Three are a lot of different “survival” tools on the market, and over the years, I’ve covered a lot of them. I’ve certainly covered a lot of firearms as well as knives suitable for various survival purposes. I know that many of our readers would love to see even more firearms covered. Unfortunately, if I don’t have a firearm actually in my hands to test, I won’t write about it. (Unlike some gun writers who sometimes work from press releases.)
Over the past 30+ years, I’ve tested quite a few multi-tools for articles, some very well-made and others that weren’t up to par – at least not up to my expectations – and I didn’t write articles on those. I still own more than a dozen different multi-tools these days, some are in my BOB or military gear, some in desk drawers and some – well, I don’t even know where they are. This article isn’t about any particular multi-tools – far from it. I just want to let our readers know what to look for in a good multi-tool. When I put on my cargo pants in the morning, there is always a multi-tool on the belt, along with a spare magazine for whatever handgun I’m carrying. I’d feel naked without a multi-tool on my belt – it gets used all the time for various chores. When I was riding motorcycles, I always had the factory-supplied tool kit – which was about useless, but I always hand a multi-tool in the tool compartment of my bike.
A lot of our readers enjoy reading about “tools” for wilderness survival, but there are also a good many readers who are interested in surviving in a city as well. I have certain criteria in what I want in a multi-tool. It must have several important tools on it – tools that I know I can use all the time. I can carry just about any multi-tool I want, but I’ve settled down on just one and that is a Leatherman Blast. I don’t believe this particular model is still being made. However, they have a lot of tools to pick from. The Blast isn’t one of the biggest tools, it is about medium size and it gets all the chores done that I expect of it. Larger tools are simply too big for my needs.
To be sure, the original “multi-tool” is the Swiss Army Knife – and there are actually two companies that produce the Swiss Army Knife – that the Swiss Army issues. One made by Victorinox is called the Swiss Army Knife, and the other official Swiss Army Knife, is produced by Wegner. I’ve owned and tested various models from both makers and they are both very well made and equally well suited to certain tasks. Just don’t ask them to do many of the chores a multi-tool can do. If you do, then you’ll break your Swiss army knife. They simply aren’t up to some really tough use. I’ve had a number of these knives literally fall apart in my hand. You can’t use the screwdriver bits for any tough jobs – the handles on the knives will come apart in short order. Some of these knives have a good wood saw – and they work great.
As an aside, I’ve yet to run across a Swiss Army Knife that came with a sharp blade. Why? I’ve yet to get an answer to that question. The Swiss Army Knife maker (not Wegner) had a nice set-up some years ago, and that knife had all the tools you’d expect to use. It came packaged in a nice leather belt sheath, that also included a fire starter, and some other tools that you’d love to have – including a small compass, that worked. I sported that knife for quite a few years, until a fellow I knew at the time, who worked at a gun shop begged me to let him have it, and I did.
For wilderness survival, I certainly wouldn’t pick a Swiss Army Knife – it is sure to fail you, when you need it most. Modern multi-tools are more sturdy and up to the task. My Leatherman Blast has a great wood saw, that is capable of sawing through a 2X4 piece of wood. I once lost a bet to long-time friend, Chuck Karwan (now gone to be with the Lord) that my big hollow handle survival knife, with a very aggressive saw blade…Chuck said his multi-tool with a saw as one of the tools, could saw through a 2×4 faster than my big survival knife with a saw on the top of the blade. The race wasn’t even close – in no time at all, Chuck had cut completely through that piece of wood, while I was only halfway through mine. So, don’t discount the short blade on the multi-toot. It will surely saw through a lot of tree branches – even big ones – faster than you can chop through them – great for making kindling, too. The Blast has needle-nose pliers and I prefer them over other pliers. Plus, the pliers also have a wire cutter on them, and teeth for gripping nuts and bolts you might want to loosen up or tighten.
There is also a plain edge knife blade, as well as a really good file – you’d be surprised how often a file is needed for something. We also have several flathead screwdrivers, as well as one Phillips head screwdriver. I’ve used the flat-head screwdrivers hundreds of times, and mostly when a screw came loose on a firearm – like the grips or sights.
One tool that doesn’t get used much these days is the can opener. In the past, I used it a lot to open canned food while out camping or hiking. I was issued a “P-38” in 1969 when I was in Basic Combat Training in the US Army, and I still have it – used to keep it on my key ring. But these days, I no longer carry it. This particular Leatherman also has a very small pair of folding scissors – and they work a lot better than you can believe – great for cutting or trimming hair or fishing line in a survival situation.
The other tool in some of the photos is from Gerber, and this one was a gift, but I don’t carry it. This tool resides on the end table next to my end of the sofa, in the living room. This tool doesn’t “fold” like many multi-tools do. Instead, the fliers slip out of the front of the tool when you press the two buttons on the side of the tool. With a little bit of practice you can actually flick”the pliers out. This tool has flat nose pliers and while those work okay, if you are working on a stubborn nut, and it slips off, the tool will close on the meat of your hand and it is painful, to say the least. A good idea, but poorly executed if you ask me.
We also have two knife blades, one is plain, and the other is a serrated blade – both have their uses, but I prefer the plain blade. We also have various screwdriver tips – several flat head as well as a Phillips head. Plus we have a can opener, and this one also was used a lot. They work better than the old military P-38 can opener does – and easier to use. Today’s military usually has MREs to open in the field and that only consists of ripping open the packages – no cans to open. Oh, the pliers also had a toothed area for gripping things – but like I pointed out, if the tool slips off, the meat of your hand will be severely punished.
My Leatherman has rubber covering the sides of the tool, so it is easier on your hand when using it. My Gerber doesn’t have this on it. Both of these two multi-tools also lock all the tools in place when you are using them – no fear of the tool closing on your hands – many of the inferior brand tools don’t have this feature, and if you ever had one of the tools you were using close on your hand – you know what I’m talking about. Both tools are also made out of stainless steel. That is a must, in my opinion. Plus, both tools have a “ruler” on the handles – for measuring something small – not too long in length. Another good idea!
Some of the newer tools are capable of replacing parts – a really great idea. Most of these tools either come in a leather belt pouch or a ballistic Nylon pouch for belt carry. My wife has several small multi-tools in her purse that she uses quite regularly.
This is a small sampling of what to look for in a multi-tool. Only you can decide on what tools you want in your tool, and what size you want. For me, the Leatherman Blast has all the tools I need and I’ve used them all over the years – many times. Give some serious thought to adding a multi-tool to your survival gear – it will come in handy. I wouldn’t be without one!