Outdoor Multi-tool

L

Locust

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Sep 30, 2008
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I’m planning to buy a multi-tool for outdoor use (to be paired with a fixed blade). I used to carry a multiplier while outdoors but stopped after the pivot of one of my folders was fouled up by sand. After I switched to a simple BCB credit card multi-tool but I have been thinking of going for more of a middle ground lately. Currently the one most on my mind is the Victorinox One Hand Trekker. I haven’t really needed pliers while in the great outdoors yet but I can see how they might be useful. What do you take with you and why?
 
I feel the same way about pliers in the great outdoors, never needed them in all my years of camping but potentially could come in handy at some point. The Trekker looks to be a good option to me, you may also want to look at the Wenger 78 for the same tool selection but in an even larger SAK. Mostly I carry a 91mm Victorinox of some kind just so long as it has a saw, Camper or Huntsman for example. Others love the Farmer for its all metal construction, it's certainly worth a look at.
 
In my pack, I have either a Leatherman Charge Ti or a Vic Spirit X. No real preference over which I carry, unless it is a wet day, when I carry the Spirit.

I've never had to use either, but I would rather have and not need.
 
I use my multipliers camping to do stuff like useing the wire cuters to cut small sticks, also use the pliers to pull up tent stakes. However, multipliers are heavy, So I think a oht would be good, but I would rather have the slide lock on the rucksack then the liner lock.
 
I think the Trekker is a good option, it is a great knife. I have been using the New Soldier, which has the same configuration, and I really like it. An other great 111mm knife that is frequently recommended here is the Outrider. But personally, if I were carrying a fixed blade knife, I would choose a 91mm SAK like a Huntsman or Farmer. Those knives fit a bit better in my pockets, have almost the same tools as the Trekker and I don't need the bigger blade of a 111mm SAK if I have the fixed blade knife. But, that is of course just how I like it.
 
Victorinox Swisstool or Spirit. Pliers come in real handy fixing sippers, stoves, and the like, or for handling hot pots with wire bails.
 
The One-hand Trekker is a good multi-tool but individual needs will vary.

I find that I mainly use the knife and pliers when hiking. The Leatherman Freestyle CX has just those tools. When hiking, I don't really need screwdrivers, a bottle opener, or a can opener... though they are sometimes useful when camping. If I feel that I may need a saw, I'll bring a different multi-tool but I rarely need a saw when hiking and prefer to use an ax when camping. "Knifetester" listed several good reasons for carrying pliers. Pliers also work great for removing ticks and burrs from dog fur... or broken glass from your hand (didn't think I'd need it for that purpose but I did--ouch!).

Whether you go plierless or not, the important thing is to post photos and your impressions of the multi-tool when you get it! ;)

...P.S. don't forget to bring a bucket: :D

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You won't be disappointed with the farmer. Keep the farmer in your pocket, but I would keep a pliers based multi in your pack for making repairs as mentioned above. I keep a special cycling multi on my bike, it has everything I need to make repairs on the trail.
 
I also say a Farmer is a good mate with a fixed blade. I have one in the nylon pouch/sheath of my Scrapper 6 and my Ranger RD7 (both have the pouches in the sheaths).
 
If you feel you migth need pliers look for a Victorinox Hercules, it's 111mm and has the same tools of the aforementioned Outrider plus pliers and another phillips screwdriver. I don't have weigth data but I guess you could carry a Leatherman wave instead, my guess is that both are roughly similar in size and weigth.

Regards.


Jaime Orozco.
 
My favorite for the outdoors is the Vic Farmer. Everything you need, and nothing you don't. More robust than your average SAK, and a wonderful piece of craftsmanship. The in line awl is friggin awesome.

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If you feel like going fat, the SwissChamp has a bunch of fun tools to play with. It'll get you a fish scaler, a magnifier to try to start a fire, a small pair of pliers to remove hooks from sunfish, a pair of tweezers to remove ticks, etc. Lots of goodies that you might need some day.

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I carried a Huntsman outdoors for many years, with no complaints. It's a nice middle ground between the Farmer and SwissChamp.

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Thanks for all the responses. The OHT interests me because it has a some useful tools plus a one handed blade in one package at a low cost. The serrations also make it seem good to pair with a PE fixed blade. Also I just feel kind of drawn to it. However there were allot of good points about the usefulness of pliers. I have an old multi-plier that I could throw into a pack "just in case". The thing is that as reliable as it has been it's not great quality and I may be working around mechanical equipment like chainsaws and ATVs so a tool box on a belt may be necessary. I guess more pondering is in order.
 
The OHT is a must have. For around $30 you cannot go wrong with this purchase.

I would add that you could easily add an MT to the mix for not much more in your just look around.

As a light weight option with excellent pliers I recommend the SOG Pocket Powerplier.

I usually carry a LM Core on my belt and the Pocket Powerplier in my bag. The Core is heavy and works better on the belt, funnily enough.
 
Troopers rescue missing Anchor Point camper

By Aaron Selbig
Staff Writer

After spending a chilly night alone in a clearing near Pan Lake, a missing 32-year-old Anchor Point man was rescued Wednesday morning by Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers, with the assistance of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a state Division of Forestry helicopter crew.

Justin Decker had been camping with some friends near Lonely Lake Tuesday when he went out with his two dogs at about 8:25 p.m. to collect firewood, according to a Trooper report. When one of the dogs spotted a moose and chased after it, Decker followed into some dense forest and soon found himself lost.

Decker, who had a Leatherman tool and a lighter with him, was able to start a fire and had the wisdom to stay put in an open area until he was found.

"Being in an open clearing makes it easier for spotters to see you. When out hiking it is always best to have items like matches and Leatherman tools in your pockets. Also, Troopers encourage individuals to wear bright colors that stand out against the terrain," said the report.

Decker was spotted by the helicopter at about 10 a.m. and was recovered shortly thereafter. He was hungry but unhurt.
Click to expand...
Homer Alaska News Story

It doesn't say how he used the Leatherman but I suppose that he used its saw to cut wood for the fire.
 
It's a good point though about always have things 'on' you not just 'with' you. If he'd been carrying the matches and tool in his pack, would he have remember to take them with him when he went for the wood? Hopefully yes, but if they're in your pockets then there is no chance of forgetting them.
 
If you really like a multi-tool that does not have pliers, like the farmer, but you want to have pliers too -just buy an actual pair of pliers.

Since you are talking about outdoor recreation like hiking or backpacking you will probably have a good place to store extra tools. Like your belt or a back pack.

A small pair of pliers is usualy really light weight and inexpensive and you can find them at any hardware store (even wallmart).

This way you save on having duplicates of the same tools (if you were to have two multi-tools simultaniously there would be a lot of tool repeats and therefore extra weight).
 
That's a good point blackfeetmageet. Saves on cost and weight and allows for a modular system. I think I may go that route since, as I mentioned before, there is something about the OHT I really like. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.
 
I match my Vic Trekker with a RC-6 to cover anything I might need in the woods.
 
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