Are Multi-Tools a waste?

OK, I gotta tell you all a story. It is a perfect example of why I EDC a multi-tool every day.
I was out visiting my parents in MA this past August. We (my wife and 2 y.o. daughter) decided to go to the zoo with my parents, my 2 sisters, and their kids. Well, we were all having a grand old time, and were just getting ready to leave. My younger sister had already left, and we were heading for the exit, when my mom's cell phone rings. It's my younger sister. Apparently, somehow, her son had locked himself in a portapotty, by accident. This was no normal portapotty, however. It was in some kind of large trailer, and had a lock (as in a lock with a key needed to open it). He couldn't get it to unlock from the inside (not sure why not, he's kinda a strange kid, I must say). So I mosey on over to where they are, and see a big crowd in front of the door in question. Apparently, no zoo personnel had the key. It would have to be unlocked by the portapotty company, which was certain not to happen anytime soon, on a Sunday afternoon. So I pull out my trusty Vic Spirit, open the flathead/bottle opener, and slide it in between the door and frame. Using friction, I slowly pull back on the visible area of the bolt, working it back a little at a time, and keeping it from slipping forward again using my car key. After a few pulls, the bolt finally clears the frame, and the door swings open. I felt like a superhero! A few people in the crowd actually applauded:D.
I guess I could have tried to round up a flat piece of wood, or a plastic knife, or maybe scratched around with my car keys a little more, but there was no certainty that these methods would come close to working. And, despite my long description, it took me less than 30 seconds to get the door open once I arrived on the scene. It earned me my first, and rather satisfying, "Uncle of the Year" award from my sister. That is why I ALWAYS carry my Spirit.
 
raindog101 - good job ! :) I do have to say, that even though I don't usually carry one on me, I do have a Leatherman multi-tool, Gerber version of the Hinderer rescue knife, and small pry car in my vehicle to handle such emergencies. - - -
 
My Wave is a pair with my RAT-3; can't have one without t'other. Carry 'em everyday and all my tool needs are met.
 
In a normal situation maybe multi-tools are not "necessary", but in survival situations they are another advantage to help you survive.

How many folks watch Man vs Wild or Survivorman, where they come across man-made litter / garbage that can be fashioned into something useful in a survival situation, using a multi-tool?

If you don't ever anticipating having to be face a survival situation, sure multi-tools might be a luxury, but not everyone is clairvoyant and know that we will never need it.

Thus the motto 'better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it'.

Also, 'two is one, one is none' is very important to keep in mind as well.
 
I carry one in the wilderness in my pack. Most of the time when I'm in the wilderness I'm usually stopping to fish at some pint. A multi-tool has proved it's worth with me over the years for fishing. Anything from hook removal, reel repairs, etc.

I don't EDC one though because I'd never have a use for it. I tired to EDC a small leatherman on my keychain and could not get used to it being that heavy on my keys.

Yes, IMHO, they are an advantage in the wilderness, but not a necessity for me. Like above - How many times have you seen Les make something out of something he found while in a survival situation?
 
elelbean said:
Does anyone really make use of any of these things in wilderness situations? The good ones don't come cheap either. I can remember being close to dropping money on one, but I figure I'd never use any of the "tools" and would rather have a solid knife instead. What are your opinions or experiences?
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Im a naval engineer and my multi tool is the most useful thing Ive bought in a long time. I use it every day and none of the tools on it are unused.
I got a victorinox swisstool - because you dont have to open the handle to take out the tools, which is nice. But it could do with a thumbstud on the blade(s).

But if youre in the wilderness I cant see why you would need it. Theyre more designed for engineering.
 
Oh and if you want a swisstool youll have to buy a sheath for it cause the one it comes with is a cheap piece of sh**
 
elelbean said:
Does anyone really make use of any of these things in wilderness situations?
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It seems a lot of people are responding without noticing this key word in the OPs question. I agree that in day to day life a multitool can be very handy, and many occasions for the use of a pair of pliers, screwdriver, etc can come in handy.

In a wilderness situation, however, I think it's much less useful. In decades of backpacking in all parts of the US, I don't think I have ever felt the need for a pair of pliers out in the wilderness. Given that long time backpackers also tend to become fantatics about weight, I think a (relativly) heavy multitool doesn't really have much place in my backpack and I opt for a lighter folding knife.

Just my opinion. ;)
 
I used my Leatherman Original and now Leatherman Wave all the time in the outdoors. I use them for such things as untying knots, fixing gear, cleaning game, cutting wire, removing thorns, crimping split-shot for fishing...

