Best Multi tool/plier?

N

Nugg3t

Joined
Oct 15, 2002
Messages
751
I am looking into purchasing a multi-tool for my EDC. I like the looks of some SOG's and Leathermen's, but i would like some opinions before i buy one. My question is, what is the best multi tool/plier you have owned or handled? Im looking for durabliity and quality. Any price range is fine, i havnt seen many over $140. Also, if anyone knows of a titanium handled Multi-tool, please let me know! Thanks alot for reading. :)
 
It seems to be a general consensus of the BFC community that the SOG Powerlock is the best multitool out there.

Any objections to this statement are very welcome, I'd like to see what I'll be missing even when my Powerlock gets here.
 
Most opinions I've seen at this forum is in favor of the Leatherman Super Tool and SOG as far as being the most reliable and built tough. Also the Victorinox.

I have a Leatherman Wave because I liked the one hand open quality...but many say it suffers in the 'toughness' category. I will probably upgrade to a SOG next year.:)

Warthog
 
Thanks for the quik replies! I had my eyes on an SOG powerlock b61 and i am thinking about getting one. The Leatherman's are great too. The powerlock looks durable and perfect for what i need. I also like the T60 TiNi PowerPlier. Thanks again for the suggestions!
 
Nugg3t, be careful of some of the sellers on Ebay (if that's where you're looking for the black oxide Powerlock). Some of the Powerlocks you'll see there are actually the military version, and they're selling for far below "retail" price that would be charged in there. Ron@SOG thinks that they might be "hot" merchandise.

Just be sure to ask if the tool has scissors. The military version does not, along with some other tools. They are exclusively black-oxide finish, so you'll be safe with the other finishes.
 
I purchased the SOG Powerlock and Leatherman Supertool 200 and I would definately have to go with the SOG! :D
 
AlphalphaPB
Thanks for the heads up. I was checking out some multi tools on ebay, so i will definately take your advice. Thanks again.
 
I own a Leatherman Wave and it is a great tool. The construction is fabulous. At least take a look at one before you buy. If you do a search you will find as many Leatherman fans as SOG Powerlock fans.
 
There really isn't one "best" multitool. There are a lot of fine products out there, and picking the most suitable multitool for your needs will depend on what you're planning on using it for. For example, if you're thinking hard use and don't mind the weight, then the SOG Powerlock or the Victorinox Swiss Tool will serve you well. If you're considering pocket carry, the Leatherman Juice line is excellent. And so on. I have scads of multitools, and pick which one to carry on any given day according to what I think I'm going to need. My personal favorites are Leathermans: the Crunch is great, plus, as I mentioned, I love the Juices (I have the XE6 and the C2).
 
FWIW I have a leatherman CS$ (blue) juice in my pocket now. It is the one I carry most often. Around the house and cottage I carry a Leatherman Supertool. Lots of people like the SOG but I have never seen or handled one in the stores up here and I don't like to buy w/o handling one (being a touchy feely kind of guy)
 
The one company that wasn't mentioned was Gerber. They make some of the toughest tools that I've ever used. One of the newest models is the Model 800 Legend. This tool is my EDC on the job as a firefighter. The following was taken from Gerbers website.

Gerber 800 Legend

Multi-Plier 800 Legend®
Gerber's newest multi-function tool, the Legend®, is an entirely different kind of Multi-Plier®. Designed for the user who needs extreme wire cutting ability, quick access to the components, spring loaded plier handles, and a secure comfortable grip, the new Multi-Plier 800 Legend® is the best of its kind.

Continuing the tradition of innovation, the new Gerber Legend® is the first multi-function tool with replaceable tungsten/cobalt carbide wire cutter inserts.Much harder than any stainless steel, the Legend ® wire cutter will cut through #2 hard carbon steel fishhooks, 1/16" piano wire, and 278lb stainless steel offshore fishing leader. In the event of damage, the triangular cutter can be rotated to a new edge with a Torx® head wrench.

When quick access to the components is a necessity, the Legend® has no equal. All components can be reached with out opening the tool. The large knife blade and patented scissors can even be opened with one hand. The spring-loaded scissors cut all braided fishing lines, hemmed denim, Cordura®, and leather.

