Looking to downsize

D

DeadManWalking

Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
442
My EDC is a Surge. I'm not unhappy with it, it works just fine, but it's too much tool most of the time. I'm wondering if I can go smaller. I've considered the Blast might be a logical choice, but I really like the commonly used tools on the exterior.

Here's what I actually use:

The main blade
scissors
pliers
wire cutter
large flathead screwdriver
precision/eyeglass screwdriver
#2 phillips/flathead screwdriver
can/bottle opener

Here's what I don't use very often:

serrated blade
file (although handy sometimes)
reamer

So really there's only three features I don't use that much. I like the easy access to all the tools you get with the Surge, which is why I took it over the Swisstool. The Swisstool is well built but the tools are hard to get at. I like the 4.5" size for actual use but it's just, well, kind of big. I would also appreciate a dedicated #2 Phillips and a dedicated flathead screwdriver. Replacing the larger screwdriver with a crate opener might not hurt either.

Just thinking out loud. I've thought about going with a SAK with the pliers, would be much smaller and provide most of the same utility. All multitools are a compromise...
 
DeadManWalking said:
Just thinking out loud. I've thought about going with a SAK with the pliers, would be much smaller and provide most of the same utility. All multitools are a compromise...
Click to expand...

Good thought -
the minimalist SAK with pliers is probably the Victorinox Mechanic (US model # 53441) and I've seen it as low as $22 -
mtg534416rt.jpg


One can always have a SAK in the pocket to supplement any other tool.....
but don't be surprised if the SAK is all one needs most of the time....

For some great discussion on minimalism please check out this long thread -

Minimalist SAKs

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
I am not a fan of the Juice line at their price point. I've had three of them, I've gotten rid of three of them.

The Mechanic's not bad, but I'd really need a model with the corkscrew for the precision screwdriver (not for the corkscrew). That's just not negotiable for me. Something like the Compact with pliers and a dedicated Phillips driver would be pretty darn close to perfect.
 
We need to come up with a term which describes a person who's looking for a multi that doesn't exist...whatever the term is, it applies to most of us here:D
 
DeadManWalking said:
The Mechanic's not bad, but I'd really need a model with the corkscrew for the precision screwdriver (not for the corkscrew). That's just not negotiable for me. Something like the Compact with pliers and a dedicated Phillips driver would be pretty darn close to perfect.
Click to expand...

Pliers with corkscrew is difficult -

According to the SOSAKonline Selector current Victorinox models with that combination in order of size -

Angler
CyberTool 34 & 41
Handyman
SwissChamp

Phillips - The CyberTools do have Phillips (as part of their driver set) -
but only the SwissChamp has the dedicated in-body Phillips......

Wenger has the Classic 50 without Phillips, and ToolChest Plus with.

Neither the SwissChamp nor the ToolChest Plus are really considered "compact" - great value though.....

There are people over at SOSAK who probably can mod a SAK to to be a Compact with Pliers,
but with Phillips it's really a Yeoman with Pliers.......

If not already a member of SOSAK - ask to join by posting a message HERE

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
Matches said:
We need to come up with a term which describes a person who's looking for a multi that doesn't exist...whatever the term is, it applies to most of us here:D
Click to expand...
"Victorinot?" ;)

GeoThorn
 
UnknownVT said:
Phillips - The CyberTools do have Phillips (as part of their driver set) -
but only the SwissChamp has the dedicated in-body Phillips......
Click to expand...
Hey, don't knock the CyberTools!! Those drivers are a helluva lot better than the mid-frame-mounted Phillips on most other SAKs; the driver has a ton more reach, and you can still use it at 90 degrees if you really need the extra torque.
 
DeadManWalking said:
The Mechanic's not bad, but I'd really need a model with the corkscrew for the precision screwdriver (not for the corkscrew). That's just not negotiable for me. Something like the Compact with pliers and a dedicated Phillips driver would be pretty darn close to perfect.
Click to expand...
If you only want the corkscrew for the mini-screwdriver, why not just grind the driver on the can opener down a bit? It's easily done on a sharpening stone.
 
I was always puzzled - why they put corkscrew into CyberTools? I'm working with/repairing computers my whole life, and never had a need for a corkscrew :)
 
nekto said:
I was always puzzled - why they put corkscrew into CyberTools? I'm working with/repairing computers my whole life, and never had a need for a corkscrew :)
Click to expand...
I've been working on 'puters for ages, too, and they often drive me to drink! ;)
 
nekto said:
I was always puzzled - why they put corkscrew into CyberTools? I'm working with/repairing computers my whole life, and never had a need for a corkscrew :)
Click to expand...

Because SAKs are not made in America. In many other countries they drink wine with meals. It would not be odd to repair a computer with a bottle of wine standing by to assist.

Someone here once made a comment about removing the corkscrew. Bladeforums' European members came out in droves to protest.

The only place drinking is frowned upon is America, puritan America. Everywhere else, drinking wine with meals is nearly a given, from what I've read.
 
UnknownVT said:
Good thought -
the minimalist SAK with pliers is probably the Victorinox Mechanic (US model # 53441) and I've seen it as low as $22 -
mtg534416rt.jpg
Click to expand...

A nice piece, for sure, but I can't get past the offset crosshead screwdriver.

Who would put the bloody thing there?

I have several SAKs with them, but I don't carry those.

Gotta have the inline crosshead screwdriver, myself.
 
cardimon said:
Gotta have the inline crosshead screwdriver, myself.
Click to expand...

I too much prefer the in-line/body Phillips screwdriver.

The small screwdriver tip on the can-opener is actually designed to fit #1 & #2 Phillips - so one can have a corkscrew and get more functions.

What the original poster wanted ideally would be a Yeoman with Pliers.......
which would have an in-line/body Phillips.

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
I love my squirt P4, which has most of the features on your list. It's 2 oz, and about $25 at the Cuttlery Shoppe.

The only downside is that the bottle opener doesn't work well.
 
I'm curious, how much do you really use the pliers? If you need a heavier duty sort of plier, then you probably will need to stay with a larger frame of multi-tool. I've got the SAK Mechanic as well, and while I marvel at how well constructed the pliers are, they just don't have the "umph" behind them to do much along the lines of squeezing and gripping and crimping and such. If you want small and pocketable, but also want something closer to real pliers, I'd second the vote on the Leatherman Juice. I've got the S2 and KF4 models - they both drop in the pocket quite nicely and have decent tools, blades, and pliers on them. That also applies to the wire cutters - the Mechanic does have a little cutout for cutting wires, but don't expect it to chew anything much larger than a single 22awg wire in to.
 
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