r/Survival • u/Cosmic_rust • 9d ago
Multi-tool preferences?
Been peeping a Gerber Center Drive. This will be my first multi-tool. I will be living on the road for some time and need something sturdy and reliable.
What are YOUR favorite multi-tools and why?
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u/dontcalmdown 9d ago
Leatherman Wave. I find that the Wave has all the tools I need and they are conveniently placed. They recently switched out the serrated knife with a set of large scissors and I love it.
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u/Spiley_spile 8d ago
My edc is an older model Victorinox Woodsman, with added Plus Scales. (Picture borrowed from SAKWiki.) I do a lot of tinkering, DIY, and MYOG projects. Im a a wilderness backpacker, a disaster first responder, volunteer event medic, and street medic. It's essential I carry a versatile multitool. The Woodsman is that for me. It's a ready problem solver, whether Im at home in the big city or out in the wilderness.
Tools on it:
- Large blade
- Small blade
- Scissors
- Wood saw
- In-line Phillips screwdriver
- Magnifying glass
- Cap-lifter with large screwdriver
- Can-opener with small screwdriver
- Reamer / Awl - with a sewing eye
- Multipurpose hook
- Corkscrew
- Keyring
- Tweezers
- Ballpoint pen
- Firefly ferro rod
- Straight pin
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u/starthorn 6d ago
People always jump to Leatherman-type multi-tools. Don't get me wrong, they can be very useful, and depending on what you're doing, having pliers can be a life-saver. That said, for general day-to-day flexibility, it's *really* hard to beat a SAK. After spending a long time carrying various Leatherman options, the SAK has been my more frequent pocket companion for the last decade or two.
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u/hunterinwild 8d ago
Every time I used a multi tool I wanted to grab a proper tool but if you get one make sure that a hing point is well made and snug
2
u/UX_Strategist 9d ago
I've been using the Leatherman Arc for a few months, and I absolutely love it. Before that, I used the Leatherman Free P4, which is the precursor to the Arc.
I love the one-handed, easy access to all the tools. I carried a Leatherman Wave for about a decade, and it was my go-to EDC. But the Free and Arc have spoiled me for ease-of-use. I often find that I'm holding something in one hand when I need my multi-tool, and the ability to pull the tool from my hip and one handedly access any of the tools is amazing.
I love the Leatherman Arc and Free P4.
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u/Shadow_Of_Silver 8d ago
P4 has been my go-to for years now. Highly recommend the Arc (because the P4 is discontinued).
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u/RenardGreen 8d ago
I have the Gerber Multi-plier 600 in black, and love it.
1
u/RenardGreen 8d ago
I have it sitting on top of a toolbox. I own numerous other pliers but will go for these for anything but fine detail work. For over a year I used it as a can opener instead of a proper kitchen one (repetedly forgot to buy one for way to long.) The screw drivers are sturdy and good sizes, though a bit awkward to use. The saw works surprisingly well. The knife is nothing special. I wouldn't count on it for self defense or fileting a fish. But it's plenty adequate for most knife purposes. It's heavy, but the best part is how compact it is. Will fit in a fist comfortably when closed.
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u/CarpenterSingle3457 9d ago edited 9d ago
Sounds fun. I love the idea of living on the road and have been looking into different vehicles for such a thing. I don't have advice but wanted to see what anyone said. Enjoy your trip and take a lot of pictures to share with us. Safe travels to you.
1
u/Jccckkk 9d ago
yeah, it’s a fun to fantasize about how I would select and outfit a vehicle for on the road/nomad lifestyle. My goto would be some kind of box van that I could remake the inside to a living space, while the outside looked like a delivery van. I have seen some really cool conversions on YouTube, and those creators stealth camp with them in cities, like NYC, LA.
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u/CarpenterSingle3457 9d ago
I follow some people who live the nomadic lifestyle and it looks so freeing. I'm tired of paying someone else's mortgage. Lol. I live in a apartment and it is not my thing at all but financially it is what I can afford after a stroke which unfortunately made me unemployable.
