Tried and True or Latest and Greatest?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'll admit that I like new toys.  Who doesn't?   

But when it comes to things I am going to carry and use, I tend to stick to the things I know best- my Victorinox Compact is perhaps the best example of this.  I've been carrying one for years, and I still believe it's the best bang for the buck knife out there.

If I'm going out to spend time in the woods I also grab my old faithful Grohmann knife, or if I go kayaking it's usually a Benchmade River Knife or the CRKT Neckolas.  I am a creature of habit, and unless I am specifically testing something new, I will always gravitate to the ones I know.

With flashlights I am kind of the same- while I have been enjoying my OLight OClip lately, I have also been fondly remembering my Gerber Infinity Ultra.  It may not have been as bright, it may not have had multiple functions, but it felt good in the hand, was nigh on indestructible and was carried (and used) an awful lot over the years.

What do you all prefer?  the Tried and True reliable tools or the excitement of the Latest and Greatest tools?

Def

[powernoodle]

Either really.  I have a massive pile of toys, and pick what seems to maximize my happiness every day.  As of late, I have been rocking a Victorinox Spartan for the Spartan Challenge, and a Wave Alpha because it is new.  Plus a Midnite Mini Champ or similar 58mm.

I still love Leatherman's older offerings like the ST300, and older EDC lights like a Streamlight Junior or Stylus Pro.

All things considered, I trend toward tried and true, but throw new stuff into the mix when something fun pops up on the horizon.   

[Farmer X]

Latest and greatest can be great for a collection, especially if such things have a short production run because they weren't so great after all. The knives and multis that I classify as users are of the tried-and-true variety. That's why I like good ol' carbon steel for a fixed blade. It has been in use probably from the very day all those hundreds of years ago that someone figured out how to make steel, because it just works.

[enki_ck]

I stopped the hunt for the next best tool years ago, after I realized just that, that I try the new tool, explore its capabilities, and then grab my usual suspect.

For years now it has been a Vic 91mm Ranger and a Lumintop Tool AA with a Li-ion battery. A true EDC in the literal meaning of the name. A few months ago I switched to a lighter carry with the Vic Compact/Loomintop Tool AAA, but when i go to the hills, i switch back to the original combo, with the Vompact going on a breakaway lanyard around my neck.

[nate j]

I do enjoy getting, playing with, and carrying new toys.

If going camping or otherwise on a trip, though, I’ll take the Tried & True.

[SteveC]

Tried and True for me 

[madfishcat]

I do enjoy getting, playing with, and carrying new toys.

If going camping or otherwise on a trip, though, I’ll take the Tried & True.

[Jack the Zipper]

Tried and true. Never getting the LM Alpha or Vic's new abominations. Or the Arkfeld (sp?) or other unwieldy, feature-laden, expensive modern humbug.  Or an EV. Or a smart tv. Or streaming services.

[Vidar]

I'll happily try new stuff near home or the workshop, and get to know it better there. If something doesn't work out other alternatives are nearby so little to no risk. And I've found some nice gear that way which eventually became tried and true.

If going away I prefer taking gear I know will work. Or, if I know they actually wont, then trying something that just might work is worth a try.

[dks]

If people stop buying new stuff the forum will fade away,

[Richard Zheng]

I basically just switch between 3 tools, my Swisstool Spirit, the Leatherman ARC, and the Roxon Flex

I would describe the spirit as the "classic"

The Arc would be the "modern"

And the Flex is "space age"

All 3 approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, it really depends on what traits you hold dear to you.

I can take my roxon flex on a plane, I can open up my arc with one hand, and the swisstool spirit is just a work of art in my pocket

[Farmer X]

Never getting the LM Alpha or Vic's new abominations. Or the Arkfeld (sp?) or other unwieldy, feature-laden, expensive modern humbug.  Or an EV. Or a smart tv. Or streaming services.

I might try a Wave Alpha if I find a secondhand one cheap enough. It's unlikely that I'll buy another SAK that's under 111mm. I won't have a TV in my house, and I am of the opinion that streaming services are a waste of money. Don't get me started on EVs...

If people stop buying new stuff the forum will fade away,

I'm not sure about that. Sure, some users might go away if new stuff is no longer released. But I think there will always be a healthy interest in vintage tools, restoration, and modification.

[ThundahBeagle]

"Prove it!"

Words I live by.  So its Tried and True for me.  As for the new stuff, it has to really be a feature or features I've been really wanting.  Otherwise I'm happy to keep on keeping on with my trusty (x).  Although, I then monitor the new, to see how others like it, and if it seems to do well enough, I hope a friend has it so I can get some hands on time.  And if I think it is worthwhile, pick one up.  Usually second hand.

So, really everything is tried and true with a vetting process and time.

[Farmer X]

Everything is tried and true with a vetting process and time.

Very true. I can imagine the conversations that were had when steel was unproven. "What makes this 'steel' so much better than flintknapping? We've been using that method for thousands of years!" (Not that there's anything wrong with flintknapping, but I'm given to understand that it takes a lot of time and effort to acquire that skill.)

[pfrsantos]

Either really.  I have a massive pile of toys, and pick what seems to maximize my happiness every day.  As of late, I have been rocking a Victorinox Spartan for the Spartan Challenge, and a Wave Alpha because it is new.  Plus a Midnite Mini Champ or similar 58mm.

I still love Leatherman's older offerings like the ST300, and older EDC lights like a Streamlight Junior or Stylus Pro.

All things considered, I trend toward tried and true, but throw new stuff into the mix when something fun pops up on the horizon.   

T&T is a sure thing but, once in a while, something comes along that you just have to get.