II have my needle nose pliers from my tacklebox and a swiss army knife.  I can't imagine needing anything other tools for repairs on a canoe trip.

I too am one who does not take a multi-tool.  I have my sheath knife and forceps and that is about it.  I am planning on taking a small drill bit and screwdriver as part of my emergency kit.  I am curious what the advantage of a multi-tool is in canoe country?

TIA,

TB

I carry an original Leatherman and a simple lock-back knife on my belt at all times on any kind of camping trip.  I actually rather like the knife blade on the Leatherman, but usually when I want a knife blade, I want it NOW and don't want to have to dig it out of the rest of the tool.

My lock-back knife WAS an off brand.  It's now at the bottom of Brent Lake not far from the portage to McIntyer.  I'll probably replace it with a small Buck lock-back before the next trip.  Probably pick it up at the Gander Mt. in Duluth on the way up (see the thread on favorite stores).

I used to carry a SAK, but that got retired when my son gave me the Leatherman.

I forgot, I also use the awl on my SAK to punch the paint out of jig eyes.

TB, to answer your question, I guess that if you want to consider the SAK a multi-tool then I use the knife blade, scissors and awl frequently on each trip.  I have used the screwdriver blades before, though they don't get used every trip, certainly.  I still feel better for having them along, somewhere.  For those who use Leathermans, obviously the pliers are functional for hook release and also occasionally find other camp uses.  Hemostats/forceps are great for the delicate/deep hook removal, but if you really need to put some torque on a hook, pliers are far better.  Multitools are for those who feel more comfortable having all of the above with them at all times on a single implement.

Whatever floats your canoe is what you should use.  Most of us are apparently old enough to have evolved our own system based on what works best for each of us, so the differences just come down to personality and camping style.

I bring a fixed blade PONTUS, a Gerber multitool, a Schrade folder, a handmade fillet knife, a folding handsaw, and occasionally a small axe.

The PONTUS goes, period. But for explanation purposes it digs, cuts, guts, slices, dices, pounds, pries and doesn't break. And it cleans up much faster than the the others.
The Gerber is very useful for: Picking up hot metal, untying knots, straightening hooks, holding hooks for sharpening, fixing reels, straightening eyes on the rod, filing sharp points smooth, unseating and re-seating o-rings in the stove and water filter pump, removing hooks if the hemostat is unavailable, splinters, etc, etc, etc.
Schrade folder tucks away for a back-up.

Everything else is pretty one-purpose and doesn't need explaining.