I just got a gift certificate for a local sporting goods store for $75.00 and thought I would get a multi tool. They have Swisstools, Leatherman waves, some colored Juice things, and a couple others that I forgot. It will be mostly for light duty, traveling. Thoughts, suggestions? Thank you.
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multi tools
- Thread starter emil
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glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
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I'd go for the Leatherman Wave, unless they have a Leatherman Supertool or a SOG Powerlock.
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Since you mentioned light duty, I would say the Juice S2, if they have it. Small enough to be pocketable, but has the basics that most people need everyday without anything extra. The screwdrivers open from the inside, so the handle provides some protection if they acccidentally fold up. The knife blade, scissors, and bottle opener open from the outside for convenience.
I really like the Swisstool. It has all the qualities I love about a "Swiss Army" knife.
Fit and finish are first rate. The flatblade screwdriver bits need to put on a sharpening stone briefly to restore their square shoulders due the the polishing but, that is a very price to pay for such a sweet tool.
Fit and finish are first rate. The flatblade screwdriver bits need to put on a sharpening stone briefly to restore their square shoulders due the the polishing but, that is a very price to pay for such a sweet tool.
calyth
#!/bin/sh of a man
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I have the Leatherman Juice CS4 and it's one of the easiest carry in the pocket that you can get. It handles most urban function fine and it even have a small wood saw, and even wine (perhaps a picnic with your loved one?)
I've taken it to camp and it has definately helped with jammed zippers and loosened nuts on pumps. I've also adjust my mom's watch because the latch just wouldn't catch. And I work with computers quite often and the phillips is a must for me.
The tools are slip joint and it's probably the only thing that I wish it would improve, otherwise it's a great light-duty travel multitool. At most it feels like a lump of change and I don't normally feel it in the pocket.
I've taken it to camp and it has definately helped with jammed zippers and loosened nuts on pumps. I've also adjust my mom's watch because the latch just wouldn't catch. And I work with computers quite often and the phillips is a must for me.
The tools are slip joint and it's probably the only thing that I wish it would improve, otherwise it's a great light-duty travel multitool. At most it feels like a lump of change and I don't normally feel it in the pocket.
The Wave is great for a medium duty every day multitool, it has one hand opening blades that lock. The Wave has nice sissors and a diamond coated file. On the down side, tools inside the Wave's handles don't lock and the knife blades tend to be a bit stiff (I suggest that you sort through Waves at the store to find the best one). Another thing I dislike about the Wave is that unlike just about every other multitool, it lacks rulers on the handles.
The Swisstool is more of a heavy duty tool, and IMHO is better design overall, since all tools open and close without unfolding the handles and they all lock. For some reason the Victorinox people neglected to make the Swisstool a one hand opener, and it is a little heavy at 10 oz. (vs 8 oz. for the Wave). The Swisstool's wire cutters and screwdrivers are not as good as those on the Wave but they are O.K. The Swisstool's metal saw works better than the Wave's.
One thing that the Swisstool has that other tools lack, is a very nice wood chisel. The standard Swisstool dose not have sissors, although the X version has scissors in place of the serrated knife blade.
Doug Ritter did exellent reviews on both the Swisstool and the Wave among others, here:
http://www.equipped.org/devices2.htm#HandyTools
The Swisstool is more of a heavy duty tool, and IMHO is better design overall, since all tools open and close without unfolding the handles and they all lock. For some reason the Victorinox people neglected to make the Swisstool a one hand opener, and it is a little heavy at 10 oz. (vs 8 oz. for the Wave). The Swisstool's wire cutters and screwdrivers are not as good as those on the Wave but they are O.K. The Swisstool's metal saw works better than the Wave's.
One thing that the Swisstool has that other tools lack, is a very nice wood chisel. The standard Swisstool dose not have sissors, although the X version has scissors in place of the serrated knife blade.
Doug Ritter did exellent reviews on both the Swisstool and the Wave among others, here:
http://www.equipped.org/devices2.htm#HandyTools
After owning and trying alot of multi-tools I have come to the conclusion that it really depends on two things:
1) Are you going to actually carry it everyday?
2) How much weight in a multi-tool can you carry without it becoming a burden.
If you're going to leave it in the suitcase/briefcase/backpack/car then get one with all the tools available (like the Wave or Gerber Legend).
But if you're going to carry it everday on your belt or in your pocket, then pick one with only the tools you're really going need often.
I find that the Leatherman PST and the Pulse are the best multi-tools for every-day-carry.
Good luck,
Allen.
1) Are you going to actually carry it everyday?
2) How much weight in a multi-tool can you carry without it becoming a burden.
If you're going to leave it in the suitcase/briefcase/backpack/car then get one with all the tools available (like the Wave or Gerber Legend).
But if you're going to carry it everday on your belt or in your pocket, then pick one with only the tools you're really going need often.
I find that the Leatherman PST and the Pulse are the best multi-tools for every-day-carry.
