of Superglue in the first pic?

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: ThePeacent on March 11, 2019, 05:46:35 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on March 10, 2019, 09:32:28 PM

Thanks TP.  :cheers:

For some reason (not sure why, as they're not shown/listed) that reminded me to put some small cable ties in my kit. Now done.

Are they mini vials of Superglue in the first pic?

oh, I sometimes have zip ties in the pouch too  :police:
those are eye drops (I had dry eyes for a while after the LASIK surgery) :tu:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 11, 2019, 06:32:28 PM

Quote from: ThePeacent on March 11, 2019, 05:46:35 PM

oh, I sometimes have zip ties in the pouch too  :police:
those are eye drops (I had dry eyes for a while after the LASIK surgery) :tu:

Ah, ok  :salute: I was thinking superglue in vials that size would be great, but too easily opened accidentally. Artificial tears makes more sense.  :cheers:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on March 11, 2019, 11:42:59 PM

Patina.  Its probably a whole topic unto itself.  I agree that my usage and wear on any tool is nice to see.  It wasn't so a while ago as I wanted my tools in their pristine condition.  When I began my voyage of buying to try I got nearly all my tools used so they can with patina.  Not a lot but no marks from me.  That probably when I began my polish stage.  I wanted to put the wear on the tool.  Later I began to quite like the look of honest wear.  Well, wear that appears to have been thru usage not abuse or neglect. 
   

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: gerleatherberman on March 13, 2019, 03:48:31 AM

If this has been coveref already, please ignore. Have you tried cloth wheel(on bench grinder, drill or dremel) polishing to get the major imperfections out if the steel surface? Then using the Mesh to finish it off?

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 13, 2019, 04:32:48 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on March 13, 2019, 03:48:31 AM

If this has been coveref already, please ignore. Have you tried cloth wheel(on bench grinder, drill or dremel) polishing to get the major imperfections out if the steel surface? Then using the Mesh to finish it off?

I haven't, to be honest, but if 600 grit wet and dry hasn't shifted it, I can't see a cloth/felt wheel fetching it out much quicker.  :think:

Scratching it with a pin (aren't Swiss knives great :D) I reckon they might be 4 to 6 thou deep in places. I'd probably be better off hitting the waterstones with them, if I wanted to get them perfect. I don't think it's worth that much effort though.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: gerleatherberman on March 13, 2019, 05:04:44 AM

IMO. The cloth polishing wheels and compound are ideal for heavy polishing. Only downside is that it removes a lot of material to achieve the results. The SideClip would be fine I think, as the frame is very sturdy to begin with. I've polished out an entire Mr. Pinchy before with red compound and a 3400rpm 6" wheel. Only took an hour and it had those kind of pits and orange peel as well. Your MicroMesh pads as the last stage would give it a mirror-esque finish I think. If I hadn't gifted it to a friend(who fell in love with it for some reason), I'd snap some photos. :ahhh

I've never tried the wheels for drills or dremels for large polish jobs, but I assume the time taken would be considerably longer. But, and I don't immediately recall, several members have used them with success. Just something to look into. I'm not an expert with it, but I do know from my limited experience that hand polishing is arduous at best when the metal surface isn't good to start with.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 13, 2019, 05:47:34 AM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on March 13, 2019, 05:04:44 AM

IMO. The cloth polishing wheels and compound are ideal for heavy polishing. Only downside is that it removes a lot of material to achieve the results. The SideClip would be fine I think, as the frame is very sturdy to begin with. I've polished out an entire Mr. Pinchy before with red compound and a 3400rpm 6" wheel. Only took an hour and it had those kind of pits and orange peel as well. Your MicroMesh pads as the last stage would give it a mirror-esque finish I think. If I hadn't gifted it to a friend(who fell in love with it for some reason), I'd snap some photos. :ahhh

I've never tried the wheels for drills or dremels for large polish jobs, but I assume the time taken would be considerably longer. But, and I don't immediately recall, several members have used them with success. Just something to look into. I'm not an expert with it, but I do know from my limited experience that hand polishing is arduous at best when the metal surface isn't good to start with.

Sadly, a Dremel is all I have  :-[ I do have a (slow) benchtop pillar drill, but again, I think I'd have my work cut out there. There's also the risk of dishing it and getting distorted reflections, which I think would look worse (more obvious) than a bit of minor residual pitting. Besides which, the first time I drop it, or dim wittedly put it in a pocket with something else metallic, it'll pick up a few new blemishes anyway :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: gerleatherberman on March 13, 2019, 05:50:15 AM

I know what you mean. I hesitate to carry my beater tools after I remove scratches. Even knowing I could just remove the new scratches as easily. And also repolishing, knowing it'll be scratched anyway. Multitool paradox! :ahhh :rant: :ahhh

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 13, 2019, 03:26:29 PM

Light and time.

I've never been as adventurous in these areas. For many years, I didn't even own a working wrist watch. Today,  have three watches for the wrist, two for the pocket (three if you count the Voyager Lite from earlier), and a fob watch for the belt. I'll talk a little about these next.

Aside from the lights that were included in the combos shown previously, there's not a lot lurking in the drawer. Of those, the Sunwayman V10R is the most carried. I'm surprised the dimmer switch concept hasn't become more popular. I think it's a perfect way to regulate brightness. A simple on/off switch and a twist ring. The headlamps and paclite come out for camping and such, but the others rarely come out to play these days. It's always nice having a couple of spares in the drawer though.

By far the most carried light of all though, aside from whatever happens to be on my keys at the time, is my rather beaten up Quark AA. I tend to keep this set up up with the two cell tube, but I do have a single cell tube for it too. This light is almost a permanent fixture in my pocket carry for 6 months of the year.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 13, 2019, 03:50:26 PM

None of my watches are expensive. I've always bought a cheapie, use it till it breaks, chuck it, and buy another. If you total up the cost of all the watches that I've bought in my life, it wouldn't buy one luxury watch. For some reason, I'm happier to spend £50 on a knife than a watch.

Here's what I currently have.

