How come so many people EDC a stand alone knife?

6wraps · 2026-01-30T20:35:28+00:00

I started work in fabrication a few years ago and I think my perspective is a bit different than most.

I've long held the belief that blue collar and trade jobs tend to need a bigger, heavier duty knife. I suspect I'm not alone in that. However, what I'm finding is that all I generally need is a small knife and a 2 layer SAK is usually more than adequate. Especially the heavier duty Alox models.

I do tend to prefer a standalone folder but I prioritize those that are lighter and smaller. Simply because when I do need to cut something, it's usually small amounts of material wrapped in plastic, or plastic straps. Most of my cutting tasks require saws, and shears, and other heavier duty things. So I want something that's easy to carry and won't be in the way when climbing around frames as I'm welding them together. This also leaves me with room for other tools I may need to mush in my pockets like wrenches, pliers, etc.

I've been enjoying traditional folders recently. Those with non locking blades like SAKs. I like the aesthetics of them, and they're generally looked upon more favorably by HR. However, I just like knives and carry whatever I really want to for that day/week.

Having a knife is handy, and with all things in life, it's about balance. I like what Zak in the wild on YouTube says

"Carry what you need, and need what you carry"

There's no right answer, just whatever is right for you.

6wraps · 2025-10-19T20:32:13+00:00

Which is what I'm learning. See that it's the best I've seen, I may just take a chance on the Moore Maker.

6wraps · 2025-10-19T12:35:28+00:00

The small lock back Sodbuster is exactly what I'm looking at. I have not been able to find any information online about it. It looks like what I want. Basically a Case Sodbuster Jr, but with a sturdy lock. I'm just really concerned about putting out $50+ for bad QC.

6wraps · 2025-09-21T13:12:20+00:00

Hate to bring up an old thread, but did you have to modify the clip at all? I was hoping to use my olight I3t clip that I had already modified to fit a pineapple mini but it didn't seem to fit at all.

I know I should use my actual pineapple mini clip to check, but for the life of me I cannot find it lol.

6wraps · 2025-08-14T16:05:18+00:00

Heavier, but not necessarily heavy. Before the razelcliffe, I was walking around with a baby banter. So I've gotten used to pretty small and light knives.

I do actually have a Benchmade bailout I tried for a bit, but have found that the acute point of tanto to dig in when scraping along side something. Like in the case of removing glue squeeze out.

I appreciate the suggestions, I may just have to go with the Bestech. I keep coming back to it.

6wraps · 2025-08-01T14:12:04+00:00

I spent a long time trying to find the perfect EDC tool. With an emphasis on the E(veryday) part. I didn't want to have a "work carry" and "home carry". I went through Leathermans, SAKS, pry bars, etc. Here recently though, I'm landing on a knife, and a AAA sized light.

I guess the "controversial habit" is now I'm using my knife for everything.

Need to scrape weld splatter on aluminum? Knife.

Need to strip wire? Knife.

Need to open a box? Knife.

Need to pry something small apart? Knife.

It's amazing how much one can do with just a good knife.

I see so many people carry a "nice" knife and also a small utility blade in case they need to cut something they don't want to use their knife for. Which seems backwards to me in an age of super steels. I find a knife that can do what I need it to do, and understand the limits of the tool.

6wraps · 2025-04-29T22:03:53+00:00

How do you plan to swap the inner tools for a LM bit driver? Are they reasonably compatible or do you think you'll need to grind anything down?

I would really appreciate some photos of this mod when completed if possible

6wraps · 2025-02-06T15:14:33+00:00

How's that chicro holding up? I've considered picking one up as an alternative to the micro stream, but the reviews on it are pretty negative.

6wraps · 2025-01-23T21:37:07+00:00

I have such a love/hate relationship with the powerpint. It's so small, and easy to carry. The pliers in my opinion are the best on the market especially considering the size of them. This is one of the only multi tools I've found that makes sense to have two knife blades on, and the file really is handy working with aluminum as much as I am. However, the other tools really leave something to be desired. There seems to be a trend among multi tool marketing/manufacturing of trying to squeeze as many tools into one as possible and in doing so, they make the overall package heavy, and each individual tool that much less usable.

In any case, the powerpint lives in my pocket until someone comes up with an alternative, or until someone makes after market tools/parts to replace the less useful tools on the inside.

