Section: FieldTest
READER TEST
GEAR REVIEWS YOU CAN TRUST Multitools that fit your hunting and fishing needs
THIS MONTH OUR TEST PANEL cut cardboard, whittled wood, twisted and cut wire, and loosened rusty bolts, all in the pursuit of raring the best new multitools on the market.
The tools were graded on blade and tool design, functionality, and stamina. All models were introduced within the past year, and in the case of the Gerber Freehand, our testers were the first consumers in the country to try it out.
FIELD & STREAM'S only requirements: Each tool had to have a knife and a pair of pliers and be applicable to hunting and fishing, Turn the page to see how four multitools rated.
# JUNK
## LEAVE IT IN THE TOOLBOX
### WORKMANLIKE
#### SOLID FEATURES
##### STATE OF THE ART
BEST OF THE TEST 1 Leatherman Surge ($80) OVERALL SCORE ####@
THE LOWDOWN This classic multitool has a selection of four screwdrivers and four measuring surfaces in inches or centimeters. There are nine lockable blades and tools with a file that stores in the nylon sheath and replaces the saw as needed. The outside blades are notched for thumb opening. Weighing 13.4 ounces, the stainless-steel Surge has a matte-and-chrome finish and comes with a 25-year warranty.
The panel gave the Surge a minor knock for its somewhat sharp outer frame and a perceived lack of durability for the file and saw blade holder. Besides that, it drew solid scores across the board, and it didn't receive a rating lower than second from anyone.
HITS "It's the only one with a screwdriver bit small enough to tighten eyeglasses." Nicovich
"The knives can't be opened when the pliers are deployed, an excellent safety feature." Koptiuch
MISSES "The file-to-saw blade exchanger seemed weak." Kleto
CONTACT 503-253-7826;
www.leathcrman.com
2 Gerber Freehand ($90) OVERALL SCORE ####
THE LOWDOWN One hand is enough to operate this tool, which has sliding needle-nose pliers and extremely tough wire cutters. At 14 ounces, the Freehand is the heaviest of the four tested. It comes in a nylon sheath and features eight lockable blades and tools, including one of the sharpest serrated blades. The stainless-steel finish is rustproof.
The testers raved about the Gerber's convenience, and all but Michaels liked how quickly the pliers deployed. Koptiuch severed a heavy 8-gauge fence wire with them, though he needed two hands to do it and got a nasty blood blister in the process. Not everyone thought the sliding pliers would hold up, but nobody could get them to fail. Michaels wanted to see the lock button increased in size for easier use.
HITS "The only multirool that opens with a flick of the wrist." Nicovich
"The thumb knurls that you use to open the blades are a standout feature." Koptiuch
MISSES "Sometimes the palm of my hand got pinched when I released the sliding pliers lock." Koptiuch
CONTACT 800-950-6161; gerbergear.com
3 SOG PowerLock S60 ($75) OVERALL SCORE ###@
THE LOWDOWN Made in the United States and the only tool in our test with a ¼-inch socket, the SOG is best known for the leverage of its pliers. The S60 weighs 12 ounces, comes in a leather sheath, and has nine other blades and tools. With a smooth finish, it contains wire cutters, a wire stripper, and well-machined needle-nose pliers. The Power-Lock has a lifetime warranty.
Everyone liked its high-quality construction, sharp blades, and comfortable in-hand feel. The ¼-inch socket driver was a big hit, although some feared the nut could be easily misplaced. Three testers objected to the fact that the pliers had to be opened in order to use the other tools.
HITS "SOG's geared hinge creates compound leverage that is buttery-smooth and provides effortless gripping power." Koptiuch
MISSES "The gap in the wire cutters prevented me from cutting fishing line smaller than 10-pound-test." Nicovich
CONTACT 888-764-2378; sogknives.com
4 Wenger Evolution S 557 ($60) OVERALL SCORE ##@
THE LOWDOWN This multitool's primary features are its compact size and weight. At only 4½ ounces, it was by far the lightest tool in the test. It has one locking blade and seven other tools including pliers, scissors, two screwdrivers, a corkscrew, and more. Fear not, you still get the toothpick and tweezers.
Every tester credited Wenger (Swiss Array) as being the father of the first multitool, but that wasn't enough to keep the Evolution from scoring in the cellar. It just couldn't overcome its small and less-than-aggressive tool profile. There was general agreement that the S 557 would work fine for backpacking and camping. One tester commented that it was like comparing a BMW sedan to a ¼-ton diesel truck.
HITS "I liked the small wrench tool." Kleto
MISSES "The pliers are only as strong as your fingers." Nicovich
CONTACT 800-267-3577; wengerna.com
"Just hold the Surge and you know it will stand up to a lifetime of punishment." STEVEN NICOVICH
"I can slide out the pliers and release a fish with one hand." NICK KLETO
"I would only buy the SOG if it were on sale." NICK KLETO
"If a person were restricted by size, this would be the tool." STEVEN NICOVICH
THE TEST PANEL
Kent Koptiuch
AGE: 48
HOME WOODS:
The Green Mountains, Vermont
ANNUAL DAYS IN THE OUTDOORS: 40
Nick Kleto
AGE: 58
HOME WOODS:
Outer Banks, North Carolina
ANNUAL DAYS IN THE OUTDOORS: 90
Steven Nicovich
AGE: 26
HOME WOODS:
Southern Oregon
ANNUAL DAYS IN THE OUTDOORS: 100
Curt Michaels
AGE: 42
HOME WOODS:
Au Sable State Forest, Michigan
ANNUAL DAYS IN THE OUTDOORS: 45
BECOME A GEAR TESTER! GO TO FIELDANDSTREAM.COM/TESTPANEL
