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Multi-tool for underground
- Thread starter Bob W
- Start date
Based on what you said, this may be the tool you need.
http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Multi-Plier-600-Needlenose-07535G.htm
or this one
http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Multi-Plier-600-Blunt-Nose-Leather-07505G.htm
They don't have premium blade steel but they have everything else you said you need and being able to replace the wire cutters is a huge advantage, one-hand opening pliers are nice too.
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It's true that the new Gerbers are crap. But the MP600 series is still good and it offers features that Leatherman and Swisstool don't. Such as one-hand opening pliers, blunt nose pliers, and replaceable wire cutters.
Overall it depends on what you need a multitool for.
If it's for the blades and screwdrivers then a Leatherman Core is the way to go.
If it's for use in a wet, humid environment then a Swisstool is what you need.
But if you are going to use mostly the pliers and the wirecutters then a Gerber MP600 with replaceable wire cutters is the best choice.
Overall it depends on what you need a multitool for.
If it's for the blades and screwdrivers then a Leatherman Core is the way to go.
If it's for use in a wet, humid environment then a Swisstool is what you need.
But if you are going to use mostly the pliers and the wirecutters then a Gerber MP600 with replaceable wire cutters is the best choice.
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Here's a link to LightHound, they have GITD paracord. I made a lanyard for my car keys. It works great. KnifeKits also has a GITD product called Half Life X. Its a powder that you mix with a clear epoxy and apply it. These might be useful to mark your tools.
Ric
Ric
I am still reading all of these posts. Thanks for the link to that reflective cord - sounds like an excellent idea.
Need to pick something quick (for tax purposes - soon to become an actual 'employee'), so I'll probably sit down this evening and make a decision.
Need to pick something quick (for tax purposes - soon to become an actual 'employee'), so I'll probably sit down this evening and make a decision.
I didn't read any of the other posts, but when you mentioned being underground in a coal mine I instantly thought of my grandfather that was an underground coal miner in NE PA from about the mid 20's up until the Knox Mine disaster in the 50's which ended coal mining in PA. My grandfather carried a Pal scout type knife every single day, and it served him well. I still have the knife today. So anyway being that I'm my grandfathers grandkid, and have coal mining roots I guess, and similar tastes, I would say get a Victorinox Swiss Tool. I couldn't think of any tool that would serve you as well.
My grandfather was a coal miner also (Southern Illinois), so was an uncle, and a cousin still is. I once worked in a coal mine too, in New Mexico, but not underground.
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I think it's down to the Victorinox SwissTool or SwissTool Spirit. Still thinking...
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2006
- Messages
- 12
My two cents: I would recommend you a Leatherman or a Victorinox tool, but remember that no tool is perfect and all of them have their pros and cons.
With the Leatherman Charge or Wave you get one-handed access to the blades, which perhaps it's convenient if you use gloves while working underground. The phillips screwdriver is an interchangeable bit and even though it stays in place firmly maybe it could be an issue if it falls down while manipulating the tool and gets lost, though it would be extremely odd. I'm not sure about the Wave, but the Charge has a retractable lanyard hole and also a clip. The sheat allows the tool to be stored with the pliers extended so that's a plus.
The Leatherman Core is more robust but has no OH opening. On the other side, the Core has fixed phillips screwdrivers so there's no risk at all of losing them. Leatherman tools are not famous for their rust resistance so if you work in a very humid ambient you should consider getting another tool like...
...The Victorinox Swisstool, which is bomb proof and very highly rust resistant, it's all polished and has one of the best locking systems out there. Its pliers are sturdy, but blunt nose. If you work with gloves and use the screwdrivers a lot during a day I wouldn't recommend this tools because you should have to take your gloves off to access the tools unless the gloves aren't too thick. Also, the lanyard hole is placed in an awkward position and has no clip. Its sheat doesn't allow the tool to be stored in the pliers mode. No problem with rust at all even working in the sea or in a humid place. All of the above goes for the Spirit, which is basically the same tool but smaller and improved in some areas.
I own the three tools I mentioned before (not the Core) and If it was up to me to decide, I'd chose a Swisstool because of its sturdiness and heft. You can even hammer things down with this tool! And its phillips screwdriver is way longer than the one in the Charge or Wave, sometimes that's useful when trying to reach a recessed screw. And the maintenance of this tool is very easy, just clean it with water and soap, dry it and put some oil drops on the joints. That's it.
With the Leatherman Charge or Wave you get one-handed access to the blades, which perhaps it's convenient if you use gloves while working underground. The phillips screwdriver is an interchangeable bit and even though it stays in place firmly maybe it could be an issue if it falls down while manipulating the tool and gets lost, though it would be extremely odd. I'm not sure about the Wave, but the Charge has a retractable lanyard hole and also a clip. The sheat allows the tool to be stored with the pliers extended so that's a plus.
The Leatherman Core is more robust but has no OH opening. On the other side, the Core has fixed phillips screwdrivers so there's no risk at all of losing them. Leatherman tools are not famous for their rust resistance so if you work in a very humid ambient you should consider getting another tool like...
