Leatherman Signal - is LM making a survival multi?

[Kampfer]

I rather like it, ditch the plastic crap and change the blade it's pretty decent.

(Image removed from quote.)


Sak's  rule !

Just looking at that pic, the peg thingy where the sharpener locates looks extremely uncomfortable in knife/saw mode. Is it really better with that exposed than with the sharpener in position?

It is not, the tool is less comfortable with those stuff removed.

[AimlessWanderer]

I rather like it, ditch the plastic crap and change the blade it's pretty decent.

(Image removed from quote.)


Sak's  rule !

Just looking at that pic, the peg thingy where the sharpener locates looks extremely uncomfortable in knife/saw mode. Is it really better with that exposed than with the sharpener in position?

It is not, the tool is less comfortable with those stuff removed.

The whistle/firesteel too?

[Kampfer]

Correct

[colt 1911]

I rather like it, ditch the plastic crap and change the blade it's pretty decent.

(Image removed from quote.)


Sak's  rule !

Nice buddy!   What blade did you use?

Thanks man, took the blade out of a wave.


Sak's  rule !

[colt 1911]

I rather like it, ditch the plastic crap and change the blade it's pretty decent.

(Image removed from quote.)


Sak's  rule !

Just looking at that pic, the peg thingy where the sharpener locates looks extremely uncomfortable in knife/saw mode. Is it really better with that exposed than with the sharpener in position?

It is not, the tool is less comfortable with those stuff removed.

The whistle/firesteel too?

Personally I like it better with out the accessories. The peg doesn't bother me. I'm not sure why everyone's knocking it so bad,


Sak's  rule !

[colt 1911]

I rather like it, ditch the plastic crap and change the blade it's pretty decent.

(Image removed from quote.)


Sak's  rule !

Just looking at that pic, the peg thingy where the sharpener locates looks extremely uncomfortable in knife/saw mode. Is it really better with that exposed than with the sharpener in position?

It is not, the tool is less comfortable with those stuff removed.

The whistle/firesteel too?

Personally I like it better with out the accessories. The peg doesn't bother me. I'm not sure why everyone's knocking it so bad,


Sak's  rule !

Sak's  rule !

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks guys 

[Kampfer]

I will buy one again when I found a deal.

[Kampfer]

I wrote to Leatherman told them if they really want to make a MT can help me survive in wildness for 72 hours, they must find a way to fit in the following features:
Emergency blanket
Cell phone charger
WiFi booster
A full case of MRE
Half case of H2O

 

[sawman]

I wrote to Leatherman told them if they really want to make a MT can help me survive in wildness for 72 hours, they must find a way to fit in the following features:
Emergency blanket
Cell phone charger
WiFi booster
A full case of MRE
Half case of H2O

 

Kampfer buddy, that multitool already exists...


It's the NAVITOOL!!!!


 

[colt 1911]

I wrote to Leatherman told them if they really want to make a MT can help me survive in wildness for 72 hours, they must find a way to fit in the following features:
Emergency blanket
Cell phone charger
WiFi booster
A full case of MRE
Half case of H2O

 

 


Sak's  rule !

[Kampfer]

smurf I forgot to ask them to include a blow up doll in case I got lonely

[dks]

male or female model?   

[Obi1shinobee]

I wrote to Leatherman told them if they really want to make a MT can help me survive in wildness for 72 hours, they must find a way to fit in the following features:
Emergency blanket
Cell phone charger
WiFi booster
A full case of MRE
Half case of H2O

 

Kampfer buddy, that multitool already exists...


It's the NAVITOOL!!!!


 

sawman    NAVITOOL > SIGNAL http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,62288.0.html 

[Syncop8r]

Do people here dislike that it has a whistle and firesteel, or dislike how these have been made?
Good things to have on a "survival" multi I would think.

[Obi1shinobee]

Do people here dislike that it has a whistle and firesteel, or dislike how these have been made?
Good things to have on a "survival" multi I would think.

Im gonna buy Leatherman Signal .. NAVITOOL VS SIGNAL.. You will see NAVITOOL Tell LM Signal GO MAKE ME SANDWICH... 

