“Pliers-Wrench” And Minimalist Toolkits
 

Has anyone used a “pliers-wrench” such as

KNIPEX Tools 86 03 125, 5-Inch Mini Pliers Wrench
https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-Tools-86-03-125/dp/B00I8N282O/

More generally, thinking about “minimalist toolkit” possibilities.

Suppose you want the most fixing-stuff capability from the smallest possible tool roll.

“Most fixing-stuff capability” means if something needs McGyvering on a house, engine, vehicle, you’ll have a pretty decent chance at having the tool(s) needed.

“Smallest possible” means start at what will fit in a manila envelope, or a sock, and squeeze it farther down in volume and weight as far as you can. Eternal acclaim if it fits in a sandwich-sized Ziplock, or an Altoid tin.

Seems to me a driver handle with a collection of bits should take care of screws, Allen head and Torx fasteners, and can be pretty compact. But you still need something for nuts/bolts; for gripping and turning/bending things; for cutting things; for hitting and prying things.

So I was thinking take one of those Knipex thingys, it can un/fasten most nuts and bolts. Grind a 1/4” long cutting edge into one jaw, it can serve as nippers. Maybe there’s a way to shape one handle to make a mini prybar.

If you want the ability to half ass fix anything because you don’t want a small tool bag I present to you … the leatherman … the de rigeur belt adornment for geeks for many years.

https://www.leatherman.com/rev-832127.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhfipBhCqARI sAH9msblDwE6eW8uqv0ruF8D6thmwI090Ajzo8MW5-exDZFprFkTz0MBTApMaAlk5EALw_wcB

On my regular road trips in my 911, I carry a bag of tools. Likely way more than I really will need. In all the years my 911 has been bullet proof for the most part. This year, back in June in Palm Springs with 107 temps, my rear view mirror fell off the windshield. I had to go to a local FLAPS and buy the mirror glue, a razor blade scraper, and a set of Torx bits to get the puck out of the mirror.

I had never though of bringing a set of Torx, but it added to my list as well as a set of Allen wrenches.

I have a bigger version of those Knlpex pliers
Very well done as you would expect but I never use them they just never seem to fit where I want them to

Knipex +++
 

Excellent tool,very well made, high quality steel, German precision,so the jaws grip better than channelocks, that are lighter and most importantly, the design of the handles/adjusting mechanism prevents the handles from banging together if it slips off of the nut or pipe. How many times have you gotten your fingers pinched between the channelock handles???
I own three sizes, (of pliers, not the adjustable wrench) and am a happy guy.
chris, (75 year old contractor, still working on the rentals and cars).
The velcro cell phone and the leatherman go on the belt, almost every day.

The knipex pliers wrench..I look at it as a sort of replacement of a crescent wrench. Any and everything Knipex makes is top quality. Minimalist tool kit? Great for field techs who wear tool belts...and I've seen some interesting selections on youtube videos, depending on what the tech does. This post suggests that you've also been watching those.

As for tools I actually carry daily? On my person? My 3 bladed Case medium stockman knife. I'm seldom very far from one of my cars that have carry tools in them. That's much more weight than I'd like to pack with me everywhere I go. At home? Drills, saws, ect. stacked on shelves or hanging from hooks in the garage. 26" wide 3 chests high USA made Craftsman "griplatch" chest that is overfilled. Not many fasteners I couldn't get a grip on.

Now to the knipex pliers wrench...can see where it would be very handy for a tech who is crawling through attics, climbing a tower, etc. to do stuff. But I doubt it could grip as well as a properly sized combination wrench.

Absolutely LOVE my Knipex 10" Cobra and Knipex twin grip pliers. So far, I don't see a need for the pliers wrench they make. But that's just me, and my tool use. Everybody has different needs and wants, depending on what they do.

(edit) I guess the above is a too long post on why I don't really see a need of making myself a "minimalist" tool kit...

Here's a small set I keep in the car.

https://i.imgur.com/RmqZBRQ.png

https://i.imgur.com/95A8Ei4.png

https://i.imgur.com/csz3l6j.png

There is a tiny but bright LED flashlight, 10mm swivel socket, 1/4 socket, screwdriver bits, 4mm hex bit (very common), hex-to-1/4" drive adapter (so I don't have to include a ratchet) single-edge razor, full-size Leatherman, bits, driver, ratcheting screwdriver, tape and zip ties. The needle-nose and lineman pliers stay in when I remove the Leatherman for other quickie jobs.

That looks great!

Leathermans are, I think, overrated. They are basically good pliers with a good knife and a bad screwdriver.

Yes I do. They are very handy for plumbing where it doesn't really matter.

Heavens forbid I wouldn't use them on der Porsche (liar liar).

Here is my tiniest tool I always have in my pocket on my key ring. Small pliers, small cutter, Phillips, Flat blade and 1-1/8" scale in 1/8" divisions.

Also have multiple tool kits involving multi tools, small screwdrivers etc in many of my vehicles, but my key chain "tool" is always with me in my pocket everywhere and it has passed thru airport security unlike a multi tool with knife blades.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1698666776.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1698666776.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1698666776.jpg

Tim, I hope you don't hang all that weight in a car ignition...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uqZJQkwEAA&ab_channel=QualityLogoProducts

Those are only my house, multiple shop and work building keys. All of our cars, motorcycles, atvs, airplanes, tractors etc just are single keys by themselves. My truck has one extra key for it's hitch lock and my RV has a few on it for door, fuel door and compartment locks.

Usual problem with small tools is they are cheap.

The Spyderco Byrd multitool is the best one I’ve ever had.

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=286

NLA but show up on eBay sometimes. For a lot of money.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145398376501?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ExZNcVcSTzC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=&var=&widg et_ver=artemis&media=COPY

It has an adjustable wrench, pliers that can be set to small or large jaw opening and include a wire cutter, a very good locking knife blade, takes 1/4” bits, and holds four bits internally. The tool separates into two pieces, so you can hold a nut while turning a screw. Add a strip with allen and torx bits, and you can do lots of things. Add a strip with 1/4” drive sockets, and you can do even more. The original was US made, there was a Chinese version too.