White Collar Multitool Carry

How many people out there feel odd carrying their multitool because they work in a stuffy urban white collar office environment? I'm in that situation right now. I see maintenance men, plumbers, electricians, gardeners etc all happily carrying their multitools and knowone even gives them a second look. However when I strap on my Leatherman Wave with a pair of kakis and lightly starched button-down shirt, I get lots of strange looks and even a few comments from coworkers and the like. As a result my Wave spends most of its time out in the center console of my truck rather than on my belt. Anyone else experience this? How do you deal with it? I'm already displaying a large folding knife that I refuse to go without regardless of what anyone thinks but with the Wave I tend to give in to the expectations of the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. around me.

My advice is to suck it up and wear it anyway <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Like I mentioned in a very recent post, I don't carry a large knife on my belt for that very reason, plus I hate the feel of a large knife in my pocket. Even a small Buck folding pocketknife - I don't think they're made anymore - seemed too big to be comfortable. I started carrying a tiny Gerber Micro LST (1.5" blade) as a keychain fob.

A few years back I started taking the train from my suburb to another suburb closer to Chicago. I got tired of carrying my full-size briefcase, so instead I started carrying a black Eagle Creek Guide Bag (I think that's the right model).

It was just big enough to carry my cell phone, pda, a medium-sized note pad & pen, and misc stuff. I started carrying it just about everywhere I went since one of my goals was to keep my pda with me (much like a knife - its no good if you don't have it when you need it). People pretty much got used to me carrying it around. There were a few purse jokes, but Sienfeld took care of that issue for me - "its Europian!" Most of the people around here call it my "manbag". <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

After I got the survival bug, I started loading more and more selected gear into ziplock bags in one of the bag's secondary large pockets - trying to keep it as light and bulk-free as possible. Nobody even knows the gear is there, but its within arm's reach most of the time (except restroom trips and lunches in our cafetria downstairs).

Today I no longer can take the train, and I'm forced to haul around my laptop home at night, but the manbag - or its contents - still comes along where ever I go.

How about a cellphone case with some extra storage, enough to enclose a knife or multitool?

Maybe it'd look better if you had more crap hanging off your belt.

Take the IT help desk people here:

• Blackberry
• Nextel phone (for helpdesk)
• Cell phone (for business, personal)
• PDA (iPAQ or similar)
• Pager (until recently, replaced by blackberry)

Looks like a utility belt. What's one or two more little black kydex thingies (flashlight, knife, etc).

Seriously... urban camoflage.

Love 'em or hate 'em I guess, but pocket clips can really help here. I EDC a
large Sebenza, and never notice it. And the way the clip is located on the
knife, almost none of it sticks out.

I carry my multitool (Swisstool Spirit) in my back pocket along side my wallet.

S.

I tend to agree with Burncycle. If all we ever do is give in to what PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. THINK, aren't we just like them???
Now, I am not saying "break the rules" just to do it or if your work has a clear policy on the subject, but if all you get is an occasional snide comment, so what?

Small fanny packs are generally well tolerated, generally worn in front of to the side (where I work). Hold lots more than a multitool too! Maybe not if you're wearing a suit, but with jeans/khakis/cords nobody where I work gives you a second glance.

I feel your pain. I too work in an stuffy environment where it is
inappropriate to wear "tools" on my belt. I have resorted to a couple
of things in my quest to be slightly prepared. I have a leatherman
Squirt P4 on my key chain (along with the Photon, Whistle, etc, etc).
I also carry a "man bag/purse" whatever (Maxpedition Fatboy S)
with my PSK, very small FAK, Gridbook for taking notes during
meetings, blah blah blah. It looks like a typical courier bag
the young folks carry now a days, so I haven't had any sideways looks or
comments. Last but not least I would like to point out the fabulous wonders of an
ankle sheath. A multitool would probably fit well without being too uncomfortable
if it wasn't one of the big boys. I must say my hero Schwert has inspired me to find a
way to be prepared despite office convention. Good Luck!

Brian:

I delt with this issue in a bit of utter and sheer brilliance you can find here . To this day, I sit in meetings with stuffy banker types, my EDC in full view (including now a Leatheman Wave), and no one bats an eye. I am nothing, if not modest.

