Mulltitools?

Razor

Razor

Joined
Dec 8, 1999
Messages
3,975
Good for the outdoors? What are your thought? I just went on a mulitool kick. I ordered two leathermans. I have read and have friends tell me that if you carry one for a week, you will never be with out one.
 
I have a love/relationship with the damnable things.

Compared to proper tools, they're awful. Particularly so if driving screws is involved.

For hiking and backpacking, I use a PS4 Squirt for first aid and gear repair. The latter is mostly about pushing a heavy needle through thick fabric. If I'm ski touring and need to deal with no kidding screws, I pack a compact ratcheting t-handle screw driver. If I anticipate cutting wood, I carry a Silky folding saw. For cutting, I carry an Opinel.

I don't carry a large multitool in the woods.

For EDC use, I keep a mid sized tool in my day pack. A wave stays in my glove box but rarely sees the light of day.

WOODS- key chain sized tool
EDC- pocket sized tool
HARD WORK- real tools or large multitool as backup
 
I've carried the same Leatherman ST200 for about 10 years now, and nearly every day. It's been all over the world and has paid for itself more than I care to think about.
 
I carried my Wave daily, and liked it, but got tired of it bumping into everything. Now, I carry my Vic Camper with me daily.
 
I have 2 Supertools and a couple of smaller models. My wife and I both have Micra's that get more use than any of the others. to me, if I had to have 1 tool for anything it would fit that role, but I just have a thing about having a proper tool to do a job with. I haven't found many jobs that a multitool ended up being the proper tool.

I do keep one in the glove box in the truck, just in case.

All that said, what does any/everyone think about the Leatherman MUT. I was thinking it would be a good addition to the range bag.
 
I have been using a swisstool for over a year now and I don't think I will ever go back to a leatherman. The tools are much nicer and my spirit has a very sensible selection of tools for my use. In the last year I have really come to appreciate the functionality of the swisstools or swiss army knives and often carry just one of them unless there is good reason for other knives (such as hunting or fishing).
 
I carried a Gerber Sport multitool for years it's really handy. The pliers got a lot of use and were easy use with the gerber, just a flick and they were ready to go. The knife, scissors, and other tools were more than adaquate for most jobs I put them to.
I lost mine recently and this reminds me that I need to get a new one.
 
:cool: Multitools are great - I always carry one on my belt so I can LOOK well-prepared and competent. Unfortunately, my suburban location and my lifestyle as a classroom teacher make a larger multitool a ridiculous thing to carry around; it pulls my trousers down but gets little real use.

I do always carry a very small Winchester multitool (only about 3 inches long closed) in a belt sheath next to the Victorinox Spartan in another belt sheath. The cost was low, the quality is adequate for my needs, and it has spring-loaded needle nose pliers that will cut light gauge wire. These tools and a small lock back folding knife are all I need and can really carry around easily.

In my shirt pocket, I have a Mini Maglite (two AAA cells) and a pen-size Ace Hardware screwdriver set with four different small screwdriver bits that go into a magnetized holder. These take care of my MacGyver needs. Because I am not an EMT, a police officer or a construction worker, anything more is not really needed. :cool:
 
The only "multitool" I take to the woods anymore is a Vic Farmer. I love leathermans and all that, but in the woods I usually only need an awl and a saw from them. So a Vic Farmer does that, and offers other handy tools.
 
Multitools are just fine for the outdoors but I don't find any use for them. They weigh a lot and aren't ergonomic at all. I can see how this tool or that tool COULD be useful but in my travels I haven't ever encountered a problem that wasn't solved without the multitool. In the city I can see more of use for them but like Pinnah said, I have a wave in my glove box that never sees the light of day. Some people can't live without them though so I think it's another preference thing.
 
bacpacker said:
My wife and I both have Micra's that get more use than any of the others. to me, if I had to have 1 tool for anything it would fit that role, but I just have a thing about having a proper tool to do a job with. I haven't found many jobs that a multitool ended up being the proper tool.
Click to expand...

Jeez Luise, I didn't even think of my Micra. My typical EDC pocket carry is Opinel in RFP and Micra in the LFP (w/ my money clip).

Really, the only reasons I reach for the Paratool in my day pack is for the pliers and metal file.


edc-pair by Pinnah, on Flickr

In the woods, I trade the Micra for the PS4 Squirt.
 
I almost always have a Leatherman tool with me. I keep a Swiss Army version in my Maxpedition bag.
 
carried one since 96, the first was a 1st gen gerber. worked great.

in 06 I got a sog power tool.

they both have saved my ass multiple times, couldn't begin to count the times I used them.
 
I have a Surge with the bit kit and a ST300 and a Skeletool. The Skeletool is always with me, the Surge is always on me or close by, the ST300 stays at home unless I know I'm going to need it plus the Surge. I have had Gerbers for years but they are not as good as the Leathermans are. I'm always useing one of them for something. For the woods, there not that useful, there are only a couple of tools that I use on the Surge in the woods. But I do a lot of off road driving when I go to the woods so I like the idea of having the Surge and Skeletool on me at all times along with the bits and extension bar and 1/4 inch drive sockets.
 
I love em, and think they are perfect for the outdoors. As designed.
I have a small collection of Swiss Army knives, and Leathermans, once in a while I go to the local pawn shops and check for more Leathermans..you can never have to many. I store them in the vehicles and in all my tool kits...
My favorite is the leatherman wave.
 
I used to carry a micra untill I forgot to check it when flying and had to give it away. The funny thing was I had to ask over a dozen folks (I went to the drop off zone and asked people who were dropping others off) before I found someone willing to take it. It is not like there could be anything stashed in it or, being a micra, used in a crime. I did use profiling after I asked a dozen folks, as soon as I saw the Subaru driver I knew I had found a guy who would take it.

I do need to get another one of those.

I do keep a full size Leatherman in my backpack. It come in handy fairly often
 
I really do hope they are for outdoor use. I have a brand new at the time Gerber multitool in my boat dry storage compartment. It has saved me several times, ironically not on the boat or O/B. It has the sandblasted stainless steel finish that gives a wee bit more grip to it.
 
I tried carrying a Leatheman or Swisstool when backpacking, but they were just too big and heavy. I carry a SAK instead now.
 
Great to have in the bush in case you need to work on your gun or fishing reel , or bend/cut wire , lift pots , etc. I have about 5-6 , but most use is around the house actually.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top