I have a Leatherman Core I carry while Im at work and it is a great and sturdy tool, however I find it to be a little heavy for EDC purposes while Im not working. I am looking for a second tool to carry when Im not working and would like eithier a light tool that I could wear with a belt clip type sheath or a Swiss Army Knife I could carry in my pocket that wouldn't feel to bulky or heavy. Let me know what you suggest. Thanks Alot.
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Multi Tool or Swiss Army Knife
- Thread starter joshp72
- Start date
For me the big advantage of the Leatherman tools is the built in pliers. In cases where one is working with machinery this can be vital.
However, in many cases the pliers aren't necessary, and when you take that away from most Leatherman tools, IMO, the advangtage goes to the SAK. SAKs have slightly more rounded corners, and tend to be lighter to be more pocket friendly. Of course, depending one which model you select, YMMV.
I own a Leatherman Juice XE6. It doesn't have any locking blades like the Wave, and it's a bit smaller. Despite this, it's still a bit heavy for pocket carry, and I tend to leave it at home rather than carry it with me.
However, in many cases the pliers aren't necessary, and when you take that away from most Leatherman tools, IMO, the advangtage goes to the SAK. SAKs have slightly more rounded corners, and tend to be lighter to be more pocket friendly. Of course, depending one which model you select, YMMV.
I own a Leatherman Juice XE6. It doesn't have any locking blades like the Wave, and it's a bit smaller. Despite this, it's still a bit heavy for pocket carry, and I tend to leave it at home rather than carry it with me.
I like the leatherman juice models. S2 is my favorite. They are light enough to carry in your pocket but also can be worn on a belt.
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/s2/default.asp
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/s2/default.asp
cb4life_30
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If scissors aren't a big deal, I would recommend a Vic farmer. If you need scissors carry a micra on your keys. I always carry my farmer both on and off the job, barely know its there.
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Although a Core is my preferred multi-tool for "serious" occasions, I like to travel lighter most of the time. These days I find pliers useful, so I carry a Leatherman Juice CS4. It takes up a bit more space than some Vics, but still manageable. Suspended from my belt into my RF pocket, the weight is negligible and easily managed. If you want to go even more minimal 
, it's hard to beat the Vic Soldier, Pioneer (Soldier with key ring) and Farmer. For lightweight multi-tool EDC, I honestly believe these 4 are the best available and rotate according to what I expect on a given day, or "just because."
As for Wenger vs. Victorinox, it's Vic all day, IMHO
, it's hard to beat the Vic Soldier, Pioneer (Soldier with key ring) and Farmer. For lightweight multi-tool EDC, I honestly believe these 4 are the best available and rotate according to what I expect on a given day, or "just because."As for Wenger vs. Victorinox, it's Vic all day, IMHO
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The Tinker's a great knife. That was the first SAK I I received as a gift back in the day. For the longest time, I thought it was a tiny punch dagger (I got it when I was 13 haha), and didn't realize that it was an awl until much later.
Compared to the above mentioned Farmer and Soldier, it is noticeably lighter in the palm due to the cellidor scales, but not so much in the pocket.
That being said, I usually like a pair of scissors on my SAK, so I'll usually carry a Super Tinker. Sometimes I'll switch out an EvoGrip 18, which is basically a shrunken down Super Tinker w/ a saw.
If you can live without pliers and a saw try the Vic Compact.
Its a two layer 91mm with a single large blade,
combo tool(canopener bottle opener),scissors, corkscrew, hook,pen pin,
tweezers and toothpick.
If a saw is a must go with the three layer Farmer paired with a Vic Classic or Leatherman Micra on your keychain.
The Farmer and the Compact are comfortable to carry in your jeans right side change pocket.
A Vic Huntsman is even more versatile but at four layers its just a tad thick for pocket carry. It is still doable but it makes more of a pocket bulge.
Its a two layer 91mm with a single large blade,
combo tool(canopener bottle opener),scissors, corkscrew, hook,pen pin,
tweezers and toothpick.
If a saw is a must go with the three layer Farmer paired with a Vic Classic or Leatherman Micra on your keychain.
The Farmer and the Compact are comfortable to carry in your jeans right side change pocket.
A Vic Huntsman is even more versatile but at four layers its just a tad thick for pocket carry. It is still doable but it makes more of a pocket bulge.
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I finally settled on using both a SAK and a Leatherman, in order to distribute the weight fairly evenly between two pockets. The Squirt P4 is in my right front pocket with my keys. It is used mainly for the pliers and occasionally for the file and some of the small tools. The Sak Bantam (or Tourist) is in my left front pocket with my change. I need the Sak mostly for the blade and the cap lifter, as those two tools on the Squirt are too minimal to be very useful. I like this two-tool arrangement better than than a single heavier tool which has everything.