Note: Pacify your EDC before entering a Federal building or getting on a plane. Some folks, folks who have arrest powers, just do not understand the notion of preparedness.

Hope this helps,

.....CLIFF

Go get yourself a Leatherman Juice and the leather or plastic sheath, it is a more people friendly multi-tool then he wave and such. The only bad thing is the tools don't lock, so it is basically a SAK, but still very capable.

I can understand people being nervous when confronted with a big ol' bowie in a sheath. I can even understand why a big folder might give some the jitters. But a Wave? I currently pocket carry mine but when I get my new RSK I will probably switch to a sheath. I don't think any of the people I currently work with will be nervous, but if they are they will just have to get over it. Consider it educating the masses and thus a public service. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

Ironically I do carry a large folder clipped to my right front pocket. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I refuse to use non-locking blades <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That is quite brilliant!

That may be my best option.

Probably the best advice of all. At least until august when I begin working in a severely "restricted" area. Then I will have a whole new host of EDC issues but I'll cross that bridge (and start another thread) when I come to it.

I carry a multitool and a Buck Crosslock on my belt in plain view. Most of my coworkers are quite odd as they don?t. I don?t ridcule them for their oddness though <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Their comments gradually faded out as they discovered that I didn?t care and having made a snide comment is no good position to ask for help involving said tool.

Brian,

I carry a P4 Squirt on a keyring, and have my RSK clipped to a safety pin in my front pocket. Nobody at work knows it's there. My Wave stays close by in my briefcase. Attracting unwanted attention in a gossipy office is not a good idea in this PC world.

I guess I'm lucky - being an engineer gives me a license to carry strange tools and do things no one understands. (No one really understands what, if anything, I do in my job!)

On a car trip last week, I polished the bottom of soda can with toothpaste for over an hour before someone finally asked me if I was "making one of those stoves or something" And no, I never got it shiny enough to start a fire.

I don't know if it's because of where I live or what but very few people find it odd for me to have my large folder (currently the large RSK) displayed in plain view clipped in the normal fashion to my front right pocket. However the multitool seems to get a lot of unwanted attention.

Is it better in a Mac world ???? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I EDC my Leatherman PST in its nylon sheath, hanging at my belt, over my right kidney.
Right aside another sheath containing a Surefire 6P.
Both are above my right rear pant pocket, holding my (big) RSK...

I work mainly in an office environment, installing mid-range computers.

The PST dosn't generate many comments (it sure is rather small compared to a Wave...).
When opening the RSK .... sometimes I get comments, some negative, some envious ...

Send a note to your boss and to hr along the lines of: I'll be using my own leatherman wave mutli-tool at work everyday -- there is no need to provide one for me.

Note: this informs them in a written form, tells then what you'll be doing and never mentions the "k" word.

I've considered getting a Maxpedition M-2 waist pack. I plan to carry my cell phone and PDA in it and figure there will be enough room to hide my Wave and Surefire in there too. I'm worried that the waist pack may be too big for white collar settings, but if asked, I can point out the cell phone and PDA carry and never have to show the Wave.

The only place around here that carries Maxpedition only carries the M-1 and it too big. The M-2 appears to just be a big cell phone case but from the dimensions of it, it is not that much smaller than the M-1. Anyone tried the M-2?

I have an M-2 and I feel it is too big. Just my opinion.

It's smaller than a fanny pack but a lot bigger than any cell phone or PDA holster.

That is funny. About 20 minutes ago our computer tech Cory (about 21 years old) was here installing a new PC for my department. I asked him to install a floppy drive in place of the CD rom drive. He started fishing around in his pockets and finally asked if I had a Phillips screwdriver around anyplace. I handed him my Wave. He actually said: "This is just like mine!" <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

yeah.. yeah.... I would keep an eye on that Wave of yours, if I were you ... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

my EDC.
In that post, the picture shows a waist pouch the same size as an M1 pouch and what's in it.
An M-2 would be a bit smaller, an half inch each way. I haven't try it.
The M1 is small enough, for my needs.
Too high a risk of theft in an office environment ; that's the only way I have found to always keep my wallet etc.. on me at all times (I don't like bulging pants pockets). And it is convenient for keeping a small PSK along.

