Pared down camping multi-tool?

H

HDCase

Joined
Jul 15, 2012
Messages
62
Hi,

I have a Leatherman Blast. It has the standard Leatherman things: Philips, flathead, pliers, saw, kinfe, can-opener, etc. But it's slightly heavy (and I think it's a lighter one). And I realize in the woods I don't really need screwdrivers, a small scissors, or possibly pliers. Are there great quality multitools that only have hiking basics: Knife, saw, can opener(?), flashlight(?)? Is a pliers useful outdoors? Would a big scissors be better?

I am sure I can find some examples searching around, but it may be easier if someone here knows of this kind of slim-multitool geared for wilderness living (or light camping). Maybe this is more a "survival" kind of multitool.

I did search the forums and didn't see anything quickly.

Thanks.
 
From my light camping experience:

- If you plan on cooking over a fire, pliers are really useful for moving hot pans around.
- I never needed scissors for anything (yet) since my knives take care of all the cutting.
- Lights are best as stand-alone items. Imagine trying to use a light and a can opener at the same time, and they're on the same tool.
- As for can opener, I either bring a SAK, or I use my knife in ways I shouldn't.

I always brought my Leatherman Skeletool, flashlight, and a separate knife. If I really wanted to cut down on weight, I'd go with a Leatherman Style PS (or a Squirt PS4), a flashlight, and a separate knife.

If you don't think you need pliers, take a look at the Victorinox Camper or One-Hand Trekker.
 
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You can scale down to a Juice Cs4:
Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Hard-wire Cutters
420HC Knife
Spring-action Scissors
Saw
Extra-small Screwdriver
Small Screwdriver
Medium/Large Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Corkscrew with Assist
Awl

It's pocketable.

If you don't feel the need for pliers then a SAK may work too.
 
Thanks for the info, both of you. Good info.

I wonder if there is a tool that's just a knife and a saw and maybe a can opener. The Swiss Army Camper looks pretty close, but I'd prefer locking blades. I don't know that I'd need a corkscrew. And I don't think I'd need the screwdriver. The awl may be nice.

Good point about the separate flashlight nopyo (I just got a great keychain one). Also good idea about the need for a pliers. I wouldn't mind having a full multitool for in the camp, but for hiking I don't know if I'd need it. And a small scissors may not be helpful in that situation. A big scissors in place of the pliers might be helpful, but maybe not necessary.
 
(waves hand) "This is not the multitool you were looking for"

Victorinox Trailmaster or Swiss Soldier models might suit you better.
 
HDCase said:
[...] I'd prefer locking blades.
Click to expand...
The Victoriox Trailmaster/One-Hand Trekker/Swiss Soldier have locking blades.

Also, I personally like to carry a tiny bit more than I need In case I run into others that need help. I don't remember the last time I needed a screwdriver while camping, but I still carry a multi-tool that has one.
 
For minimal light weight, check out SwissBianco's Bushcrafter SAK -- just knife, saw, awl. Too bad it's not locking though.
Maybe pair it with a small multi-tool like the Leatherman Style PS -- give you small pliers and scissors.
 
I used to carry a Wave backpacking. Switched to a Victorinox Farmer and haven't looked back, check one out you won't be dissapointed. I will add that if you carry a stove or other mechanical gear where the pliars might be handy, I would carry a small pliars based multitool (like a Squirt) in addition to the SAK.
 
Well, did some searching. Some sweet choices.

( http://www.sears.com/search=schrade of son of gun clip )
Schrade Buzzsaw Trapper (has toothpick and awl) and Old Timer Son of a Gun

4 oz for one of them? Not too heavy. Another looks heavier. Looks like only the saw locks?

But this one, for weight, looks pretty great: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J4XBHG/

Any experience? The Wenger 16981 Swiss Army Evolution Lcok S13 Pocket Knife (2.4oz.). 2.75" wood saw. Blade but not saw lock. Screwdriver locks.

This one also very close: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DZT0M0/ . Victorinox Swiss Army One Hand Trekker NS Pocket Knife. No serrations. 3.4(?) inch blade, 4.6oz?

