Multi-tools= looking to give one a chance

[Zander131]

I love my leatherman wave.

 

[luckykitty]

I love my leatherman crunch ...
it is heavy
I don't like the serrated blade on it

but I do a lot of things around the house, some plumbing, repairing windows and doors, and even used it as a grip for impressioning a key ...
It is my mini toolbox, and based on what I've thrown at it I can't even complain about the weight.

 

[Harayasu]

so here's my question, since i carry a sak and pliers, would i be better off with a multi-tool instead?
do any of you carry as i do? as two seperate items?

When I go camping, then I carry a SAK in my pocket and have pliers in my backpack. I bought these pliers at a hardware store, they cheap, but light and work fine. During camping I rarely need the pliers, but I carry them just in case.

 

[flnder]

I always carry a SAK explorer and a SAK tool either original or spirit. that way I have every good tool(some doubles) VIC puts out and none of the useless. no hooks,fruit peelers etc,but good saw,pliers, file. the thing about good multitools is they are like peanuts,just can't be without it.

 

[Millhouse]

Victorinox Spirit X. Now my favourite multi tool. So good, I bought 2.

 

[Mentor]

I'm a big fan of the Leatherman Wave. I carry one (long with a small flashlight, also by Leatherman) in the side pouch on my Spec Ops sheath, and it sees regular use.

For my purposes (usually fishing, work around the shop, lifting pots around the camp stove or fire), the pliers are strong enough. The saw, screw drivers, and scissors also see regular use, and the file is surprisingly handy (it can be used to create sawdust for fire starting, or to create magnesium shavings).

All the best,

- Mike

 

[never too sharp]

I carry a leatherman charge clipped to my pocket EVERY DAY. I get a slight panicky feeling when I leave the house with one of my other knives. The five different screwdrivers, the pliers, the cutting hook and the one hand open/close of the outside tools(two blades and a cutting hook) are what does it for me. The scissors, file and saw don't see that much action, but the bottle opener gets used occasionally.

 

[udtjim]

I have tried almost all of them, They all have their strong points and not so strong points. The one I carry Most is the original Leather-man. It does most of what I need and weights four OZ. I love the way the Big Gerber works but it is way to heavy to really suit me. Perhaps the Vic Spirit comes about as close as it gets to perfect. For fishing, it is the original every time.

 

[Calebklyne]

i have nothing bad to say about my LM wave and for 80 bucks you really cant loose i never leave home without it now

but the s30v blades on the charge tti would probably be nice if you have the money

 

[HikingMano]

I'd definitely suggest you check out the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit, as others have suggested. Excellent multi-tool. I have a Leatherman Wave as well, but the Wave is assigned to car emergency-kit duty now.

The Vic is very ergonomic, it's tools are easily accessible on the outside, and the fit and finish are better than the that of the Leatherman. It operated smoothly right of the box, and is really comfortable to use. The SwissTool Spirit comes with a blunt CE blade, but there are versions with a regular spear-tip PE blade instead of the scissors (Spirit S) or with a regular spear-tip PE blade instead of the blunt CE blade (Spirit X). I went with the original Spirit because I always have a pointy plain edge on me anyway, so having the added serrated blade and scissors only added options for me :thumbup:.

 

[DWK2]

I have a couple Leatherman tools (including a Wave) from before 2004 but I like my Victorinox multi better.

DancesWithKnives

 

[Frostyfingers]

I don't ship to Canada, but if you have a friend in the states who does.. I'll give you one of my extra ones.

The people on this forum are just awesome! :thumbup:

Now I wish I had made the original post...I've been lusting after a Wave for a while.

 

[rwiggins]

Leatherman Wave, all the way. I use it every day and have been ever since they came out with it. Before that, Leatherman Multi-tool. I gave it to my wife. She is still using it, again, every day. You can't beat the quality and usefulness!

 

[RescueRiley]

Frosty fingers.. the op hasn't yet if he hasn;t by the end of the weekend I will extend the offer to you... let me know.

 

[Rockywolf]

Have both new wave and old one. Both work well. Have had almost all the older LMs and a Gerber -good tools! Like the new wave best. Itching for a spirit though...
I think they work well inside and out, have my wave with me often.

 

[ROCK6]

Multi-tools are a compromise, but they do a pretty decent job for being such a compact package. Most are not very comfortable, but if space and weight are an issue, they are a great addition to the kit. They may not be the most useful in the outdoors, but the only thing limiting them is usually the imagination of the user. Just about everywhere I’ve been…even in deep backcountry, I’ve found scrap metal, wire, nails, plastic sheeting/bottles, canvas, etc…plenty of useful items that can be fabricated into functional items and the ubiquitous multi-tool can be a big asset.

I typically don’t use the knife blade on my multi-tool, but it is a good back up if needed. I actually like the sheep’s-foot blade shape or even a serrated edge for those few tasks that you don’t want to abuse your regular folder or fixed bladed edge.

Files and saws are handy, although SAK saws seem a little more functional for me. I really like the wire-stripper/chisel on the Vic Spirit..that would make a great improvised oyster shucker I do admit I really like the Leatherman Crunch for a compact vice-grips and I have one with me here in Afghanistan.

Carrying a good SAK and a separate pair of pliers isn’t a bad idea, especially if it works for you. It's funny, whenever I forget to carry my multi-tool, I usually run into a situation where I need it or somebody else had a need for it. It’s a few extra ounces of insurance I don’t mind carrying.

ROCK6

 

[frank k]

The Wave is a good one, has choice of plain or serrated blades (both one hand opening) and it also has a wood saw.


If you can do with out the one hand opening blades both the Swisstool Spirit and LM Blast are very good also.

 

[Dantor]

As you can see, Leatherman and Victorinox are favs, you won't go wrong with either, it's a personal choice. Like someone said, they have their strong points and not-so-strong-points.

Gerbers are not what they used to be (like their blades) and I've heard more complaints about them than any, but I hear they do have excellent customer service! (as do LM & Vic) and they are fun "flick!"

Sog is really nice too, toughest pliers in the business, compound leverage and you can switch out the tools! (they sell parts).

If you can, get your hands on them all, then you will know what's best for you (like at blade shows, they have booths there sometimes)

If you want more detailed info, BF has a nice "Multitool" section for more threads and pix.
Good Luck

 

[shelbysguns]

Frosty fingers.. the op hasn't yet if he hasn;t by the end of the weekend I will extend the offer to you... let me know.

this is so cool me 2 ? lol i only have a gerber suspension so all this talk of all these cool multi tools makes me dizzy lol!

 

[Foilist]

Get thyself a Vic Spirit. Then sneer smugly as you use it to completely rule the planet.