Most versatile multi-tool?

J

JamesA

Joined
Jun 2, 2001
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696
I was just reading some threads about the Spyderench, and trying to figure out what advantages and disadvantages it would have over the Wave, and then I got to thinking... what I really am looking for is the most versatile, generalized multi tool possible. I don't know what I'm going to be doing day to day, so having one specialized for anything really doesn't help me out too much...

So I figured I'd ask you guys.

What multi tool do you think is the best overall compromise? Ignoring factors such as carryability and cost (but considering size), which do you think will be useful (maybe not the most useful) in the most different types of situations?


It's a very vague question, I know, but I'm not really sure how else to phrase it.

Anyone have any thoughts?
 
I'd keep my Wave (I really like the one-hand opening blades) or buy a Supertool 200. I've read a lot of complaints about the pliers on the Victorinox being too short. I would not trade pliers for a wrench-type tool. You can use the pliers as a wrench, but not vice verse. Just my $0.02.
 
I've always preferred my BuckTool for it's light weight and selection of screwdrivers, but Buck discontinued it recently :(

A very close second to that is my Leatherman Wave, which has its blades, saw and file on the outside handles so that it doesn't have to be opened into the pliers configuration to use these tools.

I also like keeping a Vise-Grip ToolBox in the car, for the locking pliers.

Best compromise: Wave
 
I'd vote for the Wave as well, but I'd also take a close look at the new Gerber Urban Legend. I handled one recently and it really looks impressive--even has replaceable wire cutting jaws and fits the hand well.
 
The most versatile multitool is the one that you have with you when the need arises. Some of these newer ones are getting so big and heavy that I can't see carrying them around. The fact that it contains every tool necessary to disassemble and rebuild my engine and my transmission does not impress me if it's sitting in my drawer at home and the hose clamp I need to tighten is right here and right now.

The best thing you can do with a multitool is select one and start carrying it every day. You will learn how to use every aspect of it in ways that the manufacturer didn't even dream of. In fact, you'll start to think of your whole world differently. You'll start to see problems not so much in terms of "what's the best way to solve this," but in terms of "how can I solve this with the capabilities of my multitool?" And that's when any multitool becomes the most versatile multitool.
 
UH.....what Gollnick said. Pick a tool (a quality name of course)
and try it out.

There is no pefect multi tool just the one that you like the best because
it does what you need done.

Some will recommend the wave and forget it doesn't lock and isn't lefty
friendly. Others will say pulse, supertool , juice etc. and all would be correct.
So start with a basic tool ( the Leatherman PST) or Leatherman Pulse and see
it they are enough. They often are for most folk's. Then look at the supertool
(original or 200) or Sog , Gerber etc.

For myself I prefer the following.......
everyday work carry ....leatheman original supertool ( bullet proof)
light weekend carry ........leatherman Pulse (generally handy in lighter weight)
dress carry ........leatherman juice Kf4 in my pocket. (Ideal dress for the knife nut.)

Sure I tried others but I stopped with these as all are excellent
for the intended use.
 
I really like my LM Wave. The only downfall is the fact that it is a bit heavy for EDC.
Other than that, it is great!
 
I like the Wave for EDC, because it has alot of features, including one hand blades and it is reasonably compact and not too heavy. It dose have some faults as Tightwad pointed out, the one that really bugs me is the lack of a ruler.
When I know I am going to need a heavy duty multitool, I perfer the Swisstool. Allthogh a little heavy (10 oz. vs 8 oz. for the Wave), all of the Swisstools tools lock and can be opened with out unfolding the handles.
The Supertool 200 is also a nice heavy duty multitool if you don't like the Swisstool. The SOG multitools look nice but I have not owned one.
 
Overall I like the WAVE most, it's the only multi-tool i've ever owned or needed. I especially like how you can one-hand open the PE blade, the FS blade, and the pliers, as well as most any other tool if you work your manual dexterity to the limit.
I wish the WAVE had bluntnose pliers though :(
 
SOG TiNi Powerlock...compound leverage works well..not just a gimmick ...TiNi coating makes it super strong and durable...
 
Wanted a Wave, bought a Wave to replace a lost Supertool, now I want another Supertool, the waves neat feels good but I miss the rulers,(yea I actually used them) and I miss the locking tools and the bigger pliers.

Leatherman Supertool best of the best :D .
 
