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Gear

Knives

Multi-Tools


Multi-Tools

Multi-tools have been a part of Scouting since the start of Scouting.  The first Official Scout Knife came with several tools, allowing Scouts to do so many tasks with this single tool.  Over the year, multi-tools have become ever more popular and there are many quality options to choose from.



Pocket Knife Multi-Tool Examples

Here are a few popular designs to give you an idea of the different types of multi-tools out there.  These examples are included because they include:



Note: as excellent as multi-tools can be, they tend to be expensive.  Consider the cost of a tool and the likelihood it will be lost of left behind on a campout.


Victorinox Farmer Alox

The Swiss made Victorinox Farmer Alox is set up with the same tools that came with the original Official Scouts Knives plus the addition of a saw.  This is an excellent combination of outdoor tools. 

A very similar tool was used on the United States’ first manned mission to space on May 5, 1961.


  • Spear Point Blade
    • 1000 uses
    • Stainless Steel
  • Saw
    • Notching and cutting for many Pioneering/Woodcraft tasks
  • Awl
    • Punching/sewing leather and thick canvas
    • Drilling holes in wood
  • Can Opener (with mini screwdriver)
    • Opening cans of food
  • Bottle Opener (with screwdriver and wire stripper)
    • Opens the rare glass bottle

victorinox.com
Victorinox Farmer Alox
Image: victorinox.com



Victorinox Ranger

The Ranger has the same toolset as the Victorinox Master Craftsman used by NASA on the Space Shuttle plus the addition of a corkscrew and hook.  With 21 tools, this high density toolset has just about any tool a Scout will ever need and more.


This knife is good for a Scout who loves to tinker and loves gadgets.

victorinox.com
Victorinox Ranger
Image: victorinox.com



Victorinox Forester M Grip

This has is similar to the Swiss Soldier's Knife 08, which is used by the military in many countries, including the US.  The Forester has a smooth blade instead of a serrated blade and a corkscrew instead of a Philips screwdriver.  The smooth blade is easier to sharpen and better for carving and whittling.  The corkscrew is useful for loosening knots, which makes it more useful to a Scout than another screwdriver.


The Forester M Grip is large for a Swiss Army Knife and comes with a locking blade.  The locking blade is beefy for a Swiss Army knife and is safer to use since it won't collapse on your fingers while using the knife.


This a good options if you want a heavier duty knife with the utility of a Swiss Army Knife.


victorinox.com

Variations:
  • 0.8361.MC - Forester M Grip, Red version with Smooth Knife, Corkscrew and rubberized grip
  • Military version with serrated blade and Phillips instead of corkscrew
  • 0.9563.MC - Ranger Grip 79 - 130mm (supersized) version of the Forester
  • 0.8463 - Trekker, Red with more traditional looking Spear Point blade
Victorinox Forester M Grip
Image: victorinox.com

 

 

Carving Multi-Tool

Designed for carving wood.


Flexcut Carvin' Jack

Multi-tool designed specifically for the needs of woodcarving

Blades included:
  • Detail Knife
  • Straight Gouge
  • Chisel
  • V-Scorp
  • Gouge Scorp
  • Hook Knife


flexcut.com

Chinese Copies:
  • Old Timer 24OT Splinter Carvin' 
  • Bushmaster Classic Whittler's Pocket Knife 
Flexcut Carvin' Jack
Image:  flexcut.com



Pliers Type Multi-Tool Examples

Pliers have many uses and come in handy when working with snares, bending metal and loosening bolts.  Because of their utility, pliers are a main feature on many multi-tools.  These tools are listed because they include:


There are several really nice Hi-End or excessive options that were not included.


Note: as excellent as some of these multi-tools are, they tend to be expensive.  Consider the cost of a tool and the likelihood it will be lost of left behind on a campout.


Leatherman Rebar

The Leatherman Rebar has a toolset that covers most outdoors needs.  The pliers have many uses and come in handy when working with snares, bending metal and loosening bolts.


