Originally Posted by djb

Like others here, I figure it's not worth the weight vs coiling up a cable and taking it for later cutting.

And as a reference of perspective, early on I took just too many tools, including a chain whip, and my bike weighed a ton, so finally figured out to make an educated guess on the likelihood of needing x tool.

With mechanical discs on long trips, I did add a small pair of needle nose pliers to make it a lot easier to remove pads

As you say, with experience we learn what we prefer to take and be comfortable with. I've learned over time to be a lot more critical of what is really required.