Best Multi-Tool/Knife for Long-Term Europe Backpacking

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CaliburrJones

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Dec 6, 2012
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Next year I am going to be doing some long term backpacking in Europe (at least 6 months). Based on your experience, what knife and Multi-tool would be best functionality wise as well as durability?

Thanks!
 
CaliburrJones said:
Next year I am going to be doing some long term backpacking in Europe (at least 6 months). Based on your experience, what knife and Multi-tool would be best functionality wise as well as durability?

Thanks!
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Look at an SOG Powerlock.... I've owned several leather mans, and one gerber. The powerlock is the sturdiest one IMO. I've had mine 5 years and its been- in a lake with me, fallen off a ladder on several occasions, been thrown in my tackle box and stores there for a while, and several other things. Great knife!
 
It depends on what sort of trip it will be. Will you be wild camping or travelling from one capital to the other?

The different countries all have different laws, but slipjoints and SAKs are legal all over Europe. That being said, the risk of you being stopped and searched is practically zero if you stay out of trouble and give drugs a wide berth.

A slipjoint such as the Spyderco UKPK combined with a SAK will go a long way in an urban environment. As a matter of fact, a SAK will probably be all you need. If you want pliers, then the Leatherman Knifeless Fuse is a good one coupled with a knife too.
 
And for the record this past weekend I sent the sog saw blade through my cuticle and down below haha. That's after 5 years of hard use and no
Sharpening.
 
CaliburrJones said:
Next year I am going to be doing some long term backpacking in Europe (at least 6 months). Based on your experience, what knife and Multi-tool would be best functionality wise as well as durability?
Click to expand...

Main questions: Do you drink wine? If no, do you enjoy the company of women who drink wine? :cool:

If you answered yes to either of the above questions, I'd HIGHLY recommend either a Victorinox SAK with a corkscrew, or maybe a multi such as the Leatherman Juice XE6.

In 1993 I left Florida and moved to Europe for "one year." It ended up being a bit longer than that. ;-) With that experience, I would recommend a small Victorinox keychain-type knife (a Classic, or my fav: the Rambler) to have in your pocket at all times, and then the larger SAK or multi-tool to carry around in your knapsack for food prep, beverage opening, and other general fix-it tasks.

My main advice with tool selection (as well as everything), pack way light. 99 percent of long-term visitors bring too much stuff.

Have a great time on your trip. EVERYONE should get out and explore the world from time to time!
 
About ten years ago I did a trip from Dover to Cornwall and up to Manchester I took an original supertool and an original wave they tackled everything I threw at them.
 
I envy you! I did that for 4 months back in 1978. It was a graduation gift from a well to do uncle and my cousin and we hoofed/Eurailed it through

Italy,Germany,France,Amsterdam(bit blurry on that) and very cool little island in Greece named Corfu.Even met the Pope!Nice fella.



It was a SAK outdoorsman all the way and it proved indispensable.I also picked up a boatload of automatics along the way in Italy and Germany.Still have the

SAK and most of the others. I would buy myself a SAK once there to avoid the absurd hassles of flying with such a dangerous weapon and having to stow it in

checked baggage.As Prop stated, SAKs are legal throughout Europe and should cause no problems.

Have a great adventure and post along some pics when you go.
 
nozyk said:
It was a SAK outdoorsman all the way and it proved indispensable. ... I would buy myself a SAK once there ...
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Good call on the SAK, though I think the Outdoorsman is out of production. I'd say you can't go wrong with a Climber model. :thumbup: If you're on a budget, I'd buy one at home rather than pay Euro prices for it. Depending on where you're shopping in Europe, you might do okay, or you might get completely hosed. In fact, if you don't mind second hand, you can get 'em all day long on that big auction site for less than $15.
 
Thanks for the update Mnblade.I did not know they were no longer made. I have a Climber and it's a great choice. I also did not factor in Euro pricing,my thoughts were more about getting on a plane with one stowed in cargo. They steal anything these days.
 
Vic Outdoorsman models can be found with relative ease on the big auction site......buy it nows or auctions.

It is one of my favorite models.
 
Lots of place in Europe its illegal to carry an MT with a locking blade as most have. A SAK is seen as a safe tool, I would stick with whatever SAK suits you best.
 
Juice CS4
Good selection of non locking tools (saw, scissors, corkscrew, etc).

SAK Climber, great 3 layer.
 
I have a Victorinox SAK w/ corkscrew that has come in handy several times! My fav, most valuable & best made multi tool has been my Victorinox Spirit though. The tools are absolutely precision made, the pliers are stout, the handles are comfy & I really like that the tools are all accessible without opening the handles. I would have never bought one except I lost my Leatherman WAVE a few years back & the only thing I could find in the nearest town was the Vic Spirit.
 
Over here I use folding knives with nail nicks for blade opening because the frown on any one-handed opening knives. I had to leave my beloved Leatherman Wave at home and go with the Gerber 600 I already owned. As mentioned, SAK's are universal here and locking blade folders requiring two hands for opening here in Germany. Do note that all countries have different laws pertaining to knives.
 
I toted a SAK Tinker around with me last time I was in Europe/Asia. Works fine, legal everywhere I went. Plus everybody has one so it's not unusual to see.
 
A Vic Handyman (slipjoint) has about everything you will need without anything superfluous. Its basically a swisschamp without the fish scaler/hook degorger.
Just avoid SAKs/multis with locking blades as lock blades are forbidden to carry in some places.
 
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