Because They're Burning Bricks

i use multitools at work all the time, and i’ve grown to like the Gerbers better than any other brand. it might be too big, but the 600 is carried by Target for under $40. it comes with some sort of mini flashlight and a belt pouch, and is feature packed. if you expect to need real tools (screwdriver or pliers,) stay away from Swiss Army knives. Target also carries several other variations, as well as Leatherman brand products.

stay away from the cheap knock-offs; you’ll regret saving that $30.

Knife shop in Northgate Mall. Best howevermanyhundredsofdollars spent.

I would get name brands of both items. Going to a place where it’d be hard to replace either, in the event of malfunction, etc, I’d go for gold and get what’s tried and true.

My brother and my father both swear by their leatherman’s which they have had for over 10 years. For xmas one year I got a cheap knock-off version which has since rusted and been tossed out with resentment.

Leatherman just came out with a new tool, the Juice which is smaller and comes in pretty colors. I read about it in Readymade. get juiced!

Yeah, I’m actually looking for specific models. And they have to be small as a)I’m unlikely to carry it around if it’s big and b)I have a weight and size limit on what I can take over there.

When you look at them, hold them in your hand. See how they fit your palm. Part of the consideration is obviously what you CAN take, but try them out for your body. That way you know what will work best for your hand size and what’s comfortable for you.

I give another vote supporting both Gerber and Leatherman brands.

_Especially_ due to your circumstances, stay away from the cheap knockoffs.

The knockoffs are ok when you can pop down to the local store and replace them and aren’t intending to use them daily or under adverse conditions. They’re not so fine when you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest store, in potentially extreme environments, using them regularly, and need them to be dependable.

My recommendation is to get a multitool AND a separate folding knife. The knives on the multitools are adequate for some jobs, but not others. These are jobs for a bigger, dedicated knife. Also, the redundancy means that if one breaks, you’ve got a backup.

Secondly, bring a whet stone or other sharpening tool. Keeping your blades sharp is a necessity.

Another consideration are the one-handed opening mechanisms. Some people like ‘em, some people don’t. You should definitely try it out in the store and see if you like it, because if you do it can quickly become one of those features that you demand out of these sort of items.

I’d expect to spend about 50-100$ on a multitool, and another 50-100$ on a good single-blade folding knife with a good 4-6 inch blade.

If you’re gonna take it on a plane, I’d go for the Knifeless Fuse (http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/knifeless-fuse/default.asp). Less fuss that way. When you get to your destination, get a seperate one with a knife only. The blade only knives have a tighter and safer locking system, so you don’t end up cutting yourself. You get better leverage when cutting or carving as well. Also, with a larger blade you’ll find it easier to sharpen then those dinky knifes found on the multitools. I like the h500 (http://www.leatherman.com/products/knives/h500-h501/default.asp) because its simple.

Have a safe trip!

bwhaha you beat me to the post

If you haven’t yet made your decision, I’ll send Alton over for some advice. He’s been carrying a pocketknife and/or multitool on his person daily since he was six. He has somewhere in the vicinity of three dozen different ones, and gets a new “treasure” of this variety from his father for Christmas every other year or so. He’s tried all sorts of things.

Maybe you could come over and play with all of his to see what kinds of features you like/don’t like? (/end shameless plug to get you to my house!)

Would love to get together with you sometime before Xmas if you can squeeze me in. Sending email to that effect now.

Amen to this comment!

Also – try to wear/bring whatever you’re most likely to keep the tool/knife in or on to make sure it feels right and secure.

My recommendation:
Last Yule, I got the ChargeTi by Leatherman for Will, and he not only loves it, many people he’s shown it to or used it around have purchased them because they were so impressed by its handiness. And the reason I got it for him is because he saw the one belonging to a friend of ours and was highly intrigued by all of the possibilities it represented, so it has a pedigree of creating lust and then satisfying it

Do get a knife that’s separate from the multi-tool you end up with, as it’s hard to really use a knife in a multi-tool for the variety of purposes a good knife is capable of fulfilling.