Are you sure it's a PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. thing? If they're OK with maintainance men they're presumably not scared of the tool. Round here if you have a big, prominent multitool swinging from your belt without a need to use it, it's seen as penis substitute. It's a bit like having a 4WD off-road Landrover and only ever using it for the school run, only more pathetic because the tool is cheaper. (I gather you don't need to use your Wave because you can leave it in the truck all day.)

I carry mine on my belt with my pager, cell phone and vpn fob and not too many have complained. I had one lady do the "ohh, thats a knife!" when I was opening a box of toner to refill the printer so her and my document would print so every now and then you get the toolphobic person (I correct those people telling them that a knife is a tool not a weapon) but overall people would rather borrow it to open their tuna than complain about it.

Oh please! Brangdon:

I get enough of that phalic symbolism garbage about handguns.

Of course the people that use that argument around me tend to become tongue-tied when they realize I prefer short-barreled handguns.

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

Frenchy:

If you don't like bulges in your pants pockets, put it in your underpants (The front unless you want a lot of attention and people avoiding you by putting it in the back. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />).

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

Oh I never said anyone was "scared". This is texas after all. People are VERY used to seeing knives, tools etc being carried even in urban areas. It's not that they are "scared" but rather that it is simpley not considered acceptable or professional.. etc etc.

JOE, can you explain in more detail how/where the safety pin's attached? Through front/back of pocket, pocket and pants fabric, etc?
Thanks
Dave

A multitool is not what you carry when there is imminent need to use the tools on it (that?s where the real full sized tools come in) it?s just in case you have a use for it. So it may be feasible to leave the tool in a safe place.
BTW: Is there a thing like substitute envy? After all a lot of people envy me for having the substitute when they don?t. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I guess the majority of us should stop carrying those little Altoid tin kits around with us when we go hiking then. I, for one, have never had "a need to use it". Hopefully that trend will continue. But I suppose I could always use it as your suggested substitute, should mine ever get ripped clean off by a fan belt, farm auger, wolverine bite, or something.

I am a bright color worker (computer programmer). I carry a Leatherman Charge Ti clipped in my right pocket. The clip is smallish and hard to notice.

It is wonderful! You can draw it as a one-handed pocket knife but you have all the other features.

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

Alain,

You're killin' me! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Maybe thats what I should do. I could trade my Leatherman Wave in for a Charge Ti since the Charge Ti has the pocket clip. Today I left the RSK at home and am experiementing with the Wave in my back pocket....ouch... quite uncomfortable. I have a coworker that EDCs a can of Skoal (or maybe it's Copenhagen) in his back pocket and I keep telling myself "if he can get used to that thing in his back pocket then surely I can get used to the Wave in mine." However its so far not so good but I'll give it another 48 hours and see if I start getting used to it. If not then maybe I'll put the Wave on Ebay and try a Charge Ti with the pocket clip. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dave,

OK, this is my third attempt at trying to explain this. You should be able to put the pin through the pocket while wearing the pants, just don't stick yourself. The safety pin goes horizontally in the right front pocket, where the colored pants material meets the white pocket material, and near the area where the pocket meets the side seam. Think of where the coin pocket on a pair of Levi's is located, only farther down, so that the knife doesn't show. The clip on the knife slides through the exposed part of the safety pin, and the knife rides against the right side of the pocket near the side seam. Some people have sewn a "tunnel" in the pocket to fit the knife.

I´m also in software engineering. I carry my decent sized folder and a multitool (Gerber Multiplier or Leatherman Wave) on my belt. The pouches are clearly visible. I´m expected to be creative, careful and think beyond immediate problems. Having items which show that I do this even off duty is not really out of line.
This attitude seems to be slightly contagious. One of my coworkers found the courage to carry his Leatherman on the belt too.

