scissors – Three Points of the Compass

Knife chat: the NexTool Mini Sailor keychain multi-tool

The NexTool Mini Sailor combines ten functions into a single product to bring a surprising addition to the few 'keychain sized' multi-tool options available.

knife

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer X and Pioneer Farmer

The Pioneer X and Farmer each provide one additional tool over their two-layer cousins. That extra tool, either scissors or saw, may be enough to tempt you

knife

Knife chat: are you flying? a look at bladeless ‘knife’ options

Many of us like to pack along a little knife when backpacking or travelling. But what to take when flying. Rather than lose a favourite to zealous security, there are some little tools that don't include a blade. Three Points of the Compass looks at three options.

Gear

Favourite gear: the Leatherman Squirt S4 keychain multi-tool

None of us require much in the way of a knife or multi-tool when backpacking. A small blade will normally cope with most tasks. However greater functionality can be useful on multi-day excursions. The diminutive Leatherman Squirt S4 has been a favourite of Three Points of the Compass across thousands of miles of trail.

knife

Knife chat: The Wenger Esquire and derivatives

The Wenger Esquire was a 65mm knife with blade, scissors and nailfile. There have been subsequent rebrands and changes over the years, many of which deserve consideration

Gear

Knife chat: Woodn’t you believe it- three terrific little Swiss Army Knives

Three little knives from the Victorinox range that feature wood scales

knife

Knife chat: Gerber Armbar Slim Cut and Slim Drive

Released in 2021, the Gerber Armbar Slim Drive and Cut multi-tools focus in on different features of their larger Armbar Drive cousin

knife

Knife chat: Gerber Armbar Drive

The Gerber Armbar Drive provides the means to carry a small multi-tool that includes not only a decent sized blade, but also an awl and scissors, alongside a quarter-inch hex drive to enable repair and maintence while on trail

knife

Knife chat: Leatherman Juice S2

The Leatherman Juice S2 may provide a compact set of tools for the backpacker requiring more than just blade and scissors

Cooking

Knife chat: Victorinox Money Clip- useless clip, great knife

The 74mm range from Victorinox doesn’t get much attention. There […]

Gear

Knife chat: SOG Snippet- the best scissors you will find on a mini multi-tool

The SOG Snippet is a keychain multi-tool that brings the finest pair of small 'precision-cut' scissors to the backpacker

Gear

Knife chat: Gerber Dime and Dime Travel multi-tools

Gerber Legendary Blades introduced their first multi-tool in 1991 and […]

first aid

Gear talk: First Aid Kit

It is perfectly possible to go on a walk carrying no first aid capability at all. However knowing how to cope with issues and carrying something to deal with blisters, […]

Gear

Knife chat: Gerber Vise and Splice, two affordable keychain multi-tools

Many hikers will simply rely on a small Swiss Army […]

knife

Knife chat: Leatherman keychain tools- Squirt series

Leatherman Squirt series The first Squirt series Eight years after […]

Gear

Knife chat: SwissCards

Victorinox SwissCards The Victorinox SwissCards are lightweight plastic ‘cards’ that contain a small range of tools. These can frequently be all that is required on a hike. Three Points of […]