Help me pick out a new multi-too.

[Leatherman4life]

I have been using the leatherman surge daily for the last few months.

I use my multi-tools a lot in my line of work. I do appliance repair and refrigeration work and often use my screw driver blades and pliers on my multi-tool as my main tool.

Often I have to remove just a couple short screws when doing repairs and I use the need nose on the tool to remove and tighten wire connections daily.

The spring that holds the removeable bit in place has been lost. It fell out a number of times before and now it's gone. I will send it to leatherman for repair/replacement.

Full Size Leathermans I have used on a daily bases before.

Old style Wave
Kick
Charge Ti
Crunch
Super Tool 200


This leaves me with wanting to try the Leatherman Core, Charge Xti or the current style wave.

It has been frustrating to say the least when the little spring starting giving me trouble on the removeable bit holder on the Surge.

This leaves me wondering if I really want another multi-tool with the removeable bit. Being able to change bits like that has been very handy. I use the torx and Square driver often in my line of work.

I have been looking at the swiss tools, but just looking at them they just don't seem to do it for me. Maybe I would feel different if I got someplace were I could put my hands on one and get a feel for them.

I would be open to other brands to and would love to hear about other brands, what is the latest greatest in the other brands. I have not been keeping up with them.

 

[LukeC]

I'll put in a vote for the Core. I love the removable bit drivers, and edc a charge ti (which I like very much), but for daily use, well,.... I carry a kick at work (electrician) and use and abuse it and it works great without, having to worry about any breakable/loosable parts. Another thought would be the 1/4 hex adpter that would fit in almost any LM tool. I haven't used it, but could be good for those odd screws you have to work with. As far as other brands, my opinions:
Gerber- Some cool inovations, but the parts never add up to a good tool for me, and I don't really like the way most of them open.
Swiss tools- Very nice fit & finish, etc., but never feels like a real tool the way LM does.
SOG- Haven't used them, but have only heard good things.

 

[RickG55]

I like my Charge. Maybe just a drop of clear nail polish at the base of the spring in the removeable bit holder would suffice to keep it in place.

 

[Hair]

Titanium. Bronze. Diamond. 154CM.

The choice is easy.

 

[cool_hand_luke]

Swisstool spirit. I have carried for about a year.

Good fit and finish and actually pocketable.

Andy

 

[sparkee]

I EDC a Surge too, I put a drop of locktite glue for both springs on the bit holders. So far none of the springs have fallen out. Albeit, I don't use the bits too much, mostly the blades, which I love for easy access (which is why I bought the Surge in the first place) and the needle nose pliers which are perfect for twisting wires and such.

I wouldn't want to discourage you from the Surge just yet.

 

[Tango44]

I don't see a Swisstool in your list, personally I think that the surge sucks, and extremly big for nothing, try the swisstool and you will see.:thumbup:

 

[gatch]

The spring that holds the removeable bit in place has been lost. It fell out a number of times before and now it's gone.

This leaves me wondering if I really want another multi-tool with the removeable bit. Being able to change bits like that has been very handy. I use the torx and Square driver often in my line of work.

I have been looking at the swiss tools, but just looking at them they just don't seem to do it for me. Maybe I would feel different if I got someplace were I could put my hands on one and get a feel for them.

There have been several cases of problems with the Leatherman bit holders. I think Leatherman need to rethink the design.

I know you are a Leatherman guy, but many swear by the SwissTool and if you get a "plus" version it comes with a bit set and wrench/ratchet. You can pick up a Swisstool for very reasonable prices too.

 

[sdt11670]

I used the old style supertool for years and found it to be excellent then i bought the swisstool plus and was disapointed with the extra weight but after pinching and splitting open my hand with the wave three times i think the swisstool is the best bet and it is not as heavy as the surge which i was very disapointed with due to it's bulky overweight design. The swiss tool plus comes with a seperate tool and extra screw driver bits and will accept standard bits as well and for that reason i would suggest you look into that tool. The reason it is heavier than the old supertool is because all of it's blades including the pliers are spring loaded. The only thing i like about the wave and surge is the pocket clip and one handed blades but i cower with fear when i use the pliers after splitting my hand three times i am gunshy of them!

 

[geothorn]

The spring that holds the removeable bit in place has been lost. It fell out a number of times before and now it's gone. I will send it to leatherman for repair/replacement.

That spring on the Leatherman bit holders is starting to turn out to be "weak link" in the new style Leathermans, in my opinion. I think that I'll be taking my Wave (2004) out to the bar this afternoon/evening, and asking multiple women if they happen to be carrying clear nail polish with them.

