I know this has been discussed before, but if I can, I would like to hear the pros and cons of both tools. I am seriously thinking of getting one. The Leatherman looks a little more easier to use, and perhaps more ergonomic, but the Swisstools I've heard are so rugged, and have locking blades. I also like the idea of having a metal saw on the Swisstool, something no Leatherman model has. So what are your experiences?
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Leatherman vs. Swisstool
- Thread starter komondor
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
I have the basic Leatherman, a Micra, and a Swiss Tool. The Swiss Tool is my favorite for work around the house, and the quality of the instrument is absolutely first-rate. I use it around the house and whenever I travel. That said, I think the Leatherman Supertool is just as good. I suspect that the best way to choose between the tool would be for you to get to a store and handle both. You might also want to see who has what on sale.
Daniel Dorn
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 1999
- Messages
- 5,318
I have the Swiss Tool, but have handled my brother's Leatherman Wave. I like the fact that you can open the "blades" on the Wave one handed, but this is outweighed by the fact that the SwissTool is much more comfortable when used as pliers. It has nicely rounded edges, and is solid in the part of the handle against you palm and fingers, whereas the Wave is open on this part. I also like the fact that each individual tool locks open and can be accessed when the thing is in the closed postion. But, if you can get either for less than $50, I'd go for that one. It would probably be best if you could handle each one side-by-side.
DD
DD
My first multi tool was a Swisstool and I carried it for a long time. Several problems
developed with it over time. I NEVER found the plier jaws to correct for any job.
Try as I might they would never fit the work I was doing . Then I tried to take down
a garage rack with the Phillps and found the darn thing to be way to soft and it rounded
off!! Next I tried the flat blade driver and it slipped out also!! All in all I feel that the
Swisstool is a pretty highly polished tool with much promise and no delivery.
I eventually went to Leatherman Supertool and it's a REAL working tool. It does
perform as promised...... everytime. If you're asking for a recommedation on
a multi tool look at the Leatherman line up. (P.S. They are also American made)
developed with it over time. I NEVER found the plier jaws to correct for any job.
Try as I might they would never fit the work I was doing . Then I tried to take down
a garage rack with the Phillps and found the darn thing to be way to soft and it rounded
off!! Next I tried the flat blade driver and it slipped out also!! All in all I feel that the
Swisstool is a pretty highly polished tool with much promise and no delivery.
I eventually went to Leatherman Supertool and it's a REAL working tool. It does
perform as promised...... everytime. If you're asking for a recommedation on
a multi tool look at the Leatherman line up. (P.S. They are also American made)
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2001
- Messages
- 4,616
I went from a Wave to a Supertool to the Swisstool (original style).
I stopped at the Swisstool. It was sverything I wanted and more. All of the shortcomings of the Leatherman stuff was worked out in the Swisstool. No blade clumping, all blades can be accessed without opening the handles, feels great in the hand, looks good, very overbuilt.
There were two complaints I had/have:
1. The sheath is weak. They make it now with a nicer sheath and extra tool kit but it's a few bucks more. I purchased a Bianchi Colt 45 clip case for mine, the top sticks out but it's a perfect fit
2. The tools were a little over polished which is typical of SAK's. I just took a small file and some 100 grit and roughed up the surfaces a little.
I personally prefer the blunt pliars, they are more like regular pliars which I use more often anyway. When you need a set of pliars what do you think of? (needle nose or classic blunt?). If this is an issue Victorinox added two additional models to the line, one having a set of needle nose pliars. It's called the RS Swiss Tool and also include scissors which is something I missed when I gave up my Wave.
With the few shortcomings of the tool I think it's the best. The 15 minutes you'll invest in fixing up the tools is better than the lifetime of having a sore palm and picking through the tools to find the one you need. Not to mention having to open the handles to get out a screw driver.
Good luck and have fun choosing
I stopped at the Swisstool. It was sverything I wanted and more. All of the shortcomings of the Leatherman stuff was worked out in the Swisstool. No blade clumping, all blades can be accessed without opening the handles, feels great in the hand, looks good, very overbuilt.
There were two complaints I had/have:
1. The sheath is weak. They make it now with a nicer sheath and extra tool kit but it's a few bucks more. I purchased a Bianchi Colt 45 clip case for mine, the top sticks out but it's a perfect fit
2. The tools were a little over polished which is typical of SAK's. I just took a small file and some 100 grit and roughed up the surfaces a little.
I personally prefer the blunt pliars, they are more like regular pliars which I use more often anyway. When you need a set of pliars what do you think of? (needle nose or classic blunt?). If this is an issue Victorinox added two additional models to the line, one having a set of needle nose pliars. It's called the RS Swiss Tool and also include scissors which is something I missed when I gave up my Wave.
With the few shortcomings of the tool I think it's the best. The 15 minutes you'll invest in fixing up the tools is better than the lifetime of having a sore palm and picking through the tools to find the one you need. Not to mention having to open the handles to get out a screw driver.
Good luck and have fun choosing