Hey guys,
I'm starting my first dock hand job in red lake on may 1st and I'm making a list of things to bring. One thing that stands out is a multi tool. From reading previous topics the general consensus seems to be a leatherman.

So my question is which models would be best suited for flying float planes in the bush? I don't mind spending a little extra money if it's going to mean extra quality but I don't have a bottomless wallet either.

I would love to hear your opinions on the matter

I've had a leatherman wave with me for the past 6 years.. Has been fantastic.. although I find I use it less and less. The knife being the number one piece on it usually..

Pick the one with the best warranty, or one that can be replaced in town without having to drive to Kenora or Dryden in case you break or loose it!
I always had a Leatherman and it treated me well. Last time I replaced it (due to abuse, 5+yrs ago) I noticed the package said it had a lifetime warranty, so the fine folks at CT gave me a new one.

I have been using a Gerber Multi Tool....always liked the leatherman but the Gerber is more compact. I would recommend the medium sized 400 model rather than the 600 which is a little to bulky.


http://www.gerberuk.com/index.php/products/tools

I've had a Swisstool http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pag ... uct=53935& for 12 years now, and have been very satisfied. I originally got it because the early Leathermen had sharp edges on the handle when you used the pliers - not particularly useful when you need a good grip!
The lesson I'd draw from that is don't just look at them in the display case at the store - take them out, open them up, and imagine how you'd use it. Is it comfortable in your hand when you do so?

Good luck with the first job, and career! Enjoy it, and take lots of pictures.

ps: If you're driving any distance, get a CAA membership - it's really useful and peace of mind if your car is at all dodgy.
Fishing rod, bug juice, sunscreen, some warm clothes, etc...

I found that no matter what one I bought, I either lost it or lent it for a moment to someone who would disappear, so now I just borrow one.
Which brings me to your question.. but a really good one..I hate to borrow and not return a cheap one.

buy 2. you think they would make one that floats enjoy your summer.

I got a Leatherman, and I am lost without it. The flat and phillips (the real one, not the blade 'half-phillips') are a must for me.

I've been using a Gerber multi-tool for about 15 years now. It's pretty plain Jane, but you can easily open it with one hand, and it has all the basics. I like the nylon case, and the fact that it is not too bulky. You can usually pick up the basic Gerber model for under $40.

What ever you decide, try not to drop it in the lake.

Ive had my Leatherman Wave for a while now and love it! so handy for literally everything. haven't tried the gerber yet tho

Leatherman Core (think its called the SuperTool now). Its the only one i'll ever buy. Made a few of my own mods, ground one of the flat blades into a sharp point for punching small holes, ground the end of the pliers into a point for grabbing small things or punching bigger holes. I have used it around salt water for 6 years now with only an annual clean, a coat of ACF 50, and no rust! Yes, its a bit bigger but I can sure feel when I don't have it. Longer handles = more gripping/cutting force at the jaws.

I love my Leatherman Charge Ti. Like the wave but better. Better steel etc.

It seems like everyone is really happy with whatever model they bought, which leads me to believe I can't really go wrong here. So I've decided to get the leatherman wave looks very popular, in my price range, good quality.

Thanks for all the input, can't wait to start my new job

I'll be in Red Lake this season as a dock hand for Lac Seul Airways PM me if anyone would like to meet up for a beer sometime... or if your looking for a low time pilot to hire

I'm with Niss on this one.

Try to glue some cork to the indentations on the grips.
Paint the grips dayglo orange or use orange duct tape. Voila!

A leatherman that won't sink or get carried away.

just curious wrote:I'm with Niss on this one.

LEATHERMAN BUDDIES!!!!

Ive had the Leatherman Charge for a long time. Only used the knifes and the screwdriver. I just picked up the Skeletool. It has the Knife that is used all the time and a screwdriver with a spot to store a second driver end. It was nice to see that the belt clip on the end is also there for a bottle opener.

2 big things i liked about the leatherman

1. full size screwdriver not the 1/2 heads they bugger up the screw
2. a file, good for hygiene, and blending out stone chips

One thing I didn't like, lending it out, and not getting it back

I would paint my next one neon pink. I am secure enough, and it would make id'ing the frickin thief easier.

iflyforpie wrote:I got a Leatherman, and I am lost without it. The flat and phillips (the real one, not the blade 'half-phillips') are a must for me.

Yes. Not a day goes by where I don't use one of the screwdriver heads. I like the pliers on mine as well. I have had a swiss one and a gerber as well. Quality on the Gerber was poor, I broke the knife blade and the pliers were a poor loose design not convinient to work with - though it was easier to deploy the pliers one handed - the locking mechanism was poor. Quality of the steel was also poor over all. The Swiss was nice to use, but with its comfy grips was to unwieldly to pack around so sits in my tool box. Better to have as an emergency tool in a vehicle, but less so on one's person. The Swiss also was the most difficult to deploy the pliers one handed. My preference for keeping on my person is the Leatherman.

I have the Leatherman Wave, very sharp and the changable bit is great. Recommend getting the whole pack of bits, or a robertson bit at the very least, where I work it seems the square bit gets used more then the philips. Only one complaint comes to mind, the case that mine came with has stretched out and doesn't hold the knife tightly anymore. It is now stretched to the point where it can fall out without unbuttoning the case, I can see bending over pumping the floats or something along those lines and the thing dropping in the water... Trying to find one of the nylon cases that I used to have for my Charge but they are apparently hard to come by... Anyone know where I might find a different case that would fit the wave?

Another vote for the leatherman wave. The charge looks like pretty much the same thing.

You can flip the blade out with one hand without opening the pliers, a big plus over the gerber. I also found the steel to be superior to gerber's and holds an edge much better.

After some years, the velcro on your sheath will deteriorate. Make sure you replace that, as it led to loss of retention for me once.

I also keep a more substantial knife on my belt beside it. Take a good look at the Buck 110, it uses a carbon steel that holds an edge, and is inexpensive. Most other folding knives out there use 420 or 440 stainless, which simply sucks. Take quality over fancy-looking stuff, a good knife is a worthwhile investment.

There are different types of 440 stainless. 440C IIRC is the same as Aus 6. I have a SOG seal pup made out of that steel. Very nice knife. I also have a Grohmann original design knife. My favorite blade. Made in pictou NS. Fantastic craftsmanship.

Leatherman FTW

Be sure you get a all stainless one, made that mistake once. I got the wave (which is full stainless, both normal wave or the EOD one are both great) and it is a fixture in my flight bag. Also got a canvas MOLLE sheath for it from TAD gear.

I used to have a Gerber. Switched to a Leatherman Wave and have never looked back.

The big thing for me is being able to open the blade with one hand quickly.

Leatherman wave. Had the same one for 10 years, used it all the time. Broke the blade lock through misuse. Sent it back and got a brand new one free within 10 days.

Leatherman wave!
defintally by far the best one out there.

also is perfect for hot wiring a electric start outboard by the way!
(if you forget your keys) im not implying stealing one