Multi-tools: Best one for survival kit?

Kenix said:
Do you mean you're carrying those four around? What in 4 holsters? Might as well lug a small toolbox instead lol ;)
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LOL, I'm almost as bad. MY EDC bag has my Wave, Vic Huntsman, Squirt P4, CountyComm mini pry-bars, micro screw drivers, etc. I need to take some pics and post em sometime. I've finally sorted my stuff into smaller kits.

I also gotta downsize it a bit. All that stuff plus my laptop, G11 camera and related gear weighs too much if I need to be quick on my feet, or travel any real distance on foot. The key is efficiency without hampering mobility on foot, and I realize that there's a bit of redundancy that I don't really need in a backpack type EDC bag.
 
NaturalMystic said:
LOL, I'm almost as bad. MY EDC bag has my Wave, Vic Huntsman, Squirt P4, CountyComm mini pry-bars, micro screw drivers, etc. I need to take some pics and post em sometime. I've finally sorted my stuff into smaller kits.

I also gotta downsize it a bit. All that stuff plus my laptop, G11 camera and related gear weighs too much if I need to be quick on my feet, or travel any real distance on foot. The key is efficiency without hampering mobility on foot, and I realize that there's a bit of redundancy that I don't really need in a backpack type EDC bag.
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Just curious, why carry the Squirt P4 when the Wave has everything and more? Or the Huntsman for that matter, unless you REALLY need a corkscrew or parcel hook lol
 
I usually keep the P4 on my keys with my Vic Midnite MiniChamp but it's sometimes too bulky (eg in dress pants for the office) so I just clip it in my bag. When in casual pants/jeans it's usually back on my key clip on my belt tucked into my right back pocket.
 
I carried a Mini Champ and a huntsman for a very long time, then swapped over to a 111mm Fireman on my belt, which was my mainstay for a very very long time. But with work having such an issue with belt sheaths....

But I have a MT, two SAKs, two folders in my EDC bag, plus I have a 84mm Alox Lumberjack in my keychain... damn your right! I am going to get a small toolbox! :)
 
I had a Swiss Tool first and after comparing it to all available at the time, electing to get that one since I liked the way the tools locked open securely and how you got one tool when you wanted one tool not a whole slew of them. I have since owned one of all the major and some minor brands of M/T's only to go back to the original in the way of new Swiss Tool with the only difference between this one and the first one being my new one has a scissors on it instead of the metal file. I still have both Swiss Tools though.

Not to put the others down making multi tools but the Swiss Tool is the toughest and best built of all of them in my opinion. I've actually watched the Gerbers break apart doing the same things my Swiss Tool has done repeatedly. (cutting chain link) There is no question that the ST is heavier gauge than the Leatherman Wave I own and as for the SOG. Well, having read the write ups I guess I expected the thing to walk on water and impress me. It didn't. Not to start an issue but I don't get it with that one. Maybe I would if I had never owned a Swiss Tool to compare it to I don't know. The only other one I carry is the mini Bear Jaw keyring size MT and its only for the pliers which I find quite handy about akin to a nice small tweezers for things the ST can't get at. I compared it to the SOG mini size one and just felt the pliers on the Bear are better for fine work. The SOG is stronger for grip no doubt but the pliers were a bit thick for fine work compared to the fine needle nose on the Mini Bear Jaw. The Leatherman Micra is a fine tool but I needed pliers not scissors.

What I can say after having the full size Vics, SOG, Gerbers, Leathermans old and new, and even one of the older Kershaws at one time as well as some other odd ones I still use in the shop for beat em ups is that the Gerbers in my opinion are not worth buying. The SOG is the strongest pliers with the compound leverage but the Leatherman offers the best pliers IMO even over all the others you compare it to including my Vics. For me though the Swiss Tool has more of what I want, offers a heavier duty feel and build and just seems to be overall better quality through and through. There are draw backs with all of them of course. I wish the Vic pliers opened wider for example, and I wish they had a more "Leatherman" like plier tip. Overall though I feel the comfort when using the Vic tools is quite good in the hand. All of them have their strengths I just felt Vic put it together better. Just my opinion

As for which would be better in a survival situation. Any one of them is better than nothing at all in that kind of situation.

STR
 
Well I won a LNIB Leatherman PST on fleaBay for $4.99 to replace the one I broke. Waiting on the Surge and Core to arrive, and have a bid in on a SwissTool.... :D
 
I have been reading this thread with interest, as I have been considering a new multi-tool. Sounds like the SOG is pretty well liked.
 
