Recommendations for Multitool / SAK for Bug Out Kit?

Joined
Dec 5, 2005
Messages
4
Greetings!

I am putting together an Urban Bug Out Kit, and looking for recommendations for a multitool and/or SAK to include. The bug out kit being a 72-hour emergency backpack, to get me out of the city (san francisco) and out to a friend's house 40 miles north.

Top considerations so far are:
- relaltively lightweight
- ease of use and safety
- durability
- emergency oriented (e.g. seat belt cutter, wood saw, metal saw, can opener, awl)
- potential for barter (known and respected, obvious quality)

If necessary, I can carry a MT and a SAK. My plan right now is a Swisstool Spirit, and Fireman SAK.

I've never owned a multitool, so I am requesting the opinions of the experts :)

What do you keep in YOUR Bug Out Kit?

Respectfully,
Starbork
 
I would go for a swisstool , i know its heavy but imo its the best , if your bug out kit is a bag or backpack then i dont think the weight will make alot of difference , get the RS model it has scissors and a seatbelt cutter . The Spirit is fine but not as heavy duty as the swisstool but it would be my 2nd choice , as for SAKS you could start with a big one like a swisschamp or go right down to a tiny classic ( i actually EDC a swisschamp in my pocket and swisstool on my belt :rolleyes: )

Dunc
 
Thanks for the reply, Dunc5. The RS looks great-- it would be greater if it had a metal saw AND the belt-cutter :) ... but, teamed up with the Ranger SAK, all the tools are covered (including a corkscrew, should we find ourselves camped out in an abandoned wine cellar...)

Again, thanks for the recommendations. So far, I've read few and only minor criticisms of the Swisstool line; they sound very solid.
 
I prefer the SwissTool X to the RS, but it all depends on which features you expect to need. The X has the metal file/saw instead of the belt cutter.

--Bob Q
 
I have used both Victorinox Swiss Army Knives and Leatherman Tools for several years and can endorse both. I recently purchesed the Leatherman Blast and so far it has performed well. You might also want to consider the Victroinox Outrider or Hercules if scissors are important to you. I have also used the old stlye Leatherman Wave (before I purchased the Blast) and found it a good carry even though not all blades locked and also came out of the tool in clumps. I even tried the one-hand Victorinox Trailmaster (Trekker) but found it lacked the tools I needed even though it was a quality piece. In the past I have carried a Victorinox Huntsman for several years and it served me well; my only beef was that tools did not lock, and while I am very careful with my knives, this was still an isue, especially in a survival situation.
Hope that my thoughts/input is of use to you.
Sincerely,
Neil
 
I would reccomend a SwissTool or Leatherman Wave to cover tool needs and a fixed blade in the six inch range for cutting. I don't think that a seat belt cutter is necessary since a seat belt will give way to any well honed edge.
 
the swisstool spirit has an interesting knife blade...its a sheeps foot and serrated.

so no pointy tip to worry about and serrated cuts through fiborus material (like seat belts) like butter.

plus, ALL the tools lock. ;)
 
Thanks for the info everyone. I'm still researching, but I think the SwissTool Spirit and a Vic locking blade [model TBD]. I took a look at the sheepsfoot blade on the Spirit, and provided some user caution, it seems safe enough for belt / cloth cutting. Plus, lightweight for the BOK!

Thanks again.
 
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