My EDC pouch got way too heavy after adding a multi-tool I never used

I picked up a Leatherman Wave last month for my everyday carry pouch thinking it would be a game changer. I stuffed it in my Maxpedition pouch along with my pen, flashlight, and small knife. After two weeks my pouch felt like a brick on my belt and I kept forgetting it was there until I sat down in my car and it jammed into my hip. Turns out I only used the pliers once to pull a staple and the knife was redundant because I already carry a dedicated folder. The weight made me annoyed enough to strip my whole carry down to just a flashlight and a small Victorinox Classic. Now my pocket feels empty and I actually reach for stuff more. Has anyone else ditched a bulky multi-tool for something simpler and felt better about it?

2 comments

2 Comments

kevin_bailey1mo ago

I read an article on The Prepared a while back about how most people only use the pliers and knife on their multi-tool like 80% of the time, but they lug around all the other tools anyway. That was me with a Skeletool I had years ago. I carried it for six months and used the screwdriver exactly zero times. The weight and bulk just wasn't worth it for my daily needs. I ended up swapping to a standalone pair of Knipex pliers and a separate small screwdriver kit, and my belt feels way better. The multi-tool idea is great on paper but in practice it's just a brick for most of us.

sandralee1mo ago

Heard my buddy Mike say the same thing after a fishing trip... carried his multi-tool for like a year, and when he actually needed the awl thing, it broke off in his hand. Now he just clips a Leatherman to his pack and forgets about it, only pulls it out when something's actually stuck. I get it though, most days a simple knife does the job.