multi tool with removable knife

[vivek16]

Weird, I was under the impression that most chain tools were fairly versatile? I know ours will work for fairly decent range and has no problem with either bike or 35 chain.

-Vivek

[mrbob1000]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._ANNOTATED.JPG

that kind doesnt work and its the kind on my bike multi tool.

[vivek16]

Oh, ok, we have one that clamps the chain from the sides of the pin not like that. yeah, that is a lot more compact and I can see why it might get messed up.

-Vivek

[tdlrali]

If you do end up getting a tool with a knife, ask the main office about it before you alter it in any way. Take it to the office and tell them why you need to have the tool at school. Also, explain that you'll keep it in your locker/backpack during school hours.

When I got my Leatherman, I took it to the office, and they said it was fine.

Good luck!

[vivek16]

Oh, you don't understand our school district. In a nearby school district, they found a box cutter in a kid's trunk and almost had him expelled even though he uses it for work. I'm surprised they allow scissors. I guess I can understand but it does seem excessive at times.

I'm not planning on taking it to school anyways, we usually work at our sponsor's warehouse.

-Vivek

[vivek16]

I am now undecided between the leatherman charge TTI and the gerber suspension. What do you think?

http://leatherman.com/multi-tools/fu...harge-tti.aspx
http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-S...Plier-1471.htm

thanks, Vivek

[Bob Steele]

I have used a Charge TTi for about 4+ years. It has been through 9 regionals and 4 CMPs with me...along with uncountable hours in the shop and at home... The blade is very sharp and very good steel better than any other knife I have. (154CM)

It is really nice that you can open the blades without opening the tool
I have used the huge variety of bits on many occasions.

I would recommend that you purchase the bit driver extender

http://store.leatherman.com/shop/shop.aspx?category=37

... this fits into the bit slot and allows the use of regular 1/4" bits of any sort... or even a nut driver with a quarter inch base. You could probably even use it with some type of quarter inch adapter for sockets.

I also use a leatherman case

http://store.leatherman.com/shop/shop.aspx?category=36

The premium nylon one... It has 3 tool slots and the bit extender and a group of 1/4 bits fit in to two of them and a mini-mag lite fits in the other.
All in one kit...

The Charge is a lot of tool... fairly heavy compared to the Gerber.
The Gerber is nice though... and certainly less expensive.
I have used probably 8-10 different multitools and the Charge is the most versatile and useful I have come across.

I have the Charge TTi... but the newer Charge ALX and AL certainly look nice.
Same features...pretty much...

The only thing I don't like about the TTi is the crimper cut into the pliers.. It makes the plier jaws pretty small. But I have never really had any problems

My suggestion is for you to go out and hold these in your hand and see what you think is better. Talk to some other people that use them and see what they think.

Leatherman has been around for a long time... I even have one of their original tools.... They have learned alot...

good luck!!

R

[vivek16]

the Charge AL has scissors while the ALX has a cutting hook instead of the scissors.

Are the scissors in a multi tool really that handy? They are fairly small. The cutting hook looks awesome but cutting fabric or quickly snipping zipties in an area that is very cramped.

thanks, Vivek

[Bob Steele]

I have used the cutting hook for cutting zip ties many times.
I would opt for the hook before the scissors.
R

[vivek16]

That's what I was thinking too. I'm probably going to go with the ALX, I'll take your advice about going to a knife store and holding both in my hand though.

thanks, Vivek

[mrbob1000]

my school has a double standard. you cant have knives, but in tech ed classes you can have box cutters where the blades wont retract.

schools need one standard and they need to stick with it.

[vivek16]

stephen, our school has box cutters in Tech and engineering classes too. I was puzzled by this but I guess the teacher keeps track of them.

-Vivek