This topic may have already been ridden to death. If so, please bear with me.

Since we're talking about knives, I would be interested to hear from as many people as possible -- what knives and/or multi-tools you prefer to carry, and secondly, why did you choose that particular knife and/or multi-tool over all of the other choices on the market? Also, if you carry more than one on your person at any given time, why do you choose to do that?

Thanks!

mine multitool is a Swisstool X, because after loads of research that was best suitable for me. I also knew a guy who had one for a very dicent price. i'm dutch ya know <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Leatherman wave for me. Its not too small like some of the smaller multitools and SAK's but not too big like the original leatherman and gerbet and others.

My ultimate object is to find a multitool with pliers plus woodworking tools to support woodcraft -- traps, firemaking and the like. The desired tools:

-pliers
-knife
-saw
-awl
-chisel

Nice-to-haves:

-combo can opener - cap lifter
-slotted screwdriver (medium)
-Phillips screwdriver
-file
-scissors

So far the most "complete" multitool is the Leatherman SK4 Juice. But I find I seldom carry it. I rather prefer the size and weight of the Leatherman original PSK, and supplement this with an SAK with a wood saw.

I recently acquired a SwissTool with scissors, and am impressed with everything about it except the size and weight.

Bear

I carry a combo of folder and multitool. The performance of the multitool blades is adequate for many purposes but it´s no match for a knife. The folder is easier to clean when has only one blade or two. I only use folders that can be operated with one hand.
I prefer plain edge. I don´t have to cut a lot of rope and it´s easier to sharpen.
For most occassions I carry a Buck crosslock a Leatherman Micra and a Gerber Multiplier. The crosslock has a gutting hook that can be used for cutting seat belts clothing and small ropes. I chose the Gerber Multiplier because it can be opened with one hand.
For motorcycling I have a Spyderco folder and a Leatherman Wave. I selected the spyderco because it has a robust clip and not much bulk for its size. The Wave has good tools and onehanded opening is not important. I like to have scissors with me.
I have a small fixed blade in my wallet. This knife is handmade. I carry it for jobs that would damage folders. It can even cut metal and stay sharp.
For hunting and fishing I add a 4" fixed blade with a drop point. The fixed blade is robust and easiely cleaned. I prefer the the drop point because I find it easier to use for dressing the fish and game. The knife is handmade because I could find one that satisfied my needs.

Do we ever tire of debating knives and multi-tools...? My EDC is 5, except it goes down to 4 for Church (usually) - I don't carry the WAVE to church (no particular reason)

My EDC is a Wave, a Victorinox SAK (discontinued model, but similar to a Huntsman IIRC), a micra, an OldTimer 340T (?Middleman?), and a small (Meyerco?) lockback clipped to a BSA hot spark.

I have only been EDCing the Wave for 7-8 months - didn't want to freak out some of the er, hmmm, soft minded folks at work / clients. As it turns out, no one objects or comments - and I somewhat obscure it by clipping my cell phone to my belt right next to it anyway.

If I had to strip down to one my emotions tell me to keep the OldTimer, but the SAK would be more versitile (the OldTimer is a better KNIFE, IMHO and I've used it for - well, it could tell many interesting stories).

I've had the SAK for 20+ years and it has gone to the field with me everytime, but only for the last 5 years has it become EDC - I've grown more fond of it as a result. Last year (or thereabouts) I ordered a "spare part" eyeglasses screwdriver that fits in the corkscrew and THAT was a great idea from Victorinox - they really work well and I don't mind the inconvenience when attacking a cork (the corkscrew sees regular use, but not at work, LoL). If one has a Victorinox with a corkscrew, get the screwdriver that fits into it; it's useful.

I really like the micra but obviously have not had it for all that long. The scissors account for 95% of its use and the rest is nice to have but really redundant.

The Meyerco lockback is "dedicated" to my hotspark via a quick clip that the knife came with and while it is occasionally used for other knife tasks, the combo has started literally hundreds of fires (Scouts, relatives, friends, etc - easy to teach). Otherwise the knife has no special meaning or purpose, but the two go together so well I'll buy some more when I can get them cheap again ($7 when I bought a couple unseen)

The WAVE? I like it fine and use the pliers daily, the plain blade frequently, the serated blade almost never, the saw and file occassionaly, and the rest of the tools infrequently. A long time ago I bought one of the original Gerbers and that sucker bit me too many times - a real pinch-monster. So I wouldn't even consider a Gerber until recently. And I had used others original Leathermans and did not like them. The WAVE suits me fine for now. I am not crazy about the knife blade - seems a little soft. Mixed feelings about the screwdriver blades, but they work well. Saw is OK and file is good. Pliers so far are good. Overall the size is a good compromise for my uses.

My core essentials bag currently has a CS SRK - I like it - and an old Soligen copy of a Grohman (sp) knife that is quite good. Also a Gerber lockback folding saw and a Gerber/Fiskars hand ax (so far so good - decent value). Other knives added/substituted for specific trips include a Kershaw skinner fixed blade, a machette, and others.

I'm sure I'd really like some of the great knives available now, but these are fine for me. Anyone want to gift me a Sbenza? <grin>

Tom

It just dawned on me that your lathe bit knife is probably made from a parting tool blade, right? I had a fit thinking about grinding down a square bit into a knife... that's a good idea (parting tool bit). Which tool alloy did you use?

<<I chose the Gerber Multiplier because it can be opened with one hand.>>

<<The Wave has good tools and onehanded opening is not important.>>

I'm not insanely fond of my WAVE, but I always open mine with one hand. It's a <flick> motion kind of like opening a butterfly knife - kind of. They are a PITA to do that with when brand new but smooth in fairly quickly (a little Kroil helps). I would find far less use for the WAVE if I couldn't flick the pliers open one-handed. Not as simple as a Gerber but very simple with a little practice. And I always sheath it so that I can one-handed open the plain blade with my thumb as I withdraw it from the sheath.

The supplied leather sheath is OK but loose with use (leather - go figure). I should replace it with a Kydex sheath. One of the other WAVES in the family, my eldest son's, has the factory nylon sheath and it has stayed snug, but I'm not crazy about hook and pile fasteners on a knife sheath.

Time for me to look again at the Gerbers... my wife needs something to replace her old Gerber with anyway... I kind of like the ones with the carbide lathe tool inserts in the wire cutter - I think I use that size on some of my insert holders for the lathe.

Tom

I think you´re right (english isn´t my native language, so I sometimes have difficulties with technical terms). The bit has the thickness of the blade. I don´t know which alloy it is. It´s a tool for high speed cutting of bearing steel (100 Cr 6). I got a couple of those tools from a scrap metal container for free.

I can open my wave with one hand but I usually don´t. With wet or oily hands the flick motion sometimes ends with an airborne tool (this happened to a friend of mine, it wasn´t exactly funny). I need the screwdrivers an the scissors more often than the pliers. Those tools can´t be opened onehanded anyway.
With my Gerber the pliers are ready to use after it cleared the sheath. That´s really an asset in some cases.