Help me decide: LM Wave/Charge vs Vic spirit?

colubrid

colubrid

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Nov 26, 2005
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Any input on which of these i should get? I have handled a Wave but never seen the Vic or Charge in person. I liie the small size of the LM Wave. Is the Spirit the same length. If so I am leaning towrds the Vic because of the rust issues with LM.

Thanks
 
i own both new wave and the vic swiss tool spirit , the spirit is a few millimetres longer . i`m talking maybe 3mm longer?
 
If you'd want a better PE knife steel and removable pocket clip, go for the LM Charge. If you are concerned about tool maintenance (ie. rust) then go for a Vic Swisstool Spirit or Spirit S. =)
 
Which one has better quality? (ie. precision, finsih and walk and talk)
 
colubrid said:
Which one has better quality? (ie. precision, finsih and walk and talk)
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The Victorinox Spirit is far superior in these respects.
 
While I agree that fit and finish are superior on the Swisstool, the Charge is still quite good and does offer several advantages over its competitor.
Some users have reported that it rusts easily. My experience with both has been limited to only several months each, so I can't predict how well the Charge will hold up over time against rust, but so far no sign of it anywhere. Because of prior experience with Vic, I KNOW there is no cause for concern there.

Honestly, I believe it best to focus on the features you want. Both are well made and pretty tough. Either should do you just fine.
 
colubrid said:
Any input on which of these i should get? I have handled a Wave but never seen the Vic or Charge in person. I liie the small size of the LM Wave. Is the Spirit the same length. If so I am leaning towrds the Vic because of the rust issues with LM.

Thanks
Click to expand...

IMO, the Charge has the better blades, saw, and files while the Vic may have the stronger pliers. I'm not at all impressed with Vic screwdrivers. LM has the better bits, but the bit holder is weaker than a one-piece driver. As far as rust goes, a tiny bit of preventive maintenance makes this a non-issue. My own choice has been the Charge, but if I were going to use a multi-tool on the job day in and day out, I'd forego either and get the LM Core.
 
[digidude] said:
Go with the Charge, you wont be dissapointed. Dont bother with the Vic.
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Yeah right, go with the charge and pay pricey costs, after that open it and check the terrible machining blurs all over the tool after that try to use one of those funny screwdrivers, and maybe it won't broke and after that deal with the great custumer service from Leatherman :thumbup:

If you want to avoid all this justo go for the Spirit, and maybe just maybe you will be happy with your spirit.

Enjoy
 
What I am getting is the Vic is better for show and tell display and the Charge has better more usful tools. Is this correct?


HA HA HA~! i LOVE IT...YOUR'E EITHER A FORD GUY OR A CHEVY GUY.
 
[digidude] said:
Go with the Charge, you wont be dissapointed. Dont bother with the Vic.
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I'd say otherwise. I have and use both LM Charge Ti and Swisstool X (bigger brother of the ST Spirit), and I am happier with my STX. It's my EDC and has never let me down ever.

I posted some issues I encountered out of the box when I got the LM Charge some months ago: rust (even on the tool bits; I have sweaty palms at times), diamond file grinds on the Ti scale when opening/closing, Ti scales show play at pivots, scissor spring "slips" at times and sheath is a bit on the fugly side (poorly made).

Sure, you can say I should return it to LM for service, blah, blah, blah... But I live in a third world country and don't have that luxury just yet.

The Vic STX, on the other hand, was perfect out of the box (even in a 3rd world country). =)
 
colubrid said:
What I am getting is the Vic is better for show and tell display and the Charge has better more usful tools. Is this correct?


HA HA HA~! i LOVE IT...YOUR'E EITHER A FORD GUY OR A CHEVY GUY.
Click to expand...

Well, you could take it that way. However, just because someone, say, acknowledges a superior feature on the Swisstool doesn't automatically mean he thinks Leatherman is no good. It all depends on what the tool is used for and under what conditions.

For many years I have been completely satisfied with Leatherman tools and had no interest in other makes until earlier this year when offered a Swisstool at a price I couldn't refuse. It's a great product, deserves all the high praise, but I still like my Leatherman ST200 for its great screwdrivers, better shaped needlenose pliers, lanyard ring (and maybe something else I can't think of right now). In actual practice, I use them interchangeably and can't say I find a great difference. Just as often, on the few occasions when I wish I had brought one rather than the other, it's other way around.

The Vic version did not exist when I first went shopping. If it had, that might have been my choice. Since I don't have stock in either company, I have no brand loyalty here. OTOH, Ford V. Chevy??? Both Junk! Volvo Rules! :D :D
 
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