easy multitool Que.

V

VCB

Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
14
Like almost everybody else in the world I've narrowed it down to a wave and Swiss Tool. The Spirit S has two knife blades, PE and SE, which I like, but no scissors. Is there enough room in a Swisstool spirit sheath for a very small separate pair of scissors? Thanks, VCB
 
There are actually three different versions of the Swisstool Spirit:

spirit_comparison.jpg


I have the original, which doesn't bother me at all, since I always carry a plain blade knife on me anyway. Maybe that's an option for you too?



To answer your actual question, you may be able to wedge a small pair of folding scissors in there, but my recommendation would be to pick up either an original or an X, that has scissors on it already.

Travis
 
I was given a wave as a gift this year. I had broken the flat head screwdriver within the first month of owning it, doing something (light prying) that I've done for a decade with my Gerber Legend, SOG powerlock, and Schrade Tough Tool, with no issues whatsoever.

The metal in the bits feels extremely cheap - I used some pliers to bend the broken off screwdriver bit around, and it feels more like pot metal than a tool steel.


After that experience, I doubt I will ever buy a Leatherman product again. I have some stuff from years ago that seems to be made from much higher quality materials than the new wave.
 
MustardMan said:
I was given a wave as a gift this year. I had broken the flat head screwdriver within the first month of owning it, doing something (light prying) that I've done for a decade with my Gerber Legend, SOG powerlock, and Schrade Tough Tool, with no issues whatsoever.

The metal in the bits feels extremely cheap - I used some pliers to bend the broken off screwdriver bit around, and it feels more like pot metal than a tool steel.


After that experience, I doubt I will ever buy a Leatherman product again. I have some stuff from years ago that seems to be made from much higher quality materials than the new wave.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the fixed flat head bit or the one that's removeable?
 
I work with tools for a living, I carry a LM Wave and have for 5 years.
 
Bummer about the leatherman. Ive owned over 12 of them, used them hard, and never had one fail. Maybe you received an abnormal one.
 
Shotgun said:
Are you talking about the fixed flat head bit or the one that's removeable?
Click to expand...

It was the fixed one. I've read many other reports of recent leatherman tools breaking, too - screwdrivers snapping off while trying to loosen a rusted screw, tips of pliers breaking off when twisting wire for fences, etc.

I don't believe my incident was an isolated case, but rather a decrease in the quality of the materials Leatherman is using for their tools. They do have the outstanding warranty, but I'd rather buy a tool that doesn't break in the first place. My Schrade Tough Tool has been through hell and back and it still works perfectly.
 
Yeah, the new model has exactly what you're looking for.

I've had good luck with my first generation Wave's and my Ti Wave; I must admit, I gave my son a Leatherman Blast for his B-Day and he was using the medium flat tip screwdriver blade to remove some old screws in some wood he was working with...the tip broke off:eek: I think I can grind it down and it'll still be functional as he didn't want to lost it for a few weeks to get a replacement. Good warranties are great...not having to use them is even better!

As a side note, Leatherman does make some top-shelf multi-tool pouches and that's what I use for my Spirit; they have a small slip sheath behind the main pouch and two smaller side loop pouches.

ROCK6
 
I have a good ol ORIGINAL Leatherman Pocket Survival tool. It's awesome. The SOGs are amazing, as are the Leathermans. I have no experience with the Swisstool, just don't get a Gerber.
 
I have the full size Swisstool without scissors and there's definitely no room in the nylon sheath.

IMO, unless you have a specific need for full size pliers, I would skip it all together and just get something like a champ model regular SAK. More tools for less weight.
 
MustardMan said:
It was the fixed one. I've read many other reports of recent leatherman tools breaking, too - screwdrivers snapping off while trying to loosen a rusted screw, tips of pliers breaking off when twisting wire for fences, etc.

I don't believe my incident was an isolated case, but rather a decrease in the quality of the materials Leatherman is using for their tools. They do have the outstanding warranty, but I'd rather buy a tool that doesn't break in the first place. My Schrade Tough Tool has been through hell and back and it still works perfectly.
Click to expand...

