Multi tool or Swiss Army knife - Gift for an ‘apprectice’

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RJD

RJD

Well-Known Member
Couldn’t think of a more succinct description…. My son has been awarded a place on an apprenticeship/internship for environmental conservation, reinstatement and ecology course ( very proud of him, he has worked really hard)

At the moment he has a few tools/knives that are my spares/out of favour but I’d like to buy him something in recognition of the achievement.

I have both multitool and sak and i can’t really pick a preference BUT I don’t use it everyday or rely on it for work… I’d appreciate suggestions from those who do ! (Ideally edc uk friendly)

Thanks
 
I carry a SAK every day, other than when I fly abroad, so I am perhaps a little biased. Saying that, for those times I find myself wanting a decent pair of pliers I invariably reach for my Leatherman Wave or Victorinix Swisstool.

So for the kind of work your son is about to embark on (and many congratulation to him, by the way) perhaps have a look at the Leatherman Bond, which has all the benefits of a multi-tool and is also UK carry friendly.

heinnie.com

Leatherman Bond

The Leatherman Bond multi-tool packs 14 essential tools into one simple to use tool to help you get the job done. Backed by Leatherman's 25-year warranty. Buy now.
heinnie.com heinnie.com
 
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Yep, leatherman. Wave seems good 👍 but I've had several.

Yes, I do agree with the concern of not carrying a locking blade etc, but if he can sensibly use it at work, then no reason not to have one at work, legally etc 😉
 
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Personally I've never got on with multitool type penknives. I've tried a few, and they always end languishing unused at the back of a drawer. Frustratingly, they're a jack of all trades but master of none. Even the best of them seem a bit gimmicky.

Presumably you're looking for a pocketknife that's legal for EDC?

In his position, I should say a really robust single bladed folder will get far more use than a multitool.
If you want a really tough workhorse, look at the Lansky World Legal (link below).
One of my girls has one. It's a beast of a knife, and no fiddly bits are going to break off with rough usage.

www.knivesandtools.co.uk

Lansky World Legal Slipjoint pocket knife Mikkel Willumsen design LKN333

Lansky World Legal Slipjoint pocket knife Mikkel Willumsen design LKN333: Handle/blade: nylon/9Cr18MoV Blade length: 6,9 cm Weight: 161 grams
www.knivesandtools.co.uk www.knivesandtools.co.uk

Congratulations to the lad. Whatever you end up buying him, it will be well deserved.
 
My two oldest sons have Leatherman multi tools. They are not the best pliers, knife etc but they will cope with 99% of the situations when you need pliers or a knife and are mobile. They like being indispensable and the Leatherman seems more “grown up”.
 
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willie_gunn said:
I carry a SAK every day, other than when I fly abroad, so I am perhaps a little biased. Saying that, for those times I find myself wanting a decent pair of pliers I invariably reach for my Leatherman Wave or Victorinix Swisstool.

So for the kind of work your son is about to embark on (and many congratulation to him, by the way) perhaps have a look at the Leatherman Bond, which has all the benefits of a multi-tool and is also UK carry friendly.

heinnie.com

Leatherman Bond

The Leatherman Bond multi-tool packs 14 essential tools into one simple to use tool to help you get the job done. Backed by Leatherman's 25-year warranty. Buy now.
heinnie.com heinnie.com
Click to expand...
This looks great, thanks
 
I used to be a Victorinox fan, but switched to Leatherman 30 years ago and never looked back.

I still respect Victorinox as a brand, but I find their tools - while very well made - less useful than Leatherman.
 
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VSS said:
Personally I've never got on with multitool type penknives. I've tried a few, and they always end languishing unused at the back of a drawer. Frustratingly, they're a jack of all trades but master of none. Even the best of them seem a bit gimmicky.

Presumably you're looking for a pocketknife that's legal for EDC?

In his position, I should say a really robust single bladed folder will get far more use than a multitool.
If you want a really tough workhorse, look at the Lansky World Legal (link below).
One of my girls has one. It's a beast of a knife, and no fiddly bits are going to break off with rough usage.

www.knivesandtools.co.uk

Lansky World Legal Slipjoint pocket knife Mikkel Willumsen design LKN333

Lansky World Legal Slipjoint pocket knife Mikkel Willumsen design LKN333: Handle/blade: nylon/9Cr18MoV Blade length: 6,9 cm Weight: 161 grams
www.knivesandtools.co.uk www.knivesandtools.co.uk

Congratulations to the lad. Whatever you end up buying him, it will be well deserved.
Click to expand...
Super, many thanks yes he’s done really well. I think I’ll get him one of these too!
 
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willie_gunn said:
I carry a SAK every day, other than when I fly abroad, so I am perhaps a little biased. Saying that, for those times I find myself wanting a decent pair of pliers I invariably reach for my Leatherman Wave or Victorinix Swisstool.

So for the kind of work your son is about to embark on (and many congratulation to him, by the way) perhaps have a look at the Leatherman Bond, which has all the benefits of a multi-tool and is also UK carry friendly.

heinnie.com

Leatherman Bond

The Leatherman Bond multi-tool packs 14 essential tools into one simple to use tool to help you get the job done. Backed by Leatherman's 25-year warranty. Buy now.
heinnie.com heinnie.com
Click to expand...
That’s what they have
 
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I have a Leatherman surge on me every waking hour unless going for a meal or into town (something I try to avoid). I honestly feel naked without it now. I used to wear a Swiss Army knife but would never go back now
 
Another vote for the Victorinox Swiss Champ. I have mine in a leather belt pouch. I like the super sharp scissors but one of the most useful tools is the ordinary little pin tucked in the hole in the scale behind the corkscrew.
 
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I have 3 multitools, all good quality but of late the Leatherman range seem to have dropped in quality, the last one i had from them looked like Chinese tat when you got it out of the packaging, so re-sold. One of the full size Gerbers for 80 to 100 depending on where you buy are a better choice, and built to last, IMO
 
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Firstly, congratulations to your son! I’ve leathermans and Swiss Army knives of all types, the Swiss Army knives are great for travelling (with checked luggage). Have to admit I find them too bulky for EDC and prefer just a single blade penknife. My recommendation would be a Spyderco Roadie or Urban. Both UK legal and well built quality blades.
 
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Jagged77 said:
Firstly, congratulations to your son! I’ve leathermans and Swiss Army knives of all types, the Swiss Army knives are great for travelling (with checked luggage). Have to admit I find them too bulky for EDC and prefer just a single blade penknife. My recommendation would be a Spyderco Roadie or Urban. Both UK legal and well built quality blades.
Click to expand...
Many thanks That’s what I’ve found too but I’m not relying on mine everyday, just the odd task, I have a boker tech tool which is good. He will need blade, saw, scissors, maybe pliers, screw driver etc…
 
Congratulations to your Son on his apprenticeship.
I've used a Gerber multi-tool for the last 20 years and has been an asset, chosen over a leatherman, purely because I don't need to unfold the handles to reach the plier head, as Gerber are stowed in the head and can be flicked out for use.
 
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Do you want the gift to be memorable for the occasion or to be used in the field? I do lots of conservation work, tree and hedge planting, bank restoration, while I use both of what you mention, other less fancy tools (billhook, spade, loppers and pruning saws) are used a lot more. Not quite as fancy, but a jetboil will allow him to have a hot brew or meal while its p?ssing down on a wet hillside.
 
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