It’s funny…when The Walking Dead started I said that I was more interested in how people dealt with the increasing infrastructure failure than I was with the gratuitous zombie-killing violence. I was more interested in how people coped with the loss of gasoline, electricity, communications, etc, etc. And now that TWD has hit the stage where infrastructure has failed epically I find myself not really watching the show much. But, I watched tonights episode and it reminded me of some things.
Backstory: will-they-or-wont-they couple, Carol and Daryl are walking along a trail heading back to their camp. Carol is having trouble prying open the cover on her canteen and Daryl hands her his Swiss army knife so she can use, presumably, the screwdriver blade to pry the thing open.
Later, Daryl is far from home and his motorcycle sputters to a halt. He find that the fuel hose has rotted through and torn. He scavenges some hoses from abandoned vehicles and prepares to repair his bike…and then notices he never got his Swiss army knife back. He tries to use his large fighting knives but they are too big to get into the small reaches of the bike motor. With no tools to fix his bike, he goes looking for tools until he finds a couple zombified military personnel. He dispatches them, rifles their web gear, and finds a couple Gerber multitools. With multitool in hand, he repairs his bike and can return to his camp.
The takeaways seemed to be: two is one, one is none -when he ‘lost’ his primary multitool he had nothing to back him up. Even one of those dorky keychain multitools would have helped. And although he really should have had a small basic tool kit on his bike, in a world where getting stranded can be life-or-death it might be a good idea to have spares of critical gear like multitools.
I suppose another takeaway would be that you never loan out your personal equipment to help someone else if the lack of that equipment will harm you later. Carol should have handed him back the knife after she was done with it, and he should have had presence of mind to make sure it was immediately returned to him.
I have a nice Leatherman Wave that was gifted to me about..hmmm… 15 years ago, I used to carry it around all the time but it chewed holes in my jeans at an amazing pace. But it has tremendous sentimental value so I keep it. My everyday pocket knife is one of these which I have been extremely pleased with. But…there’s a very good reason to keep a multiool around and I need to get back into the habit of having one as an everyday carry item. Nine times out of ten, if I need a screwdriver or somerhing like that, I’d rather just grab a purpose-built tool from the tool rack and do what needs doing. But I need to remember that the whole point of survivalism is to be ready for the unexpected which often occurs at the worst time, at the worst place, under the worst conditions. Like trying to replace a fuel hose on your motorcycle as the zombies shuffle closer and closer.
Multitools have improved over the last 15 years, and they have some lighter ones that still offer a lot of useful functions without costing me a pair of new Carharts every five months. I actually have a gen1 Leatherman tool in my Bag O’Tricks. That thing really needs to be upgraded…but its better than no multitool. I suppose at some point I should go shop for new ones and see what sort of cool developments have hit the market in the last decade and a half.
But…the eipsode of TWD was thought-provoking in that it showed how a small failure…not getting the Swiss army knife back…could cascade into bigger problems in a post-apocalyptic world. So…either don’t loan out critical gear (my first choice), or make sure to get it back immediately. And, a spare isn’t a bad idea.
There was a time not so long ago that Leatherman Waves could be picked up in pawn shops for approximately 25% of their original cost. One of the tools seeing much use, but the majority having very little. Picking up multiples of quality multi-tools was easy. Not so much now, most of the offerings are inexpensive Asia manufactured units with pot steel that will not last long.
I keep the Leathermans in my pick-up, my deer hunting kit bag, my ruck sack and the kitchen ‘catch-all’ drawer. They save me a lot of mileage having to walk back and forth, finding the purpose tool. Not perfect but often, enough to get it donw.
I quit carrying a multi-tool. It seemed they are built for a wide range of applications and don’t do a very good job at any. Most motorcycles come with a tool kit or a place for one under the seat or behind a side panel. My brand new Harley is pretty much trouble free and takes a trained tech to work on it and yet I always carry a full tool kit.
A multi-tool is handy if a tool kit isn’t available, I always have a tool kit available and my Spyderco knife, Klein lineman pliers, Proto screwdrivers and Snap-on or Craftsman wrenches work circles around a multi-tool. I can see the advantages of having both, two is one and sometimes a small job can be handled by a small tool.
Thank you. I agree completely. Small number of real tools in nylon belt pack. What would u carry if you could have 3, 4?
