Military Personel Multitool of Choice?

Rustolium said:
I prefer Gerber over Leatherman. I think they are a more quality tool. Excellent customer service too.
Click to expand...

Have to disagree on this one - LM's are better in quality and design. My mates tell me that they also have XLent customer service and I have to take their word for it as I have never broken any of my LM's
 
Rustolium said:
I prefer Gerber over Leatherman. I think they are a more quality tool. Excellent customer service too.
Click to expand...

I could agree with this when refering to the older Leathermans and Gerbers.
The older Gerbers were easier to deploy and a hell of a lot comfortable than the older Leathermans. If I am correct the older Gerber's pliers opened wider than Leatherman. All in all, I can say still that I like the Old Gerbers better than the new Leathermans. Though I still carry Leathermans from time to time.
 
I have used a Leatherman of some kind since I first started using a MT, At this time I carry a Leatherman Core.

RickJ
 
Been carrying the same Leatherman tool for about 20 years now. I don't like the way the Gerber opens and the Leatherman has always done what I needed it to do.

Did break one about 18 years ago smashing a lead shipping seal, Leatherman made it right by replacing it, same one since then.

Not sure I will buy anything else from them though since they went and did some foolish anti-gun stuff a while back. I don't support people like that.
 
ohen cepel said:
Not sure I will buy anything else from them though since they went and did some foolish anti-gun stuff a while back. I don't support people like that.
Click to expand...

Unbelievable how this rumor still has legs. Foolish or otherwise, Leatherman did NOT do any anti gun stuff. During the 2004 Presidential campaign, along with honchos of several outdoor equipment companies,
Timmy signed a joint letter supporting Kerry over Bush on account of environmental issues. There was nothing about guns or anything like that, and no other statements about any other political hotbutton. All the rest has been internet noise.

Dang! Even though Bush got to stay President, half the country voted otherwise, and somehow neighborhoods returned to normal, live and let live. Holding grudges is unhealthy, especially when there is no basis for them.
 
I flew on KC-135 tankers in thr Air Force during the 80's and carried a SAK "Picknicker", which I believe was one of the early lock blade SAK's. Our issued knife was a switch blade parachute knife, which I carried as well.

In the 90's I switched from flying to sailing research vessels in the N Atlantic & Antarctica. Still carried the SAK but added one of the early Gerber blunt nose multi's. The Gerber worked well, except it pinched the hell out of my palm if the jaws slipped off whatever you were using them on. I also tried an original LM PST but preferred the one-handed flick opening of the Gerber. After Gerber solved the palm pinch problem, I got a Pro Scout which I loved because of the replaceable metal hack saw blade, as the boats I sailed were steel and the blade was a nice addition.

The salt water never bothered the SAK and the Gerber. All they needed was a frequent freshwater rinsing and occasional lube. The LM however, tended to stiffen up quickly if you didn't stay on top of it.

BTW, I still carry the SAK and Pro Scout, although the blade on the SAK is getting mighty skinny!
 
I had bought an original Leatherman when the only choice was to get one or get nothing. I carried that for years before going with a Gerber, but once to many times it slipped and pinched my hand. I then went back to the original LM before upgrading to the Wave a few years back.
 
It pays to be the Supply Leading Chief Petty Officer in my activity. When I first reported onboard, the Storekeepers gave me a Leatherman Core. Too big for me really so I carry a Skeletool or a Wave.

Having observed sailors and Marines for the last 18 years, they are not really harder on their multitools than most simply because they have access to proper tools for their work and the good NCOs will always insist that they use the right ones for the job and not some multitool compromise. But what most sailors carry everyday is the Gerber 600 or 400 simply because every ship's store sells them and for a very good price. The savvy ones go to the NEX or MCX to get a Leatherman or a SOG.
 
For me it's a Leatherman Super Tool 200 and a Gerber MP600 which I have several. They don't really see hard use, IMHO multi-tools shouldn't be used in place of regular tools if you have your tool box handy. They're meant for odd jobs, jacks of all trades and masters of none. If you need a screwdriver use one, versus diddling with the multi-tool. I like the convenience of multi-tools but I find they're more useful in remote situations like camping or hiking rather than maintenance and repairs when you can have a tool box or bag handy at work or in the trunk of a car.

Of the two, the Leatherman is definitely better in fit, finish, and durability, but the Gerber will hold it's own if used within the limitations of a multi-tool.
 
I started off carrying an original Leatherman for a number of years. I then went with a Gerber when they first came out, including getting a screwdriver add on kit later on. I liked it, but one too many times it pinched my hand and I got rid of it. I went back to my trusty original Leatherman until I came across the Wave. The Wave fits great in my hand and meets all of my needs.
 
bigocean said:
What is the standard issue multi-tool for those of us not familiar with the US military?
Click to expand...

There really is no one standard, it varies from branch of service and even base to base, but mostly I've seen the Gerber MP600 issued to Army and Air Force personnel. If you belong to a unit that has money to spend, you can get something nicer.
 
In the USN, multi tools are not issued like shoes and other gear because they are not an official part of a sailor's seabag. However, a unit's logistics operation can order Leathermen for local issue, from the fed's supply system or open purchase via gov CC if the desired MT isn't in the system. These MTs normally end up in the hands of senior NCOs :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top