Review of Snickers All Around Work Vest and Everyday Carry Tools

[@buster9807]

Thank you for the detailed and thorough review. 🙏

[@MrPatdeeee]

Whenever Steve has anything; it's going to be detailed and looked over, etc. And that is what I like. Thank you kind Sir. And May you have a great "New Year"!

[@extremewoodworker]

Thank you Pat. Happy New Year to you as well. Steve

[@MrPatdeeee]

@@extremewoodworker ❤

[@GTWoodshop]

Good points Steve thank you. Never considered a vest but will take another look after your points. 👍

[@extremewoodworker]

Thank you Graham. I had not considered one either until I attended a Alpine Technical Workshop and notice one in use. Steve

[@michael.schuler]

Very useful, granular review, as always. As a pro finish carpenter, I've worked at tweaking my vest/toolbelt setup for all of 2023. A few notions that might be helpful to you: Your little hammer's narrow handle would probably fit perfectly in a Diamondback clip-on Gun Loop. Likewise, your 6" digital caliper could fit well in a DB clip-on Large Utility Sheath XL, making for better protection and easier access. A local seamstress could easily eliminate the adjustable Velcro shoulder bits, making the vest lighter and permanently the length you like. You could add a little (wooden) spacer to the bottom of your chipbreaker screwdriver's front pouch slot to raise the handle up and make it easier to withdraw. For my purposes (finish carpentry and joinery, mostly on site), I myself have settled on a combination of a custom vest and an international modular Frankenstein toolbelt. I designed the vest to carry primarily layout and communications items, and my professional seamstress wife has so far labored through six iterations, as field experience and my obsession dictated improvements. The vest's length is limited to leave the midriff exposed, like the cutoff jerseys worn for summer football practices (or like a sports bra without cups). In it, I carry: cell phone and 3x5 notecard folder; mechanical pencils (including .5 Pentel, 2.0 Staedtler, 6 mm Fastcap FatBoy, and Pica white); tiny sharpeners for the two pencil types that require them; permanent markers, Sharpie extra fine and Milwaukee thick; my most essential layout tool, Starrett C604RE 6" rule, which I love for its end markings and matt finish; Taytool's simpler version of the WP 6" Paolini rule, which I prefer over my Paolini due to the inconvenience (IMO) of the Paolini's twin locking screws; a Dewalt 16' "Atomic" long-reach tape; a Sola "Go" magnetic pocket level with clip-on holster; a bandelero-like strip comprising individual slots for 8 different drivers and counterbore bits; and finally, magnets sewn in under left and right lapels, allowing quick, secure carrying of fasteners, bits , and other small ferrous items (this last detail copied directly from Diamondback 701 vest.) This vest suits my needs as independent contractor and carpenter in that I can wear it in the shop, on the jobsite, or when I visit client's homes to measure up for future work, yet it does not interfere or need to be removed when I need to wear my toolbelt. I won't go into detail regarding my toolbelt, other than to say it takes advantage of clip-on sheaths and pouches made by various quality manufacturers, using a box-like Occidental fabric pouch on the non-dominant side as a platform onto which the pouches can be attached as the day's task list dictates. I call it international because the manufacturers represented include: Akribis (Canada), Occidental (USA), Diamondback (USA), Buckaroo (Australia), Atlas 46 (USA), and even Menards (Mexico). Without question, the best tool carrying setup is totally a matter of personal preference, ultimately informed by a triage of the type(s) of work one most often takes on.

[@extremewoodworker]

Thank you Michael for the detailed suggestions and insights. You are absolutely correct on one's range of work and personal preferences so am getting pretty close on this one. My wife quilts but she is always telling others she doesn't do alterations mostly to keep them at bay (she does for close friends at times so perhaps I fall into that category -lol). I have 3D printed a replacement hammer loop so that problem is solved. I have also placed a rare earth bar magnet in the small front pouch that holds the digital calipers on the outside of the vest. Steve

[@michael.schuler]

@extremewoodworker Sounds good. Lots of ways to solve these little issues. Always fun to get things dialed in so doing the work can be our sole focus. You know your solution is a success when you forget about it. Cheers!

[@vulgarwoodworks]

Glad I'm not the only one who prefers a vest to an apron or traditional tool belt. I don't mean to be crass, but most aprons are a wee bit of a nuance (pardon the pun) when using the restroom.

[@extremewoodworker]

Good point and one that I failed to mention in the video. Even if I had remembered that advantage, I probably wouldn't have mentioned it. Steve

[@MaxFracas]

Interesting video. I also tried aprons and found I disliked them. Tried a lab coat (think Peter Parfitt) and that didn’t suit. So now I have a small number of things that I carry in my Duluth carpenter trousers. EDC: One meter folding rule (Stabila, I think) w/metric on one side and imperial the other); Kershaw Leek folding knife; Pentel “Twist-Erase” 0.9mm pencil. Lastly, reading glasses either on my head or in my shirt pocket. My workshop is 720sf, so rather than carry additional tools, I just walk a few steps to fetch what I need. Helps me get in my steps for the day! By the way, I also like the SS Paolini rule and the 3m Talmeter. I’ve learned to live with the sharp tip.

[@extremewoodworker]

I have not tried the Duluth trousers but I have tried the Blaklader and Skillers. Both were the kneepad versions and with or without the pads, they irritated my skin at the knees. I still have them but don't wear them very often. When I first started using the Talmeter, the tip bit me several times but not so much anymore. Steve

[@rbyt2010]

Happy New Year, Steve! I just wear I side holster from my belt. Marking knife, 6" Starrett Double Square (same complaint about metric - in theory they're available but I haven't found one yet), drafting lead holder with red lead, same .5mm pencil. I have the Hultafors, but I can't tell you how many times I've ripped open my finger grabbing for the tape end to open 🙄Knew you were going to 3D print something for that hammer before you did (in the video anyway :) Maybe I'll need to try a vest.

[@extremewoodworker]

Thank you and Happy New Year. I have 3D printed a wrap that goes around the outside of the hammer loop out of TPU and it works well. Closing the gap by 3mm did the trick. I have also ordered some rare earth magnets and intend on sliding them in the very small pockets for the digital calipers. I have a number of drafting lead holders and you can use whatever hardness lead you desire but there is no sleeve so I abandoned the attempt. I thought about getting a leather holster made for my marking knive and may pursue that. Steve

[@rbyt2010]

@@extremewoodworker doing a custom holster for my small kit has been on my list for a while. Something like vacuum forming wet leather to a 3D printed model or two for a couple layers of pockets... The list is long :)) maybe this year

[@laneshiftsx9423]

I also carry eye and ear protection

[@extremewoodworker]

Yes, good ideas. I have ear muffs laid out at every machine and wear prescription safety glasses so those are always on. Steve

[@chadkuntz267]

European product zipper will be on the left. Strange thing. US men's on right women's on left. Europe opposite.

[@extremewoodworker]

Thank you, that is a tid bit I did not know. Steve

[@vinnyrea5608]

I disagree, I'm from the u.k. 99% of zips are right hand zippers. Zips usually on left for women. Most of the zippers are made by YKK.