I’ve learned from experience to carry enough tools to be able to change a water hose or fan belt. The box/open end wrench or sockets of the right size will save your bacon when a multi tool just isn’t up to the task.. Plus channel lock (water pump) pliers, standard/phillips screwdriver, needle nose pliers, crescent wrench. Newer vehicles need the torx and allen wrench sets. Going on a trip soon up the back road into Yosemite, a person is very far from help on those types of routes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7VG4S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
I have a lot of specialised tools, pliers, knives, wire strippers, screwdrivers, etc. But when I’m crawling 15′ on my stomach, I don’t want to bring any more than I have to. I bring 4-5 tools that I expect to need, and my multitool. Sometimes I’m carrying a Leatherman, more often it’s a cheaper knockoff I won’t be as upset about dropping in the half-rotten raccoon carcass under the porch. And yes, I’ve done that. Twice. Normally I send the apprentice under now
I used to carry a knife all the time, but for several years now I’ve carried a Leatherman for years; I find it more useful and flexible than a knife.
A couple of times I’ve looked down and found an empty sheath… fortunately the tool wasn’t far away!
I have a cheap multi tool in each car, as well as basic tools, in case of need.
Morning Commander. You bring up a very good point. I used to carry a multi-tool for years while in the Army but since retirement in 2005, I haven’t carried one at all. I suppose I could be considered lucky that I haven’t been in a crippling position such as “Daryl”. My tool of choice was a long road with many different brands and models before choosing a SOG model. I never really liked the Gerber version. Coincidently, I began my multi-tool travels with a original model of the Leatherman that was given to me by a fellow soldiers Navy SEAL brother in the late 80s. Anyway, your point, or should I say wise advice, is taken. I will dig out one of my favorites and start carrying again. You never know what js going to happen and if 2 is 1 and 1 is none, then zero must be considered a negative.
I have a gerber multitool and a decent folding knife in each fanny pack sized car kit. I have a gerber in my dopp kit for travel. I don’t carry one on me, but I do use the nylon sheath as my spare mag carrier- it looks innocuous to most people.
In my truck I also have my minimum tool roll- a vise grip pliers, 6 in 1 screwdriver, 6″ adjustable wrench. In the other car, a slip joint pliers subs for the vise grip. They are rolled up in a shop towel to keep them from rattling.
I don’t keep them for auto repair, but in case I want to take something apart to fit it in the vehicle, or have a chance at fixing some broken thing while out and about. I had a mentor who joked that the only tools you needed in a vehicle were a BFH and a BFS (hammer and screwdriver) because if you can’t fix it with those, you can’t fix it on the side of the road…. while there is a nugget of truth in there, I prefer to have a few more options nowadays.
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I’ve heard of Leatherman-style tools being called “hero tools.” The reason for this moniker is that a majority of people not only don’t carry a multitool but don’t have a clue how to use one if they did so when the guy with the Leatherman steps up and fixes something, he’s the hero.
My EDC multitools are a Leatherman Crunch in a pancake holster on my belt and a small SAC in my pocket. Once upon a time, my friends thought I was a little off for carrying two tools but on several occasions, they’ve come in real handy.
Thanks for the post. A couple points I’d like to add:
1. There’s no such thing as duplicate tools. If I acquire more than one of anything, it goes into another toolbox location. I have my shop boxes, garden shed toolbox, one in each vehicle, the kitchen tool drawer, my desk tool drawer, the RV trailer, and if it gets that far, cache boxes and BOB toolboxes. The biggest convenience is that wherever I am, if I need a tool, it’s likely close at hand.
2. I’ve carried one or another model of SAK since 1970, and it’s a rare day goes by that I don’t use it at least once. That said, I have half a dozen or so of multitools. I rarely if ever use them, but one or another is always close at hand (see #1). As CZ says, if the full size specific tool is at hand, I’ll use it first. The biggest pissoff is the rare occasion where I have to fly commercial and get through TSA–but that’s a rant for another time.
3. I’m sure there are many quality names available, like the referred Doug Ritter knife (which I will be looking into). In order to avoid chinesium clones, I stick with Leatherman and Gerber. If anyone else has a quality name to recommend, I’d like to hear of it.
My everyday knife is very much like your RSK. Benchmade did some knives for HK a while back and I got one as they were closing them out. Great knife, mine has a short serrated section at the rear of the cutting edge. I also carry a Leatherman Micra. Pretty small, has scissors, screwdrivers, bottle opener, file.
Daryl should have spent more time searching the bodies. Looked like there was more useful stuff. And where did they come from? Northern VA has a huge military presence, so it shouldn’t be that hard to find out. Makes you wonder why the writers never have them checking out DC, which is right across the river from Alexandria.
What’s the difference between the Doug Ritter and the Benchmade Griptilian?