A cheapo Sekonda chronograph. The chronograph function often malfunctions, with the hands not zeroing after use, but it holds reasonable time. Despite it's meagre cost, I've had a couple of watch enthusiasts go "oh that's nice, what's that?" when they've caught a casual glance of it, only to be told it costs less than a good night out. :D It's nice and easy to read too, which is a must for my gammy eyesight. I haven't worn it for ages though, and I need a new battery for it. I'll be doing that this month or next. Not a watch I wear often, but nice to have working when I'm in the mood for something a little more dressy than my plastic cased regular wear.

The Casio AO-S800W was cheap, and my first solar watch. Heinnie had it on sale, and it's been a good set it and forget it watch. It's a nice light watch, which doesn't snag of cuffs and pockets, and cheap enough that I won't get upset if I mangle it.

The G-Shock AWG-M100 was something I traded a couple of tools for on here. I'd never pay that much for a semi-digital watch, and have only ever paid that much for one watch in my entire life, but I had a couple of spare tools to weigh in for it. I love it. Looks good, handles my frequent arguements with gravity very well, and maintenance consists of leaving it on the windowsill for a day or two, while I wear something else. That's the level of maintenance I like in a watch :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 13, 2019, 04:06:35 PM

If I'm going to wear a pocket watch, most times it will be the cheapo stainless cased Sekonda quartz. I don't mind giving that a hard time. The dial is nice and clear, and the half hunter case actually functions as a low level magnifier, for when I don't have any other mag glass of fresnel lens on me. I need to take this to get a new battery fitted. I can get the back off, but my eyesight isn't good enough to remove the stem to access the on battery.

The gold Rotary mechanical only comes out on events where I'm in black tie, or otherwise dressed quite formally. This was my most expensive watch ever, and is still pretty cheap. It's not a Swiss mechanism, but doesn't need to be. It needs to be accurate for one day every few years, and handles that just fine :D

The fob watch was cheap, very cheap, and has had some serious abuse. It was the only watch I'd wear (on a belt loop) when I was working in heavy engineering, and was handled with oily hands, bashed around, dropped, and still always gave me the time. I'll be getting a battery for this soon too. For the last couple of years, all I've worn has been has been my plastic fantastics. It's got quite a bit of wear on it now, but I don't mind that at all.

So nothing "exciting" on the watch front, but that's how I like it. While i've never minded paying for a decent pocket knife, when it comes to watches, I stick at the Rough Rider end of the spectrum, but lets be honest, they do some decent pocket knives too.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 13, 2019, 04:18:40 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on March 13, 2019, 05:50:15 AM

I know what you mean. I hesitate to carry my beater tools after I remove scratches. Even knowing I could just remove the new scratches as easily. And also repolishing, knowing it'll be scratched anyway. Multitool paradox! :ahhh :rant: :ahhh

:D

That won't bother me too much. I just want one of the Sideclips to look shinier than a brushed finish, even if it does have some signs of being a working tool. I'll persevere with the 600 grit and micromesh, and see what I end up with  :tu:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: gerleatherberman on March 16, 2019, 04:53:28 AM

 :popcorn:
Looking forward to the results, AW!

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 16, 2019, 05:59:37 AM

You'll be waiting a while  :D

I've got one of the four handle pieces done with 600 grit wet and dry, and I've now got to repeat all that work through each of the 9 sheets of micromesh. Then of course, there's whatever innards I choose to polish up too.

In the meantime, my mind has started drifting again  :P

This thread has been really useful for me, in respect of getting my head around what I have left, what I hope to add (mods), and then how much further I'd like to cut back.

I'm very mindful of the fact that I own a lot of stuff that isn't getting used, and that does irritate me a bit (OK, a lot  ::) ). As an example, just veering away from knives and tools, lets look at pens. I have my favourites, both in terms of regular users, and ones that have some personal history attached to them. I also have a few cheap fountain pens, and a few mechanical pencils. So why the smurf have I got so many single use pens and pencils?

I was sorting through some stuff earlier today, and needed a pen. I didn't have one of my regular ones near me, so I grabbed the tub with all the "everything else" pens in.... and what I was doing before didn't matter anymore. There in the tub was a huge pile of pens and pencils that are just clutter. I know they all work, because it's only a few months ago that I went through them all, and chucked all the dead ones away. But in doing so, I kept items that don't get used.

My head started doing somersaults then. If I keep using my favourites, this tub is just going to sit there, until I next go through it, and chuck out all the pens that have dried up between now and then. The only thing stopping me throwing them out now, it that it would be a waste to throw away pens that work, but it's also a waste to just let them sit there until they dry up. So which is the biggest waste? Using my favourites, and letting these dry up, or putting the favourites aside, so I can use these up?

This is the kind of things my head does :D

Continued...

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 16, 2019, 06:09:03 AM

... and this started me thinking about tools again.

I've got a load of knives I hardly ever (if at all) put into use. The pic attached is most but not all of the slippies that I've got, which never cut anything.

That same question (which is worse, using the favourites, and ignoring the rest, or putting the others to use, and spending less time with the favourites) applies here too. 20 years ago, i'd have been happy with any two or three of these, even though they're not my current favourites. They'd have done all my cutting tasks, and I'd have been happy to own them and put them to use. Now they just take up drawer space - but I don't necessarily want to get rid of them all either...

So the same quandary applies. Do I just stick them back in a drawer for another few years, or do I put my favourites away, and spend a few months with stuff that in some cases has never cut anything it it's life.

I haven't squared that circle yet :)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: tosh on March 16, 2019, 02:40:47 PM

Hey Al

I'm intrigued by your cull.
I've reached a point where I too no longer want to hoard stuff. I'm currently debating the most effective way to down size the collection. The trade forums here obviously, but also considering ebay as much much bigger audience. Just wondered if you've sold many there ? I know that if using ebay I need to not mention the "knife" word also upload no pictures showing the blades either.
Have you (or any other members) had much selling success outside these two areas, i.e Gumtree, Facebook etc etc?

I'm going to really cull my collection - At least 80-90% of the Victorinox will go, Half the LM collection too possibly and a fair chunk of Gerber and SOG.

