Climber's tool idea

G

gadgetgeek

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May 19, 2007
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Just a spitball idea, and probably an old one at that. But one that I might try to make happen.
Basically the problem I'm trying to solve is that most of the good one-handed rescue knives are not available to me (flick knives and australian law) and the ones that are good, are either far too specialized or have other flaws (like the Vics where the rescue blade is not really a one-hander, or all the "climbers" knives that feature a sharp point) Since a pair of pliers is also useful for taking care of jammed carabiner screws, bow shackles and the like, I was thinking a specific multi-tool, with a one-handed blade, serrated sheepsfoot for taking care of ropes. Since I don't really need any other tools, I figured a skeletool would be great (multiple carry options, and the biner means it should go onto a harness gear loop pretty easy) So all that means is modifying a skeletool blade into a rope blade (or a freestyle for that matter, either would work)
the other half of the equation is to make the tool as light as possible. My harness and kit are heavy enough as it is, and since I pretty well always carry another knife, I don't need it to be anything other than a specialist tool.

of course this means a rather expensive tool all told, so we'll see how soon it happens.
 
I've filed many knife blades to get the profile I want. Place in a padded vice tip towards you and file with a drawing stroke.

I would think 10-15 minutes of work would turn the skeletool blade to a proper sheepsfoot.
 
After spending several hours studying this document, it comes as no surprise that you're having problems buying what I consider an indispensable tool for climbers, boaters, skiers, surfers, et al, a Spyderco Rescue/Saver Salt....anyone looking for a reason to acquire a migraine, read this....

http://www.customs.gov.au

Anyway, I have a nephew who lives in Oz, is now a citizen, who married an Aussie and has asked me to send him a few knives, such as the Spyderco's I mentioned, and I had to explain to him how this is a high risk with no reward adventure.
 
Tell him that the brain trust at spyderco has been working on the problem, and will hopefully get some good stuff legalized for import (he will still have state carry laws to deal with, but at least he can have them)

Anybody know how the "depth" of the skeletool blade compares to the wingman? i'm wondering how much material would get removed, and what sort of dimensions I'd end with. I only ask about the wingman, since I ended up with one and can use it as a comparison.
 
Don't trust the "Biner" on the Skeletool to stay attached to your harness. Tie a bit of accessory chord to whatever knife/tool you chose and clip to your harnes with a real carabiner.
I carry a Spyderco Ladybug with full serrations clipped to my harness. Maybe try a slipit Spyderco?
IMO a multitool is too heavy for a harness already full of gear.
 
My harness is a Petzl Corax (the new model) so the pocket clip should be able to clip on to the "clipit" loop. The skeletool's carabiner would probably only be used when I need to put the tool away, it would be handy to just clip it and ditch it. As for secondary retention, it will get some sort of secondary leash, either a wrist loop that can be snapped on to the harness, or something similar. I'm pretty religious on gear retention, especially rescue gear. A ladybug or similar has crossed my mind a few times for the purpose, but at the moment its not cost effective, and I still need the pliers.
For some reason the skeletool floated off the radar for a while, but weight-wise seems a good plan. I should mention that at the moment, I also have a rescue5 hook as part of my rescue kit, so in essence the multi-tool blade is a backup, and so it doesn't need to be a one-hander as such, but I would like that. Comparing the two smaller multis I have now (wingman and rebar) the rebar has better tools and is lighter, but of course has the disadvantage of internal blades. It all comes down to trying to figure out how to efficiently carry all the tools I need without carrying six knives, but also having tools that compliment each other as backups as needed. So far its been about a six month process, and I think, maybe, I might have a plan that works. maybe.
 
