Favorite backpacking/hiking SAK

[4everYoung]

What SAK or SAKs do you carry with you and why? I'm getting back into hiking/backpacking with my family. I've been carrying my Mechanic and Rambler with me on the trail. Tried a spartan too. Next in rotation will be my PX. Leaving that spot open til I find the right fit.
Looking forward to some of your SAKs and reasons why you picked them.

[GoatDragon]

My favorite hiking/backpacking SAK is the Farmer. Wood saw and alox awl can be handy in the wilderness. I usually throw a Classic in my pack as well for the tweezers.

[Grathr]

Rangerwood 55.
Big blade, big comfortable grip. long saw.

[Syncop8r]

I take a Wenger Ranger 58. Big saw.
I considered something like an OHT too. https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,52248.0.html

[MacGyver]

Humm... For me it has to be the Huntsman for sure 
It has everything i need for that purpose and nothing i don't

[AndyTiedye]

This one. Because of the saw, mostly.
And the clip.

Bring back the clip!

[Aloha]

I am looking for a larger SAK.  I have a Hunter XT but I miss the opening layers.  I also feel an outdoor tool needs an awl.  I think the larger SAKs are the way to go for outdoors.  That being said, I carry a Swisschamp in an SOS sheath. 

I figure it has everything I'd want and need.  If I want to go light then I remind myself that the extra carry "weight" is great for my fitness. 

[in_sympathy]

Bought a Forester specifically for this cause Wave seemed too heavy and I don't really need most of it's tools on a hike.

[Barry Rowland]

Hiker, Camper, Trekker, or Climber.  I just spent a week camping with my Climber but I like having a saw when I'm hiking distances.

[AimlessWanderer]

It depends on the pliers tool that's accompanying

I do like to have all bases covered when off the beaten track, but if I have my Fuse-ilier (extensive Fuse mod) with me, I can manage with a Tourist, or more often a Case Scout Jr. The pliers tool then handles saw and scissors and everything else. The next step down from this would be a Juice KF4 with Climber Small. Lets face it, the chances of needing the cuticle molesting drives are pretty slim, so the KF4 is quite tolerable in this setting.

If feeling brave enough to just carry a keyring sized pliers tool or (heaven forbid) going plierless  I would reach for the Original Outdoorsman. The Ranger is the nearest current equivalent.

Disclaimer: My first aid kit also has a Vic Compact permanently stashed in it too.

[Syncop8r]

I go plierless all the time. Never needed them.

[thatotherguy]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

[gustophersmob]

Farmer in the pocket and one handed trekker in the bag or in a belt sheath.

[MacGyver]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

[thatotherguy]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Fixing a pack frame, adjusting a hot gas stove if you use a gas stove, adding an esbit tab to an esbit stove while it's still burning, grabbing a hot pot off a stove or fire, bending wire into a pot hanger or pack hook, loosening overtight thumb screws on equipment shared between a group, et cetera.

[Aloha]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

   For sure.  A SAK can be a nice compliment IMO. 

[MacGyver]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Fixing a pack frame, adjusting a hot gas stove if you use a gas stove, adding an esbit tab to an esbit stove while it's still burning, grabbing a hot pot off a stove or fire, bending wire into a pot hanger or pack hook, loosening overtight thumb screws on equipment shared between a group, et cetera.

Humm ok... but that seams more like camping than the casual hiking... 
In that context i can understand 

[ThePeacent]

If carrying a plier based tool, it's usually the farmer



if it's a SAK only, this one has all I need. If only it had a proper in-line awl,  it'd be perfect

[Don Pablo]

If carrying a plier based tool, it's usually the farmer Core

(Image removed from quote.)

if it's a SAK only, this one has all I need. If only it had a proper in-line awl,  it'd be perfect

(Image removed from quote.)

I think I fixed that for you. 

[AimlessWanderer]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Pulling needles through heavy materials when you're forced to make impromptu repairs.
Pulling thorns and nails/screws out of your boot.
Repairing the eyelet that's just pulled through on your boot
Stove jobs (as mentioned in a post above) when stopping for lunch or a brew
Retrieving dropped items that fell into something you don't want to touch

Pliers have been too useful for me in the past to not have them as part of the kit.

[thatotherguy]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Fixing a pack frame, adjusting a hot gas stove if you use a gas stove, adding an esbit tab to an esbit stove while it's still burning, grabbing a hot pot off a stove or fire, bending wire into a pot hanger or pack hook, loosening overtight thumb screws on equipment shared between a group, et cetera.

