Multitool Multi Tool

[hillbillyhunting]

I am considering purchasing a good lightweight multitool with pliers, screwdrivers, good sized blade (at least 3"), and saw.  My thought is that I will bring a multitool instead of my hunting knife. 

Has anyone had experience processing a big game animal in the backcountry with a multitool?

[snowpack]

yes, they work great.  Saw, serrated blade and regular blade are the three I use on the animal.

[Hawgdawg]

I have worn mine and used it for years. On my second one. My favorite is Gerber. I know the original were the leather man but like the Japs did to Detroit, reverse engineering and all of a sudden you have Gerber multi tool. You can open it with one hand verses two. I find that to be quite handy. I broke mine by neglect and sent it back with no receipt and promptly received a replacement
I have posted this before but it basically saved my life on a pack in Elk hunt in Montana.
Have fielded dressed many animals with it when I was without my proper knives but it will work in a pinch. Good luck!

[Wanttohuntmore]

Ha, I saw this and just had to tell my story.  2010 I shot my first archery bull ( story and pics were posted on this site).  Anyways, it was getting close to dark, dug through my pack, looking for my knife, only to realize that I left it in my other pack that I changed out the day before

So luckily I had one multi tool in my pack, a lowes kobalt brand cheap multi tool.  The blade was like a butter knife!  Do to the temp that night, and being in 3 miles, I proceeded to bone the whole elk out with that dull blade.  It worked, wasn't easy, but in less than 3 hours I was on my way out!  The blade loosened up in the tool, but still works.   

If I was to do like you are planning, look hard at the spendy leathermans with the SV30 blades....   They hold an edge and can be sharpened to a nice point.   Another option is a cheap multi-tool and a lightweight havalon, which is what I do now.

[NoImpactNoIdea]

Ha, I saw this and just had to tell my story.  2010 I shot my first archery bull ( story and pics were posted on this site).  Anyways, it was getting close to dark, dug through my pack, looking for my knife, only to realize that I left it in my other pack that I changed out the day before

So luckily I had one multi tool in my pack, a lowes kobalt brand cheap multi tool.  The blade was like a butter knife!  Do to the temp that night, and being in 3 miles, I proceeded to bone the whole elk out with that dull blade.  It worked, wasn't easy, but in less than 3 hours I was on my way out!  The blade loosened up in the tool, but still works.   

If I was to do like you are planning, look hard at the spendy leathermans with the SV30 blades....   They hold an edge and can be sharpened to a nice point.   Another option is a cheap multi-tool and a lightweight havalon, which is what I do now.

I have a Havalon as well and someday perhaps Ill even get to use it!

[hillbillyhunting]

I like the havalon knives, but I also like the idea of having a set of pliers, screw drivers, saw, etc.  In the past when I have packed my multitool and my hunting knife i regret bringing the multitool because it doesnt get much use.  That being said, the multitool I have now has small blades that arent worth much.  I am considering the leatherman linked below that seems like it would be a good tool to have.

http://www.leatherman.com/product/Wave

Looks like the blades on this tool would be sufficient for processing an animal.

[fillthefreezer]

no pliers but ive heard good things about the victorinox hunter xt

[pendoreilleadventures]

I did a quick search and this one looks pretty good

http://www.sogknives.com/hunting/multi-tools/powerassist-satin.html

 

[KFhunter]

they are hard to clean and you get gunk in all the little places

they are also awkward to hold when using for an extended period and gets rough on the hand trying to hold it in a proper position

[headshot5]

They work all right.  It is nice to have a set of plier's etc when in the back country for sure.  That being said they are not ideal for dressing animals.  They work okay, but blood tends to get into the handles between all the tools and it takes a sponge and hot water to get it cleaned up, or high pressure water to get it all out.  For the record i used the old letherman super tool. 

Generally I prefer a good knife and a small handsaw in my pack.  The handsaw does double duty for wood and bone.  I think the extra weight is acceptable, to avoid the heartache of using the multi-tool.

Also the handles on most multi tools get pretty cold in wet or snowy weather.     

[C-Money]

I have used the the saw on my Leatherman wave and the Supertool  to split the pelvis on elk/deer. I have a nice saw for processing animals, but it is usually in the truck a few miles away when I really need it! I pack a good gut/skin knife and a sharpener  with me to bone out/quarter. I like my Wave cause I can access the knife without opening up the tool.

[SGTDuffman]

I love my Wave, but that's not really the kind of task it's suited for. I would still probably use a dedicated fixed blade knife over any kind of folder, including a multitool. That doesn't mean it needs to be something expensive or heavy though. Mora knives, specifically the 510 and 711 (~$12 for either and <4oz) or 2000 (~$30), are all solid performers. Those 3 models have the longest tang of Mora knives I'm aware of. I heard good things about the Havalon knives.

