Leather man Crunch or Kershaw Vise-Grip

Joined
May 16, 2003
Messages
276
Hey guys I am looking to get one of these vise grip type multi tools. I was wondering how they both fare. They will not be used to the same level as the real non compact Vise-Grips would be. It is mainly for camping use to grab pots and pant with a solid grip and some light clamping duties.

I like the Leather man so far since it can be colapsed into a smaller package then Kershaw.
 
I know nothing about the Kershaw but I've got a Crunch. It is very well made and engineered. I use it as a back-up to my SwissTool. It's biggest drawbacks are the limited selection of tools and it's inability to be opened or used one-handed. Hope that helps.
 
One point to consider........
Leatherman will take care of you should the Crunch
devlope problems.....will Kershaw?? From what I've
read Kershaw is a little on the weak side of
customer service.

One other point.....
Leatherman's business is Multi tools and multi tool
enginerring only. The Crunch was first to the
market while Kershaw and the rest came as copy cats.

I don't know about you but my money would be for
the "real thing"......the Crunch.
 
I don’t have a Crunch but I do have the Kershaw Multi-Tool. I bought the Kershaw because, at the time, Kershaw was the only major manufacturer with a Vise-grip type lock. (Contrary to the other post, Kershaw came out with their tool before Leatherman came out with the Crunch.)

What I like about the Kershaw:
- Knife can be opened one-handed without opening the tool (it has a thumbstud).
- Has screws rather than rivets so that the entire tool can be taken apart!. This is nifty because it means that components (hacksaw blade, screwdriver, etc) can be replaced (Sears sells replacement kits). This also allows user-customization of the tool.
- All the tools lock in position when opened.
- Includes a good combination of tools (for my needs anyway).
- I had a problem with a part and Kershaw Customer Service did a great job taking care of the issue. I was very satisfied.
- The sheath is well designed (and has a cool American flag emblem inside).

What I don’t like about the Kershaw:
- The wire-cutter does not work very well.
- If you are not careful you can get a heck of a blood blister when using the vice grip.
- It is quite long.

If the wire cutter worked better this would be a great tool. The wire cutter might have been improved by now – I don’t know. I bought mine quite a few years ago.

The Crunch looks nice. Someday I’d like to get one.

I am suprised that Vise-grip type pliers on multi-tools are not more popular.

--SAK
 
those things are as dangerous as a BM rescue hook!!!!!!!!

Thank you for posting this question..I was going to later:p
Why not just get a SEBENZA...and a couple of grandes!!!!lol

SEMPER FI:grumpy:
 
Well now shaft I did consider the Sebenza. I am quite suprissed that no one suggested that but then again notice the low reply counts I guess this is not a subject dear to many peoples hearths like the Sebenza.

Well it apears that they are illegal in the Great Great Britain. Ha ha those Limeey have it very rough over there. Oh well maybe the women have redeming qualities that compensate for the lack of knife and guns in there lives.

As for the Grandes well maybe one day I will decided to get CS's pruning saw till then I will stick with my 710HS.
 
I have the Kershaw. Had a Leaterman before it, no vice grips.As I was attemting to bend a piece of heavy wire by rolling my wrist & torquing the tool sideways, the upper jaw broke off & hit me between the eyes ! Had a good pair of sunglasses on at the time so no damage. I said adios to Leatherman after that. As Sak points out the vice grips are great , but watch how you close em. No problems at all & I've used it a lot for 2 years, EDC. You can take advantge of their length when removing fishooks from trout's throats, & by clamping a hook in the jaws, then sticking the knife into a tree or sumpin, you can tie flies :D The hacksaw & file are very handy too. BTW Sak, mine has a great wire cutter, just use the adjustment knob on the vicegrips to have the jaws touch each other & it'll cut any wire I've run across.
 
Slices,
Maybe yours has an upgraded/redesigned wire cutter? On mine the two cutting surfaces run beside each other (like a pair of scissors) rather than having two surfaces mating directly together (like the cutters on a standard Vise-grip). Which type does yours have?
On mine, when you cut stranded wire it tends to just spread the jaws apart sideways from each other and the wire either doesn't get cut or ends up with a ragged cut.

--SAK
 
Yeah, yours are different than mine. The edges on mine come together as on a regular vicegrip. They work great. Try one out before you buy , if possible. VERY sharp knife too.
 
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