Best Multitool for Camping (not bushcraft)

[Megan]

I have friends who camp a fair amount and I'd love to get them a multi tool or SAK for camping.
They're not backwoods campers nor are they into bushcraft. 
They probably won't carry much of a second knife of any.  So it has to be one good tool.

What would you recommend?

[captain spaulding]

If it is going to be carried in a pack then I would either go with a Victorinox Swisstool X or a Leatherman Surge. Swisstool X would be my first choice though.

The tool set has everything you might need. The finish is VERY rust resistant and if it is a person who does not regularly clean their tool this is key. The Swisstools are also very well made.



http://www.swissarmy.com/medias/sys_master/celum_assets/8860368863262_SAK_53936__000_S1_62148_tif_1.jpg;jsessionid=F8ED7B9E4FDF43ED1BB028621637CD27?1

[Gareth]

I genuinely don't think they'll need anything more than a simple SAK like a Huntsman or Evo 17 (Fieldmaster or Evo 18 for Phillips rather than corkscrew).  Knife, saw, scissors and openers etc. really will cover all of your basic camping tasks. 

Heck, I'd even say the saw is a bit of extra baggage for a lot of campers, but it's worth having IMO.

[Zed]

A farmer ,just ask mike 

[zimchaz]

I second Capn regarding the surge. I carry one for deployments as it can do 99% of what I need it for...For camping ( not bushcraft) scissors are a lifesaver for first aid duty etc.
Lots of people don't need pliers in the woods, but from my point of view (maybe skewed because of the military) I can think of a hundred uses for baling wire (or fence wire) in a pinch...and wire is a lot easier to manipulate with piers.

[Etherealicer]

A farmer ,just ask mike 

+1 for the Farmer, although its not just a good tool, its a GREAT one.

I don't see the need for more tools, except maybe scissors. Also, keeping the tool(s) small increases the chance, they actually get carried.
Should you want anything larger, a 111mm Forrester is great too. The combo-blade will stay sharp for a very long time, even without maintenance.

@Surge suggestion: The Problem with the Surge is, that it relies on small extra parts (saw-blades, bits), things that easily get lost in the forest. Also its super large.
@Swisstool: Too large for my taste (same goes for the Surge).

If you want to go plier-based, go with the Spirit!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

A farmer ,just ask mike 

Yep a Farmer every time

If there a non knife person then there not going to want to carry something big and bulky. A Farmer will be robust enough to be noob safe, and has everything you could need in a woods knife

I'd be inclined to pair it with a classic for the tweezers or a pair of uncle mikes grippers for splinters ect

[styx]

I'm with Mike, farmer and classic combo

[Chako]

A buck X Tract Fin. Nice blade...scissors, and the included diamond file will do nicely to round out this tool.

[3F]

VIC SAK Camper.  It's a basic scout/camp knife with a saw blade.

[Megan]

What do you think about a Vic OHT?

[Etherealicer]

What do you think about a Vic OHT?

I would go with the Forester, basically a OHT but with cork-screw instead of Phillips. Because, adults like wine and it comes in red

[Megan]

I totally messed up. Anyone want to trade me a Forrester for my Vic OHT? I wanted the silly corkscrew.

[zimchaz]

What do you think about a Vic OHT?

If its a non pliers MT from victorinox...outrider every time for me!

[Rossko07]

For camping I always carry a leatherman OHT. Basic essentials really.

[dks]

Grant !! Why carry a multitool when you can have THE multitool guy/carrier with you (needs feeding)   

[Gareth]

A farmer ,just ask mike 

Yep a Farmer every time

If there a non knife person then there not going to want to carry something big and bulky. A Farmer will be robust enough to be noob safe, and has everything you could need in a woods knife

I'd be inclined to pair it with a classic for the tweezers or a pair of uncle mikes grippers for splinters ect

Or carry a Huntsman to get all those tools in a single package.  Just saying.

[SteveC]

I think a Rebar would be a good choice or a Supertool if you think they might want something heavier duty.

[Aloha]

Car camping, simple tent camping, or backpacking I'd suggest a fixed blade and a companion tool/knife.  I personally like the fixed in this situation in stainless steel, Mora comes to mind which can do nearly every camp chore from food prep to small wood cutting to snipping off tops of food packages.  I see my camp kitchen much like my own kitchen so a fixed blade is essential.

