New EDC combo, what do you think?

[DoughDTD]

I think I've found a really nice EDC combo for me, and I was wondering what you guys think of it.  I throw the Swisstool Spirit in the "plus" spirit pouch, with the 2 piece leatherman bit set and bit extender, and put that on my belt.  Then I pocket carry the regular Skeletool.  The Spirit has almost everything I ever need, the Skeletool adds a plain edge blade (I love the shape of that blade too), bit-driving capabilities, and an extra set of pliers when you need to turn a nut while holding the bolt.  It seems to be working really well for me.  I pretty much change my mind about what my "Favorite" EDC combo is regularly, but this one seems to be the best fit for me.  The only thing I find I'm missing is the toothpick/tweezers/pin/pen/eyeglass screwdriver of a VIC Plus knife.  I really could use a nice custom made Vic with plus scales to accompany this.

Large blade/combo tool layer
Magnifier/Light tool layer (I dont even know if this is possible, I know they do a light/philips layer)
Corkscrew on the back with mini screwdriver
Plus scales with all the inserts.


THEN I would have the perfect EDC combo for me haha.

-Dough

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Sounds a good combo mate

Maybe you should replace the Skeletool with an OHT for even more utility though

[eodtech]

I made my SwissTool ( model "S" - which has a plain edge blade vs a pair of scissors ) which also has the pocket clip mod  into a PLUS  model by adding the tool kit, and find it's just what I to EDC.

SwissTool Spirit 'S'

[DoughDTD]

I have the S model as well, and I like that alot too.  I also have the ratchet and bit set, which is really handy to carry.  I really do like having a one hand opening blade though, so the Skeletool is nice (plus it gives you an extra set of pliers which can come in handy).  Other than that I have some nice blades I carry with me for EDC, including my new Gerber Fast Draw (not "nice" blade steel, but its a helluva knife for a reasonable price).  Still waiting to get my hands on a 550 or 551 Benchmade griptillian. 

[Leatherman123]

That sounds like a nice combo.. Mike, how could the OHT give you more utility? The Skeletool has pliers, so you could hold a nut and drive in screws with the Spirit.. I'd say the Skeletool gives more utility..
 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That sounds like a nice combo.. Mike, how could the OHT give you more utility? The Skeletool has pliers, so you could hold a nut and drive in screws with the Spirit.. I'd say the Skeletool gives more utility..
 

Yeah but the pliers on a Skeletool are pretty naff if you ask me, so why bother carrying a tool with them

At least with the OHT you get a nice long saw and a selection of drivers, not a stupid pointless bit driver that can't screw anything anyway because it's either too wide or too short to be useful

[Leatherman123]

Well, maybe if the Spirit's drivers weren't so rounded and slippery he wouldn't need to carry another tool.. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well, maybe if the Spirit's drivers weren't so rounded and slippery he wouldn't need to carry another tool.. 

People always say that, but I've never had a problem

Maybe I'm just more used to Vic stuff

[Leatherman123]

It's possible... With no word of a lie, you don't think the Spirit's driver is slippery? 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It's possible... With no word of a lie, you don't think the Spirit's driver is slippery? 

No more than any other Swiss product no

Certainly I've had no problems or I wouldn't be the Swiss Exarch

[Benner]

It's possible... With no word of a lie, you don't think the Spirit's driver is slippery? 

No more than any other Swiss product no

LOL 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It's possible... With no word of a lie, you don't think the Spirit's driver is slippery? 

No more than any other Swiss product no

LOL 

That could be interpreted as an own goal I suppose

But I really never have had a problem with them

[eodtech]

.  Still waiting to get my hands on a 550 or 551 Benchmade griptillian. 

According to UPS my  Benchmade  550 will be here on the 29th ...

[Mr. Whippy]

Nice combo.  I use that combination too, when I carry more than one tool.  I have to agree, the bit sets for Leatherman are more useful than the SAK bits.  The Torx and larger Allens in the LM set are awesome. 

The Vic Spirit pliers are better in most circumstances, but generally the Skeletool pliers will suffice.

Anyone know if the Vic ratchet head will work with NOS bit sets?  I haven't tried them yet, but my understanding is they're non-standard size.

