High quality multitool suggestions

A

augostos

Joined
Sep 15, 2011
Messages
378
Hello!

I'm new to multitools, and would be glad if you point me in right direction.

I'd like to get a nice high quality multitool, not SAK style, but more of Leatherman style thing.

What companies can you suggest? Or maybe even some particular small and midsize models, for EDC or larger ones for throwing in a BOB.

I am in knife collecting, so what would be Spydercos, Benchmades and Microtechs in multitools?
I just can't afford another year of researching on gadget forums ;)


Thanks very much!
 
My current favourite midsize multitool is a SwissTool Spirit, made by Victorinox. I have several Spirits now and one is part of my EWDC (Every Work Day Carry). It's in my work bag.

The Leathermans are good quality too. Had a few Charge models and a Wave and they functioned well too. I particularly like the Charge TTi. The handle is very comfy on that one.

For small multitools, the Leatherman Juice series is quite popular and the even smaller Squirt series as well. I don't have much experience with the Squirt series, but own a few Juices. The Juice S2 model is my favourite. Small and thin enough to put in the coin pocket of my jeans, but the pliers are large enough to be useful for a wide range of tasks.
 
What they said. Spirit for EDC, and the fullsize swisstool for a bug out bag. Although I carry the fullsize everyday on my belt. The weight doesnt bother me a bit.
 
EDC:

Leatherman Juice, Wave, Rebar; Victorinox Swisstool Spirit

BOB, if weight is not a factor:

Leatherman Supertool 300, Victorinox Swisstool (not the Spirit version)

The Victorinox models have a smoother finish, are more precisely constructed and in my view are more space efficient.

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Supertool 300, top, with Rebar.

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Rebar, top, with Swisstool Spirit.

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Victorinox Swisstool.
 
Leatherman make some great tools, but I got tired of them rusting on me. I moved to the swisstools, both full size and spirit and they are the highest quality toughest tools Ive ever used. They wont rust up on you either, part of why they have a polished finish, hard to rust to ever get started.
 
I have 5 Leatherman tools and one Gerber. I carry the Leatherman Juice almost every day. I carry the Charge anytime I think I might have need of a heavier duty tool. I carry the original PST if I am traveling to somewhere that I think has restrictive knife laws.

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augostos said:
Thanks a lot for your valuable suggestions, I'll be definitely looking for a SwissTool.
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Good call. I always tell guys to just pick the Victorinox or Leatherman model that best suits their needs and budget and go for it.
 
Great advice so far. I find it helpful to start kind of in the middle for EDC, as most of the mid-range leathermans are pretty reasonable. Then if you find that you are using it in a way that requires a bigger tool, you can upgrade, or whatever. If you are used to carrying a SAK, make a mental note of what tools you use most, and then find the multi with those blades. If you just want a big beasty, throw in a bag tool that you can ignore most of the time, and have a good selection of blades, Id say look at the SwissTools. there are a couple options, Id go for one without the seatbelt blade, as you probably carry another knife you can get to faster anyway. The tool kit that is available with them is also very high quality, I don't have the ratchet and extension, just the screwdriver handle, its much better built than most of the exchage-a-bit type things I've seen on other tools. My only complaint with the swisstool is that its pretty heavy to carry on the belt all day. But thats just my .02
 
although I can't speak to the Swisstool I have beat the living crap out of my Leatherman Wave and it has never let me down....good luck whatever you get
 
You can't go wrong with any of the Swisstools, which I advise despite having given up one for a Leatherman Charge instead. The Vics are everything their users claim for them, but not a good fit for everyone. For enough reasons, Leatherman tools suit me better.

If you go with a Vic, you may well stay a loyal customer for the probable reason I stay with Leatherman, which is that a Super Tool (original) was my first serious multitool and I got imprinted, like a baby duck. To me, every competing make seems to come up short, but that doesn’t mean they are truly deficient. Familiarity could be a factor. I'm just used to Leathermen. For years, the ST was my only pliers based multi-tool, carried almost every day along with a Micra, another fine LT product. In addition to being on hand for countless daily chores, it got me out of several “emergencies“ of different kinds. That level of service can certainly induce brand loyalty.

None of the above means my preference for Leathermen is strictly emotional. In practice, they work better for the sorts of thing I do in life.

Or at least, I think they do ;) .
 
znapschatz said:
None of the above means my preference for Leathermen is strictly emotional. In practice, they work better for the sorts of thing I do in life.
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I really was surprised by so many members suggesting SwissTool. Hopefully in short time I will be able to compare them both and more. Funny thing I never paid attention to multi-tools till now so I need to "feel" them on hand or put on belt to compare.
 
augostos said:
I really was surprised by so many members suggesting SwissTool. Hopefully in short time I will be able to compare them both and more. Funny thing I never paid attention to multi-tools till now so I need to "feel" them on hand or put on belt to compare.
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Make comparisons yourself by trying several multitools is IMO the best way to find out what suits your needs and taste best. Over the years, I bought a lot of multitools for low prices on trading sites.

Be aware that once you start carrying multitools, it's almost impossible to stop.
 
I have a Swisstool Spirit S, and no longer carry any of my Leathermans, although they were good tools as well. The Spirit S is the multi-plier tool for me.

Jim
 
I have a ST300 (great, but a bit too big for EDC) and a Juice (great EDC), but honestly have been looking long and hard at a Spirit X (ever since getting the SAK bug), really beautiful and functional MT.
 
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