Pocket tools - what do you carry?

[Jez Cruzen]

Having worked in a carrier where the ability to perform minor mechanical chores made life a little easier, I have carried one or two pocket tools with me on a daily basis, whether at work or somewhere else.

Foremost, I carry a single-blade locking folding knife clipped neatly to my right pants pocket. For several years, it has been a Kershaw #1550 plain edge w/auto-assist. Its light, durable, and easy to sharpen and maintain.

Additionally, I have taken to carrying a Leatherman "MICRA" pocket tool. I have one of the original Leatherman tools w/belt pouch, but seldom take it since I'm often wearing dress pants. The Micra is small enough and has at least a limited capability to perform light work, including a pair of scissors.

For "woodsey" travel, I have Cold Steel "Master Hunter" (old style) that I have used for years. Its field dressed it's share of deer, and is a stout companion even though I never cared much for the nylon sheath it came with.

How about you? Care to share? I'm always looking to steal good ideas!

[Nvision]

I carry a locking folder, an SOG Flash with combo edge. Also carry a Leatherman Wave when at work. The G19 goes on when I get out of the office as well... :)

[bykerhd]

Leatherman's support for Kerry in 2004 made his tools unwelcome in a lot of places. My Leatherman Wave tool, pre 2004, has been my favorite everyday carry since they came out. It'll probably last me forever, but I may have to consider something else if a replacement is ever needed.

[Powderfinger]

Swiss Army knife-Spartan

[lew]

I carry a Smith and Wesson S.W.A.T. single bladed folder for everyday use.

[calavera]

Victorinox Swiss Champ, or if it's too bulky, a Wenger Classic 51.

[cabofdoom]

For a multi tool I have used a SOG, Leatherman, and a Gerber. have used the Gerber for the past 10+ years. IMO it is the easiest one hand opener. Also, I have found I have no use for those little accessor driver head sets.


COD

[Farmer from Hell]

I always have a Leatherman mini-tool in my pocket. Its the one that folds on it self twice and is super small yet still a full size pliers when open.

When Im working in the field I have a Gerber that Im pretty damn fond of. Ive been a Gerber guy since they first came out like 10+ years ago.

FfH

[TheOtherChris]

Since the day Leatherman "proudly" endorsed Kerry their tools have been off of my list. I will not knowingly send money to a company that funds anti-gun causes.

Thread about Leatherman's support of Kerry (http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121636&highlight=leatherman+and+kerry)

[Windustsearch]

I got a Victorinox multi-plier tool. I don't carry it around because it's like carrying a brick in your pocket, it rides in my dig kit.

Since I lost my old Camilus BSA knife, I carry a Victornox, swiss army knife. It's now missing some plastic and looks pretty bad.

[1gewehr]

I have several Leatherman Wave tools bought well before 2004.
I've also got a standard Leatherman in each vehicle.
Not sure what I'll buy next time I feel the need for a multi-tool.
1gewehr

[J308]

I've had a leatherman for a looong time before their kerry endorsement. By now, they've paid me to carry one. See, every couple years or so I break mine and get another for free. I've prolly had a half-dozen replacements that cost them, not me. What's cooler yet is REI will let you exchange in their store, no mailing hassles needed. They will also let you upgrade. And they don't care whether you bought the thing at their store or not. Last time I busted one I was all set to switch brands but the guy behind the counter said I could trade my busted leatherman (credit at full retail) and 30 bucks and get the new titanium "charge" model, I took him up on it. It's a great tool, and it represents a financial drain on the manufacturer. If I break it, I'm getting another one, on their dime. :shades:

[Jez Cruzen]

Wow...I didn't know anything about Leatherman's endorsement of Kerry! I've been thinking about a Wave, but now think I'll be looking for something else, like a Gerber.

I've watched the syndicated program "Saltwater Angler" as 'ol "Whats him name" slung out the pliers on his Gerber multi-tool and thinking how much easier that would be than me having to use both hands to dig out the pliers on my Leatherman.

Thanks for the heads up!

[g5]

at least look at SOG, too.

[knievel]

The higher-end Gerbers have carbide wire cutting inserts that are replaceable. They're fantastic.

[fusalautoleger]

i have one of the first waves tools out there like pre 9/11/00 and it dont take 2 hands to get the plyer out its more like a butterfly knife.that and buck lock blade

[Windustsearch]

IMO SOG is the one to buy. Just a little endorsement for the local folks there.

[JoeLad]

I have two Leatherman tools I carry. Both bought long before the Bush vs. Kerry battle. The older one (locking tools) is for work, the Wave (non-locking tools) is for every day.

