Help me choose a multitool

Mississippi Rifleman

Mississippi Rifleman

Joined
Oct 10, 1999
Messages
309
Hey everyone,

I'm trying to decided what new multitool to get to replace my lost Leatherman PST II. Right now, I think I've narrowed it down to three models:

Victorinox Swiss Tool
Leatherman Wave
Leather Super Tool

Any comments, suggestions or reviews are appreciated. Thanks!
 
Have you thought about the SOG Powerlock EOD. Not on your list, but when I was looking for recc's, came highly regarded. Don't have it yet so no first hand experience.
 
There's no doubt in my mind at all, the only multi-tool that I'm willing to carry is the Swisstool. A lot of people complain about the weight, but in my opinion, when I need a tool I want something that feels "sturdy." I've even had to use the pliers to open a stuck main water line and didn't phase it in the least. Plus the locking tools can be opened without deploying the pliers.
 
Get a SOG PowerLock, or the slightly smaller SOG (Deluxe) Pocket PowerPlier.
 
I like Gerber's 600 series. They aren't quite as shiny as the others, but they're built incredibly strong. The snap action pliars act more like REAL pliars than the fan handle style ala leatherman,victorinox etc. Once they're open it doesn't matter which way you twist, pull or pry with them the handles don't fold. The blades don't hold the best edge, but all the screwdrivers and everything have served me well and haven't become rounded over at all after a few years use. The tools are all on the inside of the handles, so you don't get pinched when you have to put a death grip on something too :)
I wore the sheath out on mine and ended up making a new one out of kydex. The first try worked but wasn't as nice as I would have liked and I suddenly had a who cares if it(the pliars) gets broken attitude. Figured it was old and I'd just get a new one. So I REALLY beat the hell out of it. I used it to work on woven wire fencing, and as a crow bar and hammer and all sorts of things. It didn't break and I ended up making a better sheath, still beating on it :D


As for your original choices.... of those I would pick the supertool if you plan on seriously using it. The swisstool jaws aren't as big as the competition and the tools in the handle seemed to be borrowed from an SAK, they could be built more solid. Not a bad tool, but far from my first choice.
The wave is nifty, but I have reservations about how sturdy the blades are that are simply held on with a torx screw, and overall its not as solid as other tools. A little on the small side too.
I haven't handled a suptertool much to give much of an opinion on it, But from what I've seen its the closest thing leatherman has to a full size, sturdy set of pliars.
 
Well I've got all three and they all have +s and -s, but I think for comfort and ease of use as well as being the sturdiest I'd have to vote for the Swisstool. I carry the Wave to work because we have to go through security and knives are a no no but I can get the Leatherman in. Since I'm bladeless, I like the one hand opening blades on the Wave for this purpose. I think the Supertool 200 is sturdier and unlike the original Supertool it has locking tools. The other advantage to the Leathermans is the tool adapter which gives you more flexibility if you have a need for something other than a regular straight or Phillips, like a square, Torx or hex. The Adapter also locks at 45, 90 degrees as well as straighton.

phantom4
 
Get the SwissTool. I carry one every day and use it for all kinds of things. I have done a side-by-side comparison with the original Leatherman Supertool and the SwissTool wins hands down. The tool is stronger, more user friendly and with the horizontal carry option on the sheath it is very carry friendly.
 
Depends on the type of chores you're doing and what you are used to.If you've had a Leatherman you may want to "keep it in the family" and try the Wave or Pulse. I believe it was Matt Shade who (in a different thread)made a good case for the Gerber 600. If you're familiar with the 600, you can see why he is partial to it given what he does with it. I couldn't live without my Craftsman Multi-tool at work only because of the slip-joint pliers. So, you really need to decide what features are most important to your situation. Of course, you can be like me and get them all:rolleyes:
 
I've owned them all and I've sold quit a few. the ones i have left:
SOG powerlock because I believe theyre the best Pliers but I never carry them because they're too heavy
LM supertool in my Rucksak because thery're the mose serious of the LM line
But my main carry and 90% of my use is on the LM CS4. Easy to carry and all the implements for small to medium work.
 
