Leatherman Conundrum

kaput

kaput

Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Messages
554
Ok. So I am wanting to get a new Leatherman :D

But, what do I get?

I'm torn between the models and the functionality I'll be using it for. Right now there is not a stand out winner with the perfect toolset for me. Otherwise it'd be much easier...

I currently have a Super Tool and a Super Tool 300 that I may sell or part ways with. I like the feel of them, and the tools are near perfect. But I would prefer to not have to open the tool to access some tools needed for quick access (knife especially). And although I like the "classic" super tool I really don't like how you have to disengage tools. Also I would like to have the bit accessory pack option in the future, but it isn't necessarily a make or break.

I am wanting to preferably have this tool as a edc, possibly also carrying a sak farmer or a benchmade 300. I am a home theater installer and perform advanced custom a/v work (I have a work van equipped with specific tools, this will be for convenience, or if I'm in a position where it makes more sense to get to my pocket vs. my tool bag). With that said I would just get the Surge, but it truly is beefy and heavy. Although it really seems to have everything I need, I only wish it was shrunk down some, to wave size. I like the size of the wave, but have no use for the eye glass drivers and it has no awl which I would use daily. I also really like the sidekick but no awl or bit adapter. And I'd consider the juice xe6 or cs4

Preferably I'd like a medium size, standard tools set with an awl and bit adapter (doesnt have to have scissors) and a major major plus would be a belt clip.

Any help or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks
 
The next ones do not have pocket clip/OHO blades, but are not heavy bricks, they can use a 1/4 or Gerber adapter (the LM ST300 adapter works also with the Gerbers)
Have you thought of the SOG PocketPowwr Plier? (awl, no clip, no OHO blade)

Or the Gerber MP 600/MP400 series: I recommend them in many configurations.
With scissors or file, sheepsfoot or straight blade, one handed opening, basic drivers and stuff, they have bit adapter (be it Leatherman's or Gerber's)
 
The sog power plier looks like my super tool as far as functionality. But less tools? I also have a Gerber crucial and dime. I think I'd prefer to stay with Leatherman this time around. Thanks for the suggestions I'll keep them in mind.

Anyone other thoughts?
 
So I'm trying to talk myself into the wave. But the awl being omitted is almost a deal breaker. Unless, there is awl bit adapter maybe? Any possibility of that? :D
 
My only other thought would be to get a better awl and carry it with the Wave. I'm guessing with the awl you are mostly punching drywall to fish cable?

You could do a mod and swap a screwdriver bit for an awl (or sacrifice one to the grinder)

I'm guessing you don't have to set dip switches or pots often, when I did industrial lighting and sound, a "tweeker" was a critical bit of gear.

The big advantage to the SOGs is the fairly easy blade swap process. just contact them for a washer and shim kit, and take a weekend, but there is nothing like a custom toolset (when I did AV in Canada, I had a no.1 robertson screwdriver, great for pulling apart electrical stuff like plugs and receptacle boxes, made my co-workers jealous )
 
kaput said:
So I'm trying to talk myself into the wave. But the awl being omitted is almost a deal breaker. Unless, there is awl bit adapter maybe? Any possibility of that? :D
Click to expand...

It almost was a deal breaker for me, too. I was, and am, serious about an awl and won't have an EDC multi-tool without one. Back then, I had been carrying a Super Tool, my only, for the previous 9 years. I liked it a lot, had no plans to upgrade, but then the Wave got my attention. I saw possibilities in OH opening blades, a big advantage in some of the work I was doing then. But it ticked me off seriously when I learned it had no awl. Instead, it had eyeglass screwdriver, which was of no use to me. Damn! Just about when I was ready to give up on the Wave and go back to my ST, a forumer offered for sale a nicely made Wave/Charge awl mod that fit into the pocket clip slot, and a Charge TTi came up for sale at a price close to what Waves were selling for then. So I heard the fates calling to me, "Yoo-hoo, Honey Boy!" and I went YES! Using the awl is a bit of a kludge, but a non-issue. It works well enough. I love the Charge. That was seven years ago and we're still a pair :adoration:, but if not for the awl mod, I would never have gone for it.
 
