prv
Well-known member
Of course - I don't think anyone would expect one of these to replace real tools. But they're very handy when you're out and about and unexpectedly need to cut, turn, bend, loosen, or tighten something.
Pete
Leatherman type multitool recommendations?
- Thread starter colind3782
- Start date
Of course - I don't think anyone would expect one of these to replace real tools. But they're very handy when you're out and about and unexpectedly need to cut, turn, bend, loosen, or tighten something.
Pete
joha
New member
+ 1 10years of daily use and still going strong. Had a leather man before that and broke the nose on the pliers. Fixed by leatherman but handed down to Nephew as I prefer the weight of the victorinox
J
CLB
Well-known member
My Gerber is corroding and hasn't fared very well at all.
Beyondhelp
Member
A vote here for Gerber. I got it at SIBS 2014, and it saved my arse when some ropes got caught around my prop earlier this year. Still looks like new and has been submerged several times. I'm actually quite surprised, I didn't expect it to do so well.
Capt Popeye
Well-known member
Humm, have used some similar tools over the years but now settled on carrying a pair of Garden pruners, anvil type, for rope cutting (great cut quick and clean even on wet rope) plus a pair pliers for most other jobs, of an urgent matter when main tools are not available.
William_H
Well-known member
I agree although I prefer the bypass type secateurs for rope cutting. I have a Leatherman but consider it too valuable to go on the boat. Indeed it doesn't often come out at home. I much prefer proper tools for a particular job. I keep slip jaw pliars on the boat as they are cheap and can get very rusty and still be usable.
Likewise a fishing knife and screw drivers. I find the cheaper the tools the less inclined they are to jump overboard. Deep seas seems like a magnet to valuable items on a boat.
Interesting story on the law in UK and knives. I imagine Oz law is very similar. I think I have "butterfly knife' somewhere. I can't imagine how that could be banned. Seems like any pocket knife to me. I certainly have more leathal looking kitchen and fishing knives. I don't think I have ever bought a knife but seem to have a large collection anyway. Many found on the bottom of the river near mooring and jetty. good luck olewill
Pete R
New member
Your own link makes that that comment quite silly indeed.
It is only illegal to carry a lock knife in public without good reason.
Last edited:
KellysEye
Active member
I had a Leatherman and was very pleased with it. Then one of the tools broke and I returned it and got a new one back free, I believe there is no time limit on it. I still use it 21 years later.
Binman
New member
Still have my sheath knife from scouting days as a lad, no restrictions then, have a collection of lock knives, often brought a new one when on holiday. Think both leatherman and Gerber do a job, but prefer the right tools, my friend uses a leatherman for rigging adjustments I can see the sense in that.
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
I followed a Sailing Today review recommendation and went for a Victorinox Skipper.
The pliers are a bit feeble, though they work OK. Everything else is great and the knife is superb. It's a lock one, so as has been pointed out there could be some issues carrying it in public. Mine lives on the boat, so that's not an issue.
The pliers are a bit feeble, though they work OK. Everything else is great and the knife is superb. It's a lock one, so as has been pointed out there could be some issues carrying it in public. Mine lives on the boat, so that's not an issue.
dom
Well-known member
I have fancied one of those since I was a kid, but somehow never got around to buying one!
But can I ask a question; am I the only heavy handed goon on here that would fear bending that beautiful knife by using the shackle opener in anger, or perhaps turning a screw with even the merest hint of stiffness? And just out of interest; how many people seriously use those old-style Crocodile Dundee tin openers?
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
I managed to bend mine, a bit, by stupidly trying to twist something unreasonably hard with teh plier. I managed to bend it back, though. The screw drivers work fine. I don't think the slot in the pointy thing is a shackle opener, though I don't know what it is. And yes, I have used the tin opener. It works very well.
If I was redesigning the thing I would replace the pliers with a decent shackle key and I'd make the spike spikier. If I was buying again I would probably go for the Helmsman, which is a bit simpler:
prv
Well-known member
It is only illegal to carry a lock knife in public without good reason.
The problem is that when the law was written it probably envisaged quite a broad interpretation of "good reason" - basically as long as it was clear that you weren't carrying the knife as a weapon. But since then it has been interpreted ever more strictly, so that you essentially need to have a specific use in mind at the end of that particular journey. "Just in case it comes in handy", the reason I used to carry a Gerber on my belt at all times, is seemingly no longer good enough
Pete
AntarcticPilot
Well-known member
Whenever I pass a display in the chandlers or wherever, I always think "Those look handy!". But then I think "Hang on a minute, I've got every one of those tools already; why do I need it?" And the answer is, I don't need it - the real tool is better as it is designed for its own job without the compromises that are necessary in a multitool. I actually do have a multitool in the drawer where I keep things like cord and knives - but it rarely if ever comes out.
That said, I was once in a position where a very simple sailing knife (one of the flat stainless ones with a blade, a spike, a shackle key and a broad screwdriver blade) saved our bacon on an Arctic field trip! We had taken equipment knocked down for transport, and when we arrived we needed to reassemble it. Opened the boxes and everything was there - except the tool kit! Fortunately I had my knife, and we had a couple of other "scratch" tools, and mainly using the knife as a screwdriver we were able to assemble the kit.
In general, I'm afraid I think that multitools are "Boys' toys"!
That said, I was once in a position where a very simple sailing knife (one of the flat stainless ones with a blade, a spike, a shackle key and a broad screwdriver blade) saved our bacon on an Arctic field trip! We had taken equipment knocked down for transport, and when we arrived we needed to reassemble it. Opened the boxes and everything was there - except the tool kit! Fortunately I had my knife, and we had a couple of other "scratch" tools, and mainly using the knife as a screwdriver we were able to assemble the kit.
In general, I'm afraid I think that multitools are "Boys' toys"!
prv
Well-known member
So do you carry that toolbox around with you everywhere?
Multitools aren't intended to be used where you expect to need tools (except possibly for extremely weight- or space-sensitive activities), they're for when you didn't expect to need a tool but the need has nevertheless arisen.
Pete
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
I agree. I use the knife or my, erm, knife, far more than everything else combined. The pliers probably come second and the screwdrivers after that. If I want real tools I have a box full of 'em under a bunk, but it is handy to have everything I need for some small jobs immediately to hand.
Agreed.
lw395
Well-known member
I agree.
But the leatherboy and gerbil brands are for poseurs.
I have a couple of cheap ones, one lives on my racing dinghy, it has knife, screwdriver and pliers.
It's been useful, it's been borrowed a fair bit, if someone loses or breaks it, it's only the price of a couple of beers.
AntarcticPilot
Well-known member
I carry them all on the boat, with a "quick access" toolkit containing everything a multitool will do (and a lot more). There's a larger toolkit a bit more difficult to access for when I'm working on the engine or suchlike. I do carry a knife with shackle key and spike, which suffices for most things that need casual attention.
prv
Well-known member
I asked if you carry them everywhere, not on the boat
There's not much point to a multitool on a yacht, because you're never more than a boat's-length away from a proper toolbox.
Pete
Last edited:
AntarcticPilot
Well-known member
I asked if you carry them everywhere, not on the boat
There's not much point to a multitool on a yacht, because you're never more than a boat's-length away from a proper toolbox.
Pete
There isn't anywhere else I'd be likely to need it. I have tools at home for household jobs. The only time carrying one would have been useful (the Arctic example!) was a bit out of the ordinary!