large multitool?

freedoom

freedoom

Joined
Jan 31, 2010
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I'm thinking about getting a larger multitool for my bag. Whats your favorite of the largest of the multitools? Supertool 300? Surge? Swisstool? SOG Powerlock?

Right now i'm leaning towards a black oxide Supertool 300
 
I've handled a Supertool 300, we got my dad one for christmas. It's comfortable, but doesn't offer much in terms of customizing tools or replacing tools. I got a surge for christmas and love it. I also own a swisstool and although it's comfortable, it's apain to use the tools if you have cold hands, impossible with gloves and a pain with short nails. stay clear of sog. My recommendation to you is buy the surge, bit kit and extender online. It can be had just under 100$.
 
I have all of the ones you mention. Of course. :D

Its very subjective as to which is "best". The ST 300 has the replaceable wire cutters, and is built like a stinkin' tank. But no scissors, and 2 of my 3 are pretty stiff to open. Very stiff, that is. The black oxide flavor is not so stiff. The Surge is basically a big Wave. The SOG has the compound leverage on the plier, and opens more smoothly that the ST 300 and Surge. Plus you can replace or switch out the individual tools. The Swisstool has tighter tolerances, and feels like a precision instrument. And has that nice, smooth finish.

When I EDC a "large" multitool, its the Swisstool Spirit because it has all of the tools I need, is so smooth and well made, and is slightly smaller and lighter than the rest so it rides more easily on my Bat Belt. If I were an HVAC guy or a drywall installer, I'd go with one of the big boys. Probably the Swisstool or SOG.

But its very subjective. Thats part of the fun.

Obligatory SOG pic:

may-10.jpg
 
I have owned a Surge , and Swisstools . I would strongly advise the Swisstool , second place would be the Leatherman Supertool 300 . If you want lots of Wow factor , anmd have deep pockets , the Leatherman MUT .

Chris
 
I do keep both a leatherman micra and a pair of electricians shears in my bag so i'm not worried about the lack of scissors on the ST 300. I already belt carry a swisstool x so the full size swisstool isn't out of the question but i think i like the pliers on the supertool the best from what i've seen. I don't really like the sog powerlock, ive played with one for a bit and it's just clunky. I really like the one hand accessable tools on the surge and i really like the interchangeable cutters on the supertool. I think the supertool 300 would be my top choice if it had the bit driver like the surge does.

The wave and charge aren't in consideration, they aren't of the size category i'm looking at. plus i already own two charges.

I'm eventually going to own everyone i'm sure so i guess it's more of a mater of which one to buy now.
 
You really can't go wrong with either the surge or the ST300...If you don't care about the outside accessible blades then I'd go with the ST, you can buy an adapter which allows you to use LM bits on the 300.
 
MTguy said:
You really can't go wrong with either the surge or the ST300...If you don't care about the outside accessible blades then I'd go with the ST, you can buy an adapter which allows you to use LM bits on the 300.
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:thumbup: Just what I was going to suggest. That's what I do, and it works great.
 
I know my response is a little late but here is my $0.02:

I have owned the LM ST300, SOG Powerlock, Swiss Tool, LM Charge TTi...and here are my thoughts on each:

LM ST300
pros: - solidly built
- full size pliers
- replaceable 154 CM hard wire cutters
- easy to use with gloves on
- easy to access tools with gloves on
cons: - no sissors
- main blade is on 440C steel...wears too quickly for me

SOG Powerlock
pros: - full size pliers
- compound leverage (it really does make a difference!)
- you customize the tools you want

cons: - the tools IMO are subgrade quality at best (the steel used for the blade is terrible)
- the sissors are the worst I have ever seen and used on a MT
- the locking mechanism is terrible you really have to make sure that the lock takes...huge pain in the neck...maybe I just got a lemon

SwissTool

pros: - solidly built
- full size pliers
- is the most rust resistant of all the MT's I have owned
- has all the basic tools you will need and is reliable

cons: - I gave mine away to a friend...I want another one!

LM Charge TTi

pros: - locking mechanism is the best of the best I have ever used
- precision craftsmanship
- the good ol' S30V steel used for the main blade
- reliable tool and solidly built
- it is my EDC
- comes with a bit changer and you can order a stack of bits

cons: - has the tendancy to rust if the moisture is not removed quickly enough
 
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The blades on the ST300 and surge are 420HC, which may be soft but I think it's good enough for a basic MT blade. I don't know the blade steel off my head for any of the sogs or vics but I would imagine their somewhere in the same ballpark.

If you carry a decent folder with your MT then you probably won't use the blade on the MT enough to care about steel. But if you do care about steel then you can look at the charge series but they are a smaller size than the ST, surge etc..
 
I always have a knife on me these days so outside accessible tools and premium blade steel aren't really an issue.
 
freedoom said:
I always have a knife on me these days so outside accessible tools and premium blade steel aren't really an issue.
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Yeah then it's really between the ST300 and the Swiss tool... In that case I would go with the ST just because of the replaceable cutters and imo it has a better tool selection.
 
Black Oxide Super Tool 300 ordered. ETA end of next week. Molle sheath is going on my bag for ease of access.
 
powernoodle said:
I have all of the ones you mention. Of course. :D

Its very subjective as to which is "best". The ST 300 has the replaceable wire cutters, and is built like a stinkin' tank. But no scissors, and 2 of my 3 are pretty stiff to open. Very stiff, that is. The black oxide flavor is not so stiff.
Click to expand...

Okay, I recently got a Super Tool 300 which was very stiff, at first. After working the implements a lot, they are less stiff, but still more than I would like. Years ago I went through a break-in period with my original ST, but I don't exactly remember how long it took before everything slicked up nicely. In the end, everything worked well for the nine years it was my EDC. This one looks to be a challenge, though. Any suggestions on how to civilize this beast before my thumbnail gives out?
 
znapschatz said:
Okay, I recently got a Super Tool 300 which was very stiff, at first. After working the implements a lot, they are less stiff, but still more than I would like. Years ago I went through a break-in period with my original ST, but I don't exactly remember how long it took before everything slicked up nicely. In the end, everything worked well for the nine years it was my EDC. This one looks to be a challenge, though. Any suggestions on how to civilize this beast before my thumbnail gives out?
Click to expand...

My Super Tool 300 loosened up after just a little bit of use but I have an original Wave that was really stiff to open - digging out the drivers or the scissors was a challenge without using another tool. I ended up treating it with http://www.militec1.com/ and everything opens easily now... even after many washes and without reapplying the oil. I mostly use mineral oil on my other multi-tools since it's non toxic.
 
Get yourself a LM Surge. (If you'll notice, I'm a Moderator, so I KNOW what I'm talking about.:D.:D.).
 
glockman99 said:
Get yourself a LM Surge. (If you'll notice, I'm a Moderator, so I KNOW what I'm talking about.:D.:D.).
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A fine Moderator indeed, and you DO know what you are talking about! Great suggestion on the Surge, to which I can testify because I already own one. :D:D:D

Here's the whole story; the only reason I have an ST 300 is because I was able to nab one brand new for a super low price, the precise reason I also bought a CS4 several years ago. In neither case was I in the market, but what are you gonna do when the price is right? It was one of those deals where the item was cheap enough so I could play with it, keep it if it were a good fit, sell it off if not, for as much or probably more than I paid. I have actually done this a few times. Some of the ones I passed on were perfectly good multitools, highly prized by many on this forum, but didn't work well for me. To avoid bitterness and controversy, I will leave them unnamed. ;)

OTOH, I still have the CS4, and from first impressions alone, may wind up keeping the ST 300. There is something about it I find appealing, but time will tell.
 
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