All,

I know this question is probably for another forum, but curious about your opinions.

I'm looking for a pocket carry multitool, with a clip (not the mini sized ones, but would like the full size ones). I see leatherman leading the pack and there's SOG... But are there any other multitools out there that could be a EDC?

I need the usual items within the multi tool, needle nose pliers, knife (perfer for the knife to be one hand opening), some screw drivers, file, etc... other tools are great, but thats the minimum for me.

Would you even carry a multitool in your pocket?

Thanks,
Kris

I carry a Wave on my belt whenever I'm camping/hiking, actually pretty much every weekend for various chores. During the work week, I'm dressed up, and the bat belt look doesn't work, so for EDC, I have a small multi-tool, a Leatherman Squirt P4 on my keychain.

Depending on your finances, either Leatherman Wave or Victorinox Multitool. The Wave is lighter with one handed opening but the V.M is better made. I have both, and it's a toss up as to which I would reach for first.

Farther down the market, the Gerber's and S.O.G'S are probably the next choice. Everything else comes under also ran's.

Don't bother with the far east knock off's - unless you know that your likely to break it. Doug does a very interesting set of reviews on the main site. It's a bit dated but worth a read.

Is there a well supplied knife retailer near you? If so, go and try the different brands and models. The feel of a knock-off of the original Leatherman design showed me the negative features of the design before getting the real thing. With that one, the thin sides where the blades folded dug into your hand while using the pliers and you had to open the pliers to use the tools.

I'd have to recommend one of the Victorinox tools. I've had several Gerber models and the Victorinox Spirit. The Spirit feels like a real pair of pliers. Gerber's slide design is nice in that it is an uncomplicated way to easily open the pliers one-handed. I don't know if Gerber has a one-handed knife blade. The Victorinox doesn't.

For me, clip carry is only for knives. Multi-tools get carried in a belt pouch. My EDC is a CRKT M-16 EDC (smaller size) with a plain edge clipped in pants pocket and the SwissChamp XLT in a belt pouch. I swap the XLT for the Spirit Plus if I expect to need tougher tools. The Plus versions have a separate 1/4" hex wrench/screwdriver bit holder included.

I wish there was a knife retailer here... I have to fly off island to the states (usually go to Florida) to have a play. Its why the questions I ask are quite general and opinion related. Much cheaper to find out this stuff then spending $400usd for a flight for a $100usd item. If an item has rave reviews, i'll just order online and take it from there.

I work dressed up as well, and the bat belt look would be a fashion faux pas! Besides the brits here would probably freak (why is he dressed like a lawyer but carrying something on his belt)!

It would most definitly have to be pocket carry, if not, then I can keep it my briefcase or bag since that never leaves my side.

I was leaning towards a knife for edc (presently, thats what i do - carry a KISS), and a multitool in the bag, but if I can have everything in one, then i'd go that route.

Would these tools be too big for pocket carry?

Multitools with clips:

Leatherman:
Charge series
Wave
Surge
Kick
SideClip

SOG:
ToolClip
Micro ToolClip

None from Gerber or Victorinox (my favorite).

I can't remember any others; maybe someone else can chime in with more. I tend to carry my multi on the belt.

todd

I EDC a SOG paratool every day, on my belt. It's small and has smoth sides also the small black cloth case is not offencive, except when I have to go in the court house. (ladies hide your nail file when you go into a Calif. court house.)

In my BOB I have a Leatherman Wave, and in my hiking kit I carry a nock-off but one of the better ones.

I don't carry my SOG Paratool in my pocket because I already have a large SAK in there and that would be too much weight.

As far as a multi tool with a clip I don't know of any, all come with cases of some type.

Always a Leathermans Squirt p4 on the keychain and when not in school, a Leatherman Wave on the belt.

My vote is for Leatherman!

I had to give up the belt holster too for work days because it scares people so I just carry my wave in my pocket.

Eugene,

How do you find carrying the wave in your pocket? Do you have to take it out when you sit down? Too heavy? etc...

People were frightened of a multi-tool? Yikes...

I edc a Leatherman Charge with a clip and I love it. It is however pretty heavy so it doesn't work well with thinner pants (dress pants).

I also have a Leatherman Kick with a clip that I keep in my school bag. It is more comfortable to carry clipped than the Charge, but it doesn't have a saw, file, or scissors. Also, It isn't as comfortable to use as the Charge (the handle edges are thinner).

That's pretty much your only options with a clip right now.

Most will be a bit large for pocket carry unless you can stand it up along one edge.

If you decide to go with carrying it in your briefcase, I'd recommend the Victorinox Spirit or a Leatherman that can use the old style bit adapter. IIRC they use standard 1/4" hex bits. The new style uses a proprietary shaped bit.

