Yep, I think we're looking at two sides of the same glass. For survival work, the Leatherman is a compromise as it isn't the best tool for any particular situation perhaps, but it is functional enough and compact enough that most people could keep on or near enough to their person as to qualify as EDC. Since there are times when survival precludes getting to your BOB or your vehicle, and having some sort of a blade, a saw, a file, pliers, wire cutters, or scissors is reasonable to anticipate, the Leatherman and other such multi-tools seem like an appropriate compromise. Having relied on my Wave for so long, I can't ever leave it home or in a drawer or glovebox. I have used it to construct shelters, build fires, dress game, field modify communications equipment for survival uses, fix survival gear, as an orienteering aid, and so on. If I knew in advance when and how I would be put into survival mode, there are a host of better tools much more suited to the tasks involved.

I guess it is just a philosophy call, and you are correct that it is bad ju ju to do something just because someone else does it (the Lemming approach). In the context of this forum, I reckoned that knowing that an expert in the field did it and was obvious about including it in his demonstrations fairly well endorsed the concept as a sound decision, so that is a qualified statement I made which may not mean much to the uninitiated I admit. Hopefully this explanation fixes that assumption.

Since it is not advisable to be carrying a Leatherman on my belt here in the office, I opted instead to keep an SAK in my pocket. Likewise, when doing field work on comms equipment it was inappropriate for me to pack my Cold Steel SRK or my Swamp Rat Battle Rat, or even one of the many hatchets or axes, as it would tend to alarm the security personnel and general public a bit to see a 6'6" 260 lb man with a large bladed item moving through the crowds. However, if I am heading for the woods for some reason, you can bet your bippie that one or more of those and other items will be going with me. In the vehicle I like to keep one of my single bit axes (full length) and one of my portable hand chain saws, along with a host of other utility items.

Chris made an excellent statement comparing the tools we would use to the way we layer clothing. Not everyone dresses the same way.

I happily welcome our diversity. I think we each have the knowledge to make the right decisions, and we choose what suits us as individuals. These discussions enlighten us all and help to reduce the ignorance that brings peril.