This Clever New Multi-Tool Has Me Rethinking My Whole Approach to Everyday “Carry”

Here at GP, we talk a lot about EDC. Doing so, it’s ridiculously easy to get caught up in the “everyday” part of the term, evaluating a knife, multi-tool or other small accessory based on how much utility it provides on a daily basis.

As convenient as a standard, mini or keychain multi-tool can be, perhaps nothing is so easy to set and forget than a simple clip-based item.

Which leaves the other part of the equation, the “carry,” getting short shift, when it really shouldn’t. Because just as a pro athlete’s best ability is availability (shout-out to Bill Parcells), an EDC item’s most critical quality is a form factor that makes it easy to stash and forget all about until you need it most.

Case in point: the new Nomad Scout EDC Carabiner Multi-Tool, which recently surfaced on Kickstarter.

Form factor focus

I dig this project for a couple of reasons. First off, Los Angeles-based creator Gabriel A. Keossian has done a nice job curating some critical tools. Among the seven he touts are a fire-starting ferrocerium rod, a glass-breaking carbide tip, a tiny folding blade, a 1/4″ hex bit adapter and, of course, a bottle opener.

Beyond these handy functions, however, I’m even more stoked about the shape this multi-tool takes: a carabiner. Because as convenient as a standard, mini or keychain multi-tool can be, perhaps nothing is so easy to set and forget than a simple clip-based item.

If you’re like me, you probably have a regular old carabiner or two hanging off your go-to backpack right now. Not necessarily a climbing-ready one, maybe even just a promotional freebie you picked up at some outdoors event.

Regardless, it’s a pretty common accessory to have, simply for those times you need to attach something — like a water bottle or helmet or neck pillow — to your bag. Which raises the question: Why not have that thing you already carry do a little more for you?

Clutch Carabiners

That’s what I am thinking, anyway. With that in mind, here are a few cool carabiner multi-tools I’ve got my eye on. After careful consideration, perhaps you’ll be craving one, too.