Both Leatherman and Gerber have smaller models. The Squirts are about the same size as the KISS. They don't have pocket clips but do have a ring for attaching to a keyring.

Has anyone tried the newer multi-tools? I just heard about the CRKT Guppie, the Buck 730 X-tract and Spyderco Byrdrench. They look much different than the typical Leatherman style. That being said, while innovative, I've got doubts about functionality.

So, has anyone actually played with one?

I know you don't want belt carry, but that seems to be the popular option. One thing I do is to removed the knife company logo from the knife pouch. Using some sharp sewing scissors/thread pullers it can be done neatly (assuming ballistic nylon sheath). Did this on my leatherman before it failed (blade lock for the tool broke off). Now carrying a Buck X-Tract I picked up on impulse.

I wear it every day in a business casual office (kahki/dockers & button shirt, no jacket), only had one persone openly ask me what I was "packing". Guess with everyone else carrying 1 or 2 cell phones, crackberry & whatnot else, another belt carry item is not visible...

Its not heavy at all. I usually wear business casual and sometimes jeans on the weekends but either one its fine in. Its stuffed in there with other items as well, the wave isn't that large so it works fine.

OHH! Thats a knife!

pre-9/11 I would reply with something like "would you rather I chew the box open?" but now a days scaring someone can get you fired.

"My God, That's a KNIFE! That's a WEAPON!" And they get even more upset when I say "Well actually, I used to do Judo. So are my hands and feet.."

Ah PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER., gotta love 'em.......
gag.

I agree with Eugene and carry it in my pocket at times. However, as to your concern Kris, you never forget that it is in your pocket. If I can wear it in a hostler that is out of sight then I do. The leatherman wave is a great tool despite it's weight.

I carry a SOG Powerlock S62 on my belt everyday. It gets used often and I have no complaints.

The Spyderco Byrdrench is just like their old design, they just updated it a bit. In my experience the old style file was better (since it could sharpen the knife) and I never liked that it doesn't have needle nose pliers. It's kind of weirtd to use too.

The Buck X-tract doesn't have a saw or file and is only availible in a 1/2 serrated blade, which is what stopped me from picking one up. But, from what I've seen it isn't bad.

I haven't seen the Guppie yet, but not having a pair of true pliers would drive me nuts. Plus no file, saw, scissors, ect. It seems kind of gimmiky to me, but I'll need to play with one before I know for sure.

I'm sat at my desk in London now. Victorinox champ in a small pouch on my belt and a mini-Leatherman in my pocket. No one thinks it odd. I just explain I go camping. They joke about me being a boy scout, then borrow them...

The majority of people are fine with it, a lot of people have borrowed mine from time to time, but you get that one person who has a knife/gun/tool fear and they go to HR and you get told your violating company policy having a "weapon" at work. So its best to keep it hidden IMHO and when someone asked if anyone has scissors/screwdriver I just keep quiet.

I'm loving my Charge Ti. I keep it clipped in my pocket.

While I'm teaching at school, I EDC my Leatherman Squirt S4 with attached Photon II. This is a useful little tool that's so inconspicuous that it never raises eyebrows. My briefcase is always locked in my classroom and holds my Ritter PSK, small FAK, disposable lighter and Leatherman charge Ti.

Anyone ever try a swisstool spirit? Looks to be just over 10cm's long, but looks strong and rugged and using the pliers looks like it wouldn't hurt like the older multitools...

Any comments or experiences anyone wants to share? it looks like a pocket carry sized multitool.

I have the gerber version of the KISS but took off the money clip and slid it inside my wallet as a backup.

The leatherman squirt can be bought with scissors, pliers or wire stripper so it does do what you want. I have one of each and bought them in different colors to be able to tell them apart.

I've had one for a while. They are SOLID. They feel like a regular pair of pliers. They are about the same size as the larger Leatherman tools(~10cm closed ~15 open). Construction quality is up to the Victorinox standard.

I have one, it's a nice tool. I like it better than the original swisstool. However, I took the serrations off the blade, as I prefer a plain edge. It would also be nice if the blade had a point, but the awl works fine for that. The two things that I don't like about it is; the pliers only touch at the tip and the polished finish is slippery. I carry it as my "dress" multitool. It fits nicely in a watch pocket and it's thin for all the functions it has. Plus they make a corkscrew for it.

You can get a model with a plain edged blade, but they take the siccors away (http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=193&lang=E).

Any idea to the quality of the bit wrench and the bits that come with it?

The Spirit "S" has a regular Vic SAK style blade (as well as the serrated peanut butter spreader ), but loses the scissors in the trade.

todd

Standard 1/4" hex bits will work in it. The wrench is set up for use as a screwdriver but should be able to handle small socket work with a converter bit.