For my 2013 MDS I carried a Leatherman Style. This little gem was more than a knife, it was also a tiny multi-tool having tweezers, a nail file, scissors and a screwdriver. Weighing in at 23 grams this would be found more often than not on a key chain instead of being a primary survival tool. The Style served me well in Morocco and I used the blade and scissors multiple times each day. It was always handy in my front pack attacked to a short piece of shock cord.
With the Grand to Grand Ultra the requirement for a blade also comes with a minimum length stipulation - 5 cm. Unfortunately the little Style is just well, too little (4 cm). Searching high and low has reviewed a most unique possibility - the Baladeo ECO131. This skeleton framed marvel is a feather weight 15 grams and sports a 6 cm long blade that is held in place with a functional lock back mechanism.
My youngest daughter Megan was kind enough to give me one for Christmas. While I was initially put off by not having scissors the blade design is sound and appears to be more useful. Balance is fine but it is small in the hand.
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| Lightweight steel for the field (Leatherman Style top and Badego ECO131 bottom) |
The spear point blade of the Baladeo obviously pierces more readily than the spay-point on the Leatherman and one needs to be careful wielding it. The extra length is a definite advantage. Since my kit does not have any screws holding anything together there is no loss not having a screwdriver. In fact this is in the plus column since an unused item is just extra weight. The nail file was also unused during the MDS. Tweezers could be of use but if one wishes some a separate pair could be carried. I may just take the pair out of the Style and put them in with my first aid supplies.
Having the Baladeo in my pocket now for several days I am impressed with it and believe it will work fine in the future.
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