Great post, Cliff...

I'm in the same boat with my sentimental SAK. I've carried it for 10-12 years, through high school, college and my wedding! I now carry a wave and endura lockback in addition to my trusty old SAK. But I just can't give it up.

Regards,
~W

Thanks.

Glad to know I'm not alone in my loyalty to my SAK. No, it doesn't have one-handed opening, The blades don't lock. And who needs a can-opener anymore? Or a corkscrew? But still, I find myself trying to find a reason to ditch the Juice and return my old friend to that slot in my day-timer. The knife never failed, and withstood all of the use (and abuse) I put it through. My SAK was in my pocket when I graduated college. I used the scissors to cut the wristband off my newborn daughter when we brought her home. Each nick, scratch or blemish has a story.

…..CLIFF

I hear you cliff,

I still sometimes rotate my old huntsman into my EDC! I just cant seem to let it go. And I find a reason to bring it out and use it for something everytime I carry it!!

Garrett

Before I retired I carried a Leatherman Mini Tool, at work I was never far from my tool box if I needed anything that wasn't on the Mini. Camping or hiking I usually carry a Leatherman Supertool and/ or SAK Rucksack for their wider selection of tools.
gino

dchinell,

For your perfect multitool, it sounds like all you need is to get a Wave and a grinding wheel...

It already has the pliers (obviously), the knife and the saw. With a grinding wheel you can turn the large flatblade screwdriver into a chisel, and the small flatblade into an awl. You will also still have all of your nice-to-haves that you indicated.

It isn't even a complicated process. You could probably do it in about 5 minutes with a grinding wheel or a dremel.

Now that I have solved your ultimate object quest, is there some kind of reward or something? <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Greg

greg and dchinell,

If you need a mulittool with a chisel and an awl, go with a swisstool. It already has one of each and no moidifications that will void the warranty when the tool breaks on you (and they ALL do!)

Garrett

garrett,

I am aware of the tools on the Swisstool. I came very close to getting one instead of my Wave (I know, I can always get both <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />). The main reason I went with the wave was due to the size and weight differences between the two, and I really liked the one handed opening blades that the Swisstool doesn't have. Still, you are correct and the Swisstool is a great product, but it has some tools that I never use, and I really don't like the stubbiness of the pliers, but that's just me.

As for the warranty issues, 1) I rarely break tools because I don't abuse them and I rarely use them for tasks they weren't intended. 2) They certainly are not more likely to break just because I sharpened a screwdriver blade. However, you may be correct that they may not warranty the tool, but they aren't that expensive anyway, and I can be very convincing when I complain <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I will probably get a Swisstool one of these days just because I like multitools, but I doubt I will carry it everyday like I do my Wave. And if I don't have it with me, then it doesn't matter how great a tool it is.

Later!

Greg

Greg: Thanks for offering your ideas about transforming the Wave. It's not a bad idea, and I've heard about doing that kind of stuff before, but I hesitate because I'm not sure the temper of the screwdriver blades would be up to the new tasks.

So I'm alternating between the SwissTool X, the Wave, the Juice, and the PST supplemented with my SAK.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has replaced any of the PST tools -- like how to remove and replace the pivot pins, and with what, and what multitool tools are compatible with what other multitools. That kind of stuff.

Bear

It is quite interesting not finding the SOG Powerlock (or any other Sog tool) on the list. I'm using it since the millenium and its leverage system, user servicable/exchangeble blades, and the one hand opening feature are all must have for me. It's big, rugged and practical. Although I've removed the covers they might be useful for others.