I've pondered the cull for quite sometime, But the recent sad news of Karl's passing has made me realise my collection would be a massive headache to my family, plus I'm getting sick of the sight of a lot of it.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 16, 2019, 04:17:40 PM

Never sold ANYTHING on ebay, Nick, or the others for that matter. I've always sold here, giving the tools a good home, and going for the safer sale, rather than the higher price.

Ebay for best price, here for "mates rates". Time scale plays a factor too. Drip feed here, or mass purge there. If you're happy to drip feed, offer stuff here, then shift it elsewhere if there's no takers. If there's anything you particularly want top dollar on, you've more chance elsewhere. I always try to chucka bit back into the kitty here too

My motivations were a bit different. I had to raise some cash due to being unable to work, and being a user rather than collector, I started getting claustrophobic being swamped by stuff that wasn't getting use. Not just MTO stuff either. If there's anything I'm unlikely to use in the foreseeable future (2 to 5 years, depending on the item) I want it gone. Ideally, I want to get my entire possessions down so I could comfortably go from a two bedroom house, to one bedroom flat, without feeling congested.

I have a long way to go... :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: tosh on March 16, 2019, 04:37:28 PM

You hit the nail on the head with the word " claustrophobic "  thats exactly the phrase I keep saying to myself. I'm pretty sick of the sight of all the stuff I've accumulated. The vast majority of mine is run of the mill which probably wouldn't sell for much here but would shift quickly on eBay
The rarer stuff I have would appeal much more to members here, but I'm in no rush to sell those as yet. I have around 5 very large plastic storage containers, I reckon I could in theory reduce it down to 1 extra large container - that's not counting Wenger. The Wenger is staying put for a while.
By the end of the year I'm hoping to have built a secure walk in closet in the loft. I'm then hoping to store everything completely out of sight - well that's the plan anyway  :facepalm:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 16, 2019, 05:44:31 PM

Good luck with it all, Nick  :cheers:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 16, 2019, 06:22:38 PM

As mentioned in another thread, I've been trying out yet another combo today...  ::)

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10834.0;attach=425972)

I finally got round to fixing the smurfed up Micra that Leatherman shipped out unfinished. The scissor rivet was made too short I think, which meant it didn't peen up properly. As received, with no use or carry time, I could get 0.25mm (0.010") feeler gauges inbetween the blades at the pivot...

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10834.0;attach=425974)

... and what seemed like about 0.5mm (0.020") side to side play...

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10834.0;attach=425976)

... as new, from the factory, on their 30th anniversary ST300 set. :dwts:

I managed to peen it up to a clearance of 0.04-0.05mm (just under 0.002") using pin punches, so it didn't completely mangle the top face of the rivet, or leave unsightly pop marks. The Micra is a tool, defect aside, which I've always struggled to incorporate into any of my combos with any real satisfaction. Same applies with the Style PS, which is why I decided to try them together.

The problem with that combo, is the only thing that the Style introduces, that the Micra doesn't have is the pliers. It's already got bottle opener, tweezers, scissors (which is good, because the spring on the Style PS scissors has snapped again), nail file, and a very similarly profiled screwdriver. As such, I might need to either replace the Style with something else, or mod it with something the Micra doesn't have.

Work in progress...

The little toothpick knife was dull, my fault, I should have checked first. In trying to hand sharpen it, there was a somewhat disconcerting flex to the blde, which rematerialised while trying to sharpen a pencil with it. Not a fault of the knife, but the overzealous operator. It did however make me wonder if this combo might require a little extra oomph, so I'll be adding some extras to the pockets tomorrow... (pic attached)

If I do piece together a working combo from this lot, I think it will benefit greatly from a pocket pouch.  :whistle:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 24, 2019, 12:53:31 AM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on March 16, 2019, 06:09:03 AM

So the same quandary applies. Do I just stick them back in a drawer for another few years, or do I put my favourites away, and spend a few months with stuff that in some cases has never cut anything it it's life.

I haven't squared that circle yet :)

I decided all the forgotten items need some carry time, even those that have never been used before. What's the point of owning them, if I can't enjoy them, right?

Over the last couple of days, I've been carrying these two knives. One hadn't been carried for over 10 years, and the other had never been carried (by me) at all.

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=68477.0;attach=426753)

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=68477.0;attach=426848)

I've really enjoyed straying beyond the normal carry items, and over the next few weeks, I'll be bringing a lot more dormant items back to the fore. It may well mean I feel swamped again, and get the urge to offload more, but I'd rather have that, than have a pile of stuff cluttering up drawers and not doing anything useful for several more years.

Here's the items that have had some use, but ended up forgotten about in drawers, which will be given another chance to vie for a more active life. Also, the four locally made pieces that have never actually made it to the pocket yet, despite being a few decades old in some cases. I hope to be giving them all some carry time over the next few weeks.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on March 24, 2019, 03:04:28 AM

Good to see you take those tools for a spin.  Who knows, maybe this time round one or a few might make the cut and see some usage  :dunno:.  I like the retry tools that I liked but for whatever reason didn't stick.  My Skeletool is a great example of that.  I feel my Juice S2 and CS4 are tools that both deserved 2nd and 3rd tries.  I'm glad I did as the both see some pocket time so keeping them was worth it. 

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 24, 2019, 04:02:47 AM

I think it's always worth revisiting stuff after a while. I've done it a few times. The Rebar, CS4 and XE6 were no better second time round, but the Sideclip was, and became one of my favourite pocket pliers. Life is also very different now, and the tasks have changed, which affects how well tools will suit my needs. The biggest change is my mindset, and wanting to use stuff that I previously didn't. Owning a NIB penknife from the 80s has become more pointless. I want it in my pocket.

I've lost the reasons to use my 7" stag handled bowie, but I can now use that NIB penknife, which wouldn't have been "enough" knife before. Yes, I could do everything I need to do now with the old favourites, but I can also discover new ones, from stuff that's already here. What was I saving those unused items for? The answer is, I was saving them for now :D There's no great monetary value to them, but there's potentially lots of usage value. I'm also less worried about breakage. I used to have a mindset whereby I would be very upset if a knife crapped out on me. I think now, I'd more easily think "never mind, I've got spares" and just move on to a different knife, happy that I'm outliving the tools, rather than pointlessly hoping they outlive me.

