LM Blade

plop · Sep 10, 2006

How good is the knife blade of a Leatherman multitool compared to a SAK knife blade? I EDC a SAK but would like to buy one of the smaller LM:s for EDC (maybe the LM Kick). Or would you recommend a Vic multitool? The most used tool will be the knife blade.

znapschatz · Sep 10, 2006

plop said:
How good is the knife blade of a Leatherman multitool compared to a SAK knife blade? I EDC a SAK but would like to buy one of the smaller LM:s for EDC (maybe the LM Kick). Or would you recommend a Vic multitool? The most used tool will be the knife blade.

In my experience, Leatherman and Vic blades are about equal in use, but since a knife will be your most used tool, Vic might be the better choice since blades are more easily accessed from the closed handles.

James Y · Sep 10, 2006

IMO, for pure cutting, the Victorinox blade is generally better. But it seems the Leatherman blade on an average-sized tool, for myself, is a bit more rugged, and definitely is ground with a thicker edge for rougher use.

For pure cutting efficiency, I prefer Vic's blade.
Jim

colubrid · Sep 11, 2006

Just buy a Vic Spirit. They are better made than LM's. Can access all the tools without opening. They are cheaper when compared to the most popular LM.. (the Wave). Plus they are made by Victorinox.

Vivi · Sep 11, 2006

The LM knife blades are thicker, with a more obtuse grind. The Vic blades will outcut them but won't be able to handle prying and such as much. I don't understand the need for a thick blade in a multitool myself when you have screwdrivers and awls to pry with.

mnblade · Sep 11, 2006

colubrid said:
Just buy a Vic Spirit. They are better made than LM's. Can access all the tools without opening. They are cheaper when compared to the most popular LM.. (the Wave). Plus they are made by Victorinox.

IMHO, for someone who says the most used tool will be the knife blade like plop does, the Spirit is a really poor choice. It's seems like a great tool, but then they had to go and add that stubby, serrated blade! :barf: Lord, that Spirit is a normal SAK blade away from being perfect.

To answer plop's question, I tend to prefer a SAK blade, but recently have been using my Wave a lot and find that, as long as it's good and sharp, the Wave's blade does quite nicely, thanks. I think your choice of the Kick is a good one.

gatch · Sep 11, 2006

mnblade said:
IMHO, for someone who says the most used tool will be the knife blade like plop does, the Spirit is a really poor choice.

If a knife blade is the most used tool then I think they are better off getting a good knife rather using a blade on a multitool.

znapschatz · Sep 11, 2006

gatch said:
If a knife blade is the most used tool then I think they are better off getting a good knife rather using a blade on a multitool.

That would be best, but even though a knife blade would be the most used tool, there would still be some need for others. In my case, even though a knife is probably my most used tool, I can't imagine carrying a blade for EDC without a multitool backup. If carrying just one, it would have to be a multi of some sort. There are just too many things in this world that need tightened, loosened, pinched, poked, pryed, and whacked to rely on a knife only.

mp510 · Sep 11, 2006

I like the shapeof the PST's blade more than the large knife blade that I have on my SAK, but the Vic steel is more corrosion resistant than the Leatherman steel.

colubrid · Sep 11, 2006

I like the blade shape on the Vic Spirit better than the traditional spearpoint. I find it cuts open boxes and plastic better. The sheepsfoot shape is great for carving in ways you can't with a pointed blade. I really don't have a need to stab things with a multitool.

Most people I know carry a another knife like a spyderco or Vic Soldier along with a multitool anyway. I just don't see the benifits of the spear type over the other. In daily use I find the Spirit blade is more useful for me.