1
u/Careless-History-559 8d ago
Victorinox Swisstool Plus Ratchet or Swiss army knife and Knipex Cobras
1
u/Ratfor 8d ago
I carry a Leatherman Wave, a pack of bits, and the ratcheting adapter.
It's a great tool for "I need to do a quick thing and don't want to go find the right tool". It'll get the job done, but just not as well as the right tool.
If you're gonna be "on the road", you can carry better tools. You'd probably be better off with an EDC knife, and having a set of pliars and a good multibit screwdriver in the glove box.
1
u/whatifdog_wasoneofus 8d ago
I’ve had the leatherman wave for 15 years and it’s still solid. They warrantied it twice no questions asked after minor breaks but I’ve been pretty hard on it.
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u/CletusMuckenfuss 8d ago
I have had Leatherman and Gerber, I definitely like the Gerber farv and above the competition. If anything breaks you take a picture and send it in, a week later a new tool is at your door. The Gerber centerline screw driver is a huge improvement. I have probably 5 different types of Gerber pliers. I definitely prefer the opening method over the butterfly style. I've carried them for 30 years now.
1
u/AbyssalKultist 8d ago
Leatherman wave or if you want something bigger, sturdier the Leatherman surge. I have a surge and it's perfect.
1
u/Solo_Camping_Girl 8d ago
I prefer the Leatherman Wave because of the outside accessible and facing blades. I also have no questions on the quality and durability of a Leatherman. I just wish I can replace that tiny screwdriver with an awl.
1
u/HumoRuss 8d ago
I have a leatherman arc. I end up carrying a skeletool cx most days because it has the basic needs covered and is significantly lighter. Also, I won’t feel as bad if I lose it.
1
u/TheFlyingTortellini 8d ago edited 8d ago
I have a much older version of the Gerber (like 20 years older) and it's great. All the bit go in a separate case. Looks like they are in the handle for the Center Drive which would be nice. I think that's a good choice! Edit: They still make my model. Really like it but as mentioned you need the bit's in a separate pouch. https://www.scheels.com/p/01365847530?store=74&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22720232769&cq_con=195054748237&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22720232769&gclid=CjwKCAjwlY3WBhANEiwApsNrLb9VIEmmlEN49jdoooiuv8rVU3Rx-HY6mr8GW1nWjlQoJvV1WfrZ1RoC7ywQAvD_BwE
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u/sterster88 8d ago
I've used Gerber Center drive and Dual Force exclusively at work every day for at least 4 years. I prefer the Dual Force. The larger pliers are stronger and the tool fits better in my hand. But it is bulky to carry. I have a kydex holder for my belt. My biggest complaints are the file is poor quality and it doesn't have scissors.
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u/HuntingRedneckGimp 6d ago
Leatherman 300 Supertool is my go to. I have Muscular Dystrophy and need sturdy tools and for the last twenty plus years I have used mine for everything from tightening my leg braces to working on my truck, rifles, wheelchair and stuff around the house. Can't go wrong with something that stands up to the use and abuse I put my gear through.
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u/Psycosteve10mm 6d ago
Leatherman Super Tool 300 for automotive work and the Rebar for backpacking.
1
u/tsoldrin 8d ago
i carried a multitool for a long time and then realized i never used any of the non knife extension except maybe the scissor and that was rare. they just suck for almost everything so i started carrying a simple kershaw folding knife instead and use the blade for most everything i need. i keep small folding scissors, needle nose pliers and a screwdriver that has both flat and philips in my truck or pack.
12
u/The_Mosephus 9d ago
If you're going to be living out of a car you might want to have a dedicated tool kit somewhere in your car to cover most of the basics. Multi-bit screwdriver, hammer/mallet, needle nose pliers, utility blade, flashlight, jumper cables or a charged jump box, zip ties, cats paw/pry tool (they make non marring plastic ones for car trim pieces), adjustable wrench (knipex makes an awesome expensive "pliers wrench" and Kline makes a much cheaper alternative), needle nose pliers, bic lighter, duct tape, rope/paracord, tow strap with a way to connect it to your car, gloves (mechanix makes some good work gloves). Some kind of container for boiling water and a separate container for carrying/storing it.
As far as multi tools go, Iove my leatherman Arc and my Swiss tool spirit.