[Obi1shinobee]

NAVITOOL = KNIFE                                     SIGNAL =KNIFE (SERRATED)
NAVITOOL =                                           SIGNAL= PLIERS
NAVITOOL = SCISSOR                                  SIGNAL = 
NAVITOOL = FLAT/PHILLIP DRIVER                  SIGNAL= FLAT/PHILLIP DRIVER
NAVITOOL = SAW                                        SIGNAL = SAW
NAVITOOL = CAN OPENER/Bottle opener           SIGNAL= CAN OPENER/ Bottle Opener
NAVITOOL =                                            SIGNAL = AWL
NAVITOOL = WHISTLE 120db   Super Loud        SIGNAL = WHISTLE
NAVITOOL = Bic  LIGHER / Firesteel                 SIGNAL = LITTLE FIRE STEEL
NAVITOOL = BIG BOX                                     SIGNAL = SHARPENER
NAVITOOL = In the wood alot Rock                   SIGNAL = HAMMER
NAVITOOL = LIGHT                                         SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= COMPASS                                    SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= CORKSCREW                                 SIGNAL = ?? COCKSCREW 
NAVITOOL= SIGNAL MIRROR                              SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= Clock (stopwatch, alarm, backlight)
* Barometer (thermometer, standard and metric)
* Altimeter (to 29,500ft)
                                                                   SIGNAL=   

NAVITOOL = store fishing kits                           SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL=   good luck find some bolt in the woods  SIGNAL=1/4” Hex Bit Driver, 1/4" Box Wrench, Carabiner,3/16" Box Wrench



NAVITOOL=  $15 ON EBAY                      SIGNAL = $120 AT REI 


 

[AimlessWanderer]

Do people here dislike that it has a whistle and firesteel, or dislike how these have been made?
Good things to have on a "survival" multi I would think.

I dislike the hammer, the pinchy carabiner clip, the indexable cutter pliers, the fact you can't use the screwdriver with the tool closed, the lack of scissors, the handle splay, and the fact the "survival goodies" are mounted on the handles. Lets face it, I don't like the ergonomics in general. I also don't like the awl as it's too rounded. A good awl should have a slower taper like the Victorinox awls tend to have. I don't like the fact the firesteel is on the whistle, and the mouthpiece is potentially going to have bits of firesteel on it as well as potential contamination from my hands from using the tool, or even from dropping the tool of having to set it down while working. I certainly don't like the price of the tool either, and consider that a Wave would be a better purchase from them.

If that all sounds too negative, I do at least like the colour 



(although a higher visibility colour scheme would have made a lot more sense to me  )

[AimlessWanderer]

The BG Strata kit chose to include a firesteel and a light
The Signal chose to include a whistle, firesteel and sharpener

I can't fault the addition of any of those items

For me the BG Strata has a superior sheath, and keeps the peripherals off the tool. I would expect the Signal to feel significantly more rugged than the Strata which does flex and even creak a bit in hand. I have however put the Strata to work and it did everything I asked of it.

For me the Strata wins on ergonomics (particularly when fatigued already and with cold/wet hands), scissors, file (albeit small, it might be enough to clean off some electrical terminals or suchlike), driver assortment, best can opener I've found on any pliers based tool (and actually I'd prefer that as an awl to the dedicated one on the Signal), visibility of tool if dropped, and once again - price!

The Signal looks like it would be superior on knife blade, saw, hard wire cutting if you had to poach some fencing wire to improvise a shelter or tool of some sort... assuming the ergonomics don't impede that.

I know the BG Strata gets a lot of flak round these parts, but mine will be going in the glovebox of my car, and I'll not be "investing" in a Signal, as from what I can see it would offer me less (on balance) in respect of capability (bearing in mind my emergency may not be woods oriented should I need it), and will cost significantly more for the privilege of getting less capability and poorer ergos

[Kampfer]

I really wanted to like Signal, but the handles spread so wide to the point I can not use it, all bets are off then.

[SAK Guy]

NAVITOOL = KNIFE                                     SIGNAL =KNIFE (SERRATED)
NAVITOOL =                                           SIGNAL= PLIERS
NAVITOOL = SCISSOR                                  SIGNAL = 
NAVITOOL = FLAT/PHILLIP DRIVER                  SIGNAL= FLAT/PHILLIP DRIVER
NAVITOOL = SAW                                        SIGNAL = SAW
NAVITOOL = CAN OPENER/Bottle opener           SIGNAL= CAN OPENER/ Bottle Opener
NAVITOOL =                                            SIGNAL = AWL
NAVITOOL = WHISTLE                                   SIGNAL = WHISTLE
NAVITOOL = Bic  LIGHER                                 SIGNAL = LITTLE FIRE STEEL
NAVITOOL = BIG BOX                                     SIGNAL = SHARPENER
NAVITOOL = In the wood alot Rock                   SIGNAL = HAMMER
NAVITOOL = LIGHT                                         SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= COMPASS                                    SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= CORKSCREW                                 SIGNAL = ?? COCKSCREW 
NAVITOOL= SIGNAL MIRROR                              SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= Clock (stopwatch, alarm, backlight)
* Barometer (thermometer, standard and metric)
* Altimeter (to 29,500ft)
                                                                   SIGNAL=   

NAVITOOL = store fishing kits                           SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL=   good luck find some bolt in the woods  SIGNAL=1/4” Hex Bit Driver, 1/4" Box Wrench, Carabiner,3/16" Box Wrench



NAVITOOL=  $15 ON EBAY                      SIGNAL = $120 AT REI 


 

Wow, thorough breakdown of features!!!! 

