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Leatherman VS SAK multi tool.
- Thread starter Big D1
- Start date
From my personal experiance the Leatherman win this competion
every time.
I've owned , and been injured by, the SAK multi tool where my my
Leatherman PST, Wave, Pulse , Original supertool, and juice have
never failed me nor cause me to injure myself by slipping off the work.
My Daily carry is the original supertool or pulse. The supertool is
the heavy duty bulletproof do it all workhorse that I need on the job
and pulse does duty at home. The juice is all I need when I dress up
The SAK has it's fans ,but I have to wonder just how many who comment
on it here actully use the darn thing. A lot of promise but little delivery that's
what the SAK is to me.
every time.
I've owned , and been injured by, the SAK multi tool where my my
Leatherman PST, Wave, Pulse , Original supertool, and juice have
never failed me nor cause me to injure myself by slipping off the work.
My Daily carry is the original supertool or pulse. The supertool is
the heavy duty bulletproof do it all workhorse that I need on the job
and pulse does duty at home. The juice is all I need when I dress up
The SAK has it's fans ,but I have to wonder just how many who comment
on it here actully use the darn thing. A lot of promise but little delivery that's
what the SAK is to me.
Buzzbait
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,686
I greatly prefer a locking SAK over a Leatherman tool. I'd go into why the SAK is so much better, but I've already done this recently. Just click on the link for the long version.
PS - The Leatherman has its fans, but I have to wonder just how many who comment on it here actually use the darn thing. A lot of promise but little delivery. That's what the Leatherman is to me.
Leatherman vs. SAK
PS - The Leatherman has its fans, but I have to wonder just how many who comment on it here actually use the darn thing. A lot of promise but little delivery. That's what the Leatherman is to me.
Leatherman vs. SAK
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2002
- Messages
- 84
once more
in any case SAK !!
in any case SAK !!
i agree with you buzz
calyth
#!/bin/sh of a man
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
- Messages
- 3,574
Leatherman.
Use it often enough. Good substitute for draging a whole case of tools when you're biking, camping, and even everyday use (you'll come across situation where you want the needlenose pliers).
I must let you know that I carry folding knives and I don't use the blade on the multitool.
Use it often enough. Good substitute for draging a whole case of tools when you're biking, camping, and even everyday use (you'll come across situation where you want the needlenose pliers).
I must let you know that I carry folding knives and I don't use the blade on the multitool.
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2001
- Messages
- 491
Try a search. There have been multiple threads here, on the review page, and under Tools & Gadgets, comparing the two. For the record, having used both for a few years apiece, I definately prefer the Swiss Tool.
calyth
#!/bin/sh of a man
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
- Messages
- 3,574
One big bonus for the SwissTool is that everything can be opened with out opening the pliers, however, for the Wave, only four items (I believe it is PE blade, SE blade, Saw and file) can be opened without opening the pliers.
However the SwissTool isn't needlenose plier, and I've encountered at least one situation where I'd need one, so I'd stick with the Leatherman.
Oh weight would be a factor, but I don't know which one is heavier.
However the SwissTool isn't needlenose plier, and I've encountered at least one situation where I'd need one, so I'd stick with the Leatherman.
Oh weight would be a factor, but I don't know which one is heavier.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2001
- Messages
- 72
I think it comes down to how often you use the pliers. Frankly, aside from the pliers I've found few useful tools on most "multi-tools"
That being said I carry a Leatherman Wave every day, but either on my person on in my bag I also carry a much better knife and various other tools.
The pliers on the SAK tools don't look like they would work for most uses but would do in a pinch for a lot of things.
As for the Swiss Tools: The shape of the pliers doesn't look like what I would want but that would depend on my usage. Try to look at them both side by side and then just pick whatever fits your lifestyle best
That being said I carry a Leatherman Wave every day, but either on my person on in my bag I also carry a much better knife and various other tools.
The pliers on the SAK tools don't look like they would work for most uses but would do in a pinch for a lot of things.