Bkduckworth, the Farmer looks good, but I would prefer the locking blades. Goalie39 that one you mention (the Bushcrafter) looks a bit like the Farmer.


http://www.victorinox.com/us/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/Hunting/Hunter/53641 -- that one looks promising too, but not sure if I need two blades. Having a serrated one is nice. Maybe that one is medium size? Hard to tell weight and blade length on these. 3.6 oz and maybe 3.4".

Check out this sweet one as a side note: Schrade 220OT Old Timer Foldin Knife with Clip Point, Hatchet, and Saw Blades:
http://www.amazon.com/Schrade-220OT-Foldin-Hatchet-Blades/dp/B0028S45NU/
 
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OHT Trekker

Locking blade, saw, can/bottle opener and some drivers. Great woods tool.
 
I use my Multitool stuff all the time camping. Scissors cutting things where a knife is not practical. Screwdrivers always are needed once you don't have one. Even Pack frames and some knives have screws. Pliers are the best for camping. Rather carry it with me and not need it than not and need what you don't have.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions and info. I already have a PS4 Squirt (http://www.leatherman.com/product/Squirt_PS4). Super small and great for a keychain (at least it looks to be a good tool).

Then I went for the Victorinox Trekker. I got the one-handed one and chose the one with No Serrations (http://www.swissarmy.com/us/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/Hunting/One-Hand-Trekker-NS/54875). I like it. It's nice and light (4.5 oz). It's an ounce lighter than the Wenger Ranger (http://www.wengerna.com/ranger-78-16311). The blade and saw are fairly long. Looks good for a hiking knife, and that's what I was interested in. It's a swiss army blade, so I don't know about the sturdiness. But if this is designed for a utility knife for rugged use, I assume it's a solid knife.

One thing I have noticed is that the one-handed opener is a little big. That means that it may get in the way of sawing. But I assume they tested it and it works OK.


But, I also bought the Wenger Evolution (http://www.wengerna.com/evolution-s13-16981). It's a sweet little knife. And it's 2.4 oz. It's great for a pocket knife (it's a little large, but good for a bigger utility knife). I had a Wenger model like this (with no saw) when I was younger and I liked it. I figured I'd try another Wenger. This one has a locking blade (with a tab that unlocks it).
 
HDCase said:
Thanks all for the suggestions and info. I already have a PS4 Squirt (http://www.leatherman.com/product/Squirt_PS4). Super small and great for a keychain (at least it looks to be a good tool).

Then I went for the Victorinox Trekker. I got the one-handed one and chose the one with No Serrations (http://www.swissarmy.com/us/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/Hunting/One-Hand-Trekker-NS/54875). I like it. It's nice and light (4.5 oz). It's an ounce lighter than the Wenger Ranger (http://www.wengerna.com/ranger-78-16311). The blade and saw are fairly long. Looks good for a hiking knife, and that's what I was interested in. It's a swiss army blade, so I don't know about the sturdiness. But if this is designed for a utility knife for rugged use, I assume it's a solid knife.

One thing I have noticed is that the one-handed opener is a little big. That means that it may get in the way of sawing. But I assume they tested it and it works OK.
Click to expand...

Definitely sturdy, a good camp knife, but the OH bulge is uncomfortable for sawing. It works well enough, but for sustained use, can be an issue. Despite that, the OH Trekker has become my favorite for outdoor use.
 
Leatherman sidekick is my favorite. Pliers, saw, plain edge blade, file, serrated blade, can/bottle opener, and a couple screwdrivers. I don't need 6 drivers but two standard ones can be handy if you have any gear that has screws.

If weight isn't a concern the ST300 is great, has a lot of great tools in it for the outdoors. There is a scaled down version but I forget what it's called. The rebar I think.

If you don't want pliers then I think an SAK farmer would be good.
 
I do a lot of hiking and camping here in Europe and found out that I rarely use pliers, but the last couple of years I've thrown a Leatherman Juice S2 in the backpack as a back up tool with pliers and scissors. In general, a OHT or Farmer covers all my daily needs. A locking blade isn't a necessity for me, since I carry a small Mora on my belt when camping.

Like others, I don't want a flash light, or other electronics devices, into my multitool and carry a small flash light with me. Currently it's a Fenix E11.
 
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