multi-tool decision??

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
3,164
My Leatherman Supertool is about 10 years old and is a bit worn out.

Gerber legendary or Leatherman Wave Which do you guys think is a better option?

Thanks

chris
 
go with the leatherman, I do not like the gerbers at all, I like gerber knives but do not like thier multi tools
 
I have a Gerber Multi Tool and a Leatherman Wave. I definately like the Wave alot better. Most of the blades and tools are just easier to access and the knife blade holds a much better edge IMO.
 
Having a Wave and Gerber, I would vote for the Wave, although I usually carry a PSK2. I find that for most of my tool use, locking tools aren't really necessary, and I don't need the saw for everyday use.
 
wow! I never thought it would be a landslide.

Hot rod do you think they would replace my tool after 10 years? The wire cutter is chewed up big time.
 
Originally posted by chrisaloia
wow! I never thought it would be a landslide.

Hot rod do you think they would replace my tool after 10 years? The wire cutter is chewed up big time.
Click to expand...

Send the Leatherman in. I sent back 4 tools which belonged to my Dad, Brother, and myself. One of them was comepletely abused which I stated in the letter that I sent with the tools(I said I did not expect them to replace it it because I thought it voided their warranty). They replaced all 4 leathermans. I will stick with them for multi-tools after that.

They have instructions on there website to send tools back. It takes about 2 weeks turnaround.
 
No experience with the Gerber but I do have a Leatherman Wave and a Swisstool. The Swisstool was recommended on this forum and after buying it I can see why, it's far superior to the Wave. Do youself a favour and take a look at one, they're a little bigger but alot tougher.

Matt
 
chrisaloia, I have to agree that Leatherman is by
far the best "working" multi tool. Others may
swear by the tools they like all I can say I've
owned most of the other brands and all I did was
swear at them!! :D

Since you've owned the original supertool so long
let me offer this opinion. The Wave more than
likly will not set well as it's not nearly as heavy
duty as the supertool while the Pulse is a good
lite weigh my guess is that you'll be well
satisfied with the supertool 200 once you get used
to the new locking method. I know of all the
Leatherman products (and I have owned them all
at some point :eek: ) I have a decided preferrance
for the Supertool as it's been the only tool to
ALWAYS meet the needs of the work I'm doing. :)
 
I really liked my older Gerber Multi-plier, but it seems to have disappeared, so this thread is interesting to me since I am looking and comparing the latest versions of multi-tools now myself.
 
The Wave is more compact and lighter than the Super Tool making it easier to carry and the one hand opening knife blades are a big plus when your not carrying another knife. The Wave is not a real heavy duty tool though. If you use it hard a lot you probably be better off with something like the SwissTool, SOG PowerLock or the Super Tool 200 .








- Frank
 
After going back and forth, trying out various multi-tools and SAKs, and combinations of the 2, I've come to think that an original Leatherman PST (the simplest one there is) and my Vic Mauser are just about perfect. The tool load-out on each complement each other quite well; the PST is strong enough for any reasonable job you'd ask a multi-tool to do, and both tools together weigh less than what the larger multi-tools do by themselves.
 
Hi Chris,

I don't know what your useage for the tool is likely to be but seeing as you've posted the question on this forum I'll assume your going to use the tool in the great outdoors. If that's the case DON'T go for the Wave, it's just not man enough. I carried one for a little while (It lives in my toolbox now) and found it slightly more than useless. Especially when any pressure was applied to the handles while using one of the tools. The handles would flex apart alarmingly.

A better and much stonger bet would be the Victorinox Swiss Tool. It is heavier and bigger than the other options but it has some really nice features which include:-

1. It's built like a tank.

2. ALL the tools lock which doesn't seem important until a tool snaps shut on your cold fingers when your really bearing down on it.

3. ALL the tools are accessible from the outside of the tool.

4. No clumping, you select a tool and only that tool will open when you pull on it.

Give the Swiss Tool a look over and make up your own mind, good luck and enjoy choosing.:D

Cheers,

Tony.
 
I back TonyC up! No doubt for the Victorinox multitool! and it's now available in black!
but if it's between Leatherman and gerber so take the Wave!
 
A friend has a Gerber that he really likes. I have a few WAVEs. I think we are each convinced that our choice is better. I've used one of my waves a lot. I got it when the WAVE first came out and given it some pretty hard (almost abusive) use. I've decided it isn't perfect. It has loosened up quite a bit. I've broken the plain edge blade (slight prying action when cutting twine from around my weedeater head). I've broken both tips off the plier section (prying out a cotter key on a planter). I've been bit when the screwdriver folded and when the pliers slipped.

Doesn't sound like much of an endorsement so far, huh? I honestly don't think that blade should have broken and some day I might send it back to Leatherman to see if they will replace / repair it, but the tool has served me well regardless. With the WAVE, I've cut high tensile cattle fence that another popular multi-tool couldn't (think it was a Buck?) and done it more comfortably than I could have with many other multi-tools. It has been extremely handy and I've used tools such as the saw more than I would have ever dreamed.

Ideally, I'd like to see someone come out like Leatherman or Mission come out with a "Monsoon". It would be a slightly larger / longer / tougher version of the WAVE with the frame made of Beta-Ti (titanium) and some improvements such as interchangeable tools. It would come in a kydex sheath of some type. Of course, it would cost a lot more too, but I'd be willing to pay more for a tool like that and imagine that several others would too...
 
I liked the Gerber, but when I picked up a Leatherman at a yard sale for cheap, I gave the Gerber to the wife.
 
About 10 years ago I gave my son-in-law a Leatherman (original design) he's still using it. Which says something about the ruggedness of Leatherman tools because my son-in-law could destroy a steel ball with a cotton swab! :D
Gene
 
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