Do pliers belong in your kit?

[Curtis B.]

I've cut my base weight in half from 22 to 10 lbs, and I'm evaluating the really hard stuff.

3 questions:

1. How often do you use pliers on extended trips? (or, do I REALLY need pliers?)
2. Is there a lightweight option that only has pliers + knife blade?
3. Is there a way to lighten my existing tool by removing extraneous junk?

One thing I'm have a really hard time giving up is a small multi-tool I have a Gerber Clutch (2.8oz) and am considering a Leatherman squirt PS4 (1.9oz). I use the knife and pliers, and nothing else. 3 weeks ago I used the pliers to repair damaged hiking poles that failed at the start of the trip. I've used them to repair snowshoes, spikes, and the like. I've used them to repair tent poles in camp, etc.

How have you used pliers on extended trips (ie more than a weekend)? I'm trying to assess whether or not I actually need them or am simply reluctant to get rid of them.

Are there more lightweight options with just a plier + blade?

Can I disassemble and toss the extra tools that I don't need to lighten it up further?

[Gregory Petliski]

Think of all the gear you have. Now think if any of it needs pliers. Probably not.

[Bob Gross]

For long winter ski trips, I carry a few tools to fix ski bindings. This would include some kind of posi-head screwdriver and some kind of vise-grips or long-nose pliers. However, once ski season has passed and summer is hear, I don't need those. Then I carry either a tiny multitool (pliers and blade) or else a razorblade knife and nothing else.

–B.G.–

[Hiking Malto]

Not sure I have ever needed them so I'm glad I don't carry them. I only take a razor blade and that rarely ever gets used. I did have to take a steak knife to cut my steak on the last trip. I guess there are some drawbacks to not carrying a knife after all.

[Curtis B.]

I went through my summer gear and the only things strong enough to possibly warrant pliers are the Osprey Hornet, caldera cone, steripen, platypus bladder, and tikka xp headlamp. And perhaps boot repair. Likelihood of failure and needing a pair of pliers is slim to none, with the possible exception of the pack or cone, and even then it is still only slim.

Bob, I think you're right in that winter gear is more prone to breakage and need repair. In the summer, what tool do you use that has only pliers and knife?

Leaning towards jettisoning more weight!

[Curtis B.]

Steak knife? Was that an UL trip or did you happen to hunt and kill something along the way? :-)

[chris kersten]

Never needed any tools on the trail. I learned that if you don't need it to go to work today, then why would you need it to go to the trail today? Not bieng a wiseguy, that is really how I plan my gear.

[Bob Gross]

"In the summer, what tool do you use that has only pliers and knife?"

I have some dinky little multitool. It becomes longnose pliers and a blade. Weighs something around 1 ounce, so it is too flimsy to use for a ski binding in winter. It was heavier, but I removed the split ring keeper and the fabric belt case.

–B.G.–

[Hiking Malto]

"Steak knife? Was that an UL trip or did you happen to hunt and kill something along the way? :-)"

It was definitely a UL trip, 8 lb base weight and 8 lbs of steaks, baked potatoes, beer and Hawaiian rolls. Was likely one of the best steaks I ever had. May have to do this more often!

[Tyler H]

Greg I like your style. Save room for the important stuff.

<

---

Next time catch some crawdads like these

[James holden]

a small leatherman with everything you need weights very little …

ive used it to fix poles, cams/equipment, pull out splinters, etc …. useful the more technical gear you have

if you think that extra 2 oz or so over a razor blade is too heavy … i suggest to stop eating cheezy poofs or take a big one in the morning

[John G]

The only thing I've ever needed pliers for was unjamb a zipper the kids forced (and forced some more…). I got by without it, but it was close, and I would consider carrying a 1.5 oz pair of pliers if you have elementary school age kids along.

For a bent stick-like piece or crushed cup-like piece, generally I could get by using the flat surface on the bottom of my pot, or the side of my knife handle to bend the piece back into servicable shape.

The phillips screwdriver on the mini leatherman works OK in high torque applications like ski bindings. For crampon repair, I'd bring their middle size tool. The pliers on the mini probably isn't enough.

[Mary D]

I definitely need pliers because I don't have a lot of strength (or dexterity) in my fingers. Trying to grasp and pull the end of a strap I'm trying to thread back through a buckle is impossible for me without pliers. I also use the pliers as a pot lifter (unlike a bandanna, the pliers don't catch on fire!). On my knife (Leatherman Squirt), the pliers are what I use most. Next in line is the file (for finger and toe nails). The knife blade is a distant third. Fourth is the finest screwdriver to tighten the screws in my glasses every day or two. I have used the other two screwdriver blades very occasionally. Mine is the model without scissors; there's a newer model with both scissors and pliers with the same weight as mine (1.9 oz.).

[Eugene Smith]

Pliers are essential for pinching off severed arteries, applying field sutures, frontal lobectomies, typical UL backcountry emergency scenarios…. but I've found that a drop of sanitizer, dental floss and a razor blade will suffice.

[Jeff Hollis]

A Victornox Swiss Army Classic at 1.2oz is all I have carried in a long time except for when I used a white gas stove, then I carried a stove tool. I could get by with just a razor blade. I think multipliers are cool but I'm afraid if I every get one, I might find a use for it.

[Aaron Benson]

I carry a key-chain multi-tool thing I got at Sears years ago; it's been useful on a few occasions so it gets packed. Quick gear fixes or mods in the field have been its main uses. When I can, I fish, so the tool also comes in handy along those lines.

The 'net suggests it's 46 grams. I've yet to actually weigh it (I know, I know).

[Rob Lambert]

Aron Ralston, the guy in "127 Hours", said in the movie he wished he brought a more expensive multi-tool with him. Irregardless, it came in handy.

[Richard Brownkatz]

Curtis,

"Is there a way to lighten my existing tool by removing extraneous junk?"

I also have a clutch and am considering the same thing. Somewhere I read a post by someone who did this, but I don't think it was with a clutch. It may be worth it to buy a used one and try it, if you like the blade and want the pliers.

Here's a post I stumbled on about doing this.
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-52388.html

[Author]

Posts