# Essential Tools/Gadgets/Hardware etc... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 31, 2017, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165 "2017-08-31T11:55:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/21 "2017-09-01T06:46:41Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I can see an awl coming in very handy, but I’m not finding good SAK examples with awls. Leather punches, yes, but not awls. Got a link to one? Here’s my model, ca. 1975. But has a red aluminum checkered grip. The awl, left, is actually a tapered, curved blade, that cuts away material when twisted. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/22 "2017-09-01T07:17:37Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Here’s my model, ca. 1975. But has a red aluminum checkered grip. The awl, left, is actually a tapered, curved blade, that cuts away material when twisted. Missing link, Darwin? ---
**Author:** ![ralfy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ralfy/32/600_2.png) [@ralfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralfy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/23 "2017-09-01T07:26:48Z")
Machete ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/24 "2017-09-01T08:19:30Z")
Whilst on the subject of knives, has anyone ever bought the Menards brand (Guidesman) knives or multi-tools? They are dirt cheap and IMO of really good quality, I own about 5 multitools and an excess of knives and haven’t had one ever break on me. Some may take a little longer to hone and sharpen but thats it. Solid stuff. This is the one I carry most of the time… built solid and it was ten bucks. [![](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net%2Fmain%2Fitems%2Fmedia%2FYANGJ001%2FProductLarge%2F243-3077-P-operative-foldingKnife_Open.jpg&f=1) ](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net%2Fmain%2Fitems%2Fmedia%2FYANGJ001%2FProductLarge%2F243-3077-P-operative-foldingKnife_Open.jpg&f=1) ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/25 "2017-09-01T09:37:47Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Missing link, Darwin? Sorry [![](http://swiss-army-military-knife.all-about-switzerland.info/swissarmyknives/swiss-army-knife-military-edition_1099rs.jpg) ](http://swiss-army-military-knife.all-about-switzerland.info/swissarmyknives/swiss-army-knife-military-edition_1099rs.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/26 "2017-09-01T11:11:20Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > Also, where do you find metal coat hangers these days, even the dry cleaners sometimes use rigid plastic ones. Locked the keys in your car outside of Planned Parenthood? DO NOT go in and ask for one. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/27 "2017-09-01T11:12:12Z")
I agree on the Swiss Army Knife. I use mine all the time. My cellphone. Especially as a flashlight. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/28 "2017-09-01T11:19:36Z")
I’ve got a bunch of Swiss Army-type things on my person, so I’ll name something completely different: Post-it notes. They can be used like a little notepad for notes to yourself, or you can stick them on doors, desks, papers, etc. for notes to others. In a pinch, they can even serve as very weak tape to attach something else. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/29 "2017-09-01T13:21:20Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Sorry > > [http://swiss-army-military-knife.all-about-switzerland.info/swissarmyknives/swiss-army-knife-military-edition\_1099rs.jpg](http://swiss-army-military-knife.all-about-switzerland.info/swissarmyknives/swiss-army-knife-military-edition_1099rs.jpg) Thanks. So, what you’re calling an awl ([image of standard awl](https://www.google.com/search?q=awl&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=isnv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqjfujiYTWAhXJllQKHYoMCxQQ_AUIESgB&biw=768&bih=928#imgrc=iwl19bicFxVQdM:)) is really the SAK’s leather punch. Thanks for the clarification. There’s one on my SAK Victorinox Nomad I linked to above, and yes it comes in handy from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/30 "2017-09-01T14:53:41Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Thanks. So, what you’re calling an awl ([image of standard awl](https://www.google.com/search?q=awl&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=isnv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqjfujiYTWAhXJllQKHYoMCxQQ_AUIESgB&biw=768&bih=928#imgrc=iwl19bicFxVQdM:)) is really the SAK’s leather punch. Thanks for the clarification. There’s one on my SAK Victorinox Nomad I linked to above, and yes it comes in handy from time to time. Other than one being designed to fold into a knife and one being a standalone tool, how are they different? Did you really not know what tool he was referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/31 "2017-09-01T16:04:36Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > Other than one being designed to fold into a knife and one being a standalone tool, how are they different? Did you really not know what tool he was referring to? He originally said this. > [@jtur88](#): > > I had a Swiss army knife with an awl. Its amazing how many times I needed an awl. Ive re-purposed dozens of coat hangers into many uses, even cutting pieces to use as nails. To which I replied with this. > [@Bullitt](#): > > I can see an awl coming in very handy, but I’m not finding good SAK examples with awls. Leather punches, yes, but not awls. Got a link to one? Does that answer your question? I wasn’t trying to be difficult, but I guess I was being a bit too literal. I was looking for a standard awl, and I always called the SAK tool a leather punch, which is what they’ve (SAK) called it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/32 "2017-09-01T16:09:06Z")
Credit card. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/33 "2017-09-01T16:21:24Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Credit card. Cash, too. Cash is king. A couple of Ben Franklins are in my wallet. And a couple of crisp George Washingtons are there too, for when I randomly bump into a celebrity and want their autograph. It has happened, and George has come in handy. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/34 "2017-09-01T16:49:03Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Cash, too. Cash is king. A couple of Ben Franklins are in my wallet. > > And a couple of crisp George Washingtons are there too, for when I randomly bump into a celebrity and want their autograph. It has happened, and George has come in handy. Not much of a celebrity if they only charge a dollar. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/35 "2017-09-01T16:57:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Not much of a celebrity if they only charge a dollar. No, to sign on. Or was I just whooshed again. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/36 "2017-09-01T16:58:37Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > No, to sign on. Or was I just whooshed again. Yes, you were whooshed. We need a :deadpan: smiley. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/37 "2017-09-01T17:19:38Z")
I would benefit from such a smiley, yessiree Bob. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/38 "2017-09-01T18:54:09Z")
I can fix almost anything with: Hot glue. Leatherman Wave tool. Vice Grips. Soldering iron. Fluke DMM. Everything else is just gravy. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/39 "2017-09-01T19:10:10Z")
[Vice grips, duct tape and baling wire.](https://soundcloud.com/user9944400/vice-grips-duct-tape-and) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165/40 "2017-09-01T21:41:21Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > Whilst on the subject of knives, has anyone ever bought the Menards brand (Guidesman) knives or multi-tools? They are dirt cheap and IMO of really good quality, I own about 5 multitools and an excess of knives and haven’t had one ever break on me. Some may take a little longer to hone and sharpen but thats it. Solid stuff. > > This is the one I carry most of the time… built solid and it was ten bucks. > > [https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net%2Fmain%2Fitems%2Fmedia%2FYANGJ001%2FProductLarge%2F243-3077-P-operative-foldingKnife\_Open.jpg&f=1](https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net%2Fmain%2Fitems%2Fmedia%2FYANGJ001%2FProductLarge%2F243-3077-P-operative-foldingKnife_Open.jpg&f=1) I wouldn’t put a nickel in that motherfucker’s pocket if my life depended on it, so no. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essential-tools-gadgets-hardware-etc/795165.md?page=3)