Help Me Choose a Tool

1

17Chap

Joined
Dec 27, 2006
Messages
18
I've lurked here a while and read a lot of the posts-not all by any means-on multitools. I have an older Gerber and have noticed the deficiencies that have been mentioned here. However, it is still a usable tool.

Recently I have gotten involved in canoe packing and hiking. I'd like to get a replacement for the Gerber that has needle nose pliers, mine are not, and scissors. This would be used for camp purposes, repairs, cooking etc. I don't want to carry a seperate sciccors or pocket knife (I now carry a LM Micra for the scissors.)

I'm open to any suggestions, except buying them all to try out.:D SOG tools appear to be reasonably priced (another issue) but I hear the scissors are not useful.

Thanks,

Chap
 
Dont loose your time looking around for tools, just get a VICTORINOX SWISSTOLL SPIRIT and you are good to go! :thumbup:
 
Tango44 said:
Dont loose your time looking around for tools, just get a VICTORINOX SWISSTOLL SPIRIT and you are good to go! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Good advise, but that's because they are all good and you will probably be satisfied with any of the various offerings. In time, though, you will wonder if brand X just might trump brand Y, and then the fun begins.:D
 
Hi Chap,

If you decide to go with a SOG tool, note you can get 'factory seconds' straight from them. I bought an air-SOG from them several years ago that way (I ordered it by phone). I can't remember the price, but it was like 30% or 40% below their MSRP. See here for more details: http://www.sogknives.com/buy/seconds.php

Good luck!
 
Get a Leatherman Wave. Good, solid, tough, durable, and very convenient. The one-handed opening blades might come in handy out there, and eliminate the need to carry a separate knife. It has a wood saw, metal saw, straight edge knife, serrated knife.... everything you'd need to live out in the wild. Heck, need a fire? The wave can help you there too. Set up your tinder, branches, grass, whatever, and grab a rock. Scrape it along the metal file til it sparks, and SHAZAM!!! Nice, warm fire.
 
ElCuchillo said:
Get a Leatherman Wave. Good, solid, tough, durable, and very convenient. The one-handed opening blades might come in handy out there, and eliminate the need to carry a separate knife. It has a wood saw, metal saw, straight edge knife, serrated knife.... everything you'd need to live out in the wild. Heck, need a fire? The wave can help you there too. Set up your tinder, branches, grass, whatever, and grab a rock. Scrape it along the metal file til it sparks, and SHAZAM!!! Nice, warm fire.
Click to expand...

El Cuchillo, have you actually started a fire as you describe?
 
It's not as easy as it sounds, but can be done. IF you have the correct stones in your locale. I've gotten a spark from quartz, but they were not many, not hot and took about 15 minutes to find the right angle to strike it at to get that one lonely spark.

But a multi-tool is half of the flint and steel combo that has been used for years. :rolleyes: Just find the flint.

Here's an example -> http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/flintandsteel/abbknifeandstone/index.html
 
znapschatz said:
El Cuchillo, have you actually started a fire as you describe?
Click to expand...


I have, but like Saunterer said, it's not easy. It did take me a while to do so, and yes, you do have to find the right stone. But hey, when out in a survival situation, at least it offers you a chance.
 
Tango44 said:
Dont loose your time looking around for tools, just get a VICTORINOX SWISSTOLL SPIRIT and you are good to go! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I have a Spirit & would recommend getting one but...
The scissors are kinda small & do not open very wide.

If scissors are really important to you, then the Swisstool RS is the way to go. ;)
 
Since you don’t want to carry another pocket knife, I would suggest the Leatherman Surge. Both knife blades can be opened with one hand (as long as the one hand is the right one) and it has some of the biggest scissors you are going to find on a multitool along with a wood saw, file and awl. The problem with the Surge is it fairly heavy, not a big deal on a canoe trip but it might be too much for hiking, especially when you consider that there are a bunch of ultra-light backpackers who balk at anything heavier than a .9 oz. Vic Classic!

The new Wave is similar to the Surge but lighter and more compact, the knife blades and scissors are smaller and you don’t get an awl with the Wave.


If you want something even more lightweight and compact, I would suggest the Vic Spirit. The big down sides to the Spirit aside are its slippy screwdrivers and the knife blade which is a blunt tipped ¾” serrated design which would not be a very good choice for your only knife.


Whatever multitool you choose, I would recommend carrying a second knife something a like a Frost Mora clipper fixed blade (very low cost and lightweight), or a Camillus ArcLite (low cost neck knife) or a Spyderco Salt folder (inexpensive, lightweight and completely rust proof) would do nicely.




- Frank
 
Thanks folks for all the thoughtful answers. :thumbup:

Some response:

The scissors would be for first aid or cloth cutting/repairs. They don't have to be big. Great for opening the MRE's our young soldeirs rip open. (I'm not young or a soldier.)

I also carry a Mora with a fixed carbon steel blade for a survival tool and to use with my magnesium fire starter, fish cleaning, etc. I want to get clear of the folder and Micra I lug on the trips.

I'm also working on a axe project, but that is another post.

Chap
 
For Canoe Packing and Hiking, I'd also go with the LM-Wave, all you need and then some.
 
I'd put a Vic alox Classic on your keychain for the scissors and small backup blade, and go with the Spirit S (you get plain and serrated blades, but lose the scissors). The relatively light weight, quality of finish, and ergonomics are best of class. I haven't touched my Wave or any of my other "multi's" since I discovered the Spirit. It also has a sort of "traditional" feel (since you carry the Mora).
 
Ill add a strong Aye for the Leatherman Wave. I use it roughly in work relativley often and work with others who have as long as the tool has been produced. In my opinion the greatest multi tool out there. Period.

Travis
 
Thanks User24. It never occured to me to take my little classic along isteand of the Micra. I wasn't aware of the alox option. Somethng new to consider.

Well, I bought a SOG Powerlock via the net a couple of days ago. When it arrives I'll let you all know what I think.

Thanks to everyone for thier input. It was all helpful and useful.:)

17Chap
 
I have had Leathermans as long as I remember. Supertool, wave, and charge. I love the pocket clip on my charge and was told that it is an add-on for the wave. Their customer service is great. I also have a SAK and it is usefull at times.
 
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