How about the Signal? It's medium sized, not overly heavy, one hand access to some of the tools and has the awl and bit driver. Also a pocket clip.
 
gadgetgeek said:
My only other thought would be to get a better awl and carry it with the Wave. I'm guessing with the awl you are mostly punching drywall to fish cable?

You could do a mod and swap a screwdriver bit for an awl (or sacrifice one to the grinder)

I'm guessing you don't have to set dip switches or pots often, when I did industrial lighting and sound, a "tweeker" was a critical bit of gear.

The big advantage to the SOGs is the fairly easy blade swap process. just contact them for a washer and shim kit, and take a weekend, but there is nothing like a custom toolset (when I did AV in Canada, I had a no.1 robertson screwdriver, great for pulling apart electrical stuff like plugs and receptacle boxes, made my co-workers jealous )
Click to expand...
Yeah. I have a nice dedicated awl, and very tool for that matter. This is a just in case, or if I'm in a attic or crawl space or away from my primary tool set. I use the awl for punching drywall, pilot holes, scraping and marking, and a whole lot else. I could sacrifice a bit to make a point but I'm afraid it'd be too short, in fact some of the Leatherman awes are on the shot side. Thank you

znapschatz said:
It almost was a deal breaker for me, too. I was, and am, serious about an awl and won't have an EDC multi-tool without one. Back then, I had been carrying a Super Tool, my only, for the previous 9 years. I liked it a lot, had no plans to upgrade, but then the Wave got my attention. I saw possibilities in OH opening blades, a big advantage in some of the work I was doing then. But it ticked me off seriously when I learned it had no awl. Instead, it had eyeglass screwdriver, which was of no use to me. Damn! Just about when I was ready to give up on the Wave and go back to my ST, a forumer offered for sale a nicely made Wave/Charge awl mod that fit into the pocket clip slot, and a Charge TTi came up for sale at a price close to what Waves were selling for then. So I heard the fates calling to me, "Yoo-hoo, Honey Boy!" and I went YES! Using the awl is a bit of a kludge, but a non-issue. It works well enough. I love the Charge. That was seven years ago and we're still a pair :adoration:, but if not for the awl mod, I would never have gone for it.
Click to expand...
sounds like a very similar situation to me. I may just pair a sak alox of some sort with it and have that awl on hand too in a small package. Decisions... :)

Insipid Moniker said:
How about the Signal? It's medium sized, not overly heavy, one hand access to some of the tools and has the awl and bit driver. Also a pocket clip.
Click to expand...
I overlooked that one because I don't care for the extended caribeeners like on the skeletons. But, after looking at it that may be the ticket. I'm going to head over to Leatherman now and check them out. In fact, I probably could even take advantage of the "hammer".

Thanks everyone
 
I saw this on another forum. I'm not sure if it's against the rules to link to another.... If it is I'll remove the link.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=1111.0

Here is someone modding a 5/16" wood spade bit into an awl at will fit into the wave bit driver.

As for the eyeglass screwdriver, it's funny, I use that more for releasing wires in the quick connect holes on the back of electrical outlets more than anything else.
 
Kaput, I hear you, its like what some say about pistols, its not for the fight, its to fight your way back to your rifle, a multi isn't a tool, its just tool enough when the toolbox is a crawlspace away! been there for sure.

a swisstool might be an option, heavy, and not one-handed tools, but they are on the outside.

I'd do some looking at wave mods, and see what others have done. that spade bit idea might have legs.
 
So. I ended up getting the rebar today, as I said before the tools I've become accustomed too from my st300 are near identical, on a smaller more managible edc scale. Basically like an ost but with a better access locking system. Makes all the difference.

I ended up shying away from the tools with outer access like allot of the newer models. Like the wave, surge and sidekick. They didn't seem to be as comfortable in the hand to me, I just preferred the classic squared/rounded feel and look. I also dont think I'd now want to have to carry a bit set, prefer to have the built in and not have to spend the time swapping bits.

