If you could only carry ONE or the other for urban/suburban EDC, which would you carry and why? For the sake of this discussion lets assume that you do not have a job or other daily activity which specifically requires either one and that their are no laws prohibitting either one within a resonable size (say under 5" blade). This is strictly from an EDC survival prospective and no you can't carry both! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks in advance for the knowledgable opinions and acompanying explanations.

i proberbly would go a light weight multitool, like the new charge series, which i do NOT own. A knife comes in very handy, but sometimes i just want more. A multitool suits my needs beter for normall everyday use, but the knife and saw on it also are very usefull tools in a survival situation.

I own a swisstool at the moment, but that things is a bit to heavy for EDC, a victorionox huntmen is what i carry at the moment as edc, not to big, not to heavy, has most things i need and is reasonable PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. proof. I dont carry a seperate knife, due to the law. I do carry a folder wenn i work, i like to have the heavy artillerie wenn i have to take down a serious load of cardboard !

You might want to check a thread from 8/12, Knife or Multi Tool in the bush.

For urban/suburban edc, as much as I hate to say it; I'd choose a Leatherman Pulse. There's just too much sheer utility offered in that compact package to pass on. I couldn't recommend the new Leatherman tools until I have the opp to personally check them out ...

M

but edc is more urban and wilderness is, well pretty wilderness, so i requires a diffrent approch.

Butthat threath does have things in common.

Brian,

I carry a Wave everyday in the office, so that would be my choice. It looks less threatening than a regular knife, and has more uses than a knife. That would mean I'd have to leave my EDC folder at home. Decisions, decisions...

No question!

A quality folder or fix blade concealed.

IMHO a multitool is not a survival tool but a convenience item.

I own several multitools and use them often enough but for survival purposes a decent knife is unequaled in utility.

Don't forget you cant fend off or deter an attacker with a pair of pliers.

Personal protection is a matter of EDC and survival in my opinion and should not be overlooked.

Flip

My first multitool was a Shrade. I had a 'social encounter' with a Filipino gangmember who tried to emphasise his negotiations with a butterfly knife. I produced my Shrade and emulated one of the basic openings followed up with a sharp rap across the bridge of his nose. Salamat Shrade <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would say for urban EDC and you can only have one, for sure go with the multi-tool. Much less threating to the masses at work and out in public, a cop is very unlikely to hassle you for it. Besides, in a urban setting your more likely going to have to tighten up engine components and open boxes then you are going to have to scale a fish or make a lean to ^_^.

Somebody mentioned the protective abilities of a knife as opposed to a multi-tool and thats true, a multi-tool doesn't offer much in that way. Personally I carry a colapsable steel baton and dog replent pepper spray. The baton is a heavy hitter but I think is better than a knife for conflict. A knife forces you to really injure a person with the distinct possibility of death, this "all the way" nature of a blade can make you hesitate or possibly get you in trouble afterward (would not be the first time someone was accused of over agressive defence, not to say those laws are flawed, just saying they do exist). A baton however can cause grevious damage but the possibility of death is greatly reduced (provided you don't strike to the head). Police often use their batons to strike the knee caps and shins of hostiles, this immoblizes (not to mention really hurts!) without the danger of killing a guy. Just my 2 cents.

If I need to pull a knife I intend to do major harm or it doesn't get pulled.

While pepper and a baton are good defensive weapons its much harder to conceal a baton and a " large" can of pepper spray than a folder. Because of its convenience of carry i am not tempted to leave it at home either. Either way a mulitool doesn't enter my mind for one item EDC.
A multitool of course its better than nothing but a stick is probably better in the self defense dept.

For what its worth.

Flip