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Praise For Multi Tools

leatherman tread

The Leatherman Tread. I’m not even entirely sure what this is, but I want one.

When it comes to tools, I often quote Pablo Picasso, who said “everything is either easy or impossible.

As I interpret it, oftentimes the difference between the easy and the impossible is whether or not you have the right tool.

Don’t believe me? Try running wire between drywall and insulation without fiberglass rods.

My love for tools knows few bounds, and is hardly a secret to regular rAVe readers.

Something I haven’t blogged about in the past is my opinions on multi-tools.

They’re by their nature a compromise, and not necessarily as capable as a dedicated single-purpose device, but the cardinal advantage of mutli-tools is having them on your person when you need them. They’re small, compact, and easy to keep with you.

They shouldn’t be too small, however. I wouldn’t deride super-small multi-tools as useless. Few tools are truly useless, otherwise they wouldn’t be “tools.”

mini multi tool

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Rather, I think of them as having less overall utility.

Not that there aren’t downsides. When it comes to tightening or loosening a Philips-head screw, the rectangular cross-section of the handles of your average multi-tool are neither the most efficient nor the most comfortable form factor. They can also be a drag to deploy when you’re up a ladder, for example. However, overall their utility makes up for their shortcomings.

I will admit to owning more multi-tools than necessary.

I won’t apologize for it, of course. As everyone knows, you can never have too many tools.

However, the classics are still my favorite. I still have my beloved Old School original model Leatherman-brand multi-tool that they don’t make anymore.

classic leatherman

Simple, yet complex.

In fact, I also have the one that belonged to my late father-in-law. As he would have told you, it’s always good to have a spare.

Even so, despite still favoring the classics, I often find myself seduced by the glamor of a new tool: sleeker, more specialized, and with different tools on it.

Although once I found myself beguiled by a multi-tool designed for linemen, I came to my senses and didn’t buy it.

As cool as it sounds to have a 110 punchdown tool on a multi-tool it’s kind of ridiculous, at least for me.

multi tool with 110 punchdown tool

Really, how often do you find yourself in a position where you think “If only I had a 110 punchdown tool!”

My current man crush is my new SOG Switchplier.

sog switch plier

*swoon*

Honestly, it doesn’t have anything on it that my classic Leatherman doesn’t but it has a cool factor all its own. Look at that:

sog switch animated

I need a moment.

Like all tools, multi-tools have their place. By which I mean stashed in strategic locations in my car, around my house, and on my person at all times.

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