The Multi-Plier® 800 Legend® also has Gerber's Patent pending saw coupler, allowing the use of any standard 2" jig saw blade. When a blade goes dull, or if a different style is desired, simply remove the old one and insert the desired blade. No tools are required to make changes.

All of the Legend's® eight components lock open once rotated into place. To unlock, simply slide the release button back, and close the tool. All tools have independent rotation, so only one component comes out at a time. This is safer and more convenient than having to sort through the entire tool set. The Multi-Plier 800 Legend® has a knife blade, scissors, interchangeable saw blade, Phillips® screwdriver, small, medium, and large screwdriver, bottle opener, and a file.

Legend® is the most comfortable multi-function tool to use. The unique handle design has broad, smooth surfaces for the hand to grip when using the pliers. When unfolded for use, the spring loaded pliers open to fit your hand. The Multi-Plier® 800 Legend® also has 3M rubber inserts along the sides. These provide a cushioned, more secure grip on the tool. These inserts are an industry first. The Multi-Plier® 800 Legend® come with a sheath, has a suggested list price of $136.00, and is backed by Gerber's Limited Lifetime
Warranty.

As far as price goes, you can find this tool at Target stores on sale for $63. I would suggest that you check these out before you make a final decision.
 
I have as my EDC a Leatherman Wave ( very nice and one hand opening ).
I have in my truck a Gerber multipiler is very nice too, it is strong, etc.

And yesterday I bought a Gerber Multi-Piler 600 Woodsman for my wife who will use it as a tool and impact weapon if it is needed.

You have a lot of choices so pick you one, analize your needs and select the tool.

roloss_valdes
 
i have a gerber 700 urban legend on order that should be arriving by the end of the week. like it was already said, different multitools come with different features so you should find the one that has most of what you are looking for/think will come in handy. for my purposes since i work in a garage/machine shop building a racecar, it seems to fit my needs the best. i dunno how many times i've needed a good pair of snips...the gerbers come with ones that use carbide so they should cut through a majority of wires and also last a decent amount of time. they also come with tweezers for those pesky steel splinters i get every once in a while. i should be posting a review over the weekend...saturday is the big work day at the garage so i should put it through its paces pretty well.

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/product/gerber/gerbdes/multiplier700.htm

that place is the best price that i found for gerber pliers on the net.
 
i have a newer version of the leatherman Wave, it has worked out great for me, i like it better than the gerber i had before it. :)
 
SOG Powerlock all the way
I'm beginning to miss it because it's being sheathed right now.
 
I have four, a leatherman wave, a leatherman micra, and gerber legend, and a craftsman. The craftsman is the easiest to use, but lacks many features. The gerber legend broke when using the pliers to turn a nut. Gerber fixed it for free. the leatherman wave gets the most use, and has held up well. there is a bit of handle jiggle, but overall it's not bad. One of the best things about it is that the phillips head screwdriver is long enough to actually be useful!! Just my experience. I'm now interested in the Powerlock, I bet it will come down to the wave or the powerlock eventually.


edit: the micra is great but I guess not applicable to this thread.
 
Up until a year or so ago I had tried them all and settled on the Victorinox Swiss Tool.

The easy to operate lock and non-clumping blades were the biggest selling point. It also has an extremely beefy feel and is built to perfection.

It has been my only Multi-tool since then and has held up very well despite some very hard use.

I just ordered a Leatherman Super Tool 200 and the Pulse to check out the new locking mechanism, will be here tomorrow. I'm hoping this will now be the ideal tool.

I've always like the Phillips screw driver on the Leatherman better because the SwissTool is a little over polished.

So, at this minute my choice is the SwissTool, maybe by this time tomorrow my opinion will be different.
 
They're almost indestructable. I've been beating on a 600 multi lock for years now. I think they're a lot more functional design than any of the leathermans I've ever handled, but thats more matter of personal preference. They're very solid, and well made for the price.
 
hey guys,
What about the Spyderco multi tool ?
I just bought one for my kid, it seems to have the toughness and quality needed to last awhile.
Does anyone have any experience with one ?

Myself, I carry a leatherman clipit. I work in an office so I cant use a pouch. This clipit has just the basics, which is all I need.
I find a use for it every day.
Jack
 
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