I remember when I got the pocket knife I inherrited from my grandfather. My grandmother was rooting through a tin, looking for something, and it had several of my grandfathers penknives in. Some had broken backsprings or cracked scales, and all of them looked well worn. THAT'S what I want to leave behind. Well worn stuff, not immaculate stuff. In fact, never mind leave behind, that's what I want to use now :D Stuff that I got new, that looks like it's been used daily for many years.

That's part of wanting to downsize too. With too many options, nothing gets enough use to develop that "faithful companion" look. In a strange way, I actually feel a bit disappointed that some of the items I've had for many years don't LOOK like I've had it many years. I do have a few though  ;)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 25, 2019, 08:42:43 AM

When you've got stuff distributed through various kits, or strategically placed around the house, you don't get a true perspective of just how much stuff you've accumulated.

Earlier in the thread, I showed this pic...

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80625.0;attach=422357)

... of a few miscellaneous lights that aren't doing much at the minute. As part of my "use stuff to find out if you want to keep it", I started playing around with lanyards, long lanyards that I can cow hitch to the belt, for all the lights that don't have pocket clips or aren't already fastened to something.

As you might expect, I discovered a few that needed a battery change, which progressed to checking the batteries in everything, which progressed further to getting all my lights together in one pic...

 :o More than I expected to see.

I did have even more, but have sold some, and given some away. None are particularly high powered. There's only one that goes above 200 lumens, and many of them are quite underrated to what's available now, but they're plenty good enough for my needs.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 25, 2019, 06:28:56 PM

Man down  :(

In working through all the lights, I discovered this Nitecore T0 has packed up. Last time I used it, all was well, but now it's kaput. Tried cleaning the threads and contacts, but no joy. Although I'm cutting down overall, I will replace this with something. Everything in the Fuse-ilier kit (which this is from) is orange, so I'll need to pick up a replacement of some description to continue that theme, unless I find a compatible replacement head.

I'm still working through the rest of the pile, so there may be more casualties yet. Failures are to be expected periodically with electronic stuff.

On the upside, I've got my Lumapower D-mini VX back up and running on 18650s. It's not a retina burning powerhouse at only 250/300lm at full tilt, but has excellent run times, particularly at the mid level. I'm not sure what the mid level is, but the high runs for 3 hours, and low is 13lm for 91hrs :rofl:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on March 30, 2019, 05:34:42 PM

Sorted out a few drawers today. While some of my stuff is assigned to fixed kits, the bulk of it is still pick 'n' mix. Grab a pliers tool, grab a knife, and away you go.

Till now, I had all the pliers tools in one drawer, but there's certain tools I'll carry with a Swiss knife, and others I'll carry with a traditional folder. I decided to swap things round, and put the right pliers tools with the right knives. It just minimises the drawers to go through to put a day's toolset together (and makes it seem like I don't have so many pliers tools  :whistle:)

Pic 1 - Swiss knives, relevant pliers tools, and mini-combos

Pic 2 - Traditional (mostly) folders, and relevant pliers tools.

Pic 3 - Neck knives, lock knives, clipped OHO slippies, and a couple of sheath knives.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 03, 2019, 01:48:24 AM

Following on from something that was discussed earlier in this thread, I thought of something which might help lend a little focus on where I go from here in terms of usage, and possibly even further downsizing. It was just a simple question that popped into my head...

In 10 years (or whenever) which tools do I want to look as good as they do today, and which do I want to look like they've been put to hard graft day in, day out?

At the moment, I (still) have so much stuff, even the most carried pocket knives might only see a month of carry a year. So nothing is really getting that "wow, you got some mileage out of that one" look. If I'm going to achieve that on any of my tools, I need to be focussing on using them a lot more.

Duplicates would be a good place to start.

For example, I have two Case Barlows, the herringbone one has had a lot more use than the one with scrolled bolsters (the equivalent of a couple of year's carry on one, and a couple of days on the other), but doesn't see as much carry time as it could. The horn IXL barlow has also probably seen about a year's worth of use, whereas the rosewood one hasn't even seen one day's carry. I'd like my brushed stainless Wenger Traveller to keep looking respectable, but would love the Evowood 14 to develop the "faithful companion" look. I have two Byrd Terns, which don't look much different in terms of condition, and maybe they should.

I have two Sideclips, though one is in pieces getting polished up a little. Maybe the other should show more signs of being used. Both of the sheath knives I made in 2007 have been been mollycoddled far too much, and need to start looking like they've worked for a living (they do have a little wear to them, but not 12 year's worth).

I don't mind using the others occasionally, in fact I'd get bloody annoyed with myself if I didn't, but maybe sticking to certain ones and kicking the snot out of them (knowing I have back ups) would make me feel more like I'm actually more value from these tools. It feels too much like a collection at the moment, instead of an arsenal of working tools. Maybe more battle scars, and evidence of repeated sharpening is what is needed to make me feel better about the glut that still remains ... :think:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 03, 2019, 03:32:15 AM

Ok, I'm going to try to stick to picking from these tools on weekdays, and only let myself carry something different at weekends. Lets see how long it is before I get bored  :rofl:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 03, 2019, 06:48:25 AM

Good read.  I love seeing tools and items that have had years of faithful service.  I particularly enjoy seeing leather thats worn.  I've seen hammers that show exactly where the owner has held it over the years.  Tools that show a respectable working life.  Whats I also enjoy is the thought that someone spent their hard earned money to acquire the tool and used the heck out of it. 

Now that being said, I can also appreciate a well cared for tool.  Once that has been used but shows little evidence of it.  I've always admired tools that look as good as they did when they left the package.  I know its hard to imagine a tool that has worked that shows little wear.  I've seen them and have a few.  They might not have decades on them but several years at the least.  They just were made to take it and come out fine. 