Haertig:

Now that is more gross than my post on the nitro thread which got erased and this stays. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Ouch! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

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

AAMOF that joke was more against myself and my first understanding of it :
here, in France and in my working environment, PC stands only for Personal Computer.
When reading your post, I thought "it doesn't make any sense" and then had to force myself to think about an other meaning for "PC"...
I get often sidetracked (?) when having to deal with the acronyms used in various posts. Most of the time a search on the specialized acronims web site gives me the answer... not always..

anyway, I like what you call "double entendre" (?).. when I understand them .. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'll never forget the time some friends and I were in a heated discussion about CRT's. Those of us who were engineers were referring to "Cathode Ray Tubes" (one of several technologies for TV or PC monitor displays). We couldn't figure out how our friend, who was in the laundry business, could be so into the conversation. Turns out HE was talking about "Cabinet Roller Towels" ... those cloth towels on a continuous roll you find in restrooms (at least over here in the US!) It's amazing how well the conversation went despite the disconnect. We were talking about "viewing angles" and there he was, "Yep, yep - 'ya gotta be right in front of 'em for things to work right!"

Ah ha! I just reread Dougs LM wave/Charge review an realized that the pocket clip will work with my Wave also although it is not included with the Wave when purchased. So now I just need to find a vendor to sell me a pocket clip. Granted, if I did permanantly replace my large folder with a multitool for EDC I would probably switch to the Charge for its 154cm main blade and slightly reduced weight. However, seeing as how I have never been a big fan of multitool EDC in the past (though I do feel a change coming on) I think I would be best served to see how I like EDCing the Wave for a while before buying a Charge Ti. Now I'm off to surf the net for someone selling Leatherman pocket clips.

I'm really amazed at how many people work in places where something so innocuous as have a small handtool is considered bad form or cause for gossip. I guess I'm spoiled by being an engineer and working with other engineers who seem to have a utilitarian view towards tools.

Visible about my beltline is a cellphone, pager, pouch w/ MicroShield & 1 pair of Nitrile gloves, and a Leatherman Charge Ti. No troubles at all. Plus there's other stuff in my pockets.

That there are people who would be sincerely troubled or suspicious of such gear is a sad thing indeed.

Brian, I believe you can buy the clip for $5 directly from Leatherman.

Joe - sorry, didn't see a previous reference to the detail.
Thanks for reposting it.
Dave

Dave,

I'm sorry for the confusion - I meant to say that I had to revise my post three times until it sounded coherent. There were no previous references. I didn't mean to sound like a schmuck! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Alain,

I got your joke. I'm impressed with your command of English. I took three years of French in high school. I'm still barely able to pronounce the names of Canadian hockey players. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

<< I took three years of French in high school. I'm still barely able to pronounce the names of Canadian hockey players. >>


That's because you didn't take Russian. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And yes, Alain, your command of our heathen tongue, and out heathen culture, is quite impressive.

Bon temps, mon ami!

.....CLIFF

I found one at swisstool.com for $4.95 and $0 shipping (1st class) so I will try it out when it gets here next week.

What kind of office do you work in?

If it's a legal or political type of environment, that makes a big difference. Being a do-it-yourselfer can be frowned upon. On the other hand, I've seen medical doctors sporting Leatherman Waves on their belts. I work in an information systems office. Basically anything goes.

My rule of thumb is, use the smallest tool possible for the job. I don't haul out my SwissTool to open envelopes. If I need it, I use it, but I don't make a show of it.

I carry my Victorinox SwissChamp on my belt, but I wear bluejeans most days. I also have lots of sweaters and pullovers I wear without tucking them in. That covers up everything I have on my belt. I usually have my SureFire E1e, SureFire E2e, cellphone, and a multitool of some sort.

I carry what I want to, but I never openly display anything.

My company's Christmas party was held at a museum in downtown Philadelphia. Suits required. Shirt and tie required. I usually wear a turtleneck sweater, but in this case, men were expected to adhere to the guidelines. So I adhered.

Was I un-equipped? Perish the thought!

I carried my beloved Victorinox Midnite MiniChamp II in my dress pants pocket. If I have to use it, someone may say it's cute, but that's all they'll say.

I carried my Spyderco Jester in my suite jacket pocket. Nice and smooth with no buldges.

