Backpacking & Camping Multi-Tools
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On our backpacking trips we always carry a multi-tool... and we always have. Just a small multi-tool with a few basic functions that could be useful, potentially get us out of trouble, and possibly aid us in some way should the need arise. It’s just a handy tool to carry. In our case it was a little, old and traditional Swiss Army Knife (SAK).
Our SAK had seen us through many backpacking trips though was now a little tired and to be honest could be a little under-whelming for some of the tasks we asked and required of it. With views to updating we looked at what was available nowadays in the way of convenient, compact, and relatively lightweight multi-tools – multi-tools that would be eminently suitable for camping and backpacking activities.
As is usual for us here at STATION13, we decided to evaluate numerous multi-tools available on the market with the intention of supplying just a few select models. The result to date, after testing and evaluation, are the models shown below.
Our SAK had seen us through many backpacking trips though was now a little tired and to be honest could be a little under-whelming for some of the tasks we asked and required of it. With views to updating we looked at what was available nowadays in the way of convenient, compact, and relatively lightweight multi-tools – multi-tools that would be eminently suitable for camping and backpacking activities.
As is usual for us here at STATION13, we decided to evaluate numerous multi-tools available on the market with the intention of supplying just a few select models. The result to date, after testing and evaluation, are the models shown below.
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Functions:
You will note that each of our multi-tools features a slightly different set of tools. As with most multi-tools there will be certain tools that you never use as you may simply never require them, but it is always worth having certain tools available, just in case. Priority, however, should always be given to tools that you know you will need, and that will always be useful - other tools can just be a bonus unless they add too much additional weight.
Some tools would be pointless for some people. For example, you will never need a corkscrew if you are wild camping or backpacking as no one in their right mind would be lugging heavy bottles of wine around with them. However, if you are camping at a traditional campsite that has a shop or nearby local shopping then picking up a bottle of wine to sip outside your tent as the sun goes down could well require that corkscrew feature on your multi-tool.
A blade is obviously a very useful universal cutting tool, and great for producing shavings to start a fire, but the addition of a saw tool will better serve you if you are relying on cutting up small branches for firewood. Scissors are always a talking point as some people deem them as an unnecessary feature, while others swear by having scissors as a more precise tool for cutting things like tape, plasters for blisters, bandages, or repair material.
Sometimes it is just reassuring to know that you have the tool even if you never actually find yourself in need of it.
There are some really dodgy, 'Mickey Mouse', multi-tools on the market, with components that are not only of questionable quality but which, as a whole are not particularly well made either, so you do have to be careful and somewhat selective. If you expect to have a multi-tool that will perform well and give you many years of useful service, then it can be prudent to pay an extra few quid to get a half-decent one.
Blade Metal Information:
This is an interesting subject as there are many different steels used in the manufacturing and production of blades for knives, with the more involved processes yielding stronger, better blades but at a potentially greater cost. Over the years the metal alloys and processing have got much better, and good metals have become more popular and indeed more common in use for blades. Like everything though, there are pros and cons. The manufacturing cost, which obviously will influence which metal is used for blades is just one consideration.
Things to consider are: How sharp a blade can be made, how long will the edge last, how strong is the metal, how easy it is to sharpen, and how corrosion resistant is the metal.
Five key properties to consider with steel blades are:
Unless for some reason a blade necessitates one overriding priority, then a sensible compromise of all factors is usually the best option for any given blade. For example, high carbon steels are tough, offer the sharpest edges and are easily sharpened, however they are prone to rust, so are not particularly suited to outdoor pursuits. Very hard high-end steels are prone to chipping and so require care is use, while some of these metals can also be very hard to sharpen. Sometimes these things get over-complicated, with minor advantages exaggerated at the expense of real world performance.
For our outdoor multi-tools, generally some form of stainless steel makes for a good all round blade. Stainless steel is carbon steel with more or less chromium added to the mix. Of course there are various make-ups of stainless steel, again, each with their own pros and cons.
