Need advice on starter multi tool

M

MountainKing

Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
7
Hi guys. New there. Been researching the net for the last 2 days on buying a multi tool to use when outing, hiking, camping, fishing (mostly freshwater, occasional salt water).

These are the must have tools with lock system:
-Knife
-Serrated knife (knife + serated knife can be in combo)
-Saw
-Pliers

Adds (nice but not critical in order of importance)
-scissors
-Can/bottle opener
-Other tools are a bonus

Budget including shipping to Mauritius ($50) via ebay or website providing those tools

I need it to be fairly rustproof (some peeps have commented that leatherman is rust prone when used for fishing). The tool will have mid level usage. Nothing hardcore.

I have narrowed my search to
i) Leatherman Sidekick
ii) Ganzo G301B Multi Tool Pliers Hunting Camping with Knife (http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/...-g301b-multi-tool-pliers-hunting-camping-with)

I would like to know which one would be better and if there are any other recommendations in my price range. Thanks
 
I like Leatherman products. I like and carry multi-tools.

This said, I don't like large multi-tools for hiking, camping and general outdoor use.

Two things. I think knife blades on multi-tools are a waste of space. The blades are too small and ergonomics are all wrong. I can see their utility if being used on a job site where the blade is being used for the occasional cutting job. But, when I'm outdoors, I need to deal with food prep and working wood and find the blades on multi-tools not up to the task.

My approach is carry a small, light multi-tool for repairs and then carry an EDC knife capable of dealing with wood, food and everything else I may encounter. This packs the functionality down to a smaller weight and gives me a better knife for knife things.

Maybe consider an Opinel Outdoor (made for sailing) paired with a PS4 Squirt or something in the Juice line (or a cheaper alternative in that size range).
 
I have a good numbers of MT from both leatherman and Victorinox, and reading from others' experiments and my own experience, I'd say Victorinox is probably the most rust proof MT with best F&F quality out there.

I do owe a Sidekick, and the quality is not quite the same as the traditional LM tools(wave/charge/etc), but it is still a decent tool as its price point. However, I can't vouch for its rust proofness, but I won't have much expectation for it. If you do lift your budget limit higher, I'd recommend Victorinox Spirit, which probably is my favorite MT and will fit your bill quite well(except you could either have serration or plain edge)
 
pinnah said:
I like Leatherman products. I like and carry multi-tools.

This said, I don't like large multi-tools for hiking, camping and general outdoor use.

Two things. I think knife blades on multi-tools are a waste of space. The blades are too small and ergonomics are all wrong. I can see their utility if being used on a job site where the blade is being used for the occasional cutting job. But, when I'm outdoors, I need to deal with food prep and working wood and find the blades on multi-tools not up to the task.

My approach is carry a small, light multi-tool for repairs and then carry an EDC knife capable of dealing with wood, food and everything else I may encounter. This packs the functionality down to a smaller weight and gives me a better knife for knife things.

Maybe consider an Opinel Outdoor (made for sailing) paired with a PS4 Squirt or something in the Juice line (or a cheaper alternative in that size range).
Click to expand...

For outdoor use, my favorite non-fixed blade probably is Victorinox 111mm OHO plain edge Trekker. It has all the right tools for camping/outdoor and has dual safety(liner lock and backspring) which I really like.
 
Thanks guys.
@pinnah: I forgot to add: This tool would also be used in a backpack while cycling in woods and fishing (same trip). So cutting down on multiple tools is a must. I already have a multi-tool for bike I m carrying. I understand that your way is more efficient but I really need to keep it simple and have the tools in one MT. That is the why of my "must have"

@comis: How much do they retail? I'll go google it up. If it's way over $50 shipped, it will be out of my league though :)
 
The SideKick absolutely will meet your needs. Exactly what I would have suggested had you not already figured it out.
Had to G-map your island, LOL. I though it was Caribbean...NOT! Does Fed-Ex and UPS deliver there?
 
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I've had recommendations on Gerber flik and victorinox. They seem on the high range of my budget though. Any other reputable recommendations? Thanks
 
I can't believe my luck....I was still debating here and there and checking out other tools in the same price range and saw a Rebar on ebay for $50 shipped to Mauritius.

I just snapped the last one. A definete upgrade over the sidekick at the same price range will all locking tools :)

Thank you everyone for your contribution. It was very valuable to help me decide.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leatherman-...225?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c78966131
 
Rebar is a good tool, and at $50 shipped is also a good catch. Congrats on the new tool, and hope you like it! :thumbup:
 
MountainKing said:
Thanks guys.
@pinnah: I forgot to add: This tool would also be used in a backpack while cycling in woods and fishing (same trip). So cutting down on multiple tools is a must. I already have a multi-tool for bike I m carrying. I understand that your way is more efficient but I really need to keep it simple and have the tools in one MT. That is the why of my "must have"
Click to expand...


MountainKing, good for getting the Rebar. It's the updated version of my Blast, which is, by far, my favorite MT that I've owned. No matter how your kit evolves over the years, I think you'll never regret getting the Rebar as one can always put something like that into good use.

I used to do a fair of bike touring (self supported cross country), worked as a bike mechanic for many years (still do it on the side) and have done a bunch of ski touring, winter camping and general backpacking. My kit has been in a constant state of change and evolution over the years.

An older tourist pointed out to me that individual bike tools (small adjustable wrench, a few loose allen keys and a small reversible screwdriver and spoke wrench) often end up weighing less or at least competitively to a bike multi-tool and are, of course, easier to use. The issue is that they require additional material to hold them together.

Related... I do enough trips at different times of the year that I've evolved to a single core kit that I can take year round, adding only what I need to for a specific trip. I use this same kit on the lightest over night back packing trip to a winter ski tour (adding stuff).

The tools in my core kit are restricted to an Opinel N9 and a Leatherman Squirt PS4. The pliers are just enough to handle pretty much any trail/bike repair, at least to get home. Last ski trip I used it once a day for 2 days. In terms of bike repair, I generally don't use pliers for anything other than pulling cables.

To this I'll add bike tools for a bike tour, an allen key for winter climbs (my old crampons use them), a T-driver and tips for ski tours and so on.

I used to carry a SOG Paratool when I was younger but eventually found that the Opinel/PS4 combination handled my needs better and weighs less.

None of this has anything to do with your new Rebar, which I'm envious of btw. Just reflecting on how my kit as evolved over the years.

Have fun on the bike. Nothing like rough riding!!
 
Great post and thanks for sharing. I have a specialised tool which I use when doing road or of road cycling. It is lightweight and geared for bikes. I'll post a pic of the tool. This rebar will be an addition while doing off road biking. It will also be used when hiking, inland and sea fishing, outing etc. I also most probably will keep it in my car box compartment when not in use in the above mentioned scenarios. I will thus have maximum theoretical use from it. Hehe.
 
Man....I can't believe this...

Cher(ère) xxxx,

Thanks for purchasing from our eBay store! We are sorry to inform you that the item you purchased was out of stock.So we cannot send you out the item in time.
Here are the item ID:191001682225
There is no reason that keep you wait a long time .So would you like we issue you a full refund?
Once again, sorry for all inconvenience.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
 
I would go with a Leatherman or SAK. I belive the SAK Angler fits the bill and several of the Leatherman tools do as well. Typically the SAKs will be smaller.
 
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