Originally posted by JamesA
What multi tool do you think is the best overall compromise?
Click to expand...
I think most important recognition is that any muti-tool is a COMPROMISE. You can meet chores adequately, however, it is anticipated that it will see mostly occassional use. If you use tools regularly for your work, it may serve as back-up, but you always have better pliers, file, hacksaw, etc. In this respect it is not unreasonable to say to pick which one appeals to your sense of "style", since in my experience no one multi-tool (among quality multitool, not junk) is ultimately not SO MUCH better or SO MUCH worse, their qualities differ in degree not kind.
Martin
 
When I'm only carrying one cutting tool, I carry a LM Wave. It does an adequate job with most things that you would expect a multitool to do and has the set of features that I like. The two external knife blades make a very useful combination and are easy to sharpen. The file is handy to have. The saw I haven't used much. The internal tools are strong enough for my use.

Having said that, it is rare that I only carry one cutting tool. So, my multitool carry is most often a LM Juice S2. It provides everything that I am likely to need and nothing that I don't. I like a multitool that compliments my other stuff and "fills in the gaps", rather than tries to do everything. After awhile, you might find yourself looking for the minimum that you need to get by, rather than something that can do everything.

By the way, everyone that I know who owns these products has Gerbers, but I have all Leatherman. Sometimes I feel like a Chevy guy at a Ford show...:)
 
The Wave has my vote.;)

As far as versatility, the Wave is outstanding because of the ease of access to the main blades. The only improvement that I would suggest is for locks to be added to the tool blades, but other than that this tool is excellent.

In addition to the Wave, I also have the Wave Tool Adapter Kit that converts the multitool into a 1/4" hex drive with three different positions. With this feature, you can use the supplied TAK hex bits or use your own.

I've been an avid Leatherman customer for the past 10+ years and I would recommend any multitool made by this company. Leatherman has a multitool for any use that you may require of it, along with great customer service and a 25 year warranty on all of their products.

Good Luck.:D
 
Thanks for all the input, guys.

Just so you all know, I already have a wave, and I use it almost every day. However, I'm using the same three or four tools on it, every day, and I really do not like how the tools are split on the inside and the outside of the handles (weird, I know, since that's why everyone else likes it).

I'm very strongly considering switching it for something else, and I wanted to see if there was anything more versatile out there. Gollnick's post offers an interesting way of looking at it...

However, I was thinking... there're some tools you just can not improvise out of another tool. There might be a dozen ways to use a screwdriver, but if I need a saw or a file, you really can't improvise those. What I'm really looking for is something with basic tools, with minimum overlap (I could do without four flathead screwdrivers, for example)...

I guess what I should probably do is make a list of the basic tools I want (saw, diamond file, pliars, hex bit driver, not sure what else, that might even be it), and see what I can find that has as little more than this as possible.
 
Last week I decided to pick up a Leatherman Mini-tool. I had been carrying my Pulse for a year and a half, then switched back to a Wave I bought after the one I used to leave in my car was stolen. I love the Wave but found in my circumstances, in general it's too much to carry (along with the stuff I must carry in my fanny pack as well) everywhere, every day.

The Mini-tool doesn't have all the features of many other tools, but it seems enough for most of the needs I will come across in an urban setting. It's small and light enough to drop into my fanny pack and not worry about. I like the Leatherman multi-tools because the wire cutters have both a soft and hard wire cutter section, plus I like the designs, period. I don't carry just one cutting tool anyway, so the Mini-tool gets more carry time mainly for its clever full-sized pliers feature.
Jim
 
Originally posted by JamesA
I guess what I should probably do is make a list of the basic tools I want (saw, diamond file, pliars, hex bit driver, not sure what else, that might even be it), and see what I can find that has as little more than this as possible.
Click to expand...
Check out the Leatherman Juice selections. I was surprised how compact they are, and really brightly colored and precision built. Very sharp products :D

The Leatherman Tool Comparison will let you find which tool has all or most of the functions you need. You drag & drop the tools you want to compare and it lines up the functions available.

For example, compare the Wave and the Pulse. I think the Wave comes out second best! It has an extra knife, screwdriver, and the saw, but it lacks the fishhook groove on the file, the ruler, and only 4 of 11 tools lock (8 for 8 on the Pulse.) It weighs 8 oz to the Pulse's 6.
 
My choice is the LM Wave, I didn't like the factory sheath so I had David Brown made me a custom Kydex sheath that is perfect!
 
One other thing comes to mind. IIRC Gerber lets you build a custom tool, but you are limited to choosing tools in predetermined sets, not one-by-one. Still, some combination might strike your fancy. Also check out SOG, I think you can request replacement tools and swap for what you like.
 
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