I am happy with this option. Although I wonder on wether I'd have preferred the xe6. But I can always buy that one too at some point :)
 
My vote goes to the Swisstool Spirit X. Every tool is on the outside and seems like it would have everything you need. The blade isn't one handed but you can learn to still open it pretty quick. I have had one for years and use it almost daily. By far my favorite multi-tool I've owned.
 
kaput said:
So. I ended up getting the rebar today, as I said before the tools I've become accustomed too from my st300 are near identical, on a smaller more managible edc scale. Basically like an ost but with a better access locking system. Makes all the difference.

I ended up shying away from the tools with outer access like allot of the newer models. Like the wave, surge and sidekick. They didn't seem to be as comfortable in the hand to me, I just preferred the classic squared/rounded feel and look. I also dont think I'd now want to have to carry a bit set, prefer to have the built in and not have to spend the time swapping bits.

I am happy with this option. Although I wonder on wether I'd have preferred the xe6. But I can always buy that one too at some point :)
Click to expand...

Both the inside and outside opening multi-tools have their advantages as well as disadvantages. I have both types. The Charge comes into its own in situations where I have hold of something I don't want to let go while needing to open a blade. That happens often when up on a ladder or tugging on a stretched out vine or rope and needing to cut it off. Having an option on the spot of PE or serrated blades while hanging on is another joy. You are right about not so good hand comfort, though.
But if pliering is your game, then the inside openers are far more comfortable and without the occasional palm pinch blood blister.

In actual fact, I got along just fine for 9 years with an original Super Tool and felt no need to look elsewhere until the Wave caught my attention (but got a Charge TTi instead because of a very good price. I would have been as happy with a Wave for my uses.) In truth, I could live with either type. Every time I think about the hypothetical which one to keep, I pick one, then regret it. The same if I pick the other. Thankfully, I don't have to choose.
 
smitty1505 said:
My vote goes to the Swisstool Spirit X. Every tool is on the outside and seems like it would have everything you need. The blade isn't one handed but you can learn to still open it pretty quick. I have had one for years and use it almost daily. By far my favorite multi-tool I've owned.
Click to expand...
I test drove a Swiss tool the other day in a local outdoor store. I liked it, and has many advantages. Except for the closed shape, it's nit picky of me, but I don't like the way it looks or feels in the hand when I hold it closed. Now I do understand why they do it and the ergonomics of the pliers while open are much better because of it. It's not for me. I think I have grown accustomed to the rectangular shape of the super tool style (and rebar for that matter). Thank you for the suggestion. It really does hit on all the criteria, it just didn't have that wow factor for me for some (probably stupid) reason. Plus I live in Portland, gotta give it to the home town guys ;)
znapschatz said:
Both the inside and outside opening multi-tools have their advantages as well as disadvantages. I have both types. The Charge comes into its own in situations where I have hold of something I don't want to let go while needing to open a blade. That happens often when up on a ladder or tugging on a stretched out vine or rope and needing to cut it off. Having an option on the spot of PE or serrated blades while hanging on is another joy. You are right about not so good hand comfort, though.
But if pliering is your game, then the inside openers are far more comfortable and without the occasional palm pinch blood blister.

In actual fact, I got along just fine for 9 years with an original Super Tool and felt no need to look elsewhere until the Wave caught my attention (but got a Charge TTi instead because of a very good price. I would have been as happy with a Wave for my uses.) In truth, I could live with either type. Every time I think about the hypothetical which one to keep, I pick one, then regret it. The same if I pick the other. Thankfully, I don't have to choose.
Click to expand...
I will use all the tools, almost daily. And without a doubt the pliers/crimpers and cutters are used most of all. So it is of upmost importance to me, and the replaceable cutters are a plus. Wish the rebar was spring loaded, but you can't have it all it seems, there will always be minor gripes it seems :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top