Eric,

I apologize. Sometimes we get folks who enter the forum just to create controversy with seemingly divisive questions. I made an assumption, and it clearly made me an a**.

Welcome to the forum!

- Brian

Where do you carry the quality fullsized pliers? Do they show?



Say there's terrain in the world somewhat different than Canada in winter. I know, such an idea is ridiculous, but just sayin'...

LOL!

-Blast, watching the thermometer climb above 90F

I've read Cody Lundin's book "The art of keeping your ass alive" and it seems he too finds a multitool rather silly. Cody is a survival instructor in the Arizona desert. He does carry one just for the wire cutter since Arizona is full of rusty barbed-wire fencing.

I find myself grabbing my multitool at least once a day, probably more. And, yes I a carry a dedicated folder also, for the normal cutting jobs.

Seems enough reason for me to carry it.

I have:
A Swiss Tool. Rescue Version. Big, solid, beautiful construction.

A Leatherman Wave. 154cm steel blades. Takes and keeps a reasonable edge.

A Leatherman Juice XE6. Small, none locking blades. Think Swiss Champ with pliers attached.

They are have their good points and their weaknesses. I prefer to carry the Swiss Tool on my pack. The Leatherman on my belt and the Juice in any situation in which having a locking blade on me is a very, very bad idea. As in get you arrested.


Interestingly, Victorinox classify their locking blade knives like the Rucksack as tools rather than knives. The blades and saw's on them are excellent.
If I was back wooding in Canada a Granfors Bruks Laplander saw would be in my pocket. With a decent fixed blade knife suitable for very cold conditions. Suitable means Fallkniven F1, A1 etc or one of the Scandinavian Puukko's.
Plus a serious firelighting kit.

I guess he carries one because he too was seduced by the false safety that a silly multitool provides. He gave it a try and found himself only using it about three times in nine years. He probably just forgot about it and never bothered upgrading it with a dedicated wire cutter. Note that he carries it on his fanny pack along with his extra flashlight so it's not permanently on his body as an essential piece of gear.

As for small multi-tools not having decent pliers, check out the new Leatherman Squirt E4. One of the smallest in the Leatherman line and the pliers while small are of a design that works in a small size -- electrical pliers: wire strippers, cutters and a needlenose tip. That will work in a small format and the Squirt is small enough to go in my Mission Wallet.

Lundin also calls a Mora S-1 a "full tang" knife, which it is not. What does that mean? He has his opinions, as we all do, but they are only opinions...

A multi-tool is just the next incarnation of the venerable Swiss army knife. It's not perfect, but it can be used to improvise in many situations when it's simply not possible to carry a tool box on your person (especially one that so easily slips in a pocket). Instead of having to carry a separate locking blade, screwdrivers, file, saw, can opener, bottle opener, wire cutters, pliers, ect; you have everything in one easy to carry package.

For me, I normally carry a Benchmade 707, but that often gets switched out with a Leatherman Charge when I feel like I'll need it. I also have a Leatherman in my truck and in my backpack. They've come in so handy over the years it's an indispensable part of my gear. Snowmobiling, camping, boating, hiking, working, school.....every environment I've been in it has proved useful at one point or another. Same with my little surefire flashlight. That's why I always keep both nearby.