Grabbing a billy off the fire without burning yourself; pulling thorns out of your skin; Fixing your backpack frame. Fiddling with your backpacking stove (depends on the kind of stove you carry); Pulling porcupine quills out of your dog; Holding a credit-card sized diamond sharpener so you can touch your knife edge up without slicing your fingers (rest the far side on a log or such); Fiddling with your fishing reel; Grabbing an ember from the fire to light your candle lantern; Making yourself a penny stove; Jury-rigging the handle back onto your cook pot; Fiddling with your outboard motor; Filing your fingernails (I was at my mechanics while they tried to diagnose some problem. I noticed I had a torn fingernail that was sure to catch something and tear painfully. So I used the fine cut file on my Surge to smooth it out. Quoth the mechanic, “You must have really tough fingernails.”);

The longer I thought about it, the longer my list got. I don’t say I use my Leatherman all the time in the bush. I do say that when it comes in handy, it really comes in handy.

I sweet talked Rainwalker into making me special sheaths for two Leatherman tools. One for a Charge, one for a Surge. Both have room for one bit-kit, a bit extension, one or two drill bits with hex bases that fit into the bit-kit, a AAA flashlight, a fero rod, and a stick of fat lighter. If I walk out my door I have one on my belt. It’s a minor PSK in itself.