Richard
Richard
Well for years Vic was higher quality and Wenger was more inovative. Then Vic bought Wenger (or perhaps the owner of Vic bought Wenger which is not quite the same). Now Vic and Wenger are about the same quality and Wenger is gaining popularity. I like them both and my EDC flips between a Wenger Evo S17 and a Vic Farmer.
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I switched out my Leatherman Wave for a Vic Farmer for the same reasons, weight.
The tinker will be very compact with a phillips screwdriver that swings out 90 degrees from the back. This T shaped configuration provides limited reach compared to inline phillips configurations, so that might be a factor. If your priority is portability with some mechanical usefulness, the previously mentioned of tinker, compact, soldier, pioneer, and farmer models will work. Maybe the Victorinox mechanic, which has a small pliers, sort of like the spartan model. The single layer Waiter model is light and will not be noticed in a pants pocket, but I find the blade not as robust as the next two sizes up in the vic line of SAKs. The discontinued scientist model is 2 layer with magnifying lens and inline phillips...
The Wenger brand may actually have the toolset you're looking for, however, last time I checked, I did not like the QC and the steel (it did not seem to take an edge well). It may have changed. But clearly, they seem to offer more variety and maybe innovation in the tools they offer.
The Wenger brand may actually have the toolset you're looking for, however, last time I checked, I did not like the QC and the steel (it did not seem to take an edge well). It may have changed. But clearly, they seem to offer more variety and maybe innovation in the tools they offer.
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The Tinker's a great knife. That was the first SAK I I received as a gift back in the day. For the longest time, I thought it was a tiny punch dagger (I got it when I was 13 haha), and didn't realize that it was an awl until much later.
Your first impression was not so far off. During the Vietnam war, GIs in Saigon and other cities were often targeted by thieves operating in pairs, one who would try to grab wallets or watches and the other to drive a getaway motorbike. Troops on leave were forbidden personal weapons, so one popular option was to carry a Tinker (SAKs permitted) in fist with the awl sticking out between their fingers. If a snatch and run were attempted on them, the pointy but non-lethal implement could serve as a painful deterrent. Awl, right?
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Your first impression was not so far off. During the Vietnam war, GIs in Saigon and other cities were often targeted by thieves operating in pairs, one who would try to grab wallets or watches and the other to drive a getaway motorbike. Troops on leave were forbidden personal weapons, so one popular option was to carry a Tinker (SAKs permitted) in fist with the awl sticking out between their fingers. If a snatch and run were attempted on them, the pointy but non-lethal implement could serve as a painful deterrent. Awl, right?
That's really interesting. It does stick through your fingers by a good half inch. It's awl good
Thanks for all the suggestions, I am still not 100% sure if Im going to go with a SAK or a Small Multi Tool but I have some good ideas about it now. A good friend of mine gave me a Tinker, so I will use it until I make my mind up. I have another question for you all: Is there a company that makes sheaths for the multi tools that you can get a belt clip on? that way you can clip it on your side when not wearing a belt.
The Tinker is a great EDC knife I used to carry (and lately have been again) carry(ing) a Vic Spartan, which is the same thing- except with a corkscrew where the dedicated phillips is. It disappears in the pocket real well and is built to last. If I had to do it all over again, I would have definetely bought the Tinker instead of the Spartan.
I used to carry (and lately have been again) carry(ing) a Vic Spartan, which is the same thing- except with a corkscrew where the dedicated phillips is. It disappears in the pocket real well and is built to last. If I had to do it all over again, I would have definetely bought the Tinker instead of the Spartan.If I'm going to be near my truck or my house, where I have tools readily at hand, then I carry a SAK.
Lately, I've been enjoying this Victorinox Mechanic....
But if I'm going to be someplace where I don't have access to other tools (like while camping or hiking), then I carry a multi-tool.
My latest, and favorite so far is the Leatherman Charge....
The one-hand-opening, pocket-clip, and 154Cm blade-steel are very appealing features. :thumbup:
Lately, I've been enjoying this Victorinox Mechanic....
But if I'm going to be someplace where I don't have access to other tools (like while camping or hiking), then I carry a multi-tool.
My latest, and favorite so far is the Leatherman Charge....
The one-hand-opening, pocket-clip, and 154Cm blade-steel are very appealing features. :thumbup:
Hey, I just wanted to let everybody in on what I decided to go with and tell everyone thanks for their input. I went with a super tinker for pocket carry and also got a leatherman charge which is a little smaller than the core. So far both are fitting the bill great, I carry the super tinker for EDC and bring the charge along if I think I might have a need for it. I had forgotten how fun it was to carry a SAK.