Best Multi-tool?

digispam said:
Yeah, blade material is one of the things that's got me thinking - my wave's main blade and the serrated one are starting to look the same!

Anyone a Gerber fan? How bout SOG?
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I'm an SOG Powerlock fan, myself. Everything I need, nothing I don't, and in a rough and tumble package that has seen its bit of rough treatment.

Granted I don't need to take out anything with one hand and I'm patient, it works perfect. Absolutely no other multi-tool can beat the mechanical advantage the Powerlock pliers have (and if you're buying a multi-tool without thinking of using the pliers, you probably should be getting an SAK anyways).
 
I have carried used, abused and learned to rely on and trust my 10 year old (or very close by now) original Victorinox Swiss Tool bought right after they first came out by Vic. When I replace it I intend to give the SOG a try. I like the advantage of the power leverage pliers and the customizing to your own liking by swapping out blades or tools as you want and discarding the others. I am also looking forward to once again being able to flip the pliers opened one handed like I could with my old original Leatherman that I lost. I have never been able to do that with the Vic and it was one of the hardest things to get used to when I went from the Leatherman to the Swiss Tool by Vic.

I believe the three, best MTs are the Leatherman, Swiss Tool and the SOG powerplier not necessarily in that order though.
STR
 
My favorite by far after trying many leathermans is my Swisstool Spirit "S". The "S" version comes with a plain edge blade! My leathermans look and feel very crude in comparison.
 
digispam said:
I have not had the fortune of trying a swisstool yet, but I hear they are rock solid well built. I can't find a local dealer and dont wanna shell out the $$$ online just to test.

anyone else like the swisstools?
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I loved my swisstool. The trouble was someone else loved it more and took it home. I have the SOG Powerlock now and would recomend that to anyone with med to large hands. I've had mine for three years at least now and have not had any complaints. I use it all the time.
 
Anyone else like their crunch?
I like having a locking plier, like having a vice in your pocket.
 
I use a SOG Powerlock EOD. Lets face it, the reason you carry a multi-tool instead of a swiss army knife is the pliers. Get yourself some mechanical advantage.
 
SkunkWerX said:
I'm getting the feeling I need to trade my Gerber in on a Wave?
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Yup. :D

I splurged on a Blast at Xmas time... http://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=40395
... really pleased with it. Rock-solid locks, no blade play. It was in a WallyWorld package-deal with a C301 part serrated linerlock, which is a great design, but the steel kinda sucks :( I have to be real careful sharpening it, the edge wants to just roll right over. But since I paid $50 for the 2 of them, I'm not bitchin'.

But yeah, the tools are worth the money. Pretty much everything about them is at least a little bit better, handier, sturdier, etc. I still have my Gerbers, they're in various PSK's/FAK's, etc. But the Leatherman is the one I like to have on me everyday.
 
The new Wave is a good tool. If there is a drawback, it is that it does not have a long reach phillips driver. That you can remedy by building one. I put the pocket clip on it, and it seems much handier. If you use the pocket clip, it makes the two tools on that side more difficult to get out for a while. I bought the clip @ swissknifeshop.com w/ free shipping.
 
by far the newest leatherman the surge it is plenty big and has the most tools of any multi tool and has all locking blades and interchangeble blade and screwdriver bits
 
I own a wave,pst and a swiss tool.The wave is a good tool but to me the build quality on the swisstool is superior,but the one hand opening on the wave is nice;)
 
I finally bought a SOG S62 today and took it back within two hours of the purchase. I don't know what the people that like the SOGs are seeing after having one for a few. Serves me right for passing judgement before seeing and feeling for myself. To be honest the SOG didn't compare to the build quality of the ten year old Swiss Tool I have. In fact the first time I went to use the blade I found out how to release the lock because I did so by accident. Then when I closed the blade and opened another I noted that none of the blades locked because the lock mechaism got stuck in the up position. Yeah that was real impressive. :thumbdn: Flipping it open was nice, as was the pliers with the added compound leverage feature but I'll sacrifice those things for a better built tool and reliable locks.

I just got back from Wal-Mart where I bought me a Leatherman Wave after returning the SOG to Lowes. I admit I am surprised I liked the Wave for the size difference being that its much smaller than the other multi tools I've had but the one hand opening blades, and the scissors all on one tool as well as the better needle nose pliers sold me to at least give it a try.

I can't say I'm too impressed with the sheath quality. It appears to be leather on the front but the sides are elastic spandex type nylon material when you buy it from Wally World. Lowes has a nylon sheath with theirs. I forsee that spandex stuff not lasting too long compared to the heavy duty thick a$$ sheath my Swiss Tool came with. I may end up going back to the ST and/or buying a newer ST with scissors on it if I don't take to this Wave. My main objective is to be able to find a way to rid my pocket of the SAK which has just the scissors that I use and practically nothing else and also lighten my load on my hip a bit so if this works I'll know soon.

Right now for me the jury is still out on multi tools but I have been in the market for a new MT for a while now and after all the majority votes for the Wave in this thread and my not so good experience with the S62 SOG I figured I'd trust you guys that you know your $hit! Hopefully your opinions will pan out better than those that voted SOG. :D Time will tell. Stay tuned.

STR
 
victory said:
I use a SOG Powerlock EOD. Lets face it, the reason you carry a multi-tool instead of a swiss army knife is the pliers. Get yourself some mechanical advantage.
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+1

The Pliers are great! If I didn't need the pliers I would just carry a SAK.:thumbup:
 
Well, had to come in again and say I love the Wave, wired the new house, changed door knobs, and worked fine, Man thats a nice tool :D
 
Having tried a bunch of different multitools from Gerber, Leatherman, Victorinox and SOG, my current favorites are the LM Core, new Wave and Vic. Spirit.


The Core is a full sized/full featured multi with some nice hollow ground screw drivers.

Downside: No scissors.


The new Wave is a mid sized tool with one (right) hand opening knife blades and a diamond file.

New Wave downsides: No awl, the blades can not be opened with the left hand, rulers are a bit difficult to read and the screw driver bits are too short for most recessed screws.


The Sprit is a compact but still full featured multi which has an excellent Victorinox exclusive wood chisel.

Sprit’s downsides: No real lanyard ring, no rulers at all, only one knife blade (a 3/4 serrated blunt tipped sheep’s foot), and (much like SAKs) the screw driver tips are a bit slippy.




- Frank
 
sci said:
I'm an SOG Powerlock fan, myself. Everything I need, nothing I don't, and in a rough and tumble package that has seen its bit of rough treatment.

Granted I don't need to take out anything with one hand and I'm patient, it works perfect. Absolutely no other multi-tool can beat the mechanical advantage the Powerlock pliers have (and if you're buying a multi-tool without thinking of using the pliers, you probably should be getting an SAK anyways).
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Agreed. I can clamp something like a vice using about half the pressure I'd use on another tool. If you adjust the tension and use some oil, the impliments fold out nicely.
 
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