Best multi tool??

[Ring Aleavo]

We're all friends here, you don't have to lie to us...

He's gotta say that, his wife reads these.

 

[DSG]

If weight and size are not an issue ..... (your opinion) what is the most useful multi tool available? Please explain why if you can.

ST300, boss. Least that's where I keep falling back to. I'm coming at this from the waterworks industry -- construction type work; lots of mud and everything is pretty heavy duty. Here's some reasons why:

1. For its weight, I find it pretty low profile on my belt in the leather box sheath. Not much to snag up on, and rides well under coveralls. I don't know if mine is unique or what but it deploys one-handed like a ballisong which is SUPER handy.

2. The closed architecture is pretty trench-friendly. I gave up on carrying the LM Wave because all the open channels and layers of metal that accomodate outside-accessible tools just invite too much room for mud and grit to get into the inner workings. I guess YMMV, but a lot of the usefulness of a tool is gonna hinge on how often you find yourself cleaning and maintaining it. If I reach for my tool with muddy hands, or if I'm fitting pipes in a real tight trench where I'm rubbing up on the walls and stuff I'm not too worried about fouling up this MT because of that shielded design. I don't know what field conditions you're working in but maybe that's something to think about.

3. The range of hex sizes you can fit those jaws around is very satisfying, and moreover when you slip off whatever nut you're torquing the handle design won't bite as bad as other MTs I've used. When they say they designed this tool for hard use I think that's the kind of thing they're talking about. The bulky handles and ergonomics of the ST300 are pretty forgiving when you lose dexterity in the cold or in awkward positions. They're also big enough that you don't feel clumsy using this tool with gloves on (I wear size L gloves, for perspective).

4. The file is just aggressive enough and well-hardened for most jobsite materials; really good for quickly deburring cut metal and the wood/bastard side works well on PVC too. If you need to mirror polish a piece you're gonna use emery, but for a standard MT file I can't understate the quality of this one. I'm picking on the file because in terms of usefulness, being able to shape metal on a construction site is just as useful as being able to whittle wood in the forest.

I can't really comment on the blades because I don't really use them. I carry a dedicated folder for cutting. I guess if I wanted a one-tool-option MT the lack of one-handed blade might be a sticking point but I've never considered the blade to be an important feature of a pliers-based tool. In any case, the pliers on the ST300 are way too well-engineered to sacrifice them over a knife blade.

I generally base my opinion of a MT on the effectiveness of the pliers, the file, and the capability of the biggest flat head driver because those are the functions I reach for most often.

(The ST300 big driver is perfectly functional for scraping and prying. It's not quite as beefy as the 111mm SAKs but it has a nice hollow grind with a crisp edge and it's plenty sturdy.)

I hope you get something out of this dissertation, dude. Cheers.

 

[SteeleJ1976]

I think the Leatherman Wave is the best Multitool out there. I will say that with a couple caveats though.

1) I have the older version without the replaceable cutters which I like better
2) I think you need to have the Bit Kit with extender and newer Leatherman sheath that holds them all for belt carry

I carry my Leatherman Wave for work and it is great and saves me a lot of time and aggravation. That being said after work and on the weekends I carry my Swiss Army Knife Super Tinker. I just don' have a lot of need for pliers just running to the grocery store and out and about and the Wave is too heavy for pocket carry.

I have to imagine as some others have said that the Victorinox multitools are exceptional just based on my Swiss Army Knife quality. If I ever need to get another Multitool I would probably give the Swisstool X a try but you can't go wrong with a wave IMO.

 

[Centuriator]

I'm a big WAVE fan too, but I went all in on the SURGE and purchased it and all accessories, in black. I have it all now stored in a SINTH holder that I finally got from Canada last week, took pretty long to get it, so I have the SURGE, with both bit sets, both blade replacements, and the extension rod, along with a Streamlight flashlight on one side, and a assisted opening Kershaw blade on the other. The SINTH I ordered came with a D ring on the bottom, what for? Heck if I know.

Together it keeps everything nice together and for 90% of anything I need a tool for, I use all this. And of course, if I want or need to, I can carry it all on my belt.

I'll post up a pic if I remember when I get home from work today.

It's just kind of cool. It's a guy thing, my wife doesn't understand.

 

[SteeleJ1976]

I'm a big WAVE fan too, but I went all in on the SURGE and purchased it and all accessories, in black. I have it all now stored in a SINTH holder that I finally got from Canada last week, took pretty long to get it, so I have the SURGE, with both bit sets, both blade replacements, and the extension rod, along with a Streamlight flashlight on one side, and a assisted opening Kershaw blade on the other. The SINTH I ordered came with a D ring on the bottom, what for? Heck if I know.

Together it keeps everything nice together and for 90% of anything I need a tool for, I use all this. And of course, if I want or need to, I can carry it all on my belt.

I'll post up a pic if I remember when I get home from work today.

It's just kind of cool. It's a guy thing, my wife doesn't understand.

Yep sounds like a good setup. I also keep a Streamlight microstream on the side of the sheath, works perfect!

 

[the-accumulator]

As you can tell, I don't worry about carrying a few extra ounces. My EDC rig:





I tried sorting out the bits I'd be most likely to need so I could carry only one bit holder, but I was frequently missing the one I needed. The extra jigsaw blade has a carbide grit cutting edge and will cut steel or even ceramic. When the Velcro gave out on the sheath, I added the snap. When the belt loop tore loose, I rebuilt it with some new webbing. The rubberband keeps the bit extension for going AWOL.
For me, a multitool is like just another part of my body: when the need arises, out comes my Surge almost subconsciously. When I fly to the east coast to see my kid and his family, I use one of several MTs that I have stashed at his place.
If I could have only one MT, it would probably be a Wave, but I would sure miss my Surge. BTW, my flashlight is a $12 Lumentop that runs one one AAA cell. It has three brightness settings, and I can easily hold in my mouth when I need two hands.
Sorry, I didn't plan to be this long-winded. T-A

 

[Smaug]

Did you buy one yet?

If not, I have two choices, depending on your goal:

Victorinox Swisstool Spirit X - Best quality, most comfort in the hand, outside accessible tools

Leatherman Surge - Has four outside accessible tools (the most commonly used, I think) and one of them is the one-hand opening blade. It also has the jigsaw blade attachment, which makes it SO versatile. One of the outside tools is a really nice, decently-sized scissor. The flat screwdrivers have sharp corners (as they should) and don't slip out of the screw head like the polished Victorinox ones.

SOG - Internal tools are not great.
Gerber - Knife blades are not very good and hard to sharpen (too thick, too wide of a bevel) MP600 Pro Scout is worth a look, though.

 

[E.D.C.]

Victorinox Spirit X is the best multitool ever made.