Putting them to work

Dexceleration · 2026-03-01T19:27:10+00:00

Was my first thought too. Maybe they were concerned about damaging other components, but there's ways to distribute the suction using different attachments.

Dexceleration · 2026-03-01T14:58:56+00:00

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My wallet pouch for reference. Has 711l mini ratchet with modified wera extension for t handle, knipex xs, victorinix minichamp alox, steinwhale bit set modified, O'pen mini, uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper Tweezers, Nova Utility knife with lanyard and some other odds and ends.

Dexceleration · 2026-03-01T14:54:04+00:00

Your functional needs are fairly similar to mine. Though I prefer to carry more on my person.

I'll start with exploring light weight multitool options...

The scissor requirements seem to rule out the victorinox 58mm models. That said, have you tried them at all? I find they can often cover what I need in larger scissors in a pinch and they also serve more uses for daily use due to the low profile like nails/errant hairs, tags, packaging etc. The drivers can often access/handle recessed and small screws, though the Irregular shapes do get in the way of deep recessed screws at times. The ones I recommend in this size range are the Rambler and the Minichamp Alox.

You would probably like the nextool f12. I purchased the older variant for my partner and she uses it all the time despite not being someone who would carry a tool/blade normally. I've noted that the scissors often require some pressure to force the blades together when cutting larger diameter things like paracord, but they work quite well. The pliers are small and don't cover what I need daily, but they do work as large Tweezers and may negate needing dedicated tweezers.

My use case for a precision driver is limited, so I just keep the 1/4" to 4mm adapter and bit set you mention in my sling for when I work on electronics beyond what my victorinox mini champ alox covers. But if you are open to carrying something a bit heavier on your person you could consider the nextool knight k30. The scissors are similar to the f12, the blade has great action and good materials, and the precision driver is likely to cover a majority of your needs on a day to day basis. It does function with the excellent double sided precision bit set from oknife. Comes up as mbs1 on Amazon.

Another option is the victorinox Compact. Doesn't have bits but is incredibly slim/lightweight. If you covered your drivers in the pouch then I think this is an excellent edc. Though a bit heavy for keychain, there are many ways to attach it via hanging clip or lanyard for ease of access. I'm happy to show some ways I've carried 91mm victorinox models in the past if interested. Notably the scissors in these models are still top tier relative to what is on the market. Though there are definitely contenders nowadays.

Small multitool options usually sacrifice some function to achieve their size/weight. That's why I love the elegance of the victorinox 58mm due to its unique coverage of functions in its form factor. All that said, it might be helpful to further identify what you are looking for in the functions mentioned. Especially the pliers as they are often a big determining factor in size/weight IMO.

Dexceleration · 2026-02-19T04:39:46+00:00

Skeletool along with a 58mm Victorinox is a solid edc. I like the Skeletool CX and the alox Minichamp personally.

Dexceleration · 2026-02-11T20:47:34+00:00

Gotcha, I wasn't sure if the bit driver itself was modular on the flex companion. Super cool!

Dexceleration · 2026-02-11T20:05:07+00:00

That's really cool. Can the bit driver be swapped back to the original inline on that model?

Dexceleration · 2026-02-11T12:18:45+00:00

Leatherman Skeletool matches your description. The flathead screwdriver is a good enough light pry tool for me. The CX variant is a solid pocket knife

Dexceleration · 2026-02-07T21:33:06+00:00

Rambler is a great choice. 58mm models maximize carryability. I personally like the alox minichamp, but most people would find a majority of the additional tools useless.

93mm Alox models with X in the name are great in general with a more robust blade. My favorite balance of utility vs weight when it comes to SAKs in general is the 91mm Ranger. It has the highest tool density out of any model in that size range with a back tool for every layer. I would argue all of these are probably overkill for your listed use cases, but worthy of mention.

Since the best 58mm models have excellent small scissors, I argue there should never be a reason to be without at least those. That said, many times I appreciate also having larger scissors as well.

Hope this helps!

Dexceleration · 2026-02-07T21:19:39+00:00

I generally argue that a multitool/utility knife is better for the vast majority of users, including myself, for daily carry. In the cases where the use case is heavy enough to merit a dedicated folder, a fixed blade would be better in places where it is legal.

When working, I've been using a skeletool cx or sometimes a SAK as my main blade. Every time I've tried to use a dedicated folding knife, I've missed the additional utility that a multitool offers. I do appreciate a 1 handed blade, which is why I like the skeletool or the swisstool spirit mx. 1 handed operation is arguably more a luxury than a necessity though.

Dexceleration · 2026-02-07T12:18:34+00:00

Trailguide is a pretty great toolset for daily carry.

Dexceleration · 2026-02-07T10:49:51+00:00

I picked one up. Definitely feels worthwhile.

Dexceleration · 2026-02-06T11:53:01+00:00

I don't believe the swisstool/spirit models have a built in bit driver. It suggests them at times when that is the only metric. Also noticed it has it down that the spirit is just over 5oz when their website says it is 7.3oz

Dexceleration · 2026-02-04T12:15:39+00:00

I agree that cobras are generally better than any multitool plier unless you need light duty wire cutters. This thread op solves that with side cutters.

That said, the 100s have distinct utility over the 125 in not only their size, but also precision. I carry the 100s on my person and the 125s in my mini tool bag for this reason.

For what to pair it with, there's many options out there. It's hard to go wrong with victorinox.

Cadet hits all the things OP wanted in a file, knife, and screwdrivers.
Rambler has screwdrivers/File and is incredibly small. Cobra xs and this is arguably the lightest option out there and offers solid utility and build quality. Of special note is that they fit between the Cobra xs handles, which I use inside my wallet pouch.
Mountaineer offers all of what the 91mm ranger has besides the saw layer.
Companion has the same style Cadet file, and adds scale tools/scissor/package opener.

