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Another Multi-tool thread...

aceofblades

aceofblades

Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
974
Hi,
I am going to gander mountain later today. I got a giftcard for easter. so I will probably be getting either a leatherman wave or one of the gerber 1 hand opening tools. Which would you perfer for survival/bushcraft etc? Also, if you have any knife recommendations shoot them at me!
 
I stood at the counter in MEC and compared the Wave with the Vic Spirit and this is what I left the store with.....
FrancisKing003.jpg
 
Hello Ace!

I currently own Leatherman Waves (new model and an old model), a Gerber Multiplier 600, and a Gerber Diesel (along with many, many other small or off-brand multitools). I carry my Wave on a daily basis. I used to be a Gerber Guy all the way, but when I bought my new Wave, I simply fell in love with it. The only advantage that the Gerbers have over the Leatherman is the fact that you can use the jaws to grip something from the inside out (picture putting them into some small PVC and expanding the jaws out). The Leatherman handles will simply close if you attempt to do this.

That being said, there are numerous features about the Wave that I like better than the Gerbers. First, the knives, file and saw are on the outside so you don't have to open the tool to get at them. Second, when the blades are open, they fall flush with the edge, much more like a true knife. Third, there is a dedicated straight edge and a dedicated serrated edge. The jaws feel much more stable on the Wave as well (though, admittedly, I have never broken a pair from either company). I know other people have had some minor problems with their Waves, but many of the complaints I have heard are about the old model and were fixed with the updates.

Just my $0.02! Hope you find something you like!
 
I have owned probably 20 different multitools (yes, I have problems) and I say go with the Wave. I have had one since they first came out and have had zero problems. Moose listed off most of the benefits. I like my Gerbers, but they just seem to not have the quality that the Leathermans do. Maybe not quality, but just not as well thought out.

I had a Spirit for a little while but ended up selling it since I did not like the blade on it. Had too much flex for my taste. It was super comfortable in the hand though when using the pliers.
 
Wave has served me well all over the world. I like to have an awl on my multitools (lke on the SAKs), so I took an idead from a friend, and filed the screwdriver head in a way that allows it to function as both an awl and screwdriver.

Don't the new leathermans use ATS34 or something good on their knife blades now? Not sure. Can someone confirm?
 
Another vote for the Wave. The multitool one-hand opening feature was what atracted me originally to the Gerber. It was my miultitool EDC for a while. In his evaluations of the Wave, Doug Ritter shows how the Wave can be opened ome-handed too in what he calls basic style and flick style.

In addition, the Wave allows for a one-handed opening of the blades.
 
Brian Jones said:
I like to have an awl on my multitools (lke on the SAKs), so I took an idea from a friend, and filed the screwdriver head in a way that allows it to function as both an awl and screwdriver.
Click to expand...
Cool idea!

I have a LM Blast and an awl is the only tool I want that it doesn't have.

If not inconvenient, would you mind posting a photo of the screwdriver modification? Thanks.......
 
I think anyone who actually uses the MT as a TOOL, prefers the larger Leatherman series, such as the Wave or Charge.

While I do not own one, I think many who carry, but use it very little, prefer the Vics. Generally they cite the stain resistance and the rounded shape. Makes sense.

Typically, the people who use the pliers and screwdrivers often prefer the Leatherman because they are closer to a tool, and do not have the high polish that detracts from their function.

On the other side of the coin, that same polish can also help the rust resistance in extremely bad environments. If the possibility of getting a slight discoloration or perhaps a few dots of oxidation on your blade worrys you, then perhaps the Vic would be the better choice.
 
I would recommend the Wave all the way. I carried them religiously until I got the Charge XT. The only Leatherman tool I have ever been unhappy with is the Skeletool.
 
Wave is hard to beat. LM Super Tool is bombproof. Swiss Tools are as well. When I started using a LM Tool, that's what it was called, in the early 90s it was just a "Leatherman Tool." Most of the time when any of us went in to fix an alarm, we didn't carry a tool belt in anymore, we just carried a Leatherman and if it didn't fit the bill, we would go back out and get the tool pouch and belt. They have a great utility above and beyond what we talk about in here.

The Gerbers were the next fad and they held up great as well. :D
 
I have a Blast. I love that thing, plus it came with a leather pouch which i prefer. I just dont care for Gerber anymore. I dont know about the wave but it must be good. Remeber SurvivorMan carries one.
 
I started out carrying a Gerber multi in the early nineties, the only thing that locked on it was the pliers. I had origanlly wanted a leatherman but the guy at the counter showed me a Gerber. I chose the Gerber because it was a one hand opener and also because it was a blunt nose multi. I bought a wave when they first came out, it was ok but not as tough as my Gerber too much play at the pivot when performing twisting functions. Over the years I acquired more Gerbers, but the quality was just not there like my first one. I bought a SOG Powerlock and haven't looked back. It is by far the finest multitool in my arsenol. Great fit and finish, toughest pliers on the market, easy tool change out, and awesome customer service. The belt pouch is top quality too, which is important because this tool is a serious hunk of steel. No pocket carry for this multi. Anyhow thats my 2 pennies.
 
I have a leatherman supertool 200, and I love it. It seems a little sturdier than the gerbers in my opinion. I have never owned a gerber multitool though, just handled a few.
 
Looks like you have all of the recommendations you need on the multi-tool. For this part of the question though. . .

aceofblades said:
Also, if you have any knife recommendations shoot them at me!
Click to expand...

. . . If you don't own any Spyderco knives I'd suggest checking out a Delica and/or an Endura while you're there. The Dragonfly is good too and capable of much more than you would think with it's small size .
 
+1 on the Wave and if you want to go bigger go with a Surge. I suggest maybe a buck 110 or Spyderco Endura for folders. Maybe a cheap Mora of some sort for a FB.
 
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