Multi-tool for underground

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
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I've started a new job recently, technical/geophysical/R&D stuff that I'm barely capable of understanding. One thing I have understood so far, boss told me I should get a "multi-tool" for in the field when traveling.

Here is the criteria, based on job needs so far and my own preferences:

- phillips screwdriver(s)
- pliers
- wire cutter and stripper
- knife blade with 'good' stainless steel - AUS8, 440C, or better
- durable belt pouch

At least some of our jobs are in underground coal mines. If you've never been in an underground coal mine (I never was either, until yesterday), it's very dark and the floors are covered with deep white powder. Anything dropped is probably gone forever, so a lanyard hole or bale is a MUST-HAVE. And, obviously, black coated tools are out of the question.

Boss #2 (everyone at new job is my boss) recommends the "Winchester" multi-tools from WalMart, but based on casual observation they seem cheap and junky to me. Can anyone confirm or deny?

I have no set budget (as a contractor, anything I buy is subtracted from my income for tax purposes), but I can't see the need to pay over $100 since I'm not earning much yet.

I've always been a fan of SOG's gear-driven pliers, or at least the idea of a gear-driven plier, but have no first-hand experience with SOG and very little experience with multi-tools in general.

-----------------------

Bonus Contest: Whichever person is the first to recommend the tool that I end up buying, I'll send them a Victorinox or Wenger knife/tool as a "Thank You".

:thumbup:
 
congratulation to the job!

i would stand away from the winchester and spend more money for an durable tool/sheath combo. there are many good quality ones to choose from victorinox, leatherman, the mentioned sog and gerber, buck etc. if you want an better steel blade then the selection is narrowed, leatherman has 154 cm on some of theyr models but unfortunally victorinox not.

suggesting have an closer look on sheaths too, that you dont loose the tool in the field and that you easy can get replacement sheaths as they often wear out earlyer than the tool.

+B
 
congratulation to the job!
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If I wasn't too proud to collect handouts, I'd happily give it to someone else. There are 10,000 things I'd rather be doing... ;)
 
Please check on what is legal for you to take into coalmines - esp underground because of danger of spark from a tool hitting rock = gas explosion
 
antonio_luiz said:
Please check on what is legal for you to take into coalmines - esp underground because of danger of spark from a tool hitting rock = gas explosion
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I'll look into that. But yesterday everyone (except me) had a multi-tool. Do you work underground?

Even if not allowed in some mines, I still need one for a variety of above-ground tasks...
 
I'd start w/ a Leatherman Kick and try it for a while, $21.94 at Wal-Mart, and find out if there's anything you're missing that you need. Then spend a little more for whatever. I can recommend Leatherman, Victorinox, and SOG. Stay away from Gerber, Winchester, or anything else that seems questionable or under $20.00. I personally carry a Leatherman Surge and have never bought another multi-tool after carrying it everyday for 2+ years.
 
I would go for the Victorinox Swiss Tool ;)
Big and sturdy,top quality !
The blade steel isn't 154CM,but it's good enough for any real world cutting task and it's pretty easy to sharpen :thumbup: It's the same steel used on the Victorinox knives ;)
 
One other advantage of the Swisstool is high rust resistance . Only the SOG has stronger pliers , this is offset by the SOG being less comfortable in the hand , and having poorer quality implements .

Chris
 
secnd the kick. Mine is a black coated one, I got for 7$ at target and the blade is super sharp. The pliers were very stiff at first, actually taking both hands to open. Howver, after watching dirty jobs and opening
and closin it the whole time, it is buttery smooth. One complaint I do have even now is that the bottle opener is bear impossible to get out, the nail groove is on the wrong side, by I have a bottle opener to open bottles, go figure.


Anyway, for seven bucks I'd give it an 8/10 an it should b perfect for your intial needs.
 
Slap some reflective tape on the sides of it, and maybe braid a lanyard out of reflective cord. when you shine your cap lamp on it will positively glow. If you look around most peoples boss bars, and hammers will probably have a similar treatment. You'll be surprised at how well it will work.
 
supasuprab0b said:
secnd the kick. Mine is a black coated one, I got for 7$ at target and the blade is super sharp. The pliers were very stiff at first, actually taking both hands to open. Howver, after watching dirty jobs and opening
and closin it the whole time, it is buttery smooth. One complaint I do have even now is that the bottle opener is bear impossible to get out, the nail groove is on the wrong side, by I have a bottle opener to open bottles, go figure.


