Help design a new multitool

[sixgun]

Do any of you know if there is an outdoor multitool with a more useful selection of tools for the backcountry, something without screw drivers cork screws, I'm not saying these things are unessary in the outdoors just not very useful when backpacking most backpacks do not have screws, and most of use do not take wine bottles in the woods. please reframe from telling me how usefull these tools are I already have some and use them all the time, I work for REI and sell multitools and all my customers want to find a more backcountry multitool with less mechanic tools, if any of you know of one or have any ideas for tools to include for the outdoors, I'm going to give one of the manufacturer reps that come in to my store a list of tools to include, thanks guys I know this is the best place to find ideas.

[Spoonrobot]

Welcome to the forum!

Well, what tools are useful to an outdoorsman? I would think that if a multitool was to urban for them then the only thing they would really want to carry would be some sort of folding saw and a fixed blade knife?

Overall I like the outdoors but I'm not at all well-versed in the equipment most people favor for use and carry in the woods. Would something like a Victorinox One-Hand Trekker be fairly close to ideal? About half the tools are "mechanical." I consider the Knife, Awl and Saw to be outdoorsy.

Something with a fold out fire-starter?

[crls1]

Welcome to the forum Sixgun. For me, one of the best tools for outdoors is the Vic Rucksack. The knife, the saw, the awl and the corkcscrew are very usefull (the corckscrew is really good to untie knots). The can opener, besides its obvious function is good to peel the bark from some trees and citrus, and the bottle opener can be use for light prying.

Another good one is the Vic Farmer (MickyD thinks this is the best tool around), has almost the same tools (minus the corckscrew) in a more compact package and alox scales.

Carlos

[Grant Lamontagne]

When it comes to a woods first type tool I also tend to lean towards the OHT.  As an avid kayaker the OHT is always the first knife I grab, as the wood saw and large, one handed opening blade are pretty important.  The screwdrivers (for the most part) are integrated into other, more "woods useful" things like the can and bottle openers.  I wouldn't rule out screwdrivers entirely- even for yuppies out on day hikes a screwdriver can come in handy for equipment fixes and adjustments, particularly on things like camp stoves and binoculars.  And, even though bottles are not advisable for the outdoors, the bottle opener also serves as a small pry bar.

Other Victorinox models like the SwissTool and Spirit are pretty well the same idea- lots of screwdrivers, but integrated into other tools that would be useful when camping or hiking. 

I would also suggest a SwissCard or similar type tool- it's weight and cost are almost nil, but the benefits of having a bunch of smaller tools like toothpicks, scissors, magnifying glass etc are priceless.

Lastly I'd suggest that if someone is looking for a single, do all tool, they are not likely to find it, no matter what.  When going into the woods you should always carry a fixed blade, flashlight and fire starting equipment in addition to a multitool.  Manufacturers have tried to combine these items into single tools in the past, but they've never been overly successful because these things need to be used in conjunction with each other, not one at a time as most multis are designed for.  Plus, if you carry a knife, flashlight, fire starting gear and a multi separately, you are still ok if you lose one item.  If you have one do-all unit and you lose or break it, well you are kinda up a certain creek without the correct paddling equipment.

If your customers are insistent on "the best" woods tool without a lot of mechanical hoo-haw, point them in the direction of Leatherman's pruners- either the Hybrid or the Vista might be worth looking into as they exchange the plier head for a set of shears that are capable of cutting decent sized branches.  While the Vista might be geared more towards the outdoors/hunting crowd, my preference is for the Hybrid simply because it's much harder to lose.

Def

[Smitty44]

Welcome to the forums Sixgun,If they are into bow hunting the TTi Cabelus is a great MT.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8892434763084507727&q=leatherman%20charge%20tti&hl=en

[ultimaonliner]

I actually think the Vic SwissTool Spirit is great for this.

I understand your sentiment about not having a lot of inessential tools to save weight, but the Spirit is pretty light already.

The Skeletool regular and CX are great because theyr'e essential just a one-handed locking blade with pliers.  The removable bit driver is small and doesn't take much space or weight.

I suppose, if you don't think pliers are necessary, then you could get whatever combo you want from a SAK, especially the larger 111 mm one-handed opening blade ones.

[665ae]

http://sogknives.com/store/S31.html

The multi-angle pliers should be pretty useful... plus with the SOG you could change the tools to fit your individual needs.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Welcome to the forum mate

Like crls1 said, you really can't go wrong with the Farmer, but if you don't mind a bit extra weight, an OHT could be ideal

[ringzero]

Do any of you know if there is an outdoor multitool with a more useful selection of tools for the backcountry, something without screw drivers cork screws, I'm not saying these things are unessary in the outdoors just not very useful when backpacking most backpacks do not have screws, and most of use do not take wine bottles in the woods. please reframe from telling me how usefull these tools are I already have some and use them all the time, I work for REI and sell multitools and all my customers want to find a more backcountry multitool with less mechanic tools, if any of you know of one or have any ideas for tools to include for the outdoors, I'm going to give one of the manufacturer reps that come in to my store a list of tools to include, thanks guys I know this is the best place to find ideas.

I agree that most multis are too heavy for backpacking.

The good old LM PST and the SOG PocketPowerPlier are about the lightest multis with full size pliers, both weighing in at around 5 oz.

Some backpackers will carry the smaller LM Juices or the even smaller LM Squirt P4 to save weight.

Personally, I think they are kidding themselves that they are well prepared when carrying those lighter tools.  They are better than nothing, but I've seen the pliers on those smaller tools break while being used to repair stoves and backpack frames.

