Why do we do it?

hawkchucker · **on:** January 12, 2009, 12:24:38 AM

A co- worker came over this morning to pick me up for plowing, and I had to pick a multi to go. Well when I opened the tool box he had to ask. Why do you do this? you have way to many tools there. And ya know what I was actually at a loss for words. I dont think I do it to have the latest or greatest. I dont think I do it because of a need to have more. and I know I am obsessed but that brings me back to the original question.

Why do we do this? I know we are known in our circles as the tool guy, and people will allways borrow them, but why do we do this. You really got to admit it is not rational about how we collect. We buy new tools and carry them for two weeks and mostly go back to the original one we bought. I still carry my original old old wave and my pst, and have just started to really carry the Power Assist full time. But I know the Powerassist is a great tool, but I am also sure that 1 month from now the original wave will be back on the belt.

So I beg of you, Why do we do this?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2009, 12:44:13 AM

Because there is a dark void in each of our lives that can't be filled by meaningless things like wives, kids or jobs. Fortunately some idiot put together a website for those of us that have no lives, added a simple premise that any of us could get on board with and pretend we are cool. Now, thanks to that idiot and the Internet in general, we can all be those studs we thought we were in high school...

But only as long as you keep buying multitools to maintain the illusion!

Def

Anthony · **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:19:46 AM

I don't know really...I like to be prepared. You'd think a lot more folks would also like to be prepared for even minor "jobs", but the sharpest thing most guys carry is their car keys

I also like gadgets, and there's a high gadget factor with multitools (especially these days...there are tons of options!)

RaptorMan · **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:27:35 AM

Because Multi Tools are like potato chips you cant have just one

NeitherExtreme · **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:32:41 AM

Men like tools.

This also relates to a theory of mine... I think everyone knows an embarrassingly huge amount of knowledge about something pointless, or has an embarrassingly huge collection of something pointless. The trick is, if there are enough other people who know about or collect the same kinds of things, you feel less embarrassed about it. Case in point- sports trivia.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:54:17 AM

I think it has to do with appreciating ingenuity. MT's and SAK's are like simplified clockwork. It is a marvel how they unfold to show different functionality and yet neatly fold back for easy transport. Each MT and SAK shows off a different permutation of function and folding.

The precision and cleverness of the mechanism is as important as the function.

Each tool owned registers a vote for the cleverness of the inventor.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:55:44 AM

Enter the internet, where even the silliest interests have a large user base!

Toothbrush Museum

Outhouse Museum (driven by this one)

Snot Collectors Thrilled as Scarlett Johansson's Boogs Hit Market

I also once jokingly typed in "rectal thermometer" into eBay and found several antique, collectible models. In fact, HERE'S another one now...

So, consider yourself lucky you got into multitools, and if anyone ever thinks you are odd for that, show them the above links!

Def

kodiak5 · **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2009, 03:41:41 AM

I do it because.... I see myself as a self proclaimed handyman that has the tool for any job (usually someone else's job) and mine. I carry an assortment of tools in my pockets (the less the better] for weight reasons) for every job I could for see. Unfortunately, technology and new ideas keep changing. Therefore I keep up with the times because the times keep getting better. However, I also find my self reverting to the old tools (only after buying the new tools) only to find out that old school is better than new school. But who would know until I've bought them all. Bottom line.... I want the tool for the job in my pocket, and as we all know the JOB is the equivlent of infinity.

I don't even know if that's understandable.

Poncho65 · **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2009, 04:17:59 AM

I like tools of any sort

and to be able to pocket carry an assortment when I would otherwise not have anything is very appealing

glorn · **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2009, 06:20:35 AM

Tools make life easier. There are a million little difficulties or problems one encounters in the course of the average day. Many people simply accept these difficulties as unfixable or unable to be quickly and easily resolved. I like to have on my person an easy to carry kit that remedies many of those difficulties with barely an ounce of effort or thought. I correct the problem and get on with my day.

SAKs and MTs are crucial items in that kit, and are by design made for solving daily problems that human hands are not made to solve unaided.

That utility and extention of the hand just happens to also be beautiful when executed in the form of a compact and stowable pocket sized tool.

To me the person who does not have an MT or SAK on them is the crazy one. To own one and use it is to realize that these tools are not merely clever, but essential.

Of all the EDC items I own and carry, the MT and the flashlight are the two that I see as important as wearing a coat in the winter. To be without them is to be ill prepared to leave the house.

Smitty44 · **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2009, 06:38:42 AM

I thought it was a good idea back when Tim brought out the first multi in 83,and I still think its a good idea,but now I'm trying to find that perfect tool that will do everything,then I can get rid of all the ones I've picked up in the last 25yrs (never happen).

jzmtl · **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2009, 07:09:54 AM

Some people are just more mechanically inclined than others, and attracted to mechanical devices like multitool, knives, flashlights etc.

