History Main / EveryDeviceIsASwissArmyKnife

* In ''WesternAnimation/SherlockGnomes]], Watson's cane displays a plethora for functions. These include a grapple line, a map case, and a laser pointer/garage door opener. At the end of the film, Sherlock even uses it as a walking stick.

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* You can now get a Swiss Army Knife with a USB thumb drive and LED light [[http://www.swissknivesexpress.com/5301g16.html here]].

Remember the good old days when a [[GoingMobile phone]] was just for calling people? Remember when game consoles and handhelds were for precisely games? Not so anymore. In a more contemporary (and/or futuristic) setting where folks have high expectations in terms of technology, any device that doesn't have multiple functions beyond its initial one is classed as Crapola Tech even when it genuinely does work. The general logic of the "jack of all trades" convenience being superior to the specialized frequently plays a part in this. And on certain occasions, SpyFiction will feature technology of this caliber, particularly in the form of [[WeaponizedCar weaponized vehicles]]. A common joke related to this is that the machine is so complicated, people can't figure out how to use it for its intended purpose. Most definitely TruthInTelevision, especially if EverythingIsOnline.

Remember the good old days when a phone was just for calling people? Remember when game consoles and handhelds were for precisely games? Not so anymore. In a more contemporary (and/or futuristic) setting where folks have high expectations in terms of technology, any device that doesn't have multiple functions beyond its initial one is classed as Crapola Tech even when it genuinely does work. The general logic of the "jack of all trades" convenience being superior to the specialized frequently plays a part in this. And on certain occasions, SpyFiction will feature technology of this caliber, particularly in the form of [[WeaponizedCar weaponized vehicles]]. A common joke related to this is that the machine is so complicated, people can't figure out how to use it for its intended purpose. Most definitely TruthInTelevision, especially if EverythingIsOnline.

* Subverted in Creator/LarryNiven's short story "[[Literature/KnownSpace The Soft Weapon]]". Archeologists find a weapon from a [[{{Precursors}} precursor race]] that has multiple functions. The heroes eventually realize that this weapon is much too complicated for front-line troops, so it must be a spy's weapon. They then trick the villains into activating its SelfDestructMechanism.

* The Lancrastian Army Knife in ''Discworld/CarpeJugulum'' has a number of strange and metaphysical features such as the Device for Ascertaining the Truth of a Given Statement and the Attachment for Winning Ontological Arguments. Its inventor, Shawn Ogg, notes that if he keeps adding King Verence's suggestions it'll need a wheelbarrow to cart it around. There's ''probably'' a [[labelnote:blade]]which doubles as a Device for Ending Arguments Very Quickly[[/labelnote]] in there somewhere as well.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' episode, "Jack and the Labyrinth", Jack faces a rival thief equipped with a briefcase-sized omnitool capable of doing almost anything required.

* In the SamuraiJack episode, "Jack and the Labyrinth", Jack faces a rival thief equipped with a briefcase-sized omnitool capable of doing almost anything required.

** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', omnitools can also form HardLight blades. Okay, technically a [[HotBlade red hot]] diamond, but that's even worse.

** Namely, having one embedded in his chest.

{{Do Anything Robot}}s and SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids are exemplary examples, as well as {{Swiss Army Weapon}}s in general and {{Swiss Army Gun}}s in particular. {{Magic Tool}}s are the logical result of this trope, but taken to the extreme it might result in a GreenLanternRing.

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* A Creator/StanislawLem short story about rival companies making more and more complex [[http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1981/11/30/1981_11_30_044_TNY_CARDS_000332469 washing machines.]]

* A Creator/StanislawLem short story about rival companies making more and more complex [[http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1981/11/30/1981_11_30_044_TNY_CARDS_000332469 washing machines]].

* The Lancrastian Army Knife in ''Discworld/CarpeJugulum'' has a number of strange and metaphysical features such as the Device for Ascertaining the Truth of a Given Statement and the Attachment for Winning Ontological Arguments. Its inventor, Shawn Ogg, notes that if keeps adding King Verence's suggestions it'll need a wheelbarrow to cart it around. There's ''probably'' a [[labelnote:blade]]which doubles as a Device for Ending Arguments Very Quickly[[/labelnote]] in there somewhere as well.

Remember the good old days when a phone was just for calling people? Remember when game consoles and handhelds were for precisely games? Not so anymore. In a more contemporary (and/or futuristic) setting where folks have high expectations in terms of technology, any device that doesn't have multiple functions beyond its initial one is better of being classed off as Crapola Tech even when it genuinely does work. The general logic of the "jack of all trades" convenience being superior to the specialized frequently plays a part in this. And on certain occasions, SpyFiction will feature technology of this caliber, particularly in the form of [[WeaponizedCar weaponized vehicles]]. A common joke related to this is that the machine is so complicated, people can't figure out how to use it for its intended purpose. Most definitely TruthInTelevision, especially if EverythingIsOnline.

* The Lancrastian Army Knife in ''Discworld/CarpeJugulum'' has a number of strange and metaphysical features such as the Device for Ascerting the Truth of a Given Statement and the Attachment for Winning Ontological Arguments. There's ''probably'' a [[labelnote:blade]]which will, by the way, win any argument in a pretty permanent way[[/labelnote]] in there somewhere as well. Its only weakness is that it needs a wheelbarrow to move around.