[Syncop8r]

NAVITOOL= CORKSCREW                                 SIGNAL = ?? COCKSCREW 

Haven't seen one of those but it sounds painful.

[Syncop8r]

I really wanted to like Signal, but the handles spread so wide to the point I can not use it, all bets are off then.

I wouldn't want pliers full stop.

[AimlessWanderer]

I really wanted to like Signal, but the handles spread so wide to the point I can not use it, all bets are off then.

I wouldn't want pliers full stop.

I'd like to challenge that thought for a moment if I may. A true survival situation occurs through either unforeseen events or bad planning. Lets work on unforeseen events  In advance of things going wrong, you don't know where you'll be, what the significant problems are, what will be around you to work with, or what you'll need to have to have to deal with/work with your circumstances and surroundings. I want as many options on me as possible 

Even pulling thorns from soles of shoes, or handling unpleasant things are going to be easier with pliers. You might not have to tighten a bolt or do a rewiring job, but you might need to "harvest" wire for use as cordage, to fashion a hook, or to reach something through a narrow gap.

Honestly, I can't think of anything I'm confident I'll not want if the SHTF other than illness, injury or bad company  you just never know what trials you're going to face

[Syncop8r]

I guess I am thinking of outdoor survival (ie in the mountains while the rest of the world is fine, not where society has crumbled, disaster or whatever), in which case it is something I would take hiking and to me the convenience of having pliers would not justify the weight.

[AimlessWanderer]

I know what you mean, but I've come to the conclusion I want pliers in that situation too, even if it does mean carrying more weight. Again, same reason unknown factors - pulling thorns, handling hot objects (pots and lids) round a fire, pulling a needle through thick fabric for a coat or pack repair.... it just seems like too much of a potential hardship for the sake of a couple of ounces

[Obi1shinobee]

NAVITOOL = KNIFE                                     SIGNAL =KNIFE (SERRATED)
NAVITOOL =                                           SIGNAL= PLIERS
NAVITOOL = SCISSOR                                  SIGNAL = 
NAVITOOL = FLAT/PHILLIP DRIVER                  SIGNAL= FLAT/PHILLIP DRIVER
NAVITOOL = SAW                                        SIGNAL = SAW
NAVITOOL = CAN OPENER/Bottle opener           SIGNAL= CAN OPENER/ Bottle Opener
NAVITOOL =                                            SIGNAL = AWL
NAVITOOL = WHISTLE                                   SIGNAL = WHISTLE
NAVITOOL = Bic  LIGHER                                 SIGNAL = LITTLE FIRE STEEL
NAVITOOL = BIG BOX                                     SIGNAL = SHARPENER
NAVITOOL = In the wood alot Rock                   SIGNAL = HAMMER
NAVITOOL = LIGHT                                         SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= COMPASS                                    SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= CORKSCREW                                 SIGNAL = ?? COCKSCREW 
NAVITOOL= SIGNAL MIRROR                              SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL= Clock (stopwatch, alarm, backlight)
* Barometer (thermometer, standard and metric)
* Altimeter (to 29,500ft)
                                                                   SIGNAL=   

NAVITOOL = store fishing kits                           SIGNAL= 
NAVITOOL=   good luck find some bolt in the woods  SIGNAL=1/4” Hex Bit Driver, 1/4" Box Wrench, Carabiner,3/16" Box Wrench



NAVITOOL=  $15 ON EBAY                      SIGNAL = $120 AT REI 


 

Wow, thorough breakdown of features!!!! 

 

[Jand3rson86]

I really wanted to like Signal, but the handles spread so wide to the point I can not use it, all bets are off then.

This one I really, REALLY do not get.  We're talking less than 1/4" per side on the handle legs wider than a Wave.

[Kampfer]

I really wanted to like Signal, but the handles spread so wide to the point I can not use it, all bets are off then.

This one I really, REALLY do not get.  We're talking less than 1/4" per side on the handle legs wider than a Wave.

Besed on the measure I did, Wave handles are 13* apart while Signal is 21*.
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,62239.msg1159263.html#msg1159263

[Jand3rson86]

Regardless... still confused.