Hey Guys,

I need help finding an alternative to my multitool situation. I use to carry a Victorinox Swiss Champ at around 6.5oz and the last time I posted a gear list I was convinced to ditch that for something lighter. Right now I've moved to a combination of a Leatherman Style PS(I already had for travelling via airplane-has no knife) and a Victorinox Camper(also already had) at 4.2oz all together. I really don't like having 2 tool since there are duplicates.

I've been pretty unsuccessful at finding everything in one tool or even a combination of tools that weighs less. I'd checked out fishing forceps but they are all too heavy to replace the pliers.

The tools I want:
-pliers(for fishing)
-wood saw
-tweezers(for splinters)
-scissors

Things that would be nice to have:
-awl
-small flathead screwdriver

The tools I don't need on the tools I have:
-knife(already carrying an ESEE 4)
-pin(fishing pole is held onto my pack with a safety pin that can do this function)
-corkscrew
-bottle opener
-can opener
-nail file

Thanks.

Have you considered simply carrying your knife and the separate tools? Although I now carry a Leatherman Juice S2 multitool, I previously carried individual tools. I found a small pair of Husky brand pliers at Home Depot (or Lowe's?) in a 3-pack: needlenose pliers, regular pliers, and wire cutter. You could also carry a small saw, tweezers, and some folding scissors (Fiskars makes a really nice pair of folding scissors.)

For a screwdriver, I selected a small offset screwdriver with a slotted bit on one end and a phillips bit on the other.

All together, including the Gerber LST knife, they only weighed an ounce or two more than the Juice.

Not to rain on the parade, but I've stopped carrying a multi-tool because I realized that my gear doesn't neet it. I don't have a single screw anywhere, so no screwdriver. Pliers? Mainly I find that it's easier to fix things with a needle and thread. I do carry a knife, mainly for cleaning fish and cutting salami. Weighs a lot less than a multi-tool

I know what you mean. If I'm going solo, I only carry the knife, scissors, and tweezers. (and usually don't use the tweezers or knife.) However, when I'm helping lead a group (particularly new backpackers) I'll take the multi-tool. It seems like there's always someone who needs the flick-locks on his/her poles tightened or loosened (screwdriver), or needs something bent or unbent, or brought a pot but no pot lifter.

I could go without the screwdriver too. Biggest thing is having the realivety lightweight saw the swiss army knife has. Could always carry seperate tweezers and sewing kit sized scissors. Just about need my pliers for fishing(I straighten out too many hooks).

I use my knife every time but I'm also a knife nut and can't skip on the chance to practice working with wood while I'm out there.

The Wenger Evolution S52 Swiss Army Knife has all the features you want and a few you don't want at 4.1 ounces.

My last few hikes were with a Swiss Army Classic...tiny little sub-ounce sucker with all the tools you seek except pliers and saw. If I'm doing the remote ham radio thing, I'll bring a Leatherman Squirt P1 (the old version).
Found if I really need a tiny but effective saw, a Sawzall blade (endless tooth pattern choices!) with a simple wood handle made from an old piece of broom stick gets the job done but I've never actually had to use one, so those stay home too.
The little SA Classic has blade, scissors, file, screwdriver, tweezers, and toothpick.

I have been doing a similar search, although I am not so concerned with weight. I would recommend one of the leatherman juice models (you can pick which one), but I think they are going to be too heavy for you.

I have mostly been looking at leatherman models, but I can tell you that one of the complicating factors in what you are looking for is the saw. I know this because I also want a wood saw (for making dust to use with my fire steel), and it disqualifies a lot of candidates. The problem is that it only seems to come on bigger (i.e. heavier) models.

An idea: get a very small multi tool (I would say a leatherman squirt with pliers) and try to meet the saw criteria with a separate piece of equipment. I'm kind of looking into this myself. One idea that I have had so far is to try to buy a replacement multi tool saw blade. Since I only really want it for making saw dust, I figure I can do that okay by holding the little blade in my fingers. Of course, you lose a lot of leverage for actual sawing, but given how light you want the tool to be in the first place, you aren't going to get a great sawing tool anyway.

Hope that helps.

The saws all blade with an improvised handle is a great idea. Probably cheaper and better than trying to buy one of those replacement multi tool saw blades I might have to try that.