  • Pliers - many uses
  • Non-serrated knife - easy to sharpen and good for carving/whittling
  • Serrated knife - good backup knife, good for fiber rope, difficult to sharpen
  • Saw - many woodcraft tasks
  • File - sharpening
  • Awl
  • Can opener
  • Total of 17 tools

leatherman.com

Leatherman has a long line of multi-tools and several are suitable of outdoors use:

  • The Free P4 is excellent
    • Comes with scissors
    • Blade is much better
    • More comfortable to use
    • Costs more than twice as much as the Rebar
  • The Leatherman Wave is very popular but lacks an awl
Leatherman Rebar
Image: leatherman.com



Leatherman Signal

The Leatherman Signal is marketed as a survival tool.  The has a few extra bells and whistles, well at least a built in whistle.  The only thing not perfect about this tool is the partially serrated knife blade.  This blade is still an excellent tool, but will make wavy cuts when carving and is more difficult to sharpen than a straight edge blade.  Tools include:

  • Pliers - many uses
  • Combo straight-serrated knife - best/worst of both
  • Saw - many woodcraft tasks
  • Awl
  • Can opener
  • Whistle
  • Ferrorod
  • Knife sharpener
  • Total of 19 tools


leatherman.com
Leatherman Signal
Image: leatherman.com



Gerber Truss

Affordable for a pliers type multitool.  Tools include:

  • Pliers - many uses
  • Non-serrated knife - easy to sharpen and good for carving/whittling
  • Serrated knife - good backup knife, good for fiber rope, difficult to sharpen
  • Saw - many woodcraft tasks
  • Awl
  • Can opener
  • Small file
  • Scissors - used for trimming moleskin and ducttape


gerbergear.com
Gerber Truss
Image: gerbergear.com



SOG Poweraccess Deluxe

Great toolset.  Also comes in black if that's important to you.

  • Pliers - many uses
  • Non-serrated knife - easy to sharpen and good for carving/whittling
  • Serrated knife - good backup knife, good for fiber rope, difficult to sharpen
  • Saw - many woodcraft tasks
  • File - sharpening
  • Awl
  • Can opener
  • 21 tools total plus 12 piece hex bit set


sogknives.com
SOG Poweraccess Deluxe
Image: sogknives.com



Heavy Duty Multi-Tool Examples

Heavy duty multi-tools should be considered if you plan to live in the wilderness for an extended period of time or when weight is not a concern - such as when traveling mostly by vehicle.  A heavy duty tool should be able to absorb/endure a good amount of abuse. 


These are much more tool than needed by a Scout, but are worth consideration on expedition missions.


Leatherman Surge

Premium Multi-Tool with Pliers.  The "X" signifies that this model has scissors.
  • Robust Pliers and wire cutters- many uses
  • Non-serrated knife - easy to sharpen and good for carving/whittling
  • Serrated knife - good backup
  • T-Shank Saw - many woodcraft tasks
    • Removable and Replaceable
    • Tools like sawblades can be set up to work with T-Shank
  • T-Shank File - sharpening
    • Wood/Metal File
    • Diamond-coated File
  • Awl w/ Thread Loop
  • Can opener
  • Scissors
    • Large for multi-tool scissors
  • Large bit driver allows for custom tools
  • 21 tools


347gm tool


leatherman.com


The Super Tool 300 is also a robust option from Leatherman but lacks scissors and requires a special tool for disassembly.


Leatherman Surge
Image: leatherman.com



Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X

Premium Multi-Tool with Pliers.  The "X" signifies that this model has scissors.
  • Pliers - many uses
  • Non-serrated knife - easy to sharpen and good for carving/whittling
  • Saw - many woodcraft tasks
  • File - sharpening
  • Awl
  • Can opener
  • Scissors
  • 24 tools


291gm tool


swissarmy.com


Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X
Image: swissarmy.com



Leatherman Surge vs Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X

Compared to the Leatherman Surge, the Spirit X is very similar in utility, but is different.


Bottom Line:



Tools

So which tools does a Scout need?  Well, it depends.  A single knife blade will cover 90% of the tasks a multi-tool may be used for, but the other tools will make other jobs possible or at least much easier.  Here are the most useful tools for Bushcraft:



Customization

Some multi-tools, especially Leathermans, can be customized.  If you want different or specialized tools on your multi-tool, you may be able to switch them out with tools from other multi-tools or make completely customized tools.

Woniya's Modified Leatherman for Alone Season 6


Leatherman Wave


Leatherman Surge


Leatherman Signal


Leatherman P4


Leatherman Supertool 300


Victorinox

 

 

 

 

Special Shout Out to: Troop 60 - Home of High Adventure