Leatherman Confusion

[NickZac]

Hello,
I decided about a month ago to upgrade my Multi-Tool and the past month has been characterized by research and confusion and so I come to you, the experts, for advice. I own an original SuperTool I purchased almost a decade and a half ago. It is solid, strong, heavy, and rather difficult to use the tools. The fit and finish on it is however immaculate and it has held up to all different kinds of usage including marine applications. Both the Supertool and Nylon Sheath still look like the day I bought them. The story of getting my Supertool is also very amusing. I bought this item when I was around 10 years old. A year earlier, my father gave me a cheap multi which he got from a credit card reward program or something. It was one of the units made in China with the glued on red plastic handles and no locking mechanism for the tools The handles fell off the first day and the pliers never were quite right. With that said, I used it anyway as I spent my summers fishing and I needed some pliers. Well one day I was out on the boat with my cousin and I got a nice sized Rockfish (also called Striped Bass or Stripers). He was probably around 30 inches long and rather heavy. We were sport fishing at the time and for catch and release for large fish like Rock, you don't want to pull them out of the water due to stress and if their bodies flex out of water because of the different gravity pull, they almost surely die. Their lips are tough as nails and I wasn't strong enough to remove it with my bare hands so I used the multi. Well I'll be damned if the fish didn't grab the multi and my hand, swam off, broke my line, took my hook and my bait and I never saw or heard from any of them again...bumor! Well, it took me three months to save up enough money to buy the Supertool and and it was probably the highlight of my summer (It's the little things that make me happy). It has served me well over many years of virtually anything and everything. Over the past 5 years I have noticed the Leathermans and other tools are using lighter materials and incorporating easier locking mechanisms and more tools. With that said, I have seen quality concerns regarding Leatherman as well. Because of this, I need to know:

-Do you still recommend Leatherman for an overall usage multi?
-Do they still produce a solid multi capable of lasting many years?
-What Leatherman is the best for a variety of applications? (they have so many of them that I am lost although the Charge TTi looks amazing but what do you recommend?)
-If not Leatherman, who else?

As far as my usage application, I do not use it for any particular application. I use it for anything and everything which can range from it being a smaller, lightweight tool for basic housework, outdoors work, auto work, emergency work, etc. It is also my primary tool for when I would go on vacation to a time share and half the place wouldn't work right and I would have to repair it. I also used to fish all of the time before developing a disability and if my condition ever gets better, I plan to return to my once beloved hobby of fishing. So overall, I need a multi which packs as many tools as possible. One which has the ability to use the bit/screwdriver set is also ideal. Anyway, any advice is greatly appreciated and thank you very much in advance!

 

[AeroNautiCal]

I too, have the original Supertool, which I have found to be excellent in every respect.

The design, materials, construction, fit and finish are first class, and my Supertool has had hard service when necessary, but is well maintained.

I still consider the Supertool to be unequalled, I have added a Crunch and a Micra, and they compliment the Victorinox Swiss Champ which I also carry.

The Supertool Bit Set (when needed) and a Fenix P3D complete the belt kit, and I can do virtually anything I'd need to do, far from my Snap On box, but feeling equally well equipped!

 

[tomcrx]

-Do you still recommend Leatherman for an overall usage multi?
-Do they still produce a solid multi capable of lasting many years?
-What Leatherman is the best for a variety of applications? (they have so many of them that I am lost although the Charge TTi looks amazing but what do you recommend?)
-If not Leatherman, who else?

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. If you like the ST go with the core. If you want one-handed opening blades go with Surge or (Wave, Charge). Surge is a lot larger the Wave or Charge. Wave = Charge but Charge has fancier handle and blade materials

4. SOG or Victorinox. Both have pluses and minuses compared to LM

I like the LM Core and it's dedicated drivers over the bit adapter tool of the Surge, Wave. Another contender is the Swisstool. Great outside opening implements but more bluntnose pliers then the Core. If you want a smaller tool look at the LM Blast( kind of like a Core Jr.) or the Swisstool Spirit

 

[JoeBW]

Hi,

New Supertool 300 coming in September. Lots of cool improvements. Can you wait until then?

Go to the Leatherman site for more info.

I've got 2 (SS & BO) on order.

Best - Joe

 

[Dantor]

yes LM is still a good company and they still make a fine product, but like you've noticed, their are some concerns many of us have, they are not perfect but they are still good.

I also agree, the ST300 is coming out, pics and info here; http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,11095.0.html
also a thread buried here!

I also would recommend a Victorinox Spirit. You seem to like quality and smooth action, nobody beats them for that. Excellent tool selection, wonderful feel in your hand and a "Lifetime" warranty! though LM is still covering their 25 year one, they could stop anytime!

Good Luck and let us know what you get!

 

[Millhouse]

Leatherman are good. Many users of their older tools will feel that the current range is not quite as good as the old tools. One thing that hasn't changed though is Leatherman's warranty. It is exceptional.

The natural upgrade for you would be the new Supertool due around September.

As an alternative, take a look at the Victorinox Swisstool X. If you fancy something a little smaller, the new Victorinox Swisstool Spirit X. I really like the Swisstools as they have a great fit and finish. They are also very corrosion resistant, great if you are in a wet environment.

 

[Toyz]

Jumping on the Vic Swiss Tool and Swiss Spirit wagon. I have quite a few multi-tools that come from most manufacturers, and the ones I keep coming back to are the ones made by Vic.

The Spirit is my favorite - and once I have the time to mod it with a pocket clip, it will probably satisfy 80% of my multi tool needs. Fit and finish is excellent as is ergonomics.

Nothing against LM, as I carry a Surge if I have heavy lifting to do, but it seems like they have somewhat dropped off in quality. All you have to do is pull out an old LM and compare.

