Use of a multi-tool while backpacking

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wildstar

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Jun 7, 2002
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I always carry my Leatherman Charge when I go backpacking. I like the saw and the great blade. The Charge is like my security blanket that I know will have most of my tools to help me fix my tent or equipment when something breaks

In all my backpack outings, I have never, never used my pliers once. I am not talking about an emergency situation such as having your car break down and you have to make some adjustments or fixes. I am only discussing the possiblity of fixing my backpacking gear on a preplanned backpacking trip. Plus, I always keep some tools in my car to fix car problems.

I am trying to shed some pounds off my backpack gear and I am thinking of going for the Victorinox Hercules. It has the blade, saw and their small small pliers. I can only think of a fixing zippers or using the pliers to push cord through holes. I do have no equipment that has nuts or bolts that need to be turned. So my question: had anyone had to REALLY use their pliers when on a backpacking trip? And how are the small pliers on the Victorinox SAK knives?

Thanks
 
The only time I can think of that I actaully used the pliers on my multi-tool while I was camping are when my Birkenstock sandles broke. The staples that hold the buckles to the leather pulled out on one of the straps, and I used the pliers to bend the staples straight so that I could put them back through the leather, and then bend them back around to hold the buckle on. Good as new.


For the most part, I would tend to agree with you though. A pliers isn't something that gets used very often while camping. Not in my experience anyway.

Now that I think about it, I have used them to grap hot pots/pans/cans of food, but I am sure you could come up with a different what to do that.
 
My multitool has needlenose pliers... I've used them for...

Thorns, splinters, and needles in the skin, when tweezers aren't there.

Can be used to pry apart wet knots (push through the knot and open the pliers) if they're long enough.

And, as stated, picking up hot objects.
 
I was very thankful to have pliers when my dog trotted up to me with about 20-30 porcupine quills in his face and mouth and asked (in his way) if there was anything I could do about it.

We were about a 2-2.5 hour walk from anywhere, so it was nice to be able to fix him right there instead of him having to walk all that way with the quills in his face.

Now, I always bring a multitool if I'm going any distance with my dogs.
 
I generally find the only time I need to use my multitool is when I don't have it :(
 
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments, especially the porcupine quill usage and holding hot cookware.

When I backpack, I still plan to bring either my LM Charge or a SAK. I love my LM but compare the weight to a SAK, the SAK wins. Plus for long usage such as sawing up twigs for a fire, I find the SAK a lot more comfortable. The thick handle of the Charge can be quite fatiguing.

Does anyone have experience with the pliers on a regular Victorinox SAK (not the Victorinox multi-tool). Are they any good for small use such as pulling out porcupine quills if needed? ;)

Thanks again.
 
Very helpful for removing cactus from the dog (or yourself, hiking partner...). Cholla cactus will break off in spikey sections and stick to the dog (barbed spines), the pliers are a great way to remove them. The pliers also make a great probe when you don't want to touch something with your fingers.
 
I have used the pliers on the Victorinox knives and they are great for small, precise work or as substitute tweezers sometimes but they would not take the place of the larger pliers for bending wire or pulling quills in my opinion because the jaws are small and more importantly the handles are too small to get a tight enough grip on larger things.
 
Ricky J said the first thing that came into my mind when I read the original post.
The day you leave the pliers out of your gear is the day you will need them.

I cary my Wave on a belt, and never notice the weight, it gets used for a whole heap of camp chores, and its usefulness far exceeds any concerns about weight.
 
:D I don't carry a multitool but then again I dont carry a bunch of man-made gadgets and gear like tents and frame packs and fancy stoves that would need fixing either. If my tarp tears a multi-tool isn't going to help me out much. I think it really depends what type of camper you are. Here's a little test that might help.

If this is your idea of a camp stove then you probably need a multitool.
coleman%20stove.jpg


If this is your idea of a camp stove then you probably don't need a multitool.
41872.jpg


Just my opinion. YMMV :D :D
 
i have carried one for over 15 years, and it has come in handy when i lost my skinning knife when my pack opened up- i field dressed an elk with the blade of my leatherman super tool the edge held up enough to get me through the job. i have made a replacement handle for the door of a sheepherder's stove, lifted hot pots off the stove, fixed numerous pieces of gear, cut poles for shelter,made fire in sub zero temperature on numerous occasions, and once before 9/11 i fixed some jewelry for a sales rep for a major cosmetic company while on an airplane, she sent my wife a pretty nice gift package of products to thank her for my kindness.

the supertool is lanyard attached to my sheath with paracord, and i do remember a couple of tough climbs when i found the tool hanging by the cord. i have carried this tool from alaska to africa and it has done its job while occupying very little belt space or weight. it always travels with me, although now in baggage when flying!!!

alex
 
I carry a Charge in one setup and a Wave in another. I've been with and without, but they always come in handy. Mostly for wrapping snares and such.
 
I would rather have a multitool than anything else. It doesn't fill the flashy niches like a hatchet for chopping or a small hunter for light utility, but it fills in all the gaps. It has an awl when you need something to reach or poke, a saw for careful cutting, pliers when you need to grab a fishhook or pinch something really hard, a can opener, etc. Plus, the swisstools saw (spine of saw) is the best thing out there for striking a firesteel IMHO.
 
LOL... I always carry one of the two power locks with me and I use them in the same way these guys have discribed. Grab hot stuff, pull fish hooks, remove thorns and even hold something still while I beat the hell out of it..... :eek:
 
bishop85gt said:
...even hold something still while I beat the hell out of it.
Click to expand...

What an interesting and novel way to hunt grizzly bears. Where, exactly do you grab? Wait. Nevermind. I just realized that I really don't want to know.
 
Joel Stave said:
What an interesting and novel way to hunt grizzly bears. Where, exactly do you grab? Wait. Nevermind. I just realized that I really don't want to know.
Click to expand...
I was talking about Moose silly!!!
 
Be prepared, you are going to use the pliers ....

I always have a LM Wave in my right side ( Sheathed ).

When I did not carry the LM Wave in most of the cases is when I need it .... that is why I always carry it with me.
 
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