What is your favourite “unusual tool that you find useful” ?

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Posted by Robert Atkinson 2 on 05/06/2021 20:33:53:

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 04/06/2021 20:37:34:

Posted by Steve Skelton 1 on 04/06/2021 10:57:03:

Leatherman Crunch – the ones with "Mole" type locking on the plier jaws. Has got me out of trouble on numerous occasions.

I think the Wave is the best value and most useful tool I've ever bought. It was so essential when I worked as a recovery driver that I couldn't be without it, even after breaking a couple of blades. When I stopped doing that job, I sent it back, and got a new one by return of post. Considering that all three blades were broken due to abuse – like prying off a damaged Krooklok – I thought that was exceptional service.

I have had a leatherman of one sort or another on me pretty much every day since 1996. Normally two, one being a Micra. Pretty much the only time I don't have one since 2001 is when flying on commercial aircraft. Since 2018 I've been carrying a Style PS when flying as it is generally considered OK. Current daily carry is a Charge TI. I didn't list this as I don't consider it unusual, more essential.

There is one potential issue though. As it has locking blades, even though they are under 3", it is illegal to carry one in a public place without good reason. Ultimately the courts decide if your reason is good.
To avoid any doubt I cut the locking tabs off the two knife blades on the one I carry.

Potentially having to do mechanical work is enough reason! A multi-tool has enough features that it's clearly a tool with a blade rather than a weapon.

I won't have a blade that doesn't lock because it is dangerous to me, and I have the scars to prove it. I wouldn't have whittled a temporary oil filler-cap from a fence post with a non-locking blade.

[egaParticipant @ega]

Nicholas Wheeler 1:

I wonder how you lost your filler-cap?

Years ago someone stole the temperature gauge cum radiator cap from my Austin Seven and I replaced it temporarily with a rolled up newspaper. They say that the ability to improvise is the mark of an engineer; to day cable ties and Blu-Tack, whilst not unusual, are the favourites of many.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

I once bought at auction a bag of tools – part unseen – once bought and opened I found I had maybe 20 leatherman or lookalike tools (mostly the latter) – suspect the bag like many of the bags of cosmetics that preceded it in the sale (which went for considerably more than my tools) originated from one of the Heathrow terminals and were probably confiscated items.

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Posted by ega on 06/06/2021 11:03:58:

Nicholas Wheeler 1:

I wonder how you lost your filler-cap?

Years ago someone stole the temperature gauge cum radiator cap from my Austin Seven and I replaced it temporarily with a rolled up newspaper. They say that the ability to improvise is the mark of an engineer; to day cable ties and Blu-Tack, whilst not unusual, are the favourites of many.

It wasn't mine! The customer phoned from Medway Services, reporting a burning smell. They had checked the oil level whilst waiting to board the ferry at Calais. I wiped off the worst of the oil, whittled a new cap from a fence post I found in the grass, stuck it down with duct tape, put a big tick in the temporary repair box and sent them on their way. We weren't going to recover them over 200 miles at midnight for that problem.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 06/06/2021 10:06:40:

Posted by Robert Atkinson 2 on 05/06/2021 20:33:53:

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 04/06/2021 20:37:34:

Posted by Steve Skelton 1 on 04/06/2021 10:57:03:

Leatherman Crunch – the ones with "Mole" type locking on the plier jaws. Has got me out of trouble on numerous occasions.

I think the Wave is the best value and most useful tool I've ever bought. It was so essential when I worked as a recovery driver that I couldn't be without it, even after breaking a couple of blades. When I stopped doing that job, I sent it back, and got a new one by return of post. Considering that all three blades were broken due to abuse – like prying off a damaged Krooklok – I thought that was exceptional service.

I have had a leatherman of one sort or another on me pretty much every day since 1996. Normally two, one being a Micra. Pretty much the only time I don't have one since 2001 is when flying on commercial aircraft. Since 2018 I've been carrying a Style PS when flying as it is generally considered OK. Current daily carry is a Charge TI. I didn't list this as I don't consider it unusual, more essential.

There is one potential issue though. As it has locking blades, even though they are under 3", it is illegal to carry one in a public place without good reason. Ultimately the courts decide if your reason is good.
To avoid any doubt I cut the locking tabs off the two knife blades on the one I carry.

Potentially having to do mechanical work is enough reason! A multi-tool has enough features that it's clearly a tool with a blade rather than a weapon.

I won't have a blade that doesn't lock because it is dangerous to me, and I have the scars to prove it. I wouldn't have whittled a temporary oil filler-cap from a fence post with a non-locking blade.

A feature of the Charge is that the blades are on the outside and (if not left handed like me) you can open them single handed without un-folding the main part. I did tighten up the friction locking too. I just don't want to run the risk of getting caught up in a clamp-down or an over zelous plod making a point.

Robert G8RPI.

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