best multitool?

D

dennis75

Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
820
hi

i wanna know what you think is the best overal multi-tool. to name but a few:

-Gerber (Legend for example.....)
-Leatherman (Wave for example...)
-SOG
-Buck (Bucktool......)
-VictorinoxWenger

i'm simply looking for the most tough, versatile, ergonomic tool. which one would you advice? cost and weight are not important, quality and versatility are. two conditions though:

- it needs to have a very tough plier, almost as good and tough as any good plier you would buy in a hardware-store, and of course it needs some regular stuff like a knifeblade, a woodsaw, screwdriver, philips-head........you know, the regular SAK-stuff

-and...it needs to be 'in one piece', so no loose bits and stuff to carry along with it.......although some hex-bits would be nice for those darn hex-bolts......

thanks for any input guys
d75
 
Greetings! I have only limited experience with the Tools you mentioned, so here's my half cents worth.
IMO the only way you are going to get 'hardware store ' quality pliers is to do just that.I've broke Gerber and Bucks.
Re: Bucktool.. there is too much swivel in the plier- handle end to work effectivly at an angle.
I carry the Gerber 400 Sport because it has the tools I use. The Wave enjoys a real good rep here.
JMO, guy
 
I think if you are doing alot of field time the Leatherman Supertool 200 is the best because of the strength it has, but for an urban setting I would go with the Wave. I carry both! the Wave on my belt and the SuperTool in my Rucksack.
 
I prefer the Leatherman Supertool. I also have one of their tool kits adaptors and everything fits in one sheath. I use the pliers pretty hard and they have given me no problem. I had one of the original Leatherman and liked it, but had some thoughts about how it could be better. All those were addressed in the Supertool. I am content to stick with it.
Bob
 
I have several of the leatherman tools ( Supertool. PST) and the Victorinox Swisstool. The Victorinox is a much better tool IMO.
 
I have two Leathermans (Side Clip and Wave) and the V-nox SwissTool RS. IMHO, the SwissTool is the best out there at this time. Now if they would only make a smaller version.......

Paul
 
Leatherman Supertool 200. Use mine practically every day. As rugged as they come.

I just don't care for the metal on the Swisstools. I admit I have never used one, but the metal looks too soft. I have heard a complaint or two in regards to a screwdriver head "stripping," or turning, in a tough screw.
 
I've bought a ton of multitools over the years, including the Leatherman PST, Pulse, Supertool 2000, Wave, Juice CS4, Gerber 400, and ProScout. The one that I carry every day is the first one I purchased, the venerable PST. It fits me like an old shoe.

They are all good multitools though. You just have to find the multitool that has the tools you need most, with the highest degree of quality and ease of use. I like the butterfly opening of a broken in PST and the excellent file. I even like the blade. I can't tell you how many fish I've cleaned with that blade.

My biggest mistake in the past has been in buying large multitools. In the end, they're just too big and heavy, and end up in the "knives I don't use" box.
 
I think that the SOG PowerLock is "the best"...At least it's my favorite of all the multi-tools currently available.
The (smaller, lighter-weight) SOG Deluxe Pocket PowerPlier is also pretty darn good, and that's the one that I carry daily.
 
hands down, the best is the SOG power-lock. The gear-driven pivot is where the real difference is. It allows the unit to open smoothly (almost like a bali) and provides compound leverage at the pliers. futrhtormore, my experience has been that it is bomber-built, and has all the right tools.

Many tools out there are well-made, as are the Leathermans, but, like a Spyderco, there is that one thing which sets them apart, and the gear pivot is it
 
Dennis 75 - This is a subject that comes up fairly often. You might want to use the search function to look for information about multitools. I will say, however, that there is no one "best" multitool. What will be best for you will depend more than anything else on the multitool's intended use. Personally, I like the Leatherman Juice tools, because they're small and light and compatible with an office environment. Somebody with a different job, and different needs, might prefer something else.
 
I own and use several multi-tools. The Leatherman PST2 is my everyday carry tool because it's light, handy, and good for most of the situations I encounter on a daily basis ~ particularly at work. I've used it to clear a paper jam from the fuser of a Xerox 5635 machine, remove a jammed 8mm data cartridge from a tape drive, fix an antenna extension, dismantle a VCR, and pop the lid off of a stubborn paint can. When cycling in the summer I also pack the Leatherman Crunch on my belt as well, since it handles those emergency repair situations beautifully ~ especially in conjunction with the PST2. I have a Schrade Tough Chip that I carry also, though only for the shears since it seems that I can never find a pair of scissors when I need one. :rolleyes:
 
I also pack the Leatherman Crunch on my belt as well
Click to expand...

Yup, I have the Crunch, too, and love it. I use it less than the Juice tools, which I find more useful at the office, but there are some tasks that nothing else but the Crunch, with its adjustable vice - grip jaws, can take care of effectively.
 
The "best" multi tool will be the one that is the
simplest tool that will do all you expect it to
all the time. The fewer "bells & whistles" the
better. Remember these tools were all designed to
fill the gap between a tool kit and full blown tool
box.

So buy a name brand tool that performs as expected then one will own the "best" tool for them. ;)
 
Well said Tightwad.

Multi-tools are, by their nature, varied in design elements to enable a user to choose the best comination of tools to suit their personal requirements. This can be fun ! i.e. searching for the best tool which fulfills YOUR needs. It may be a Squirt to one person or it may be a Powerlock to another.

No one can say a multi-tool is THE best as it depends what you require in one.

'Horses for courses' as I like to say.
 
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