What components for a survival-oriented multitool?

mlanghornes

mlanghornes

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
798
Hi everyone. I was recently in the market for a new multitool, and I got to thinking "what components do I personally see as must-haves for an emergency tool?" I'm not talking about what comes in handy in a day-to-day setting, as most of those needs can be taken care of by a small SAK, for me at least. I'm saying, if you were custom-ordering a SAK or multitool for survival/GHB/BOB purposes, what components would you include and why.

Here's my list.
Pliers- basically a pair of strong metal fingers, would be useful in a woods or urban setting for stripping down things for raw material, grabbing things out of a fire, etc.
Knife- Yes.
Screwdrivers, phillips and flathead- Because a lot of things are assembled with screws. Also, if the flathead is beefy enough, it can be used for light prying, at least moreso than the knife blade.
Awl- it can handle abuse better than a main blade, can be used as a fire steel scraper.
Saw- handy for notching wood for traps or construction, or splitting small branches with.
can opener- opening found cans/cans from cached food or storage, can also scrape a fire steel
bottle opener- PAW/TEOTWAWKI beers taste the best.
Key ring- for attaching to a lanyard/carabiner for secure carry.
 
I think the basic Victorinox SwissTool has all the tools the OP listed except for the key ring.
A SwissChamp or CyberTool 41 features plenty of tools in a SAK, hence I don't feel the need to have a customized SAK/MT.
I am just following the old cliche "better to have it and not need it THAN to need it and not have it."
 
I've been thinking along those lines as well, for me for both edc and survival/emergency it seems the one multitool that I favor most is the Leatherman Supertool 300. I like the beefy feel, replaceable cuters, and the lack of a bit driver. I kind of wish it had scissors but I have a swiss classic on my keys so thats covered. It does have a saw, wood/metal file/ metal saw, awl, 3d phillips head, different sized flat heads, can/bottle opener, and a fully serrated blade.
Im really looking forward to the new Rebar they are coming out with as a more edc friendly version of the ST300. That way my edc and survial emergency tools are always on me.
 
I like my SwissTool X - it has everything listed plus several other useful tools such as a stronger pry tool and a chisel.
 
my favorite tool on my leatherman is the file. ive used it so many times for many different reasons. one time i had to file through a stripped bolt when no other tool was available. it took some elbow grease, but it did the job.
leatherman has maybe the best file in any multi-tool ive seen.
 
Gadgetaholic said:
I like my SwissTool X - it has everything listed plus several other useful tools such as a stronger pry tool and a chisel.
Click to expand...

+1. But, I have the SwissTool Spirit X. I think it's the ideal tool. it's ousted my Wave, love the feel, the quality and range of tools, esp. the awl & chisel.
 
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