I have go to tools.  Tools that I carry when work needs to be done.  Tools I instinctively reach for when I have a project.  There are other tools that I consider stand by tools.  Great tools and tools I can rely on.  Fact is I just have to many to choose from.  Not every one will get life time of work in as a result.  Kit tools like my evacuation and car kit tools were chosen because I can rely on them.  My hike kit tools are there because if I needed them I know they'd perform.  Camping tools were chosen because they perform best in that role.  Since I don't use any of these tool often enough they wont develop the patina they should.  If I were to use the same fixed blade across several kits then you'd see some serious patina. 

I'm ok with how this will work out.  I try to keep my stand by tools close so they can get a work out.  I try to rotate what I carry or carry multiple items and use them throughout their carry time.  I was off today and worked in they yard all day.  I carried 2 fixed blades.  I used one to dig out a few weeds while the other broke down some boxes and cut jute to tie up plants.  I also carried my Surge and SI.  I tired to make it a point to used each tool.  If I used one cuting tool all day that tool would surely show wear over a shorter period.  I enjoyed using each tool as the task presented itself.  Yes I was way over prepared but I had fun with each tool.   

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 03, 2019, 07:37:28 AM

Quote from: Aloha on April 03, 2019, 06:48:25 AM

I've seen hammers that show exactly where the owner has held it over the years.  Tools that show a respectable working life.  Whats I also enjoy is the thought that someone spent their hard earned money to acquire the tool and used the heck out of it. 

Now that being said, I can also appreciate a well cared for tool.  Once that has been used but shows little evidence of it.  I've always admired tools that look as good as they did when they left the package.  I know its hard to imagine a tool that has worked that shows little wear.

I'm really glad you just said that! :D

Those two points, the well used and well cared for, are why I made the decision regarding the two Wenger Travelers. The stainless one will show less wear externally that the Evowood will (which will hopefully wear like the hammers you mentioned), and so I want to keep the stainless one looking well maintained, while I don't mind the wooden scaled one looking like it been used hard for several years. I totally agree that there's a different type of elegance to both.

I have my hiking, camping, travelling kits too. My Diesel mod and fuse mod look pretty much immaculate compared to a lot of my gear. Even when I carry them, I don't always need to use them. My Wave mod looks like it's been dug out of a plane crash in comparison.

The faux pearl scaled penknife I was using recently, needs to stay as pristine as sensibly possible, which is why I made a little leather slip for it. It won't take wear well. Whereas the four main slippies that I'll be using have all had plenty of carry time already, and will just get better and better as time takes its toll. One of them was actually the only UK legal knife I owned for many years, and I'm impressed how well it still looks :)

Those are the four that I most want looking like I travelled the world with them.

My others will pick up some character along the way, that's inevitable. I have no desire for everything to look "wrecked", in fact the immaculate ones and the heavily used ones, both enhance the aesthetics of the other, to my mind. I'm quite happy to have occasional tools and regular tools, with the corresponding wear patterns. I just don't want to shuffle off this mortal coil looking like I never did anything with my tools, or that I abused everything I ever laid hands on :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 03, 2019, 07:45:36 AM

As an aside, I gave my brother one of my Wenger Travelers (evo 14 I think) a few years ago. He has that one, whilst I have a multitude. His knife has been used responsibly (though not regularly sharpened  ::)) . Mine are all in decent nick, while his looks like it's been kicked from one end of the street to the other - and it's all just good honest wear. I know I've put at least as many miles in my tools as he has, but he put them all in one, whereas I didn't.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 03, 2019, 03:08:21 PM

This is the joy of owning enough tools to rotate thru.  Its also the reality that some tools just wont acquire the patina as your bothers did.  I'm totally fine with that.  My Manager is my longest carried tool.  It and the sheath it rides in are both showing years of use and carry time. 

There was a time when I kept my things meticulous.  A time when I only owned one item at a time, no back ups.  I used my things with what my mom would call a "soft touch".  I cleaned them up and put them away after use.  I didn't feel I was overly fussy then nor do I today.  So when it comes to patina from use over extended periods of time, I say wonderful.  If the tool looks modest in its wear, I also say wonderful. 

I was the same way about shoes.  Kinda still am to a degree.  I have a pair of boots I've had for 20 + years that are in remarkable condition.  These are going out shoes vs work shoes.  Work shoes have come and gone in uncountable numbers.  Kinda my take on tools as well now that I think about it.         

I visited a home of a lady who had lived there since the 60's.  She upgraded her appliances in the 80s.  Most everything else including her furniture were from the 60s and 70s.  Everything was in such amazing condition that I initially thought they were reproductions.  She said when she bought items she bought the best she could afford at the time and took extra care to ensure it could last a lifetime even with regular use.  Now upon closer inspection you could see the wear on her furniture.  Some wear marks on smaller appliances.  Even her car was in wonderful looking condition, she had a 70s Cadillac.   

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 03, 2019, 04:04:29 PM

Quote from: Aloha on April 03, 2019, 03:08:21 PM

I was the same way about shoes.  Kinda still am to a degree.  I have a pair of boots I've had for 20 + years that are in remarkable condition.  These are going out shoes vs work shoes.  Work shoes have come and gone in uncountable numbers.  Kinda my take on tools as well now that I think about it.         

Excellent analogy!  :tu: except for the fact I don't have 50+ pairs of shoes, like I do pocket knives  :rofl:

 :P

You're quite right of course. My dedicated tools are the same. Some are in excellent condition, and others are beaten up and have been replaced several times, depending how often I've needed to use them, and in what environment.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 03, 2019, 05:33:40 PM

I don't have anywhere near that many shoes either which is also why I kept those boots in such great shape.  I also like to buy shoes that I can replace the soles which extends the life of a good quality shoe.   

I really like that lower hammer.  Love how I can see where you held it.  You're making quite the progress with this cull.  I like the thought process with each of your posts.  I may not have said it but I enjoy these threads.  I enjoy all the thought individuals go thru when deciding what to carry/own/keep/buy.  Its one thing to decide on what tool makes sense but a whole other dimension when deciding carry/role/compliment to other tools/etc.   

