Good blades?

O

Odobenus159

Joined
Oct 13, 2014
Messages
2
I am looking for a multi-tool that has a pretty specific set of uses. I need it to have Philips and Flathead screw drivers, a bottle opener, a can opener, needle nose pliers and the best non-serrated blade possible. My budget is $60, no exceptions.
 
for 60 I think the best you are going to hit is a leatherman rebar. But in that category, you are unlikely to find a "super-steel" blade. the other option would be finding a used Wave with one of the better blades. But while the rebar might not have the "best" blade steel, its still very good.

what are you planning on using it for?
 
"what are you planning on using it for?"
I will be using the blade for opening packages, cutting plastic, shaving wood and sometimes cutting cloth/rope, so a blade with a nice belly with be helpful.
 
I carry a small pair of 50 year old 'made in Sweden' ignition pliers (Bahco Sweden still sells them as model 221D, I think, but they're much more crude and now made in China) in my left pocket and a SAK Spartan in the other. Sure there may not be a specific Philips such as feature on other SAKs (I do appreciate the corkscrew feature for things other than wine bottles) but the can opener blade tip works plenty well for me as a fine common/Robertson (square drive) and Philips for many applications. This particular pocket combination has done good stead for me for 40 years.
Likely not what you wanted to hear but then again you did ask and for the past 6 months I've been wrapping/boxing and preparing automotive and hardware parts shipments for Arctic destinations via air freight and sea barge so my 'stuff' is getting plenty of use. I always have a small Japanese water stone nearby (in the glovebox of the car) for as-needed sharpening purposes. The big blade is kept utility sharp and the small blade is maintained as razor sharp and used accordingly.
Good luck in your quest.
 
I would say the Leatherman Rebar would fit the bill. Either that or a Leatherman Wave if you can find one for your price.
 
Nice belly in a multitool blade is a tough order to fill. I usually carry a dedicated knife in addition to my tool for that reason. With a plier based tool you have to accept the fact that it is primarily a plier, and a knife and screwdriver second.

For $60 the Leatherman Sidekick is within your budget. It also has a pretty decent plain edge locking blade, though the steel is nothing special like some of the higher end models.

The can opener on a Leatherman can double as a bottle opener, and it also has a saw which I find very useful.
 
Last edited:
The closest I can think of would be the Leatherman Skeletool CX, it's got a 154CM blade, needlenose pliers, changeable bit driver, and a bottle opener-- no can opener. I've seen it available for the 60-ish price range but not regularly. The plain-jane Skeletool is usually available for well under $60 but has a serrated 420HC blade. Ideally I'd recommend a Charge, but it pushes $100; it has all the tools you mentioned with a 154CM blade. If you're willing to give up the pliers, you might be able to track down a discontinued Leatherman K502, which (along with its stablemates) is pretty much the only multitool out there with a blade that can hang with a dedicated folder in terms of utility.
 
SOG Paratool has the belly on the blade and everything else you want. The internet site named after a river has it for under $50. I love mine. Used it on the farm for 10 years. Even use it to fix wire fences, a tough job for a small tool. Unorthodox opening method, but it's natural to me now.

Zieg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top