Dove hunting a buddies ejector on his Bennelli broke, he had an extra - no problem, glad I got the extra bits.
 
I bought a used SOG Powerlock. What a tank! Its been with me both in the few times I've managed to get off-pavement. Coupled with blades, I like the feeling of it being there especially the saw and file have proven to be very functional.
 
mdauben said:
It seems a lot of people are responding without noticing this key word in the OPs question. I agree that in day to day life a multitool can be very handy, and many occasions for the use of a pair of pliers, screwdriver, etc can come in handy.

In a wilderness situation, however, I think it's much less useful. In decades of backpacking in all parts of the US, I don't think I have ever felt the need for a pair of pliers out in the wilderness. Given that long time backpackers also tend to become fantatics about weight, I think a (relativly) heavy multitool doesn't really have much place in my backpack and I opt for a lighter folding knife.

Just my opinion. ;)
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Not everybodies "wilderness situation" is the same. For some it may be pulling your pop up camper to a campground and grillin out, drinkin beer for three days:D Or it could be a 5 day fishing or hunting trip where I couldn't imagine not having a multitool. I think it's all relative to your personal definition of the great outdoors. And your right an avid backpacker who is counting ounces really has no use for one.
 
Out in the woods for me generally means one of 4 things:

quick dayhikes, either for exercise, peace, or testing blades. For these, I carry the LM crunch out of habit and the vic Outrider because I always do.

family camping- multiple days with gear. Tents, tarps, toys, the whole family car camping shebang. This is a total blast to do, and isn't as lame as it sounds when you have kiddos. We have a full toolkit in the car, but the leatherman crunch is always there- it's been used as a potlifter, file, screwdriver, but mostly as pliers. I've even fixed a leaky faucet on a dayhike up to an observation point.

hiking- again, it comes in handy. Well worth the weight. I would love ot get into primitive trekking without a singe screw or nut, but dude, truth is i've fixed frame packs and used it to file sheared tubing ends and whatnot.

Shooting- we often do dayhike shooting trips with the airguns and I've always needed a screwdriver at least to sight in a new gun or whatever.
 
I haven't read all the posts, but there are some good stories.

Personally, I've been carrying a Leatherman since I was 13. I use it the most in Civilization, I use it at least once every day, if not several times.

I spend most of my time outdoors camping/fishing, and a good pair of needle nose pliers are invaluable when fishing. Since I usually have another knife on me, the leatherman knife is kind of a beater knife used for ugly/sticky/possible breaking tasks. I don't carry a toolkit with me into the woods, so having the screwdrivers and pliers has come in handy when a piece of equipment needs fixed. And the pliers are a godsend when you forget your pot handle/grabber thing.

So, no, multi-tools are not a waste. I don't think I could live without mine.
 
I carry both a Leatherman Wave and a Vic Craftsman....This summer they both came in handy to help fix a young boys braces (as in teeth) durring a football game. They were trying to cut the wire with fingernail clippers and had a flea market knife blade in the young'uns mouth...the wire cutter on the multitool did the job cutting and the screwdriver/bottle opener blade provided a non sharp tool to do whatever it was that they were doing with the blade...(I let them use the tools, I just stood there and prayed they weren't going to mangle the kid...)

I have used my tools for a lot of things, but that was a first for me, and I hope that they went to the dentist to make sure the kid was squared away properly, but I don't know....
 
koyote said:
I carry the LM crunch out of habit

family camping- multiple days with gear. Tents, tarps, toys, the whole family car camping shebang. This is a total blast to do, and isn't as lame as it sounds when you have kiddos. We have a full toolkit in the car, but the leatherman crunch is always there- it's been used as a potlifter, file, screwdriver, but mostly as pliers.
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I gotta get me a LM Crunch, that is one sweet looking tool ;)
 
If I were dumped off in the middle of nowhere, I would be just as happy to have a good Multitool as a knife. My Swiss tool comes to mind.
 
Dantor said:
I gotta get me a LM Crunch, that is one sweet looking tool ;)
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I love it. It takes a bit of getting used to, since it's not quite like regular vise grips, but it's solid and STAYS PUT. Screwdrivers and file are decent, too. The rest is superflous for me since I have an outrider.

udtjim said:
If I were dumped off in the middle of nowhere, I would be just as happy to have a good Multitool as a knife. My Swiss tool comes to mind.
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but you got some sweet knives :D
 
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