As for the Swiss Tools: The shape of the pliers doesn't look like what I would want but that would depend on my usage. Try to look at them both side by side and then just pick whatever fits your lifestyle best
I appreciate all the opinions and suggestions that have been given. I have never gotten to handle a Swiss tool personally, but I have handled a Leatherman. I did not know about the differences in the pliers, and how accessible the tools were on the Leathermans and Swiss Tools, so those were very good points. I do know that SAK products are top quality and for that reason alone, besides the issue of the pliers, probably will weigh on my decision of which product to buy. Big D1
- Joined
- May 31, 2001
- Messages
- 4,379
I own the original Supertool, the Wave, the Crunch and the Xe6 Juice (the purple one) from Leatherman, the Victorinox Swisstool, plus scads of SAKs. What's the best? As usual, it depends on intended use. Weight can be an issue, too. I like the Swisstool the best for use around the house, but it's too heavy and clunky for backpacking purposes. Up until now, I've taken a Crunch and an SAK (plus a large folder) along hiking.
The Wave doesn't do it for me: I won't carry a multitool that doesn't have an awl, and I find the inside tools hard to access and to open.
I love SAKs, but their main drawback is the lack of strong pliers.
So..., I just bought the Xe6 as a compromise and have to say that I really like it. Next time I go to the woods, I'm thinking to taking this in place of both the Crunch and the SAKs. If weight were not an issue, I would take the Juice, the Crunch (because those locking pliers can be a lifesaver) and an SAK. That would just about cover all bases.
The Wave doesn't do it for me: I won't carry a multitool that doesn't have an awl, and I find the inside tools hard to access and to open.
I love SAKs, but their main drawback is the lack of strong pliers.
So..., I just bought the Xe6 as a compromise and have to say that I really like it. Next time I go to the woods, I'm thinking to taking this in place of both the Crunch and the SAKs. If weight were not an issue, I would take the Juice, the Crunch (because those locking pliers can be a lifesaver) and an SAK. That would just about cover all bases.
calyth
#!/bin/sh of a man
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
- Messages
- 3,574
Nathan: well said.
I have a Juice CS4 (blue) and I absolutely love it.
It's not very noticible in the pocket, small, has good pliers. I use the screwdrivers quite often, opened wine bottles, etc.
I've yet to figure out what to do with the awl, but that's no big deal.
I wish they would've made the bottle opener also a can opener.
I have a Juice CS4 (blue) and I absolutely love it.
It's not very noticible in the pocket, small, has good pliers. I use the screwdrivers quite often, opened wine bottles, etc.
I've yet to figure out what to do with the awl, but that's no big deal.
I wish they would've made the bottle opener also a can opener.
Big D1,
I have the original Leatherman Supertool and have used it for all kinds of things. I find three major weaknesses in it. I do not like having to open the pliers to get to other tools. I do not like trying to extend one tool and having to push several more back into the handles. I also do not like the necessity of opening another tool to disengage the lock, I suffered a couple of significant cuts from this system. For these reasons, I have semi-retired my Supertool in favor of a SwissTool.
The SwissTool corrects all of my concerns with the Supertool. It is obvious to me that Victorinox reviewed the Supertool while planning the SwissTool. It appears to be directly competitive to the original Leatherman Supertool. I think they did a great job. I consider the tool selection and lock to be superior.
Some folks complain about the weight. I actually have two of the Swisstools, an original and the newer SwissTool X. I carry one or the other of them most days. The X is for my regular job where I might need or want the scissors. The original is my weekender.
Some question the strength and quality of the blades and tools. I have not found either to be lacking. The blades take shaving sharp edges and keep them. I have found all the tools to lock solidly, unlock smoothly and do what they are supposed to do. The files cut, the saws cut, the wire strippers strip and so on. I have even found the short prybar to be handy!
When I first got the original SwissTool, I thought the slightly stubby pliers would be a handicap. I haven't found it to be, but I concede that working in tight quarters might make it so. I did find through direct comparison that the wirecutters on my SwissTool would handle heavier wire than the Supertool. The Supertool balked on 14 guage steel wire and the handles dug into my hand. The SwissTool snapped right through the same wire and didn't dig the palm.