Some high-end stainless steel metals are simply out of the price range for small relatively low cost multi-tools, and may not actually be the best steel for the job. In any case there are some good tried and tested lower cost options. Our outdoor multi-tool blades use 20Cr13 (420 type) and 440 stainless steels, both of which are good, mid-range stainless steels, which are a tough, have good wear and corrosion resistance, not too difficult to sharpen, and hold their edges well.
You will see that each of our multi-tools has different features to suit different scenarios. For example, certain tools would be of less use when backpacking and wild camping away from civilisation, but would be useful on regular campsites. So give some thought as to where and why you will be using the multi-tool, and carefully consider the features that you will, or may, require from your handy little companion.
You will note that each of our multi-tools features a slightly different set of tools. As with most multi-tools there will be certain tools that you never use as you may simply never require them, but it is always worth having certain tools available, just in case. Priority, however, should always be given to tools that you know you will need, and that will always be useful - other tools can just be a bonus unless they add too much additional weight.
Some tools would be pointless for some people. For example, you will never need a corkscrew if you are wild camping or backpacking as no one in their right mind would be lugging heavy bottles of wine around with them. However, if you are camping at a traditional campsite that has a shop or nearby local shopping then picking up a bottle of wine to sip outside your tent as the sun goes down could well require that corkscrew feature on your multi-tool.
A blade is obviously a very useful universal cutting tool, and great for producing shavings to start a fire, but the addition of a saw tool will better serve you if you are relying on cutting up small branches for firewood. Scissors are always a talking point as some people deem them as an unnecessary feature, while others swear by having scissors as a more precise tool for cutting things like tape, plasters for blisters, bandages, or repair material.
Sometimes it is just reassuring to know that you have the tool even if you never actually find yourself in need of it.
There are some really dodgy, 'Mickey Mouse', multi-tools on the market, with components that are not only of questionable quality but which, as a whole are not particularly well made either, so you do have to be careful and somewhat selective. If you expect to have a multi-tool that will perform well and give you many years of useful service, then it can be prudent to pay an extra few quid to get a half-decent one.
Blade Metal Information:
This is an interesting subject as there are many different steels used in the manufacturing and production of blades for knives, with the more involved processes yielding stronger, better blades but at a potentially greater cost. Over the years the metal alloys and processing have got much better, and good metals have become more popular and indeed more common in use for blades. Like everything though, there are pros and cons. The manufacturing cost, which obviously will influence which metal is used for blades is just one consideration.
Things to consider are: How sharp a blade can be made, how long will the edge last, how strong is the metal, how easy it is to sharpen, and how corrosion resistant is the metal.
Five key properties to consider with steel blades are:
- Hardness
- Toughness
- Wear Resistance
- Corrosion Resistance
- Edge Retention
Unless for some reason a blade necessitates one overriding priority, then a sensible compromise of all factors is usually the best option for any given blade. For example, high carbon steels are tough, offer the sharpest edges and are easily sharpened, however they are prone to rust, so are not particularly suited to outdoor pursuits. Very hard high-end steels are prone to chipping and so require care is use, while some of these metals can also be very hard to sharpen. Sometimes these things get over-complicated, with minor advantages exaggerated at the expense of real world performance.
For our outdoor multi-tools, generally some form of stainless steel makes for a good all round blade. Stainless steel is carbon steel with more or less chromium added to the mix. Of course there are various make-ups of stainless steel, again, each with their own pros and cons.
Some high-end stainless steel metals are simply out of the price range for small relatively low cost multi-tools, and may not actually be the best steel for the job. In any case there are some good tried and tested lower cost options. Our outdoor multi-tool blades use 20Cr13 (420 type) and 440 stainless steels, both of which are good, mid-range stainless steels, which are a tough, have good wear and corrosion resistance, not too difficult to sharpen, and hold their edges well.
You will see that each of our multi-tools has different features to suit different scenarios. For example, certain tools would be of less use when backpacking and wild camping away from civilisation, but would be useful on regular campsites. So give some thought as to where and why you will be using the multi-tool, and carefully consider the features that you will, or may, require from your handy little companion.
CLICK HERE to go to our page detailing UK knife/multi-tool law
