Best or Favorite Multi Tool

The absolute best multitool in overall manufacturing quality would be any of the Victorinox SwissTools, however the most user friendly multitool (and still very good quality) would be the Leatherman Charge TTi or Ti model.

I used to do maintenance & repair for Leatherman, so i think my opinion has at least a certain value ;-)
 
I have a number of different Multitools but my favorite and most used one is still the Leatherman Skeletool CX. It's light, compact and versatile with a quality 154CM main blade and I like serrations on mine. I also got the 40-bit drivers and bit driver extension for added utility.
 
I had a Swiss Tool X and although it was very high quality, I found it somewhat difficult to open tools with the small nail nicks. Cold and wet hands=frustration. I use the LM Supertool 300 every day at work, the Wave, or the Rebar on weekends. Leatherman does make a nice multi-tool, that's for sure.
 
I've owned a bunch and currently have 2 Vic Swisstool Spirits and 2 Charge TTI's. Both are great. I've had a lot of people tell me that the Vics are better than the Leatherman, but I personally can't see the quality difference between the 2. I personally like the Charge better, but it's a close call. Truth-be-told I probably like the Charge better b/c of the one handed opening for the knife. The Swisstool feels a little more sleak. Both are great.
 
My favs are the Swiss Tool Spirit followed by the original large Swiss Tool. I like the Vic multi tools because they have dedicated screw drivers instead of a bit driver and separate bits and they have scissors. I also like the blunt serrated blade in the Spirit for quick and dirty cuts (I carry a separate folder). The fit and finish is also very good on all the Swiss tools. The Spirit is the perfect multi tool for me.
 
Any of the major brands will do the job - but here's my breakdown:

- SOG: awesome plier gear that magnifies your gripping power; the "tool covers" add an unnecessary and extra step to deploying the tools; replaceable tools; big.
- Gerber: poor design; mediocre construction; lots of wiggle and looseness; funky tool design; but somehow they got the U.S. military contract.
- Leatherman: nice lineup from keychain size up to the big MTs; excellent warranty; some MTs have replaceable cutters; good design and manufacturing, but not up to Victorinox standards (in my view).
- Victorinox: best design that packs the most tools the most efficiently in the smallest space; best construction with no wiggle, very smooth deployment; best fit and finish by far; most spendy.

I love them all, and have never met an MT I didn't like. Even the low end Gerbers functional well and do the job. You just gotta go with whatever floats your boat. You really can't go wrong with any of these, including the Gerbers.

My favorites for EDC are the Leatherman Rebar, Victorinox Swisstool Spirit or Leatherman PS4.
 
I agree with powernoodle's overall brand assessment.
even so, my favorite MT has ended up being the Gerber Octane. Compact, and VERY easy to one-handed open either pliers or knife. Basic setup, which is a plus to me - Pliers, Externally opening knife, couple screwdrivers and a clamshell package opener. that's it. for me, MTs are like Swiss Army Knives, most of the attachments are wasted space and unnecessary size, I only want what i'll use on there. the Octane fits in the pocket well because it's not 4,5,6 layers thick. Great multitool for my usage. others that need more tools on theirs would probably find it lacking.

and for flyfishing, I've got the leatherman squirt PS4 (pliers) hanging on a retractor on my pack - great small size, good quality build, and hardy. I beat on them mercilessly out there.

those are my two faves, have fun researching and finding what works for you!
 
I used to work on restoring/cleaning multitools, on the side, as a service to friends. I've seen plenty of Leathermans, Gerbers, and SOGs with rusted, gunked up pivots, and broken tools. I've never seen any of that with Victorinox. That's why I've carried a Spirit for the last 10 years (same one, going strong), and have a Swisstool X on the Santa list this year. I like that you can put them through the dishwasher periodically, to degunk them. Not really advisable for any of the other brands.
 
I like that you can put them through the dishwasher periodically, to degunk them. Not really advisable for any of the other brands.
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For real!? That is awesome. I have too many Leatherman's to justify buying anything. At the time, they had no competition because patent hadn't expired. The Wave has been my most used, but I don't think I have any LM tools produced after 2001. Most are early to mid 1990's, so I'm not in a good position to give current advice.

Although I did see a Wave at wally world a while back at half price. I think LM is discontinuing the Juice models. If so, you might be able to find a clearance at some point. I like the CS4 and the Squirts. Won a LM Micra and I think the handles are aluminum and not stainless steel. The handles are slightly thicker though.

Good luck with your search
 
Let It Bleed said:
For real!? That is awesome.
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For real. I've done the same for some of my more heavily-used SAKs, for a long time. Now, I'm not saying do it every week. But once every 6-12 months really helps to keep the action clean. Make sure to leave the tools splayed open for the drying, and give it a good shot of compressed air, then WD40 (or your favorite lubricant) afterwards.
 
kwackster said:
The absolute best multitool in overall manufacturing quality would be any of the Victorinox SwissTools, however the most user friendly multitool (and still very good quality) would be the Leatherman Charge TTi or Ti model.

I used to do maintenance & repair for Leatherman, so i think my opinion has at least a certain value ;-)
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plus 1++++++++
 
I like the size and feel of the Leatherman Wave. It does everything I need it to do.
A few months back I upgraded to a Charge TTI which is basically the same tool with a S30v blade.
 
I'm gonna have to go with the Leatherman Wave. Takes care of everything I've needed in the past two years. I've had it out in the field for a month at a time and it excelled.
 
Those dang little flat, 2-dimensional, stubby drivers on the Wave, Charge, etc. always make me grumpy. [I know - I'm a weirdo]. Give me a real 3D phillips with long shank, please. :thumbup:
 
I tried a lot, like quite a few and if I had to keep just one it would be the SwissTool Spirit with the extra ratchet and bits. It has every tool I need (and they can be accessed with the pliers closed), the size is OK and the build quality is excelent.

I've got other tools just for variety, and keep one in each of my backpacks or briefcases. When I need something smaller than the SwissTool, I use a Juice CS4. I've got a SuperTool 200 that I bought because of the replaceable wirecutters and the long shank (for a multitool) drivers, tough and affordable. I also use a Charge Tti often, when I don't want to carry a knife and a multitool, or when I think the gazillion bits I keep in its pouch will come in handy (I wish it had an awl), the diamond coated file is great, too. I've got a few of the keychain sized Leatherman tools (Micra, Squirt, Style CS), I carry them when space is at a premium.

The only tool I seldom use is the Skeletool, I like it. It's a nice design, but it just has too few tools.
 
i have been carrying(edcing) on me a charge tti for about 3 years now.

i forgot to carry it maybe 5-8 times during that period?

felt naked :p
 
For me it's my ps4 it's small enough that I always have it, and its useful enough for most of the day to day tasks I need it for.

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Leatherman Surge. The exchangeable bits and saw/file is what sets this Leatherman apart from the rest for me. I have added other "T" style reciprocating blades to my kit that work in that tool so now I have lots of options to draw upon for task completion! I also have the 24 piece bit kit.
 
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