Comments on: 8-in-1 mini tool

By: Chloe

Chloe — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:10:36 +0000

My dad gave me one of these when I moved out of home ten years ago. It has been intermittently extremely useful as a screwdriver or pliers when I was least expecting to need one, for example, when I moved interstate and had to switch number-plates at the registration office in a hurry to avoid losing my spot in the line I had waited forty minutes to get. It still looks very neat despite a lot of use and stays folded well. It’s so small and tidy it’s no bother to use as a key-ring or leave in my hand bag or car. It’s also quite attractive in a tiny stubby kind of way. Like a cartoon tool!

By: Mike Dunham

Mike Dunham — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:31:44 +0000

Somebody mentioned a problem with it staying folded up – this is why I had to stop carrying one of these.

By: Mags

Mags — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:41:10 +0000

I used to have a leatherman in my handbag when I was a techie trouble-shooter, but I gave it up once the flying restrictions came in. The only thing I really really had to have was a philips (cross hair) screwdriver, so I switched to carrying one of them in my PC bag instead.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:36:57 +0000

I have had this tool on my keychain, but I removed it when I found out how sharp the corners are, they bite when you sit down with your keys in your pocket. OUCH!
Leatherman juice = smooth edges.

By: Michael@ Awareness * Connection

Michael@ Awareness * Connection — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:25:00 +0000

I love this too. I keep forgetting I have them in my bag and then have them confiscated at the airport. One time I had both a swiss army knife and a leatherman micra buried deep in some inner pocket of my bag. I was running late for a flight so I had no time to go back out and mail them to myself or put them in the car. That hurt.

This looks like a nice one.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:01:54 +0000

@ Aimee:

Did you personally take your SwissTech Micro-Plus into the National Air & Space Museum? Did it survive being inspected by security?

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:23:46 +0000

I had one of these but the mechanism that holds it onto my keychain loosened up and it kept opening up enough to fall off. So, yes, it is now cluttering a drawer! Even my leatherman broke when I loaned it to a friend…so I’m going to check out the Schrade Tough Tool mentioned earlier

By: gypsypacker

gypsypacker — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:36:45 +0000

This sounds like the tool of choice for us knife-carrying gals who catch hades from male chauvinists for having sidearms on our key chains..
Anyone seen Hammacher Schlemmer’s $1400-so-help-me Swiss Army knife?
Seems like folks who could afford a $1400 knife could hire someone to use it for them?

By: Shalin

Shalin — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:41:31 +0000

I used to carry around a pocketknife a lot, but then I realized I hardly used it unless I was going to something where I was considered “obviously useful” such as camping, spending time in a shop, etc.

Now, I just keep a multitool in my car and a pocketknife at home.

A mini-multitool would be handy in my laptop bag…hmm… Better make it inexpensive so I can ditch it if I forget to pull it out of my bag and I’m at airport security…

btw – Schrade Tough Tools were the multitool of choice for my friend when he was in Iraq. Leatherman’s kept breaking. Based on that, I bought a Schrade and am very satisfied.

Best,
Shalin

By: George

George — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:36:09 +0000

@Brad

“The Leatherman Micra is another great choice. I use mine all of the time and the scissors work very well. Also can attache to your keychain.”

I agree 100%. I still have my older version of this SwissTech tool, but the micra beats it hands down. The pliers on the SwissTech aren’t all that useful, but the hinge loosened over time so now the thing will never stay secure on my keychain. It is a novel idea to be able to easily remove it from your keys or whatnot.

I just end up carrying the micra in my pocket away from the keychain anyhow. Having a knife and scissors handy is much more useful day to day for me.

By: BlackMacX

BlackMacX — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:24:09 +0000

Though the SwissTech is handy, the point made by others is well worth noting, that it’s abit too small for some tasks. I had an older version (now called the SwissTech Micro-Pro that was very handy; but sadly, airport security took it away as it was a potential weapon and therefore couldn’t be taken on an airplane. So, just be warned, it might not get on the plane with you next flight you take.

By: infmom

infmom — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:20:32 +0000

Those tools are all full of hard edges and corners and very uncomfortable to use for any kind of serious work.

I carry a Swiss Army MiniChamp in my pocket, and a Leatherman Squirt (with pliers, not scissors) in my purse. Between those two I’m prepared for just about anything that doesn’t require a pipe wrench, a hammer or brute force.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:16:19 +0000

Colt pocket knife with window punch and seat belt cutter (http://tinyurl.com/6y88fo), I’m a volunteer EMT. The quick blade access is nice for boating as well.

I’ve also started carrying the Leatherman Charge … http://tinyurl.com/6axpyk … which has been extremely handy.

Sadly, I’m a teacher and I have to remember to get rid of both prior to “work”.

Add my volunteer fire/EMS pager and a phone … and I’M the tool. (I need The Unclutterer for my belt.)

Incidentally I hate things on my keychain … big bulky thing in your pocket, I much prefer “attached” to me.

By: Linda Cole

Linda Cole — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:14:39 +0000

Which of these multi-function tools that attach to a key chain will make it past the security checkpoint at the airport? So often I see people having to surrender those nifty items because they forgot they had them in their pocket.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:46:25 +0000

I started carrying a pocket knife when I was in 6th grade. Even to school (1976). It’s always useful to have a knife with you.

Now, I carry a Victorinox Cybertool. I use the screwdriver all the time. It’s almost as good as a real screwdriver. I use the scissors or small pliers alot too. If it didn’t have scissors, I’d use the knife.

When I know I need a tool, I’ll bring a real screwdriver, etc with me. But this saves me a trip back to my office/workshop/etc with something that’s good enough.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:57:28 +0000

I have a different brand of these tools and I use it a lot. It has gotten me unstuck many times. I use it often…not clutter!!!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:55:27 +0000

My dad bought me one of these (the Chrome one) a few years back. While the pliers and philips head screwdriver have come in handy, I’ve found that the flat head screw driver is pretty ineffective. All that really happens is that I get to watch the chrome chip off.

Aside from that, this little thing has definitely been good for a stop-gap fix.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:41:15 +0000

The only thing this piece of equipment is good for is carrying on a plane if you feel lost without some kind of tools. The pliers and wire cutters are almost completely useless, and the four screwdrivers are so poorly machined that they won’t fit into most screws. I got mine for about 8 bucks and you really do get what you pay for.

For minimalist tools, I second the Leatherman Micra or even just a small swiss army knife.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:36:49 +0000

I haven’t tried this multi-tool. But, unless you’re involved in activities that frequently require the use of small screwdrivers, my sense is that these types of tools often aren’t big enough or don’t give you the leverage you need for the job. (And thus they are clutter.) I prefer one solid set of tools and to keep them handy.

By: Andamom

Andamom — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:03:08 +0000

Cute concept, but I wouldn’t put it on my key chain.
-The US airlines prohibit sharp objects.
-Places that have metal detectors – like many museums, Federal Buildings, schools, etc. might hold the item until you leave or confiscate it entirely.
-While it folds up nicely, people who keep their keys in their pockets might find that it is too bulky or doesn’t stay folded up.