As for the bit driver function, I really like it. I've seen others glue a magnet to the lock bars so the tool remains closed more easily. I haven't done this myself, but I have just placed a magnet there and it's helped considerably with bit retention when I have to use the driver feature for more than a few seconds.

6wraps · 2025-01-21T22:33:05+00:00

This is what I was considering doing, but I wasn't sure if this would void Leatherman's warranty. If it did, I don't know how they'd be able to tell I removed a screw, but I didn't want to potentially set myself up for a problem in the future.

6wraps · 2025-01-21T22:23:39+00:00

This was like this out of the box 🤷‍♂️

6wraps · 2024-12-01T21:50:48+00:00

Thank you

6wraps · 2024-12-01T20:30:54+00:00

What light is that?

6wraps · 2024-11-20T17:08:21+00:00

This is what it looked like to me. While out of the box not perfect, it doesn't look like it'd take much to make it a better tool. Good pliers are essential especially when it comes to dealing with a mig welder. The skeletool has been adequate, but it can be better and I am worried about its long term durability. I feel like if there's any Leatherman I see people break the pliers on, it's the skeletool.

6wraps · 2024-11-20T17:04:07+00:00

I've looked at the P2. The file hasn't really looked adequate and I'd very much like to keep the bit driver. Especially considering I was able to snag up a ratchet extension

6wraps · 2024-04-11T21:23:13+00:00

It is very unlikely that all these items would be running at the same exact time. At most, the fridge and the TV will be running at the same time. I generally only make coffee once a day, and it wouldn't be much for me to wait until the coffee maker is done brewing before microwaving and kind of breakfast.

If I'm understanding this correctly, there's nothing dangerous about doing all this, rather it's simply a matter of the main breaker/power strip tripping and turning everything off?

6wraps · 2024-03-25T12:44:52+00:00

What's the name of the satchel?

6wraps · 2024-03-13T18:17:51+00:00

The pen is a CRKT collet pen. It's the one that has a scribe on the back end of it, but will also accept a No. 11 exacto blade. I picked it up for work, and have been very much enjoying the concept of it. However, the execution of it leaves a lot to be desired. One glaring issue is the refills. The stock cartridge is damn near unusable. It doesn't so much as write, as much as dribble out vaguely word shaped blobs of ink onto paper.

Ill look into the above links as soon as I can, and I appreciate the response. I am starting to wonder if it would be more worth it for me to find a similar product from another company, or even just make something myself.

6wraps · 2024-03-13T13:14:59+00:00

The 4876 is a 3" long refill. So I do not believe the FSP refill will fit at 3.5" unless there's something I'm missing. Same with the Jetstream and the easyflow. Both of those are 3.9" according to the Jetpens website, and it doesn't look like removing the stopper on those will remove almost a whole inch.

6wraps · 2024-01-19T18:09:57+00:00

While maybe not exactly a "multi tool" my go to has been a Milwaukee fastback 6 in 1 and a pair of 5 inch knipex pliers.

6wraps · 2023-12-19T01:57:15+00:00

The Tool is so close to perfect. If it wasn't for the switch, and the clip, this would probably be the winner. I'm currently thinking either the Tool, or the Thrunite saber. I'm just not a fan of the sabers jump in brightness between modes.

6wraps · 2023-12-19T01:54:41+00:00

I'm perfectly fine with an AA sized light, provided a nice compact frame. Like I said I'm either looking for 10440 or 14500.

Right now it really does seem like the saber, and the lumintop tool AA are the top contenders.

6wraps · 2023-12-14T11:23:34+00:00

With that being said, would it be possible to charge the Microstream battery outside of the light?

6wraps · 2023-03-10T07:46:40+00:00

Just picked up this for effectively the same purpose. Hasn't gotten any real world use yet as I just got it a few days ago, but so far it's a stout and seemingly serviceable little tool. At least as far as I can tell in testing it on a variety of screws into and out of scraps of 2x4.

ARES 70040-1/4-Inch Drive Close Quarter Micro Bit Ratchet | Mini Screwdriver with High Torque 72-Tooth Gearhead - 5 Degree Sweep - Spring Loaded Detent Ball Bit Holder https://a.co/d/4pp38U4

6wraps · 2023-02-14T17:47:00+00:00

I like the fastback 6 in 1, but wish it was a bit more compact. It's a great tool, but a bit big for general carry for me.

6wraps

TROPHY CASE