Do you carry a multitool in the woods?

[gra_farmer]

Perhaps a Swiss tool would impress me, but I have been very unimpressed by the design and finish of Leatherman tools compared to those on my SAK.

The Swiss tool has better polish than the leatherman tools, and very strong. But from my experience, if you not a fan of leatherman then I wouldn't bother.

For me, I only have one victorinox multi tool, but with all victorinox I am happily reassured that if anything goes wrong, it will be either fixed or replaced quickly...i know that leatherman has the 25 year warranty, but the SwissTool has a forever warranty.

Compared between the two brands, the main benefit of the leatherman tools is the access speed and the pointy knife blades.

standard SAK or multi tools, both serve the same purpose....lots of useful tools in a compact design

 

[Jared]

There was a model of SwissTool Spirit released last year, that has one hand opening knife blade, and a specialised blade for cord/webbing.
Speculation is that it was a custom order for some unit, as cames in both stainless and black.

 

[Oliver G]

I used to carry one but after a while realised I'd never used it in anger so I don't bother now. I've found a knife and a folding saw is all I really need. If I need some scissors to cut accurately then there are some in my housewife and anything else you can just manufacture something to get you by.

 

[TLM]

The Swiss tool has better polish than the leatherman tools, and very strong.

After holding the RRRussian version people usually do not complain about finish. Quite solid but still not yet soldier proof.

 

[gra_farmer]

Not for me, that looks like multi tools from the mid 90's....i am sure it is strong, but very strange looking

 

[TLM]

Ratnik equipment is apparently current issue military.

 

[spader]

I carry a Leatherman Surge in black. It saved me going to the shed and looking for the toolbox when I was in the middle of working on something in the loft and garden.

 

[plastic-ninja]

I always carry a Gerber Multitool ( think it's the Scout ) and do use it pretty frequently for work related stuff. The knife is good and the pliers are great but the best bit is one-handed opening for me. Ive used the hacksaw once & the file once or twice. Rarely use the drivers either. Pretty sure if I don't have it though i'll need it. Easier than carrying a knife.

 

[spader]

Yes, in fact I have a couple of Gerber MT too. They are even easier to carry due to smaller size and lighter weight. They do the same job as the LM Surge.

 

[GreyDog]

For 300gms, I'd take it. On canoe trips (obviously weight isn't such a big issue) I always take my Gerber Legend. Never really used it but for the innumerable 'What if?' possibilities I'd always take it. Also take a Mora Companion (heavy duty, orange, stainless) and Laplander saw - they do get some use. The saw proved invaluable when large fallen tree blocked the way, bank to bank. I cut a passageway through with the laplander removing 3 x 5"-6" thick sections to make way through it. Bit precarious sawing while standing on the 'workpiece' in the middle of the river but saved us a big haul out and 300 yard portage with full 3 day camping kit on board. In normal life, I usually have my SAK Mountaineer (like Huntsman but with file in place of the saw) in my pocket which has everything I need. Also have a Leatherman Juice, which has a legal (non-locking) blade and a mini saw, that I used to carry but I never used the pliers outside the home and found them to be quite lacking in strength, especially if trying to hold and twist something, they seem to flex a lot and the wire cutters just splay the jaws on bigger harder wire - both bad for confidence! Also the handle shape really limits the knife's usefulness (ditto for the Gerber), so the SAK wins day to day. Just ordered a Farmer alox - can't really justify why with any logic but it was £22 on sale and curiosity/love of good kit/bargains got the better of me.

 

[SCOMAN]

I carry a Leatherman Signal.

 

[Woody girl]

I've carried a Swiss army multi tool every time I go out. Never needed to use much more than the blade or occasionally the scissors or nail file on a snaggy nail. Why do I even bother?
I have my mora and lap lander, pots have handles, I always have gloves for hot pan handles..
I still like to have it even if I can't remember the last time I opened it up for use.!

 

[Kadushu]

I don't like Leatherman style multitools. I carry a SAK on a cord around my neck every day and some curved needle nose pliers in my pack.

 

[Robson Valley]

Can a big city become a jungle for a country mouse? I flew monthly on overnight business trips for 6+ years. Basic tool kit in my bathroom bag is a Leatherman Squirt. As the years went by, I was able to fix most any little thing I carried with the Squirt.

Bird hunting, I have a couple of other multi-tools somewhere in my day pack and shooting vest. Main function seems to be to put my Baikal shotguns back together when pieces fall off.

I ignore the weight, my thinking is that it's cheap insurance.

 

[TLM]

Main function seems to be to put my Baikal shotguns back together when pieces fall off.

A thread locking compound might help. It is a known fault, big country large tolerances.