[DoughDTD]

That sounds like a nice combo.. Mike, how could the OHT give you more utility? The Skeletool has pliers, so you could hold a nut and drive in screws with the Spirit.. I'd say the Skeletool gives more utility..
 

Yeah but the pliers on a Skeletool are pretty naff if you ask me, so why bother carrying a tool with them

At least with the OHT you get a nice long saw and a selection of drivers, not a stupid pointless bit driver that can't screw anything anyway because it's either too wide or too short to be useful

Plus one to Nikko's comment.

I wouldnt need the drivers or saw on the OHT cause I have the spirit.  The spirit pliers would also be my main pliers, and the skeletools (while small-ish) are still great when you need an extra set of pliers, such as turning a bolt and a nut.  The bit driver is a bit wide with the handle, but thats why I include the bit extension to slimline the operation.

-Dough

[DaveK]

Yeah but the pliers on a Skeletool are pretty naff if you ask me, so why bother carrying a tool with them

At least with the OHT you get a nice long saw and a selection of drivers, not a stupid pointless bit driver that can't screw anything anyway because it's either too wide or too short to be useful

This is a comment that could only be made by someone who hasn't actually tried Vic drivers on something a bit more challenging than fitting a plug!

The Vic drivers are pretty well useless for anything other than incredibly light work, and I have really given them a chance. Any attempt to use a Vic driver that involves any serious amount of pressure, is quite likely to hurt!

I also can't see why the Skeletool's pliers are naff? I find them perfectly strong and functional, and I actually own one and use it occasionally!

[Leatherman123]

Yeah, I think that was a biased statement on Mikes part..

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yeah but the pliers on a Skeletool are pretty naff if you ask me, so why bother carrying a tool with them

At least with the OHT you get a nice long saw and a selection of drivers, not a stupid pointless bit driver that can't screw anything anyway because it's either too wide or too short to be useful

This is a comment that could only be made by someone who hasn't actually tried Vic drivers on something a bit more challenging than fitting a plug!

The Vic drivers are pretty well useless for anything other than incredibly light work, and I have really given them a chance. Any attempt to use a Vic driver that involves any serious amount of pressure, is quite likely to hurt!

I also can't see why the Skeletool's pliers are naff? I find them perfectly strong and functional, and I actually own one and use it occasionally!

Actually in my last job I did a complete store refit with nothing but a Spirit, and with all those shelves and cupboards I had no problems

[DaveK]

Are those shelves still up?

[Dunc]

Saturday I put a new computer table together and used a Vic Swisstool and a LM Supertool . There were lots of phillips and both tools got a good work out .I found the Swisstool more comfortable to hold and because it was a little wider with sharper corners it didn't slip when your hands got hot like the Supertool did despite its more polished finnish . But I have to say the Supertool did grip the screws far better .

Dunc

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Are those shelves still up?

I've left so it's not my problem

But yes there still up

[Poncho65]

Sounds like a good combo to me

But I don't have either so I just have to take your word for it But i do have a Skeley on the way )

The Spirit is also on the list to get sometime or another

[DoughDTD]

The Spirit is also on the list to get sometime or another

You should get the spirit sooner rather than later.  It really is all that it is cracked up to be, and more.  I've handled and used many-a-tool, including many multitools, and it is a fantastic piece of equipment.

-Dough

[degg]

Nobody answered this:

Anyone know if the Vic ratchet head will work with NOS bit sets?  I haven't tried them yet, but my understanding is they're non-standard size.

I don't know what a NOS bit is, but the Spirit ratchet uses standard 1/4" hex screwdriver bits. It is really great, and works very well, except that phillips bits tend to push through the ratchet unless the ratchet extender is used.

Spirit ratchet + extender + PH2 bit is also the solution to the polished Spirit driver problem.

[BIG-TARGET]

.  Still waiting to get my hands on a 550 or 551 Benchmade griptillian. 

(Image removed from quote.)

According to UPS my  Benchmade  550 will be here on the 29th ...

Spyderco Endura would make a great substitute

[Styerman]

Sounds like a good combo. I use an old skool three position Leatherman tool adaptor , it's  tuff as a pigs nose an uses regular 1/4" hex bits.  Works great with the Spirit or Swisstool , not to mention Leathermans of all types.

Chris