Tactical Knife or Multi-tool?

5791 Views 38 Replies 35 Participants Last post by BenGoodLuck, Mar 31, 2013

MJClark

Discussion Starter · Mar 19, 2013

Over the past several months, there have been hundreds of times that I thought, wow a knife would be handy right how. Additionally, there have been many (although less) times where something more than a knife was needed.

Which raises the question, what would be better, a tactical knife, or a multi-tool? I have been searching for something and for something good, they would be about the same price.

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031131

· #2 · Mar 19, 2013

Or both? Leatherman multi tool, price varies based on the one you get. I think I have the 300 model which was about $70. Leather sheath goes comfortably on my belt and until just now I forgot I even had it. Then I got a gerber ar 3.0 roughly $30-35 for my general purpose cutting needs. That blade has served me well in the 3 years I've been carrying it. But generally speaking I like knives and if you want to count the leatherman multitool I have 4 on me.

I do recommend an actual knife for cutting things. I've had 3 other multitools of which I've broke the blades on all of them and the pliers on one of them. I have never broken a real knife blade. Those thin multitool knives just don't hold up to any real task.

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kerberos

· #3 · Mar 19, 2013

Both...

Multi-tools are good for everyone, great for no one...

You can get a good knife for around 50 dollars (aus8 or 440c steel).

:hand15:

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Moby

· #4 · Mar 19, 2013

I used to carry a multi tool everyday and used it everyday.
I honestly do not know why I stopped carrying it.

Lnafree

· #5 · Mar 19, 2013

Both. Have carried a multi-tool (Gerber) for years to work. Started carrying on weekends, also. Now, also carry an autoknife.

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Rock and Glock

· #6 · Mar 19, 2013

Both. I carry a Wave and three knives.

chiefjason

· #7 · Mar 19, 2013

I have not been without a knife since about 9th grade. I'm 39 now. Bought myself a nice new toy at the gun show this weekend. A Spyderco Delica with Emerson wave. It's not cheap but it's a great knife and you can open it one handed when the wave catches the back of the pocket. I vote for knife for sure. I've had a couple multi tools and never really like them. I just keep pliers and screwdrivers in my bag at work instead.

Reactions: 1

zcostilla

· #8 · Mar 19, 2013 (Edited)

Been issued a lot of different multi tools, but I found that I preferred regular tools better. I keep a small toolkit in my car for those occasions where I might need them. The only multi tool I ever seemed to enjoy was the Leatherman Wave.

I carry a Razel everyday (combo knife combing a straight edge like a razor or box cutter and a cutting to like a chisel.) I have the stubby from Columbia River Knife & Tool. I don't have the extra cash for one from Graham knives out the time to wait for one to be made &delivered. If I'm in the woods I carry a Knives of Alaska "Elk Hunter" in D2 tool steel.

I thought the razel was gimmicky until I held one. Its useful fur everything I generally need each day. It's so useful I gave my Spyderco Endura in VG10 to my teenage son.
Check out the links: http://www.crkt.com/jongraham
http://www.grahamknives.com/razel.aspx]GrahamKnives.com - Home of the Razel? - Razel? Facts

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rwponline

· #9 · Mar 19, 2013

Both.

When at work it's usually a discrete midsize folder like a spyderco caly3 paired with a swiss army knife that includes pliers (usually a mechanic model) and a flashlight (usually a 2AA or 2AAA streamlight or 4sevens). The swiss army is super non-threatening for performing little tasks around non-knife people.

Off work it's a larger folder like an endura or Aegis paired with a mid sized leatherman and a second flashlight (1AAA that rides in the sheath with the leatherman).

X4ND32

· #10 · Mar 19, 2013

I've been carrying the Leatherman MUT and I use it just about every day. Not only is it the most rugged tool in my daily carry kit, but it also looks like it's a transformer

MJClark

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 19, 2013

Goodness... let see, that ould mean I would carry a gun (S&W Shield in super tuck deluxe), multi-tool, knife, flashlight, iPhone, wallet, and keys. Is it me, or does that seem like a lot? Even More so given that in the summer, I am in dress pants and a polo shirt.

Perhaps keeping the multi-tool in my car would be a good thing. Another friend bought a key chain flash light and I was shocked at how bright it was and how the beam could be controlled. I should ask him about what kind it was. I know it was super small and insane bright.

