What do you think of this tool for a survival situation?

P

Preacher Man

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What do you think of the Navitool?

Navitool

I can only assume that people either love it or hate it. I did a search on it in the forum and found almost nothing outside the Schrade collector's forum. I have one that I keep in my car kit and I like it. I find the idea of having most of the essentials in one compact package - compass, mirror, emergency whistle, bright red LED, compartment for firemaking and/or other stuff, and all locking multitool (knife, saw, scissors, bottle and can openers, flat and phillips screwdrivers, and corkscrew) - usefull and convenient. Just bought another one in eBay for $13.46 for my brother, who is in the process of becomming a knife knut and a survival/preparedness minded person.

I know that Schrade went belly up, but you can still find them online. Does anyone knows why is this tool barelly mentioned here? Am I in the minority who likes it? Or what?
 
I have one myself, but hey! I'm a schrade nut. I think that it does not really fit into any normal category, so it is kind of an odd duck...

Aside from that, it does have appeal. I have not put mine to the use that most on this forum would put their gear thru, but it does look pretty well made.

Cons - The weight...it is a heavy piece of gear. I would imagine that the knife blades would be a bit cumbersome to use, in that bulky package. The lighter compartment would be great if it was waterproof. It sticks out a bit while on your belt. Things will get caught on it.


Pros - Rubberized compass, decent whistle, compartment for lighter, good quality on the tools. The compass sits right in the front for easy access.

I keep wanting to take it with me, but for some reason, I find myself also grabbing a compass, firestarter gear, SAK and multitool. It's like I don't trust it. Hard to explain...

I still like it alot and would like to use it more.

Just my opinion...

Glenn
 
Thank you Glenn. I agree with you that it is a little bulky, but there is no way around it. What I like is being able to pick just one item if you are in a hurry and still have most of the basics with you.

For me its main downside is that if you loose it for any reason, you lost most of your equippment. That is why I see it more like a backup.
 
Thank you PM for posting about the Navitool. An interesting piece of kit that covers many needs.

It looks like a more complete and upscale version of Coast's multi-tool/lighter http://www.coastcutlery.com/?v=21&pl=38&p=205

Are there other "broad-spectrum" multi-tools out there?

I wish that I had been able to grab up a few Navitools when they were liquidation priced under $10. A secret compartment for your Bic, too cool.

Best,

oregon
 
Preacher Man said:
I can only assume that people either love it or hate it.
Click to expand...
Count me in the second group. The only plus I can see is low price. You get to carry a pound of hard-to-handle substandard tools (oh, but with a whistle) for less.

Unless, of course, you do not intend to carry it at all and just keep it stored away somewhere. Then I see no problem with it. It's cheap enough to be a drawer queen.
 
Preacher Man said:
What do you think of the Navitool?

Navitool

I can only assume that people either love it or hate it. I did a search on it in the forum and found almost nothing outside the Schrade collector's forum. I have one that I keep in my car kit and I like it. I find the idea of having most of the essentials in one compact package - compass, mirror, emergency whistle, bright red LED, compartment for firemaking and/or other stuff, and all locking multitool (knife, saw, scissors, bottle and can openers, flat and phillips screwdrivers, and corkscrew) - usefull and convenient. Just bought another one in eBay for $13.46 for my brother, who is in the process of becomming a knife knut and a survival/preparedness minded person.

I know that Schrade went belly up, but you can still find them online. Does anyone knows why is this tool barelly mentioned here? Am I in the minority who likes it? Or what?
Click to expand...

It looks like a one time use thingy, where something gets broken on every use and at the end only the whistle works :D

But it's better than nothing, but not something I would pack in a BOB / Survival Pack.
 
The truth is that I have not used it as hard as I can. The casing and tools feel strong and though enough, and at least for me the tools are not akward to handle. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I see it mostly as a ccompact/convenient backup for several necesary items. I guess that I'll have to put it to the test in my next camping trip.
 
Originally posted by Oregon
Are there other "broad-spectrum" multi-tools out there?
Click to expand...

There are Victorinox models that include either a butane lighter or a flashlight. I guess the Gerber Nautilus could fall in that category. But to my knowlege nobody else have tried to put most of the basics in one tool. A good atempt are high quality hollow-handle knives, like Chris Reeve'; but that is a different category all together.
 
Buddy thats it . As long as you consider it a backup then its a lot better than the one you don,t have . All my back-up is is a neck knife and sharpening stone . You would do better than me .
 
I like how the Schrade Navitool looks. I like all of the helpful features that are packed into the Navitool. I like that the Navitool is made out of anodized aluminum rather some "high-impact plastic," the way that it appears in the photos I've seen of it.

However, despite all of those positives, the Navitool looks bulky and heavy, and the width and shape of the 'handle,' when actually using the tools, looks like it might make the Navitool unwieldy for those with smaller hands. That said, I am not ruling out purchasing a Navitool, should I come across one.

I can't find too many specifics on the Navitool's dimensions, so, it would probably be a multi-tool that I'd have to purchase after seeing it, face-to-face, and handling it a bit, to make certain that it isn't too clunky and hard to handle or use. Otherwise, I think that the Navitool has definite possibilities.

Wasn't there a Schrade Navitool version with a digital compass...? Yes there was! It was called the i-Quip.

GeoThorn
 
Received one of these for Christmas. I really like it. Put in a little survival kit where the lighter is supposed to go and still got a ferro rod in there. Compass woks real well.
 
I can see maybe having one in the glove box or stashed in a drawer or something. In general though I don't like putting all of my eggs in one basket like that. If that's all you have on you and you loose it, then that's it. I'd prefer to carry a SAK, compass, lighter, flashlight and whistle all separate. In fact, I do carry all of those most days, and a number of other handy items as well. To each his own though. If it works for you, great. Not really my cup of tea.
 
If anyone has become dis-satisfied with their Navitool or I-quip I will gladly take it off your hands.
 
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