View Full Version : recommend a multi tool for all round bushcraft
woodwalker1987
18-05-2010, 16:56
Hi guys
i want a multitool for all round bushcraft, at a good price, i saw that the leatherman juice kf4 may of been discontinued and its a shame as it looks like a goodun?!
any thoughts and reccomendations will be welcome!
p.s. will now reply tommorow as am using the works pc!
cheers!
Joe
Chris the Cat
18-05-2010, 17:16
I have a Swiss Tool which is great but not the lightest!!
Chris.
What kind of tasks will you be using it for ?
Personally I don't see the point of carrying one unless you've got mechanical things to fix. But I know a lot of folk use them for pot grabbers and running repairs to kit etc, try and work out what you'll use it for and match the spec accordingly.
I've got a couple of old Leathermans which are probably twelve years old nearly, so quality and longevity wise they've done me proud. I use them most days at work but I've never carried one for bushcraft.
leatherman wave had one for years
Multi tool for all round bushcraft use
Frost Mora ;)
Chris the Cat
18-05-2010, 17:36
Rich , I never take one on a one or two nighter, but always do if I am on any kind of longer
exped. Not bushcraft tasks per se, but great if important things break which I need to mend, and they can't be
replaced 'in country' as it were.
Chris.
helixpteron
18-05-2010, 18:16
My first choice would be the Victorinox Swiss Champ, which has the widest range of utility tools offering the greatest capability outside of your workshop tool cabinet.
I've 34 years experience with Swiss Champ's and there's not much that can't be achieved with it, some imagination and application!
The Swiss Champ is the original multi tool, and for bushcraft usage, it offers a great deal in a relatively light size/weight/bulk package.
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/outdoor_health/uploaded_images/swiss-champ-army-knife-738619.jpg
MikaelMazz
18-05-2010, 18:34
I would agree that the Leatherman wave is a good multitool. I have hade mine for 4 or more years. It holds an edge very well. The blades are accecable from the out side so you dont have to open it to get to the knife. I also go a great leather sheath with mine. Take a look at leathermans website. They show all their tools.
http://www.leatherman.com/
I have a Swiss Tool which is great but not the lightest!!
Have to agree with Chris the Cat. The Swiss Tool is superb. Second perhaps the Leatherman Wave. There are some comparisons on YouTube. I remember watching one where the reviewer explained how the ruler had two scales: "metric" and "standard". It was that minor details that tipped the scale in favour of the European "non standard" option.
There are not much "bush" about multi tools. They are more about citycraft.
bushwacker bob
18-05-2010, 21:35
Leatherman Squirt P4.
http://www.leathermans.co.uk/Leatherman-P4.html?gclid=CIDH4pDE3KECFVBc 4wodUEoiJg
lightweight and has pliers and awl.
Siberianfury
18-05-2010, 21:51
apart from my juice KF4 i also like my Charge TTI, but i reckon any leatherman will be more than up to the job.
Leatherman core, I got it as a replacement under guarantee for my old leatherman of 10yrs+ and its fine for tasks
Ive got a leatherman juice6 and a charge AL and dont really like either of them. I prefer the look of the swiss tool on the basis that all the tools are accessable without opening the pliers whereas on the leatherman this is reduced. Must say, i like the little squirts and also the sak swiss champ a lot.
Maybe the juice will end up in the classifieds to help fund a swiss tool?
Atb, Jon
Minotaur
19-05-2010, 01:51
Got a Leatherman XTI it rocks.
Used to know a Scout Leader who carried pliers, instead of a knife. He argued that they were just more useful. Never saw him hit a job he could not do with them. Even saw him use them as a spoon.
Would go handle them first, was going to buy a Gerber originally but did not like the feel of it.
I think they are not Bushcraft items, in the truest sense. Think more general camping and survival.
woodwalker1987
19-05-2010, 09:03
maybe as a general bushcraft tool was a bad description?! never the less most of you guys obviously have one or two and so find the useful in your bushcraft themed lives! as a generally very outdoorsy person i am often carrying various specialist bits of kit (fshing, shooting, camping, landrovering, and maintenence on the farm!) i fancied a multitool since i used to have a cheap plier set up made by 'coast' it was good as it enabled me to repair kit and bits and bobs to a level that would suffice till i got to the workshop! i would find a file, pliers, knife, saw and awl useful not to mention the various screw drivers! the other advantage of the now busted coast tool was that it was 'legal carry' and was very helpful when doing less rural work.
have looked at the wave and quite like it! my mother in law has one of all people and if she gets on with it then anyone can! i am a lightweight fan would like not having to carry a brick in my pocket!
just to clear up i do my bushcrafty stuff around the homestead and the surrounding woods and so if i see a fence down etc i like to sort it there and then!lol
MikaelMazz
19-05-2010, 15:15
I use my wave alot when I go fishing. The pliers are good for pulling hooks from fishes mouths, especially ones with teeth and turtles. The sissor on the wave are also very good. I cut fishing line with mine alot. I do build and maintain fences with mine. I have cut some pretty thick wire with it. I have also used the flat screw driver many times to adjust my rifle scope for zeroing my rifle. And the wave is pretty light for how well built and capable it is.
