Leatherman for survival??

B

bigtex005

Joined
Nov 22, 2005
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Let's say you are considering a good companion to your fixed blade, which is better, a Leatherman or a Swiss Army Knife? The crux of my question is whether pliers are actually useful out in the bush. Any instances where they proved useful would be interesting to hear.
 
picking cactus thorns out those pliers come in very handy, also I carry a spool of wire for traps and making repairs or rigging stuff so they come in very handy for dealing with the wire.
 
If you need decent pliers, a Leatherman-type tool has a distinct advantage over a SAK with pliers. Bailing wire projects pretty much demand serious pliers.

Then again, a dedicated pair of real pliers may beat all.
 
Both are handy for survival if you carry them, but they must have a saw and a knife. The tool is more handy to fix gear, set traps and take things out of the fire. The SAK saw is IMO better than the one form my LM Wave. The SAK is better stainless then the LM and is easier to clean.

But you need a good fixed blade next to a multitool or SAK for survival.
 
I prefer the SAK, but also have a leatherman tool that I've used while in the bush. Used it to put a bail on a #10 can and when I went to the range, I used it to pull arrow points out of target butts when I hit the wood and not the hay.:D
 
I would carry them both but if I had to choose, I'd go with a SAK. I like the SwisschampXL. It has more useful features then the Leatherman.
Scott
 
I used to carry just a SAK and a fixed blade. Wanna guess how many times I said "Damn a pair of pliers would be nice!" Yeah go ahead and find a nice multi tool.
 
The right multi-tool can be an excellent compliment to a good knife. Note that I said the "right" multi-tool!

Others have already covered the uses for pliers, so I won't repeat.

A wood saw is good to have in the woods, of course. Likewise, a backup knife blade doens't hurt; you can never have too many sharp tools!

Many LM models have a diamond-coated file, which is excellent for touching up the edge on your knife if it gets dull.

I've always like to have scissors with me when I'm out in the woods. Mostly just personal preference, but I do feel that some small cutting jobs are just easier and safer to do with good scissors than with a blade.

Besides fixing gear, flat-bladed screwdrivers can come in handy for prying. Better to risk a screwdriver than a blade! The interchangeable screwdriver bits on the newer Leathermans, though, just give you more things to lose. In addition, there have been reports of the bit-holders breaking; the old-fashioned drivers might bend, but I've never seen one break, and even bent can still be functional.

So, let's sum up... The ideal survival multi-tool would have pliers (of course), a knife blade (or two), wood saw, diamond file, scissors, fixed flat-blade screwdrivers.

Which models fit the bill? My current woods set-up includes an old Leatherman PST-II, which packs a lot of utility into a small, light package, although it lacks a saw. (I also pack a Victorinox One-Hand Trekker, which does have a saw.) The Leatherman Blast would work, but the file isn't diamond coated.

The ideal Leatherman model IMHO is the original Wave. Must be why I carried one in the woods for years. Besides LM, several of the Victorinox SwissTools fit the bill (my pref would be the Spirit), except for the lack of a diamond-coated file; the SOG PowerLock also lacks a diamond-coated file, and their wood saw is short and not as useful as LM's or Vic's.
 
I would choose the multitool. Pliers are great for any fishing-related needs, and I can remember wanting to be able to cut old barbed wire while hiking before. Additionally, the tiny screwdriver bit that comes with my Wave is perfectly suited for my glasses.

Aside from these functions, I can't think of anything my multitool can do that a decent SAK couldn't.

- Mike
 
Pietje010 said:
But you need a good fixed blade next to a multitool or SAK for survival.
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate on this statement?

Personally I find a SAK the better companion, but it greatly depends on what else you bring along. When I go outdoors, my list of things is incredibly small compared to most people. A SAK, a large folder or a Mora, a warm / waterproof coat, good waterproof boots, lighter, some water and food. That's usually it, often times less.

If you're on a boat, have a gun, electronics and other sorts of things, a multi-tool might work better for you. If you have lots of gear to tinker with the wider assortment of tools can come in handy.

Otherwise I see little reason to bring along anything more than a Victorinox Farmer. I can't think of a time off the top of my head scissors would of cut something my knife couldn't, when you don't bring extra gear pliers will hardly ever get used (And when they do SAK ones would suffice), rocks can touch up an edge rather than the file etc. I believe in carrying as little as possible and making the most out of your environment rather than your wallet, but you may not see things this way.
 
Gryffin said:
The right multi-tool can be an excellent compliment to a good knife. Note that I said the "right" multi-tool!

Others have already covered the uses for pliers, so I won't repeat.

A wood saw is good to have in the woods, of course. Likewise, a backup knife blade doens't hurt; you can never have too many sharp tools!

Many LM models have a diamond-coated file, which is excellent for touching up the edge on your knife if it gets dull.

I've always like to have scissors with me when I'm out in the woods. Mostly just personal preference, but I do feel that some small cutting jobs are just easier and safer to do with good scissors than with a blade.