{{Do Anything Robot}}s and {{Super Powered Robot Meter Maid}}s are exemplary examples, as well as {{Swiss Army Weapon}}s in general and {{Swiss Army Gun}}s in particular. {{Magic Tool}}s are the logical result of this trope, but taken to the extreme it might result in a GreenLanternRing.

* {{Lampshaded}} by Eleya in ''Fanfic/RealityIsFluid'', who can't figure out why Starfleet Science thinks that "a nav deflector is for generating weird particles, not for pushing crap out of your way when you’re at warp."

* ''OurManFlint''. Flint's lighter has has 82 different functions...83, if you wish to light a cigar.
* In ''SpyKids 2'', one of the kids gets gets an experimental spy-watch with so many gadgets in it there was no room for an actual time-telling device.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': The Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver. It can (of course) unlock anything but a deadlock and wooden structures, it can scan for nearly anything, and it can do all kinds of hacking with its psychic interface. It cannot, however, triplicate the flammability of port.
** The Master's Laser Screwdriver, given [[BigBad who he is]], adds [[FrickinLaserBeams a more lethal function]]. [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Exactly the one that the name would imply.]]
* "Globals" in ''EarthFinalConflict'' were a spot-on prediction of smart phones from back in the mid-nineties. Looking at the way the characters use them (like pocket sized laptops), they could easily be iPhones or Droids. They even have a camera function.
** They only main difference is the video-call function, which was standard on all Globals and used all the time. While [=iPhone=] has [=FaceTime=], and most smartphones have Skype, we're still far from reliable video calling while on the go.

* In {{Traveller}} ''Interstellar Wars'' the Lightning class is a CoolStarship version of this, being able to be a trader, an explorer, and a privateer. It's chief disadvantage is it's low payload which keeps it from carrying cheap cargoes in safe areas.

** In ''Mass Effect 3'', omnitools can also form HardLight blades. Okay, technically a [[HotBlade red hot]] diamond, but that's even worse.
* An almost literal example in KingdomOfLoathing is the Loathing Legion Knife. 20 functions, doing pretty much everything from increasing rollover adventures to replacing the untinkerer. The hardest part is remembering which part of the inventory it's supposed to be in.
* In GrimFandango, Manny's scythe can and will be used for practically everything, from opening vaults to locking cupboards, to digging through litter boxes, to fighting.
* The Pip-Boy in the ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' series is a self-generating map, GPS, scanner (with friend-or-foe recognition), geiger counter, inventory manager, health scanner, radio, and can store computer files. It is the perfect tool for a wasteland wanderer, but it was built for Vault dwellers who'd have little to no use for most of those functions.
** Presumably RobCo thought they were building a device for people who would actually be rebuilding human civilization.

* WebComic/AxeCop. His axe has dozens of functions (normal axe, axe-shooting gun, skateboard, guitar, etc.), and his mustache is a multifunction robot.

Remember the good old days when a phone was just for calling people? Remember when game consoles and handhelds were for precisely games? Not so anymore. In a more contemporary (and/or futuristic) setting where folks have high expectations in terms of technology, any device that doesn't have multiple functions beyond its initial one is better of being classed off as Crapola Tech even when it genuinely does work. The general logic of the "jack of all trades" convenience being superior to the specialized frequently plays a part in this. And on certain occasions, SpyFiction will feature technology of this caliber, particularly in the form of [[WeaponizedCar weaponized vehicles]]. A common joke related to this is that the machine is so complicated, people can't figure out how to use it for its intended purpose. Most definitely TruthInTelevision.

See DoAnythingRobot for the humanoid example of this. Related to EverythingIsOnline. See also SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaid. See ShoePhone for when its primary function differs from the one you'd expect from its appearance. You might see a lot of {{Swiss Army Weapon}}s and {{Swiss Army Gun}}s in a setting which uses this trope extensively. Taken to the extreme it might result in a GreenLanternRing.
Contrast WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer which is where a device is used in this way regardless of its actual flexibility.

** Namely, having one imbedded in his chest.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': The Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver. It can (of course) unlock anything but a deadlock and wooden structures, it can scan for nearly anything, and it can do all kinds of hacking with its psychic interface. It cannot, however, triplicate the flammability of port. it was written out of the show duning the tail end of the orignal series because it became an crutch for writers and the director at the time decided to have an regeneration break it. The deadlock seal was invented for the revival so woriers could have an way to prevent the doctor from getting out of an situation wit it.

** the tricorder was even described as such on an history channel special on the Star trek prop auctions Braga described the Tricorder as an "Device to move the plot along"

* Subverted in LarryNiven's short story "[[Literature/KnownSpace The Soft Weapon]]". Archeologists find a weapon from a [[{{Precursors}} precursor race]] that has multiple functions. The heroes eventually realize that this weapon is much too complicated for front-line troops, so it must be a spy's weapon. They then trick the villains into activating its SelfDestructMechanism.
* Obligatory ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' example: the Lancrastian Army Knife in ''Discworld/CarpeJugulum'', which has a number of strange and metaphysical features such as the Device for Ascerting the Truth of a Given Statement and the Attachment for Winning Ontological Arguments. There's ''probably'' a [[labelnote:blade]]which will, by the way, win any argument in a pretty permanent way[[/labelnote]] in there somewhere as well...
** A Swiss Army Knife with an alethiometer attachment sounds pretty useful, actually.
** Its only weakness is that it needs a wheelbarrow to move around.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': The Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver. It can (of course) unlock anything but a deadlock and wooden structures, it can scan for nearly anything, and it can do all kinds of hacking with its psychic interface. It cannot, however, triplicate the flammability of port.