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 07, 2019, 11:01:26 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on March 16, 2019, 06:22:38 PM

As mentioned in another thread, I've been trying out yet another combo today...  ::)

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10834.0;attach=425972)

I finally got round to fixing the smurfed up Micra that Leatherman shipped out unfinished. The scissor rivet was made too short I think, which meant it didn't peen up properly. As received, with no use or carry time, I could get 0.25mm (0.010") feeler gauges inbetween the blades at the pivot...

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10834.0;attach=425974)

... and what seemed like about 0.5mm (0.020") side to side play...

(https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10834.0;attach=425976)

... as new, from the factory, on their 30th anniversary ST300 set. :dwts:

I managed to peen it up to a clearance of 0.04-0.05mm (just under 0.002") using pin punches, so it didn't completely mangle the top face of the rivet, or leave unsightly pop marks. The Micra is a tool, defect aside, which I've always struggled to incorporate into any of my combos with any real satisfaction. Same applies with the Style PS, which is why I decided to try them together.

The problem with that combo, is the only thing that the Style introduces, that the Micra doesn't have is the pliers. It's already got bottle opener, tweezers, scissors (which is good, because the spring on the Style PS scissors has snapped again), nail file, and a very similarly profiled screwdriver. As such, I might need to either replace the Style with something else, or mod it with something the Micra doesn't have.

Work in progress...

The little toothpick knife was dull, my fault, I should have checked first. In trying to hand sharpen it, there was a somewhat disconcerting flex to the blde, which rematerialised while trying to sharpen a pencil with it. Not a fault of the knife, but the overzealous operator. It did however make me wonder if this combo might require a little extra oomph, so I'll be adding some extras to the pockets tomorrow... (pic attached)

If I do piece together a working combo from this lot, I think it will benefit greatly from a pocket pouch.  :whistle:

This combo evolved.

I carried it a couple of times, to try to find the weak spots and correct them. Pairing the Style PS with the Micra wasn't a strong combo. The only thing the style added was pliers, and the rest of the tool was redundant. Removing the Style PS, and replacing it with a Dime made more sense. The Dime at least added package opener, and a more sturdy flat blade driver. I also swapped the pen for the smaller Inka, and added the mini Clipper, Shard, and True Utility Twistick. (pic 1)

The only thing left to do, is create a way to carry it. I did originally think about a mini tool roll, but thought that might be too bulky, and a bifold wallet with four tool slots per side, might be a very pocketable solution. Chris (hiraethus) gave me some industrial material (slideway cover offcut, I believe) at last year's meet, and I've been looking for a good project for it ever since. This seemed like the ideal project.

I did start it, but that stuff is a real swine to work with. I underestimated how inflexible it is, plus I gnarled up the stitching on the very first row.  (pic 2)
:facepalm:

I need to rethink this a little, to factor in the rigidity. I'm now thinking that an inner pocket beneath the tools, would give me somewhere to put a fresnel lens, and maybe a bit of notepaper, plus, give me something to stitch elastic retention loops to, without the stitching showing on the outside when closed. However, I still want some way of covering the ends of the tools, so they're neither visible, nor be able to escape, when the wallet is closed, so you do have to open the wallet right up to access what's inside. I've not figured out exactly how to make that work, and not make it difficult to get things back in the elastic loops.

Hopefully, I can get not much wider or longer than my small bifold wallet (pic3). It will be much thicker, but should still be reasonable to carry in a jacket pocket, or drop into the pocket of an overnight bag.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 07, 2019, 11:42:57 PM

Quote from: Aloha on April 03, 2019, 05:33:40 PM

I don't have anywhere near that many shoes either which is also why I kept those boots in such great shape.  I also like to buy shoes that I can replace the soles which extends the life of a good quality shoe.   

I really like that lower hammer.  Love how I can see where you held it.  You're making quite the progress with this cull.  I like the thought process with each of your posts.  I may not have said it but I enjoy these threads.  I enjoy all the thought individuals go thru when deciding what to carry/own/keep/buy.  Its one thing to decide on what tool makes sense but a whole other dimension when deciding carry/role/compliment to other tools/etc.

Absolutely, combos are key to me.

I've mentioned before that the current knife laws over here, let you carry whatever you NEED, even if they don't let you carry everything you want. I've been in a public place, even stood outside a courthouse in a town centre,with a 4" sheath knife on my belt, and was perfectly entitled to. If you do happen to be questioned, all you need to do is satisfy the four THATs.

Does THAT person, have lawful reason, or permission where applicable, to carry THAT tool, in THAT place, and at THAT time? This is where the 3" non-locking folder "rule" comes in, because it expressly gives you legal clearance to carry that anywhere that knives aren't expressly prohibited, instantly satisfying the four THATs. I legally stood outside a courthouse with a 4" fixed blade on my belt, because I was penning boats through the lock directly outside the main entrance. THAT person, tool, place and time, all ticked off nicely as essential safety equipment for rope work in a marine activity with rising/falling water levels and strong currents.

However, I take that same mentality when building a combo. Where will it be used and when? Who will be around me? If I need tools which might give folks the wrong impression for part of that event, will I need a people friendly option for the rest of the duration? This is why I carry a Swiss knife with Phillips if I carry the Spirit. If that "invisible" people friendly knife can't do the job, then I'm validated in getting the Spirit out. I may still be asked why I was carrying it in the first place, but if I am carrying it, I'll have that answer ready  ;)

So when putting a combo together, I choose what I think is the minimum I need to do the toughest foreseen task, plus what I can carry with it that will suffice when I have lesser tasks. If I'll be preparing food at somepoint, I might have a fixed blade, but will have an "invisible" folder (Swiss knife or trad) for when I don't need it. Also, what is the most convenient and appropriate way of carrying all the capabilities. I don't need saw on both knife and pliers, so do I carry a Wave or MP600 with a slim Swiss knife, or carry a Sideclip with a Ranger or CT41. The pre-established combos I have, have all had those questions answered and thoroughly tested. With the pick'n'mix combos, it's a process I have to think through (and enjoy doing it).

