really! who wants to wait?
I generally wear a big Strider GB, so I aint skeered of no big swisstool!
But I have no way of knowing if the jobs it would get used on are bigger or smallish.
Whats considered a big job that is too much for the Spirit?
Well, I wouldn't want to build a townhouse or cut down a tree with a Spirit, but I suppose it could be done if there were nothing else at hand.
Here's my experience:
Tools are not really a daily part of my occupation (photographer), although they sometimes come in handy for field repairs. It's more a personality preference; I'm something of a fixit/gadget guy, and as someone of that type, little projects and emergencies seem to find me, or at least that's how it feels. Therefore, I like to be prepared for those things in home, garden and life that need fixed, tightened, cut, pried, screwed, punched etc., even when my tool box is out of reach, which seems to be most of the time.
Since 12 years old I have never been without a multi tool of some kind, at first a scout knife, then a SAK. Ten years ago, when plier based multi tools first came to my attention, I did a little research (asked friends) and decided on a Leatherman PST, since it was the original of the breed. I liked it well enough, but sometimes had problems with screwdriver blades folding in use, and a few times the plier handles bent, once when I was trying to grip a frozen petcock tight enough to break it loose. So, even though this Leatherman was good for most purposes, it was not reliable past light service. I wasn't sure it offered any real benefit over a SAK, except it was fun to open butterfly style.
Then, the Super Tool was introduced. It was bigger, stronger and the tools locked. It offered what I needed, so when there was a good sale, I got one. It was a perfect fit, and my EDC for years. I never found anything it couldn't handle (within reason), and it's shortcomings were minor. To a point, I found that size matters (beyond a certain size, a tool belt is indicated). Based on my PST experience, I prefer a beefier product with locking tools. Carried on a belt, the weight was manageable, most of the time I hardly noticed it.
During the 9 years I owned it, the Super Tool sawed up a bunch of PVC pipe and small branches, got my car up and running a few times, assembled numerous household items and gadgets, fixed same, once helped save me from a beating or worse, took apart and reassembled a Coleman heater and countless other fixits. Every tool was used except the small driver, and when I gave it away to a deserving friend, it was still working fine and looking good. I replaced it with a Super Tool 200, also purchased at a deep discount (the only way I buy these things), which I use now.
Had the Swisstool been around, it would probably have been my first choice on points alone; good design, heavy duty, great fit and finish. I took a look when it first came out and liked what I saw, but was enough satisfied with my Leatherman that I didn't feel the need to switch. Howver, earlier this year I lucked into a brand new original Swisstool for $20. Now I had an opportunity to make a direct comparison.
For the next several months, the Swisstool was my EDC. It took me a long time to unlearn Leatherman habits, but finally I could go for a blade without first opening the pliers handles. It was sometimes convenient to be able to open one tool at a time, but I was so used to the Leatherman clump it was something I never even thought about: pull out the bunch, pick out the blade, push the rest back. Also, I was able to manipulate the Leathermen more easily than the Swisstool, which depended more on available thumbnails and finger dexterity than I sometimes had, especially when wearing gloves..
Swisstool implements, on the whole, are okay. Some are better, like the bottle and can openers, saw (a little), chisel and "pry bar", for which there are no Leatherman equivalenst. Leatherman screwdrivers are good and square, providing a precision fit. Swisstool drivers are "slippery." The pliers jaws are strong, but are not true needlenose, which I would prefer, and don't open as wide as the Leatherman. Not one week passed from the time I first strapped on the Swisstool when this became an issue.
My wife had brought home the aforementioned Coleman heater, a yard sale find (in my community, we reduce pressure on the landfill by moving our trash from house to house
). There was a stuck cap on the fuel filler tube, so I tried to use the Swisstool pliers on it. They wouldn't open wide enough, so I went to fetch a channel lock, but then thought to bring out the Super Tool instead to see if it would work. It did, the plier jaws not only opening wider than the Swisstool, but the handles were not spread as far apart, making them easier to grip. Only days later there was another occasion for wider pliers jaws than the Swisstool provides, but I'll spare you, the first example was boring enough.
My experiences have led me to conclude it's Leatherman Super Tool for me, although if the Swisstool had been my earier purchase, I may have never known that. Most of my work could have been done with either. But the very few, possibly never to be repeated times either was lacking, it was usually the Siwsstool. Since I don't often use these tools to their limit, long term reliability is less an issue; either will last as long as I'll ever need. Provided I don't lose them, I probably have a lifetime supply. If not, I'll look at the Core, or whateveer is around then.
Let me assure you, none of the above will be helpful. A trial and error process that applies to my needs, most probably will not for yours. Beyond that, there is a subjective factor; I just like Leatherman products. That's no knock on the Swisstool, a splendid item. But Leatherman appeals to me, and you have to follow your heart, right?
I hope this helps
