Multi-tool vs. SAK

shotgunner11

shotgunner11

Joined
Dec 17, 2005
Messages
7,809
I cant help but notice that the SAK is more popular amoung the wilderness formites than the leatherman style multi-tools. Why?

What am I missing by carrying my leatherman. I'm a tech. so I really need the pliers but I really dont see why anyone wouldn't want them in the outdoors.

Any thoughts?
 
JMHO but I think that the SAK has a better tool assortment for outdoors at a lower weight. My ideal SAK for wilderness use would have a knife blade, woodsaw & awl. Plus to me anyway the knife blade on an SAK just seems to work better than the blades on multitools. YMMV
Gene :D
 
Lower weight is one reason. Also the sak makes a better knife, more comfortable in the hand. Smaller package that goes in a pocket.

I've never had a multi-tool, I've always been a sak person. When I worked in the machine shop I had a whole toolbox. I don't generally need pliers in my every day life, so I don't like the bulk of the multi. A vic soldier or tinker does 99.999% of what I need. I'll settle for that.

The sak is a pocket knife, the other is'nt.
 
There are plenty of us, here, who prefer a multi-tool like the Leatherman Wave to an SAK. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

Mike
 
I think that the bottom line is that SAKs are knives with tools and multitools are tools with knives.


SAKs are also generally lighter and less costly.


Multitools can be very useful in the outdoors, the pliers do come in handy for such things as removing fish hooks, cutting wire, lifting hot pots off of the fire, and tinkering with stoves.




- Frank
 
I've never really used a SAK so I dont really know much about the blade quality but I generally keep the blade on my Leatherman uber-sharp for detail work and use a large folder for routine cutting chores or a larger fixed blade when outdoors.
 
Yea, I guess weight could be a concern to some. I'm really not an ultra-lite type of a hiker, so the added heft never really bothered me much

I have heard that the SAK's have fairly soft steel on the blades, anyone ever have a problem with that?
 
i prefer the sak when in the woods. i like the knife blade better than the one on my wave and it's nicer to hold in the hand. as far as weight, i don't mind extra ounces/pounds if they are pt to good use. i like sturdy boots, so although i try to pack light, i'm not going to wear trail runners on a hike. i generally don't carry folders in a sheath on my belt and the wave is not fun to carry in my pocket, it generally rides in the center console of my truck.
 
I prefer my leathetman any day of the week. There is so many multitools out there too choose from now, but with weight still a consideration I still favor my leatherman PST2. A small pair of needle nose pliers are a great bit of kit to have with you no matter where you are. In the bush I use the pliers for picking up hot cans and pots on the fire, helping to sew through thick material for repairs, picking out thornes, removing ticks and removing fish hooks. The other tools like the can opener and blade are used a lot too.
 
Why not carry both? I just put the finishing touches on a kit idea I've had bouncing around for a while now. It all fits in a compass pouch, to which I sewed a lop to hold my Streamlight LED. Inside are a small assortment of survival goodies, along with my Vic Mauser and Leatherman PST. These tools complement each other nicely, which is why I carry both.

I know some that thing a multi-tool is strictly an urban thing, with no use in the bush. I suppose they've never had to cut an unexpected piece of wire or any of the other uses already mentioned here. My kit is always with me, as I added a Kydex belt clip to the compass pouch.
 
I would'nt take a SAK on a serious trip (Heresey I know) but a LM Charge is always in the pack.
 
shotgunner11 said:
Yea, I guess weight could be a concern to some. I'm really not an ultra-lite type of a hiker, so the added heft never really bothered me much

I have heard that the SAK's have fairly soft steel on the blades, anyone ever have a problem with that?
Click to expand...


if you are going on day hikes or occasional over-nighters, it would not be necessary to eschew your multi-tool in favor of a SAK, esp. if you feel more confident with your multi-tool. SAKs don't cost that much but if you wanted to save money, why bother?
 
I also carry both mostly a swiss light (only because my dog chewed the sheath up on the leatherman and it's verry heavy in your pocket).
 
I prefer a Leatherman (paired with a fixed blade) because it has the implements that my SAK Huntsman has and more. I have used a Leatherman in the woods to pluck pots from the fire or stove, and to repair gear like zippers, stoves, and pack frames. The utility of a pliers-based multitool does not go to waste in the woods.
 
I used to use a Multitool, actually I have always with me a LM Wave, because of the tools that it ofer me, I used to use it a little bit but I prefer having with me just for if needed.

But I know that the SAK Blade is a lot better that my LM Wave Blade, maybe bacause of its shape..... because the two of them are sharp.

The problem that I have is that I am lefty so it is kind of dificult to open the blade with only me left hand, but I can do it using first my index finger and then my thumb finger.
 
DRM said:
I prefer a SAK Outrider paired w/ a pair of pliers!
Click to expand...

Holy Crap it's DRM :flippoff2:

Leatherman here but I'm leaning more towards a SAK and pliers. I HATE the wire cutters on the leatherman.
 
I've got an orange handled Leatherman Juice. Pliers, scissors, knife, can opener, bottle opener, philips screw, flat screwdriver. Fills all of my needs.

I also have a Vic Swiss Champ in my collection box, and a LM Wave in my truck center console.
 
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