Pocket knives and other every day carry tools

[bitseeker]

Swiss+Tech Utili-Key: Unobtrusive yet surprisingly handy.

I have one of those too, and it's actually still on my keychain... but, I really don't think it's terribly useful. The blade's too short even for opening letters, and using the other functionality (particularly the bottle opener) I've managed to cut myself a number of times. So... nice idea, but just doesn't work that well in practice imo.

Hmm, I have not experienced those issues. We must have different techniques.

Although I shall note one advantage: it's the one "multitool" I can take with me when flying. After two dozen flights or so, it hasn't been noticed yet.

I have experienced this, by accident of course.

[Isamun]

Been carrying the Victorinox CyberTool 34 for a couple of years. Really love it. The fact that it has an acceptable array of bits along with the standard pocket knife essentials in a light package makes it very versatile. You'd be surprised how often the 4mm hex bit fits (bicycles, furniture...etc).

My main grief with it is that the only included flat-head bit is too big for most screw terminals.

[vk6zgo]

I had a pocket knife when I was ten!

[apis]

So did I. I also had shoes, a pen, a hammer, a compass, a calculator, a ruler and many other useful things.
I use the small blade to open packages and letters and such every day. The larger blade is used almost exclusively for food when not at home: peeling fruit, cutting bread, slicing cucumber/salami and so on. The other day we had a pizza but no cutlery, easy to cut to nice pieces with my pocket knife. I suppose it's possible to tear apart a pizza, but I've never had to try so I don't know. Having a pocket knife is like augmenting yourself with tools that makes you better/more capable, it's transhumanism.

[KL27x]

So did I. I also had shoes, a pen, a hammer, a compass, a calculator, a ruler and many other useful things.

And you carried all these things around in your pocket, everyday?

These days, I keep tools at a bench or in a vehicle. I ain't gonna whip a crappy screwdriver-slash-can opener out of my back pocket to fix nothing for no one, lol.

If I know I'm going to be out for more than a quick run here or there, I will often slip a 1.5" pocket knife off the bench and into the front pocket. 99% of its reason for being, away from a bench, is opening packages and cutting down the boxes. That's about it. At the bench, with other tools and materials and lighting to work with, it is quite a bit handier.

Opening letters/bills, sure. I am doing that at a desk/bench. Usually opening packages and processing the cardboard and packaging at a work bench. Usually doing anything with tools at a bench. And if the work can't come to the bench, I shall usually have to pack the right bag, and it probably won't include a swiss army knife.

That said, I have several multitools. The only ones I use much are Gerbers that are essentially pliers with a few odd bits stuck in the handle. And the last time I ever used them for anything more than pliers, I can't remember. But they have good (the best, I daresay) scissors for a multitool, if it comes to that.

[apis]

And you carried all these things around in your pocket, everyday?

I didn't carry them around all day when I was 10, especially the pocketknife since you weren't allowed to have it at school and a corkscrew, etc, is arguably of limited use to most 10-year olds, I hope. I got it as a kid because I was a member of the scouts, for hiking and camping and such and we abused it a lot being dumb kids. But it survived, and many years later it is/was still in good condition which I think is a testament to the quality of the things. Now I recently bought a new one and a few others because the old one got stolen...

As an adult however I do carry many of these things daily, except a hammer and a ruler (although I have a small measuring tape in the bag I usually carry with me). Compass, calculator, and pen (sort of) is incorporated in a gadget called a smartphone. I also carry a pocketknife, keys, wallet, glasses/contact lenses and clothes. The phone has a built in torch and a camera, gps and several other things. I probably use the pocket knife about as much as the phone if not more. In my bag I have an extra pen, small torch and charger, medicine, ebook-reader and sometimes a laptop etc.

That said, I know a few people who insist on not having pen-knife, mobile phone and computer and they do just fine, for the most part.

[mos6502]

Excellent, if a bit heavy. The included diamond file is incredibly useful. And so is the fact that you can exchange it for standard T-shank jigsaw blades. The pliers are great too and the wire cutters and crimpers work surprisingly well.

[VK5RC]

I was really taken with this little fellow, lots of useful stuff for me. Dumb name though "midnight manager at work".

[GK]

I used to think they were worthless too.  Just for wannabe geeks.  Then the wife got me one (of a variety small enough) to keep in my pocket.

I've got tools in the shed, the garage and the house. I keep a basic tool kit in the vehicles. At work I've got tools coming out of my arse. When I occasionally go away (as in the middle of some of the remotest country [desert] on the planet) I've got a comprehensive tool kit with me by necessity. For me there just isn't any use for this dinky Swiss knife that would outweigh the bother of keeping it always on my person.
 

[GK]

When I was about 10 years old I bought myself a "survival knife". I had a mate into militaria at the time and he had one. I though it was cool and after seeing it started saving my pocket money. Big Rambo-like knife with the serrations on the top edge, except the blade was plain steel painted black. It came with a holster and for a time I carried it everywhere (even to primary school in my pencil case) and honestly no one that I can remember could have cared less or ever kicked up a stink. I'm only 39; this wasn't in 1940 or anything.

[Richard Crowley]

... being Swiss, of course I carry a Swiss Pocket Knive, wouldn't do to ignore the preconception

Since I live in Portland, of course, I carry a Leatherman.

[armandas]

I've been carrying a Leatherman with my keys since 2008. My current one is a PS4, with a good set of tools in a small form factor.

[bitseeker]

I was really taken with this little fellow, lots of useful stuff for me. Dumb name though "midnight manager at work".

Yeah, that's a pretty sub-optimal name. "Engineer" or "Techie" would have gotten the point across much more efficiently.

[photon]

A problem with the key chain is the metal keys scratch the knife's sheath.

[sarepairman2]

the best swiss knife is the craftsman. http://www.swissknifeshop.com/swiss-army-craftsman?gclid=CIn6kLjTvMsCFVAjgQodWlsGmA

[mos6502]

the best swiss knife is the craftsman. http://www.swissknifeshop.com/swiss-army-craftsman?gclid=CIn6kLjTvMsCFVAjgQodWlsGmA

Might as well go for the Workchamp and have roughly the same tools, but with a longer knife, a longer saw, a longer file and much better Phillips screwdrivers.



But really, all the screwdrivers on those multitools aren't that great. If nothing else, they always lack reach. This is a much better solution:

[Maxlor]

I've started thinking about my choice of standard-sized SAK. I've been carrying a Victorinox Climber in my bag so far, but not much choice went into it when purchasing it. So I revisited that and tried to find the "best" SAK for me, and came to this conclusion:



It's the Victorinox Compact. It's only two layers thick, but has all the functionality of the larger and heavier Climber (minus the reamer/punch) and a couple of useful extra features, like the pen or nailfile (not visible, it's on the backside of the hook). So since I value small size a lot, it's a winner for me.