I think I understand what you're saying.

My guess is Les Stroud probably carries one not only for use with his survival situation, but to fix/adjust camera equipment that goes belly-up in the field. And they usually leave him with something man-made (plane wreckage, broken snowmobile, etc.) that he can improvise items from, courtesy of his Leatherman.

I guess it all depends on the situation. If I'm driving to/from the trailhead or a campground, I want the Leatherman with me. If I'm working or traveling, I want it with me. Fishing... I want it with me. If I was dropped in the middle of nowhere with only the clothes on my back, I'd opt for the fixed blade instead. (Unless I have to pull a "Castaway" and rip out my own tooth.)