No room whatsoever for my cellphone, so I brought along my shoulder bag, my Podzilla from Roadwired, and stuck my cellphone right on top of everything else.

My manager asked me what I had in my bag. I said my cellphone, my camera, and my first aid kit, which was all true. I had more stuff -- including my Leatherman Wave -- underneath everything else. He nodded, said I was prepared as usual, and didn't say another word about it.

I was able to slip my SureFire E2e vertically into my dress pants pocket next to my wallet, with the clip showing on the outside. No one noticed. No one said anything.

I put my Inova X5 into a Rip-Offs sheath and clipped it to my belt in such a way that my suit coat hid it. I was able to button my suit coat without any buldges.

I put some first aid items in various pockets and away we went.

The only time I've ever been severely under-equipped was during jury duty (I haven't flown since 9/11). No blades of course, but I took all my EDC flashlights with me. The guards were vigilant enough to open every light, remove every battery, and inspect them all. But I still took my flashlights.

-- Craig

Already thought about it.
No enough place left here ...... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You guys talk about being spoiled by a boss that doesn't mind you carrying a Leatherman Wave, or other multi-tool. No friends, I am the spoiled one. I am in the Air Force. Right now I am in an offfice environment and have "only" 1 knife....er tool on me...a Benchmade Mini AFCK made about 8 or 9 years back with the ROUND "spyderco" type blade hole. It's for oranges, apples, big manila envelopes that need killing, and opening UPS boxes. Back a couple years back when I was a mechanic on the shop floor, I actually carried 3 knives or other tools on my belt DAILY. I usually included the standard Leatherman that they issue to us now and then, a Benchamde Osborne folder for the apples and oranges, and a BuckLite folder for cutting wires, boxes, and electrical tape. Life is good. I am likely about to deploy to Iraq this summer, and if I have to get involved in the convoy mess, I will be armed with an M-4 with Aimpoint sight, a Camillus CQB1 combat knife, and about any other choice of gear I think I can fit on my body armor and pockets! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Just to be clear: The Charge pocket clip also works on the NEW Wave, not the original Wave.

Kind of makes me glad I'm a laborer, my coworkers wouldn't look strangely at a hatchet or machete, and milti-tools are as common as pens in an office. Come to think of it, I can't think of anything I COULD carry that would get any looks/comments, outside of a .45 or 12 guage. 'Course, it's a whole different environment, I guess if T.S.H.T.F. I've got a head start on having the right equipment and more like minds standing around, lucky me huh? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Troy

Frenchy:

Since we are still here, you can't be talking about a black hole in your underpants created by a collapsing star, in which case it must be a shallow recessed area. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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

sorry, but nothing's "collapsing" down there.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Craig,

As for legal work environments, half of the lawyers I know are at least partial do-it-yourselfers. That trait is especially so in small offices. They predominate in the legal community. I am a sole practicioner. My next door neighbor who works in a medium size law firm only recently gave up rodeo riding. My recently retired state senator spends much of his free time working on his classic car. Don't sell us short.

Frankly, I do not normally carry a multitool (on my person) at (law) work for a variety of reasons. However I do keep one handy, as well as other basic hand tools. I nearly always carry my Leatherman Supertool when working at my ranch.

It all depends on the circumstances and the individual.

John

John,

Interesting. Thank you. I stand happily corrected. At one time I read the exact opposite regarding lawyers. Maybe here, maybe on another forum.

-- Craig

Right now I work in a typical small IS office for a small OEM. Tools are certainly not discouraged but as you state open display brings a lot of akward comments though it would not get me fired or anything like that. I wear jeans or cargos most days and Kakis on the other days. Some office parties meetings etc require more formal dress. Right now my Wave (new style) is living in my front right pocket or my back right pocket (back pocket is painful) and fighting for space with my large RSK which at the moment has lost and is actually sitting on my desk! I really think that with the 3" blades on the Wave that carrying the RSK is redundant. The only reason I still debate between the two is because given how infrequently I use a tool on the Wave other than a blade, the fact that the RSK is hald the weight of the Wave scored it some points. Anyway, that's where I'm at. I think I will end up shelving the RSK for a while and carrying the Wave exclusively once the pocket clip arrives. I will have to just see how it goes. The irony here is that there is a real good chance that starting this fall I will be working in a new location (a public school) with extremly tight security and knife/tool restrictions so I will be faced with a whole new set of "challenges"... but I'll save that for another thread if/when it happens. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I keep my wave with the rest of my PSK in a maxpedition fatboy.

