Each of us treats his fishing equipment differently, it all depends on what kind of fishing we prefer and in what conditions we have it. Hence, as a rule, and the choice of various accompanying basic tackle paraphernalia, accessories and tools. And today I will touch the topic of such useful devices as multi-tools or multitools.
Compact tool set
These compact sets of different useful tools, collected in one small case, quite conveniently carried in a pouch on the pant belt or in the pocket of a jacket and backpack. Too bulky models usually travel in the glove compartment of a car, ATV or bike.
Of course, a hiking multitool can not completely replace a full-fledged set of tools, but you poate not carry a case with pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, saws and other useful mechanisms on a trip, but a small folding toolkit can be taken anywhere. And in case of any problems with equipment, gear or camping life, this set can easily help with the solution of various issues. That’s why multitools are so popular.
Choice of model
As the main type of tool in these devices are most often folding pliers with pliers, around which the designers organize the arrangement of other useful tools in various versions of the set. The quality of branded multi-tools from the leaders and founders of such devices is very high. As a matter of fact, such a name as Leatherman, in general, este often used as a synonym for the word multitool, because this company is in fact the founder and the main leader in the design of mult itools . Only a few companies could come close to this leader in their developments, for example Swiss concern Victorinox, which is better known for its multi-purpose knives. Personally, the American brand Leatherman is more interesting to me than others for a number of reasons. First of all, it is a wide range of their high-quality tools, excellent technical support with the possibility of replacing parts that have failed over time, and a warranty on their products for 25 years, which even in our country, at least in major metropolitan areas.
The favorite and most popular multitool in my arsenal is Leatherman Charge TTI. It is, in my humble opinion, the best of the multitools for today. Of course, this is my subjective assessment. I believe that this device has everything, or almost everything that can be useful in any camping trip.
A well thought out and safe multitool
Charge TTI is very well thought out and as safe as possible multitool, all its tools are conveniently and quickly extracted and at the same time all of them are securely fixed in the open working position, reducing to zero the possibility of getting hurt when working with an unexpectedly folded blade, screwdriver or something else. This compact set of tools is convenient when performing various simple works, for example, when disassembling fishing reels and other equipment, for which it has a set of replaceable screwdriver bits and strong reliable pliers.
A good saw can help you set up camp
You can use the pliers to deal with electrical wires or cut off a tough fishing hook that has pierced your clothes or even your finger, and the pliers won’t break, as it happens with Chinese multitools. The main blade of the Charge TTI is made of expensive S30V steel. The second blade is serrated and has a strop cutter hook (or skinning hook). Both blades open and close with one hand and lock securely in the open position. They cannot be confused even when opening by touch, as the serrated blade has a notch on the edge. A good multitool saw helps in setting up a parking lot or a full-fledged camp. Scissors help in a long multi-day trip to fight with not too much growing nails, but more often serve for cutting cords and fishing lines. A diamond-coated file helps in straightening hooks and knife blades. Can openers and screwdrivers also sometimes have their own functions. The handles have centimeter and inch ruler scale markings. Due to the titanium overlays the total weight of the multitool is reduced to 257g.
Tools can be opened and locked with one hand
Of the more affordable, I would like to highlight the Leatherman Sidekick model. This is a more compact and lighter toolkit (190g). With Sidekick, the knife and saw are always, as they call it, at hand, both of these tools open and close with one hand and are also fixed in working position like other tools, which increases the safety of working with them.
The tools are comfortable to use
When using the pliers and wire cutters in this multitool, the nice thing about them is that they are spring-loaded, which increases comfort in handling the tool, especially if you are using it while removing fish from hooks. In addition to the pliers, saw and main blade, the Sidekick comes with an additional serrated blade, screwdrivers, file, can opener and a carabiner with a standard screwdriver bit holder. You can use the carabiner to attach the Sidekick to your backpack or pants belt, but the “Not for climbing” text on the carabiner warns that it’s not suitable for mountaineering.
A versatile tool that comes in handy everywhere
Fishing tools
Not often among multitools there are full-fledged models created especially for fishermen. I had one from the old Balzer company , known for its German origin , although today the brand’s products come from Asian manufactures. This multitool is equipped with longer jaws of the pliers, which are more convenient for extracting hooks from the fish’s mouth. The pliers themselves, in addition to pliers, are also equipped with various protrusions and grooves for crimping lead weights of different sizes and tubes for fixing when making leashes. In addition, there is also an extra short jaw for extracting hooks. The rest of the toolkit includes two knives with different blades – a long fillet knife and a short standard knife, a saw, a long awl, screwdrivers, scissors and a can opener. On the plastic overlays of the handles scale rulers in centimeters and inches to measure the length of the catch. By the way, there is exactly the same model under the American brand Coast – FT8500CP Folding Fishing Tool. These are practical, inexpensive multitools, really created to make life easier specifically for fishermen.
The pliers are convenient for hook extraction
I would also recommend to pay attention to the honorable fishing public to the original tool from the famous American knife brand Buck. By the way, Aqua company sells Buck Tract model under the name AK-R802. The superiority of this multitool is that absolutely all set of its tools can be extracted and removed with one hand. All of the Buck Tract tools lock into place when open, adding to the safety of handling them. There are compact pliers, a sturdy knife blade with two types of sharpening, two screwdrivers and a can opener. Such a multitool can be kept on fishing somewhere at hand – in a branded pouch on your belt, or just in your pocket. You can quickly use it at any moment and as quickly put it back to its place. For example, with the help of pliers to shake off the fish from the hook, or with the serrated part of the blade to cut in a moment the poacher’s net attached to your hook. Very practical, high quality and very inexpensive multitool.
High-quality and inexpensive multitool
And to finish the article a little about specialized compact and lightweight multitools, which are offered by very many brands in the fishing industry. These are such half-scissors half-passages, often equipped with special protrusions on the jaws for unclamping the winding rings on baits. The choice of such devices is very wide, the cheapest of them can be structurally identical to each other regardless of the brand, differing only in the color of the handles.
In themselves, these things are useful, they will help you quickly change the hooks on spinning lures, without breaking your fingernails about the winding rings. With their help you can quickly and easily cut braided cords and monofilament. The size and weight of such tools are small, so that you can carry them with you without problems, in a case or on the lanyard of the retriever.
Inexpensive convenient model that combines pliers and scissors
And although they do not reach the full-fledged multitools, they are definitely useful in fishing, they are inexpensive, so it is definitely worth getting such a tool, especially if you practice spinning fishing. As options – several models from the company Daiwa under the name Field Plier. Of the cheaper ones, such pliers-scissors from Rosy Dawn, model RS 001, are very good .
Although the model does not reach a full-fledged multitool, it is very convenient for fishing
The models mentioned in the article are only a guide for choice, everyone can find his own variants, with more interesting for himself stuffed with tools, which are more necessary and useful for fishing and other travels.
Autor: Bob Nudd este un pescar expert cu peste 20 de ani de experiență și câștigător al multor competiții.
I remember snagging a big catch last summer with my multitool by my side. It had everything I needed—pliers, a knife, even a fish scaler! Made life so much easier on the boat. Totally recommend it to any angler looking to up their game!