My thoughts on the " perfect " multitool.

[Hickory n steel]

Personally I think the search for what doesn't exist or modifying one to put the " perfect " tool together is not worth it.

All I really need on a full sized multitool besides the pliers is #2 Phillips the large standard driver and a good awl, everything else I can live without.
The PST for example has the 3 essentials plus the file I like but don't really need, everything else I have yet to use except the can opener once.


So what's my problem with finding or creating the " perfect " multitool ?
It's because most multitools have the 3 essentials I need, those extra 2-5 I'd swap for this or that and still have "extras " that I wouldn't need any more than what comes in the model from the factory.

The PST and Fuse are good enough, and that's the best one can hope for when perfect doesn't exist and it could eventually change if I actually thought I found it.


How about you guy's, do you have a perfect in mind ?
Would it be worth it for you to buy many models in the search or mix & match / modify...ect ?

 

[DocT]

I think it really depends on what you need a multi tool to do. I no longer need things like pliers. So a pioneer x works just fine for me but a farmer x might also do the trick because that saw could come in handy in certain situations. Other than that I really don’t need anything except maybe a Cadet X because of the lifestyle that I live now.

 

[GIRLYmann]

quite honestly, i like the plier tool
primarily for its pliers
so it better be sturdy!
yes a knife would be good.
as would the flat
and cross head screw drivers.
perhaps a combi file metal saw.
and seeing that i rarely
require a can opener
and hardly have use for a caplifter,
they wouldn't be entirely missed.
also i like the minitool

but one would have to pair it up
with an SAk or something for
other tools as the knifeblade
on the mini is the size of a scapel..
with a combi file flat head
screw driver. i would love to see
it reintroduced with a longer blade
along with a flat and crosshead
screwdriver or maybe a bit holder.
just my 2 cents...

 

[Hickory n steel]

I think it really depends on what you need a multi tool to do. I no longer need things like pliers. So a pioneer x works just fine for me but a farmer x might also do the trick because that saw could come in handy in certain situations. Other than that I really don’t need anything except maybe a Cadet X because of the lifestyle that I live now.

A pocket knife with tools definitely is better to use than a multitool in most situations.

 

[allenC]

My perfect multi-tool:

Pliers, channel locks, or vice grips.
Blade.
Flat-tip screwdriver.
Cross-tip screwdriver.
Metal file.
Scissors.

 

[yablanowitz]

The two least used tools on my original Wave are the knife blade and the scissors. Probably why I've stuck with it forthirty years. I have a lot of multi-tools, including a couple that I have customized, but I think the search for perfection is like most hobbies - an enjoyable waste of time.

 

[AndreLinoge]

I've come to find out that the perfect Gerber mp600 I had was a fluke.
It had blunt nose pliers with replaceable cutters in the 'pro scout' toolset handle (knife, scissors and remgrit saw attachment). Never been able to find a 'pro scout' that had that pliers. They usually have needle nose pliers with no replaceable cutters.
The grit saw attachment was awesome because you could fix a regular jigsaw blade up to fit on it just by grinding the little nipple off the sawblade tang.
You can get replaceable cutters and both the scissors and remgrit attachment on an MP600 still, but it's on the bladeless 'tsa compliant' version. My (yet to be executed) idea was to get a broken or beat up mp with some scissors and replace my lanyard loop or one of the knife blades in my current specimen with them. Seems lots of folks have that idea tho. Busted up MP600s get bid up fairly high for what they are, so I have yet to do it.

I've had a Gerber like this since about 6th grade, I love em. Only ever replaced them because of thieving... (3 times in 25 or so years)

 

[Hickory n steel]

The two least used tools on my original Wave are the knife blade and the scissors. Probably why I've stuck with it forthirty years. I have a lot of multi-tools, including a couple that I have customized, but I think the search for perfection is like most hobbies - an enjoyable waste of time.

It can be, but I acquire so many knives and airguns and tools that for me I kind of prefer multitools to be like the simpler pre forum joining time where I can carry only one for years years at a time.

I went on a short multitool kick last year and found two winners in the PST and Sebertool m4, but after that I decided to cut myself off at the knees before I wanted to have and rotate through a bunch just because.
I didn't need a 4th costly hobby

 

[DocT]

The new Leatherman Free in its various iterations looks promising. I was looking at a T4 online a couple of days ago. I have not actually held any of this line.

 

[Lee D]

The new Leatherman Free in its various iterations looks promising. I was looking at a T4 online a couple of days ago. I have not actually held any of this line.

My wife bought me one in March, and it’s a great compliment to a primary knife. I wouldn’t want it to be the only thing in my pocket simply because it’s so darn square in your hand it would get uncomfortable after any amount of extended use. My hands are too big to be able to open the blade one handed (I guess that matters to some people), but everything locks up tight with no play in any direction.

 

[DocT]

My wife bought me one in March, and it’s a great compliment to a primary knife. I wouldn’t want it to be the only thing in my pocket simply because it’s so darn square in your hand it would get uncomfortable after any amount of extended use. My hands are to big to be able to open the blade one handed (I guess that matters to some people), but everything locks up tight with no play in any direction.

Thanks. That is useful information since I wear a 2XL glove.

 

[Lee D]

Thanks. That is useful information since I wear a 2XL glove.

As do I. I wasn’t trying to steer you clear you away from the T4, it really is a great product with a nice selection of tools. The pocket clip is a nice addition for when you don’t wanna reach in your pocket for a SAK with greasy hands.

 

[allenC]

My perfect multi-tool:

Pliers, channel locks, or vice grips.
Blade.
Flat-tip screwdriver.
Cross-tip screwdriver.
Metal file.
Scissors.

This checks all the boxes except scissors...and I have scissors on my keychain Vic Rambler.

We'll see how I like over the rest of the summer.