The only items I always have on my person is a small sebanza carried lose in the pocket, not clipped on, with a miniFox40 attached to the lanyard, larger folder IWB on my boxers so the clip won't show, fresnel lense in the wallet, & a Micra w/ Photon II on my keychain.

As much as I would like to carry more on the person or the belt, my thighs make any contents in my pockets bulge out, and hanging a larger belt bag or visible knife clip on the pocket or belt would be conspicuous.

Before the white collar work I wore a New Sun pouch that carried my wave, surefire E2E, & earplugs.

Now my maxpedition carries:
mechanix gloves (good for cold steering wheels)
latex or nitrile gloves
Ti Spork - great for eating lunch leftovers
Rite in the Rain notepad
Space Pen
E2E
Ritter PSK
Vaseline lip jelly (good for lips, fire, lotion, nice small tube)
Ear Plugs (riding the train, naps, or trying to cut out office noise)
USB flash memory
Wave
RSK Griptilian
Lighter
Energy bar or two
Garmin Vista

My bag just stays at my cube. While it isn't as handy as having it on person, it is still readily available.

Are you being transferred or would this be a new job?

Where is this public school?

None in our area have metal detectors, to the best of my knowledge. Where will the tight security come in?

New job.

Here in Texas.

I'm not sure of the exact regulations for faculty/staff yet.

Seems like in most urban areas about 1/3 of schools have metal detectors but this will be in a rural area so the odds of having metal detectors in slim though it is possible.

Not sure exactly where I'll be yet... I just know that (after almost getting divorce but then working things out and getting back together) the wife and I decided to raise our son in the country rather than the city so we are looking for jobs in a bunch of different small towns here in Texas along the coast and I am about to become certified to teach so I will changing my career from IS/IT to teaching English/Grammar/Lit (if/when I find a job) <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

I teach school and have always been able to carry pocketknife, multi-tools and the like around with me. Just help out and the teachers won't mind you having them. The students might fuss but too bad.

Good luck finding a job. I am finishing up my 20th year and I have been RIF'd due to school consolidation. I am having to recertify in other area to try to find a teaching job too.

Then allow me to wish you luck. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm glad you're becoming a teacher. That means I don't have to. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

You state you wear cargos most days - so do I - just drop the wave in a cargo pocket. Heck, the left cargo is where my cell phone lives <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I learned the hard way not to carry my Victorinox SwissTool in the pouch on my belt in my office. And ours is a casual workplace, where jeans are the norm, so a belt sheath shouldn't have looked out of place. I was summoned into my manager's office and told that when I walked into the lunchroom earlier in the day, that one of the women felt threatened when she thought I had a knife on my belt. Never mind that I didn't approach this woman or even get within 100 feet of her and the tool was covered up in the nylon sheath. I had to sit in my manager's office and talk to human resources and explain why I was carrying a 'weapon' at work. I thought I was going to be fired. After assuring my manager that this was a tool that happened to have a knife blade in it, they told me if I would take it home and not bring it back, I would be in compliance with the 'no weapon policy' of our workplace and there would be no further problem. I did so, but only after explaining that several other employees had similar multitools on their belts or desks, but to no avail. I was a 'threatening' employee! I learned several months later that this was a personal vendetta from another employee that had prompted this woman to complain about me -- this person was trying to get me fired but was unsuccessful. And all during that several month period that my multitool sat at home, I still noticed other employees having theirs with no problem or complaint. I asked one of them why he was allowed to have one and I got in trouble -- he explained that he carries it in his pocket and not in the sheath, if it's not seen, someone can't complain about it. So that is the procedure I use now, no sheath, and nobody knows I have it. Never mind that your basic cell phone case looks just like a nylon sheath for a multitool and most employees have those, oh well. Such is life in the corporate world.