[Hawgdawg]

they are hard to clean and you get gunk in all the little places

they are also awkward to hold when using for an extended period and gets rough on the hand trying to hold it in a proper position

good point. But when I was back 20 miles on horseback at midnight in below freezing conditions going to a so called semi guided all set up Elk hunt in Montana and when I showed up the wall tent was collapsed, no fire wood, creek froze over, dark, and after digging the tent out  and the stove did not fit the stove pipe and had to hand craft an offal pipe to fit a retackle , sew the windows shut and a lot of other life saving  chores, I am sold on the Gerber. Never leave home with out it on my hip. my 2 

[lokidog]

they are hard to clean and you get gunk in all the little places

they are also awkward to hold when using for an extended period and gets rough on the hand trying to hold it in a proper position

good point. But when I was back 20 miles on horseback at midnight in below freezing conditions going to a so called semi guided all set up Elk hunt in Montana and when I showed up the wall tent was collapsed, no fire wood, creek froze over, dark, and after digging the tent out  and the stove did not fit the stove pipe and had to hand craft an offal pipe to fit a retackle , sew the windows shut and a lot of other life saving  chores, I am sold on the Gerber. Never leave home with out it on my hip. my 2 

Every Gerber tool I have owned has been great.  I will be looking up their multi tool.

[T-Dozzer]

I pack the leatherman MUT in my pack
Super heavy, but dang it's cool!

Don't field dress with it. It's a "just in case" thing

[Alchase]

I have a Leatherman Wave on each of my various packs, both my son's packs and one in my boat. I think I have at least six of them.
I keep a SOG Powerlock EOD Multi-tool in my truck.
I have a Micro-Multi tool, attached to each of my tackle boxes fishing vests by lanyard, and in my laptop backpack.
http://www.coastportland.com/micro-fish-tool.htm

I do not carry one on my person anymore, I carry a SOG Flash II knife.
But I always have a Multi-tool within reach, LOL

Funny, I just realized how many I have, granted these have accumulated over the years. 

[Broken Arrow]

I tried to find the link, to no prevail on the web, but i have a dvd of an Idaho fish and game warden who shows how to break down an elk, gutless method, with a  leatherman. All i can say was i was skeptical before i saw this video, after wards....freaking amazed. I used this as my base for learning the method. Its all i do now. I still down use a leatherman, mainly for weight issues back county elk hunting, but my main knife is know a 2 inch blade folding gerber or my havalon.

[Alchase]

I have used my Leatherman to skin a deer, they sure get gunked up with silverskin and can be pretty hard to clean later, but they work.

[acnewman55]

leatherman wave - not the lightest option on the market but you gotta love being able to open and close blades one-handed from the outside of the tool frame. 

regular blade, serrated blade, saw and file on the exterior of the frame - great all around tool.

[300rum]

It is a nice idea to have all that stuff but in the end it is just too much weight for me.  I hate carrying weight I never use. 

[dscubame]

Used a Leatherman on deer a ton now just use a small pocket knife.  Have broke a few of the pliers when using them in cold weather however.  Many like the Gerber I have just always used Leatherman.  Would not catch me without one while fishing.  Bike riding and boating I always seem to feel the need to bring it along.  Love the multitool.

[mossy8352]

I carry a Leatherman Juice in the field, regular blade, serrated blade. saw and tools. It has helped open gates (rope frozen) fixed things and done its job. But I also carry a good quality case pocket knife (two blades) with excellent steel 24 x 7 and it has done all of the cutting I have ever needed. The pocket knife is easy to clean and keeps a razor sharp edge. I consider any good quality multi tool a survival tool designed for emergencies and light daily use. Good luck on your choice.

[frogman]

as the old saying goes.... the best knife/tool is the one you have with you!   

[jackelope]

I carry a Gerber all the time in the woods, but I also have my Havalon with me. For the extra couple-few ounces the Havalon adds, the knife function is about 1000x better. You'll never know the Havalon was there.

 

[dscubame]

I carry a Gerber all the time in the woods, but I also have my Havalon with me. For the extra couple-few ounces the Havalon adds, the knife function is about 1000x better. You'll never know the Havalon was there.

 

I should pick up a Havalon.  Do you have a specific model you like for any reason or another?

[jackelope]

I have the orange handled Piranta but I think the new one out is the Bolt maybe?? Either or. I think I'd buy the Bolt.

[fillthefreezer]

i have the piranta edge, done 5 critters with it, really like it. let my wife borrow it when were working on her bear, she commandeered it so i bought myself a bolt. i did a bear with it the other day and like it even more. little bit larger grip.

[grizzlyadams]

I carry a gerber and an outdoor edge.  I like to keep my multi-tool in perfect shape for an emergency. Save the game processing for the outdoor edge.


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[Easy-E]

Tagging

[hillbillyhunting]

I decided to bring my small multitool and bought a havalon.