Up next Competing in the Oregon Trail Rally Published on July 21, 2020 Author Tread Staff Tags 5.11, blade, Boker Plus, Kershaw, knife, knives, Leatherman, multi-tool, multipurpose, Spyderco, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 Multipurpose Knives Which One of These Multipurpose Knives Would You Choose? If you spend any amount of time in the great outdoors, it’s a good idea to carry a knife with you. A quality knife can be a useful tool to have, and, if required, even a simple blade can perform multiple purposes. From gathering kindling to starting your campfire to preparing food and even protection from the unknown hazards of exploration, having a knife available to you can be a lifesaver. While a single bladed knife can get most jobs done, we think it can be a prudent move to carry a knife that is purposely built to take on more. They say that the best knife is the one you have on hand. We can’t argue with that logic, but we can suggest looking into multipurpose knives from the get-go so you are prepared for most any situation. The knives in the following selection are packed with useful features that ordinary knives can’t match. Which one would you choose for your next romp to the outdoors? Kershaw Shuffle DIY TOOLS: Bottle opener, bit driver, flat head and Philips screwdriver bits Subscribe to our weekly newsletter CLOSED LENGTH: 3.25” OPEN LENGTH: 5.75” BLADE LENGTH: 2.4″ BLADE MATERIAL: 8Cr13MoV HANDLE MATERIAL: Glass-filled nylon WEIGHT: 3.5 ounces MSRP: $40 kershaw.kaiusaltd.com 5.11 Ferro Knife TOOLS: Ferro rod, lanyard, sheath OVERALL LENGTH: 5.75” BLADE LENGTH: 2.3″ BLADE MATERIAL: 420J2 Stainless HANDLE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel WEIGHT: 2.6 ounces MSRP: $33 511tactical.com Leatherman Crater C33TX TOOLS: Carabiner, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, 1/3-inch flat screwdriver CLOSED LENGTH: 3.87” OPEN LENGTH: 6.5” BLADE LENGTH: 2.6″ BLADE MATERIAL: 420HC Stainless HANDLE MATERIAL: Glass-filled Nylon WEIGHT: 3.19 ounces MSRP: $45 leatherman.com Boker Plus Tech City Tool TOOLS: Glass-breaker, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, bottle opener, wire stripper, serrated blade, scissors, punch/awl, pliers, pocket clip CLOSED LENGTH: 3.625″ OPEN LENGTH: 6.6” BLADE LENGTH: 2.8″ BLADE MATERIAL: 12C27 HANDLE MATERIAL: G10 WEIGHT: 5.6 ounces MSRP: $80 bokerusa.com Spyderco Clipitool Standard TOOLS: Can opener, small screwdriver, bottle opener, large screwdriver, wire-stripper CLOSED LENGTH: 4.4” OPEN LENGTH: 7.9” BLADE LENGTH: 3.5″ BLADE MATERIAL: 8Cr13MoV HANDLE MATERIAL: G10 WEIGHT: 4.2 ounces MSRP: $83 spyderco.com Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the September/October 2019 print issue of Tread Magazine.
Camp Gear Camp Kitchen Camp Cooking Remotely on the Move: Fueled by Fire Creative Heritage-style Camp Cooking After a day of surfing and fishing, darkness starts to descend on a remote, sandy beach. Temperatures drop enough to send […] Mercedes Lilienthal February 22, 2022
Camp Gear Camping Camping Gear for the Active Camping Family Family Fun Outdoors There are countless reasons why people love camping. It’s a way to relax and disconnect from the everyday stress of the modern […] John Pangilinan August 27, 2020
Accessories Features From Knives to LED Flashlights: The COAST Story The COAST Portland Legacy When you think of COAST, you probably think of flashlights. If you’re anything like me, that’s the first thing that comes […] Corey Decker May 14, 2025
Buyer's Guide Camp Gear Buyer’s Guide: Hiking Supplies Here are some hiking supplies you may be interested in for life off the beaten path. Also, be sure to check out this article on […] Tread Staff March 13, 2020