Multi-tools: Best one for survival kit?

I don't have A TON of experience with various multitools, but there is a good reason. I researched and handled several before choosing mine and I have never needed another one. I decided on the Leatherman Charge TTi a few years ago and that particular model has always been my favorite. I checked out all the SOG stuff, Leatherman's other models, Victorinox, Gerber stuff, etc. and the Charge is tops for me. Since having it for a while, I've thought about upgrading a few times and still have yet to ever find one I like more. That thing rocks the house. It goes everywhere I go.
 
MrCoffee said:
Hey Everyone,

I have a number of multi-tools, Victorinox Spirit, Leatherman PST, PST II, SOG Powerlock, Gerber Suspension, and a ton of SAKs. But I am curious as to which one you all favor when it comes to survival tools. So far I haven't found a "favorite", thou I would have to say that The Spirit is at the top of my list, but that just might be because I am a Victorinox addict... :) Lots of people love the Wave..... we always ask "which knife if you could only have one?" I am asking "Which multi-tool, if you couldn't have a knife?"

One other thing I have noticed, is that no one seems to use the SwissCard (or the like) as part of thier "tin kits" and I was wondering why? While it isn't exactly a RC-3, it is a very very thin tool kit with a number of useful items.

Anyways, thoughts? Comments?
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i have a SOG powerlock that i had gotten a great deal on and i am very very please with the craftsmanship of that multi tool. i have howned gerbers and Vics and i like the SOG better by far.
 
I have a swiss card in a tin I am moving along shortly ,not a fan of the swiss card I guess if it is all you had it would work in a highly tight pinch,pretty cool for a tin kit but to pricey IMO for what ya get
 
Stormstaff said:
I have and use a Leatherman "original" Supertool. Not the best but I like it.
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I would still be using this one too IF it hadn't been stolen..:(

Dylside said:
I don't have A TON of experience with various multitools, but there is a good reason. I researched and handled several before choosing mine and I have never needed another one. I decided on the Leatherman Charge TTi a few years ago and that particular model has always been my favorite. I checked out all the SOG stuff, Leatherman's other models, Victorinox, Gerber stuff, etc. and the Charge is tops for me. Since having it for a while, I've thought about upgrading a few times and still have yet to ever find one I like more. That thing rocks the house. It goes everywhere I go.
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The Charge TTi is a great tool, but even if I had one... well it is kinda like RC blades and SAKs, I would have had to check out the other makes/models! :)

So everyone that has replied.. you'd be ok with the MT you have chosen as your ONLY knife/tool in a survival situation?
 
I have a brand new Wave that I bought about 3 months ago. Before that I had a Gerber which was OK, but I hated the way you had to open it. The Wave is much more smooth and easier to operate and it also has a saw, and the Gerber didn't. I had an early model Leatherman before the Gerber. I think the Wave is the best one I've owned so far.
 
MrCoffee said:
I would still be using this one too IF it hadn't been stolen..:(



The Charge TTi is a great tool, but even if I had one... well it is kinda like RC blades and SAKs, I would have had to check out the other makes/models! :)

So everyone that has replied.. you'd be ok with the MT you have chosen as your ONLY knife/tool in a survival situation?
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Honestly, if all I has was the Charge, I think I'd be ok. I don't want to admit it, simply because i like carrying various gear and I would much rather have more than the Charge, but if that was it, I'd get just as much done with it.
 
I've had 2 waves 3 surges a core and crunch. So far the core and surge have been my favs. I just need to attach a leash to them cuz I keep losing them.

Tried a sog power lock, think it was a gen 1 cuz it sucked. Bought it and returned it with in an hour. Was the on that Lowes carries.
 
I've had a couple leathermans, I still have and use the original supertool, but I love my swisstool X I got about 6 months ago, it feels a lot more solid than any of the other MTs i've handled and even the supertool, I like the lock and it has great F&F.
 
I've been using a Leatherman Charge Ti for years. I recently bought a Surge, but I've been reconsidering a SwissTool X and the Leatherman SuperTool 300 just came out.
 
The only large Leatherman I own is a SuperTool from '94. It's still chugging along just fine, and if I ever lost it, I'd look for a duplicate on Ebay! I love it w/o reservation. A few months ago I bought a Leatherman Squirt P4. It's my new EDC since it fits so nicely in my pocket. Definitely lighter duty than the SuperTool, but does have its charm, and would do nicely in a kit.
 
I was a gerber fan for a long time, tried swiss army before the new locking models.
If it didn't lock I didn't like it, had too many blades, etc. come back on me and cut my hands/fingers.

I now use a Buck LED multi-tool, believe it or not it has held up VERY well even though it is rather light weight. The knife blade is around 3 inches long but it is a REAL knife, with a serrared edge toward the back that works GREAT on the RAT FireKit.

But like Jeff says, anything can break if you are too rough on it. I agree, but I think within reason this multi-tool will hold up and the LED makes it great to look at what you are working on.
 
Everyone has their preference I guess, but any good quality multi-tool will get the job done in most cases. Most of them share the same weaknesses. Other than that, it’s just a matter of picking the one that has the features you like. I’ve only got two, my newest and favorite is a Leatherman Wave and the other is an early Gerber Multi-Plier back before any of the tools even locked in the open position.
 
I'm glad this thread was started, I have looking at new Multi-tools myself.

I still have an original Leatherman.
 
I guess I am a Leatherman, man.
My old original Supertool got retired to the BOB after getting a Wave quite a few years ago, the Wave has been great and have not tried anything else.
I also have a Leatherman Micra on my key chain.
 
I have about four LM mulit's and a bunch of Swiss armys but I always come back to the Supertool (original). I know the wave feels better in the hand but that darn Supertool brings back soooooo many memories. ( I once built a bow from a display case at a liquor store where I worked. The damn thing shot an arrow (also homemade) into the moulding of the store. Ahhhhh memories!!!)
T
 
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