That covers most of the activities you mentioned.
Forest fella
19-05-2010, 15:34
I've used a Swiss Champ and a Supertool for years and they have always done what I asked of them and more.
Wilderbeast
19-05-2010, 15:44
Leatherman core is going to be face lifted soon I think as they seem to be going for a pretty cheap price! I'm actually in love with mine!
I don't bother with one unless there are mechanical things involved. If I'm on the mountain-bike then I have a bike-specific tool + a leatherman freestyle or skeletool for the oho blade and pliers. Around the house, this is always in my pocket for maintenance things such as those you mention. It is the most pocketable of all of the plier-based multitool options.
The skeletool is the same as the freestyle with an additional changeable screwdriver and pointless carabiner/ bottle opener though it's still light. You don't get the saw. If I can work out a way of making an awl attachment for the leatherman bit-driver I'll let you know. It's low on a long list of projects!
woodwalker1987
20-05-2010, 09:25
cheers guys keep the info coming as i dont get paid till next friday so have around a week to even consider buying one!
Wilderbeast
20-05-2010, 13:08
I will say that if your're thinking of buying one use this company : http://www.shop4leatherman.co.uk/ They are very good and their customer service is superb! No connection etc.
Before you think about getting one think about what you'd be using it for. For instance for mine I have used it for squaring off the back of my knife to use as a firesteel striker, I used the file. I use it for moving pots and pans and other camp chores so I use the pliers etc etc.
The tool I have is a core http://www.shop4leatherman.co.uk/leatherman_core.html . Before I was bought this I was thinking of getting one of the more expensive ones but I'm glad I didn't because you find you don't use half the stuff on there, and the Core is so flaming bomb proof I wouldn't swap it for anything! So my advice is to get the one you will get the most use out of, and don't pay an extra 60 quid for one because it has a few more tools that you may never use, depends what you need it for :D
I like SAKs and have two champs, but have to say that the pliers on the Champ are pants compared to those on a Wave or Charge. I'd much rather have a champ minus the pliers which take up too much width and weight for the limited utility.
I loved the original wave and after mine was lifted by a Brittany baggage handler, I looked for another. Could only find the new one with the replaceable bits so ended up with a Charge Ti as it gave me more for my money. Lovely tool.
I'm watching this one with interest because, bushcrafty or not, I am in the market for a multitool. It would appear that Leatherman gets the thumbs up from nearly every one over the Victorinox version. I think I might go for one of the more modestly equipped ones because the pliers are the main point of interest for me - but which one: Fuse? Any of the other, more lowly models? Is Leatherman the maker of choice or should I look at other offerings from other manufacturers?
Any help gratefully received!
I'm watching this one with interest because, bushcrafty or not, I am in the market for a multitool. It would appear that Leatherman gets the thumbs up from nearly every one over the Victorinox version. I think I might go for one of the more modestly equipped ones because the pliers are the main point of interest for me - but which one: Fuse? Any of the other, more lowly models? Is Leatherman the maker of choice or should I look at other offerings from other manufacturers?
Any help gratefully received!
I use an original Leatherman PST but to be honest only use the blade (very sharp) and pliers bits, the rest are redundant. Gerber make some good mulitools and are worth looking at.
Leatherman surge - End of.
Silverhill
23-05-2010, 15:18
Always done well with a Leatherman Blast which I was given by a boss at Christmas a few years back. Good times!!
hurplegrappers
27-05-2010, 10:54
Got my Charge TTi from Amazon for £99 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leatherman-830684-Charge-Leather-Sheath/dp/B000LGBPZC
). Just checked the order details in my emails and this is what it was:
"1 of Leatherman 830684 Charge TTi with Leather Sheath and Gift Tin,
£99.99*
*above item(s) sold by and shipped from Deals Galore LTD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Subtotal: £99.99
Shipping & Handling: £6.15
Total: £106.14"
I pondered choosing a multi tool for a few months, read loads of reviews etc etc... I'm more than happy with my choice. The build quality of this Leatherman is superb. This thing will last a lifetime. Highly recommended and btw the gift tin is ace too, I use it to store bits & bobs.