Multi-purpose Knives

[kevincope1777]

This might be a unneccesary question to ask, but should I carry a regular pocket knife like a Kershaw or use a Multi-purpose knife?

As of now, I have a Kershaw

 

[hexenjager]

This is a site for knife enthusiasts. The answer to questions like this one is always "and". You should carry your Kershaw AND a multi purpose knife. GO BUY MORE KNIVES FROM DEALERS WHO SUPPORT THIS FORUM!

Seriously though, I usually carry a multitool or SAK and a modern, one hand opening folder (with a pocket clip) together. They both shine at different things. Personally, if I do just carry one folder, it's almost always a SAK and the modern folder gets left at home. Needs and tastes are individual, so it just kinda depends what fits best with your lifestyle.

 

[jackknife]

Kershaw and all other knives are just that; a knife. Another name for a one trick pony. An over priced one trick pony at that.

A SAK or multitool is a pocket sized package for solutions to a lot of the problems everyday life throws in your path. I've yet to have a knife bail me out of a problem. But I can't count the times having a SAK in my pocket got me home with no problems. Sometimes having a screw driver or other simple tool will let you fiddle with something and get it going again. Like being out on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and having my Vespa motor scooter drop dead. A loose battery cable fixed it but Ineeded a screw driver to get into the recess where the screw was. Or an electric trolling motor control coming apart at the far end of a long and winding lake with an hours p[addle back oat least. The ability to get a deep set phillips screw back into where it belonged was vital. My SAK took care of it.

I could go on and on about how many times a SAK saved me from a long drawn out experience and got me back. but I'll just tell you that any knife is just a shallow one dimensional thing compared to a SAK or small multitool. I'd rather have a SAK like a modest recruit or tinker than any hundred dollar or more knife.

 

[redsparrow]

... knives are just that; a knife. Another name for a one trick pony.

...any knife is just a shallow one dimensional thing compared to a SAK or small multitool. I'd rather have a SAK like a modest recruit or tinker than any hundred dollar or more knife.

Here Here! +1
Carry both. But if you only carry one tool make it a SAK.

 

[Derzelas]

This might be a unneccesary question to ask, but should I carry a regular pocket knife like a Kershaw or use a Multi-purpose knife?
As of now, I have a Kershaw

My SAM Spirit X is on its pouch on my belt regardless what SAK I have on my key chain. It might sound like an overkill, but for me regular pocket knifes are not enough, just because sometimes is not the blade that I need. First two things I used right after I bought the Spirit were the Philips screwdriver and the scissor - and it was not job related.

 

[ThePeacent]

My SAM Spirit X is on its pouch on my belt regardless what SAK I have on my key chain. It might sound like an overkill, but for me regular pocket knifes are not enough, just because sometimes is not the blade that I need. First two things I used right after I bought the Spirit were the Philips screwdriver and the scissor - and it was not job related.

Pliers Based MT+ SAK + Folder = All bases covered

add a light or AAA flashlight and you're more prepared than 90% of the people out there

 

[Derzelas]

Or just these:

From normal blade to serrated blade, saw to pliers, scissors to screwdrivers, all are covered.

 

[jaseman]

Are you a knife guy, or a tool guy? Really, it all comes down to this.

Me, I carry a knife daily, no matter where I'm going, or what I'm doing. I find a blade infinitely useful. That said, as stated above, it is a bit of a one trick pony. And while I always have a knife clipped in my pocket, a multi-tool, of some sort, is always within reach - either in my pocket, strapped to my pack, or in the center console of the truck.

I can't tell you how many times a good MT has come in handy. Getting a motorcycle running in the middle of nowhere, quick fix to a firearm at the range, or even just simply unsticking an uncooperative tent zipper in the rain - having a multi on hand has saved me quite a few times when a proper tool set wasn't available. So much so, that I'll occasionally switch out my EDC folder for a knife-based MT like a Skeletool or Crucial, just for the extra piece of mind.

So, I might not always have a multi on my person, physically speaking, I do always have one close at hand.

 

[afishhunter]

Why not carry both?
My normal EDC is a Buck 301 or 371 stockman, a scout/camp knife; either a SAK Huntsman or a 4 blade Camillus "Demo" or SAK Recruit, a 2 blade Canoe or Barlow, and a Buck 110.

 

[GIRLYmann]

If cutting is pretty much what you use an edc knife for,
Be forewarned that carrying a multitool could expand your social universe.
As such, a multitool would enable you to try and resolve
if not actually "fix problems"
Which such a tool That others might not carry or have.
Instantly the man of the hour at the point of hysteria or crisis.
Your capabilities to resolve other peoples hopelessness
Would be vastly improved.
Your reputation as a helpful fixer
Or go to guy will be legendary gossip
And at times actually valued by others.
If you do not seek fame
But like the idea of preparedness
Edc it and never flash it about.

