Best multi-tool?

DaleW

DaleW

Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
2,194
I have a couple multi-tools (meaning other than SAK's) and wanted to compare with others here. My little collection includes a Gerber 400, Bucklite Mini, and a Leatherman Micra.

I've seen the Les Stroud shows and the multi-tool he uses looked like it had a pretty healthy blade. If I get another, a saw and file would be great tools to have. Any recommendations?
 
Saw and files are great to have. I got a gerber pro-scout. It was a display model at a local fishing/hunting store for 40 CAD. I know people are going to be talking about the older wave and the swiss tools. But If you find a decent one around you for a good proce you should just snap it up.
 
Leatherman Charge. Can't leave the house without it. Have a XTi and a Ti both are keepers.
 
I've got the Leatherman Wave, it's a very nice one. It's got a saw and file, both are of high quality. The lock-up is very solid and there isn't really much play at all. I've had several other cheaper multi-tools, and this makes them pale in comparison by far. The blades/tools are good sized blades and thick enough that you're not afraid to get good use out of them. Weight might be a small issue, but that's the case with all the full-sized multi-tools.

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I use a leatherman surge. I like it ok. I had a swiss tool which was ok too. My biggest problem with the leatherman was all the sharp edges. during hard use, it's a blister factory. So this weekend after spending hours working on my bow/drill I got sick of it and used my dremel to knock off every single edge on it and then polished them with 150,400,600 grits. Even the blade spines and the thumb holes. It's literally 100% more usable IMO. It's hard to tell from my picture because am the ultimate suck at pictures and my camera tops me in suck.
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I have the LM new Wave, and the original pocket survival tool. I love both. The PST is nice because of its small size. The Wave has better tool options and one handed ability. I alternate from day to day which one I carry. For outdoors use though, its always the Wave.
 
It has just the right tools that I find myself using the most, and unlike Jack's Surge, it is very comfortable to use without any modifications (no blisters).
It's also not as heavy as the Surge or the Core.
And the screwdrivers are longer than those of the new Wave, and they lock open, unlike those on the old Wave.
Best of all, it's half the price of the SwissTool (so you can buy two and keep one in your pack or loan one to a buddy).
You can buy one at Target and inspect it for any defects, and take it back if you find a defect.
Target has a good return policy (that way you will not end up wasting money and time shipping the tool back to Leatherman if something is wrong with the tool).

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Good luck,
Allen
 
sherlockbonez said:
Oh, one handed opening knife1 I thought the pliers are one handed open like the gerber.
Click to expand...

well you can sling it open and pull a knuckle buster or you can open it on your pants leg like I do. Either way you get a more solid lock up then with a gerber. IMO that is. That said I keep a gerber in my turnout gear because I can sling it open with my heavy fire gloves on.
 
Another vote here for the leatherman charge. The new charge TTi comes with an S30V blade too. Oh, and a crimper on the pliers which I, personally, would find very useful. So I'm trying to keep my credit card in my wallet. :)
 
I like the Blast as well. Reasonably light, all blades lock, no sharp corners that dig into my hand, and the saw, scissors and file work well. :thumbup: I got mine in a package deal at Walmart last Xmas, it came with a Leatherman liner-lock that is super light and opens real fast, $50 for the pair. I don't like the serrations on it though, wish I had gotten the plain-bladed knife.

I wish Leatherman would let you "custom" order one... I'd love one just like this but without the extra, small screwdrivers I never use. Of course if I got that, I'd likely find myself in desperate need of that tiny driver... :eek: :D
 
Yeah, if weight is an issue, get a Blast, its a great little tool. If you dont mind the little extra weight get a wave (my Favorite ;))
I have 2 waves, one blast and a gerber compact, all great and I actually got the gerber for rabbit hunting, small and light. I've cleaned a few rabbits and cut countless snare's with it.
 
i see that the new wave has a pocket clip on it. anyone have any pics of this? also what do you think of the clip?

i have the older wave and a swisstool. the swisstool is much more robust than the wave imo. the only problem i've had with my wave is the scissor handles are always falling out when i'm using the pliers. this is a pretty big pet peeve for me.
 
Nothing fancy here. Back in 94', I bought a primo condition, original leatherman at a yard sale for $5.00 and it's been my MT of choice ever since. I suppose one of these years I'll wear it out and when I do, I'll look around for another one.
 
Leatherman Surge here, got it for the exchange a blade which is REALLY handy. I don't find the wieght to be that big a deal, I wore my brothers wave for a couple days and actually prefered the larger surge. And get the leather sheath if possible, I found the nylon one collapsed making it difficult to re-sheath it.
 
In general, I recommend the SwissTool X and Spirit over the other tools of the same size.

Some of my multitools:

SwissTool X
SwissTool Spirit
SOG PowerLock S60
old Leatherman SuperTool
original Leatherman PST
Leatherman Fuse
Leatherman Juice CS4
Leatherman Crunch
Leatherman Micra
SOG Crosscut
Sears Craftsman slip joint pliers multitool (really a Schrade ST5)

I sold off an original Gerber (palm pincher), a Schrade Tough (to open) tool, and a few others which were unimpressive.

Comments:
I didn't like the current generation of full sized Leatherman tools when I tried them briefly -- perhaps an unfair test.

My SwissTool X and Spirit have the best fit and finish and the tools are easiest to access. Phillips screwdrivers slip too much -- more than my other multitools.

My old Leatherman SuperTool has the best screwdrivers overall. Used and carried this tool daily for many years and it never failed or rusted. Blade lock system is cumbersome and entire tool must be open to access blades. Otherwise, a winner. I prefer it to the newer Leatherman models.

SOG PowerLock has the best pliers, but the other blades are underwhelming. Lacks a good, small screwdriver.

Leatherman Micra has the best scissors. SwissTool X scissors are next best.
 
No one has discussed the Swisstool Spirit yet? It has the robust Victorinox quality and construction, is ergonomically comfortable, not too bulky or heavy, and has a very sensible array of implements. My other several multis have been mostly gathering dust since I got a Spirit last year. It could be improved with a better scissors and a conventional knife blade though (I turned mine into a plain edge).
 
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