First Real Multitool

S

SteamKit

Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
12
Hello there, I'm not exactly a lurker, I'm a seeker of information and this seems to be a good place to ask it. I've never owned a full size multi-tool other than one of the cheapo knockoffs, and I can't say I cared for that much as all the tools were on the insides of the handles and that made it somewhat frustrating. I now own and carry a skeletool, and wish for something a bit bigger. Narrowing my choices down I've decided that it's mostly between the following:

LM Surge
LM Tti
Vic's SwissTool
Vic's SwissTool Spirit

Although I am open to suggestion for about anything but Gerber, I just don't like the feel of their tools. Sorta same with SOG, if only because you can't reach -anything- from the outside it seems. As for what I'll be using it for...about everything. I'm learning the trade of electrical engineering, but I dabble in nearly everything so I'm looking for a tool that will be a toolbox on my belt. Weight is not an issue, nor is that goofy Spirit combi-blade thing because I carry a regular sharp knife, and don't intend to leave the Skeletool at home either. Two pliers are better than one, right? Also, does anybody know if I can get a 1/4" socket adapter for the Spirit's ratchet? I must admit I'm interested in that but I'm not sure how good the Spirit is, and I'd also like to know I have some bolt turning capability. Thank you kindly.

-Kit
 
anything but Gerber
Click to expand...
LOL! (wise man)

your list is really good, any of them would be an excellent MT.
may I suggest going here; http://www.multitool.org/
and checking out all the pictures and reviews, then going to the forum
and read all the threads there (about your choices)

then ask any more questions here or there
and you should have a much better understanding ;)
 
Actually, I've been to multitool.org and read quite a few reviews for every tool. At this stage what I'm looking for is personal preference, and why. I must admit I've a few concerns, as some say the SwissTool (Both kinds) have hard to pull out tools, and feels flimsy. Only Victorinox tool I have is easy to pull out, and...I guess it feels solid for it's size. It's one of those little keychain ones with scissors, a blade, and a file with a screwdriver on the end. Others say the pliers feel stronger than Leatherman's. I wish I could handle the SwissTool in person, I've got to hold both a Tti and a Surge. Out of all the tools, I'd like to know what heavy users who possibly have a tool from either side do with their tools. I'm looking for the absolute most function I can derive...As for Gerber, the only real reason I'm not a fan is they don't feel as precise as I'd like, and don't fit in the hand too well for me. I like something that when I shake it, it doesn't rattle.

-Kit
 
SteamKit said:
Hello there, I'm not exactly a lurker, I'm a seeker of information and this seems to be a good place to ask it. I've never owned a full size multi-tool other than one of the cheapo knockoffs, and I can't say I cared for that much as all the tools were on the insides of the handles and that made it somewhat frustrating. I now own and carry a skeletool, and wish for something a bit bigger. Narrowing my choices down I've decided that it's mostly between the following:

LM Surge
LM Tti
Vic's SwissTool
Vic's SwissTool Spirit

Although I am open to suggestion for about anything but Gerber, I just don't like the feel of their tools. Sorta same with SOG, if only because you can't reach -anything- from the outside it seems. As for what I'll be using it for...about everything. I'm learning the trade of electrical engineering, but I dabble in nearly everything so I'm looking for a tool that will be a toolbox on my belt. Weight is not an issue, nor is that goofy Spirit combi-blade thing because I carry a regular sharp knife, and don't intend to leave the Skeletool at home either. Two pliers are better than one, right? Also, does anybody know if I can get a 1/4" socket adapter for the Spirit's ratchet? I must admit I'm interested in that but I'm not sure how good the Spirit is, and I'd also like to know I have some bolt turning capability. Thank you kindly.

-Kit
Click to expand...

The Leatherman Surge, Charge, and Wave all accept a 3” bit extension available from Leatherman. The bit extension accepts standard hex bits. So you can use standard screwdriver bits and sockets as well.

I haven't handled Gerber or Victorinox tools, so I can't help you there.
 
SteamKit said:
Actually, I've been to multitool.org and read quite a few reviews for every tool. At this stage what I'm looking for is personal preference, and why. I must admit I've a few concerns, as some say the SwissTool (Both kinds) have hard to pull out tools, and feels flimsy. Only Victorinox tool I have is easy to pull out, and...I guess it feels solid for it's size. It's one of those little keychain ones with scissors, a blade, and a file with a screwdriver on the end. Others say the pliers feel stronger than Leatherman's. I wish I could handle the SwissTool in person, I've got to hold both a Tti and a Surge. Out of all the tools, I'd like to know what heavy users who possibly have a tool from either side do with their tools. I'm looking for the absolute most function I can derive...As for Gerber, the only real reason I'm not a fan is they don't feel as precise as I'd like, and don't fit in the hand too well for me. I like something that when I shake it, it doesn't rattle.

-Kit
Click to expand...

gotcha! I have never heard of a Victorinox Swisstool (reg or spirit) being flimsy, just the opposite as in very well made and precise. Vic uses "nail notches" to get the tools out (like SAKs) so I guess for some that could be considered "not easy."

like I said all your choices are good, with the Surge as the biggest then followed by the Swisstool. I've heard the Surge rattles but doesn't effect it's performance.