 

[ThePeacent]

if knife is essential and has to be nice and quick, OHO blade, Skeletool is hard to beat

 

[Hickory n steel]

I would stick with just the sak, because modern thick blades folders just don't perform daily small tasks as well as a thin sharp traditional blade.
A sak also gives you a set of useful tools that you don't get with modern folders, I always carry MI leatherman fuse so the only sak tools I really need are the toothpick & tweezers ( though it's tools are handier to go to first )

Honestly a more compact sak like the vic recruit, tinker, or small tinker are great to have no matter what even if you edc something else.

 

[gadgetgeek]

Carry one, carry all, carry a bucketful! Lots of considerations, what you do for a living, where you live, drive to work or take the bus, young, old, in school, or work at a place with certain "guidlines", is your normal daytime wear a suit, coveralls or a speedo?

Without knowing all those things, its hard to say. Personally I'd start with a Victorinox tinker, and then see what situations you ran into where you needed a different or other tool.

 

[popedandy]

It is a personal preference and your decision should be based on what you think will work best for you. I have several multitools that I rarely use. A SAK provides some versatility and Victorinox quality is very good and very consistent. I find that just a plain knife is normally all I need, but I always enjoy carrying one of the Alox SAKs.

 

[Getahl]

In tend to pair stuff. One of my favorite knives, bar none, is the Classic. This gives me latitude to not worry about what else I'm carrying, because most of what's on it is super useful to me as an office drone and a father.

Apart from the Classic, I like light, small, and thin, currently a Case mini blackthorn. They are more useful in my daily routine than my larger Spydies, or my much loved Avispa, or even my Wenger SI.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[jackknife]

In tend to pair stuff. One of my favorite knives, bar none, is the Classic. This gives me latitude to not worry about what else I'm carrying, because most of what's on it is super useful to me as an office drone and a father.

Apart from the Classic, I like light, small, and thin, currently a Case mini blackthorn. They are more useful in my daily routine than my larger Spydies, or my much loved Avispa, or even my Wenger SI.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

The classic is the most under estimated of the SAK's. I've paired it with my Northwoods stockman;

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I've paired it with bigger SAK's;

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Sometimes I've even paired it with a small personal firearm;

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And sometimes it gets paired with nothing at all except for a few keychain tools when traveling to 'certain' cities. Then it's my sole pocket knife for the trip!

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Maybe theres very good reason the little classic is the best selling multool/pocket knife world wide?

 

[Hickory n steel]

The classic is the most under estimated of the SAK's. I've paired it with my Northwoods stockman;

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I've paired it with bigger SAK's;

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Sometimes I've even paired it with a small personal firearm;

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And sometimes it gets paired with nothing at all except for a few keychain tools when traveling to 'certain' cities. Then it's my sole pocket knife for the trip!

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Maybe theres very good reason the little classic is the best selling multool/pocket knife world wide?

It's definitely the best selling sak / multi function knife, and the best selling actual multitool would be the leatherman micra and that's why it's the oldest still produced leatherman model ( exactly 21yrs now )
I really need to have my mom find my old red classic so I have one to match my vic recruit, since I only have a yellow and pink one.

 

[Getahl]

Many people on this forum feel naked without a blade. I feel that way without a Classic.

Hickory and Steel, I want to love the Micra. I really like it. Very solid, great array of tools. But the scissors. Great on firmer materials, like zip ties and the like. Softer, more pliable material...I have difficulty cutting. Which is why I go to the Classic so often.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[bt93]

A pocket knife should have atleast a screwdriver for a second blade. If all you have is knife blades, sooner or later you'll ruin a blade trying to use a knife blade as a screwdriver.
I either carry a SAK Explorer Plus which is overkill but for the pen, or my Trestle Pines Grand Portage, a Barlow with a screwdriver. The SAK should be exclusive, but a wood handled Barlow is just so cool. I would've possibly killed for a Barlow with a screwdriver back in the day, so I carry the Grand Portage most of the time. I am considering a Vic Compact, it has a pen and won't be overkill like the Explorer+. The only thing holding me back is the Grand Portage in my pocket.

 

[ThePeacent]

Just carry the three basics: Pliers, Scissors, Knife, better said: Classic, Micra, Squirt/Dime
They all fit in a keyring, and weigh less than any full size MT or SAK the three together