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#163674 - 01/18/09 07:45 AM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: Eric]
Tom_L Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/19/07
Posts: 690
Gentlemen, thanks for the advice! Right now I'm leaning either toward the Squirt or Benchmade Benchmite.

If you have any more ideas please feel free to share. Just keep in mind that I'm looking for a small, light blade for discreet and legal carry, something that doesn't have "tactical" written all over it and would easily fit inside a pocket without indexing too much. So no Spydercos or Leatherman Wave, please - I EDC those already but now I need a backup folder for going to places where bigger, meaner folders and multitools are either illegal or inappropriate.

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#163707 - 01/18/09 04:15 PM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: ]
Brangdon Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/12/04
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nottingham, UK
Originally Posted By: IzzyJG99
Leatherman Juice Xe6.
I have one, and I much prefer the lower end of the Juice range. The S2 is much slimmer and has all the basics - knife and scissors, flat and Philips screwdriver, bottle and can-opener, pliers and wire-cutters.

(I actually carry the next one up, the Cs4, which adds wood saw, awl and bottle-opener, none of which would be important if I was as concerned about space and weight.)

Quote:
If you want something smaller, but probably totally ineffectual for anything serious, then I would suggest the Leaterman Squirt P4.
I have one of those, too. The pliers are mostly useful as tongs. I suppose it depends on what you want it for. The blade is OK for opening packages and a great many similar light jobs. It's not a survival knife by any means. Nothing at this end of the range would be good for batoning.
_________________________
Quality is addictive.

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#163719 - 01/18/09 06:27 PM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: ]
CSG Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 12/17/07
Posts: 72
Loc: Idaho
I tend to carry a little Squirt P4, SAK Classic, and a mini-Griptilian. Covers all my basic likely daily tasks. The pliers on the P4 are great for *light* use. The Classic has the scissors, toothpick, and usable nail file. The mini-Grip has the blade.

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#163742 - 01/18/09 09:46 PM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: Tom_L]
Eric Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 09/09/06
Posts: 323
Loc: Iowa
Sounds like your main focus is a decent small blade - I would say go with the Benchmite over the Squirt then. The Squirt is a handy tool but the blade doesn't lock, is a bit awkward to use due to the multi-tool thing and while it is sharp it is profiled like a chisel (ground on only one side). On the other hand the Benchmite does have a locking blade with reasonable quality steel and a decent edge profile. With a small lanyard on the handle the ergonomics aren't bad and are definitely better then for the Squirt.

I have had both for several years and I tend to carry the Benchmite in my pocket while the squirt is relegated to my portable kit (a usb memory stick container) that is close by but not always on my person.

Try out the benchmite, you might also look at the Ken Onion Chive knife by Kershaw. It is about the same size. I tried one and prefer my Benchmite.

In the discreet category another small folder comes to mind - the Wenger Alox moneyclip. Swiss army knives are pretty innocuous and one that is obviously a money clip is even less likely to attract attention. It doesn't lock but the blade is much better than the squirt and the scissors come in pretty handy occasionally.

Similarly several smallish swiss army knives from Wenger and Victorinox have locking blades - for example the Wenger Evolution S10 has a 2.5" locking blade and its looks should be pretty discrete. A co-worker swears by his Victorinox Adventurer, it is a bit bigger but still looks pretty "harmless" since it is obviously a swiss army knife.

Find a good knife store (or do some surfing online) and see what will work for you.

- Eric
_________________________
You are never beaten until you admit it. - - General George S. Patton


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#163748 - 01/18/09 10:02 PM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: Eric]
scafool Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 12/18/08
Posts: 1534
Loc: Muskoka
One question.
Does it have to be a locking blade knife?

If it doesn't then you suddenly have many more choices.
Everything from Shrade to Seki.
_________________________
May set off to explore without any sense of direction or how to return.

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#163756 - 01/18/09 10:33 PM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: scafool]
el_diabl0 Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/31/06
Posts: 301
Loc: NE Ohio
I love my Gerber Clutch and use it just about every day. I have the Shortcut as well, but find I use the pliers more. I've had it on my keychain for 3 years, and despite looking well-worn, it still works perfectly.

I am also going to look into the Leatherman. I like the pointier knife on it, and I think the screwdrivers might be a little better.


Edited by el_diabl0 (01/18/09 10:34 PM)
_________________________
Improvise, adapt, and overcome

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#163770 - 01/19/09 12:22 AM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: ]
digimark Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 70
Loc: Chesapeake Beach, MD
Originally Posted By: IzzyJG99

-EOD Robotics Pry Bar (Sharpened, cord wrapped).


Hi Izzy. I bought one of those from CountyComm, and cord-wrapped it like in the demo. But I haven't tried sharpening it. My uncle's giving me a decent grinder next time I visit him in Ohio -- does sharpening the obvious edge leave enough surface to act as a pry bar? Will it keep the edge? And once sharpened, what do you use for a sheath? (If anyone else wants to add their input...) Thanks. -Gary

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#163795 - 01/19/09 03:13 AM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: ]
Rodion Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 04/29/08
Posts: 285
Loc: Israel
Originally Posted By: IzzyJG99
I've been hearing a lot of bad things about the Skeletool from friends. One guy went to torque off a piece of steel, a little bur, on some welding and the carabiner side of the handle broke in half. He sent it back and got his money back. He's the second guy I know who's had the same problem. I think because of it's "Skeleton" thin design the structural strength of it isn't all that great.


Whoa, really? Does this include the CX models?
_________________________
Whenever you rest, someone, somewhere is training to kick your ass.

www.kravmagafederation.com

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#163832 - 01/19/09 01:01 PM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: Rodion]
yeti Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/16/06
Posts: 203
Loc: somewhere out there...
What are you wanting to do with your utility knife? On the utility side, I'm always a SAK fan. I carry more than one knife though. If I had to only have one, it would be a SAK...just for the utility. They are what I reach for most often. I have a micra on the keychain, but use it infrequently. I have a Spiderco that I rarely use. I've stopped carrying my Buck 110 (but still love the knife...sentimental I guess).

I do carry a SAK and a VIC Spirit. I also have one bigger rescue knife. But as mentioned above...the SAK is usually #1 and gets frequent daily use.
_________________________
...got YAK???

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#163845 - 01/19/09 02:42 PM Re: Small folder/multitool [Re: yeti]
BillLiptak Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/19/07
Posts: 259
I was going to suggest the delica, basicly a short endura or an emerson stubby. Fullsize handle, but with a california legal sized blade...but it seems you wants a utility knife that won't scare the "gentle masses"
In that case I'll second (or third or whatever number we're up to lol) a simple swiss army knife. Rarely raises an eyebrow except for the worst knife-a-phobics, cuts well and "should" be legal anywhere a sharp is permissable. I perfer Victorinox over Wenger, for no tangible reason...
If a locking blade nesecary go for the Wenger if you want the classic sized swiss army knife, or Victorinox makes some locking models in there slightly larger offerings like the trekker.
Best of luck to ya

-Bill Liptak

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