Anyway, for seven bucks I'd give it an 8/10 an it should b perfect for your intial needs.
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$7 dollars how????
 
Because only Leatherman offers them, if a premium steel blade is truly necessary, your choice would be limited to one or another Charge model. Not a bad choice, but since your boss recommended a Winchester, which is fitted with a plain old 420-something blade, maybe a super steel is not so necessary after all and you can look at other candidates.

IMHO, a Core would be better, possibly best for your purposes, for the following reasons:

It is big and robust enough to tackle anything that can be handled with a multitool. So are others, but they may not be as suitable for your purposes. For example, the Swisstool is another bombproof item that fully deserves its reputation, but one of its advantages, outside-opening implements, is offset by having to get them out with nail nicks. That's fine for once in a while, but if you are pulling out blades or drivers all day, your thumb tips will not be very happy, less so if hands are cold or fingernails softened by wet. All the Core tools are much easier to access, most with the flat of a thumb.

Core wire cutters are excellent and the screwdrivers are superior, ground sharp and on longer shafts than any other multitool, and are fixed. You won't lose bits, such as furnished on Leathermen Charge or Surge. Those are great tools too, BTW, but because they are mechanically more intricate, more likely to be munged by whatever crud comes with the environment you describe. Simple=reliable.

Shop around and you might find a Core on sale at half your budget, or less.
 
I'm going to also suggest just forgoing the premium blade steel. If there is any chance at all that you are going to drop and lose the thing, then I think the risk of loss outweighs whatever advantage the superior steel has...just my opinion on the matter:D

If you want a tool that flips open and closed pretty easily, it tough as nails, and is adjustable/repairable without sending it off, I really have to recommend that SOG line. I have been carrying the standard powerlock for a couple of years now as my daily HD tool. The only thing that I miss about my LM tools is the one handed blade and the size of the blade. I can make due with it as is.

However, I am very tempted to pick up the new power assist model for around $70 bucks:D You lose a couple of tools on one side, but you gain large assisted opening plain and serrated blades:thumbup:

If you want to go a little more basic, I happily recommend the LM Fuse. Slim, light, cheap, and has all the basic tools you need. I like that the tools lock on this one. That's why i find it a better value than the Kick:cool:

I'm NOT a fan of Gerber. I feel that their tools have not been high quality for several years now. However, anything is an upgrade over the Winchester models. Stick with Vic, SOG, or LM and I think you will be quite happy:)

Good luck!
 
So far I'm going to echo what has been said. Winchester and no-name brand tools are trash. In terms of a specific tool, your requirements are fairly minimalist...for now. I also believe Gerber has been on a downhill slide for far too long and wouldn't trust them for anything serious.

Although not a "premium" steel, Victorinox is excellent blade steel. Durable and easy to sharpen. I would simply carry a premium steel folder for knife work and use the tool for "tool work". That being said, if you need to cut rope or heavy lines the serrated blade on the Victorinox is excellent for such chores and you can preserve the edge on your carry knife. The locking system on the Victorinox is the best IMHO, and the tools are very well built. If compact size is important the Vic Spirit is excellent and quite robust. The locking phillips is the best out there on a multi-tool, again IMHO.

SOG and Leatherman are also excellent tools.I've found the SOG powerdrive or gear-drive to be more gimickey than functional. It tends to accumulate debris and may jam occaisionally due to "bits of stuff" like wire insulation.

I'm not a fan of Leatherman's new bit system unless you really need that kind of flexibility

I think the Swisstool would be your best bet. If compact size is important get a Vic Spirit.
 
+1 for the SOG powerlock. The tools are easily interchanged, and the compund leverage is really nice. It can be opened one handed, and operates very smoothly. You mentioned needing a tough belt case, the SOG has the nicest leather factory case out there. I have been using/carrying mine for 7 years and haven't had the urge to buy or carry another one since.
 
Id go with the Leatherman good multy tool use mine at work every day hade it for about 4years. Id recomend the wave or charge there about the same thing except the charge has titanium handles and 154cm steel blade but there about identical besides that and very reliable and good warentyif any thing happens even if it is only for 25years its still a long time and for some reason you do have it and manage not to loose it after 25y. and need to get some warenty repair on it I just buy a new one after that long.
 
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