Multi-tools in battle

Matches

Matches

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Jul 14, 2000
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Some months ago there was a discussion on what multi-tool would be good for a service person on their way to Iraq. Most replies came from civilians who were unfamiliar with the exact needs of the people on the line in Iraq. Are there any servicemen/women who could shed light on the subject or anyone with second hand info. on tools issued,problems encountered, or a wish list for a combat multi-tool?
 
]ok-i have various multitools i used-but i found the Juice was the one i used the most-then the squirt with the scissors. This even tho i had a leatherman wave and gerber eod on my belt. the juice was carried in my right bdu shirt pocket.
 
I am also interested in this topic. I have a friend that is going to be deployed to Iraq soon and want to get him a multi-tool.
 
Top end Leatherman or SOG will do everything you need.

Grunts are going to be opening cans, digging crap out of their kit and boots, cutting open soft stuff and possibly slicing food. Other than that they wont really have a massive need for anything more than they are issued with. The file on the LM is probably superior to the SOG though if precision is needed. Both are tough enough for heavy hammer use but seriously I don't think that anything of this ilk will be saving lives enough to warrant its purchase as a 'must have item'

just my 2c worth
 
I was considering getting him a Becker, but you know how funny some units can be about knives. I'm not sure what his commander is allowing. I figured a multitool would be more likely to pass muster.

I will probably get him a Leatherman Supertool.
 
I remember reading this in Newsweek.
One Afghan soldier had stepped on a land mine, blowing off most of his leg, leaving just a mangled bone protruding beneath his knee. His fellow soldiers had heard there were American doctors nearby, and lugged the man up the hillside for five hours on top of an old door. Jason, one of the team's two medics, had ordered an amputation saw before he left the United States, but it hadn't arrived in time. Improvising, he stretched the man out on a blanket in the mud courtyard and used his Leatherman pocket tool to saw through the bone. All the while Mike, the team's senior weapons
Click to expand...

The full article is here http://www.danford.net/berets.htm
 
An idea just dawned on me, so I brought it here. Picture this: a "tactical" multi-tool.

A few features: Fast opening blade, say a spyderco style thumb hole or a carson flipper (say you were dissassembling your M16A2, didn't have your bayonet handy, and a dog is rushing at you). Maybe the blade could be like a Spyderco civilian, curved and serrated. I could imagine this style of blade to be useful for virtually all the tasks our soldiers encounter. And you don't have to open the tools to get at the knife, its always there.

Various tools especially built to dissassemble the M9 sidearm and M16A2 rifle. Maybe even broken shell extractors for both. The regular tools of course (screwdriver, various phillips, loads o' allens)... All of the tools, the blade, and the frame would be finished/coated so they would be non-reflective and stain resistant. Maybe a detachable sharpener...

Please tell me what you think, and please add to this idea!
 
I forget who manufactures the item, but there is a special multi-tool just for demolition purposes. If I remember correctly, there is only one or two implements that make it different from a "standard" multi-tool. I guess one of the reasons I started this thread was to see if there were any less known tools being used,tools that might be needed, and exactly what multi-tools were being used for by military personnel. :)
 
The current multi-tools are very neat, but, when I was in Viet Nam, I carried a SAK with scissors and a magnifyinng glass/tweezers. Those implements came in very handy for getting out splinters and metal shards.

Just a thought.

Chris
 
I'm a vet of the 1st Gulf War (101st ABN DIV) and I carried a Victorinox Super-Tinker (which I still have) and a Schrade LB7.

If I had it to do over, I would probably carry a Victorinox Super-Tinker and a Benchmade 551SOD Griptilian.

And I would also add a Leatherman Crunch to my gear.

Sometimes it's better to carry several different tools that just one do-it-all tool. If you loose the one do-it-all, then you're just SOL.

Ghost Squire,
Your idea does'nt sound bad, but you don't want it to be too heavy or bulky.
BTW, the M16A2 really does'nt need any tool to break it down for cleaning and maintenance.

As for the "wild dog"--I guess I would sacrifice my left arm and use my right arm to bash the mutt's head with my helmet or E-Tool if it was handy.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Matches said:
I forget who manufactures the item, but there is a special multi-tool just for demolition purposes. If I remember correctly, there is only one or two implements that make it different from a "standard" multi-tool. I guess one of the reasons I started this thread was to see if there were any less known tools being used,tools that might be needed, and exactly what multi-tools were being used for by military personnel. :)
Click to expand...
Leatherman used to make PSTs and Super Tools with blasting cap crimpers in the jaws. I'm not sure if they still do but I see them on ebay occasionally. Gerber makes this model with a crimper. http://www.gerberblades.com/products/view.php?model=7400
 
Thanks for the link Frank. That wasn't what I recall seeing but it is very interesting...get a load of the mine probing tools on that same page :eek:
 
you are probably thinking gerber's EOD tool, similar to their scout but with blasting cap crimper and a probe i think.
 
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