Vic Hunter/Hiker Xt

Grumpy · **on:** February 15, 2013, 03:50:37 PM

Hi just wondered if anyone has experience or thoughts/advice on the vic hunter series, as i'm thinking of getting one for camping.

Thanks
Barry

Wootz · **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2013, 04:04:18 PM

What kind of camping? Lean-to or campervan?

Grumpy · **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2013, 04:09:15 PM

solo tent and wild camping(no tent) and some climbing

Wootz · **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2013, 04:59:29 PM

Is it the only tool you take with you?

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2013, 05:02:51 PM

When camping while climbing, I prefer a Leatherman Skeletool. Light, good blade, pliers and bit driver. An added bonus is, it can be carried on the harness for easy access.

If I'm ice climbing, I prefer a Wave, mostly for the diamond file.

Grumpy · **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2013, 05:34:54 PM

i haven't got one yet wootz but no i'd prob carry either my powerlock or ppp withn me in my sack. used to carry my surge but it's just to heavy,
we don't have ice climbing where i live, only really in scotland!! but yes a diamond vfile would come in handy then for your crampons/axe,
i'd carry xt as a mainly emergency tool

Syph007 · **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2013, 06:33:24 PM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on February 15, 2013, 05:02:51 PM

When camping while climbing, I prefer a Leatherman Skeletool. Light, good blade, pliers and bit driver. An added bonus is, it can be carried on the harness for easy access.

If I'm ice climbing, I prefer a Wave, mostly for the diamond file.

Oh your'e a climber too? Well I should say its been awhile for me, but I really miss it. My old climbing buddy moved away, and I haven't found someone else I trusted on belay. So my gear sits waiting. Maybe I'll get my son into it when hes older. Backhome I had a bunch of sport routes I bolted and I would use a soloist to climb for practice. Good fun and great arm workout.

Grumpy · **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2013, 06:40:10 PM

i only got back into climbimg last year after losing a lot of weight, at the momrnt i'm concentrating on uk e & m grades with a local club

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2013, 06:47:07 PM

Quote from: Syph007 on February 15, 2013, 06:33:24 PM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on February 15, 2013, 05:02:51 PM
When camping while climbing, I prefer a Leatherman Skeletool. Light, good blade, pliers and bit driver. An added bonus is, it can be carried on the harness for easy access.

If I'm ice climbing, I prefer a Wave, mostly for the diamond file.

Oh your'e a climber too? Well I should say its been awhile for me, but I really miss it. My old climbing buddy moved away, and I haven't found someone else I trusted on belay. So my gear sits waiting. Maybe I'll get my son into it when hes older. Backhome I had a bunch of sport routes I bolted and I would use a soloist to climb for practice. Good fun and great arm workout.

Yea,

Mostly gym work now. I can't really climb all day on routes, due to arthritis in my big toes. If I climb more than a couple hours, I'm pretty crippled. That's why I like ice climbing. Rigid boot, and use of crampons saves my toes.

Sadly, the closest consistent ice is in upstate New York (7 hours to the nearest good spot). With the way the airlines are now, it's just not practical to fly to good climbing anymore. I used to put my ropes and non-sharp stuff into my carry on, but now with carry on weight restrictions, that's just not possible.

I fear my days of ice climbing are rapidly coming to a close.

Gareth · **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2013, 06:52:42 PM

I take it the serrated blade is important to you Grumpy? Another option (though less common I think) is the Jumpmaster. My personal choice when out on a multi-night hike/camp is normally a Huntsman, but then I'm normally carrying a Bahco Laplander and fixed blade of some kind. Another option I use is the Forester.

Grumpy · **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2013, 06:58:49 PM

Hi Gareth, they both look good but i'd prefer a oho blade for ease, i don't really like fixed blade knives unless there's a chance of a Zombie attack

Syph007 · **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2013, 06:59:22 PM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on February 15, 2013, 06:47:07 PM

Quote from: Syph007 on February 15, 2013, 06:33:24 PM
Quote from: Mr. Whippy on February 15, 2013, 05:02:51 PM
When camping while climbing, I prefer a Leatherman Skeletool. Light, good blade, pliers and bit driver. An added bonus is, it can be carried on the harness for easy access.

If I'm ice climbing, I prefer a Wave, mostly for the diamond file.

Oh your'e a climber too? Well I should say its been awhile for me, but I really miss it. My old climbing buddy moved away, and I haven't found someone else I trusted on belay. So my gear sits waiting. Maybe I'll get my son into it when hes older. Backhome I had a bunch of sport routes I bolted and I would use a soloist to climb for practice. Good fun and great arm workout.

Yea,

Mostly gym work now. I can't really climb all day on routes, due to arthritis in my big toes. If I climb more than a couple hours, I'm pretty crippled. That's why I like ice climbing. Rigid boot, and use of crampons saves my toes.

Sadly, the closest consistent ice is in upstate New York (7 hours to the nearest good spot). With the way the airlines are now, it's just not practical to fly to good climbing anymore. I used to put my ropes and non-sharp stuff into my carry on, but now with carry on weight restrictions, that's just not possible.

I fear my days of ice climbing are rapidly coming to a close.