I enjoy the process of balancing one tool's strengths and weakness against another, so all the "what if"s are catered for in the most streamlined, situation appropriate and ergonomic way. Colour coordination is a bonus :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 08, 2019, 01:05:52 AM

The Style PS which fit so badly in the previous combo, works brilliantly in this one. The knife's combo tool handles more stubborn screws than the Style's nail file tip can, and the Slim Clips make up for the defective scissors (I will replace those with something functional eventually). The essentials are all there, with only the bottle opener being duplicated - but that happens with most combos anyway.

I have way too many mini combos now though  :facepalm: but mini combos are useful gifts, so no major crisis there.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 08, 2019, 01:44:15 AM

While there is increasing clarity of what works, and what doesn't, there are still a few loose ends. What I tend to refer to as "odd socks". Items that just don't seem to pair well with anything.

One example of this, is the SanRenMu H02.

Not exactly tactical looking, but still a little pokey. A one hand opening "gentleman's" folder, that I would typically ignore, and reach for a traditional folder instead. All three cost me less than a tenner combined, so they're not worth selling - the postage would cost more than they're worth. If I need one hand opening, I'd usually want a pocket clip too, but I could attach a lanyard or dangler clip.

They've hung around here mainly as sacrificial knives. If I was to go somewhere where I don't know if a knife would prevent me gaining access or not, I would rather have one of these confiscated than anything else I own. Obviously, if I know I'm going to a knife free zone, I'll empty the pockets before I leave, but you don't always know in advance what a venue will greet you with. There was a thread very recently where someone (in the US I believe) had to hand over something sharp to go in to watch a show at a theatre or something, and hadn't gone by car, so couldn't leave it somewhere close and collect it later. Bye bye pocket knife.  :-\

It's nice to have something kicking around for times like that, when you can't be 100% certain that your possessions will make it back home with you. It's like the pocket tool equivalent of a "muggers wallet" :D

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 12, 2019, 01:05:07 AM

I've been doing another bizarre little exercise over the last few days, working out how many combos I would use a given tool in. Not how many I could, that would be obscenely high numbers, but what I would realistically pair up on the grounds of compatibility of toolset and aesthetics. This really opened my eyes as to how much stuff I still have.

For example, I would pair my rather dressy scrolled bolsters Case Barlow, with different tools to my rather pocket worn herringbone Case Barlow. I also wouldn't pair a BO modded knifeless Diesel with a faux pearl old two blade penknife. If I'm carrying the Diesel, I'll probably need more knife than that.

,A good example of compatibility, would be my knifeless Wave mod with either a Byrd Tern, UKPK, Terzuola Slipit, or Byrd Wings Slipit. I would be quite likely to carry a Swiss knife with them too for when around non-knife people, specifically a Soft Touch 14 or Swissbuck Sidekick. Four OHO slippies and two Swissies gives eight potential combos that I'd use with the Wave mod. In comparison, there was over 100 viable combos with the knifeless MP400  :ahhh That's any one of 9 traditional slippies (out of 20+) or 6 Swiss knives (out of 18), with or without any one of six modern OHO slippies as a quick grab knife when not around "the public".

I could easily carry a different combo every day for a year, and not come close to exhausting all my potential combos.  :ahhh :ahhh Holy smurf! And there I was thinking of sticking to the pick'n'mix combos for a week at a time, to spend more time with them, and also considering bringing the Diesel into the current carry options, as it's not getting much use.

:facepalm:

It would take me two years just to carry the viable combos for the MP400...

So today's lesson was "Don't count the combos, Al"  :twak:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 12, 2019, 02:26:08 AM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on March 25, 2019, 06:28:56 PM

On the upside, I've got my Lumapower D-mini VX back up and running on 18650s. It's not a retina burning powerhouse at only 250/300lm at full tilt, but has excellent run times, particularly at the mid level. I'm not sure what the mid level is, but the high runs for 3 hours, and low is 13lm for 91hrs :rofl:

I was wrong!

The info above, was what I gleaned from the net, because I couldn't remember the specs, but this isn't the D-mini VX, it's the D-mini VX Ultra, an overclocked version, that kicks out 550 lumens. I knew it wasn't considered wise to run this on high for long with one of the cells, but it turns out that's with RCR123s, and it performs better on the 18650s.

I don't have much call for a pocketable floodlight these days, but it used to be the light I reached for if I got called out at silly o'clock in the morning because the alarms were going off at work. Very good for illuminating a 20,000sq ft workshop. Much more use to me on the lower settings these days though.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 12, 2019, 03:53:47 PM

Been a busy with work now that our rain has gone.  Sure was a nice winter rainy season for us in SoCal.  Anywho, I like the thinking behind your combos.  I like having several combos to choose from and in the past I tended to have a few of exactly the same set up which now makes no sense  :think:.  Having a strong set of smaller tools or combos which may include a larger tool for different outings makes a lot more sense.  I got lulled into thinking if my Manager and Squirt were a strong combo then I wanted 3 of said combos. 

It didn't take long to figure to that while one combo was strong in a scenario I may like another strong combo for something else.  I also try to decide as you how I would carry the items.   I am still working out what makes the most sense for me.  What I've done is not carry everything as a unit.  I've paired certain items into a pocket sheath while other items get place into certain pockets. 

An example is my pocket sheath for my Salesman and Squirt.  Both fit nicely together separated by a stitch.  I usually place this into my rear right pocket.   I'll then carry my pen in my shirt pocket.  I tried to figure out a way to carry it in the sheath but sitting on the pen was not comfortable.  Light, I also tried to find a way to carry the light in the sheath but I like to have quicker access so into my coin pocket it goes. 

Playing with how to carry my items is actually kinda fun for me  :dunno:.  I just redid how I carry my work MT and SAK.  I like to run with a new carry for a week unless it just doesn't work out immediately. 

I tried to carry some items in an Altoid tin but its just not for me.  Parceling out items into pockets, sheath, keychain, etc is my method for carrying a few strong combos.       

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 12, 2019, 05:48:13 PM

In "like for like" duplicates, I only have a select few. Byrd Tern, Spirit X(with an RT in reserve), Gerber Dime, Nitecore Tube, and Leatherman Sideclip. I do however have several tools which can take the place of others, even though they may not be identical. For example the Diesel mod and MP600 mod would be interchangeable, as would many of the slippies and indeed fixed blades. I also have several variations of the Wenger Traveler.