Looking at http://www.customs.gov.au as Alnamvet68 suggested, does imply that there is not much you can do as far as importing is concerned, however, I do have an idea for you.
1. Look at the Victorinox dual pro series or the Victorinox Hunter XS / XT. They all come with 2 blades, both are one handed openers and one is a rescue blade.
If weight is a concern, I would go the Hunter XS route (in fact, I have one of those), it can replace your dedicated knife as it's just one tool with 2 blades. You can use a carabiner to attach the keyring to your harness.
2. All of the vic tools I mentioned above are available in Ebay Australia from various sellers already in Australia, so technically, that's not importing, right? you'd be buying domestically.
3. If a pair of pliers is really a must, you can just add a small pair of dedicated pliers. The total weight of your gear might be a lot lower.
I hope that helps a bit.
 
Where are you climbing and what gear are you using that you need pliers? Are you talking about climbing on rock with traditional gear (chocks, hexes, cams etc?)?
If you clip your knife to your harness say goodbye to it. It will fall off sooner or later.
 
Most of my ropes work is either high-ropes confidence courses and abseil (rappel) as an instructor (forgot to mention that). I spend most of my time on the ground, but if I am in the air, its for either maintenance(and I can take the tools needed) or a rescue, so that is the default set-up. So the pliers are used not only for stuck biner gates, but quick-links, turnbuckles, bow-shackles and the like.
I have looked at the hunter, and it looks good to me, unfortunately in the state I live in there are some other weird rules regarding one-hand openers, so I'd prefer something that has a dual use, and can therefor have some other legal explanation. (at least until I'm a citizen and not just a permanent resident) its a blurry line, and at least the pliers fit a tool description, the main blade on the hunter could cause some problems if an officer decides its a weapon.
The wenger looks cool, but is far too specialized for my needs.
Oddly so far one of the most important tools, not just on the ropes, but in general during my leading of wilderness activities, has been a can opener.

Generally I've been carrying either a farmer or huntsman as my main knife, with a BK-13 as a backup, but I've been thinking of re-arranging that. On my last trip, a pair of pliers would have been handy during the camping sections as well.
The activities I run include, raft building, canoeing, high and low ropes, camping and cooking, hiking, and archery. Sometimes only one activity, sometimes combined as one program. If I do the skeletool, it could also take over back-up blade duties for general camping. Of course any new system I come up with lasts about one trip and I change it, and generally add to the collection. Its a disease.
 
In that case, i'd say take a look at the Leatherman Wave or Surge . They seem to have everything you need, less likely to be viewed as a weapons and have both plain and serrated blade on the outside of the tool with one hand opening. With so many compromises needed it looks it's as good as it's going to get.
The skeletool is nice but its pliers are small and rather flimsy when comparing to other tools, it also does not have a can opener.
The Vic hunter XT paired with dedicated pliers is still a better option in my eyes (the rescue blade is superb for rope and safety cutting, one of the best you'll find), it also has a saw, can opener, screw drivers and a cork screw which is great for opening knots. It is a swiss army knife which, at least for me, does not scream weapon and is rather easy to explain, especially in your line of activity.
 
All valid points. The wave and surge are both great tools, as is the hunter. It will be something to think about that's for sure. Like I said, its all a balancing act between all the factors. It would be nice to standardize my own system, but also figure out a system that will work for others in a cost effective manner. There are so many good ideas that work when you have both feet on the ground and two hands, and far fewer that work when you are hanging in the open air, and only have half a hand free. Not saying your ideas are not good, I'm just trying to fix a very specific problem with some unusual hurdles in my way. If it was up to me the simple method is a Byrd rescue and a pair of pliers. But that just won't work here.
 
I got my hands on a cheapish used skeletool off the bay, needed some TLC I think the previous owner was trying to cut cinder-blocks with it, but thats not a big deal. I've sharpened it up and modified the tip, I was going for a griptillian inspired shape. So we will see how this one goes. I don't think I'll do serrations on this one, I'm confident the steel will hold a very useful edge, and by sharpening it to a medium grit, it should rip though even wet rope pretty easily. If I do decide to get a serrated blade, that should be easy to find, modify and swap in. Blade deployment is good, the handle indexes well, and even with my pretty small hands, I can get it to full lock, and maintain a good grip (no adjustment needed, which is a bonus in high stress situations)

 
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