Got an empty grain silo? I saw some people buildling cool indoor routes in those, always thought that would be awesome. DIY ice climb building might be a tad more challenging.

Grumpy · **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2013, 07:03:37 PM

I'm vert lucky within a 2-3 hr drive i can get to most of the climbing in england, n we have an indoor ice climbing wall not too far from us but never tried it

J Mackrel Jones · **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2013, 11:19:29 PM

Ah the days of rope and rock so long ago...
Doing my first rappel off Montezuma's Tower, the pin loose in its vertical hole, my buddy standing on it "for security" as the sun goes down -- was it the air that made me shiver?

Eyegor · **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2013, 12:41:13 AM

I'm very partial to the Vic 111mm Hunter, but if I was doing a lot of rope work I would get the OH Fireman or Parachutist instead. For pocket EDC I simply prefer the non-OHO models. When I am in the back country I am usually on foot and don't have things like stoves, lanterns, etc with me. If I did, I would probably carry a compact plier-based multi such as my Gerber MP400.

tosh · **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2013, 12:23:37 PM

Quote from: Grumpy on February 15, 2013, 03:50:37 PM

Hi just wondered if anyone has experience or thoughts/advice on the vic hunter series, as i'm thinking of getting one for camping.

Thanks
Barry

Hey Barry

I've been looking at the Vic' Hunter series too (XT).
Just love the blade choice. But what's with the philips?? I don't follow. If the caplifter/screwdruver was onboard I'd understand. But a philips and 3 blades......WHY??
An Awl would have made more sense.

Grumpy · **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:00:34 PM

Hi Tosh,
I thought the exact same thing, esp an awl of the farmer!!! think they juat wanted to fill the tool load!! found somewhere in leeds that sells them so i'm going to have a look on thursday when i go through, will let you know what i think, if they're any good i'll get one and do a review on it! Do you want it for similiar reasons to me??

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:05:09 PM

I would guess the Phillips is there as a "gun tool" to adjust sights and such. That was my thought anyway.

Wootz · **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:08:53 PM

Quote from: Grumpy on February 15, 2013, 05:34:54 PM

i haven't got one yet wootz but no i'd prob carry either my powerlock or ppp withn me in my sack. used to carry my surge but it's just to heavy,
we don't have ice climbing where i live, only really in scotland!! but yes a diamond vfile would come in handy then for your crampons/axe,
i'd carry xt as a mainly emergency tool

My 2 cents: Soldier or Farmer, Spirit multitool and a small puukko (maybe a necker).

Grumpy · **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:12:42 PM

Your probably right,

i know it would be too costly too have different versions for different country!! it's a shame more manufacturers wouldn't approach things the same way sog has done with it's multitools.
My perfect Hunter would have a large oho blade, a rescue blade, woodsaw. an awl and a magnyfing glass( for splinters)

Gareth · **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:17:55 PM

I know it's perhaps not ideal, but are you keeping in mind that the standard OHO blade is a combo edge?

Grumpy · **Reply #21 on:** February 17, 2013, 07:20:17 PM

The hunter i've seen has a straight blade and a seperate se rescue blade,
really i should maybe ask someone about the possability of building one to my spec!!! I'd like to get one with stay glow scales but i'd have to maybe get them from swiss bianco..

HankSolon · **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2013, 08:08:32 PM

Inspiration needed?

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=5287.2390

Grumpy · **Reply #23 on:** February 17, 2013, 08:38:13 PM

Quote from: HankSolon on February 17, 2013, 08:08:32 PM

Inspiration needed?

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=5287.2

Very Nice!! looks like a very usable knife When can you build mine for me!!

tosh · **Reply #24 on:** February 17, 2013, 10:36:20 PM

Quote from: Grumpy on February 17, 2013, 02:00:34 PM

Hi Tosh,
I thought the exact same thing, esp an awl of the farmer!!! think they juat wanted to fill the tool load!! found somewhere in leeds that sells them so i'm going to have a look on thursday when i go through, will let you know what i think, if they're any good i'll get one and do a review on it! Do you want it for similiar reasons to me??

Camping - but in a caravan not a tent - lol
I recently got Vic' Swiss Army Tool Red & Black Dual-Pro - Hell, that's a tool and a half!! and as for build quality....

Then stumbled upon the XT with the additional saw blade

, but I do wonder if the Dual Pro is quite possibly the better tool, more useful??

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #25 on:** February 17, 2013, 11:31:56 PM

I went up to Staithes and Whitby earlier today for a bit of a break, and saw the ... the one with the saw and the one without (can't be bothered looking for the names) ... in one of the outdoors shops. They looked really nice, and of course the fit and finish will be excellent, but they didn't strike me as being the most practical. I'm not overly sold on the Vic OHO blade when closed and trying to use something else - and I think I'd prefer a clipped blade or sheath knive when working with ropes. If you get in a position of needeing it, you tend to need it NOW!!!

Grumpy · **Reply #26 on:** February 17, 2013, 11:37:01 PM

If you went to staithes you must've passed my old house!!!!

if i get one i was thinking of adding thumb studs!!! opinions needed on that one

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