One multi-tool (Leatherman, SAK, etc.) for survival.

el gigantor

el gigantor

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It's not an ideal situation by any stretch, but let's say you and your family need to leave home and survive on the land for one to two weeks and a hasty escape is required. You manage to grab some clothes, food, water storage containers, and a tarp or some other type of rough shelter. You're able to grab one multi-tool on your way out the door (this is hypothetical, so you don't need to own it currently). You're not able to grab a fixed blade, so this thing will need to be your primary cutting option as well as various secondary tools. Which make and model do you choose?

To me, the Victorinox Huntsman seems like a good choice. Not terribly bulky, but with a great assortment of useful implements.

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The Giant knife from Wenger® is just that -- giant . It's designed with an incredible 87 implements that perform 141 functions, making it the only tool you'll need to get any job done.
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Right now I'd be grabbing my Leatherman Signal. It's got a fire steel, whistle, saw, blade, diamond sharpener, and the usual set of screwdrivers and other tools. On it. Really a very versatile tool in an easy to carry package.
 
I'm sure there's better, but I'll go with what I already own which would probably be my Champion, just for the variety of useful tools on it and my familiarity with it.
I bought it while in Switzerland.

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Probably my swisstool. Lots of impliments, good blade, saw and scissors, plus pliers for repair and improvising building materials. So far its been the most complete tool set I've used. the disadvantage is that its a heavy beast, but it gets the job done.
 
gadgetgeek said:
Probably my swisstool. Lots of impliments, good blade, saw and scissors, plus pliers for repair and improvising building materials. So far its been the most complete tool set I've used. the disadvantage is that its a heavy beast, but it gets the job done.
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The Swisstool would definately be my choice as well.
 
I have done 2 week canoes trips with only my leatherman wave multiple times. I believe these backwoods camping trips are what some would consider "survival" but that's another story ;) I prefer pliers because I always do a little fishing. The swisstool is great as well. I bought one when I lost my wave but just recently found it a couple of weeks ago! I prefer it for sentimental reasons now...my canoe trips are much further and fewer between now.
 
out in the woods . I always carry my sak woodsman , and my leatherman wave,,,don't really need anything else
 
I would carry a Victorinox One Hand Trekker, it has a large OHO blade, all relevant tools for outdoor use(long saw, can/bottle opener, large flathead good for light prying, awl, etc) and not to mention it is relatively light in weight compared to pliers-based MT.

Or a Vic Spirit X, it is almost the perfect MT for 'bushcrafting', good chisel/awl/scrapper/file, good saw, shiny(easy to spot if lost), and great ergonomics for longer use.
 
el gigantor said:
It's not an ideal situation by any stretch, but let's say you and your family need to leave home and survive on the land for one to two weeks and a hasty escape is required. You manage to grab some clothes, food, water storage containers, and a tarp or some other type of rough shelter. You're able to grab one multi-tool on your way out the door (this is hypothetical, so you don't need to own it currently). You're not able to grab a fixed blade, so this thing will need to be your primary cutting option as well as various secondary tools. Which make and model do you choose?

To me, the Victorinox Huntsman seems like a good choice. Not terribly bulky, but with a great assortment of useful implements.

53201.JPG
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Same Knife I carry in both my EDC bag and my BOB.
 
I'd probably go for a victorinox soldier if I basically wanted a knife with a little extra utility...

Or if I knew I was going to be around modern infrastructure and wanted a bit more utility I'd get either a leatherman or victorinox multi-tool with solid pliers and a bit driver with exchangeable screwdriver heads.
 
I know these are always hypotheticals, but the narrow focus and situation does make you think about the utility of the tool and the basic requirements needed. As much as I love SAKs (Rucksack, Outrider, Huntsman and several of the Alox models), I think a quality multitool would be my choice. I live in a semi-rural area, so there is always some junk, trash, fencing, wire, cans, etc. where you least expect it. Having a set of pliers is a big bonus. My choice would be my Victorinox Spirit multitool (if this was my only bladed tool, I would make sure it was the X-model with a non-serrated/pointed blade). Of course it would be in its belt pouch along with a small metal saw, LED light (AAA with extra battery), small DMT sharpener and a Firesteel.







Bill Siegle said:
Right now I'd be grabbing my Leatherman Signal. It's got a fire steel, whistle, saw, blade, diamond sharpener, and the usual set of screwdrivers and other tools. On it. Really a very versatile tool in an easy to carry package.
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Alright Bill, quit holding out on us! Where's the review? This one really has my interest,

ROCK6
 
I have had a few victorinox knives but I have to say for this application if I was only in the woods I would go with the Hunter XT, a very very useful blade in the woods but if there was a chance that I would have to be in an urban environment as well I would hands down go for the Leatherman Charge tti
 
I would take my tried and true Gerber Multi-Tool I've had since 2005 (I picked it up in the PX at Mosul). It's been along on quite a few of my "adventures." Of course, I would probably also have my Case yellow-handled trapper in my pocket...but that's outside the scope of this thread!

Ron
 
I would want one of the Swiss Army Ranger Grip 58, 71, or 74.
They are great!
 
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