Hard use multi tools?

MustardMan

MustardMan

Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
3,646
So the discussion about testing your tools and what constitutes abuse reminds me of what happened to me earlier today - trying to disassemble a piece of furniture for the move, I made the mistake of lightly prying on something to try to get it free when it was stuck. I did that prying with the large flat head screwdriver on my leatherman wave.


It snapped like a twig.


If I had done the same thing with my Active Duty, I have no doubt that it would have been no worse for wear. I appreciate that my Busse's are made with hard use in mind, and I don't have to baby them.


I'd like the same attributes in an EDC multi-tool.

I've owned many multi tools, from many companies - sog, schrade, gerber, leatherman, victornox, etc. Some of these are definitely much beefier and tougher than others.



Since you HOGS are the experts on ultra-tough, hard use tools, I thought I would get your insight. What do YOU all think are the toughest multi tools on the planet?




(mods, if this is off topic, feel free to lock it - I asked here rather than other places on BF because I trust the opinions of the Hogs, who are known for a preference for mean, tough, hard use tools, and I know elsewhere on the forums I'm more likely to get the "it's a screwdriver, not a prybar" admonishment more than a useful answer. Also, since Busse doesn't make a multi-tool, I felt it wasn't a discussion of competitors' products, since they don't compete in this product niche.)
 
To date I haven't found one I'd consider hard-use.

I think Leatherman will fix it without questions, though... at least as far as I've heard.
 
Well, . . . up until now I thought my Wave was a pretty tough tool. Guess I'll think twice about abusing it too much.

.
 
I really think multi-tools are gadgets personally and I have no use for one. ;)

That's my opinion though. :)
 
oeser said:
Well, . . . up until now I thought my Wave was a pretty tough tool. Guess I'll think twice about abusing it too much.

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The sog power pliers and schrade tough tool are both definitely beefier than the wave. I've pried the bajeezus out of stuff with both of them and never had a problem.
 
Ankerson said:
I really think multi-tools are gadgets personally and I have no use for one. ;)

That's my opinion though. :)
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Then why bother to chime in? I asked if anyone knew any tough multi tools, not whether you like them.


I've carried a multi tool on my belt for over a decade, and have used it far more often than any fixed blade I own.
 
Maybe the Victorinox Soldier Swiss Army Knife. It's standard issue, that should count for something. No pliers, though.
 
MustardMan said:
Then why bother to chime in? I asked if anyone knew any tough multi tools, not whether you like them.


I've carried a multi tool on my belt for over a decade, and have used it far more often than any fixed blade I own.
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They are not very strong at all, I have used them before and all they did was break or chip. Like I said gadgets. ;)

It would be like using an SAK to pry with.
 
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I have a Leatherman Charge Ti that I got when they first came out. I have not abused it, but have given it quite a few hard workouts. It is the only knife/tool/gadget that I have never considered selling, trading or giving away as a gift. As multi tools go, I feel it is as close to perfect as you could ask for.
 
I've heard Leatherman has a very good warranty, but if you abuse it expect to wait around six months for your replacement to show up. The pliers on the Super Tool 300 are supposed to be the toughest they've ever made, but that doesn't mean you can pry with the fold out screwdriver. A multi-tool is far too complex to be able to design them for that kind of use. Carry a cats paw and heavy duty pliers if you find your stuff breaking.

I've seen excellent quality out of Leatherman, and consider them the best of the Multi-tool manufacturers. No human being should be without a Leatherman.:D
 
I think Cold Steel might be working on one, I know a lot of people are wanting them.

If they ever do it might be worth looking into.
 
Joshua J. said:
I've seen excellent quality out of Leatherman, and consider them the best of the Multi-tool manufacturers. No human being should be without a Leatherman.:D
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I completely agree. I bought a Surge about a year ago and gave my Wave to my wife. The Surge is a great tool, but I want my Wave back. I think it's the best tool Leatherman has made.
 
Joshua J. said:
The pliers on the Super Tool 300 are supposed to be the toughest they've ever made, but that doesn't mean you can pry with the fold out screwdriver. A multi-tool is far too complex to be able to design them for that kind of use. Carry a cats paw and heavy duty pliers if you find your stuff breaking..:D
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That reminds me... I actually carry a Pocket Widgy Pry Bar right behind the bit holder in the Charge case- fits perfectly. You can pick them up cheap at countycomm.
 
coldsilence55 said:
That reminds me... I actually carry a Pocket Widgy Pry Bar right behind the bit holder in the Charge case- fits perfectly. You can pick them up cheap at countycomm.
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That's great! I've been looking at those for a while, but I just couldn't think of a way to carry one. I can't believe I didn't think of that.
 
I have a Sog multi-tool in the center console of my car, and I like it about as much as any other one. I definitely wouldn't do any prying with any of the pieces. The knife is so thin its flexible to the touch. The plyers seem to be good and overall it's a fine Multi-Tool. I wouldn't consider it "hard use" any more than any of the others though. I would agree that they are probably in the gadget category. Handier than keeping plyers and two screw drivers and a bottle opener and all of that junk in the car.
 
I have used my victorinox swiss tool Spirit and regular quite a lot. Have done some light prying with both of them and they have held up very well.

I find the pliers also to be very robust and have been through a lot with me and thus far work great still:)

I love multitools :thumbup:
 
I've had a leatherman definatly not as tough as the schrade which I've used quite a bit in the construction trade. I have'nt had any issues with the schrade to date.
I Really have'nt run across a super heavy duty model multi-tool yet.
 
MM Id be curious to know if you bring a multi-tool camping being a mid to light weight? They are pretty hefty. My Wave with sheath weighs about 11oz.
 
I know I'm being somewhat annoying to some, but I won't own a Leatherman b/c Timmy-boy LOOOOOVED Mr. Kerry 5 years ago. He made no bones about being a liberal and I make no bones about not buying his product.

I don't use them regularly, but I have a couple Gerbers and a SOG. SOG seems far beefier. Gerber is similar to the Leatherman I used to use pre-2004.
 
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