Multitool (Leatherman)

[KoolTech]

Hi Guys,

 

I currently have a leatherman multitool that I use around school for many small jobs when I don't have any tools handy.

 

I was just wondering does anyone else use one? allowed to use one? any schools that have banned them?

 

I sometimes wonder when carrying mine around if it is okay or not!

 

Cheers.

[Flatpackhamster]

Why would they ban them? As some sort of swivel-eyed elven safety policy?

[LeMarchand]

I carry my cheapjack copy around at all times and have never had it questioned across 4 sites.

 

Keep forgetting to take it off after school as well without problems...

[KoolTech]

the reason I ask is that my friend at another school has been told it is classed as a "weapon" as it has a knife built into it so is not allowed to bring his onto site anymore.

[Chris_]

I think it probably depends on what type of school you work in. If you were working in a PRU, or a school with gang/weapon problems with metal detectors and police on site then it would be sensible not to carry one with you.

[buzzard]

I managed the IT systems in 27 PRU's at one point and I was asked not to take it in (even in my bag where it was) due to the fact one of the kids could get it, Think it was a Leatherman Wave, the knife was under the 3" rule, and I had no specific need for a knife so couldn't justify it's use. I could have a whacking great Pz4 Screw Driver though!!

[pete]

Juice C2 for "fix minor things". Skeletool in the toolbox.

 

https://www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife

 

Pocketknife: cutting edge under 3 inches, blade that folds with the application of hand pressure only, don't be an idiot, don't leave it lying around for the kids to pick up.

 

Fixed or locking blade: Good reason to have in a public place, burden of proof being on you. Illegal without good reason. If used in work, only legal to/from work.

 

However....

 

Your employer can say "you're not allowed to bring X on site", where X may be dogs, pocket knifes, kimchi, microwave seafood pizza etc, because it's their site unless the thing they're trying to prevent is protected by law.

 

Though people who implement H&S policies are often the very people that the H&S Executive would cheerfully strangle, given the opportunity.

[teddybear]

I always have a Leatherman Charge on my belt at work, feel lost without it.

[MYK-IT]

Guidelines / UK Law here:

https://www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife

 

I have a Charge Ti - Leatherman Multi-Tools which has a folding blade of 2.9in that I use on DofE but no need for within work.

[IrritableTech]

@pete from your link isn't your skeletool classed as a lock knife - it has a blade that locks? Or would you argue it is ok, because it is in your toolbox?

[CyberNerd]

I've had one for many years and so has my colleague.

It has never been an issue, but it did occur to me that if it became an issue I could simply remove / angle grinder the blade off. It would reduce it's functionality a bit but I could probably live with that.

[sippo]

I used to have a swiss army knife until I lost it. Some staff used to ask me if I was allowed it, as it could be used as a weapon. My response is what stops a student going into DT and taking a screwdriver and stabbing someone?

 

They agreed.

[synaesthesia]

I'd do more damage with the pozidrive/phillips screwdrivers I usually carry around than the blunt blade of my multitool. I'd do even more damage with some of the computers!

[Oaktech]

I have a Skeletool which is permanently attached to myself via the carabiner. I don't leave it around - it's either in my hand or on my belt. No-one has ever complained about it.

[Earthling]

I have a Skeletool which is permanently attached to myself via the carabiner. I don't leave it around - it's either in my hand or on my belt. No-one has ever complained about it.

 

I'd kill for a Skeletool, they look really cool.

 

I've got a Sidekick, it has a very sharp blade. In fact, I cut myself on it first day I had it.

 

Same as @Oaktech, it's either on my belt or in my hand, no one has ever complained about it, and I find it invaluable at least three times a week.

 

Every Tech should have one.

[Arcath]

I have a leatherman wave, which I wear every day across all the primary schools I work in. I have "trained" my self to press the pouch in every time I leave a room I've used it in just to be 100% safe.

 

I've had a couple of people question it but normally once they see the knife is one part of it they don't really see it as an issue.

 

I'd be lost without it, especially after I got the extra screw driver bits for it, its now got all the hexagonal and torx bits as well a few sizes of phillips and flat.

[Oaktech]

I'd kill for a Skeletool, they look really cool.

 

I've got a Sidekick, it has a very sharp blade. In fact, I cut myself on it first day I had it.

 

Same as @Oaktech, it's either on my belt or in my hand, no one has ever complained about it, and I find it invaluable at least three times a week.

 

Every Tech should have one.

 

I just covered my eyes and handed over my credit card! I had to restrain myself from getting the carbon fibre one!

[CyberNerd]

lol I paid for ours from our maintenance budget

[pete]

@pete from your link isn't your skeletool classed as a lock knife - it has a blade that locks? Or would you argue it is ok, because it is in your toolbox?

 

It is a lock knife. I don't carry it around because I'd have to trek back to the office and drop it off if I want to nip into town, since that would fall outside of "private property*/to-from work/good excuse" reasons. It's also because it's not as rounded as the Juice and destroys pockets quickly.

 

Generally speaking, if you're not being an idiot, nothing will happen. If you are being any sort of an idiot and plod discovers a lock or pocket knife, they may use it as a reason to arrest you, regardless of whether your possession was legal at the time or not.

 

*our school is private property (buildings and grounds owned by private trust), yours may not be.

Edited September 26, 2013 by pete

[HarryMonkey]

Can't say that I've ever needed any sort of multitool in the 17years I've worked in schools.

[buzzard]

I had mine from my Army days (Bought Cheaply in an American PX in Sarajevo!) Always had it on my belt then so when i left I carried on wearing it in work, until someone pointed out that I couldn't. It didn't bother me I just ended up removing/swapping kit out and fixing it in dedicated workspace.

[m25man]

I'm pondering this one

seems highly practical!

The bolt override and detonator insertion tool especially useful.

Edited September 26, 2013 by m25man

[CyberNerd]

Slightly off track but I'm pondering one of these for snow days

[nicholab]

My wife does not like anything belt mounted so I am not allowed out the house with it!!

[LosOjos]

I'm pondering this one

seems highly practical!

The bolt override and detonator insertion tool especially useful.

 

Somewhere, the NSAs "Columbine" alarm just went off...