Looking for a good multi-tool...suggestions?

R

RenegadeMonk

Joined
Jul 28, 2005
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Hey guys. I've been into learning survival skills and basic preparedness for a while and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good multi-tool for everyday carry. I'm a young guy, 21 years old, who is looking for a multi-tool that is functional, yet is affordable. I live both in the suburbs yet I go to the city regularly so it'd be nice to find something that I can use in an emergency yet won't bring too much attention.

I've been checking out the Leatherman Kick and I like it. Does anyone own one and if so, can some one tell me how it is? There seem to be so many multi-tools out there that I can't seem to see which one is right for me.

Thanks,
Mike
 
I like the SOG Powerplier myself....

Its small and light, and I enjoy the compound leverage on the pliers, which really works.

I have a Leatherman Wave II, but its way too heavy to carry around every day.

You can also swap the tools out on SOG MTs. I took the knife off mine and put scissors in there. I always carry a couple of knives anyway, and scissors are probably the most used item on any MT.

Its pretty affordable too, if you look around.

Mark
 
I used a kick for about a year at work. I work as a maintenance director. They are great. You can't beat the price. If you want to "kick" your multitool up a bit and stay in an affordable price range then you can go with the Leatherman Blast. It has everything that the Wave has except for the outside access to the blades. There are good SAKs out there too.
 
Personally my favorite multitool would be the Swisstool Spirit. All tools are accessible without opening the pliers, without clumping and all tools lock.
 
u use the wave...i like the outside blades...its makes it quicker...and its just a few more $$
 
I have the Leatherman New Wave I don't find it too heavy for EDC. Actually, my Wave is my EDC along with whatever folder I carry that day. That been said, I am a little on the heavy side.

I have found that the Wave has everything I need to deal with Urban or Wilderness survival short of needing a large blade/chopper. You can save a little weight by using a Ti Charge, but that would be more expensive, and for me the weight difference is not worth the price increase.
 
I have the wave and surge and can not recommend either of them as they pinch the crap out of my hands! I switched to the blast and the core and have only pinched my hand slightly once with the blast. other good ones i have are old leatherman super tools and vic swisstools and a couple wenger plier tools.
 
Originally posted by sdt11670:

I have the wave and surge and can not recommend either of them as they pinch the crap out of my hands!
Click to expand...

Do you have the Old Wave or the New Wave?
 
Any of the Victorinox multi tools. I recently bought the Vic Spirit and its fit and finish are excellent. I previously bought the Leatherman Wave because it was on sale ($30 off). I took it home, played with it for an hour or two and took it back. When the salesman dropped the Spirit in my hand, I knew it was coming home with me.

The Spirit is relatively light weight and has all the tools on it I need (only one knife blade and it is a combo blade- serrated and plain- all I need because I EDC 2 other knives). I constantly use it at work (maintenance) and it is a first class tool.

The foregoing is by no means a critique of the people who like the Wave, it's just that I don't.

You mentioned that you're operating within a budget, so another possible suggestion is a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. It is priced right and probably is the most innocuous multi tool you can carry. You pull that out and nobody would take a second look. My preference for medium size is the Vic Ranger and for large, the Vic Champ. But as in all things, we all have different requirements, likes and dislikes.

Good luck in your search.

Doc
 
Check out GERBER, I've had 2, These are great for the price ! I still have the one w/locks. the other one was an older model with out locks. Easy one hand open.:thumbup:
 
Ditto on that - I've been caught more than once by my Wave II. Damn, that smarts!

sdt11670 said:
I have the wave and surge and can not recommend either of them as they pinch the crap out of my hands! I switched to the blast and the core and have only pinched my hand slightly once with the blast. other good ones i have are old leatherman super tools and vic swisstools and a couple wenger plier tools.
Click to expand...
 
+ 1 on that. Unless you have to have pliers, a SAK is probably the way to go. I think the larger ones with the saw and one hand opening blades are way cool. I have the Swiss Champ myself but that's also quite a big package - and pricey.

DOC-CANADA said:
You mentioned that you're operating within a budget, so another possible suggestion is a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. It is priced right and probably is the most innocuous multi tool you can carry. You pull that out and nobody would take a second look. My preference for medium size is the Vic Ranger and for large, the Vic Champ. But as in all things, we all have different requirements, likes and dislikes.

Good luck in your search.

Doc
Click to expand...
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Any of the Victorinox multi tools. I recently bought the Vic Spirit and its fit and finish are excellent. I previously bought the Leatherman Wave because it was on sale ($30 off). I took it home, played with it for an hour or two and took it back. When the salesman dropped the Spirit in my hand, I knew it was coming home with me.

The Spirit is relatively light weight and has all the tools on it I need (only one knife blade and it is a combo blade- serrated and plain- all I need because I EDC 2 other knives). I constantly use it at work (maintenance) and it is a first class tool.

The foregoing is by no means a critique of the people who like the Wave, it's just that I don't.

You mentioned that you're operating within a budget, so another possible suggestion is a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. It is priced right and probably is the most innocuous multi tool you can carry. You pull that out and nobody would take a second look. My preference for medium size is the Vic Ranger and for large, the Vic Champ. But as in all things, we all have different requirements, likes and dislikes.

Good luck in your search.

Doc
Click to expand...

agreed ANY SAK would serve you very well i carry the large vic swisschamp and the vic mutitool but make sure you get a vic and not a wenger they are lower grade and had little probs like handles falling off minor i know but a pain in the butt:D good luck on a tough decision.:thumbup:
 
I've got two old Leatherman's (before they gave them names). I like them. BUT, I don;t like them as much as my SOG S62. It's heavy but well-made, and has the added benefit of saying "USA" on the plier pivot (this is a plus in my book...a personal thing).

There is no denying the quality and fit/finish of the Leatherman. They're made in USA (for the most part) but a lawsuit several years ago hurt them in some ways. My ONLY complaint about Leatherman's is their "double-jointed" handles at the pliers. This is where I like my SOG the most.
 
I have two Leathermans (Leathermen?) - an old Supertool and an old style Wave. I also have two Victorinox Swisstools - an original Swisstool and a Spirit.

The Spirit is my hands-down favorite for ergonomics, tool array, and build quality. I hated the combo-edge blade, but is was easy enough to make it into a plain edge. This tool is my most frequent edc, either alone or paired with a dedicated knife
 
I've been thinking on getting the Leatherman skeletool. I just want the basics and it appears to be what I'm looking for.
 
Thanks for the help guys. After looking at your posts, I have narrowed it down to two multi-tools: The Leatherman Kick and the Victorinox Spirit.

Now, the debate: Which one is better? ;)

Discuss.

~Mike
 
Swisstool spirit is awesome,the normal swisstool not bad but a little heavy. Stretch NM,the leatherman always had a name,it was the PST personal survival tool and followed shortly by the PST II,with scissors
 
I use a Gerber Sport for EDC. It's a compact multitool that I find very comfortable to wear on a belt and it's very light. When I need something more robust and I know I will need something bigger, then I go after my Wave or SOG Power Plier.

Oh, and don't forget a Micra. Great little tool to have in your pocket at all times.
 
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