I cant imagine what it's like to work in an environment like that though I will (unfortunatly) be soon. Anyway, I finally got my pocket clip and it is working out very well. Don't have to carry it on my belt but it sits much more comfortably than when just tossed in my pocket without the clip. I am very pleased.

There's nothing you can do about personal vendettas. Especially when the rules are used against you. The rules are spelled out in black and white. If someone points out that you are violating those rules, The Powers That Be must act.

The economy is doing alright. Unless you really like the job or the company, I would advise you to look for another job. Even if the person trying to get you fired ends up leaving or getting fired themselves, that little chat you had about your "weapon" is now part of your permanent record.

Even if they said it was informal or off the record, nothing is ever really off the record, especially if a formal complaint is made. A paper trial must be made in case charges are ever filed or it becomes a court case.

In other words, you are marked man. You may be passed over for promotions. You may be the first to be laid off during the next slump. It is not fair, but no one ever said office politics was fair. Office politics is merely another form of warfare.

The woman that tried to get me fired has since been fired as she got caught on camera in the middle of a sex sandwich with another female employee and a man that wasn't even supposed to be in the building. Human resources assured me that a complaint was not filed against me, but it is no doubt still in my record.

Sounds like she got what she deserved. Too bad you had to suffer before she was let go. These days, even though our office is very relaxed, I make a deliberate attempt to fly way under the radar.

For instance, a few possible clients AKA strategic partners are visiting our office. I don't work FOR the company AT which I work. I'm a satellite employee of a company in another state. This arrangement works fairly well.

I was not specifically told to dress up from our normal blue jeans, but I will. A nice short sleeve shirt (given the weather), khakis, and a pair of real shoes. No low-hikers, my favorite footwear.

I will also be gearing down a bit. My SwissChamp will not be on my belt, but will ride in my shoulder bag that day. No SureFire E1e on my belt in a Victorinox belt pouch. That will also go into my shoulder bag.

I will clip my SureFire E2e inside my front pocket next to my wallet. You can't see the clip unless you're looking for it. Also, I have a Ripoff pouch that fits my Inova X5-T perfectly. That will ride on my belt, along with my mobile phone. So I will have only two items on my belt that day, one light and one phone.

I will have my beloved Victorninox Midnite MiniChamp II in my pockets along with its best friend, my Spyderco Jester. Those two make a perfect duo. Perfectly capable and yet PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. friendly, too.

-- Craig

The few times someone has said something to me about working with a knife (Usually my 4? Cold Steel Tanto Bladed Lock back) I just smile at them and say yea that?s why I pulled out the small knife to work with in here. They don?t know if I?m kidding or not but I just grin at them like I pulled their leg good and instead of looking stupid they usually laugh like they understand they had a joke played on them and go on about their business.
Most of the sheep are afraid of the sheepdog?s teeth so I keep them hidden by carrying cases that look like eyeglass cases, PDA cases, cell phone cases or camera cases. Every one knows if it says Nikon on the out side of the case it can only contain a camera there is no other possible thing or things that would fit in a case like that.
<img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You carry 3 lights? Youre afraid of the dark aren't you? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

How did you know ??? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Na, but there is no such thing as too much light !! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


Let's see...
My EDC (I have to answer that post too, one of those days...) today was, as far as lights are concerned :
- 1 white Photon III, hanging from belt pouch ;
- 1 white Photon (not a typo, a second one), attached to my keyring, in my vest pocket ;
- 1 red Freedom Photon, also hanging from belt pouch ;
- 1 Nuwa? QIII, in my belt pouch ;
- 1 Surefire 6P, in a sheath, on my belt
- 1 Inova T1, in a small sheath, outside my Maxpedition Condor backpack ;
- 1 Inova 24/7, inside the Condor backpack ;

I guess that's it .... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Might be a bit too much ..?...
I will leave the T1 at home (or replace it with a T2 when I receive it ... in a few days ... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />). The QIII is enough.