I don't get the "I won't buy Leatherman cause they backed Kerry" argument. The same guys who proclaim this on the internet are probably typing on a PC that was made overseas. Bash a fine American made product on a foreign made PC. Shame on yas...

JoeLad:D

[762 shooter]

I have had problems with the screw drivers on the leatherman products. I have had no problems with them on Gerber products. I carry Gerbers almost exclusively. Unfortunately many of Gerbers products are made in china. I still have my wave. The only thing I don't like about it is its weight. It's like a brick.

[cabofdoom]

Originally posted by Windustsearch
I carry a Victornox, swiss army knife. It's now missing some plastic and looks pretty bad.

Victornox replaced one of of the scales on my 20 year old Swiss Army Knife this spring free of charge

http://www.swissarmy.com/CustomerService/ContactUs.htm


HIH


COD

[crash65]

The Gerber Multi-Plier® 800 Legend.

[cliff52]

Leatherman Micra - small enough to always carry. I thought I'd rather have pliers, but those scissors are used a lot.

What is the best tool to have? ---the one you have with you when you need it...

[stimpsonjcat]

Leatherman Wave.
I have abused this thing and it always performs, broke the can opener once (FAL disassembly) and they sent me a new tool.

I couldn't care less what the owner thinks, he makes a good tool...and I buy it.

[sslocal]

I have a pile of knives that I have collected over the years. However, I keep going back to my swiss army soilder. The dang thing stays sharp and opens beers too. You can't ask for much more from a good knife.

[TheOtherChris]

Originally posted by JoeLad
I don't get the "I won't buy Leatherman cause they backed Kerry" argument. The same guys who proclaim this on the internet are probably typing on a PC that was made overseas. Bash a fine American made product on a foreign made PC. Shame on yas...

JoeLad:D

Leatherman Tool used their name and profits to actively promote an anti-gun cause/candidate. As long as I have a reasonable alternative to Leatherman, I will not send my money to be used against my RKBA. I also like the music by Springsteen and Streisand, but I will not purchase their music when I know that they use the profits to attack me.

I feel it is important that people understand Leatherman's public stand and support and purchase accordingly.

Do what you think is right and I will do the same.

[Czechsix]

Pocket razor knife - the folding style with replaceable blades.
Gerber belt pouched multi-tool.
Surefire light

Howdy Nvision! :beer: :beer: :beer: :biggrin:

[mongoose]

Swiss Army knife....Champ....SOG mini pliers....gerber multi tool.

[Temp]

I'm partial to a big fuggin ball peen hammer, a pair of "V" blocks, a calf dehorner, a gaff, a tomahawk, and a 5-6" micrometer.

Leatherman?,... sheeeeeeit,... I don' need no steenking Leatherman!

[DJ]

Temp I have to agree........there are very few of lifes annoying little problems that can't be cured by the judical application of a big fuggin' ball peen hammer.

[.308 for life]

My Vacu jack 2000:biggrin:

[Hawkish]

SOG Paratool. Works great out on the flightline. You can use the pliers with them at an angle. Good for getting in tight places.

[Artful]

:bow:
Swiss Army Knife
Rainbow Leek :love:
Gerber Multitool
Key chain Sabertool - tiny Multi-tool:love:

the :love: means they are good tool given by my wife....

[richbug]

I have a Victorinox huntsman that my grandmother gave me when I was 8. I have lost it seriously twice, once in the manure spreader when cleaning stalls. Found it 2 years later in the field after having been plowed under and back up again.

I also carry a Gerber MPT when I don't have the Victorinox with me.

[Glucker]

Two little bitty Swiss Army Knives, both Victorinox. I don't know what their official nomenclature is, they are about 2inch long penknives.

They both have a blade, and a file with screwdriver tip, along with the tweezers, toothpick, etc.

The red handled one has a bottle opener, very important when one is in desperate need of a cold Heiniken.

The black handled one has a pair of very effective scissors, essential when one is chatting up a young lady, and then realizes an errant nostril hair sticking out of one's snout!:uhoh:

[Tankdriver]

Got a Gerber that is so old does not even have a model # on it. Got it from MATCO tools, pouch has a back pull down section with regular screw driver bits and a adapter to use the with it.

[owlcreekok]

Pocketknife. Whichever one I find first when I pull my britches on in the morning. Mostly an Old Timer, either the Stockman or the small locking single blade. Usually very sharp.

Lotsa screwdrivers in the shop. A good collection of BFH's too. Won't fit in me pockets. Short walk to the shop, usually. Door is often locked and the keys are with the knife I couldn't find this morning. Oh well, whatever it was needing worked on can wait. My pocket knife will open this beer quite handily.