It might turn into a snappy pick-up line: "Hello there. I have a tool that needs corrective measures...would you happen to have any clear nail polish with you...?" A laugh is a good start....

Full Size Leathermans I have used on a daily bases before.

Old style Wave
Kick
Charge Ti
Crunch
Super Tool 200

This leaves me with wanting to try the Leatherman Core, Charge Xti or the current style wave.

Do you still own any of the Leathermans' that you listed above? Perhaps you could use one of them while your Surge is away, getting the bit holder spring replacement...?

My EDC is still an old-style Wave, the one with the many non-locking and clumping screwdrivers. I haven't EDC'd my Wave (2004) yet, primarily because of the bit holder spring "issue." If I happen to hook-up with a lady that carries clear nail polish tonight, well, my Wave (2004) might get to steal some "belt time" from my old style Wave.

It has been frustrating to say the least when the little spring starting giving me trouble on the removeable bit holder on the Surge.

This leaves me wondering if I really want another multi-tool with the removeable bit. Being able to change bits like that has been very handy. I use the torx and Square driver often in my line of work.

Until Leatherman fixes the spring problem with their bit holders, I'm having trouble using my Wave (2004) for fear of losing that spring, which requires a trip back to Leatherman in order to fix. So, I can clearly see where you're coming from.

My Wave (2004) is the only Leatherman I own that has the bit holder. It's also a "drawer/display queen," for now, until I get the bit holder springs more securely held in-place. The one thing worse than losing a reversible bit is losing the spring that holds that bit where it belongs...unless you can switch-over to only using your screwdriver for screws over your head....

The bit holder spring "issue" is a problem for Leatherman, and newer-production Leatherman multi-tools should begin correcting the issue. I've just sent an e-mail to Leatherman to ask them about the bit holder spring thing. I'll post the reply when I receive it.

I have been looking at the swiss tools, but just looking at them they just don't seem to do it for me. Maybe I would feel different if I got someplace were I could put my hands on one and get a feel for them.

I would suggest that you call 1-800-323-0736, which is the toll-free Customer Service number for Boy Scout Stores, and ask them if there's a store location near you. Boy Scout stores carry a wide range of Victorinox products, including the SwissTool, and the stores are usually located in Boy Scout Council buildings, which can be found in most parts of the U.S. If there is a Boy Scout store near you, you could go there and get some "hands-on" time with a SwissTool.

Fair warning, however, if you have a Boy Scout store near you, and they happen to have a SwissTool in stock, well, the "BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA" stamped onto the handle is kind of annoying, and, its price is going to be on the "premium" side.

I'd suggest "getting the feel" for the SwissTool at the Boy Scout store, and then purchasing it somewhere else if you decide that you like SwissTools. However, that said, the Boy Scouts of America is a worthy organization to pay a premium price in order to contribute to, in my opinion.

Felinevet is a member at BladeForums who also has a wide range of Victorinox products available in his online store, and his is a good cause as well.

I would be open to other brands to and would love to hear about other brands, what is the latest greatest in the other brands. I have not been keeping up with them.

I'm going to second (or third) the nomination of the SwissTool Plus. It's a little more expensive with the Plus bit kit included, but it'll also extend your capabilities. If you get to try a SwissTool, hands-on, you might decide that it already has every feature or function you want, and that you don't or won't need the additional Plus bits.

GeoThorn

 

[znapschatz]

Fair warning, however, if you have a Boy Scout store near you, and they happen to have a SwissTool in stock, well, the "BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA" stamped onto the handle is kind of annoying, and, its price is going to be on the "premium" side.

GeoThorn

While I can't argue about the "premium" price of it, as a former scoutmaster I must put in a word in favor of the Swiss Tool BSA logo. It is a helpful reminder to "Be Prepared."

 

[geothorn]

While I can't argue about the "premium" price of it, as a former scoutmaster I must put in a word in favor of the Swiss Tool BSA logo. It is a helpful reminder to "Be Prepared."

I cannot disagree with you. However, when I handed my BSA SwissTool over to my ex-Navy SEAL buddy, the first SwissTool that he'd ever seen, and that I'd ever bought, it rose his eyebrow as he said, "Boy Scouts...?" I explained it away by saying that it was the first one I'd located that was available in a brick-and-mortar retail store.

As to the "premium," well, my BSA SwissTool cost me $19.95 more than my second and third SwissTools, combined. (I managed to "stumble across" a Lowes Home Improvement clearance sale, thanks to a heads-up from Slufstuff, another BladeForums member.)

Speaking of which, Buck Knives is having a clearance sale of knives and tools, online.

GeoThorn