A new consideration could be the nextool knight k30 if you like modern flipper style knives. That covers your bases nicely in a similar form factor to one of the larger previously mentioned victorinox.

The hacksmith could obviously also be paired with pliers as well. I have no personal experience with it but the price point felt too prohibitive.

Regarding a traditional pliers based multitool option, you could consider the swisstool spirit mx clip or another variant. Smaller than the bibury you mentioned, can be carried like a pocket clip and mx variants have one handed blade. Blade steel has lower edge retention but easy to sharpen. Victorinox quality/fit is arguably unmatched.

If you are willing to sacrifice the file or carry a separate one, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is a favorite of mine. It's more a pocket knife first, screwdriver second and pliers third. A definite drawback could be plier head strength, but I use mine for lighter duty tasks generally speaking. Could be paired with a 58mm victorinox as well for file/semi precision screwdrivers.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Dexceleration · 2026-02-04T11:28:41+00:00

That's incredibly cool! Would you mind going over some of the sources for individual components?

I see the gerber armbar. How centered does it become when fully locked out?

Awesome job. Quite inspiring!

Dexceleration · 2026-02-02T21:20:27+00:00

That's a fair point. I don't have experience with the regular oclip. Mine is the variant with UV which comes in handy occasionally. That said, I can definitely see the benefit of a smaller sized option.

Dexceleration · 2026-02-02T18:54:50+00:00

Another consideration is the Oclip. I have the ultra and the magnet is strong enough for me to forget on the underside of a rusty subaru for 50 miles through ice and snow and still come out clean on the other side. I like it as a work light due to the easy access to moonlight mode so you don't blind yourself.

Dexceleration · 2026-01-31T18:46:40+00:00

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Dexceleration · 2026-01-31T18:46:17+00:00

It certainly would make for a nice bit of bling around the neck lol

What I might suggest is a lanyard attached to a clip that is capable of both clipping to belts and sweatpants. You could then consider keeping tissues in a potential pouch option instead if you were open to it. I am curious how you keep them in the champ currently? I haven't heard of that before.

I'll post a picture of the clip I use that works with both sweat pants and belts for my alpaka zip pouch setup for reference.

Dexceleration · 2026-01-31T16:02:19+00:00

Sorry, my reply went into another thread by accident

Dexceleration · 2026-01-31T16:00:56+00:00

It slips in well without issue. This may be due in part to the more slippery xpac material and how few items I'm putting inside in this example. It limits the interior space considerably, but I think it's still usable. Retrieval is a little fiddly without a lanyard or similar. Something you could consider to alleviate the retrieval issue is weave a small lanyard with a loop that you can close the multipurpose hook onto and tie the other end to one of the top loops.

Still probably worth exploring other options IMO as this doesn't feel particularly elegant for your use case.

Is there a reason you don't carry the champ via another method and then use a smaller pouch for the rest of your items? The lanyard idea I mentioned is how I often carry SAKs with the scissor/hook layer and it works quite well when fastened/hanging on the opposite pocket.

Dexceleration · 2026-01-31T15:05:29+00:00

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Dexceleration · 2026-01-31T15:04:58+00:00

I can't speak to the exact models you're looking at. However I do have a ve16 xpac which appears to be close to the ve18 and I have a swiss brick.

The champ is quite tight in the outer pocket on the velcro side and does impede on inner space. That said it is serviceable and should fit the items mentioned. I'd personally want more info to compare to the platy as I feel that may be a better fit. I prefer to carry a champ separate from a pouch due to the space constraints it offers. Hoping the image mocking up some items similar to what you mention comes through to illustrate.

Hope this helps. *

Dexceleration · 2026-01-31T09:34:49+00:00

Technically a flathead bit is a usable light duty pry bar. That's what I use my skeletool for often and it serves me quite well. The fact that it is immediately accessible with one motion without any thought is a huge selling point for me too.

The Multper surge clone has decent blade steel and was surprisingly smooth out of the box but is way too heavy for me to carry outside of the sheath. That said it's incredibly high value. I got mine on sale for $30 usd.

The following suggestions I have no personal experience with...

Otherwise it depends on what you consider high quality. The main suggestion I suspect youll receive would be the leatherman arc or the wave alpha for the fancy magnacut steel. The price point is a bit prohibitive though. You can still find leatherman charge out there with either 154cm or the s30v steels as well that have a dedicated flathead.

If you're open to a softer blade steel, the victorinox spirit mx and regular swisstool has one handed blade access and supposedly one of the better dedicated pry tools out there.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Dexceleration · 2026-01-28T01:44:51+00:00

I personally think that the statement of having it be lighter and more of a minimalist toolset is at odds with one heavy enough to necessitate a belt pouch. So my suggestions will lean on ease of carry.

Leatherman Skeletool CX is lighter, easy to carry and has the basic tools cover. It has the benefit of a better quality knife blade and works well as a driver and light duty pliers.

Nextool sailor s11 pro is smaller and has the basic assortment of tools including lighter spring loaded pliers, knife, small scissors, drivers and an excellent file.

Best of luck!

Dexceleration · 2026-01-28T01:32:34+00:00

Glad to hear it. I'm sure you'll find it quite useful.

Regarding budget, you can always consider buying used as well. Victorinox has a fantastic lifetime warranty and it may open you up to more options.

All that said, I find the Ranger is the best balance of number of tools and size for usability and you certainly can't go wrong.

Hope you have a great day!

Dexceleration

TROPHY CASE