ten essentials

[FredKJ]

In outdoor lore for camping and hiking the ten essentials are often discussed.  I won't list them the list varies.  But you can google on ten essentials and see some lists.  What is important is how a multitool or SAK can meet these needs.  Some are obvious like a knife blade.  A whistle is also one for signalling help.  A compass is one but it has to be reliable and if the multitool is not part of the tool could be attached to it with a lanyard.  A fire starter is another one.  A multitool with a ferro rod is very handy to have.  Pliers and screwdrivers are not considered essentials but are very useful.  One can see the uses for pliers.  They can be used for fixing jammed zippers, a pot bail, fixing a camp stove with the screwdrivers, dehooking fish and as an extra set of fingers for stove and campfires where you don't want your fingers burned.  A pen like on a SAK is also very good if you were lost and wanted to leave messages for help.  Saw blades while not essentials are good to have for camp craft and cutting small wood for a fire.  There are other essentials like food, water and shelter that a SAK or multitool don't have but can help you get or work with.

[I'm Still Bison]

Don't forget that the keyring or lanyard attachments are a great place to keep a good length of paracord.

[FredKJ]

Don't forget that the keyring or lanyard attachments are a great place to keep a good length of paracord.

Yep, the cord you put on that has a double function and you can attach things to it that are not part of the multitool.  I almost forgot a light.  An LED light is very useful.  It might not be enough light to follow a trail in the dark but travel in the dark is not usually recommended in an emergency situation.  That light is good for digging around in your bag or doing what you need in the dark. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

A light is also good for signaling as well.  Even the duller LED lights like the Gerber Infinity can be seen a long way away in the dark.

A SAK or multitool is perhaps one of the best things you can have with you.  The knife blade (or multiple blades on many tools) and saw are perhaps the most obvious reasons, and will allow you to do most things.  I also think there is a benefit to mechanical type tools like screwdrivers and pliers.  If you have or find any equipment along the way, it will likely need maintenance or repair at some point and that's where that kind of thing can come in handy.  even something as insignificant seeming as repairing a pair of glasses could make a huge difference in a survival situation.  I don't wear prescription glasses, but if I was trying to survive in a bright climate, like a desert or snowy tundra, I'd appreciate having sunglasses.

Def

[FredKJ]

Sun protection is usually considered one of the essentials.  If you are using any kind of camp stove the stuff on a multitool or SAK become essential for keeping it in working order.  For non-essential uses zippers are always a big problem whether on a pack, tent or sleeping bag.  They jam and mess up.  Having pliers handy solves a lot of zipper headaches.  While a multitool does not have food, water or shelter it can help you obtain or prepare these needs.  Whether you are repairing a tent or building an emergency lean-to it will help you.  It is useful for building animal traps or making makeshift fishing gear, rigging something to carry water in when needed.Yes even the smallest LED light can be used to signal. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

1) A decent quality fixed blade.
2) A Sak or MT, that has a awl, can openner and a saw.
3) Shelter, be it a poncho, tarp or tent.
4) More water bottle's than I really need
5) Compass x 2.
6) First aid gear.
7) Some means of purifying water.
A decent Bergan to carry it all in.
9) Fire starter's, at least 3 different type's.
10) Cordage.

Thats would be my top ten, the rest of it I'd make on the way

[nezza33]

MIKE you FORGOT porn!!! 

[FredKJ]

Actually I usually carry a few condoms in my kit when outdoors.  You can do all kinds of things with them from being a water carrier to a torniquet.   They are the next handiest thing to duct tape.  Of course some things you can't do with duct tape. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

MIKE you FORGOT porn!!! 

I've got enough of that rattling around my bonce at all times anyway

Fred, I've always carries jonnies with me in the bush, as there a dead handy bit of kit

[FredKJ]

For those of you who have never carried them for outdoor purposes you want the non-lubricated type.  I wonder if they would qualify as a multitool.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

For those of you who have never carried them for outdoor purposes you want the non-lubricated type.

I tell you what though, there a real bugger too find!

[nezza33]

Try to get the ones that are called Ultrasonic Probe Covers.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Try to get the ones that are called Ultrasonic Probe Covers.

Eh

[nezza33]

I bought a survival tin and thats what they were called.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I bought a survival tin and thats what they were called.

I'll probably get some bloody strange look's going into the chemist and asking for those

[FredKJ]

I have seen them in an outdoor surplus store in camo colored foil wrappers.  I wonder if you would call those "tactical"?  Leads one to wonder how you would use a "tactical" one differently.  Of course the camo lets you sneak up unnoticed.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

They can only be used on female mall ninja's though, so be wary