If you could only carry one, which would you carry?

Large substantial folder like a Sebenza or RSK.

or

Large quality multi tool like a Leatherman Wave or Charge.

If you have a particular job that requires the use of tools a lot try not to factor that in. Think of yourself as the average Joe Shmo living a typical America urban/suburban/cubical lifestyle.

Both items are roughly the same size however (if using the RSK as a knife example) the multi tool is about double the weight in your pocket.

Since receiving my pocket clip for my Wave I have been switching back and forth between it and a RSK and just can't decide which to carry for EDC.

In a crisis I'd rather have the multitool.

I do in fact carry a small multitool (a Juice CS4) rather than a decent knife when in town. I'm more concerned about being stuck in an lift (err, elevator) in a power cut than I am about having to split logs or build a shelter. If I do have to work with wood, the woodsaw will be handy. For many jobs (eg cutting clothing) I feel more comfortable using scissors than a knife. In an urban environment screwdrivers can be vital. Pliers too, if only for picking up things I don't want to touch with my hand (eg because they are too hot, or spikey or unclean).

Also, decent knifes are a controversial carry in the UK.

It'd be an easier decision if Leatherman would provide a decent blade on a multitool. The assumption seems to be that you can have a good blade or a multi tool, but not both. Give me a wave in S30V. :-)

They do, 154cm on the charge is no slouch.

Which is why I keep thinking of buying a charge, and putting my knife away - but I can't bring myself to do it - YET. I've carried a knife every day (except for about 5-6 - all post 9/11) for somewhere between 25 and 30 years - it's a HARD habit to give up

In a wilderness environment you would be better with a knife.

Personally I would choose a non folding sheath knife.

Folding knives, even the locking variety, can snap shut against your fingers when being pressed into tough jobs, also there is usually some degree of flexibility at the hinge which causes the knife to under perform.

Frosts Knives from Sweden are excellent knives which can be sharpenened easily and are made from high quality steel.

The shape of the blade is also crucial to enable the knife to perform multiple tasks.

I wouldn't be without this tool although I do usually carry a Leatherman Wave as well <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"Think of yourself as the average Joe Shmo living a typical America urban/suburban/cubical lifestyle."

If that is the criteria then the multitool--particularly the large version-- wins hands down, at least for me. There are simply too many wires to cut, strip, and crimp, too many Phillips screws coming loose, and too many things that need to be filed and sawed. And the blades on my KF4 Juice are more than adequate for about 99.9% of the cutting I do everyday anyway.

But needless to say, I carry both <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

For urban use it would definitely be the multitool. The tools on it just come in handy for many uses thta can´t be served by a blade alone. All of the cutting I had to do in urban environment could have been done with the blade on the multitool. The weight is not much of an issue for me as I carry it in a belt pouch next to the pouch with my folder.

There's no right answer here, but for me, personally, I'll continue to carry a knife.

It's nice the Charge has a 154CM blade, that's definitely an improvement. But a multitool is still a compromise. The blade / lock / hinge probably won't be as strong as a dedicated knife. There's just not enough room to do that and still keep the multi tool a reasonable size.

I carry a knife and a LM Squirt (though any smaller multitool would work). I want a real knife, and the occasional light use of a small screwdriver and pliers. I know, I know... original thread was one or the other. But I'm not in that situation, so like a good gear junkie, I carry both. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Most of the Boy Scout leaders have a LeatherMan on their belt. They use the pliers a lot. It is good for moving hot things around the fire. It is good to get hooks out of a fish. The uses are endless. Carry the LeatherMan in your pocket or on your belt. When you go hiking put a Mora in your pack.

I challenge you to pick any task and try using a Mora and any other fixed blade knife and see which one works the best. I have some good knifes. The $10 Mora just works better! Around the kitchen, a thin bladed kitchen knife will work better for slicing tomatoes and stuff like that.

<img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />