Hi everyone. This has been a long time coming for me, as I've found a lot of good information posted here in the past. From a quick reference of pivot diameters etc to a wealth of storytelling, silly banter, and awesome pictures to pass the time, I've always come back here for something or another. I've lately imagined how great it would be to post and share ideas with you all, time permitting. I'm happy to say that I've decided to make some time to at least try to give something back to MTO, and hopefully get to know some of you whose posts have lit my screen and my mind for as long as I have been visiting here.
A bit about me, I am a modder at heart. I have always been one to take the things that interest me apart. In that endeavor I have become very fond of reassembling them in new ways that better suit my wants and needs. I come from a past of previously modifying folding knives, rifles, other tools and EDC items. I am currently located in AZ.
Multitools have been a fascinating concept for me from a young age, though it wasn't until about 4 years ago that I began to collect and also to modify them in greater numbers. My first memory of handling an MT was at the age of 6, sitting in the driveway rummaging through my Dad's toolbox. There in the top tray of that box, covered in both metal filings and used motor oil was an old blunt nosed Gerber MP. It took a moment for me to figure out how the plier release worked, as I had only ever seen it quickly wrist flicked open in my Dad's larger adult hands. Upon deploying the pliers and discovering the internal implements, I was memorably stricken by the realization that this tool was designed to perform many other separate functions that a simple pair of pliers could not. A knife blade. Screwdrivers. A file? This tool seemingly had it all, and at my young age I wondered why anyone would choose not to use such a great multipurpose tool. Though even back then as a kid that stubby slipjoint phillips driver seemed awfully stubby
My first tool of my own was a Leatherman Sidekick, of all things. A Christmas gift from the parents sometime in my mid teens, it was one of the most useful and memorable gifts I had ever received. It helped me with many of my tinkering projects and daily tasks, and I pocket carried that tool for many years. It remained my daily companion until later in my twenties, when I began doing some framing and remodeling work, at which time the toolset that was previously unmatched in it's reliability and daily usefulness had become overshadowed by the heavy belt of dedicated and hard wearing tools that I carried at work. I ended up misplacing that Sidekick during a move, and now wish that I had kept better track of that old tool. As much as I loved and used it back then, I took it for granted and had always thought of it as an easily replaceable and cheap $25 tool. It takes me for a loop to see them now up around $60 new.
I also remember the day that I discovered the existence of the Wingman, and wished for a combined version of the two with a straight blade and those cool looking Wingman scissors. I did replace that old Sidekick eventually, and while not as cool as they looked back then, did also get a Wingman for it's scissors and create the hybrid tool that I had dreamed of when carrying the Sidekick. And there began my slide down the slippery slope of MT modding, collecting, and dreaming. It's been a fun ride but sometimes also a lonely one. Where else for an MT enthusiast to go than MTO? I don't intend to find out. I'd be very happy to have a place here among you.
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