Multi-Tools - Mini Magic Toolboxes

If you’re like me and share a fetish for appreciation of cutlery, you enjoy knives with a tactical flavor. Or perhaps you’re into hunting knives. The knife genre has so many varied facets that the mind can be boggled several times over. Despite being “into” knives and edged weapons for close to five decades now, I still come across blade and EDC tool designs that I’ve not seen before. That makes the hobby exciting and interesting, and it’s also a testament to just how creative and inventive people can be - particularly when it comes to multi-tools

An EDC tool is probably the least sexy but most pragmatic example of cutlery. Multi-tools aren't sleek, nor high speed, low drag (or, as I’ve become over the years, low speed/high drag), or tacticool. 

Mostly, they’re kind of boring. And very, very utilitarian. 

A good EDC tool can be among the most useful piece of gear that we might have on our person (or in a pack, bag or vehicle) because they can do such a wide array of tasks.

I personally have four in my possession: A Leatherman PST II, a Gerber full size (I’m not even sure of the model), a Gerber Vise, and a Leatherman Micra.

Understand, I rarely ever use EDC tools like these. For my purposes, they are a nice-to-have, hope-I-don't-need-it piece of kit that's reassuring to have accessible. It's a little like my pistol; if I need to use it, I’m having a rather poor quality day (though we're talking about a big difference in extremes there). 

Make no mistake, though, that when I use one of these tools, I am in dire need of it. And that's why some sort of multi-tool (not necessarily anything "tactical"), along with a good handheld flashlight, are always part of my Every Day Carry. 

Here's a Powerlock EOD from SOG posed with some other gear as someone prepares to execute some land navigation. (Image courtesy of SOG Knives)

EDC Tool: Location, Location, Location

There are two places I typically keep one of these EDC tools. 

The first is in my range bag. It never fails that I forget to bring tools with me to the range to make adjustments on my scope or sights (or any of the other variety of tasks that I might need a tool for). Enter the multi-tool! It will perform most tasks adequately well, if not as well as a purpose-built gun tool.

Another other place where one resides 100% of the time is in tje “Get Home Bag” that rides with me in my vehicle. I don’t keep tools in my car, and so the multi-tool offers me some simple options for field expedient repair if I get in a jam.

My intention here is not necessarily to give a thorough review of each multi-tool in minute detail, but rather to put ideas into your head as to how one might suit your needs, be they similar to mine, or totally different. 

I know guys who are building contractors and who carry a multi-tool on their belt 24/7 because they use it incessantly on the job. They might be up on a ladder and need a pliers and don’t feel like climbing all the way down, walking outside to their truck, and grabbing one. Bang! The multi-tool is handy on their belt, and saves them a trip, and time is money. 

I also take one fishing whenever I go. Not that I'm ever successful at catching fish, but one never knows when fate will strike.

Let’s take a look at what the multi-tools mentioned here offer the user:

The Gerber: It has a pliers (complete with wire cutter), a Phillips head screwdriver, two flathead screwdrivers, an awl, a thingee (I’m not sure what it does, honestly, nor how to describe it!), a bottle opener, a file, and a knife blade. Also included is a ruler (along the handles) that measures up to three inches. A nice feature that it has is that when a tool is folded out from the handle, it locks in place so that it won’t close on the user’s fingers during use. They easily unlock by sliding a small button. I also like how the pliers deploys on this one; two detents are pushed on opposite sides of the handle and the pliers goes straight out, and retracts into the handle when not in use. I also like the finish on the Gerber, it is a matte, silver finish. All in all, this one is my favorite. I’ve had it for years and can’t even remember where I got it. Over the years, it has come in handy a number of times. It came with a belt pouch.

Here's a Multi-Plier 600 in action helping someone cook up a meal in the field. As they describe it, "Carrying a Gerber MP600 gives you maximum flexibility in addressing life’s daily problems, and the MP600 Bladeless means you can do so even in limiting circumstances" - Image courtesy of Gerber Gear

The Leatherman PST II: Both side of the handle fold over to conceal the pliers (and wire cutter) in this one, which is an efficient way to make it compact. Also on the handle is a measuring ruler that appears to go up to eight inches. Also included are a bottle opener, file, Phillips head screwdriver, partially serrated knife blade, two flathead screwdrivers, and a scissors. The tools, when deployed, do not lock into place, but are held by tension, so a little care has to be taken. This one also comes with a belt pouch.

The Leatherman Micra: This thing is seriously tiny, living up to its name. It can literally be dropped into a pants pocket and the user will never know it’s there until needed. The main tool on this one is a scissors (I wish it had a small pliers, that would be a home run). In the handle are contained a knife blade, tweezers, bottle opener, Phillips head driver, flathead screwdriver, file with hooked end, and there is a measuring ruler on the handle. All in all, a staggering array of tools that disappears into the pocket!

Finally, the Gerber Vise. For the size and weight, I consider this to be the most amazing of the four tools mentioned because it is approximately the same size as the Leatherman Micra, but it also offers a pliers (complete with tiny wire cutter). Additional tools on the Vise are: a plain knife blade, serrated knife blade (sheepsfoot type), file, Phillips head screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, awl, and bottle opener. And did I mention that it’s tiny? Man, this thing is insane! Drop it in your pocket and forget about it! It measures just a hair over two inches long.

Here's a less tacti-cool but equally functional Multi-tool variant, the Sheffield Warren 10-in-1, cause not everything has to be painted entirely tactical black. Certainly not an EDC tool. 

In a vehicle, range bag, bug out/get home bag, load bearing equipment for military or law enforcement, fishing, contracting, mechanics, boating, camping, household…these are just some examples that I thought of in a few seconds of how these tools will enrich your life. Or just drop a small one in your pocket and forget it until you need it. 

I didn’t have usually have one on hand when I was active with a specialized law enforcement unit, but thinking back to those days, there were a staggering amount of tasks that I’d have used a multi-tool for. Setting up sniper hides in an urban setting sometimes calls for tools to make the job easier, and that's just looking at it from an operational perspective. For each of those applications there are a dozen mundane versions. 

I have to confess I'd actually forgotten that I owned a Gerber Vise until I began writing this article. It had been sitting in my closet, collecting dust for who knows how long. 

What in the world was I thinking?!? 

I’ll tell you what I was thinking – my mind focused on the sexy combat blades that I love to carry. Well, I’m not taking a $250 knife and loosening screws or prying with it. The Vise is going straight back into my pocket!

For their size and weight, these tools add almost no bulk to your kit, and yet what they have to offer in usefulness is way out of proportion to their size. Especially the tiny pocket versions! Sure, it’s much more convenient to use tools that are full-size and that are intended for a specific job. But we all know how Murphy’s Law goes…if it can go wrong, it will go wrong. And that Murphy fellow sure does seem to get around. 

I know he spends a lot of time gumming up my plans. 

Carrying a multi-application EDC tool certainly can jam up Mr. Murphy when he comes calling.

Prices on multi-tools vary widely. They’re not tacti-cool, but what they offer in utility far outweighs their cost. Once you start carrying one, you’ll probably wonder how you ever got by without one. Check one out, they’re likely to multiply in your collection!

About the Author - Jim Davis

Jim Davis served in the PA Dept. of Corrections for sixteen and a half years as a corrections officer in the State Correctional Institute at Graterford and later at SCI Phoenix. He served on the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT), several of those years as a sniper, and also the Fire Emergency Response Team (FERT). For twenty-five years, he was a professional instructor, teaching topics including Defensive Tactics, Riot Control and Tactical Operations, Immediate Responder, and cognitive programs as an adjunct instructor at the DOC Training Academy.