Besides fixing gear, flat-bladed screwdrivers can come in handy for prying. Better to risk a screwdriver than a blade! The interchangeable screwdriver bits on the newer Leathermans, though, just give you more things to lose. In addition, there have been reports of the bit-holders breaking; the old-fashioned drivers might bend, but I've never seen one break, and even bent can still be functional.

So, let's sum up... The ideal survival multi-tool would have pliers (of course), a knife blade (or two), wood saw, diamond file, scissors, fixed flat-blade screwdrivers.

Which models fit the bill? My current woods set-up includes an old Leatherman PST-II, which packs a lot of utility into a small, light package, although it lacks a saw. (I also pack a Victorinox One-Hand Trekker, which does have a saw.) The Leatherman Blast would work, but the file isn't diamond coated.

The ideal Leatherman model IMHO is the original Wave. Must be why I carried one in the woods for years. Besides LM, several of the Victorinox SwissTools fit the bill (my pref would be the Spirit), except for the lack of a diamond-coated file; the SOG PowerLock also lacks a diamond-coated file, and their wood saw is short and not as useful as LM's or Vic's.
Click to expand...


The Leatherman Charge XTi is what I have. It has a 154CM 3 or so inch blade that locks. A saw, tons of bits, file, all the good stuff. Theirs a XT and a XTi and the XTi is more of a outdoors tool as where the XT is a handyman tool. the only advantage a SAK would have is their smaller and you have tweezers.
 
I used a new Wave to pull a blowgun dart out of a block of maple. I think that vivi is right about using a multi tool to work on other gear, but here are two points to ponder. 1. Just about everywhere we go now there is something manmade. As a survival tool, a new Wave does not get better unless you are someplace no human has ever been. 2. With the various tools that come with a LM PST, the pliers are pretty much free as far as weight is concerned. And who knows when you will need to cut a piece of wire, grab a pot, or reach into a crevice. If you want, turn a couple screwdrivers into a chisel and an awl or something. 3. What if having a tool that could work on machinery could help keep you from being in a survival situation in the first place? Like being able to tighten a belt on your car in the middle of the desert? Or being able to crudely repair a batt. cable terminal?:)
 
bigtex005 said:
Let's say you are considering a good companion to your fixed blade, which is better, a Leatherman or a Swiss Army Knife? The crux of my question is whether pliers are actually useful out in the bush. Any instances where they proved useful would be interesting to hear.
Click to expand...

I find the pliers are very useful for picking up hot pots and fixing your gear. Also the steel on the leathermans are superior to the saks in my opinion
 
Vivi said:
Otherwise I see little reason to bring along anything more than a Victorinox Farmer. I can't think of a time off the top of my head scissors would of cut something my knife couldn't.
Click to expand...

I find the scissors on a Victorinox SAK are ideal for trimming off the quill beside the vane when fletching arrows, also for trimming the fletching to shape. I also use them for trimming off loose ends when making cordage from natural fibres. Sure, a knife blade works, I just find the scissors handier. Also when you split a finger nail.

The saw and file are excellent for nocking arrows. I can start a fire with the magnifying glass on my Swiss Champ as has been previously posted. It can also be used in plant identification, splinter removal, etc.

Mentor mentions the tiny screwdriver bit of the Wave for tightening the screw in his glasses. Two of the 3 Vic SAK's that I have, sport a screwdriver for just this purpose. (resides in the corkscrew).

As far as lifting pots off the fire, a branched stick does the job just as well and keeps my hands farther away from the flames.

Pliers can be a very useful tool in the outdoors, depending on your activities - fishing, hunting, etc. Personally, I'd rather carry a pair of pliers or a small vise grip in my pack, because, to me, the pliers on the multi tools seem to detract from the usefulness of the other tools. I can't really back this up, it's just an impression I've always had. Bottom line is take whatever works for you.

Doc
 
I much prefer the multi tool.

Two disticnt advantages my LM Charge has over a SAK are better quality steel blade and one hand opening everything. Although you can mangage to open anything on a SAK one handed, it is a lot trickier and more dangerous. Although the scissors (and maybe the saw, but in practice I doubt it) may be better on the SAK, they are not that much better. Of course the plairs are quite useful, but I rarely (if ever) need the full size and strength ones on the Charge when out in the bush.

One comprimise if you really like SAKs is to mach up a Field Master (or your favourite SAK) with a LM Squirt P4. The P4 pliars are good enough for cutting snare wire, pulling out thorns or fishing requierments.

Will
 
Doc, I'll see about the fletchings when I get more into archery, but it sounds like you're right on that one.
 
Get both. A good SAK, is very light and doesn't take up much space. Can be stored almost anywhere. The major downside that I see with Leatherman brand tools, is that they use a stainless that is overly conducive to corrosion.
 
I wish there were more SAKs with the combo tool. Having both the bottle AND the can opener makes them all an extra layer thick with no real advantage. I find the multitools make better use of space.
 
In a situation where you may not have cooking utensils, you may have to fashion bowls or pans from wood. Dropping hot rocks from the fire into the water to boil it sure goes easier with pliers.
 
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