Good luck,
Allen.
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I carry a gerber 600 everywhere everyday and beat the snot out of it. It has really taken a pounding and is still in good working order. The layout of the tools and the slide action pliars are the best setup you can get in a multi tool, in my opinion. I would recommend one to anyone.
On the other hand, it is heavy, and can be a bother if your not used to it. I like having a full sized tool because I use it so often . Some people find the handles to be too big and uncomfortable though, especially on the new Gerber Legend.
The bottom line is that Gerber, SOG, Leatherman, and Victorinox all put out quality tools. The gerber is my favorite of the ones I've handled and is what I plan on sticking with for the time being. YOu shouldn't be disappointed with any of them in terms of quality though, so handle every single one in the store until you find one that fits you. The biggest difference between them is how solid they're built. If you want to beat the hell out of it (I work on a farm, so mine sees duty as a small prybar/hammer/wire stripper, etc. when the real things aren't handy) you should look into one of the full sized gerbers (600, or legend) or the leatherman supertool, or a SOG powerlock. For lighter duty, there are all the other leathermans, gerber has a few smaller models too ( urban legend, and multi lock 400 ?). Just pick one that you like the best and is built to meet your needs.
On the other hand, it is heavy, and can be a bother if your not used to it. I like having a full sized tool because I use it so often . Some people find the handles to be too big and uncomfortable though, especially on the new Gerber Legend.
The bottom line is that Gerber, SOG, Leatherman, and Victorinox all put out quality tools. The gerber is my favorite of the ones I've handled and is what I plan on sticking with for the time being. YOu shouldn't be disappointed with any of them in terms of quality though, so handle every single one in the store until you find one that fits you. The biggest difference between them is how solid they're built. If you want to beat the hell out of it (I work on a farm, so mine sees duty as a small prybar/hammer/wire stripper, etc. when the real things aren't handy) you should look into one of the full sized gerbers (600, or legend) or the leatherman supertool, or a SOG powerlock. For lighter duty, there are all the other leathermans, gerber has a few smaller models too ( urban legend, and multi lock 400 ?). Just pick one that you like the best and is built to meet your needs.
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The Gerber 400 Sport plier is my favorite. As stated above, the slide action makes for easy one hand opening. It's smaller than the 600 plier yet still has all the tools that you might need. I find the plier teeth are less prone to ruining than my Leatherman tools. And it rides very comfortably in my pocket.
Eric_Draven
Banned
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I think Framk K said everything I would have.
I like the Swisstool the best, it is has the highest level of fit, finish and quality of any multitool. Victorinox Rules baby!!!!
OR you could go with a Pulse and a Swiss army knife (like the pioneer) to spread thw weight out, which is what I do.
Today it is the explorer SAK though.
VICTORINOX RULES!!!!!!!!!
I like the Swisstool the best, it is has the highest level of fit, finish and quality of any multitool. Victorinox Rules baby!!!!
OR you could go with a Pulse and a Swiss army knife (like the pioneer) to spread thw weight out, which is what I do.
Today it is the explorer SAK though.
VICTORINOX RULES!!!!!!!!!
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2001
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I think the Pulse and a Victorinox Tinker combination works well. I love the small blade on the Tinker and the locking tools on the Pulse are worth the weight. But if you want something more pocket friendly the Juice S2 or CS4 and a Swiss Midnight Minichamp. You would have a good set of screwdrivers, a couple of small blades and an LED light and pen in two small packages.
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As many have already said, it depends on what you plan to use the tool for. If you're looking for something to turn the occasional screw or pluck a stubborn hook from your fish, then by all means go with the mid-range tools. Leatherman's would be my choice, as I own both the Leatherman Crunch and PST 2 models and have never had occasion to regret my purchases. The Crunch is primarily a specialized tool designed for certain applications, but the PST 2 is a great all-around performer. For heavier applications I'd recommend either the Leatherman Supertool or the SOG PowerLock.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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- Apr 6, 2000
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I have the Leatherman Supertool, Wave, and Pulse. The Supertool and Wave are heavier than I need for everyday carry, and the Wave not only doesn't have locking screwdrivers, the whole feel of the handle is terrible, with edges digging into my palm.
The only tools the Pulse is missing are a saw and scissors, which I don't find critical, and it's a light, comfortable tool to use. I really thought I wanted a Juice, but none of them had quite enough tools to match the Pulse, which is hardly larger or heavier than most of the Juice line.
Recommendations for the Swisstool sound good -- the quality and design are excellent on all the Victorinox line -- but the Swisstool is a heavy load to carry.
The only tools the Pulse is missing are a saw and scissors, which I don't find critical, and it's a light, comfortable tool to use. I really thought I wanted a Juice, but none of them had quite enough tools to match the Pulse, which is hardly larger or heavier than most of the Juice line.
Recommendations for the Swisstool sound good -- the quality and design are excellent on all the Victorinox line -- but the Swisstool is a heavy load to carry.