Looking for a Non-Existent Multi-Tool

W

Will Strei

Joined
Jun 3, 2013
Messages
3
Really needing some help finding the right multi-tool!

I've recently been searching for a multi-tool to fit my camping as well as EDC needs/wants, and I found that the Leatherman Charge TTI and the Leatherman Skeletool both come extraordinarily close. Unfortunately, the Charge is too bulky to comfortably carry in shorts while hiking and certainly is a little over sized for most every day requirements. I thought that the Skeletool would be perfect, but when camping I was extremely let down when i realized that it doesn't have a can opener! I had to make a hike back for my Swiss Army Knife just to eat my dinner. The other issue I've always had which was solved with these tools was having the knives fall out of my pockets while hiking/climbing or even sitting on the couch at someone else's house (potentially not a good situation). All I'm looking for is a multi-tool with pliers, a can opener, a pocket clip, something under 5.5 oz, and ideally one-handed opening, although that might be asking for a miracle. The weight part of this is really a must, since without it I could just carry my Charge TTI.

Any and all help would be extremely welcome as I've been searching for this imaginary tool for months now without luck. Thanks in advance for any input!
 
You can add a pocket clip to a Leatherman Kick or find a retired Leatherman Sideclip.

Also, the Sidekick and Wingman are slightly lighter than a TTi and come with pocket clips and can openers.
 
I love the sidekick. Has a saw and plain edge knife on the outside with liner locks and one-handed opening, spring loaded pliers, can/bottle opener, serrated blade, file, and basic screw drivers. And the pocket clip. I used to carry a New Wave but the sidekick is just a little smaller and lighter while having everything I want and nothing I don't.
 
I EDC either a Wingman or a Sidekick every day in my back left pocket. I never notice it until I forget it and it's not there. The pocket clip is definitely useful. They are one-handed, but I think they're around 7 ounces. For less than $30 bucks they have definitely proven themselves
 
Will Strei said:
I thought that the Skeletool would be perfect, but when camping I was extremely let down when i realized that it doesn't have a can opener! I had to make a hike back for my Swiss Army Knife just to eat my dinner.
Click to expand...

How about pairing up a Skeletool with a P-38 can opener. Dirt cheap and weighs about as much as a nickel.

Will Strei said:
The other issue I've always had which was solved with these tools was having the knives fall out of my pockets while hiking/climbing or even sitting on the couch at someone else's house (potentially not a good situation). All I'm looking for is a multi-tool with pliers, a can opener, a pocket clip ...
Click to expand...

For what it's worth, I've had more problems with pocket-clip knives escaping my pocket than anything else. That's why I gave 'em up. Only choice for me these days is either in-pocket carry, or a case on my belt.
 
I had somewhat considered the idea of pairing the Skeletool with a can opener of sorts and the P-38 seems like a good candidate! It just seemed to me that there had to be a multi-tool out there that fit the bill. Both the gerber octane and the crucial come very close but neither of them have a can opener! Might there be any merit in removing the bottle opener or package opener on one of these tools and inserting a can opener?
 
While hiking or canoeing, I always carry my multitools and knives on the belt in a sheath. Or use a lanyard to attach them to my belt.

I am not aware of a multitool that fits your requirements. But what about combining the Skeletool with a Victorinox Cadet or Waiter?
 
My new huntsman has a bottle opener/large screwdriver, can opener/small screwdriver, dual row saw blade, large knife, small knife, corkscrew for wine bottles, scissors, bird & trout hook, toothpic, tweezers & lanyard ring. Pair that with a good Leatherman & a large fixed blade & there is not much you cant do.
 
I do love the leatherman multi-tools as they are really built to last and all fabulous tools. I just wish they had some lighter models with as much capability. I was hoping to avoid pairing tools simply because of bulk, but that being said, the P-38 and any victorinox would nicely accommodate my skeletool. I am, of course, a huge fan of Swiss Army Knives and especially the wenger ranger series. I may need to look into those too ;)
 
Canned food is a lot of dead weight - convert it to plastic bags and the can opener becomes superfluous, exactly what the military did with MRE's.

The Sidekick is likely the closest compromise, and that is the reality - compromise will be needed and a requirement is going to be unsatisfied, like the target weight. What isn't being specified is exactly why pliers and screwdrivers are being taken into the wilderness. The only real point is to keep finicky civilian grade equipment in adjustment and repair, which implies it's not good enough for the job. The essential quality of wilderness grade items is that they never need that kind of care. They are more than tough enough, are designed to have no little screws to lose or need tightening, and are often designed with their own tools built into the components.

So, there are issues with the requirements - multipliers are really a tool to expediently maintain machines, and hiking in the wilderness is generally considered an exercise in getting away from them. Regardless, if a perfect tool is the requirement, it usually will never be found, and all the good tools ignored and never used. It's a dead end.
 
What isn't being specified is exactly why pliers and screwdrivers are being taken into the wilderness.
Click to expand...

I have used pliers out in the woods to:
Lift a pot from a fire
Tighten wire when repairing something
Remove a hook from a fishes mouth

I have used a screwdriver in the woods to:
Tighten a loose screw on a gun
Pry a staple from a piece of wood

Multi-tools are handy like a glove.
 
tirod3 said:
Canned food is a lot of dead weight - convert it to plastic bags and the can opener becomes superfluous, exactly what the military did with MRE's.

The Sidekick is likely the closest compromise, and that is the reality - compromise will be needed and a requirement is going to be unsatisfied, like the target weight. What isn't being specified is exactly why pliers and screwdrivers are being taken into the wilderness. The only real point is to keep finicky civilian grade equipment in adjustment and repair, which implies it's not good enough for the job. The essential quality of wilderness grade items is that they never need that kind of care. They are more than tough enough, are designed to have no little screws to lose or need tightening, and are often designed with their own tools built into the components.

So, there are issues with the requirements - multipliers are really a tool to expediently maintain machines, and hiking in the wilderness is generally considered an exercise in getting away from them. Regardless, if a perfect tool is the requirement, it usually will never be found, and all the good tools ignored and never used. It's a dead end.
Click to expand...

There are many camping experiences where pliers and screwdrivers might come in handy, and not every trip to the wilderness is for the purpose of getting away from machinery. I have a professional photographer friend in New Mexico who spends much of his time in remote deserts of the Southwest, his main subject, for which he uses film cameras. In addition to other survival equipment, he carries a multi-tool for field maintenance on gear once he has run out of paved roads, dirt roads and tracks and has to hike on to his destinations carrying cameras, tripod and what-all that might need attention. There are other scenarios featuring camp stoves and other paraphernalia that people bring along because they are not ready for leaving all of civilization behind. Also, all too often in what should be pristine areas junk can be found that might have to be dealt with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top