It would help if you would list exactly what implements you do want:

-pliers (assume you want.)
-no corkscrews
-no screwdrivers
-awl?
-file?
-woodsaw?
-scissors?
-canopener?

You could get a SOG PPP and remove those implements you don't want, then add implements you do want.

That way, you could get exactly what you want with minimum weight.

.
 

[Benner]

I think the first thing we need to know is whether you would call the pliers an essential outdoor tool.  If you do, we are talking plier based MT and like a couple have said maybe an SOG is the way to go as you can customize the tool to your own specifications.

If the pliers aren't essential, then we are talking SAK and again like it has already been mentioned, the OHT seems like a good choice.

[I'm Still Bison]

Welcome to the forums!  I wouldn't totally exclude a file or scissors; a file could be used to re-point fish hooks,and/or arrowheads.Scissors are a very handy thing to have around for first aid purposes,especially around kids that would be nervous when they'd see a knife blade next to their skin cutting bandages.

[Pacu]

Eagle scout here.

For years as a tiger cub, cub scout, webelo, boy scout, explorer scout and my venture posts i carried my Vic tinkerer and Gerber fold out saw. As a pair they were unbeatable for backpacking, camping, and canoe-ing(sp?).


If i had to design one it would look like my supertool, be made out of titanium, have 2 blades-one sheepsfoot serrated and the other regular carbon steel(not stainless). It would have a magnesium firestarter built in, tweezers, scissors, diamond file with fishhook sharpener, rough outer edge for grip and striking waterproof matches, REPLACEABLE saw and be painted glow in the dark blaze orange.

[Medic82]

As an awed outdoorsman  and a boyscout for many years there are always some essential things I bring along. Folding saw, ax, a large and small fixed blade and a MT. I would say that a plier based tool is a must for outdoor use, because the pliers can be used for so many things. Removing fish hooks if you are unlucky to use them on yourself, handling a hot kettle from the campfire and so fort.

[Pacu]

ah..a dutch oven hook built into a multitool would be sweet

[Leatherman123]

For me, I like a Wenger Ranger 172. It has large blades and is very tough and reliable. Oh, and the scissors are AMAZING! Although you lose some implements like bottle and can openers the large saw, scissors, and blade makes up for it..

[FredKJ]

Welcome Sixgun

Well this is something I have been thinking on a lot.  Don't dismiss screwdrivers.  Those camp stoves need to be maintained.  Pliers are also very useful.  One thing I have been trying to think on is a decent multitool with a decent compass.  A removable ferro stick for fire starting is also good to have.  I have yet to come across a bottle of Cabernet in the wilds of the mountains of Colorado so a corkscrew does seem a bit useless.  A saw is useful. 

[NutSAK]

A corkscrew has other uses that can be beneficial.  For instance, as a marlin spike to help untie knots and to clean out orifices in stoves (although the pin in the Vic scales would serve this purpose better).  It's always handy to carry the Vic mini screwdriver also.

I've had one on me in the wilds of Colorado many times and it has come in handy.

[BIG-TARGET]

I think perhaps the LM SUrge.  At least it has all the backwoods impliments you need.

[Poncho65]

Welcome to the forum SixGun I would think if they weren't into a plier based multi then a SAK would be the path to go you can get just about any combo you wnat and if you can't find it then you can goto a place like Sosakonline and get one made to spec.  Whatever the route there are always certain survival situations that one cannot be prepared for best to just cover the bases as well as you can

[Medic82]

Welcome to the forum SixGun I would think if they weren't into a plier based multi then a SAK would be the path to go you can get just about any combo you wnat and if you can't find it then you can goto a place like Sosakonline and get one made to spec.  Whatever the route there are always certain survival situations that one cannot be prepared for best to just cover the bases as well as you can

Hey!!! You calling us bias??

[Rodion]

It seems nobody here ever talks about Tool Logic's knives. I personally have never handled one. Are they that bad? It seems the tool selection would fit your goals pretty well...



Edit: seeing how you're asking for advice, here are the tools in SL Pro (pictured):

Half-serrated, locking blade.

Whistle (with the best of them, according to reviews)

Extractible insert with an LED torch and your choice of:

1. Fire starter.

2. Sharpener.

3. Magnetic base.

4. Handcuff key.

5. Glock tool.


Like I said, I don't know how much actual value it is.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have one and I don't find it all that bad.

Def

[Rodion]

How "not that bad" is it? I'm thinking about getting one, but haven't heard many good things about Tool Logic. They themselves advertise as "unusual gifts". That's not very reassuring, as far as quality and dependability go...

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have the one pictured above, only all in black and with a handcuff key attached to the back of the flashlight.  I believe the list price is around $40, which I consider to be a fair price for it.  The blade isn't a fancy wonder steel, but it is functional.  The handle incorporates a whistle, lanyard hole, frame lock and flashlight holder, and the light itself is bright enough for many tasks.  Add to that the gizmo hidden inside, be it a cuff key, sharpening stone etc.  I also find it quite comfortable, despite the extra size in the handle.  All in all, not the best knife/multi out there, but for the price, very adequate.











Def

[Rodion]

Thanks! I can only dream of getting one for 40$. Hopefully, customs wouldn't mind a "survival tool"...

Another thing to consider about flat screwdrivers, is that (at least on Leathermans) they make very neat chisels.

[WhichDawg]

 

any Swisstool or Spirit only with the ability to switch out tools easier, like SOG.
I'd be in heaven