Tools for every occasion

Blades handle all chores for sportsmen

Multitools are more versatile than standard pocketknives and are indispensable for sportsmen. Clockwise (from left) are the Case Hobo with the knife, fork and spoon; Gerber Evo; Rapala Fisherman’s Multi-Tool; Case Changer; Leatherman Wave; and the Leatherman Wingman.
Multitools are more versatile than standard pocketknives and are indispensable for sportsmen. Clockwise (from left) are the Case Hobo with the knife, fork and spoon; Gerber Evo; Rapala Fisherman’s Multi-Tool; Case Changer; Leatherman Wave; and the Leatherman Wingman.

Every sportsman needs a pocketknife, but for overall utility, you can't beat a multi-tool.

A multi-tool is a compact unit that contains a variety of tools. The Swiss Army Knife is the most famous, but many other companies offer their own distinct models. They are so popular that message boards are dedicated to these devices where people discuss them with the same ardor that film buffs debate the Star Wars movies.

I keep separate multi-tools in all of my hunting, fishing and camping kits so that I always have one when I need it. Options are limitless, but we've narrowed down the list to a few of our favorites.

Leatherman Wingman

For a general purpose hunting and fishing tool, the Leatherman Wingman ($30-$40) is excellent.

Its closed length is 3.8 inches, and it weighs 7 ounces. I really like the belt/pocket clip, which eliminates the need for a sheath.

It has eight locking attachments that serve 14 functions, including a 2.6-inch knife made of 420 high-carbon stainless steel. The back half of the blade is serrated, which I don't like.

The strong, spring-loaded pliers has needlenose and regular pliers, as well as a wire cutter. The opener attachment contains a can opener, bottle opener and wire stripper. There's also a separate package opener.

The file attachment contains a small wood/metal file, a 1.5-inch ruler and small screwdriver. There is a separate medium screwdriver and Phillips screwdriver.

The Wingman's scissors are excellent. They are large and the blades mesh tightly.

Leatherman Wave

The Wave ($90) enjoys cult status among collectors, but it's also very useful.

Its closed length is 4 inches, and it weighs 8.5 ounces. It's beefier than the Wingman and has 10 attachments that serve 17 functions.

It has a four-function plier tool, including a hard wire cutter, but the pliers are not spring-loaded.

Two knives are made of 420 high-carbon stainless steel. One is a 2.9-inch clip point, and the other is serrated.

It also has the can opener/bottle opener/wire stripper tool and a dedicated diamond-coated file that's longer than the Wingman file. It has a very light duty saw and medium screwdriver.

The large- and small-bit drivers have replaceable bits.

The scissors are very long, with fine. spring-loaded blades that mesh very tightly.

The grips serve as a 7-inch, 19mm ruler.

The blades, saw and file can only deploy when the tool is closed. All of the attachments lock, and a leather sheath is included.

Gerber Multi-Plier 600

I've had this tool for nearly 15 years and used it mostly for fishing. But I've also used it to repair wiring in my boat and to install a winch and associated wiring on my four-wheeler.

It's a one-handed tool -- one of 23 in Gerber's lineup -- which means the pliers slide in and out of unit with one hand. You don't have to spread the arms to expose them.

It has the usual array of tools, including three flat-head screwdrivers and Phillips screwdriver, a 2.5-inch drop-point knife, separate serrated knife, bottle opener, can opener and file. The file has course and fine surfaces on both sides.

The medium-width screwdriver is broken, and after all these years, the thing has finally started to rust.

I bought it for about $30 way back when. Now it costs about $70. I say it was money well spent.

Gerber Evo

With 10 locking attachments serving 13 functions, the Evo ($56) is hybrid that works best as a light-duty utility tool.

Its closed length is 3.94 inches, and it weighs 10.25 ounces.

The knife is titanium coated, 440 stainless, but it's only 1 3/4 inches long, as is the saw and serrated blade. The saw is thick and beefy.

The three-function plier took is spring loaded. There's also a cross-point driver, medium driver and small driver. The medium driver has a pincher-style wire cutter. A bottle opener and can opener are in a single attachment.

The scissors are short, thick and blunt, but operate under a heavy spring that facilitates heavy cutting. All of the attachments lock when deployed.

The tool is very wide when open and unwieldy for small hands, but it is solid.

CaseXX Changer

Case specializes in collectible pocketknives, but it's multi-blade Changer is a serious hunting and fishing tool.

I have the Rosewood Changer, which comes with four interchangeable, 5-inch locking blades made of Tru-Sharp surgical steel. The blades in my unit include drop-point, clip-point, filet/utility and saw, but other models substitute a gut hook instead of a filet/utility blade. You cannot buy blades separately because each blade is custom fit to a specific handle.

While not as big or stout as a dedicated hunting knife, the drop and clip blades will skin and field dress a deer. The saw, unlike those in the other multi-tools, will cut through a deer's sternum and pelvis.

The Changer comes with a heavy duty leather case with internal sheaths for each blade. It is available with bone and rosewood handles and cost about $85.

CaseXX Hobo

A compact eating utensil, the Hobo is a prized component in my camping box.

It is lockback unit with bone handles that includes a clip-point knife, fork and spoon made of Tru-Sharp surgical stainless steel. Each tool is in a self-contained pod that separates from the other pods when opened, allowing you to use all of the utensils separately. Separating the utensils facilitates easy cleaning.

The Hobo is 4 1/8 inches long, 1.2 inches wide and 1 inch deep. It weighs 8 ounces.

It comes with a leather sheath embossed with HOBO, and it costs about $80.

Rapala Fisherman

Dedicated multi-tools for fishing are rare, but Rapala fills that niche with its new Fisherman's Multi-Tool ($20).

This is a well-conceived tool that features a large carabiner clip for easy and convenient attachment to a belt loop or loop on a fishing vest.

It has retractable, trigger-operated line scissors that protrude from the front of the tool, as well as a retractable jig eye buster for knocking paint from the eyelets of new jigs.

A multi-size line threader reduces the challenge of threading line through hooks and jigs, especially for those who don't see well up close.

My only complaint is that it doesn't have pliers. They're mighty handy for removing hooks from fish and for clamping barbs down on hooks, so this one will have to share space with my Gerber.

Sports on 02/07/2016

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