The mini-Grip has been one of my favorite EDC pocket knives for years. Have you checked out the new Benchmade custom shop? You can completely customize a Griptilian or mini-Grip, including steel, handle material, hardware colors, finish, laser engraving, etc.
https://www.benchmade.com/griptilian-family.html?customize=1#/product/bmk-pro-grip-full
While I do have various multi-tools and a multiplicity of pocket and sheath knives, that was not the only take away from that episode of TWD. Do you remember Carol’s rewiring the Solar panel and powering up lights in her house? She only used one battery that I could see and that was of unknown quality. Am I picking nits? Most likely, we must be able to suspend belief in order to enjoy the show. One other thing, It’s great that Darrel was able to repair the fuel line. but where is he getting fuel from? As far as I know most bikes will not digest pure alcohol. Just saying! TTFN
What does untreated gas turn into after 10 years? Lacquer?
Everyone seems to be assuming, for no good reason, that the motorcycle is still running an engine designed to run on gas. Given that Alexandria was designed as a ‘self sufficient living community’ it isn’t unreasonable to think that they had some sort of alternative fuel production setup. Biodiesel perhaps?
Commander:
For a motorbike, it might be better to adjust the fuel jets and use alcohol as your fuel –
That is, if you have any spare…
Phil,
You beat me to it. Daryl’s fuel line problem would not be a problem given that this series is now in its tenth season. Exactly where did Daryl’s fuel come from?
And Carol’s battery? Where is she getting a functioning deep cycle battery ten years after a societal meltdown. There may be a few of them around, but surely not many.
Daryl probably took CZ’s advice and prudently stored a few hundred gallons of fuel in Wavian NATO Jerry cans, along with gallons of Sta-Bil or PRI-G, at a stash in Georgia before the balloon went up. He probably spends weekends now running back and forth between Virginia and Georgia to fill up his bike.
i carry a cheap gerber knife during works hours and usually have a multi tool in my work bag…i carry a decent knife in my edc bag and another multi tool in my bag and a Rat pocket knife away from work…have a couple others in my drawer and weapons cleaning kit…not sure how well made the new multi tools are, have an older gerber that broke turning a screw…they are ok for the i need a tool right now but not sure how durable they really are…
Corn alcohol is the fuel. Going back a few seasons it came up in passing. They tend to throw stuff in to CYA later. For example some episodes had people using old manual push mowers. It’s because people near the filming were tired of having high grass. So it gave it a cover.
I was also wondering why they let the walkers so close to the town? A couple seasons and even episodes ago they used to move hordes around like cattle. Did they just forget those skills?
I carry a Gerber multitool on my belt, only because I don’t want to risk losing (or not getting back) a good Leatherman (which is always within reach, but not on the belt).
The truck still has a good collection of specific-purpose tools, though, and some spare parts to install with those tools.
I’m frequently amused by the folks who, when confronted with a worn tool that’s not performing, relegate it to the “vehicle tool kit” and put the brand new replacement in the garage toolbox, because “the old one still works.”
The new tool will get used in the garage, which is probably well lighted, maybe even heated, but will at least have a fairly clean floor and no rain. The worn tool that functions poorly, however, will be used on the side of a dark road at midnight, in the mud and rain.
I’ve been carrying a Swiss Army knife for forty years. I’ve carried multitools as well. After I retired I carry the multiple in my vehicle or one of my field bags. When afield I carry a Swiss Army Climber model, a straight blade knife and a multitool.
Kinda follow Gibbs rule number nine. Never leave home without a knife. If you are going to be gone over night, take two.
I have several loadout bags that are geared for various situations. They all have a liner lock knife and a multitool plus other gear. An IFAK, some food and water. Paracord a fishing kit and at least five ways to make fire. Been thinking of including a rescue panel in bright orange. Over the years I have never been able to find an all purpose selection of tools and supplies that fit every situation. So I have several that are geared to individual purposes. Divided according to terrain, flat and rolling. Mountains aren’t an issue here. But water is. Rivers and streams or inland lakes and then the great Lakes.
The best tools are the ones you use the most. Are most familiar with. And have the most success with.
25 years ago I got a Bucktool 360, it is still my favorite multi-tool. Bought and broke a Leatherman, went back to the Buck.
Gerber used to have a custom shop where you could truly customize a multi-tool. I’ve got one with the tools I wanted and got it with a bright red handle.
If I set it on the ground or drop it while working it’s easy to find, and it’s easy to make sure I get it back if someone needs it for a second.
Unfortunately, now it just seems their custom shop lets you decorate your knife.
Multitools have not evolved one bit over the last 22 years,
I Bought my victorinox swiss tool in 1999. After wearing it on my belt for 22 years that very same model is still the King of the hill as multitools go.
A bit on the heavy side to have in a pocket at 284 grammes, but on the belt you never notice it