MIKECIB

· #12 · Mar 19, 2013

MJClark said:
Over the past several months, there have been hundreds of times that I thought, wow a knife would be handy right how. Additionally, there have been many (although less) times where something more than a knife was needed.

Which raises the question, what would be better, a tactical knife, or a multi-tool? I have been searching for something and for something good, they would be about the same price.

I like multitools but i decided on a tactical folder.Two reasons .1. A multitool has to be carried in a sheath of some sort on the belt.I do not whant any more items on my belt.2. A knife can be a weapon and a tool .A multitool makes a poor cumbersome weapon.

Phillep Harding

· #13 · Mar 19, 2013

I'll also go with "both". I hardly ever use the blade on my multi-tool, mainly using the screw drivers or pliers for light work. The knife is mainly for cutting. The blades are too fragile for anything other than opening letters and the metal on the rest is not such good quality, either.

Dumb story: One of my co-workers was stopped by a police officer down in Los Angeles for carrying a multi tool. This kid works in fish plants, where the knives range from 6" trimmers to 24" halibut heading knives that would make the typical gang banger wet his pants, so he is a little puzzled by how upset this cop was about a multi-tool. The cop flips out both blades and says something about how fearsome a weapon that was.

Try threatening someone with a multi tool in that configuration in an Alaska village and children will follow you around, snickering. People will still be laughing about the dumb cheechaco 30 years from now. Try it in the local barrios and you might be able to escape while all the locals roll on the floor, laughing.

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031131

· #14 · Mar 19, 2013

MJClark said:
Goodness... let see, that ould mean I would carry a gun (S&W Shield in super tuck deluxe), multi-tool, knife, flashlight, iPhone, wallet, and keys. Is it me, or does that seem like a lot? Even More so given that in the summer, I am in dress pants and a polo shirt.

Perhaps keeping the multi-tool in my car would be a good thing. Another friend bought a key chain flash light and I was shocked at how bright it was and how the beam could be controlled. I should ask him about what kind it was. I know it was super small and insane bright.

Full size hg iwb, fixed blade (5" blade 3" handle or 3.5"blade 3"handle depending on the plants) iwb opposite gun, zytel tri lite clip to right pocket, gerber ar 3.0 clipped to right pocket. iphone, keys, wallet, leatherman on belt, pen, lighter (I don't smoke, just good to have), and a usb thumb drive. I love not having knife laws

. Anyway all that is easy to carry.

Give it a week you'll get used to it.

QKShooter

· #15 · Mar 19, 2013

I just recently bought a Leatherman but, it is for the Bug Out Bag.
The actual knife that I carry every day is a SOG Pentagon Elite II.
The blade in the Leatherman though razor sharp is not what I will need a blade for when I need a blade.
I carry the SOG because it sports a 5" blade which is what I want for a defensive knife that is decently quick to deploy with one hand.

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RubenZ

· #16 · Mar 19, 2013 (Edited)

I have a Leatherman Wave that I carry a lot.

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AZJD1968

· #17 · Mar 19, 2013

I carry both also. Letherman Wave and either the Esee 4 or 5 and I also carry a razor knife.
Speaking of EDC carry.... Multi tool, knife, razor knife, surefire, zippo, wallet, phone, keys, money clip, 1-15 round mag, a Glock23, Carmex, and not to forget..... The Oakleys. Everyday. &#55357;&#56836;

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RickyD

· #18 · Mar 19, 2013

My answer is like my answer to so many questions - it depends. I have both knives and multi-tools. I have found that it is much easier for me to carry a knife daily because it is smaller, it conceals better and I routinely have far more needs for the knife than the other components of a multi-tool. However, when I am at the lake or on the boat I tend to carry a multi-tool because I routinely have greater need for the other tools and I don't have to worry so much about the bulk.

Pick the right tool for the task, or the likely task, at hand.

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Betty

· #19 · Mar 19, 2013

Another vote for both. When I want to use a knife, I honestly can't stand poking around a multi-tool to find the skinny little blade. I keep a knife on-body, and a basic Leatherman in my purse. And I've had to use that Leatherman a lot - mostly the pliers and bottle opener (I like bottled sodas).

Reactions: 1

rocky

· #20 · Mar 19, 2013

Knife for daily carry, multi tool for back woods and outdoor activities.

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