Got one of those multi-tool-won't-do-shyte-very-well-but-will-do-in-a-pinch tools. Seems the most frequent pinch they are involved in is pinching my fingers. I dunno where it is just now, hopefully lost forever.

Temp, you remain my personal hero ! :bow:

[shogan]

1. SOG Powerlock Mult-tool. Always attached to my belt .
2. SOG PE II Folder, 5 1/4 inch blade, Always clipped to my right front pants pocket.
Professional tools!

[Terick]

Leatherman Sideclip is pretty handy to have IMO. Small enough to clip in the front jeans pocket and forget, yet when I need it, it's right there and big enough to do the job. No diggin' in the pocket (or wearin' a hole in it), no belt sheath, just right there. Got a ton of knives and tools of all kinds and the sideclip isn't the "best" of 'em , but I'll be darned if it's not the handiest I've found.

[Eric Bryant]

I carry a Leatherman Juice around the office and lab. That probably takes care of 90% of my tooling needs; anything more justifies a trip to the toolbox. Anything bigger would probably just end up sitting in my backpack or in a desk drawer.

[STGThndr]

A Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, Gerber (not Leatherman) multi-tool, Gerber clip folder, cigarette lighter, and a handcuff key.. The key, lighter and multi-tool are with me whenever Ive got clothes on... the clip folder is a recent add-on because it's quicker to access and a bit larger than the blades on the tool or the SAK.

[Bubba FAL]

Leatherman Wave since '01, cheap $10 auto for around the yard - good enough for choppin' kudzu/slicing cardboard/etc. and no big deal if I lose it.

[knievel]

I looked around far and wide before buying mine. I figured out what I needed (good pliers, wire cutters, etc) and what I didn't (corkscrew, toothpick) and in the end the Gerber Legend 800 is the finest there is. End of story.

[Dation]

I carry a cold steel 4" zytel Ti-LITE everyday. It is a handy knife but when new it'll cut you if you look at it wrong. I cut my fingers a few times playing with it. You can open it with the thumb stud, press on the back and flip it open, or snag it on your pocket. I almost always use my pocket to get it open and man it opens FAST! For a multi-tool I use my old gerber tool (if I can find it). For hunting I usually carry 2 knives on my with another in my pack. I like to carry my Schrade "Beast" folder and a Kershaw echo fixed blade (both stay good and sharp for hunting). I have a good knife collection and will rotate depending on what I want to carry.

[Artful]

Did anyone hear about Leatherman being strong Democrap supports of Kerry in last election. :confused: Don't think I will be buying from them any products.

[gunseller]

The most important thing I need in my classroom is my pen. I call someone if something else is needed. Out of the classroom I go with the approach use enough high explosive the first time.
Gunseller

[izaakb]

Originally posted by Artful
Did anyone hear about Leatherman being strong Democrap supports of Kerry in last election. :confused: Don't think I will be buying from them any products.

Probably ought to confirm that before going off half-cocked.

Plus, a LOT of companies donate to both "sides" because they are not in a position to p anyone off. What state is Leatherman located in? It may be in their best interest to "support" one or other candidate locally.....

That being said, sending them a polite email asking about it would help.

[fastprofessor]

I carry my leatherman and microtech UMS everyday.

[Rawles]

I alternate between a battered early-production Leatherman and a Leatherman Wave. The Wave is heavier, but more versatile.

My #1 Son got a Leatherman Super Tool 200 (see his review on SurvivalBlog.com, posted on Oct. 23, 2005) But that thing is just too heavy for my tatse!

[9thmoon]

I carry this, this, and this:
<img src="http://www.lawtonpd.com/images/pistol_tn.jpg">
<img src="http://akamai.backcountrystore.com.edgesuite.net/images/items/medium/WCR0005.jpg">
<img src="http://www.t-mobile.com/images/products/229040/large_front.jpg">

All important tools in my day-to-day life. I should note that none of these things are in my purse. They're on my body. Purse gets snagged, then I've just handed my weapon(s) and my life's story to a criminal. I really don't understand why and how most females and some males carry purses and/or ubermasculineportablestoragedevices.

[doktor_ecchs]

1958 Beretta auto in .22 short and a Bali-Song...:biggrin:

as ever,
Dr. X :fal:

[TheOtherChris]

Originally posted by izaakb


Probably ought to confirm that before going off half-cocked.

Plus, a LOT of companies donate to both "sides" because they are not in a position to p anyone off. What state is Leatherman located in? It may be in their best interest to "support" one or other candidate locally.....

That being said, sending them a polite email asking about it would help.

