A question on smaller plier based multitools

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
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Well, I carried my Leatherman Charge Xti (or whatever letter combination it actually is) for several years. Then, my fixed blade fever was reduced to a mind case of the folders. Now that I carry a good sized folder, I don't want to carry my Charge anymore. I'm open to trying it on my belt, but I've yet to find a nice super-low-profile kydex sheath. I stopped carrying it all together for a few months... but man I miss it! I'd like to replace it's functionality with a smaller multitool that I can carry easier, and that has a smaller pocket/keychain footprint.

But, I like the beef of the charge pliers and tools. How small can I go and still maintain a decent set of pliers? The Squirt looks like it couldn't handle too much, and the Juice maybe not to much either. The Juice Xe6 looks the best, though I don't really need the two blades. But at only 3/4" smaller, and 2 ounces lighter, I don't know if that matters too much.

Are there some other small options out there I'm missing?

L?!
 
I have the Xe6 but I prefer the Swisstool Spirit. Great tools and ergonomics and carries lighter than any of the other full-size multitools I've had.
 
Yeah, get a SOG Pocket Power Plier - you won't be sorry.

SOG is the only MT with compound leverage, which basically means it doubles up on the pressure you apply when using the plier.

They are very well made, ALL steel, tools can be swapped, and it comes with a very nice leather sheath.

And cheaper than Leatherman. ;)

(Sorry I don't have a pic of mine handy.)
 
I wasnt a fan of the SOG, you get twice as much leverage but youve got to move the plier handles twice as far which means gripping anything over 1/2" required the handles to be spread really far and you loose a lot of mechanical advantage at your hand, not to mention the ergonomics.

That and you have to open the multi tool, open the tool cover, deploy the tool then close everything back up to use anything.


Swiss Spirit is the best multitool I've handled. If only they added 1 handed opening blades it'd be perfect.
 
The SOG is a great heavy duty multitool but it is heavy for casual carry. Also, most of the tools are a bit on the short side. I don't know why they have those tool covers; I just removed them when I got mine.
 
naked said:
Are there some other small options out there I'm missing?
Click to expand...

Yes, belt carry. Leatherman makes a small footprint leather pouch for their tools. I like this far better than the wide nylon version.

.
 
+1 for the Swisstool Spirit! I love mine! :thumbup:
 
Check at Smokey Mt Knife Works for belt sheaths. I believe Victorinox and others offer their kydex belt pouches/sheaths seperately.
 
another for the victorinox swiss tool spirit.

i carry it on my belt at work and use it for such purposes as prying nails out of the bottom of my steel toes, or cutting open packaging.

works like a charm and feels like its barely there. i can use it at work or on the trail and it works great both places. i also find the fit and finish on the swisstool spirit better then on my leatherman; just a personal preference.

so, +1 for the swisstool spirit.

JC
 
I edc a squirt P4. It's actually quite a good set of pliers for the size. I ran into the same thought process you did with my Wave. After switching to the P4 and a Ritter Grip, I haven't missed my Wave.
 
Shotgun said:
I edc a squirt P4. It's actually quite a good set of pliers for the size. I ran into the same thought process you did with my Wave. After switching to the P4 and a Ritter Grip, I haven't missed my Wave.
Click to expand...

My question was more focused on how small can I go, and still have a decent pair of pliers and a small assortment of other tools.

Shotgun, do you have a picture of your P4 next to the Ritter?
 
naked said:
My question was more focused on how small can I go, and still have a decent pair of pliers and a small assortment of other tools.
Click to expand...
That all depends on what you call "decent". the pliers on the squirt are perfect for an electronics techie, but even the charge or swisstool are not decent for a full time mechanic...
If you talked about the jobs you want to do with the smaller pliers, it would help us to give you advice. Or you can go to a shop and try them, if you have the luxury of a B&M shop around having them in stock.
 
I edc a Leatherman XE6.
I like it because it is so small (lengthwise) although it is a little thick.
However its not any thicker then my well loved Swisschamp.
I love that the XE6 has a corkscrew! lol!.
I have a SAK precision screwdriver screwed into the XE6 corkscrew.
The only minor weaknesses of the XE6 are
1.the scissors aren't as good as Victorinox/SAK scissors.
2.Its canopener is functional but a little weak flimsy.
Other than that i love the thing.

I have an old SOG Paratool and old Leatherman Wave as well.
In the past i have edced both (not at the same time).
Both are fine tools a but the SOG lacks scissors and the Wave blades are set up for right handed one-handed opening.
I'm ambidextrous but carry lefthanded and do quick utilitarian cuts with my left hand.
Also my Wave used to be supertight and solid but then one day it fell off my desk onto a carpeted floor and from then on was all "loosey-goosey".
Apparently the tightness wasn't normal anyway.
I've handled a few Waves in an engraving shop and they were all loose like my post-fall Wave.
I 'd still carry it in a pinch, its still 100% functional just not as tight as before.

But of late my primary EDC's are either the XE6 or one of my SAKs.
On rare occasions i'll carry a Vic Hunstman in pocket and a Gerber Clutch on a keychain.
For me knife/scissors/canopener/saw/pliers are my main necessary tools for edc.
 
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