pliers work just fine for that application

"All I really need in a multi-tool is pliers (with wire cutters), a blade, file, saw, extra small/med/large flat screwdrivers (flat works for philips), a true awl, and scissors. I wouldn't mind a regular 1/4 style bit changer either since a lot of stuff today uses Torx, Allen, Robertson, ect."

My dream version would differ only by keeping the dedicated Philips, ditching all but one flathead screwdriver, and adding some tweezers. A Juice-size version with decent blade steel and I'd be pulling out my wallet right now.

Regards, Vince

A good combat knife, like the military KaBar will do just fine.

I can see it now...Doug Ritter, in collaboration with Leatherman, presents: The ETS Special Edition Multi Tool...available in several sizes of course, to accomodate different preferences.

More royalties for the Foundation <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

lazermonkey,

Guilty! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

When I was in the army in the 1980s we got C-rations. They had food in cans. I had a small Buck 503 folding knife I kept in my pocket. I would start by stabbing the top of the can by the rim. Then I used a push-rock motion to open the can the rest of the way. It left sharp jagged edges. It was hell on the plastic spoons and forks they gave us. Other than that it worked OK. I don't know that it hurt my knife any. Needed sharpening a little sooner.

When my father used to work laying pipe sometimes they would bring canned soup and such to the jobsite. No one ever had a can opener, so often they would use whatever was in reach. Screwdrivers, knives, pick-axe, almost anything that could stab a hole in the top and pry the metal worked fine enough. I do think they lost a couple cans trying to use the bull dozer to open them though. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Or a non for profit foundation dedicated to preparedness, emergency and survival related issues could have there logo on the side as another money raising idea. (right Doug)

Another reason that some of us like the extra supposedly useless implements is that they can often be used in a way that they were not designed and still get the job done.

Obsolete?

Cans are easier to get than the ever touted wet packed or dehydrated food. I can get them any time, any place, and it is more efficent and safer to use a proper can opener than a knife blade.

Bottle caps are still popular around the world, more so than they are in the US. Slowly we are forcing the twist top upon the globe, but they are just as reusable, and better for long term storage, than twist topped plastic bottles. Stocking up on the caps is easy, compact, and the hand crimpers are easy to use. Give me a bottle opener that doesn't really mangle the caps- you can reform them if the aren't too beat. Also, I find the Vic bottle opener a handy mini pry bar in an emergency.

And the corckscrew is limited by your imagination alone.

Then again, the M-1 Garand, the slide rule, and horses are obsolete to most people. Just like real compasses, wool socks, and a cast iron dutch oven. Or the backsword, the sailed boat, and wine in something other than a box.

Obsolete is a state of mind on the part of the user, not on the part of tool.

That being said, a Vic Huntsman partnered with something like the Mini-Leatherman modified to have a 1/4 hex holder and wire stripping notches would be very, very spiffy. Add a mini Ka-Bar and I'm a happy man.

"My question about the tarp shelter builders is, why didn't they use the SAK to whittle tent poles to suspend the tarp from?"

Watching them work, I assumed the SAK had been a recent gift. They were so inept that I was surprised that they managed to get hold of a rope AND a tarp. I won't even go into their methods of trying to start a fire... (but it was funny!).

Sue

Come on, Sue, we need some comedy in our lives. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

*trying to give Sue the puppy face, forgets that he's built like a rhino*