Sea Monster · **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2009, 08:02:24 AM

Mechanically inclined?

Want to be prepared?

Fah.

for me this is just a focused form of Retail Therapy.

I buy crap, I can't help it - I might as well buy the same crap each time, and tell some folk online about it!

appletree_man · **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2009, 08:23:08 AM

I don't have anywhere near as much as most of you guys, but I started when I was on the bus one day and realised I didn't even have a pen and paper to take down a message, I needed some EDC, it sprouted from there

BIG-TARGET · **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:41:11 PM

Quote from: Defender on January 12, 2009, 12:44:13 AM

Because there is a dark void in each of our lives that can't be filled by meaningless things like wives, kids or jobs. Fortunately some idiot put together a website for those of us that have no lives, added a simple premise that any of us could get on board with and pretend we are cool. Now, thanks to that idiot and the Internet in general, we can all be those studs we thought we were in high school...

But only as long as you keep buying multitools to maintain the illusion!

Def

David Bowen · **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2009, 03:26:35 PM

Hey Def, should you change "idiot" to idiots? Or like the new tool in the passaround am I just a "crony" LOL

EZ822 · **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2009, 04:47:40 PM

I like to be prepared plus they are just cool. Plain and simple. No other reason for me

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2009, 06:48:01 PM

Quote from: DavidBinGA on January 12, 2009, 03:26:35 PM

Hey Def, should you change "idiot" to idiots? Or like the new tool in the passaround am I just a "crony" LOL

I was just trying to give you an "out." No reason for us both to be blamed for this one! After all, there's only so many pitchforks and torches to go around!

Def

Sea Monster · **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:40:54 PM

Quote

I was just trying to give you an "out." No reason for us both to be blamed for this one! After all, there's only so many pitchforks and torches to go around!

Awls & Ferrorods.

Please, know your audience!

Poncho65 · **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:30:15 PM

Quote from: Nomad on January 12, 2009, 09:40:54 PM

Quote
I was just trying to give you an "out." No reason for us both to be blamed for this one! After all, there's only so many pitchforks and torches to go around!

Awls & Ferrorods.

Please, know your audience!

Roadie · **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:40:08 PM

Because we can!

Teofilo · **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:56:51 PM

Quote from: hawkchucker on January 12, 2009, 12:24:38 AM

So I beg of you, Why do we do this?

Eddie, Donald and I always ask ourselves that question! ........We really don't know

Medic82 · **Reply #22 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:10:03 PM

Too bug my girlfriend

hawkchucker · **Reply #23 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:12:09 PM

Quote from: Medic82 on January 13, 2009, 10:10:03 PM

Too bug my girlfriend

Yah but that could have some bad reprocusions!

Benner · **Reply #24 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:25:06 PM

Quote from: Medic82 on January 13, 2009, 10:10:03 PM

Too bug my girlfriend

I found out a whistle does that rather well too.

hawkchucker · **Reply #25 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:27:21 PM

No NO NO. What you want to do is this. Waite until 2:00 in the morning, poke them and ask the question. How come we dont communicate any more? and then just roll over and go to sleep. It bugs the crap out of my wife!!

Gareth · **Reply #26 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:08:33 AM

Quote from: hawkchucker on January 13, 2009, 10:27:21 PM

No NO NO. What you want to do is this. Waite until 2:00 in the morning, poke them and ask the question. How come we dont communicate any more? and then just roll over and go to sleep. It bugs the crap out of my wife!!

If it's all the same to you I might just take your word for that.

hawkchucker · **Reply #27 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:58:45 AM

I can really torture my wife, but I still fear the woman!

Try putting all her makup in the fridge the night before a big meeting. It makes the stuff useless.

Duct tape her car keys to the cieling and leave for work.

put her underware on the cieling fan and turnit on.(makes a big old bunch)

Take her car. buy a set of dollies and turn it sideways in the garage.

Superglue the iron to the ironing board.

That is just some of the fun I have had.

Nutznboltz · **Reply #28 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:31:07 AM

Because they're so useful to have,
Because they're so cool I can't just have one,
Because they make me feel I can fix anything,
Because they make me feel all warm inside,
Because the quest for the perfect multi tool never ends,
But mostly... because I can, and thats reason good enough.

Styerman · **Reply #29 on:** January 14, 2009, 04:22:19 AM

I've always had a pliers fetish. Kinda like being a pliers nympho. It's a cheap habit ' and late in life I have pliers and multis that please me. I think my multi fetish is just a subset of my pliers fetish.

Chris

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