Good First Multi-Tool

S

SuckLead

Joined
Jul 28, 2007
Messages
18
I'm doing a little bit of shopping for a multi-tool and as someone not as educated as I'd like to be on this stuff, I am slightly overwhelmed.

I'd like something with a decent grip size as I have larger hands. Something that can take a beating and come back for more. I am looking for something with actual tools that are useful, not stuff I will never use (I don't need a bottle opener, tweezers, or a tooth pick). Just your basic getting out of jam on the side of the highway or when trapped behind doors (I got trapped a few months back and almost took the blade off a knife trying to pry hinges with it as my last resort after an hour and half of waiting for the whole lot of stupid on the other side to come up with an idea that wouldn't break the door/wall... just so you know, the door got broken anyway).

I've had a parade of Swiss Army knives and while I liked many of them I didn't always find them very useful. The stuff inside wasn't sturdy enough.

What are everyone's opinions on the latest lines from both Gerber and SOG? Right now I am looking at both.
 
Most reviews has it that the late Gerber lines have been worse and worse (their Legend and Urban Legend lines), just like most Gerber products. If the Gerber sliding mechanism appeals to you, the older 600 Pro Scout lines are recommended.

What's up with the lack of Leatherman? They're the gold standard of plier multitools. You can't go wrong with a $65 Leatherman Wave.
 
I had a Leatherman passed to me the day I got stuck. I ended up passing it back in favor of the knife blade. I was very let down that my knife blade seemed a but sturdier. And honestly, I haven't seen a whole lot of other Leatherman products for sale around here lately.
 
I have a Leatherman Blast which has the most commonly requested toos and is comfortable to hold and use and is pretty sturdy. It works for me. It costs about 50 bucks.
 
rfbadger said:
I have a Leatherman Blast which has the most commonly requested toos and is comfortable to hold and use and is pretty sturdy. It works for me. It costs about 50 bucks.
Click to expand...

Just looked that one up. I may have to see if I can find one locally to lay hands on. Thanks!
 
I have a old leatherman PST a leatherman wave,and micra all are good tools,I've handle gerbers and used a us made shrade tool.Overall out of the bunch I put leatherman above the others.But once I got my hands on a swisstool,to me there is no comparison,solid,tough and pretty affordable as well.
 
If you have large hands get the leatherman Core or Surge model. I carry the Core, a good solid tool and it is a little cheaper than the Surge.

RickJ
 
i would say that if you have no weight concerns, go with the leatherman core. It is the toughest tool i have ever handled, comes with no nonsense screwdrivers and blades, and everything is super sized. if weight is an issue, then the blast looks good, though i have never handled one myself
 
The Core seems pretty decent. I'll admit, the Charge TTI caught my eye as well. Does anyone have any experience with it?

This is something else. Aside from the flat and phillips screwdrivers, hex would be wonderful. One of the reasons I like the Charge TTI. A lot of my knives need hex heads (although finding one small enough for my CRKT knives always proves a challenge), and so does my shotgun. I'd like to have them handy in case I'm in the woods and need to tighten or loosen something on them.
 
I'm looking at the Charge TTI OR gerber Urban legend/legend.

Which one has best quality feeling overall?
Does the wire cutter on the leatherman stand a lot of usage or is it smarter to go for the gerber where the cutting part of the head is changeable?

(many years ago I hade a Victorinox Swiss champ and that wire cutter was destroyed first time it was used for wire cutting)
 
I have a Charge XTi. This is my outdoors EDC. It is a high quality tool and very durable. Titanium handles. It has a wire cutter and hard wire cutter. Cuts wire very well. The knife blades diamond file and saw are one the outside of the handle for easy access. The knives are one hand opening and of course locking. This model came with interchagable bits for the screwdrivers. The only tool missing is a sissors but it does have a cutting hook on the serrated blade. The other knife blade is made from 154CM steel. This unit costs $99.95
 
Give the Leatherman Blast a look. I have over 100 Leatherman tools in my collection, but I carry the Blast more than any others. Great value and tool density for the money.

Cheers - Joe:rolleyes:
 
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