Are you looking for the best survival multi tool? Then you have come to the right place.
In this article, we are going to walk you through the best of the best so that you can have the right tools in your survival gear.
Having the best survival tools and equipment may mean the difference between life and death. That is why it is important to have a proper tool plan in place so that you can deal with higher probability situations that may arise in a survival situation.
Now being 100% prepared for every possible thing is impossible, because in reality, you have a limited budget and gear storage space.
It then becomes a trade off for which gear you choose and can use.
The logical approach to this problem is to think through the most likely needs that you might encounter and get tool coverage for those needs.
For the extremely low probability problems that may come up, you most likely will have to be aware of it but may not have the perfect tool to solve that problem.
That is where a solid multi tool comes into play. The multi tool will get you a wide range of capability in a very small package.
However, there are many varieties out there, so selecting the right one can be a challenge. In this article, we are going to show you a collection of the most useful survival tools to choose from so that you can decide which one is right for you.
Let's first jump into the criteria that we look for in a great multi tool.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, where I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Best Survival Multi Tool Criteria
When it comes to picking the right multi tool, you need to take into account what other tools you have in your bug out bag and then pick a multi tool to give you coverage that you are missing with your other tools.
There are 5 main factors to consider in a multi tool.
Tools
A multi tool is naturally a collection of tools, so it is important for us to pick one that compliments the other tools in our gear set.
Durability
How well will the tool hold up under use and the elements? Usually better quality brands use better materials and design to give a much more durable product. Choosing a tool that is made from 420 high carbon (HC) stainless steel is a wise choice.
Weight
Since we have to carry all of our gear in a survival situation, it is important to get a tool that is lightweight.
Case
Keeping our tool stored in a protective case can help keep it free of dirt and grime, which means we will be much more efficient in using it when the time comes.
Color
Most of us like the look of stainless steel, but for a survival situation, we need to consider that we may not want a shiny tool that might give our position away. If this is important in your situation, consider getting a black oxide coating version of the tool if available.
1. Leatherman Wingman
The Leatherman Wingman is by far the best multi tool for price versus value. It sports a total of 14 tools.
Leatherman is a leader in the world of multi tools.
The Wingman is very durable, will last a long time, and comes with a 25 year warranty. The tool weighs in at just 7 ounces. It is made from 420HC stainless steel, which is the good stuff.
The Leatherman Wingman only comes in stainless steel and does not have a black stealth version.
2. Leatherman Wave
Next up is the Leatherman Wave. It is also a great choice and has 17 total tools. It is a bit on the more expensive end of multi tools.
Just like the Wingman, it is very durable and has a 25 year warranty. This tool is a bit heavier at 8.5 ounces. It is also made from 420HC stainless steel.
The Leatherman Wave is available in both stainless steel and stealth black.
3. Leatherman Sidekick
If you like the Leatherman Wingman, but want to drop the scissors and instead get a serrated blade, then the Leatherman Sidekick is for you. It also has a total of 14 tools.
It is 420HC stainless steel and has the 25 year warranty as well. The tools weighs 7 ounces.
The Leatherman Sidekick is only offered in stainless steel, so that might be a deal killer for you if you want a black one.
4. Gerber Diesel
The Gerber Diesel is a good alternative if you are not a fan of the Leatherman tools. It has a total of 12 tools.
This tool packs a mean punch in a small package. It weighs only 8.5 ounces. Gerber also has a similar 25 year warranty for their tools.
The Gerber Diesel comes in both stainless steel and black stealth versions. It is a favorite among the military crowd.
5. Leatherman Surge
If weight and cost are not a concern, then the Leatherman Surge might be for you. It has a whopping 21 total tools on board.
Weighing in at 12.5 ounces, it covers a wide variety of tools, including a bit driver. Naturally, it has the 25 year warranty and is made of 420HC stainless steel.
It comes in either stainless steel or stealth black versions.
Bigger Multi Tool
If you are looking for more of a combination of other tools, then you have options.
A combo tool by Rose Kuli is a crowd favorite.
At 14 ounces, it will consume a nice portion of your gear weight budget.
If you foresee needing a tool like this, then it may be a critical option.
Chainsaw
Chainmate makes a 24 inch portable chain saw. If you have never seen one of these things in action, check out the video below.
Weighing only 4 ounces, this nifty gadget can save you a lot of burnt precious energy.
It might even mean being able to set up better camp defenses by taking down some trees or good tree limb manipulation.
Check out the pocket chain saw in action in the video below.
Can Opener
For many decades now, the P-51 & P-38 can opener tools have been life savers for many. They are extremely cheap, yet very powerful.
Chances are you will run into can food in a survival situation, and you may not want to risk damaging your knife or other gear trying to open it.
That is why these little guys should have a slot in your survival gear list.
Conclusion
To wrap up, we discussed the importance of having a good tool strategy in choosing your survival gadgets and tools.
A multi tool is a must have item that should be chosen to give you overall coverage where your other tools in your gear might be lacking. We also looked at the criteria that is important when choosing a multi tool.
Having pliers as part of your multi-tool can come in handy for many different things, including fishing in a survival situation.
Next, we looked at the top 5 multi tools for survival. Then, we checked out options if you also need an axe in your gear. We then looked at how awesome a pocket chainsaw is to have as well as a classic can opener tool.
For most of us, getting the Leatherman Wingman, Chainmate pocket chainsaw, and a P-51 is the perfect tool combo for survival.
Make sure you're prepared and go ahead and put together your perfect tool set today. Don't forget other important gear, like a good compass.
Here is a Leatherman Wingman video review for you.
Product Images Sourced From: Link