I will also get the 24/7 out of the Condor.
OTOH, Doug's PSK is in the backpack... so, an Inova 24/7 is a natural complement ... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


As for multi-tool carry, my Leatherman PST II is on my belt, in its sheath and is used very often. If the blade was a bit better, I would use it more often (instead of opening my RSK - sometimes a bit too large and frightening for some people...).
(I work in an office environment, mainly installing mid-range computers)

How do you like the Nuwaii QIII? I'm thinking of giving a few as gifts (as inexpensive Luxeon EDC lights for non-flashaholics), but I haven't seen one myself.

It says "water resistant"... I'd feel better with a depth rating. Is it just splash proof, or can you dunk it in a few feet of water and it's still ok?

I have not tested if it's really waterproof.
Should I put it in a water pail ?

I wanted a LED light, to complement the Surefire 6P (LED durability + longer runtime + less powerfull output + same CR123 battery) and my Photons.
I also wanted to buy a few, but only got one, the last the vendor had in stock... too bad. They are too expensive in France...

I'm a trial lawyer. There is a sort of ritual that you have to go through to put into evidence sealed written depostion records. You have to on the record identify the exibit, not that it is the seal original, state on the record that you are opening it, marking it for evidence, submitting it to the court reporter, offer it to oposing counsel for examination and then offer it into evidence.

Well, about 10 years ago, before court house security got tight, I was offering a bunch of written deposition evidence. Without thinking about it, I reached into my left suit coat pocket, pulled out my Paul knife with the totary bearing lock (2 2/2" blade), flicked it open, and proceeded to open evidence envelopes. Out of the corner of my eye I saw opposing counsel suppressing laughter, and wonderd what was going on on. It turned out that the several females in the room semi- freaked, but I was so fucussed on what I was doing I didn't notice. I looked at the Judge (female) she shrugged - proceed; I looked at the jury - a big late middle aged mexican guy in the front row raised a thumbs up, and I went about by business. Opposing counsel - a friend, incidentally - offered no objection and we went on.

Later, the baliff told me that when I came out with the Paul knife, a bunch of folks semi-freaked. It must not have mattered much. The jury came back with $3.5 mill for us.

I made a ankle sheath and carry my multi-tool and/or EDC knife on the inside of my right leg, just above mid ankle height. I'm a lefty, and it's easy to get to, and very unseen.

I like to carry backups for my backups. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Plus, it's awfully handy for when your survival class stays in the woods a bit too long and gets to walk back in darkness!

We had to walk uphill and negotiate a stream while not walking into trees or thorny bushes.

I had enough lights on my person to lend one to every classmember. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

No worries. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

Hi Groo - I got a couple of the Nuwai QIIIs back in March. At the time, the best price I'd seen for them was 2 for $70. I thought that was a great bargain and I've been very happy with them (one for me, one for my wife's purse).
I'd consider it to be at least as dunkable as a Minimag light...don't have any idea on if there's a depth rating for them or not, but I'd try to avoid that.
Now, there's at least one place to get these for $52 for a pair. I think that's a screaming deal. Here's the link to the dealer (I haven't dealt with these guys, but they seem to have a pretty good reputation on Candlepower Forums).
2 QIIIs for $52
I'd say these are definitely a great choice for an EDC for folks who aren't "into" flashlights for the sake of flashlights, and at the price they're right in the range of what you'd pay for a much larger Maglight, which won't give you as much light output.
Just my 2 cents
Dave

DaveT, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I need something for my Dad to carry that's brighter than the Arc AAA I got him a year ago. The QIII looks like a good choice, and cheap enough that if he decides he doesn't like it, I'm not out a bunch of money.

Thanks.

ObETS: I got my parents a nano-EDC survival kit a year ago, for Christmas. Gave each a Fox 40, LM Squirt and an Arc AAA. I explained to both why the whistle was so important. Mom carries it, Dad doesn't. But I was very pleasantly surprised by how much both of them liked their flashlights. At their age, it's hard to see under furniture, in low lights areas in shelves, cabinets, etc. They both use them "a lot" just to get more light where they need it. I think Dad could use a brighter light, though, so I'm going to try giving him the QIII and see if he'll carry it.

Did you see the link DaveT posted? I don't know if they ship internationally, but 2 for $52 seems like a good price.