The only thing I didn't initially like about the SwissTools were the nylon sheaths. I have gotten used to them and found one advantage over the leather that I normally prefer. If I sweat on or wet the nylon, it drys much faster.
I said I semi-retired the Supertool. I put it in my toolbox for the rare occasion that I don't have a SwissTool handy or for a loaner. Those occasions are extremely rare.
Guess you can tell from the length of this post that I am a big SwissTool fan.
Thanks,
I have the original Leatherman Supertool and have used it for all kinds of things. I find three major weaknesses in it. I do not like having to open the pliers to get to other tools. I do not like trying to extend one tool and having to push several more back into the handles. I also do not like the necessity of opening another tool to disengage the lock, I suffered a couple of significant cuts from this system. For these reasons, I have semi-retired my Supertool in favor of a SwissTool.
The SwissTool corrects all of my concerns with the Supertool. It is obvious to me that Victorinox reviewed the Supertool while planning the SwissTool. It appears to be directly competitive to the original Leatherman Supertool. I think they did a great job. I consider the tool selection and lock to be superior.
Some folks complain about the weight. I actually have two of the Swisstools, an original and the newer SwissTool X. I carry one or the other of them most days. The X is for my regular job where I might need or want the scissors. The original is my weekender.
Some question the strength and quality of the blades and tools. I have not found either to be lacking. The blades take shaving sharp edges and keep them. I have found all the tools to lock solidly, unlock smoothly and do what they are supposed to do. The files cut, the saws cut, the wire strippers strip and so on. I have even found the short prybar to be handy!
When I first got the original SwissTool, I thought the slightly stubby pliers would be a handicap. I haven't found it to be, but I concede that working in tight quarters might make it so. I did find through direct comparison that the wirecutters on my SwissTool would handle heavier wire than the Supertool. The Supertool balked on 14 guage steel wire and the handles dug into my hand. The SwissTool snapped right through the same wire and didn't dig the palm.
The only thing I didn't initially like about the SwissTools were the nylon sheaths. I have gotten used to them and found one advantage over the leather that I normally prefer. If I sweat on or wet the nylon, it drys much faster.
I said I semi-retired the Supertool. I put it in my toolbox for the rare occasion that I don't have a SwissTool handy or for a loaner. Those occasions are extremely rare.
Guess you can tell from the length of this post that I am a big SwissTool fan.
Thanks,
Big D1,
This topic dose come up from time to time, so a search of these forums should give you lots of opinions.
I like the Swisstool the best for a heavier duty multitool, the Supertool 200 is also very good, but opening and closing the tools is a hassle compared to the Swisstool.
The Swisstool dose have some draw backs, like the slippery SAK type srewdrivers (these can be fixed by roughing them up a bit with a file or some emery paper), lack of one hand blade acess, and it is a bit heavy (10 oz.). For these reasons I carry my Wave more often, although it is not a heavy duty tool and has some faults of it's own, including a lack of an awl and rulers, and only 4 tools lock. The Wave dose have onehand opening knife blades, they are a little narrow though, and you have to careful not to let your thumb slip and cut yourself.
Doug Ritter has some great multitool reviews (including the Swisstool and Wave) on his site (www.equipped.com/devices2.htm#handytools).
This topic dose come up from time to time, so a search of these forums should give you lots of opinions.
I like the Swisstool the best for a heavier duty multitool, the Supertool 200 is also very good, but opening and closing the tools is a hassle compared to the Swisstool.
The Swisstool dose have some draw backs, like the slippery SAK type srewdrivers (these can be fixed by roughing them up a bit with a file or some emery paper), lack of one hand blade acess, and it is a bit heavy (10 oz.). For these reasons I carry my Wave more often, although it is not a heavy duty tool and has some faults of it's own, including a lack of an awl and rulers, and only 4 tools lock. The Wave dose have onehand opening knife blades, they are a little narrow though, and you have to careful not to let your thumb slip and cut yourself.
Doug Ritter has some great multitool reviews (including the Swisstool and Wave) on his site (www.equipped.com/devices2.htm#handytools).