What tool(s) on your SAK/multitool do you use most?

G

g30ff

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Jun 24, 2007
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I've been thinking of picking up a multitool and/or SAK and looking at some of the recommendation threads it seems to me that a lot of it comes to what tools you're going to use. In regular life I use needle nose pliers, philips screwdrivers and hex keys most, but I'm not really thinking of getting one for day to day things--the pliers and screwdrivers are next to the computer where I use them and the hex keys come compliments of Ikea with the furniture.

I've had my eye on the Vic Trekker and the SOG Powerlock, but before I decide on one or the other (or on something else entirely) I thought I'd ask around here to see which tools you folks found handy when you're out roaming the wilderness. I used to do a lot of (car) camping when I was younger and I had a couple SAKs, but I never found them particularly useful since I always had a fixed blade and a toolbox nearby. That and I used to bite my nails so I could never get the darn things open.

I'm interested in trying my hand at backpacking now so I'll probably keep the fixed blade but the toolbox will have to stay at home. Other than that, I don't imagine I'll be doing anything too exceptional: I enjoy a bit of fishing, don't hunt, but mostly I'm just looking to get away, take in some scenery and practice some wilderness and survival skills. So, to the folks who carry a multitool or SAK I ask, which tools do you use the most when you're out in the woods?

Thanks,
Geoff
 
My useage may well be different than others. For every day use, I use 1. blade, 2. screwdrivers, 3. pliers, 4. saw. EDIT: forgot the ruler. Use it fairly often. For field use, 1. blade, 2. can opener, 3. saw, 4. awl. For fishing, pliers for sure. I prefer a locking blade and prefer to have a serrated blade in addition to a regular one.

In general, SAKS are far lighter than multitools. You could get a SAK and a pair of hemostats for fishing and have a lighter load. But I find that the multitools are more useful for every day use. Can't carry a toolbox all the time.

Stop biting your nails! :)
 
I don't use any one blade all that often but when you need them its really hard to substitute a pair of pliers, or a philips head screw driver. A saw is a really handy tool especially if you dont have a chopper around.

I love my leatherman Wave, with my SAK Fireman being a close competitor.

I have never come across the Evasive wild Wine Bottle tree that makes the cork screw so important, But I do have a SAK with this tool, that I carry whenever I go to a party.;)
 
SAK- for a long time, it was my only cutting tool.

Phillips Screwdriver, used as a marlin-spike to loosen knots.
(In town I use this all the time on grocery bags, because
I always tie them with square knots or granny's.)
In camp, knots for tent and tarp rigging. Although, many of
these knots can be tied once and left, even for extension-ropes.)

The Saw for emergencies and I rarely use it, but that is OK;
I am glad to have it.
I have never used the Corkscrew as intended; on some models
it can hold a tiny screwdriver.

The blades themselves. I like having a small one.

Scissors are safer for cutting various things, especially your own skin.

Multi-tool Pliers
If you are into tinkering and making things, especially metal
you find.
Sometimes a wrench/plier substitute can be made by using two
sticks (or bars, or metal strips) and holding them in your hand.
Obviously it doesn't always work so well.
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
I have never come across the Evasive wild Wine Bottle tree that makes the cork screw so important, But I do have a SAK with this tool, that I carry whenever I go to a party.;)
Click to expand...

Lol, good one.

Geoff,
I have an old Victorinox Swiss Tool. Both at home in the city and when in the woods, I think it's the pliers that get the most use. They get used on camping/backpaking trips mostly for lifting hot lids from pans, loosening stubborn knots, and emergency gear repair. I mostly use a hatchet or khukri for gathering firewood, but the saw on the Swiss Tool usually gets at least a little use on any given outing. The screwdrivers see a lot of action too, and the blades hardly ever come out since I always have a more easily accessible pocket knife in the city and a fixed blade in the woods.
 
Thanks for the answers guys,

It is good to know that someone has found a use for the awl. The corkscrew I can understand, but the awl had always had me stumped. I'm kind of surprised at the popularity of the pliers. I didn't think they's get much of a workout in the field other than maybe fishing, even then I've ususally managed to get along without. Then again, I enjoy fishing but I don't claim to be good at it.

