Knife blades on multi tools . How useful??

T

Tightwad

Joined
Jul 22, 2001
Messages
1,417
With all of the intrest of late caused by the new Leatherman Juice & Super tool 200
the question of just how useful the knife blades are for general use has been rolling
around in my mind. With the Juice it may be more important than with other multi
tools because it is intended to replace a pocketknife. I know that Leatherman has taken
a thumping concerning the knife because the steel might not hold a "razor" edge. The
question is , I suppose, is just how important is that to the general public??

Keep in mind that most folk's here at Bladeforums carry good quality knife in addtion
to the multi tool we like ,but , Joe Average might not need two or more blades so the
multi tool is going to be it for the work they do. Would better blade steel make a difference
in your multi tool / knife combo??
 
I have pondered that from time to time.., and I suppose we're back to an "intended use" issue. I see most guys in the "trades".., not really using a multi-tool blade much anyway, because they usually have a decent folding knife of some sort, but when a multi-tool is used as the only edged piece on a daily basis.., I suppose one just has to decide if real life cutting needs surpass what a multi-tool can do practically without damaging the tool.

I have used the standard large model Leatherman and trashed a few of them over past years (the blade usually goes first). :) I have also had one of the large Schrade multi-tools (sorry I don't recall the model number, but it's blade is also flimsy (and doesn't lock).

I haven't heard much discussion related to a better blade steel used in these tools, and I think it's just a marketing deal?? I'm guessing (totally guessing).., the the major companies involved have researched this point to some extent, and simply feel a really good cutting blade in a multi-tool would drive the price higher than most would want to pay.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
An till I got my Sharpmaker all I carryied was my WAVE,
Then I got the Sharpmaker, and put a good utility edge
on it but then I put a 30' angle on a folder to carry
with me (Nice AND SHARP!) I'm pretty new to all this really.

I think the blade on my WAVE was good enough, I just like
shaving hair off my arm when I'm not busy! :)

But if I was cutting a cardboard box, I'd pull my WAVE...
Oh, One point tho if the WAVE wasn't one-handed I mite have
carryied something else with it.

I couldn't really put much of a better edge on
a blade then my WAVE could hold..Till I got the SharpMaker

I think most people would always be quiet happy with a
Leatherman (I was for 2 years! :) )

Theres my .02
 
First off I'll admit that I'm part of the group who carries a good folder along with the multi tool. :D That not withstanding the blades are very functional. I may use my Gerber for the things that don't require a great edge, or may trash a sharp edge ( stripping wire, scraping etc.)But that doesn't meant that it couldn't be used for all cutting needs. Its easy to sharpen, takes and holds an acceptable edge, and is about the rights size and shape for a light use do all blade. Most people who aren't into knives enough to realize the potential of some of the higher quality blades aren't going to miss anything when they cut something with a multi tool. Provided its a quality multi tool like a Gerber, Leatherman, etc.
 
I view the blades in multi-tools as back-up tools to be used "in a pinch". As such, they fill the bill. Of course, many of them do not lock, and that is a factor.

As far as the quality of the blade steel, I don't really care that much in view of my "back-up" point of view. I'm almost always carrying a folder and I am more fussy about the steel on that carry piece.

In fact, when you come down to it, a multi-tool is a back-up tool by definition, simply meant to give some utility when you can't have the really appropriate tool with you at all times. My opinion, anyway.
 
The blade on my Leatherman Wave has equaled my Kershaw Blackout in cutting performance in every test i've ever compared the two on.

As for multitools such as Victorinoxes and Gerbers, I must say i've been disappointed with their blade performance - the factory edge sucks, especially on Gerbers, and the edge retention is quite sad, things I can thunkfully say don't apply to my Leatherman.

So quite simply, i'm a Leatherman man and the Super Tool 200 is on my list!
 
I tend to use the blade on my LM pulse quite a bit, it is probably the nicest multi-tool blade I have seen. I thas a nice hollow grind and takes a superb edge when sharpened with a spyderco 204, although I tend to use the Pulse blade for more abusive chores it is really a good all purpose knife. Having the Pulse in my pocket allows me to carry a higher performance cutting folder such as a Sebenza or Calypso, where if I didn't have a useful "abuse blade" I'd carry a thicker primary EDC such as the Military, MT LCC or SOCOM (although these knives are still quite high performance in nature).
The swisstool has a nice blade as well, standard Victorinox. I carry a SAK with as part of my EDC, usually a tinkerer, recruit, or fireman. The SAk is a great sheeple freindly knife and can be sharpened to a very keen edge, although edge holding is not strong.
The Blade on my Wave is fairly good, I carry the wave on my belt at work and have used it about a bizzilion times. The grind is not as nice as on the pulse, but it sharpens nicely and has a serrated balde as well so that I can keep the plainedge at a high polish for push cutting and still have the serrated knife for slicing.
Take care,
Chad
 
I would trade the blade on my Leatherman PST-II for a screwdriver blade size between the small and the medium, or a maybe #2 philips. The knife blade isn't too bad, really, but I find it awkward to use compared to a pocketknife. The scissors work pretty good, so I don't use the blade very often. For me, an additional screwdriver would be great.

Steve
 
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