A knife or multi tool is an invaluable asset in the outdoors; whether for cooking, shortening your prusik cord, tightening a screw on your trekking poles, uncorking a bottle of wine, converting one end of your clothes line into a replacement shoelace or scraping out a bee-sting - the handiness of the humble knife or multi tool is endless. Our Paddy Pallin stores stock a range for any adventure: from a lightweight pocket knife to a single blade camping knife, a multi-functional Swiss army knife in classic red or eco wood to a Leatherman multi tool with as few or as many tools as you need for your adventure. Even a CrunchIt tool for recycling your gas canisters! With industry leading brands such as Victorinox, Leatherman, Spyderco, Jetboil and more, all our tools come with excellent warranties and replacement parts to serve you for many years in the outdoors. 

FAQ’s

What tools come in a multi tool?

We stock a wide variety in both the Swiss army knife and multi tool categories for you to select what tools you need. Our Victorinox Swiss army knife range always come with a blade, screwdriver and a can opener (except the Classic pocket knife model), then you can choose the model that incorporates other tools you want, such as: pliers, wire cutters, a corkscrew, scissors, a secondary blade, nail file, tweezers, a saw, and more. Our Leatherman multi tool range differs from a Swiss army knife primarily in their main function - the primary tool is pliers, instead of a pocket knife, and then you choose the model that has the extra tools you require. The tool options included in a multi tool are very much the same as what is offered in a Swiss army knife. This gives you the option to choose which tools you need in your multi tool. A further point of difference between models is the size of the handle once tools are deployed. The handles on our Victorinox range come in either plastic, wood or steel, while all the metal tools on both our Swiss army knife range and our multi tool range come in high grade stainless steels.

Does Paddy Pallin stock a camping knife or multi tool for single-handed use?

Yes. We stock options in both. The Spyderco Tenacious Knife is designed with a hole at the base of the blade to allow the camping knife to be flicked open with the thumb of the hand holding the knife. The blade hole design, pioneered by Spyderco, allows controlled opening of the blade, and is one less part to maintain on your camping knife, compared to a button or disk release. This is accessible for both right and left-handed users. The Leatherman OHT (One-Handed Tool) and their FREE P4 multi tool both excel at single handed use, with the OHT utilising a spring-action wrist flick to access the pliers and range of cutters, while the FREE P4 utilises magnetic closure coupled with the Leatherman traditional unfolding design to allow the multi tool to be quickly opened with just one hand. All features of the Leatherman range are left and right-hand accessible on all models. 

Do I need a camping knife or a multi tool for hiking?

Both are very handy to have in your hiking kit. The ability to make repairs and adjustments to your gear while on trail can make or break your trip; whether tightening a screw on your trekking poles, or fastening a replacement field repair buckle to your hiking pack, there is often a mishap that calls for MacGyver, but can be fixed with a multi tool. If you are hiking for a night or two it can be nice to take fresh food for some of your meals too, but you will need a camping knife or multi tool blade to prepare it. A pair of scissors or a nail file can save days of discomfort with a hangnail or prevent using up all the blister prevention on a toenail that just needs a trim. The uses for a multi tool on the trail are endless.

Is there a multi tool option that fits in my wallet?

There is! Nearly all Swiss army knife and multi tool models are designed to attach to your keys or clip to a pocket or belt, but Victorinox also make a Swiss Card that includes most of the usual multi tool suspects, such as a screwdriver, blade, nail file, tweezers, scissors and a metric ruler, as well as some unique extras, all in a case the same size as a credit card! Another option is the Nite Ize Financial Tool which also imitates a credit card. Made of stainless steel this innovative design is a 7-in-1 multi tool, which includes Phillips and Slot screwdrivers, three different wenches, a bottle opener, a metric and imperial ruler, money clip - and is airport friendly! 

Can I travel with any knife or multi tool?

Different countries have different rules around carrying a Swiss army knife or multi tool on your person. Australia has some of the strictest laws in the world, it is illegal to carry any knife on your person in public, including a pocket knife or blade included in a multi tool. However there are exemptions, for example chefs and tradespeople carry their blades to work everyday, similarly outdoors people always pack a camping knife or multi tool. Please check your state or territory’s laws and regulations. Some safety commonsense is to make sure to always pack your pocket knife, camping knife, or multi tool, away safely when not using it for its intended purpose, and keep it stored closed when transporting it between uses. Before taking your multi tool or camping knife on an airplane ensure that you check with the airline to see if it is permitted and check the laws of the country you are going to. 

That’s not a camping knife, this is a camping knife!

Not every camping knife or multi tool is created equal. The quality of steel used in a blade determines the longevity of your pocket knife or Swiss army knife. All of the brands Paddy Pallin stock use high grade stainless steel for their tools and blades; constructed for high strength and corrosion resistance. We’d love to see you in-store to hold our range in your hand to experience the difference.

What brands of knives does Paddy Pallin stock?

At Paddy Pallin we’ve carefully chosen our stock of knives. The original Swiss army knife Victorinox have been crafting the multi toolpocket knife since the 1890s! For a single blade camping knife we choose Spyderco who pioneered the single blade for one-handed use category, and have been perfecting if for almost 50 years. The original Leatherman multi tool was invented out of necessity while Tim Leatherman was on a cross-country trip in the 80s, and it has proven to be a staple of everyday use ever since. All our camping knife, pocket knife and multi tool models come with excellent warranties to give you peace of mind out in the wild.

Does Paddy Pallin sell Leatherman?

Yes, Paddy Pallin has a wide range of Leatherman multi tools, from the Wingman and Heritage series Rebar for heavy-duty use on work-sites and home projects, to the Sidekick ideal as a first multi tool and for multi-day trips, to the ultralight Skeletool and keychain size Squirt PS4 for ultralight travel and everyday use. We stock a range of single-handed use models with the OHT and FREE P4, as well as a range of Leathermanknives in the FREE series that utilise magnetic technology. We’re sure to have a model that will fit your needs.

How do I know which multi tool is right for me?

We stock a wide range of multi tools for camping and hiking in-store. Whether you’re looking for a multi tool for a local day hike, or one for weeks out in the remote wild, we have everything in-between. Pop in-store to get a hands-on feel of the multi tool choices, or have a chat with one of our experienced staff members, either in person or via our Customer Service team available by phone and online and on web chat.