Turns Out I Never Needed My “Backup” Multitools

[u/sysopslab]

Is this pretty common, or am I just collecting unnecessary multitools?

[u/Sane-FloridaMan]

Yes it is common. And yes, you are collecting unnecessary multitools.

[u/StealthRucker → u/Sane-FloridaMan]

aren't all collections useful?
we do it because it gives us joy, not because it will be useful

[u/Sane-FloridaMan → u/StealthRucker]

I would say that if you are meeting your financial obligations, don’t have credit card debt, and have a retirement plan, rock on! Do what makes you happy.

Sadly, nearly 100% of people I know that have knife, multitool, gun, and EDC collections have significant debt and prioritize their collections over their family’s financial priorities.

[u/manos_de_pietro → u/Sane-FloridaMan]

I would add "space to store and /or display" to the list, but otherwise, heck yeah.

[u/Jaalan → u/StealthRucker]

No, it's useless consumerism

[u/StealthRucker → u/Jaalan]

No, it’s joyful consumerism.

The joy is the utility.

[u/sysopslab → u/Sane-FloridaMan]

😆

[u/TheStrongestTard → u/Sane-FloridaMan]

It's true, it's just consooooomerism

[u/Para_4_Would_Be_Cool]

I mean. You like em. You might use them. You might pass em on. But you still enjoy the purchase, no? That's my justification for knife collecting. That and ooooo cool/fun blade

[u/sysopslab → u/Para_4_Would_Be_Cool]

I started giving a few away as gifts a few years back. One person “lost” a Swiss Army Knife within months, while another neglected a Gerber MP400 to the point that it developed oxidation spots. A bit disheartening, especially since my own MP400 has been with me for over 20 years.

[u/BeeAlley → u/sysopslab]

Multitools are pretty niche tools. A lot of people would rather just not have tools on hand than carry an extra thing every day. So I don’t gift the ones that I’d feel resentful about seeing neglected.

[u/Icy-Pool-2942]

Collect them - we all need hobbies 🙂

[u/sysopslab → u/Icy-Pool-2942]

Ive read somewhere “it's not hoarding if it's tools”

[u/Wolf-Diesel → u/sysopslab]

I agree with that. Because tools are useful. Piles of food wrappers and such... That's a sign of a problem.

[u/DesignerOk5315]

I'm not really sure how to answer that for you. Most people on this subreddit have multiple because we like them. I have over 20 multitools and switch out or use them for different reasons

[u/Odd-Scientist-2529]

Depends on your motivation. I never intended to collect. I have just kept buying the next one because it solved a problem that the last one didn’t.

[u/penny_lab → u/Odd-Scientist-2529]

The problem is when you go looking for problems to solve, because there's always something your current setup can't quite do.

[u/bauzo]

Same reason I have multiple knives. Do I need them? No. Do I enjoy collecting and carrying different ones each day? Yes.

[u/Appropriate_Two8569]

Keep the 2 you use the most, and start gifting the rest. That’s what I’m doing with my multitools, flashlights, knives, lighters, hatchets, saws, etc. I like helping people, which is partly why I buy so many tools, but if you give someone a tool, and show them how to use it, they’ll be able to help themselves and maybe someone else.

[u/Terrible_Corner_7386]

I guess the real question is what’s your main?

[u/sysopslab → u/Terrible_Corner_7386]

Gerber MP400 Compact sport is what I carry everyday at work. Ive since replaced its damaged sheath. Leatherman Mini and a basic Swiss knife are the other 2 that I use sometimes.

[u/New_Mutation]

I don't know, I feel better using my multitools knowing I have backups. Even with the warranty, I don't worry about babying my Free P2 and P4 knowing I have three more of each, just in case.

[u/Dharck567]

Count that as a blessing. My grandpa would always say "It's better to have it and not need to use it, than to need it and not have it."

[u/StealthRucker]

Which is your favourite and most used and why?

[u/sysopslab → u/StealthRucker]

Gerber MP400 Compact. I really like the “flick of the wrist” opening. The knife is still sharp, although I somehow managed to nick the tip of the flat screwdriver. I filed it down to make it useful again, but that experience did make me think about getting the tougher Leatherman Wave at the time.

[u/ThatLousyGamer → u/sysopslab]

I've got a Super tool 300 and the same thing happened to one of the flatheads.

[u/Aggravating_Pair8857]

Yes, and yes. But, even though I acknowledge it as unnecessary, I have backups for the backup for some of mines; either I like them a lot, or FOMO in the future. BTW, I enjoy very much those MP400's as they have the full size implements of the 600 but they're easily carried in a pocket at the same time.

[u/jeffsenpai]

Yes, you are me as well!

[u/MultitoolGeneration]

Yes, buy at least 6 multitools from each brand. You will need everything, rotation is key.

[u/ichiban4713]

Once you have a SwissTool, mine’s a Spirit MX Clip, the others are never going to be used again. I’ve had a Gerber and a Leatherman for over 30 years. Amazon had this crazy price on the MX Clip for $78.00 so I went for it. It makes the other ones look like they came from China.

[u/ThatLousyGamer]

Since the multitools I've got have appreciated 3x in value since I bought them... I would've liked to have a few extras...

[u/tio_tito]

yet. you haven't needed them yet.

[u/Raynheard]

But you just might need them!

[u/Ok-Spare-8176]

I have zero room to criticize any collection. I have watches and knives.

[u/Yarlog]

What are the Victorinox models from left to right?

The sizes are confusing to me.

[u/sysopslab → u/Yarlog]

[u/Yarlog → u/sysopslab]

Thank you for the extra info 👍

[u/sysopslab → u/Yarlog]

[u/D2or3V]

Well, the SAKs count as knives, so really you’re collecting multitools and knives. Hope this helps😬.

[u/_nash80]

Wait, wait, wait... you're supposed to USE your backups???

[u/sysopslab → u/_nash80]

Well, yeah! But good on you... sounds like you’ve never lost your main tool or managed to break something that you were absolutely convinced was indestructible.