In the long run I'm sure I'll end up picking up a few different tools; I'm just looking for a place to start. The Vic fireman is definitely also in the running. Now that I think of it, the corkscrew is almost certainly my most used tool. And since I'm always misplacing mine, it could be very handy to have a backup. I just don't know that I'll want to be lugging too many bottles into (worse yet, out of) the woods.

nemoaz said:
Stop biting your nails! :)
Click to expand...

I did. Well, mostly anyways. :o
I have to say, the recent popularity of one-handed openers has been a real blessing for me. It is kinda embarassing when I had to use the tip of my 5" hunting knife just to pry open the sawblade on my SAK.
 
but the awl had always had me stumped.
Click to expand...
The awl is really good for adding holes to your belt. :) And is used for many other repairs. Either making the hole then "wobbling it out" to a larger size, or stuffing a cord or lace to make the repair. Maybe I just break stuff more than others. I used it to repair a cheap Uncle Mike's holster a few days ago.

I don't use the saw as a primary wood gatherer, but rather for making finer cuts. In a survival situation, it makes crafting a deadfall trigger such as a figure four much easier. The small files also also useful for just such exigencies.
 
-saw for all kinds of things - cutting arrow shafts, making trap parts, cutting the notch in fire boards, cutting rounds off of antler tines to make buttons, etc.

-awl for making holes in antler rounds (buttons), for breaking out arrow nocks (see Hoods Woods videos), holes in wood for all kinds of purposes like tying together friction fire parts (used it to make a hole in moose antler tine so I could attach a lanyard), can be used as a rough needle (already has a hole in it for the fibre), etc.

-can opener - works really well

-scissors - trimming finger nails (much easier than trying to use a knife), cutting each side of vane of feather for preparation for arrow fletching, cutting straggly ends off jute projects,

-the little screwdriver that has already been mentioned is used for eyeglass repair

-file with hacksaw blade - used when teeth on wood saw is too agressive for fine work.

I don't use the blades that often because I EDC 2 other knives - Buck Alpha Dorado, and a Benchmade AFCK.

My models of choice (Victorinox) are the Ranger if I'm looking for something not too big, or the Swiss Champ if I don't care.

Doc
 
I definately use the scissors more than anything. This is probably because i already have a dedicated one hand opening knife - so its more convenient. But some tasks just need scissors.
 
On my Farmer:
Awl for a scraper for my ferro rod
Knife for cutting
Saw for some heavy wood work
Can opener

On my Huntsman:
Scissors
Both knives
Saw
Tweezers for small stuff that gets in my skin
Can opener
Corkscrew for untying knots

Huntsman is my favourite then the Farmer and the other Vic models.....:D:D

CZ
 
I consider a scissors a necessity on a SAK or multitool, and I use the philips driver a lot too. I don't use the saw as much, but when I have used it, I really needed it. The pliers/wire cutters see some frequent use around the house and work. In the woods, they're nice to have along if I ever want to make use of all the old wire fencing that seems to be everywhere.

All of these come in behind the knife blade though, as far as frequency of use goes.
 
I have several Vic's SAK's...the only requirement for me is that they have a Saw...I just bought a Trekker, and I love it..mostly because instead of a corkscrew, it has a phillips head screwdriver, it has a saw ( that also shoots a pretty good spark off a firesteel) and the bigger blade is much better than the 2.5" blade on the original. I have Leathermans and Gerbers as well, I just like my VIC better.
 
I got the one with pliers, for fishing trips. I want the option of being able to pinch barbs closed on fish hooks, pick hooks out of fish (or me?), or even possibly mangle hexagonal bolts on my butane stove(to "fix" it) if I should ever lose the take down tool that comes with it.

The small blade gets used on trouts, fishing line, food wrappers, & etc.

The large blade is used on food which is too big to be cut with the small blade.

I always insist on a can opener. Been on one too many trips where cans came along, and no one had an opener.

Bottle opener is mandatory, too. There's lots of good beer out there, that don't have twist off lids.

Anyway, good luck with what you choose. Don't be surprised if you end up with a variety of SAK's, in your quest to find the perfect one.
 
Ambassador
1.Scissors
2. Nail file

Fieldmaster
1. saw
2. blade
3. can opener
 
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