Multitool versus Swiss Army Knife

N

Nikkogi

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Jan 19, 2009
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When going outdoors, which do you prefer AND WHY? I will post my thoughts later.
 
I would say multitool if you had asked me this a week ago. But this monday I recieved a 6 layer swiss army knife that has all the functions of a lm wave, including pliars. My main uses for my multi is file,saw, and pliars. I only use the pliars for lifting pots off the fire without burning myself. The pliars on the SAK were great for that, so for now, Ill say my 6 layer sak. Dont know the model name srry.
 
SAK by a mile.

I'm not a fan of multi-tools at all. I carried one in the field a few times but I never used it and decided it was a total waste. The only time I've ever used it is in the house and 99% of the time that was the file.
 
I carry a swisstool & swisschamp. Nip em both in the a55. I like bits of both so i just carry em both instead of regretting it. No big deal.
 
swiss champ and leatherman pst. I find quite a benefit in having two sets of pliers available. Pliers on the leatherman are better in my opinion. Swiss champ just has to many benefits to leave at home.
 
I like the pliers on my swisstool for the wire cutters/durability when i need to have a stronger tool. but the swisschamp is good for fine work, i fix a lot of my girlfriends jewelry (she has a knack for getting it stuck on stuff...) with the swisschamps pliers. You can hold the swisschamp somewhat like chopsticks and use them delicately too.
 
SAK. I use a screwdriver maybe 100x times as often as I use pliers (maybe more) and never miss the only thing that an MT would give me over a SAK. SAK is 1/2 to 1/4 the weight.
 
six of one, half a dozen of the other.

by and large, i'd probably take my LM Wave and a decent fixed blade.
 
I carry a leatherman charge and just can't seem to shake it. I abuse my tools and have broken several of the screwdriver bits, which are cheap and easy to replace. I also use the bit set often and find myself opening allen and hexs all the time. The blade is openable with one hand easily as is the serrated blade, I like that it is 154cm a favorite steel of mine and has a locking device. I like the diamond portion of the file and use it for emergency knife sharpening. My mini eyeglass screwdriver has been modded to be used as an awl. The pliars of course are used often to strip wire, open nuts and ect...

My opinion is that survival in a sprawling wilderness of urban, suburban and bush requires a more technical toolset than the swiss army knife offers. I feel that the multi tool is more capable of meeting those demands and in particular the interchangeable bits allows gives a user more freedom. I carry a SAK Farmer when just in the bush, but for general use can't replace my leatherman.
 
I always have both. A Tinker goes in my pocket everywhere. I use that for the obvious tools, but also when I'm in more genteel company and I need to cut something, and I don't want to pull out my Spyderco Endura and scare the sheep. A Vic Spirit is always attached to my go-bag, and a Vic Mini-Champ is always on my keyring. I always have a full size SwissTool in my car.
 
I like both, but if I could only have one it would be my Leatherman multitool with out a doubt.

Because it has everything my SAKs have pluss more. I use the pliers, and the file all the time.

And I like the multitude of large to small flat head screwdrivers that can be used as chisel or punch.

And I like the fact that both blades lock, and can be opend and closed one handed.

I keep several SAKs around the house, but I can't think of anything they do better, except maybe that my wife likes the tweezers for plucking stray hairs lol! :)
 
I often carry both out of habit. My Swiss Spirit multi-tool is on the belt and my SAK Outrider is in my RIBZ. For general outdoors use, I would most likely opt for the SAK...it's usually lighter and has the majority of tools I use the most.

I still think a good multi-tool is a very functional tool, especially in areas where man has left some sort of presence. Outside of the deep Amazon jungle or very remote locations in Canada/Alaska, most areas on the globe have remnants of man's presence. A multi-tool can be much handier at improvising and manipulating wire, metal, glass, plastic, broke-down vehicles/planes, etc. From a true survival perspective, it's hard to discount how valuable a multi-tool could be.

ROCK6
 
For me it's a Victorinox Spirit multitool, which I have carried as edc for quite a few years now. It is almost the perfect edc tool for me (the Spirit X would be perfect) in both the woods and in my everyday environment. I actually use the pliers quite a bit, so it is worth the bulk over a SAK.

I like the pliers and other implements even in the woods for grabbing pots, repairing equipment, or even utilizing man-made materials like junked cars, fencing, etc.
 
I have a SAK "Huntsman" and "Tinker-er" and i really like the Huntsman. I've also had a "Champ", but it was kinda ackward to carry - too big for pockets (i *hate* having stuff in my pockets) and strangley too small for a sheath carry. In any event, i stopped carrying/using all of them (sold the champ long ago) after getting my Leatherman Wave.

On the Wave, i like the pliers wayyyy better (i can really grip stuff with 'em), the knife blades are all locking so i like them better, the main blade is just as good or better than the SAK blades (super sharp tip), the saw blade is just as good, i like the scissors better (though they are fiddly to use, but sharper), the serrated-edge blade is my "hope i don't have to use it" blade and *wicked* sharp, and finally, i prefer the screw-drivers on the Wave.

In every regard the LM Wave is a superior tool - except weight.

It's never in my pocket, but in my EDC camera bag and goes on every hiking/mountaineering trip i've taken since i bought it - 12 years ago. It's been all over the world and does what i've needed it to do.
 
Leatherman123,

I prefer a multi, although I have carried a SAK Farmer on occassion. I'll post my reasons later.;)
 
Ok. It's later.:D

I like the pliers aspect of the multi over the SAK. I like picking up pots with the pliers, getting fish hooks out, etc. The file can come in handy too.

I'll carry a Leatherman Wave with the pocket clip and it's much more accessible (to me) than a SAK. Great for one hand opening if my other hand is busy carrying something (pot, fish, etc).

If I couldn't carry the multi, I would carry a Farmer.
 
ROCK6 said:
I often carry both out of habit. My Swiss Spirit multi-tool is on the belt and my SAK Outrider is in my RIBZ. For general outdoors use, I would most likely opt for the SAK...it's usually lighter and has the majority of tools I use the most.
Click to expand...

Wow, that is so weird. That is my *exact* setup, right down to the RIBZ. Great minds, I guess :p
 
SAK, I really like multiblade knives. The multitool I have been taking however, at least on long hikes, is my Vic Spirit mt.
 
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