How to choose the right outdoor Multi-Tools for you

Victorinox "Evolution S557"

A multi-tool that is useful for outdoor activities and small daily tasks.

Survival multi-tools have different shapes depending on the application, such as for outdoor activities, travel, and maintenance of bicycles and motorcycles. Therefore, it is important to choose the one that suits your needs.

In this article, we will introduce how to select multi-tools and recommended products. We will also explain the features of each, such as outdoor activities, travel, and maintenance of bicycles and motorcycles. In addition, there is a link to the latest popularity ranking of the mail order site, so you can check the best-selling items and word-of-mouth. Please refer to it.

What is a multi-tool?

VICTORINOX Knife Classic SD [Domestic Genuine] 0.6223 Red

A multi-tool is a tool that allows you to perform various tasks with one tool. By converting the tip, it can be used in various ways.

It can be used for a wide range of purposes, so it is a must-have item in the outdoor scene. In addition, recently, there are even lightweight, compact, and easy-to-carry sizes, so we are fully satisfied with their functionality. Please refer to the article and find the one that suits you.

Types and types of multi-tools

Here are some other points to know when choosing a multi-tool.

For mountaineering and outdoor activities

Climber

For mountaineering and outdoor activities where you don't know what will happen, the point is to choose one that has a versatile knife and scissors function. Various situations can be applied, such as cutting fish and fruits for cooking and cutting cloth in an emergency such as an injury.

In addition, if you have a can and an LED light, you can handle it in case of an emergency. It's not required, but if you don't care about weight or size, choose one that comes with them.

For travel and home

Women and men in front of their home

One of the things I'm worried about in my daily life is the growth of my nails. I think many people are fidgety and uncomfortable once they are worried.

If it comes with nail clippers or nail clippers, you can clean it on the spot. If it comes as one of the multi-tools, you can handle it quickly even if you are worried about your nails while traveling. This is useful to prevent you from being anxious about your nails and not being able to concentrate on your work or enjoying your trip.

For bicycle/motorcycle travel

bike

Trouble accompanies when traveling by bicycle or motorcycle. Even in perfect condition at the time of departure, it is common for screws to loosen due to vibration or impact while driving. An outdoor multi-tool with a screwdriver is convenient in such a case.

For example, on a bicycle, the size of the driver varies depending on the parts such as handles, brakes, and mounts. You can carry a screwdriver set with you, but many of them are not used, which increases the amount of luggage. Therefore, if you have a multi-tool with the minimum necessary tools, you can reduce your luggage and deal with it immediately when something happens.

How to choose a multi-tool

Now let's look at the basic selection of multi-tools. The points are the following three.

Step.1: Squeeze the tools you need

Step.2: Choose the one that is easy to use

Step.3: Choose a size that is easy to use

By suppressing the above three points, you can know the function you want more specifics. I will explain each one.

Step.1: Squeeze the tools you need

Multi-tool

Victorinox's "Swiss Champ XAVT", a leading manufacturer of multi-tools, has 83 functions! However, although it is very interesting with a digital watch and an altimeter, it has a thickness of 64 mm and a super weight of 351 g. It is difficult to carry.

The following three tools are important for mountaineering.

1, knife

2, scissors

3, pliers

Knives are versatile, and scissors are useful for opening packages and providing first aid in the event of an injury. Personally, having pliers is also very useful for repairing gears. The tools you need depend on the intended use and way of thinking of the user.

* Pliers (tools that can be grasped and turned by sandwiching)

Step.2: Choose the one that is easy to use

The main shapes of multi-tools can be roughly divided into the following two types.

-"Army knife" type that pulls out and uses each part

-"Butterfly knife" type is used by opening the handle

The swiss army knife type (representative manufacturer is Victorinox) has a relatively slender handle, is easy to carry, and fits well in the hand. On the other hand, the latter butterfly knife type (representative manufacturer is Leatherman) is thicker, but it has the advantage that it is easy to use the functions of pliers and put effort into it.

In addition to these, there are bracelet types and card types, but for outdoor use, the army knife type or the butterfly knife type is probably easier to use.

Step.3: Choose a size that is easy to use

Beatrix Multi-Tool

Taking Victorinox as an example, there are "small", "medium" and "large" handles, each of which has a length of 65mm, 91mm, and 111mm. Generally, small (light) items are easy to carry but difficult to handle, and large (heavy) items are easy to handle but difficult to carry. It can be said that ease of use and portability are inversely proportional. The medium size is well-balanced in both respects, so it seems that many models are easy to use.

Of course, the more functions you have, the heavier it tends to be, so if you can determine the functions you need and the fact that other parts are not included as much as possible, you can choose the one that is thinner and lighter.

(★) If you place importance on portability, use one with a carabiner.

Multi-tools are something you always want to wear. Therefore, if you choose one with a carabiner or key chain, you can always carry it with you.

(★) If you carry it in your pocket, you can rest assured that it has a lock function.

Since the multi-tool also has a built-in sharp tool such as a knife, it is safe to have a lock function to prevent the blade from popping out just in case.

Carefully choose the one that you can use for a long time

“The durability of a multi-tool depends greatly on the quality of the metal used, so if it has the same function and size, the higher the price, the higher the quality. In addition, the processing of metal products requires advanced technology, so well-established brands are less likely to fail in shopping.”

“However, many new brands are working on creating interesting ideas, and it's fun to try out those products. Once you get it, you can use it for a long time, so take your time to find the one you like.”

Choose a multi-tool that you can use for a long time

We interviewed Shotaro Takahashi, a mountain / outdoor writer, and producer, and introduced how to select multi-tools and recommended products. It is a fact that there are many items such as size, function, weight, etc. that you can not realize unless you pick up and use the multi-tool, but first of all, this article will help you select your product as a reference for the first stage selection. I hope it helps.

Multi-tools come into their own when solving problems smartly. You can feel that it was the best moment to have it. Find the product that suits you best so that you can solve the unknown problems that you are about to come up with.

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