I just got my brother a Leatherman Micra for his birthday. He seems to be in a very similar situaation to your brother, except that he isn't into the otdoors. I was hoping for the squirt but:
1)finances (I'm a student)
2)In an urban setting, for HIM, he would use the scissors more than the pliers
3)he has hinted for a few months that "you got a real cool knife-thing, Johnny..."
Of course, the other option is to get a non-multitool knife. My dad (quite old-school) has carried a simple SAK (with corkscrew, to suit his lifestyle <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />), for a few years know. He is a DIY enthusiest, so it sees quite a lot of work.
If finances wern't a problem, i would have a GOOD look at the leatherman juice range. they seem to all the necesarry tools in one neat, colourfull and small package (in some cases)
Happy hunting!
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'n Boer maak 'n plan
WOFT