All us outdoors guys like multi tools right...

I used to carry a leatherman PST in my mans purse (dang... I hate how that sounds..) or my briefcase when in the office. At the same time I carried a knife in my right front pocket.
Almost 5 months ago I got searched by the police while driving and found my knife. I am trying to get away without paying the 300€ fine they gave me. They didn't say anything about the Leatherman in the mans purse. Since then I bought a Leatherman Charge TTI mostly because of the higher end knife blade (SV30) and the pocket clip. Now is the only thing I carry unless I am definitely going outdoors. I somehow feel that being more of a plier than a knife, in case I got searched or something, I could get away without trouble. It is heavy, but so far is the best I can carry.

I usually don't use it hard at all, and I definitely don't carry them when hiking. Unless we are going for an extended period of time and might feel the need to fix or adjust something that requires pliers (multifuel stove, crampons, etc).

Mikel
 
Had the opportunity to use both Leatherman Charge Ti and Vic Swisstool Spirit.

All in all I think the Vic is better designed and made (particularly for the money) but I miss the better blade steel and the diamond file (can be used as field sharpener) - and maybe the one hand opening feature.
 
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i love both my leatherman wave and gerber diesel.. as a matter a fact I've been EDCing the diesel for a couple years now.. aside from minor rust stains that can be removed easily and a couple nicks in the blade.. i love that devil.
 
PorcupineMtns66 said:
I'd like to hear what the consensus is on the best SwissTool.
What are your models and thoughts on these?
Click to expand...

After trying quite a few Leathermans (Leathermen?) and a couple of Swisstools, My favorite is easily the Victorinox Spirit. It has typical excellent Vic build quality, and a very handy array of different implements. Many multitools just seem to have a big wad of different size screwdrivers - big deal. Also, the implements ARE ALL ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT UNFOLDING THE TOOL. I've found this to enhance ease of use for me much more than one-handed knife blades, but such priorities depend on the user. Furthermore, the size is fairly compact without giving up much ruggedness.

There are two things I dislike a bit; one is that the scissors don't open wide enough, and the other is the serrated knife bade. I just live with the small scissors, but I turned the knife into a double beveled plain edge easily enough with some freehand sharpening.

I also have an old LM Supertool (my first ever multi from some time in the early '90's), which stays in the car, and I have an LM Juice Pro that stays in my work bag. Other multis have come and gone. The Spirit is the one that gets a lot of edc time and use, though.
 
PorcupineMtns66 said:
I'd like to hear what the consensus is on the best SwissTool.
What are your models and thoughts on these?
Click to expand...

I have the Regular Swiss Tool (original) and the X model and the slimmer Spirit. The Spirit has become my favorite.

The Swiss Tools are pretty stout monsters but they do get a little heavy unless you're wearing a heavy duty rigger's belt. I also like the fact that I can access most tools without having to open the pliers. Blades are okay...typical SAK quality; the Spirit I have has the funky blunted blade that is half serrated/half plain...since I always carry a folder (or two) it hasn't been an issue for me. The Spirit has more needle-nose like pliers than the larger tools...which I prefer.

X model, Original (in the center) and the Spirit:
DSC02337.jpg


ROCK6
 
I have the Swisstool and the Spirit. I'm pretty harsh on tools,and I carry the Swisstool regularly. The only criticism I have of it is the pliers won't open as wide as I would like. On the other hand that probably keeps me from using it on things I shouldn't. My model is the one with 2 knife blades,no scissors. I like the Spirit as well,just feels too delicate for me. Either way they have the best combination of tools and quality i have encountered thus far.
 
Foilist said:
There are two things I dislike a bit; one is that the scissors don't open wide enough, and the other is the serrated knife
Click to expand...
Yeah those are annoying too.
Still I like the spirit a lot. And the all polished steel look is really cool.
 
I like the Swisstool Original--if you can't get through something with the plain edge blade, use the serrated. If that doesn't work use the saw. If that doesn't work use the file! One way or another you'll get through it! :D

But I own and use the Spirit. Great compact little tool, and still tough as nails.
 
Actually, I've never carried a multi-tool...unless you count an SAK as a multi-tool...I have an el-cheapo that I keep in my tackle box, but it cost 9 bucks and it's only for crimping split shot and jerking hooks outta catfishes' mouths...
 
I have a pair of older USA Leatherman waves and my son has a Swiss army Spirit S model replaces the scissors with spear point PE blade,both are excellent multi-tools IMO,I keep an older Gerber USA version in my tackle box..
 
Nope, I've never owned a multitool. On canoe trips I take a set of needle nose pliers for fishing and a stubby screwdriver and bit set for any repairs. And the axe can hammer nails.
 
I have never had to deal with customer service for neither a Leatherman or a Vic. Good to know about Leather's customer service being good, it's nice to know some things are still sacred this day and age.
 
I have had good luck with both Victorinox and Leatherman. I have dealt with each company's customer service once. Both took care of me but Leatherman was much faster.
For a while now I have been using a Victorinox Swisstool Rs and am pretty happy with it. Most of the time tho I just carry a sak and leave the pliars based multi at home.
 
I've cut through barbed wire with my little 2oz P4. It hurt my hands terribly, but the little powerhouse shrugged it off. I have yet to find a more effective and versatile tool for the size, weight, and cost. Just don't try to pry a quarter out of the vending machine with the file- that's how I snapped mine off.
 
I have a Vic Spirit which is very well made but prefer Leatherman. I like the extras Leatherman offers with their tool kit and bit kits.
Scott
 
Foilist said:
After trying quite a few Leathermans (Leathermen?) and a couple of Swisstools, My favorite is easily the Victorinox Spirit. It has typical excellent Vic build quality, and a very handy array of different implements. Many multitools just seem to have a big wad of different size screwdrivers - big deal. Also, the implements ARE ALL ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT UNFOLDING THE TOOL. I've found this to enhance ease of use for me much more than one-handed knife blades, but such priorities depend on the user. Furthermore, the size is fairly compact without giving up much ruggedness.

There are two things I dislike a bit; one is that the scissors don't open wide enough, and the other is the serrated knife bade. I just live with the small scissors, but I turned the knife into a double beveled plain edge easily enough with some freehand sharpening.
Click to expand...

I could have written this post verbatim. Follist, stop stealing my thoughts or I'll be forced to don my tin foil hat again...
:)
 
I love leatherman. I currently own
1 original PST
2 new Waves
3 Surges
1 Charge XTI
2 Charge TTIs
They have all worked flawlessly. I did break one of the jaws of a leatherman wave while cutting barb wire but Leatherman replaced it promptly. I have found the Wave will cut barb wire without breaking but if you twist the pliers while cutting the jaws will break. I also own a few SOG multi tools. IMHO Leatherman makes the best multi tool on the market.
 
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