STR said:
What I can say after having the full size Vics, SOG, Gerbers, Leathermans old and new, and even one of the older Kershaws at one time as well as some other odd ones I still use in the shop for beat em ups is that the Gerbers in my opinion are not worth buying.
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I haven't had the same experience at all - I've also used most, including some really old stuff like the Schrade Tough Tool that I EDC'd in '97 or so, and was one if the first multitools with locking blades, and I've fond the Gerber tools to be outstanding... IF you stay away from the sliding head models.

The Gerber Legend is my favorite tool, hands down. It's easy to disassemble to clean, has great ergos, the replaceable cutters are awesome, and the spring-loaded pliers head is the best feature on any multi-tool I own.

I'm planning to pick up one or two of the Crucial model, for small tools to stash away or chuck in a pocket when I'm not wearing a belt.
 
MustardMan said:
I haven't had the same experience at all - I've also used most, including some really old stuff like the Schrade Tough Tool that I EDC'd in '97 or so, and was one if the first multitools with locking blades, and I've fond the Gerber tools to be outstanding... IF you stay away from the sliding head models.

The Gerber Legend is my favorite tool, hands down. It's easy to disassemble to clean, has great ergos, the replaceable cutters are awesome, and the spring-loaded pliers head is the best feature on any multi-tool I own.

I'm planning to pick up one or two of the Crucial model, for small tools to stash away or chuck in a pocket when I'm not wearing a belt.
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Weird. I guess everyone has their own luck with MTs like everything else. I have used the Gerber MP400 and MP 600 many times over the years, and found them to be more solid and functional then the Suspension style tools. Never used a Legend yet, so... but will take a look.
 
I use a sog powerlock b60 and love it, it is somewhat more of a task to get tools out and secure them due to the power lock system, but I have found the tool is very durable. I also really enjoy the easy access to the pliers which I find easier to open and close compared to leathermans.
 
I personally like my leatherman Charge. I have a swiss spirit but i don't really see it as being stronger then the Charge it does have an easier and simpler layout then a charge but less tools.
 
I got some sog powerlocks for under $30 new off ebay, so each of my family members will be getting one as well as a Mora 711 for Christmas. Keep an eye out on Ebay, I've been seeing some good multitools new going for cheap recently.
 
I have been using a LM Blast for a few years now. I deliver and install appliances at work and the multi-tool has saved me many a trip out to the truck to grab my tool bag. I have considered the Wave but I think the size of the Blast is ideal.
 
Oh ya. Any multi tool with a decent size pair of pliers is a must when fishing. Best de-hooker/bait cutter I have used.
 
Trenton55 said:
Oh ya. Any multi tool with a decent size pair of pliers is a must when fishing. Best de-hooker/bait cutter I have used.
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Yeah I was thinking that... very useful in a survival for everyone.. but me, can't eat fish... BUT I have repaired a busted backpack strap and taken a sharp edge off a very badly made internal frame pack stray with my MT. I use the pliers, but for woods survival, the pliers are the least important tool to me.
 
Swiss Tool is my Favourite.
I agree 100% with STR. The ST just seems of a higher quality. Plus I'm a sucker for their polished steel. :p
 
I like Leatherman Waves. Though now I carry the "Charge Ti" version, which is pretty much the same thing.
I was also recently given a Skeletool, which is nice and light - but I don't like its pliers.
 
I usually prefer the ease of carry that a SAK offers but there are times that I like to have pliers handy so I own several multitools.

My first was a very decent one made by Cresent. It was a gift from a friend and it has served me well for more than 15 years.

Over the years I have been gifted many Leathermans. I have several Micras which I find quite handy for small kits. I have an original PST which works but seems very outdated in terms of design and ergos. I have one that looks like a half size PST but has fold out handles so it feels more like a full size in use. I also have a couple of Squirt P4 tools that are handy for use in kits. The only Leatherman that I ever really warmed up to is the original Wave. Mine has seen a lot of use and it has loosened up quite a bit over the years which is kind of frustrating considering that the Cresent tool I mentioned above costs half as much and doesn\'t show the same loosening with twice the use.

The first and only multitool that I ever spent my own money on was the SOG Paratool and I love it. It opens in a wierd way but it is easy to get used to. The tool is extremely well made and is user configurable which is clever. This has become a favorite of mine over the years.

I think I am being gifted a Victorinox Spirit X for Christmas this year. I have high hopes for this one. It has a GREAT set of tools and the blade are in the excellent and familiar style of the Victorinox SAKs.
 
well for a heavy duty multitool im a diehard fan of the victoronix swisstool. just a big bad piece of metal. for a lighter solution the leatherman charge tti is a great choice. but what i find going with me more than anything else is a leather juice cs4, light and has almost anything i could realistically need in the woods. if you need more than it look to the other two options. these are in no way the only good multitools. sog does make great ones. truth be told i dont like gerber multitools but hey whatever works for you
 
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