I have a LM Super Tool circa 1993 that I love and I hear that the new version is even better. I don't have any experience with the Wave but I've heard only good things about it. All in all I've got three LMs (Juice and Micra are the others). Based on ten years of use I really believe that LM stands out amongst the competition. Go with LM and ask yourself if you need the larger ST or the smaller Wave. Either way you won't go wrong.
 
In my opinion the Wave is only worth considering if you plan on using it to replace your EDC one hander knife. Thats its one and only trump in this market.

Everything else that the Wave offers can be had in packages that are either far more functional, smaller, cheaper, stronger, or some combination of these.

My personal pick is the Swisstool with scissors. It is better made and stronger than the Supertool, and I find it to be much more functional, as well.

I have to disagree with Mr. Shade's opinion that the implements being lifted from SAKs is some kind of disadvantage. Victorinox has more experience than anybody at making these sorts of things, and it shows in the way the Swisstool's implements work. Try a Leatherman can opener and then a Victorinox one and you'll see what I mean.

The SOG products look very interesting, and have some nice features, but I won;t buy one until they ditch the "compound leverage" design. In my mind this requires far more compromises than it is worth.

There has never been an occasion where my Swisstool was not capable of comfortably providing all the gripping force I needed, and I really can't see a situation that would change this.
 
Missippi, FWIW, of the tools you picked I think
you may have overlooked the newer version of your
trusty PST II......The Pulse.

I own a Pulse finding it to be a vast improvment
over the PST line. If that one won't do it the my
vote is for the ORIGINAL Supertool (if you can
find one),the Supertool 200 or a Sog Powerlock of
your choice.

Also, In spite of what said here skip the Swisstool
if you expect to do any real work with your tool.
While it's shiney and fancy it's not nearly as good
as any of the SAK knives Victoronx makes. :(

Best of luck, mate. :D
 
For the money, I would go for the Super Tool 200 by Leatherman. I have both the Wave and the ST200, ST200 is bigger, stronger and cheaper. If I was going on an adventure trip or long camping trip or just to have for survival the ST200 is my choice. The Wave has some good points about it and I carry one because it is lighter than the ST200, but again if I were picking one tool the ST200 is it.
 
I've gone from original Leatherman, to various Gerbers, to Super Tool's (the Gerbers and the Super Tool being issued to me) The Super tools are too big and tend to take a toll on you hands after a while, the locking drivers however do rock; the Gerbers, well, really dig into something and have it slip. The blisters on the palm of your hand will do the talking. I bought a Wave 4+ years ago and haven't looked back. If I have a belt on, my Wave is with me. To be objective, I haven't tried one of the "Swiss" tools, and I just didn't care for the SOG's. When the situation warrants I add a Crunch to the Wave. Having said all this, it ultimatly depends on what you want to use it it for. If you want a good can opener, can't beat the "Swiss" (or an actuall can opener.....) For me, the Wave is the perfect tool when I can't or don't have access to a full blown tool box. Plus, in a pinch, the file can sharpen the AFCK that lives in my right front pocket. In the final analysis, your mileage will vary, try out as many as you can, then buy a Wave!!!
 
Originally posted by Tightwad

Also, In spite of what said here skip the Swisstool
if you expect to do any real work with your tool.
While it's shiney and fancy it's not nearly as good
as any of the SAK knives Victoronx makes. :(
Click to expand...

Does building the better part of a large house count as "real work"?

Mine served me well through home and automotive jobs, as well as many other repairs and restorations.

I remember you posting about having an issue with soft screw driver blades (which has apparenlty been fixed), but is there anything else about the design of the Swisstool that makes it unsuitable for "real work".
 
Fishbulb...do you play a game called TFC? Just curious becuase I see a guy sometimes named Fishbulb.
 
The PST can handle taking apart dash's firewalls, and electrical equipment. The longer screw driver helps when it comes to the need to reach. And the blade holds an edge longer then my spartan sak! Which from what i hear is a feat.

25year waranty, parts/replacement... you send it to them, if its to far gone ya get a new one!

Pick one up off of ebay with a stamp on the inner handle newer then 25 years ago ( :D ) and send it off an have her redone! 10 bucks outa the pocket, offa ebay

... yeah i'm cheap!
 
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