Why I Carry a Pocket Knife and a Multi-tool Every Day

 Recently I watched some videos, or portions of them, regarding why one should carry a knife.  My reasons, as with all knife carriers, will differ.  For one thing, I don't use my pocket knife to cut food.  Even if I camped I would probably bring a designated paring knife.  I would feel compelled always having to purify the knife.  Too much hassle. 

I also carry simple and very affordable knives.  Just don't see the need for 'super steel' in my day-to-day needs.  Others will, especially those in the trades or in construction and such.  I'm a pastor, which is essentially a white-collar worker with a minimum of outdoor and industrial type needs.  

I'm going to list these reasons in a bullet point format for ease of reading. 

• Primarily I carry a pocket knife to open mail. This is an every day thing. Thus, as an uban edc guy (even though I live in the country) it becomes a primary chore for the knife.  This, I would guess, is one of the top reasons for urban knife carriers. I cringe with I see someone rip an envelope open and essentially destroy it.  
• To break down boxes for recycling.  Every week I take my own trash to a trash site in my township.  Boxes must be broken down.  Again, I don't need an expensive knife with super steel.  
• Opening packages.  Here I might substitute the designated package opener on my Gerber Dime, not so much to save the main blade as to keep it from being gunked up from the glue on the tape. 
•  Scissors on my SAKs are indispensable.  While a knife will certainly substitute, a good pair of scissors will do all those other chores much more efficiently.  For example, I used it to cut bandages for my wife as we dressed her foot wound.  I can cut paracord easily with a SAK knife.  I even used the scissors on my SAK Champ to make a makeshift collar tab for my clerical shirt! There are a hundred other applications. Your imagination is your only limitation. I now carry the SAK Explorer as a scaled down version of the Champ because I just don't need all those tools on a regular basis. 
• As a hunter I always carry a knife in anticipation of gutting a deer.  Here a knife with a 'gut hook' is helpful and I own a couple of them.  Now all I have to do is get a deer!!
• My SAK Rambler is a great tool for small needs and hardly has a substitute for EDC.  I love the nail file and scissors and knife all in one, not to mention the combo tool with the small screwdriver which I used at the fire department on the battery compartment of our air packs.  Small Philips screws are prevalent in electronic devises.  I would always want a small designated screwdriver with me at all times. 
• To remove gaskets from fire hoses.  In my gear I carry two knives. One is a small Camillus, and the other is a simple sailor's knife with a Marlin hook.  The first I have used more than once - or lent to someone - to remove bad gaskets from the fire hose connectors during hose testing, and the latter is carried for undoing stubborn knots on the drop (fill) tanks that often become wet and hard to undo with your fingers, especially if it's cold. 
• To lend to someone else or assist someone else who doesn't carry a knife.  I'm always a bit surprised when I meet people who do not carry a knife, especially those I think would. 
•  To cut small branches or rope in the yard.  When we took down our clothes line after an ice storm destroyed it, my cheap Ozark Trail knife came in handy for this task.  
•  As noted, I like a multi tool for screw drivers.  My SOG Powerpint has a bit holder for larger Philips and regular screw bits.  Not always or even frequently used, but nice to have.  I seems that you always need something when you don't carry it!
• Whittling.  However, I did recently buy a set of inexpensive carving knives, so this may not be a real need unless I find these tools can't handle the job.  

I'm sure there are other reasons, and I will add them to this post as I think about them.