How to carry them tends to be further down the priorities for me, than what, where, and why. Formal wear drops in a jacket or waistcoat pocket. When travelling, I can drop stuff in a bag. I don't have to make decisions on work carry any more. If it's just a knife, pliers and light, they can be pocketed, or one moved to the belt (these days I can, anyway. It wasn't an option for me before). If there's lots of components, such as the Micra and friends, or there's a lot of peripheral accessories such as bit kits, or other relevant tools such as with the outdoors gear, then more thought and special pouches might be required.

The neck lanyard is a great combo which has its own carry method. The keys tend to be a stand alone kit too. Both of which may be considered as a base layer, and allow me to just carry a traditional slippie for the day. I think the Micra/Dime kit will be a good travel set, when I don't expect to need anything heavier, which means I don't have to be too worried how pocketable the wallet is, as it will likely go in the pocket of a bag or coat. I've still not finalised the design elements for that though.

I like to stick with things for a while too. All this week, it's been a Sideclip and Evowood 14. A great combo which I know will handle most days, yet still be changeable by swapping for one of the other Wenger Travelers, or my knifeless Octane. I'll probably swap to something else for the weekend though :)

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 12, 2019, 06:00:07 PM

Carry options are a good thing.   While we have surplus its nice to try something just because, at least for me.  I was getting rid of anything that I didn't immediatly bond with or didn't find a paring with.  I now give a tool a fair shot and if it doesn't make sense after then I put it away.  I'll get rid of it down the road but I do like to rethink the tool before I send it on its way. 

I've gotten rid of a few tools that I do regret.  Nothing major but buying them back is not in my forecast.  I have a few combos that are easy to go for.  Not set ups I have to think much about.  My Manager/Fenix LD02/LM#4Photon X live on my keys.  Any tools I want to add are compliments to those.  When I am not driving or need my house keys is when I have other combos. 

An errand day like later today will get another combo specific to the errands.  Today is a pick up materials then PO then Bank then off to the grocery store.  I'll bring my Skeletool today in addition to a larger SAK ( Explorer ).     

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 12, 2019, 06:55:27 PM

Quote from: Aloha on April 12, 2019, 06:00:07 PM

Carry options are a good thing.   While we have surplus its nice to try something just because, at least for me.  I was getting rid of anything that I didn't immediatly bond with or didn't find a paring with.  I now give a tool a fair shot and if it doesn't make sense after then I put it away.  I'll get rid of it down the road but I do like to rethink the tool before I send it on its way. 

I've gotten rid of a few tools that I do regret.  Nothing major but buying them back is not in my forecast.  I have a few combos that are easy to go for.  Not set ups I have to think much about.  My Manager/Fenix LD02/LM#4Photon X live on my keys.  Any tools I want to add are compliments to those.  When I am not driving or need my house keys is when I have other combos. 

An errand day like later today will get another combo specific to the errands.  Today is a pick up materials then PO then Bank then off to the grocery store.  I'll bring my Skeletool today in addition to a larger SAK ( Explorer ).     

 :tu:

I've gone back and repurchased a few things I parted with, only to remember why I got rid first time.  ::) Rebar, CS4, XE6, and Wenger PocketGrip were no better second time around. The only time it did work is the Sideclip.

These days, I spend a good while trying things, and only part with stuff I know with a fair amount of certainty that I'll not miss. That gets harder when you get down to ones that you've had good service from. Almost everything I now own, is stuff that tried and tested, and I know I can rely on. I still can't shake the feeling of having too much though, even though I've been looking at a couple of slippies recently :dwts:

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 12, 2019, 07:13:10 PM

I think getting a trying new things might just be part of this whole "experiment". 

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 12, 2019, 07:38:12 PM

I'm not getting any new stuff to try. I have too many options already :D

I do find myself being drawn back to where I started though, with little simple slippies. I've always liked the canoe pattern, but haven't had one for years. I hope to put that right soon. I'm also tempted for another penknife. Just the simple two bladed affair. They won't significantly change my combos, but give me a sense of the array being complete. At the moment, it kind of feels like I don't have a tie for every shirt, if that makes sense.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 12, 2019, 11:27:52 PM

Totally make sense to gravitate back. 

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 12, 2019, 11:40:45 PM

I can't bring myself to pay Case prices for a canoe, so I'm going to have a go at making one to start with. You might just be able to make out the hole centres and part of the outline on this sheet of brass.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: Aloha on April 12, 2019, 11:44:01 PM

 :popcorn: oooh this is interesting.  I always like a good project regardless the outcome ( successful is always nice ).  I had to back away from the Traditional side of the forum as I can see spending money to try patters.  I am fond of the Moose.  I've got a trapper that I also quite like.  Its nothing fancy but I like it.  I think 2 blades is what I tend to like in a traditional folder which is odd cause I can do without the small blade on my SAK  :dunno:. 

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 13, 2019, 12:01:39 AM

This is probably easier to picture. The black lines are the profile of a 93mm alox, the red lines the modified profile of the canoe. That's just a rough representation, and it may end up quite different as I start fiddling around with it. I'll be sticking with the blades from a Pioneer Pruner to keep it simple.

Title: Re: Cull Update
Post by: AimlessWanderer on April 13, 2019, 12:05:51 AM

Quote from: Aloha on April 12, 2019, 11:44:01 PM

:popcorn: oooh this is interesting.  I always like a good project regardless the outcome ( successful is always nice ).  I had to back away from the Traditional side of the forum as I can see spending money to try patters.  I am fond of the Moose.  I've got a trapper that I also quite like.  Its nothing fancy but I like it.  I think 2 blades is what I tend to like in a traditional folder which is odd cause I can do without the small blade on my SAK  :dunno:.

I like two blades as well, but prefer them to be different. Barlows are probably my #1 pattern, though I do like simple penknives too - even if the blades are similar. Canoe, Scout knives, and single blade knives would round off my top 5 patterns.

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