...The Victorinox Swisstool, which is bomb proof and very highly rust resistant, it's all polished and has one of the best locking systems out there. Its pliers are sturdy, but blunt nose. If you work with gloves and use the screwdrivers a lot during a day I wouldn't recommend this tools because you should have to take your gloves off to access the tools unless the gloves aren't too thick. Also, the lanyard hole is placed in an awkward position and has no clip. Its sheat doesn't allow the tool to be stored in the pliers mode. No problem with rust at all even working in the sea or in a humid place. All of the above goes for the Spirit, which is basically the same tool but smaller and improved in some areas.
I own the three tools I mentioned before (not the Core) and If it was up to me to decide, I'd chose a Swisstool because of its sturdiness and heft. You can even hammer things down with this tool! And its phillips screwdriver is way longer than the one in the Charge or Wave, sometimes that's useful when trying to reach a recessed screw. And the maintenance of this tool is very easy, just clean it with water and soap, dry it and put some oil drops on the joints. That's it.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
- Messages
- 2,792
Avilable from Leatherman, mod, or Photoshop?
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- Joined
- Feb 9, 2008
- Messages
- 5,421
I can only recommend something Ive actually used. The Kick is the only pliers based multi tool Ive ever owned. I use it on my job everyday. Dont know how I got along without it. I keep a single AA powered flashlight strapped to the sheath , it gets used most every day also.
I have just placed an order with New Graham knives for a Swisstool. Sincere appreciation for all of the insight and suggestions.
As per my original post, the first person to suggest the SwissTool was ZombaiO. Either PM or e-mail your mailing address to me and I'll send you a Swiss Army Knife (a duplicate from my own collection). I can't guarantee delivery, being you're in Bulgaria, but I'm willing to give it a try.
As per my original post, the first person to suggest the SwissTool was ZombaiO. Either PM or e-mail your mailing address to me and I'll send you a Swiss Army Knife (a duplicate from my own collection). I can't guarantee delivery, being you're in Bulgaria, but I'm willing to give it a try.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
- Messages
- 2,792
Yes, it's a mod, done by myself,
Much better than the standard 420 blade, which is really too soft to hold an edge. :thumbdn:
There are many who post here who agree with your opinion of 420 steel blades. However, many millions of people use just that daily for their cutting tasks and seem to be satisfied. In my experience, as a casual user, the difference between well made 420 stainless and better steels seems to be mostly about how often it needs to be resharpened. May I ask, how do you use your knives that requires something harder than 420?
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2006
- Messages
- 12
Great choice, the Swisstool won't let you down. Besides that, it looks really cool... I love mine and I use it for the hardest jobs.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2006
- Messages
- 12
Oh, now you chose a Swisstool, you must find the right model to you, because there are different variations of the same multitool:
-The SwissTool 3.0323 has two blades (one serrated, one plain edge) but no scissors.
-The SwissTool X 3.0327 has one plain edge blade and scissors, but no serrated edge blade.
-SwissTool RS 3.0326 has a rescue blade (round tip, serrated) but no metal file.
-The SwissTool CS Plus 3.0338.L is a SwissTool X with the addition of a corkscrew, mini screwdriver, a set of bits with either a ratchet or a L-shaped bar and a nice leather sheat to fit everything in it.
I have had a SwissTool RS but I sold it and bought a Swisstool X, I prefer having a metal file instead of a rescue blade (scissors can do the job most of the time). I bought then the bit set, corkscrew and the leather sheat so now I have the Plus model. These are some pictures of it:
Look how thick it can be with all the stuff into the leather sheat.
Did I mention that the handles can be opened to form a 90 degrees angle?
With all the accesories... The black bits are original, the chromed ones were bought later to fill the empty spaces.
I'm not a big guy (5'8") so perhaps the SwissTool looks bigger on my hands. It's solid as a rock and everythings opens and closes with a nice "click" sound. This is quality, man!
-The SwissTool 3.0323 has two blades (one serrated, one plain edge) but no scissors.
-The SwissTool X 3.0327 has one plain edge blade and scissors, but no serrated edge blade.
-SwissTool RS 3.0326 has a rescue blade (round tip, serrated) but no metal file.
-The SwissTool CS Plus 3.0338.L is a SwissTool X with the addition of a corkscrew, mini screwdriver, a set of bits with either a ratchet or a L-shaped bar and a nice leather sheat to fit everything in it.
I have had a SwissTool RS but I sold it and bought a Swisstool X, I prefer having a metal file instead of a rescue blade (scissors can do the job most of the time). I bought then the bit set, corkscrew and the leather sheat so now I have the Plus model. These are some pictures of it:
Look how thick it can be with all the stuff into the leather sheat.
Did I mention that the handles can be opened to form a 90 degrees angle?
With all the accesories... The black bits are original, the chromed ones were bought later to fill the empty spaces.
I'm not a big guy (5'8") so perhaps the SwissTool looks bigger on my hands. It's solid as a rock and everythings opens and closes with a nice "click" sound. This is quality, man!
I ordered the 'plain' one, with no loose parts or extra tools. It's listed as model 53905 at many dealers.
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E-mail received from ZombaiO.