SAK or Leatherman?

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
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112
Last week I finally bought my first decent fixed blade, a Buck 119 Special that I am extremely happy with, although so far I've done naught with it but cut leather (which, by the way, right out of the box it was slicing through like it was paper.)

But anyways, since I already own a decent hatchet for my big chopping needs, I firgure that my next step towards a full kit of gear should be a SAK. Which got me thinking: should it be a SAK or a Leatherman-like-tool? Or, do both fall into the same category?

Further, which features should I be most looking for in a tool of this sort for general wilderness survival? i.e. beyond the basic saw blade and knife blade, what's the most important stuff I need on there?

Thanks.
 
Well, it comes down to personal preferance. I have a Gerber multi tool that I like quite a bit, but I usually choose a SAK with a large locking blade, saw blade and awl. The rest of the tools don't see much use. The handle on the SAK is more comfortable than the multi tool, and the blade is better in my opinion.
 
Well, it all depends.

Multitools have plyers. SAK's don't.

I personally can think of a lot of situations where the plyers might come in handy.

Then again, multitools are usually pretty big and heavy, where a SAK will fit in the pocket easily.

Beyond the plyers, unlike SAK's, most decent multitools have locking tools.

I suppose it really depends on what you're going to use it for. It seems like most the real experts on here are pretty happy with a simple SAK.

-- Rob
 
Now that you have have good knife I'd suggest that
you get a small multi tool in place of the SAK.

Depending on your age, location (where you live)
and needs look at these three tools as possible
candidates.

1.) the very dependable leatheman PST.
2.) the Pulse ( an upscale comfortable version of
the PSTII)
3.) any of the Juice line ( I prefer the Kf4 as it
has all you need and no more.) this one is no
bigger / heavier than the SAK

Any of these will be very good tools to get 99% of
those spur of the moment jobs done while not being
to expensive or heavy. There are other tools but
these are the minimum that will get the job done.
 
i gave a 119 to a friend in africa, he is a professional hunter, of the 5 or 6 knives i gave him including a cold steel master hunter, he loves that 119 the best. says it skins hippo like no ones business. it is a great tool, i talked to a survival instructor about his knife, he carried one for a long time and it served him well.

as far as the multitool vs sak arguement, you need to get both and try them out see which one you use more. it is a matter of personal preference. i hunt a lot so i find the leatherman is better for me. but you may find the sak works better for what you like to do in the outdoors. i do find the pliers help get hot pots and cups off the fire easier.

alex
 
Why not get one of each? You can carry the SAK in your pocket and carry the multi tool in a belt sheath. That is if you don't get one of those huge SAKs that in my opinion have too many unecessary blades and/or tools.

I suggest one of these two SAKs: Victorinox Rucksack or Victorinox Trailmaster. Both come with large locking main blades and large saws that work. The only difference between the two is that Rucksacks are red and have a cork screw where Trailmasters are black and have instead of the cork screw, a Phillips Head screwdriver.

As far as multi tools, I suggest either of these: Gerber Pro Scout or Original Leatherman Supertool. The Gerber can be opened one handed and has a replaceable jig saw blade.
 
While I have more than a few multitools, I find myself using the SAK's more as long as I combine them with a suitable pair of vice-grips. The reason for this is that I often have to use both pliers and screwdrivers at the same time to do field repair work, and just having one multitool is often inadequate. The smallest vicegrips can easily fit in a multitool pouch with a SAK Pioneer, Soldier or Trailmaster, with minimal increase in weight.
 
A GOOD COMBINATION THAT I CARRY IS THE LEATHERMAN WAVE AND THE VICTORINOX RUCKSACK, BOTH HAVE THERE ADVANTAGES BUT IF YOU HAVE BOTH, YOU HAVE ALL THE BASES COVERED. AS FAR AS PRICES GO THE VIC RUCKSACK IS THE CHEAPEST OF THE TWO AND CAN BE HAD FOR ABOUT $22.00. A GOOD MULTI-TOOL WILL COST BETWEEN $60.00 AND $70.00 DOLLARS.
 
Originally posted by alco141
i gave a 119 to a friend in africa, he is a professional hunter, of the 5 or 6 knives i gave him including a cold steel master hunter, he loves that 119 the best. says it skins hippo like no ones business. it is a great tool, i talked to a survival instructor about his knife, he carried one for a long time and it served him well.

as far as the multitool vs sak arguement, you need to get both and try them out see which one you use more. it is a matter of personal preference. i hunt a lot so i find the leatherman is better for me. but you may find the sak works better for what you like to do in the outdoors. i do find the pliers help get hot pots and cups off the fire easier.

alex

alco141, which Leatherman do you use in the outdoors then ?
 
Along with a large - ish folder or medium sized fixed blade, my personal favorite outdoor combination includes a Leatherman Crunch and an SAK, normally one of the Victorinox Pioneer models or the Victorinox Handyman.
 
I've been thinking, and because of my limited budget, I'm probably going for the SAK next.

The next question, then, is does it need a locking blade? Volvi mentioned the Rucksack and Trailmaster, both of which Victorinox classifies as "pocket tools." They both have locking blades.

The best thing the local Wal-Mart has to offer is the Huntsman ( http://www.victorinox.com/newsite/en/produkte/taschen/inhalt2.cfm?pid=1-3713 ) (which, by he way, they are selling for about $37.50 CAN), which is not specified as having a locking blade. Is this a detriment, or is a locking blade not needed on a SAK if it is used in conjunction with a large fixed-blade (like my Buck 119)?
 
I would try the Cutlery Shoppe, and a locking blade comes in handy when you are doing heavy wood work.
 
It's handy, but is it really necessary when used in conjunction with the aformentioned other tools?
 
I own a lot of SAKs and I own several multi-tools and if I were in a survival situation I would want my SOG Power Plier.

Multi-tools are just so much more robust and versatile than your typical SAK.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
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