So I'm looking at reducing some ounces here and the obvious thing I see is my multi-tool. I'm not sure on weight right now but I'd guess it to be in the range of 5 ounces or more.

The only things I really ever use in it are my knife, screw-driver, and pliers (mainly for removing hooks when fishing, but it also is very handy in other areas).

I'm looking to replace this with something a lot lighter. What do you guys think? I was thinking about making something MYOG or modifying another piece of gear. The pliers I think I'll have to make do without if I want to lighten this area up, but in case not, do you guys have any other ideas?

Edited by jdemonaco on 10/29/2011 01:32:30 MDT.

It sounds like you get some good out of the pliers and other parts, so why don't you get rid of the 5-oz multitool and get one of the tiny ones, about 2 oz?

--B.G.--

If you want pliers, try looking for a small pair of pliers. I got hung up on scissors and found that a small pair of quality scissors really didn't weigh much and they worked better than anything on a multi-tool or Swiss Army knife. They were inexpensive as well. With the scissors handled, I was free to choose whatever knife I liked.

The pliers are small, but the Leatherman Style PS is just 1.6oz
http://www.leatherman.com/product/Style_PS

I find the pliers on multi tools to be inadequate for removing fish hooks and other uses sometimes. I usually don't fish when I backpack, but have been planning on doing more.

There are jewelers needle nose pliers that are much lighter than electrical type you find in hardware stores.

A pair of these, small scissors and a light knife would work better than a multi-tool and weigh less or about the same.

I forgot about hemostats. Great for hand sewing repairs on heavy fabrics and webbing too.

I'm sure you've looked into the leatherman juice and squirt offerings?

The squirt doesn't really have a screw driver and I'm not sure about its pliers... The juice has some pretty serious pliers and screwdrivers but it's getting up there at 4.4oz (juice s2 model). It seems to me that if you want decent pliers they kind of need to have some heft to them.


Something really cool I've been looking into is SOG's multi tools: http://sogknives.com/store/tools.html

The cool thing about them is that they are customizable... You could buy one of the plier-based tools, remove everything you don't need, and add in only what you want. Unfortunately they don't appear to have a very lightweight pliers tool, though. The PowerPlier weighs in at 5.5oz with tools on it.

I just got a squirt ps4, so pliers and scissors for 1.9 oz. The pliers are nice, I could certainly use them for fishing. I wouldn't want to use them if I was pike fishing, but otherwise, I think they would be a nice lightweight option. I haven't tried it, but the wire cutter should cut a small hook and would do line very nicely. The blade is very small and not that useful, and it does have screwdrivers, but I am not sure either are worth very much.

I think I'll opt out for replacing the multi-tool with a lightweight knife and a really small/light pair of pliers, that way I don't have to take them both on trips where I'm not fishing. Same thing with one of those lightweight screwdrivers if I need it (although I've realized since the original post that I dont have a whole lot of gear that requires such a tool anymore.

Thanks!

all the functions, just real small.

What I did about 2 1/2 years ago was I only needed a sharp knife,Scissors, can opener screw driver.I bought from SOG a pocket plier handle and 3" straight knife blade,Scissors,can opener screw driver and the T- bolt for each end of the handle and spacer for between the blades/tools.
All 3 blades/tools fit on one end of the pocket plier handle and the other end I put the T- bolt for support of the knife body on the other end. You have to call Sog to purchase the handle,spacers and T- bolts.
http://sogknives.com/store/components.html

Terry

I have a green Columbia multi-tool that my wife bought for me last Christmas. It has pliers, led flashlight, saw, reg/philips heads,and a knife blade and it weighs just 2.7 ounces. Not the lighest available, but still pretty light and it actually is a little easier to handle than the light weight Leathermans.

You could also get something like a Spyderco Ladybug knife at .6 ounces and pair that with the pliers you want and be a little lighter.

If the blade on this was really up to par, you wouldn't have put a boker subcom on the same key ring!

I picked up the Leatherman Style PS (pliers and scissors, but no blade) in large part because it's supposedly TSA safe. Since I regularly have a Benchmite on me when not flying, I didn't need a model with the blade.

Hey, that Leatherman Style PS is a kool concept.

I could almost see combining that with a knife when backpacking.
1.45 oz combined with a 1.5 oz(or less) knife could be all you need for fishing, repairs, first aid and maintenance.

I also have a 15 year old Buck mini/micro tool that has swing out needle nose pliers for fishing . knife ,tweezers,scissors,3 screw driver ,finger nail care blade It a about 2" long by 3/4" wide when folded in rubber folder and weighs about 1.5 to 2 oz. You might be able to get one on ebay.

Coast tools also makes a micro fish tool that weighs 2 oz and has a lot of the features you want plus a lanyard to clip to your shirt.
http://www.coastportland.com/micro-fish-tool.htm
Terry

I have the Leatherman Squirt PS4, which I carry all the time in my pocket, whether I'm backpacking or not.

I carry my leatherman multitool and DroidX at all times. So, am I truly incurring a weight penalty when I bring them and still carry them in my pockets? I do leave the wallet at home or in the car though.