So my old alox Soldier, which I consider to now have semi-collectible value, got retired to the "stuff" drawer with other knives and stuff, and I got myself an alox "Farmer", which is essentially a Soldier with an added pruning saw, which is actually quite functional. I like it, and it carries just the same as my now retired Soldier. Can opener, bottle opener, two screwdriver blades, regular blade, and a leather awl which is surprisingly useful make for a neat package that for me, is more useful than any blingy multi-tool.
I also carry an AG Russell Sea Skorpion flipper clipped inside my left pocket. Total stainless construction, half-serrated blade that will cut (almost) any polypro rope or strap on earth, and a little thingie called a Marlin Spike that will help you untie (almost) any knot on earth, and is also useful as just a bonus sort of diggy-pointy kind of implement. I abuse the crap out of it and get it filthy dirty and then run it thru the dishwasher before oiling it and touching the blade up.
And yeah... here in my part of the world no one has a problem if you carry a pocket knife. One time I needed to cut up an apple so I got out my Victorinox and there was a guy (snowflake) from uh, somewhere else present. Someplace where they eat lots of tofu. "You carry a KNIFE?"
As I was cutting my apple up, I said "Yeah, I never know when I might want to cut up an apple or something." I politely didn't call him a diphsit.
Yeah, I didn't care for the 2008 Swiss "soldier" knife update, either - not for a daily carry tool, anyway. It ended up in the center console of my truck.
I found someone selling the alox Victorinox Soldier knives (Dutch army surplus) on eBay a few years ago, and bought two that look unissued. One to carry, plus a spare - doubt if I'll wear both of them out.
I already have an alox Farmer in a drawer, waiting for the day when I break my Soldier by asking too much of it... but the Soldier may outlast me!