Humm ok... but that seams more like camping than the casual hiking... 
In that context i can understand 

Believe it or not I've had to do most of that while backpacking. Tiny little backpacking gas canister stoves are harder to adjust safely while hot and with a pot on than larger base camp stoves, for example. Especially if you lose or break the tiny little wire fold out adjustment tab.

[thatotherguy]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Pulling needles through heavy materials when you're forced to make impromptu repairs.
Pulling thorns and nails/screws out of your boot.
Repairing the eyelet that's just pulled through on your boot
Stove jobs (as mentioned in a post above) when stopping for lunch or a brew
Retrieving dropped items that fell into something you don't want to touch

Pliers have been too useful for me in the past to not have them as part of the kit.

*like*

[Don Pablo]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Pulling needles through heavy materials when you're forced to make impromptu repairs.
Pulling thorns and nails/screws out of your boot.
Repairing the eyelet that's just pulled through on your boot
Stove jobs (as mentioned in a post above) when stopping for lunch or a brew
Retrieving dropped items that fell into something you don't want to touch

Pliers have been too useful for me in the past to not have them as part of the kit.

*like*

Raises the question, how big do these pliers have to be for camping?
I can see a PST performing most of these tasks. 

[thatotherguy]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Pulling needles through heavy materials when you're forced to make impromptu repairs.
Pulling thorns and nails/screws out of your boot.
Repairing the eyelet that's just pulled through on your boot
Stove jobs (as mentioned in a post above) when stopping for lunch or a brew
Retrieving dropped items that fell into something you don't want to touch

Pliers have been too useful for me in the past to not have them as part of the kit.

*like*

Raises the question, how big do these pliers have to be for camping?
I can see a PST performing most of these tasks. 

Last backpacking trip I went on i packed a SOG pocket power plier and it performed admirably. So yeah, a PST would be all sufficient.

[AimlessWanderer]

Honestly I dont usually carry a SAK in the backwoods. I have to have pliers so usually I pair a pliers based tool with a small to medium fixed blade.

Wrong answer. I know.

I'm puzzled and curious... For what would one need a pliers for, hiking in the backwoods...?

Pulling needles through heavy materials when you're forced to make impromptu repairs.
Pulling thorns and nails/screws out of your boot.
Repairing the eyelet that's just pulled through on your boot
Stove jobs (as mentioned in a post above) when stopping for lunch or a brew
Retrieving dropped items that fell into something you don't want to touch

Pliers have been too useful for me in the past to not have them as part of the kit.

*like*

Raises the question, how big do these pliers have to be for camping?
I can see a PST performing most of these tasks. 

As I mentioned before, a modified Fuse or Juice KF4 are what I tend to carry, depending on duration and pack weight. I don't think I've ever encountered anything that Juice pliers would be unable to handle.
I do have a myriad of other options, but the Fuse was modified specifically for outdoor use, and outdoors where I don't need screwdrivers the KF4 becomes a nice light back up tool (though the Climber Small would prob handle most eventualities - the pliers tool is just there in case something arises that it can't handle).

[4everYoung]

I'm not usually a fan of the 111mm line. Too big for edc but I think they may fit the bill for a dedicated backpack tool. I'll have to look into them again.

[Aloha]

As far as an answer to the question I think having a SAK with saw and awl makes the most sense to me.  Now as far as tools for hiking general,  that to me opens up what some of the answers have been.

Here are some factors I consider when deciding gear. 
Duration and terrain.
Weather.
Remote or local.

When I drive to my local mountains to hike full day I tend to bring a reasonably complete pack.  When I'm local yet fairly remote I want gear that can get me thru a night of unplanned "camping".  If I'm on regular used trails locally then my Swisschamp and small fixed blade are more than enough. 

We have lots of trail locally and there have been more that enough people that have had overnighters as a result of injury.  In the local mountains we've had people venturing off the trial system getting lost for days. 

I try to consider what I'd like to have on me if I should have an unplanned over nighter or two.   

[4everYoung]

Well I'm surprised. I haven't heard anyone from the ultralight camp yet. Most of them say you only need a spartan (2 layer) or less.

[Don Pablo]

Well I'm surprised. I haven't heard anyone from the ultralight camp yet. Most of them say you only need a spartan (2 layer) or less.

Because this is MT.O and we love big SAKs.
 

[theonew]

In warm weather, a KF4 and a Mora.
In cold weather, a KF4, Mora (or maybe a sturdier fixed blade) and an 8 inch Silky saw.

I've used the diamond file on the KF4 to sharpen the Mora a few times