 

[mnblade]

I have seen quality concerns regarding Leatherman as well.

Where? On the Internet? There's not a product in the world that doesn't have loud detractors posting negative stuff on the net. Take 'em with a grain of salt.

Because of this, I need to know:

-Do you still recommend Leatherman for an overall usage multi?

Definitely!

-Do they still produce a solid multi capable of lasting many years?

Definitely!

-What Leatherman is the best for a variety of applications? (they have so many of them that I am lost although the Charge TTi looks amazing but what do you recommend?)

For the price, I swear by my Wave. You can use the bit drivers, and the scissors are handy to have.

-If not Leatherman, who else?

Victorinox's multi-tools are also top notch, made of first-rate materials and built to last over the long haul.

 

[plowboy]

I've got both LM and Vic. While I like the LMs with a 154cm blade, IMO none can compare to the Vics. I especially like the Spirit.

 

[znapschatz]

I've got both LM and Vic. While I like the LMs with a 154cm blade, IMO none can compare to the Vics. I especially like the Spirit.

From direct comparisons with both, I find Vic products are cleverly designed, well made with superior fit & finish, and tough. However, I believe Leathermans are of good enough quality and provide better tools.

One one occasion, I tightened down a screw using a Swisstool PH driver, and at a certain point it started slipping. Pressing down harder got me another turn, but then it just slipped, no matter how much pressure I brought to bear. Then I put a Leatherman driver to the screw head and, with normal pressure and no slipping, torqued it down @ 1/8 turn more. Although a matter of opinion, I prefer the true needle nose Leatherman pliers to the Swisstool's blunt (although the Spirit's is less so) and they open wider.

The outside opening implements on the Vic would seem to be more convenient to deploy than the insider ones on Leathermen, but a day of pulling them out often leaves me with sore fingernail beds, and worse in cold or wet environments. Most LTs provide much easier access, either with OH blades or implements that can be drawn out with the flat of a thumb or with gloves on. I love the look and feel of Vics, but I don't buy multitools just to fondle them (not that there's anything wrong with that ).

For the last 13 years, my Leathermans have worked more like dedicated tools than any other MTs I've tried and none have broken.

 

[znapschatz]

When I saw the subject heading, I thought Leatherman had come out with a new model.

 

[Dantor]

I tightened down a screw using a Swisstool PH driver, and at a certain point it started slipping. Pressing down harder got me another turn, but then it just slipped, no matter how much pressure I brought to bear. Then I put a Leatherman driver to the screw head and, with normal pressure and no slipping, torqued it down @ 1/8 turn more.

it is a common complaint, not by all but many, better finish (Vic), but slipperier. a simple filing of the inside of the phillips usually seems to work.

so better finish and more rust resistance or better initial grip and spotting!
I'll take the finish

but I don't mean to bash LM, they listen to us and make a fine tool, I like mine fine! :thumbup:

 

[NickZac]

So I played with a lot and I bought 6 from a few makers. It turns out that I like the Charge ALX the most. I also ordered a Charge TTi which is the flagship LM multi and I wound up liking the ALX with the aluminum body much more than the titanium TTi. I found it to grip better, handle better, and is easier to open tools with. I also like the 154CM blade shape a lot more than the S30 one found on the TTi. The AL series and the TTi series both weigh the same which confuses me a lot as why pay the extra money for titanium if the weight is not lighter and the aircraft grade aluminum is just as tough as titanium...I guess it is for people who want to say they have it? I guess that goes back to the different rears for different chairs argument. With all of that said, the selling point for me was that the ALX has TWO full size bit drivers and one mini. The only other LM to do this to my knowledge was the old XTI which has since been discontinued and was the first newer multi which made me consider upgrading. You really don't have to carry a bit set on you as for simple local carry, load the ALX up with a large and small flathead screwdrivers bit on one end and the other end with large and small phillipshead. Then you have a removable micro driver in both flat and phillips as well which is small enough to work on glasses. Between having 3 sizes screwdrivers in each style, you can work on screws of virtually any size. I think having the rest of the bits in the set is important; however, because you can carry 2 bits as opposed to one, you can just slip this into your pocket and feel confident you have what you need for local tasks. The ALX and AL have the same frame and color but the ALX has: two full size bit drivers, a gut hook/cutting hook on the serrated knife, and wire crimpers. The AL has only one large bit, no gut hook, no wire crimpers, a large flat head fixed screwdriver and mini scissors. Overall, the ALX had the features I thought would serve me better. I also never understood why they put really weeny scissors on a larger tool as its hard to control small scissors due to the weight imbalance and the usage for them is very limited as it isn't like you can cut cardboard nor can you make large cuts as the heads only go 3/4 inch per snip at best. Anything they can do, you can do with a knife, the pliers, or the hook. The removable lanyard and pocket clip system is ingenious and while I don't think I will use either much, for people who carry these only (as opposed to someone who carries a pocket knife like I), being able to clip it in your pocket or on your belt is a great feature, and at around 8oz, it won't pull your pants down. Another thing is the AL series have anodized black aircraft grade aluminum handles where most have satin/polished handles. If you are in bright sun such as encountered on the water, the handle on the satin handles can create a nasty glare so this feature was also very welcome. Given it is anodized, it does not wear as paint does.

Overall, I am really happy with the ALX. The AL and ALX use 6061-T6 aluminum which is the same grade used on Surefire flashlights. I have seen Surefires which have been dropped out of planes and incur no damage whatsoever, so I can only imagine this thing is pretty strong. You can get the ALX for a LOT cheaper than the TTi; some places sell the ALX for as cheap at $75 shipped to your door, so it gives you good bang for the buck. Now that I have said I like it, I am either 1) going to lose or 2) going to break it. I'll let you know when my luck runs dry.


A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped me limit the options and make a decision!!!