Noob with a question

S

Schmecky

Joined
Sep 4, 2006
Messages
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I've been lurking here for a little while now and checking out what everyone has to say about different tools. I want to thank you all for the help you have inadvertantly given me, but now I have to ask for more.
As an avid backpacker I am really concious of weight in a tool and I was hoping to find something at 6-7 ounces or less. I don't really need anything specific beyond that, over and above what multitools normally have like a blade, pliers and so on.
Thanks.
 
The Leatherman Kick and Blast both fit your weight requiremnt, and can be had in either shint stainless, or matte black finish. If you are willing to go up to 8.5 ounces, the Leatherman Charge series, and New Wave are in the zone.
 
Personally I think Leathermans are OK for urban use, but I would not use them in the outdoors because of rust issues. Yes, rust can be prevented, but only by exessive cleaning care.

The Swisstool Spirit weighs in at 7.23, just above your 6-7 ounce range. Being much more durable (in my opinion) than a Leatherman this is what I would go with. The "S" version has a proper blade if you don't like only having a rounded serated blade.
 
Welcome to the forums.I have to add my vote for the Vic Spirit "S". If you have a need for scissors,add a Vic Executive to your kit.Lightweight and extremely useful.
 
Schmecky said:
As an avid backpacker I am really concious of weight in a tool and I was hoping to find something at 6-7 ounces or less. I don't really need anything specific beyond that, over and above what multitools normally have like a blade, pliers and so on.
Click to expand...

Depending on how much you use pliers - you might be better off with a regular Swiss Army Knife model with pliers - although small they are pretty sturdy.

A typical SAK can ride in one's pocket and therefore be more handy/accessible for use.

Take a look at the Victorinox SwissChamp
vicswisschamp1vl.jpg


or for a bigger model the WorkChamp
vm54751sola025ev.jpg


--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
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http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
UnknownVT said:
although small they are pretty sturdy.
Click to expand...

Having broken a pair of these on a SwissChamp in what I did not think was abusive, I would have to disagree. They are OK for small use, such as for electronics or the inside a PC (which is why I think they complement the Cybertool very well), but not that useful for much else. Of course, as you said it depends on what they are to be used for. But I would in no way describe them as sturdy.
 
I have a few SAKs but I like multis better because I use the pliers to lift a cooking pot and pull tent pegs. I usually carry a sportsman
 
gatch said:
Having broken a pair of these on a SwissChamp in what I did not think was abusive, I would have to disagree. They are OK for small use, such as for electronics or the inside a PC (which is why I think they complement the Cybertool very well), but not that useful for much else. Of course, as you said it depends on what they are to be used for. But I would in no way describe them as sturdy.
Click to expand...

Swisschamp pliers are, nevertheless, surprisingly versatile. On one occasion more than a dozen years ago, I was to put up a photo exhibition (I'm a photographer) at a venue some distance from where I live. All the necessary tools were supposed to be on site, but couldn't be found. Instead of a long drive home to retrieve mine, I was able to use my Swisschamp to assemble frames and the pliers to cut and twist the wire (just thin enough to fit the notch) for attachment. Since then I have used it numerous times on jobs, once to free a jammed knob on my tripod, saving a photo session.

This was before I knew about Leatherman tools, which is what I carry now. But I still have respect for Swisschamp pliers. They are good enough for a lot of small stuff, and when necessary, are super tweezers.
 
znapschatz said:
They are good enough for a lot of small stuff, and when necessary, are super tweezers.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree. I don't think that they are usless, far from it. For small delicate functions they are very useful. But they won't stand up to heavy usage in my experience.
 
Schmecky said:
I've been lurking here for a little while now and checking out what everyone has to say about different tools. I want to thank you all for the help you have inadvertantly given me, but now I have to ask for more.
As an avid backpacker I am really concious of weight in a tool and I was hoping to find something at 6-7 ounces or less. I don't really need anything specific beyond that, over and above what multitools normally have like a blade, pliers and so on.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

my friend is a backpacker fanatic. I tease him because he's always worried about every little ounce. but he tells me every bit of weight matters. Here is a chart that shows the weight of many different tools.

http://multitool.org/content/view/34/71/

the weight of each tool is shown with sheaths and attachments, and without
 
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