Adding another MT - suggestions?

B

brvheart

Joined
Oct 13, 2014
Messages
194
Hey there -

So I have a original Leatherman Wave. I carry it in my EDC kit, which goes hiking with me etc.

I was going to add another multitool and wondered what your suggestion was.

I was thinking a surge or a TTi, or maybe even another wave but in black this time (though I read it comes off on your hands)

Willing to look outside of the Leatherman as well.
 
all of them. One of each in every color, and configuration. But on a more serious note, that will happen over time anyway. What sort of improvements are you looking for? What do you not like, or what do you love about your mk1 wave? They are all good choices. the nature of LM's method for coating the black tools means that they have a longer "break-in" than the others. So the tools will be tighter, and the exess coating will rub off until you are left with only the well-bonded layer is left. I've never dealt with a black coated multi, but I suspect most of the complaints are really expectation problems and the things that happen are simply consistent with the nature of the coating. If you want a blacked out tool, I wouldn't hesitate to get one, just know that it will take a little tuning up, but what knife doesn't?
 
I can tell you what I don't like about the new wave - the darn interchangeable bit screwdriver. Something else to carry...yes it gives me options I wouldn't normally have but would it be useful? Not in my application.

I was also looking at the SOG EOD v2 - but then I go back to loving my wave and why change brands...?
 
If you want to play with loadouts, the SOG is worth looking at, since you can reasonably easily change out the tools. And if one-hand opening is not critical to you, you should look into the Vic tools. bar none, the best fit and finish I've seen on any multitool.
 
You need a heavy duty one like a Super Tool 300, then a lighter weight one like a Rebar, and a Micra. With those and your Wave, you can rule the world.
 
I would recommend Victorinox Spirit X. It has the perfect fit and finish among all the mid-size pliers-based MT, better than most(if not all)LM/SOG/Gerber offerings, and all the tools are accessible from the outside.
 
comis said:
I would recommend Victorinox Spirit X. It has the perfect fit and finish among all the mid-size pliers-based MT, better than most(if not all)LM/SOG/Gerber offerings, and all the tools are accessible from the outside.
Click to expand...

This is such an individual call. I wouldn't disagree with anything in this post, but I still prefer the Leatherman multi-tools I suggested because they fit my needs better.
I've had experience with the Spirit. It's a fine tool, but I preferred the ability to access most implements without having to remove my work gloves, the accessory bit kits for all the Leathermen, the replaceable wire cutters, wider opening pliers jaws, rulers and etc. I am sure someone can make a point for point comparison favoring the Spirit, but after working with each, I made my choice. It's a process, know thyself. But I will say you can't go wrong with either.
 
znapschatz said:
This is such an individual call. I wouldn't disagree with anything in this post, but I still prefer the Leatherman multi-tools I suggested because they fit my needs better.
I've had experience with the Spirit. It's a fine tool, but I preferred the ability to access most implements without having to remove my work gloves, the accessory bit kits for all the Leathermen, the replaceable wire cutters, wider opening pliers jaws, rulers and etc. I am sure someone can make a point for point comparison favoring the Spirit, but after working with each, I made my choice. It's a process, know thyself. But I will say you can't go wrong with either.
Click to expand...

I never have to remove my work gloves to access any of the implements on the Spirit. Check it out:
https://vimeo.com/121799552
 
znapschatz said:
This is such an individual call. I wouldn't disagree with anything in this post, but I still prefer the Leatherman multi-tools I suggested because they fit my needs better.
I've had experience with the Spirit. It's a fine tool, but I preferred the ability to access most implements without having to remove my work gloves, the accessory bit kits for all the Leathermen, the replaceable wire cutters, wider opening pliers jaws, rulers and etc. I am sure someone can make a point for point comparison favoring the Spirit, but after working with each, I made my choice. It's a process, know thyself. But I will say you can't go wrong with either.
Click to expand...

I think it depends on what implements you are referring to. I love Charge TTi/Wave for the one hand opening of blade and few tools on the outside of the handle, and there's no doubt it opens far easier than Spirit. But as for all other tools, I think Spirit opens easier and faster than Wave/TTi, since all tools are accessible outside and better F&F. If the use/value is very blade-centric, then Wave/TTi is probably the better choice here.
 
znapschatz said:
Good dexterity there, BASguy, although I see you had to take off your glove to work the camera. :D
Click to expand...

Touch screen on an iPhone....no gloves allowed.
In any case, that should pretty much resolve any questions of how easy it is access the tools on a Spirit. I actually made this video in response to complaints about the nail nicks on another forum. I just simply use the tips of my fingers to open the tools. The nail nicks aren't even necessary. I have 3 Spirits and can do this with everyone of them.
 
So while traveling last week, I was not able to check a bag - I usually check a couple blades and a multi tool and screw drivers and such. No check meant no tools, got on site and found I needed some tools so ran over and grabbed an OHT black - because of its one handed operation. It was great except the fact that it does not have scissors - if it had that I would have been happy as can be, I didn't think to check that beforehand the blade was sharp and so it cut what I needed to it to, mailed it back home and so for now I should be good I think. I should have just grabbed another wave. I'm finding it is a solid tool.
 
i like the new wave for the reason you dislike. the bit it double sided and being removable if you strip it get a new one. and you can get other assorted bits
 
One handed operation on the OHT and the spring loaded plier is darn hard to beat. One handed operation - awesome.

Looking at the wave - the interchangeable bit can be an advantage I'll give you that for sure. Just for me it's something else to carry or drop :-/
 
I suggest the Leatherman Super tool 300 it is a great multi-tool and I love mine very much.
 
BASguy said:
Touch screen on an iPhone....no gloves allowed.
In any case, that should pretty much resolve any questions of how easy it is access the tools on a Spirit. I actually made this video in response to complaints about the nail nicks on another forum. I just simply use the tips of my fingers to open the tools. The nail nicks aren't even necessary. I have 3 Spirits and can do this with everyone of them.
Click to expand...

My work gloves. Yours are likely thinner than mine.


If I get my hands on a Spirit again, I'll try to take the implements out with my bare fingertips and see how that goes. My recollections from the past are sketchy, so I'm willing to give it another try, but I do recall that using the Spirit nail nicks were much easier on my nail beds than those on the Swisstool, at least. The rest of my comparison between Spirit and Leatherman stands, though.
 
Last edited:
The Victorinox one hand Trekker is a very handy tool for the woods. You already have a plier based tool, I would look at something more knife like.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top