# What kind of pocketknife or multi-tool do you routinely carry? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 25, 2019, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211 "2019-08-25T12:57:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/21 "2019-08-25T17:14:02Z")
A lock-blade with wooden handle, stainless blade about 3.5’’. Very good for killing fish and rinsing mushrooms. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/22 "2019-08-25T17:15:50Z")
I have a mini Swiss Army knife without a blade on my key chain that’s TSA compliant, so I don’t have to remember whether I have a blade on me when I go places that don’t allow them. I also have regular Swiss Army knives, large and small, but I don’t carry them much anymore. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/23 "2019-08-25T17:51:43Z")
Victorinox **Swiss Soldier’s Knife 08** for last ten years or so. Before that- regular old “soldier’s” SAK (blade, screwdriver, can opener, awl) for 45+ years. And before that, standard issue Boy Scouts Of America jackknife. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/24 "2019-08-25T17:57:44Z")
A Kobalt brand folding/locking utility knife. Has a spare blade resevoir in the handle that holds 6 blades. I’ve had it several years, long enough that I’m loathe to give it up for a new one even though it’s starting to wear out. When you can find the new version the critical peices are made of plastic (for instance the lock that keeps the blade in place). I use it too much to trust my fingers or somebody’s sofa to shoddy manufacture practices and standards. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/25 "2019-08-25T18:00:47Z")
I have several Leatherman Squirts, including ones with scissors, pliers, and wire-strippers as the main tools. I’ve tried small Gerbers, SOGs, and Swiss Army knives of various types, but the Leathermans are what I keep putting in my pocket. I also carry several different assisted opening knives from time to time, but I travel quite a bit and some jurisdictions are VERY knife-unfriendly. Just as in the UK, they don’t like any knife that isn’t your grandfather’s basic two-blade pocketknife, regardless of blade length or how it opens. Tanto blades and serrated blades are especially frowned upon. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/26 "2019-08-25T18:09:48Z")
Mini-Leatherman. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/27 "2019-08-25T18:14:45Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > … find out what the wizened ones carry…? I’m old and wizened enough to remember when it was more than acceptable to have a small, 2-bladed pocketknife on your person \*in grade school \*and have no worry about getting reprimanded or suspended. Indeed, one teacher found it handy that she could call on me for assistance with a project and I had a knife in my pocket. That said…I carry a small assortment of tools, not in my pocket now, but my car: a box cutter, scissors, small screwdriver, and diagonal pliers. That seems to cover most emergencies in my world. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/28 "2019-08-25T18:17:07Z")
As I abuse knifes by cutting open boxes etc…I tend to the high tech steels. Note that I live in and travel to states with odd carry laws due to firearm laws so I went away from a basic pocket knife to a “tactical” type because it has a clip and is thus not “conceded” in any states I travel to. I use to wear out Spyderco Delica when they were less expensive but a lady friend bought me a Spyderco Positron Flipper which is far more expensive than I would ever buy on my own. But it’s fancy metal blade has stayed sharp for years now and I should find a professional sharpener as I guess it is hard to sharpen but at least I am not needing to sharpen it all the time like I did with my “old timer” back in my teenage years. Oddly enough _“your grandfather’s basic two-blade pocketknife”_ is still a concealed weapon in many states I spend time in where this 3" locking knife is not. It is also more socially acceptable than the old box knifes I use to carry around until 9/11. I don’t need the _tactical_ part of the knife but the market is pretty saturated with products in that space these days. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/29 "2019-08-25T19:00:42Z")
Daily carry at school is a [Leatherman Squirt P4](https://www.leatherman.com/squirt-p4-91.html). Weekends I add a [Kershaw 1605](https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-SpeedSafe-Stainless-Reversible-Pocketclip/dp/B003LNR5YM). There is also a [SAK Classic](https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Classic-Pocket-Knife/dp/B00004YVB2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiar8ydie5AIVkK_sCh0xYwNfEAAYAiAAEgL_BfD_BwE&hvadid=174241610624&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9031472&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11885499167682697881&hvtargid=kwd-30653110&hydadcr=24630_9648900&keywords=swiss+army+knife+classic&qid=1566759152&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOFRTRVVHNlZKNVpPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTc4MTMxM1QzNVBETkRPOVJSWiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzk2OTMxQkRPNVZXWDg3NUJMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==) on the spare key set, a Gerber Suspension in the center console, and a SAK Officer’s in the bowl with my keys. We won’t even get into the multi-tools in my various desks. And packs. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/30 "2019-08-25T19:24:51Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > > [@pullin](#): > > > > The only time I’ve carried a really large knife was when it was a requirement for my job. > > Crocodile Dundee…? Deckhand/Rigger on a laybarge. A large part of my job was marlinspike seamanship, and the foreman required anyone working his deck to have a substantial sheathed knife in order to free themselves quickly. There was a very real danger from uncoiling rope as we set up for towing and vessels pulled taut against the tow lines. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/31 "2019-08-25T19:37:06Z")
SAK & Leatherman. But not at work, where I carry just a small SAK. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/32 "2019-08-25T19:57:46Z")
Leatherman Squirt P4 as well. An almost perfect pocket multi-tool. But the most useful thing I carry is a CREE mini keychain flashlight. It has several brightness modes. On the half-lumen setting you can use it to read a concert program in the dark or find your seat without annoying anyone else. On higher brightness settings it’s useful to illuminate dark areas where cables need to be plugged in, looking for things in the back of the vehicle or under the hood, or even reading fine print on items in the store (more light = more acuity). ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/33 "2019-08-25T20:05:42Z")
My EDC is a Leatherman Skeletool: A blade, pliers, bottle opener, screwdriver with 2 two-sided bits on board. I no longer keep it in a pocket as there isn’t room (lost weight and smaller jeans have pockets with smaller openings), I hang it off my belt by the pocket clip instead. Standard issue at work is an Olfa SK-4. If I’m packing light, I’ll go with a Kershaw Leek. -DF ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/34 "2019-08-25T21:19:36Z")
Medium Swiss Army Knife. Have carried one for about 45 years. Back in grad school the key broke off in the lock of my apartment, I was able to use it to break in through a window. Also have a Leatherman but don’t carry it. Mostly useful for the small screwdriver and the scissors which I use for nail clippers. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/35 "2019-08-25T21:46:43Z")
An aluminum bottle opener (the device is aluminum, the bottles are usually glass). During hiking, backpacking a simple single blade knife, sort of like the OP’s ‘large’ blade, but a bit more, but over all I would bet less weight. During backcountry travels a more substantial knife that can be used for simple hacking, for the Camino de Santiago across Spain, a very small knife, about the size of the OP’s small knife and a cork screw attached 😉 Let the tool fit the job. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/36 "2019-08-25T21:48:05Z")
My EDC is a [Kershaw Leek](https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Stainless-SpeedSafe-Reversible-Pocketclip/dp/B0009VC9Y0/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=CjwKCAjw44jrBRAHEiwAZ9igKPOXzVUIZFt2oP4O6TOR-jJdUbZWZAtALBh6Z4aWbNpf942Wk1Q_6RoCcQkQAvD_BwE&hvadid=345542752798&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9024569&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8702458921312907379&hvtargid=kwd-707777902945&hydadcr=29005_10168366&keywords=kershaw+leek&qid=1566769579&s=gateway&sr=8-1) It holds a razor sharp edge and the assisted opening enables one hand usage. ---
**Author:** ![Dobbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Dobbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dobbs)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/37 "2019-08-25T21:55:36Z")
Schrade SS648 3rd Generation Stainless. Bought back when they came out, in the early ‘80s, as I remember. I’ve carried it almost every day, I’ve even flown with it back when air travel was fun. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/38 "2019-08-25T22:50:04Z")
Lots of Kershaw fans in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/39 "2019-08-25T22:51:52Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Lots of Kershaw fans in this thread. I’m conflicted about Kershaw. I like their designs, by and large, and their upper-end stuff is really good. The problem is that their lower-end stuff is sometimes lower end to the point of being shoddy. ---
**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:** [August 25, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211/40 "2019-08-25T23:33:04Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > I’m conflicted about Kershaw. I like their designs, by and large, and their upper-end stuff is really good. The problem is that their lower-end stuff is sometimes lower end to the point of being shoddy. I’ve had two of the Kershaw Scallions (the first one was confiscated a few years ago :mad: ) and at a $30+ price point, I couldn’t ask for a sturdier or more reliable knife. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-pocketknife-or-multi-tool-do-you-routinely-carry/839211.md?page=3)