I would suggest the Vic Spirit, it fits the hand great (ergonomics) and is made very well, I like it's size (not to big, not to small) and good tool selection, and for it's lifetime warranty (Leatherman is 25 yrs).
 
Honestly, as we say here, get them all! I know that may not be practical now but they are all very good tools, if you could just find a place/store that had them all you would be able to "feel" what's best for you now.

All of them are great MTs. The Surge/Charge has nice one hand opening tools and is made well. The Surge in a monster but has almost everything (Leatherman has nice diamond files and more functional phillips screwdriver).

The Swisstool is made wonderfully and the smoothest. The best finish of them all (less corrosion). The Spirit is great because it's smaller and fits nice.

If you could only play with them all, that would really help you...
 
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I own both a Spirit and a Charge TTi, and they're both great tools. Both are solid, and both have their ups and downs.

The Spirit is comfortable, has a great locking system, and everything opens from the outside. The only thing I don't really like about it is the all stainless finish, which makes gripping it a little tenuous when wet. I've heard that the phillips driver has a tendency to warp if too much torque is applied, but I haven't experienced it yet. But hey, lifetime warranty, eh?

The Charge is much grippier, thanks to the Ti slabs, both blades, saw ,and file open on the outside (one handed, I might add), removable clip/lanyard ring, and removable bits, which are very stubby, unfortunately. They can become lost, but I haven't dropped any yet :) The crimper in the plier-head drives me nuts, too.

I have a SOG Powerlock too (1.0), and it is also a good tool. It resides in my truck, whereas my other two tools wander around the house.

I definitely prefer the Charge over the Spirit, if only slightly. I would definitely like a Surge for the blade exchanger and beefy scissors.
 
You have picked 4 excellent tools there. The first thing I would decide is what size tool you want. The SwissTool and Surge are much larger and heavier than the Charge and Spirit. Deciding on the size will knock it down to just 2 choices.

Your best bet is to try and find somewhere that you can can try out a SwissTool or Spirit in person. Then you will have handled both.

My own experience is the exact opposite of yours. I find the SwissTool to be much stronger and the implements much, much easier to access than on my Wave (which is similar to the Charge). The Surge is very strong as well.

I find the SwissTool nail nicks to be arranged a lot better than LMs. The flathead, eyeglass screwdriver, scissors side on the Wave is really hard to open for me, and I keep breaking my nail on them.
 
I had various Leathermans over the years, but when I got a Vic Spirit those Leathermans started spending a lot of time in drawers. The Spirit is at least as rugged as the Leathermans, but all of the implements are accessible without unfolding the whole tool (a big deal for me). Also, I like the variety of elements on the Vic tools better than Leatherman, which seem to be mostly different sized screwdrivers. I don't mean to come down too hard on Leatherman, it's just the the Spirit better addresses my personal preferences in such a tool.

I also had a Vic Swisstool. It was also very rugged and all about utility, although it was pretty big and heavy. I liked it but gave it away to someone in greater need of a good multitool than I (who had several).

The goofy Spirit knife blade can be made into a plain edge easily in about 20 minutes with a coarse whetstone.
 
Between what you have selected get one of the Swisstools. And I know you're not big on them but give the SOG Powerlock a serious look, I've owned or used practically every multi out there and I like the Powerlock the best.
 
vic swiss spirit user here...

get one

tools open better than the lm

not too heavy for belt carry,,i edc my spirit and use it almost every day,,
 
Hm, the race has come down to the SwissTool and the Surge as is. Does anybody know if it's possible to get the ratchet with the SwissTool, as opposed to their standard bit driver?

-Kit
 
I know you said weight isn't important to you but;
Surge-11.83 oz
Swisstool-9.87 oz

Mister Bionic! ;)
 
You can buy the ratchet kit separately if need be.

+1 on contacting Tim (Felinevet). :thumbup:
 
Haha, weight isn't an issue because a lil under a pound is hardly much to someone who already carries the sort of stuff I lug around, like my mechanical references and rope reel and crowbar (one of those little ones). I appreciate all the help, by the way. I'm gonna contact this Tim fellow.

-Kit
 
A further question, on the SwissTool what exactly is that Crate Opener? Like a little prybar or...I'd be half afraid of bending it because when I imagine crates, I'm picturing a wooden box with the lid nailed on.

-Kit
 
yeah pretty much a little pry bar/chisel. it's the bigger flat standard like screwdriver. it has it's limits (it is bigger/thicker than some, they call it "strong!)

but it can come in handy, simple prying, paint can opening, chiseling, cutting notches; I like it.
I think they have it to save the drivers from damage because many of us use tools for many things!
 
I'm very nearly sold on the SwissTool. A probably final question, has anybody had the trouble of the plating chipping off the file?

-Kit
 
I have the Swisstool RS and the BO Spirit, never had, or heard of any chipping. (you must mean Gerber!)
 
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