Les Stroud Multitool

[Lynn LeFey]

While I appreciate the potential for gimmicky-ness, Titanium, bonded to steel is actually a known process in manufacturing, and can strongly inhibit rust. If these tools are meant for 'real world survival', then great rust resistance might be a good idea.

Now... I'm not saying what Camillus is doing actually yields great results, but I also won't write the titanium bonding as only a marketing tool until I have a chance to try these things out.

So, I guess I need to add 'rust test' to my battery of tests for the tool when I get it. I'll test it against the Bear Grylls Survival Tool Pack (BG 'Strata'), and a Leatherman (probably my Wingman) for comparison, I think.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I look forward to it- the Wingman at least shouldn't be hard to beat in the rust test.

Def

[Lynn LeFey]

I look forward to it- the Wingman at least shouldn't be hard to beat in the rust test.

 

Yeah, that's part of why I thought I'd use it. I might even suck it up and subject a VIC 91mm to the test alongside. That'd be sort of the top end standard, IMO.

[charlie fox]

And oh, look... a fish scaler. Yay.

Actually, on a outdoor/wilderness/survival MT that makes more sense than a screwdriver (and a can-opener) if you ask me.

I've never understood the whole fish scaler thing. Never had scaled fish I guess...


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[dks]

Fish scaler.. as a below average fisherman when  I accidentally catch a fish given the choice between cleaning the fish at the sea (no mess) or at home (smelly sink/yard etc.) I would rather do it at the sea.

[Syph007]

While I appreciate the potential for gimmicky-ness, Titanium, bonded to steel is actually a known process in manufacturing, and can strongly inhibit rust. If these tools are meant for 'real world survival', then great rust resistance might be a good idea.

Now... I'm not saying what Camillus is doing actually yields great results, but I also won't write the titanium bonding as only a marketing tool until I have a chance to try these things out.

So, I guess I need to add 'rust test' to my battery of tests for the tool when I get it. I'll test it against the Bear Grylls Survival Tool Pack (BG 'Strata'), and a Leatherman (probably my Wingman) for comparison, I think.

The marketing makes it sound like its elemental Ti though which makes no sense.  Its softer than steel.  There are plenty of process that involve Titanium like Titanium Nitride, Titanium Carbonitrate etc.   You can alloy steels with the right atoms in interstitial sites to improve structure, but that is not done by surface treatment.

From Camillus:

"Titanium Bonded is not painted or plated, but an application of a unique formulation of titanium and chromium nitride to the surface of cutting blades that actually penetrates and treats the metal to create a permanent bond.  The patented Titanium Bonding process provides the following benefits; corrosion resistance, adhesive resistance and the process itself makes the stainless steel 3x harder than untreated stainless providing a blade that stays sharper longer."

So its just a regular PVD process that uses Titanium Nitride and Chromium Nitride.  Nothing exotic there and not pure Ti which would make no sense anyhow.  Some googling on Titanium Nitride with Chromium Nitride mixture coatings finds they are widely used on consumer plumbing fixtures and door hardware.

The idea this somehow keeps the knife sharper longer is correct, BUT, only until you sharpen it.  A PVD layer is 2-5 microns thick.  That will be gone after the first sharpening.  The steel substrate and even more importantly how its heat treated, will be far more important than the patented Titanium bonded super coating.  Its a budget tool though so its not going to have an expensive coating process.

[Higgins617]

Not really a bad idea in that case though. Not many people who buy the low-end tools would then turn and try to sharpen it when it dulled out. More likely to say oh its no good, guess I need to replace it.

[Faiaoga]

I do remember the "South Pacific" episode (S02E16) where he uses the bit driver on his harmonica to take the metal piece off to make into a spear tip for fishing. I don't remember if it was a Philips/Flathead or Robertson or if I could even tell.

When I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the South Pacific, I remember school children using the metal ribs of old umbrellas to make multi-prong fishing spears. Perhaps Les Stroud needs to carry an umbrella when he next ventures into the South Pacific

[sticktodrum]

Blade coatings are applied before they're initially sharpened, and I don't think this case is any difference.

A TiNi coating is just going to provide corrosion resistance and a visual. That's all, no edge holding improvement.

[Cupboard]

I see no reason why a TiNi coating couldn't help initial edge retention. For light use DIY drill bits a TiNi coating is a good thing whilst it lasts.

[sticktodrum]

Because there wouldn't be TiNi on the edge bevel, let alone the edge's apex. Blades are coated, then sharpened. It's been that way for every knife and multi-tool blade I've ever seen and I doubt this is any different.

Blade edges are just the plain steel.

[Cupboard]

I get that. If you sharpen them after you apply the coating then the coating comes off.
But what if you sharpen them before applying the coating? As I say, it seems to work for drill bits.

[Lynn LeFey]

Not to stymie the conversation, but just to let you all know, I got confirmation that my tool is on the way, and will arrive between Thursday and next Tuesday. Then, many questions will be answered. Hopefully.

[captain spaulding]

Not to stymie the conversation, but just to let you all know, I got confirmation that my tool is on the way, and will arrive between Thursday and next Tuesday. Then, many questions will be answered. Hopefully.

 

[Lynn LeFey]

So... here's my review on the Les Stroud tool.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,51479.0.html

[scrappy]

I own the knife that came with the flashlight and whistle. Both are horrible, neither of mine work.

[Lynn LeFey]

My flashlight came with the batteries flipped positive for negative. You might want to see if that's the problem with the light.

[scrappy]

Yea, i tried that, i think they were dead? Didnt work no matter how I oriented them. I like the idea of having those items in my kit, just not their execution. But I did add several pieces to make it a usable kit. I will post a pic later.