I don't wish to turn this post into a Leatherman bashing post as many people seem very happy with theirs but my experience was very similar to yours.
I bought a Leatherman Pulse, the screwdriver rounded off the first time I used it as if the steel was very soft and the can opener broke the first time I used that !!!!
I now have a Swiss Spirit and have been very happy with it's performance, I even like the funny serrated blade which I was unsure about when I first saw it !!!!
 
I have a Leatherman Juice S2, Swisstool Spirit, and Swisstool CS Plus (aka Swisstool X plus a tool kit). I don't really see a need for a plain blade, but then I always carry a full size folder. FWIW, the Swisstools seem to be of MUCH higher quality than the Leatherman. Also, don't underestimate the convenience of all the tools being accessible from the outside. I did buy a corckscrew/mini screwdriver accessory that I slip in the front of the leather sheath that came with my Swisstool Spirit when I carry that.
 
I've heard from several big Leatherman fans that they like the Swisstool better. I've never had one, but prefer the old style Wave over my new one.
 
I owned 2 waves, I sold one to a buddy who really wanted it for a cheap price, then traded my LM crunch for another one. This one seems the same except the file in it looks like the cheapest thing I have ever seen, it is hard to describe how bad the file is.
 
VCB said:
Like almost everybody else in the world I've narrowed it down to a wave and Swiss Tool. The Spirit S has two knife blades, PE and SE, which I like, but no scissors. Is there enough room in a Swisstool spirit sheath for a very small separate pair of scissors? Thanks, VCB
Click to expand...

As mentioned earlier there are models with a knife and a set of scissors. The scissors on the Spirit are just alright. They cut and function, but there are better scissors on multitools.

If you get a plus version sheath (it's designed to carry the tool and either a ratchet or a L shaped bit wrench) it has enough space to slip in a LEatherman Micra or a Victorinox Classic.
 
Awhile back, I got a really good deal on a LM Wave. I bought it, took it home and played with it for a bit and then took it back. Later, I was at a sporting goods store (Le Baron's) for all you local guys and checked out the Vic Spirit. From the moment the salesman plunked it into my hands, I knew it was coming home with me.

Like a previous poster, I also use tools daily, including the Spirit when I can't be bothered reaching into the toolbox for my needlenose. It is a superb piece of equipment.

I tell you what, go to a store that carries both and check them out for yourself. I'd be surprised if you go with the Leatherman.

BTW, I really like scissors on a multitool, but I think the Spirit got a little shortchanged. The scissors are quite a bit smaller than the ones on my Vic Ranger, which I really like. That is, however, my only criticism, and by no means, a deal breaker.

Doc
 
Does the Swisstool have a locking mechanism for the main blades?

I have a LM Wave and the blades lock in place and the main knife blade and the serrated blade have thumb notches for easy/quick one handed opening.

I did break the tip of the needle nose on one, but it was a work issue and they replaced it. They let me keep the replacement when I got laid off and I EDC it now and have bought a back up.

I've been eying the Swisstool but would like it better if it locked up the blades.

Thanks
Jason
 
Jason M D. said:
Does the Swisstool have a locking mechanism for the main blades?

I have a LM Wave and the blades lock in place and the main knife blade and the serrated blade have thumb notches for easy/quick one handed opening.

I did break the tip of the needle nose on one, but it was a work issue and they replaced it. They let me keep the replacement when I got laid off and I EDC it now and have bought a back up.

I've been eying the Swisstool but would like it better if it locked up the blades.

Thanks
Jason
Click to expand...

The Swisstool doesn't only lock the blades, it locks all the tools too.
 
The swisstool blades lock. You can see the release slide for the locking mechanism in the above pics.

They don't open one handed, unfortunately, but that's a small price to pay for higher build quality, IMHO.
 
Jason M D. said:
Does the Swisstool have a locking mechanism for the main blades?

I've been eying the Swisstool but would like it better if it locked up the blades.

Thanks
Jason
Click to expand...

AFAIK, both the Swisstool and the Swisstool Spirit not only have locking blades, each and every tool locks as well.
 
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