Budget multi-tool to throw into urban cache kits?

Posted by Highwayman1717@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 36 comments

The situation: I'm duplicating some core gear and stashing it away at a couple locations in the city I work in. I emphasize CITY, concrete for miles, no wilderness or bushcraft elements. I do not need a saw, additional ferro rod, etc. The Leatherman Signal looks awesome for my wilderness pack, I know people will shout it out. I'm just needing a quality and safe tool with a basic knife, pliers, screwdrivers, and maybe a file.

However: There seems to be a conflict between 'budget' and wanting the safety of all tools locking in place. The cheaper leathermans have a locking knife but everything else is just a slipjoint. Anyone making 'cache budget' models with locks?

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Lively_Fella@reddit

Water is a necessity regardless of your survival setting. I keep a 4 way water valve key. Most building outside water spigots don't have a handle. Even if the water supply is lost, you have 100s and sometimes 1000s of gallons of water stored in the system.

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17TraumaKing_Wes76@reddit

Leatherman Wingman, Bond or Rev if you’re looking for something under $80. Cheap shit doesn’t last and when it all goes to hell… I’ll be happy I have my Leatherman Surge and Wave + instead of some MossyOak or unpronounceable-named junk! Why not just have something that lasts far longer. I’m a buy once, cry never fella - these are only my opinions and assessments, not intended to project onto you.

Tool box - Leatherman Signal, Signal, MUT EOD

BUG-out Bag/Assault Pack - Wave +, Rebar, Sidekick, Curl

EDC - Bond, Wingman, Rev, Skeletool

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Many-Health-1673@reddit

I know I am in the minority, but after working with hand tools everyday of my life, I prefer to keep a basic set of tools in every vehicle and in my go bag. It isn't ideal for walking miles around with them, but a set of full sized pliers, side cutters, phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, and knipex water pump pliers doesn't take up a ton space in a roll up fabric bag.

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Historical_Course587@reddit

This should be higher.

More weight, but I'd add in a hammer and cold chisel - the two can go through just about anything. And tools in general are just helpful to have.

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fusilmedellin@reddit

Any suggestions on a good hammer and cold chisel for this usage?

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hiraeth555@reddit

In some places they will be considered offensive weapons and people should check their laws before keeping these kinds of tools in their cars

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year_39@reddit

I would add a small pry bar and a piece of pipe to slip over the end for leverage for the go bag, and a full size crowbar in the cars. I've only "needed" it once, but after seeing an accident and stopping to help, the passenger side door was damaged and the crowbar got it open so they could get out and stop choking on the airbag dust.

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Lord_Despair@reddit

More “firepower” than you are asking about but take a look at this: multitool

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Longjumping-Army-172@reddit

I'm a huge fan of the old Gerber Multiplier. I've been carrying a Diesel since the late 90s.

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funnysasquatch@reddit

If you are thinking you want tools available to you - you are better off storing a tool bag with real tools. Not a multi-tool of any type. They make small tool bags with screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, and wirecutters. You could put an extra pocket knife in there.

And don't cache it. You keep it at your office cubicle. Because if you are forced to leave your office and you can't just directly go home, then I'm not sure why you want a tool bag anyway.

This feels like you are prepping like it's a video game. Not reality.

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humidsputh@reddit

Does it have to be a multi-tool? You could probably stop by Harbor Freight and buy multiple low cost single tools for the cost of one leatherman. 2 pliers , screwdrivers, files etc.

I recently bought several cheap screwdrivers to keep in chainsaw boxes in different places, because I never seem to have the right one where I need it.

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Mission-Meaning4050@reddit

Don't buy files at harbor freight they dont stand up to mild steel of a machete

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year_39@reddit

Yup, HF tools are good enough for a go bag or the trunk, but for sharpening and fixing other tools, pay a bit more.

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roberttheiii@reddit

It's expensive-ish but leatherman Wave is my go to. Have a few of them.

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thescatterling@reddit

Listen, I’m not telling you what to do, but if you’re REALLY worried about defending yourself, nothing beats a firearm. And depending on what country you’re in, self defense may have been essentially outlawed. So you have to ask yourself what is more important, obeying the law or defending yourself. While you’re thinking about that question you should also consider that 3D printing goes BRRRRRRRRR. Just saying.

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Highwayman1717@reddit (OP)

I already carry. Can’t use a Glock as a screwdriver.

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MyScottishNinja@reddit

If you have a Harbor Freight around you then look for the Gordon Multi-Tool.

It usually runs around $40 and is pretty solid.

I have a couple in some of my other bags. They were hard to find for a while because they'd sell out a day or two after being stocked.

Gordon Multi-Tool

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Mission-Meaning4050@reddit

A Swiss army knife and a real pair of pliers is a much better choice

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supinator1@reddit

I am satisfied with the SOG PowerAssist (B66N-CP). Each sub-tool latches into a stable position once opened

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huscarlaxe@reddit

In my cars I keep a Bibury Pro, kind of a Leatherman Surge Clone. with double ended bits and extra T-shank blades.

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churnopol@reddit

Because this type of multitool is overlooked, the vise-grip-type multitool.

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Doc_Hank@reddit

Leatherman no longer makes the Crunch, and was never inexpensive. But a pair of conventional vicegrips makes a lot of sense in an urban environment, as does a smallish (8"?) crescent wrench.

One tool I included when I was a city dweller was a sillcock wrench or water key: Get one with 4 sizes. I modified mine with a nail hanging from a piece of small cable wrapped around the cross - this allowed me easy access to manholes.

https://images.thdstatic.com/productImages/b6892645-48b4-4d3c-b51c-f5f28a53fc9b/svn/husky-water-meter-keys-16pl0129-64_600.jpg

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Dr_mombie@reddit

municipal building/ universal switch keys

Opens all kinds of shit you might want to access. Like water spigots.

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dami_starfruit@reddit

If you're looking for quantity over quality, low cost ($5-$15) multi tools can he had from amazon, walmart, harbor freight, etc.

They won't last as long as a Leatherman, but being able to buy 5-10 units and having them in your house, garage, car, backpack, cache, etc. means it will be there when you need it.

Amazon sells inexpensive "Amazon basics" 8 in 1 and 10 in 1 multi tool at 1/5 the cost of Letherman.

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AlphaDisconnect@reddit

Don't forget your non multi tool stuff. A good set of lockpicks. A ballpeen hammer. Adjustable wrench. The door hinge spring thing to push out the pin. If you are stowing it. Why not?

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Anonymo123@reddit

add a sillcock key to each bag and have a spare on you at all times. I work in industrial areas a lot (data centers) and it would be very good to have one if i had to travel through them.

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DwarvenRedshirt@reddit

I don't think every since tool needs to be locked, but definitely the ones that will chop off fingers need to be locked.

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Ghost_of_Durruti@reddit

Gerber Truss has been a good beater for me. Have used it a fair amount. Still as good as new. It does have a saw and might be a bit heavier than other barebones options. I can't speak to the quality of the other Gerber multitools. Maybe the suspension nxt would be more what you're after. Cheaper and lighter.

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NickMeAnotherTime@reddit

I am also looking for more budget friendly tools. Almost lost my leatherman a couple of weeks back, almost went crazy looking for it. :)

I've see the Roxon S803E Flash to be a very interesting alternatively. Not necessarily the cheapest, but it seems to be a good tool for the job. I also agree with another comment below talking about vise grip multitools. Going to have to add that to the bucket list.

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Highwayman1717@reddit (OP)

They're in businesses/locations I have keyed access to, not buried outdoors. Very good question, I'll have to be more specific!