Nothing 'half-cocked' about it. His information is correct and his aim is true.
The story has been confirmed several times on this board as well as other sights. One thread is here (http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121636&highlight=leatherman+and+kerry) which I linked to in post #9 of this very thread.

Tim Leatherman is located in WA.
He didn't just donate money to the cause.
He added his company to a list of Northwest enviromentalists to "come together to endorse Senators Kerry and Edwards because they share our values and goals..."

Many emails were written to Mr. Leatherman and his response to their anger was: "So be it. I took a position, and now I will accept the consequences."
He chose to use the notariety of his company name to endorse Kerry and the "values" that he supports.
That is his right.
It is our right to not send another nickle to a company that openly supports "values" that we oppose.
It is also our right to inform others of his stand so that they can make their own choice.

Now you can make yours.

[bykerhd]

I guess I'll keep the Leatherman tools I have, exercise the warranties when necessary and replace them when the time comes, if ever, with another brand of tool. A brand more in tune with MY values. If such companies still exist by then.

[Sig220]

TheOtherChris,

I agree with your post about the companies past political endorsements, has he continued on this path? In other words....has he seen the error of his ways?

Oh yes, found Leatherman Wave's with the leather pouch for $21 yesterday.

[spatin]

I used to carry a Swiss army knife, a small one with scissors and just a few implements, but gave it up because I have left too many of them at the security station at the courthouse. (They are afraid that I will go berserk and cut up a bunch of clerks with my 2 1/2 inch blade.) Now I just carry one around on the weekend when I think about it. - Sidney

[TheOtherChris]

Originally posted by Sig220
TheOtherChris,

I agree with your post about the companies past political endorsements, has he continued on this path? In other words....has he seen the error of his ways?
[/SIZE] yesterday.

I only know that the endorsement was last year and his emailed response to those that expressed concern was that he is willing to accept the consequences for promoting the "values" he shares with Kerry/Edwards.

I can't speak to his thoughts or current political leanings, nor do I have any knowledge has he retracted his statements. I can only say that I have not seen any indication that he would not continue to support such "values" in the future.

So, I will do what is practical to not send money to a company that will use that money to support candidates that I strongly oppose.

[Opie]

GI-issue Electrician's pocketknife is what I normally have in my pocket. Never did get into the multi-tool thing; I had one once and it broke pretty quickly. Never have broken a blade on that old pocketknife, and it does what I need it to do.

[redbear]

Originally posted by lew
I carry a Smith and Wesson S.W.A.T. single bladed folder for everyday use.

+1

O got one of those that I carry everyday for usual "cutting" activities. I was given it by teh S&W rep when we did a big sale, it;s been a great little knife, adn it was free!

I also carry around a swiss army thing called a "swiss card lite". It's like a swiss army knife, but teh size of a credit card with a little LED light in it. I thought it was the stupidest thing I've ever seen, then the little lady bought one for me, and now i use it nearly every day... I ate my words! It's a great product!

[GarthDial]

A Schrade 285UH in the right front pocket. A Leatherman Supertool on the right hip, or on the left hip if I'm "packing heat". It is the last Leatherman product I will own now that I know those potsmokin' former hippies from Portland, OR gave their support to John Heinz Kerry!:redface:

[Farmer from Hell]

Thought y'all might want to know I got a catalog from Sportsmans Guide HQ and they have the Gerber MP600 for $30.

Link (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=199361)

http://image.sportsmansguide.com/dimage/93917_ts.JPG?cell=320,320&cvt=jpeg

Looks like the same one I have, except for the serated blade, which is like $45 at Target.

Pretty damn good price if your looking for an extra one to throw in the glove box or whatever. I love mine.

FfH

[owlcreekok]

I forgot about this thread. Since last post, I decided to go full tactical.

[Sig220]

Okay........Ole Owl, I give.......................what is it?

[owlcreekok]

Orc Scimitar.

[Sig220]

Originally posted by owlcreekok
Orc Scimitar.

Dumb ole me thought the pic was not loading all the way........kept looking at it and going.........where is the rest of it???

Now I go back and its clear as a bell to me:) Guess maybe my eyes are older then yours??

Which pocket you aim to stick it in??:rofl:

[owlcreekok]

Thread Hijack


Sorry.

I wuz outta my mind. :rofl:

[Sig220]

Whats that old song????????


Oh yeah, its "Hey now!"

[thwolf7.62]

a swiss army knife, a leatherman uber tool 200 ($15. "street vendor", at least i didn't contribute to kary; ) and a buck cross lock hunter complete with gut hook and bone saw!

[thwolf7.62]

so ya'll say that Gerber and S.O.G. are real good ? hmmm. maybe time to replace the uber tool already.