A companion tool could very easily be a camper or similar which could serve as a personal food tool or handy general purpose tool.   I always bring a small hatchet car camping and have found it essential.    I used mine to pound in tent stakes, split larger logs into smaller piece when all I need is a bit longer on the fire, and for fun I can also so some bush crafty stuff. 

 

[buck]

A buck X Tract Fin. Nice blade...scissors, and the included diamond file will do nicely to round out this tool.

Thanks for mentioning this.  Being an X-Tract Essential fan it piqued my curiosity and now its on the way.  It doesn't hurt that it's already got my name on it.

By the way Buck's website really sucks out loud.  More info on Amazon. 

Are there other Buck X-Tracts that have scissors?  I see others but they don't have scissors.  I wish this one did:

http://www.amazon.com/Quality-Outdoor-Knife-Camping-Functional/dp/B006ESC78A/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DGGG53MMNR2KHAYFADR

[Top-Gear-24]

In my opinion the best multitools for camping are the Spirit X and the Swisstool X, awesome rust resistance, both come with scissors, chisel and the best can opener out there. 

If you want to go smaller I would suggest the Swisschamp or the Explorer, the Explorer has a magnifying glass, tweezers, and you can add a needle in the small hole next to the corkscrew which makes it perfect for removing splinters or the stinger from a bee for example.  The Swisschamp simply has everything you could ever need, but it's a bit less pocket friendly as the Explorer.

[dks]

There can be only one.....

[BASguy]

Agreed on the Spirit, interchangeable bits in a outdoor environment is a loser in my book.
The pliers are my most used tool when I'm camping.  Lifting pots off the fire, grabbing, twisting, breaking things, etc.  Rust resistant and good tool set.  Butter knife is invaluable in this environment also.


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[dks]

[BASguy]

Car camping, simple tent camping, or backpacking I'd suggest a fixed blade and a companion tool/knife.  I personally like the fixed in this situation in stainless steel, Mora comes to mind which can do nearly every camp chore from food prep to small wood cutting to snipping off tops of food packages.  I see my camp kitchen much like my own kitchen so a fixed blade is essential.

A companion tool could very easily be a camper or similar which could serve as a personal food tool or handy general purpose tool.   I always bring a small hatchet car camping and have found it essential.    I used mine to pound in tent stakes, split larger logs into smaller piece when all I need is a bit longer on the fire, and for fun I can also so some bush crafty stuff. 

 

+1 on the Mora.  Mine makes every trip also.  Very good around the campfire.   Combined with the butter blade on the Spirit, no need for any other knives in my camp anyway.


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[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

A farmer ,just ask mike 

Yep a Farmer every time

If there a non knife person then there not going to want to carry something big and bulky. A Farmer will be robust enough to be noob safe, and has everything you could need in a woods knife

I'd be inclined to pair it with a classic for the tweezers or a pair of uncle mikes grippers for splinters ect

Or carry a Huntsman to get all those tools in a single package.  Just saying.

Yes, yes

I just prefer the awl and the more robust tools on the Farmer though

[Zed]

Or a swisschamp and cover most basis 

[Gareth]

A farmer ,just ask mike 

Yep a Farmer every time

If there a non knife person then there not going to want to carry something big and bulky. A Farmer will be robust enough to be noob safe, and has everything you could need in a woods knife

I'd be inclined to pair it with a classic for the tweezers or a pair of uncle mikes grippers for splinters ect

Or carry a Huntsman to get all those tools in a single package.  Just saying.

Yes, yes

I just prefer the awl and the more robust tools on the Farmer though

I'll concede that the Farmer's awl is much better.

[Grathr]

Id go for a Vic One handed Trekker or a Farmer.



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[DazMechanical]

I vote Huntsman! I got one for my brother last year for his birthday, he's not much of a Knife or MT guy (which I'm slowly trying to change) but he does a fair bit of car camping and fishing throughout the year, and he finds a use for most of the tools. I think the size and load out is a good start point for anybody into outdoorsy stuff without being too big or scary looking.

This year I'm getting him a Rebar to take care of everything else. With his Huntsman and Rebar there shouldn't be much he can't achieve.