Multi-tools????

because I keep using my multi for bike repair all the time, as well as at work, I got the LM Crunch. Ended up with the serrated blade(got it cheap here on BFC, didn't ask about the edge config). The blade on it is the only thing I don't use, as I carry a few with me anyways. Love the vicegrip jaws and hex bit opening(as compared to a tool adapter if you get a standard plier one).
 
SOG PowerLock

Leatherman Supertool 200

Gerber legend 800

Kershaw powerpliers (??)

Gerber 600 series

Leatherman Wave


I've owned all of these tools, and I listed them in order of preference, and what I think is the heaviest duty tools.

The Wave's pliers broke on me the very first time I used them to remove a hinge pin from a door. I sent them in, and promptly traded them off. Very flimsy tool. Wish Letherman had made them heavier duty, then it would be the ultimate tool, IMHO.

I currently own the PowerLock, and the Gerber 800. best one of the two is the PowerLock.

Just my two cents.
 
I own an Leatherman Wave and Supertool. For military use I would suggest the Supertool. It is more robust and when in the military you do not want these tools breaking down on you. If weight is an issue I would suggest a Pulse, which is the tool I plan on purchasing next.
 
Multi-tools are intended to be handy tools, not a substitute for a tool box. I've had several varieties and the Wave is the best of all. Combined with the tool adapter, a $17 extra, it is by far the most capable. I'd put the ST 2000 and the Vic in a tie for second with both being dependable. Handle a Wave and try to find it for around $55. Good hunting to your son and his unit. God speed.
 
Hi,

I give my vote to the Leatherman SuperTool 200 !
It's imo the right tool for professionell use, it´s robust an all Tools can be locked an easily unlocked.
The wave is smaler and not so big, if he need a tool what is a little smaler take the wave + tooladapter (there is a tool adapter vor the SuperTool 200 to.)
One thing about the wave, you can only lock the "blades" wich you can open with one hand.
Maybe you schould take your son to a shop near you and let him try the different knives.

I wish the best to your son !

Greetings
Olli
 
I carry a Leatherman Clipit. Its small in size, when it comes to supertools but is also light and can be clipped in my pocket.
My son carries a Spyderco supertool. Its heavier, it has a clip or you can carry it in a pouch. He loves it. It has a adjustable cresent wrench that goes up to 5/8 in and you have a spot for standard screwdriver/ torex/ any kind of bit you want to carry(( thats a bib plus)). The pliers are moon shaped, like a channel lock plier. That might be a drawback. Most people like needlenose pliers. It also has a relly great blade to it. AND I like the idea that it splits in half so you can put a screwdriver in one hand a a wrench in the other. That is a handy trick !
Not many people on this forum carry the spyderco or even talk about it.My son is in construction and he beats the hell out of it. It is a really handy tool. Look into it you can go on the Spyderco web site or ask some question on their site here on the forums. I wish your son well
Jack
 
I have a bunch of multitools, and the ones I use the most are the Leatherman Juice tools. However, that's for office use; the Juice tools would probably not be appropriate for the kind of use you mention.

I like the Leatherman products, in general, but am not a fan of the Wave. The inner tools are too hard to access, especially if the tool is wet and / or dirty. Plus there's no awl. Gotta have an awl! I love the Leatherman Crunch. It has fewer tools than most other multitools, but those locking jaws are really useful; the Crunch can do things no other multitool can do.

The Swiss Tool is excellent. I agree with the poster who opined that the Swiss Tool contains the most useful implements of all multitools (I love that chisel thingie, for example). My only complaint about the Swiss Tool is its size and its weight. The Swiss Tool, at least for me, is just a little too hefty to comfortably EDC.
 
Good point about the Crunch. I forgot all about the thing.

It is sort of limited in application because of the unique design, but it is the only multitool that has foldable locking pliers.

Personally I think that the compromises that are required to get these locking pliers are only worth it for a very limited number of users. I have found myself needing various screwdrivers and can openers and such much more than locking pliers in EDC.

If I'm doing a job that requires Vise-Grips then I'm going to get my tool box, because it's probably beyond multitool territory.

FWIW, all off the build-up technicians amd machinists at the factory where I work carry Swisstools of Supertools. These are guys who know hand tools and make their living with them. They can seperate "hype" from genuine utility very easily, and I think that their choice of multitools is an excellent endorsement.
 
Originally posted by fishbulb
Gerber legend- Big, awkward, gimicky. There are better choices out there. About the only thing the Legend has going for it is the use of tungsten carbide wire cutter faces, but everything else is compromised by details which are a bit lacking. Good idea, poor execution.
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate? Thoughts with regard to the Legend vs. Urban Legend (800/700)?
 
First, thank your son for his service! Second, our prayers are with him and your family for his speedy and safe return. Now, for the business at hand: I am very fond of the Leatherman Wave. It has all of the tools he will need, some that he won't. It isn't as heavy duty as the SwissTools but it will see him through just fine.

Also he should back that up with a basic Swis Army knife with the minimum of tools(blade, can opener, scissors)...just in case because we know Ol' Murphy lurks around every corner!:rolleyes:
 
Regardless of how many features or tools of nifty tricks on a multitool, you do not want one that does not have all locking implements if you plan on doing real work with it.
Click to expand...

This cannot be over-emphasized! Non-locking screwdrivers are useless!!

I give equal endorsements to the Swiss-Tool and the LM SuperTool. I've carried both. I've been using the Vic for two years now and it's great. The LM ST200 just has an improved lock release and rounded handles. That's an important improvement as the original SuperTool can bite into your hand when you really squeeze the handles. Either of these will serve him well.

Another option to consider, if real hand tools will be hard to access, is to also carry a Spyderench. It's a little to funky to relly on as an "only tool" but it would compliment another multi-tool realy well.

Gerber legend- Big, awkward, gimicky. There are better choices out there. About the only thing the Legend has going for it is the use of tungsten carbide wire cutter faces, but everything else is compromised by details which are a bit lacking. Good idea, poor execution.
Click to expand...

Exactly how I feel :) The handles are too wide and open too far. The lock releases bite into your fingers during use. The non-slip inserts are slippery and will probably tear off with hard use. The replaceable saw is also a good idea but it doesn't hold the blade securely enough. Lots of good ideas but poorly executed.
 
Originally posted by Aux
Could you elaborate? Thoughts with regard to the Legend vs. Urban Legend (800/700)?
Click to expand...

The Legend had a number of good concepts, but unfortunately they were not fully thought out.

For example, their use of Aluminum handles caused far more harm than good. It is not as strong as sheet metal, and more expensive. It also has to be much thicker than a sheet metal design, which explains why the Legend has such a massive frame compared to other large tools.

In spite of this use of aluminum, it still weighs more than the Leatherman Supertool, and is within 1/10 oz. of the weight of the Swisstool.

This is why I refer to it as being gimicky. They chose to compromise the functionality of the tool so they could claim that the handles were made of (if I recall correctly) "aerospace alloy". It seems to me that the marketing people were running the show when the Legends were designed, rather than the engineers. They tried so hard to reinvent the wheel that they ended up shooting themselves in the foot.

I've never used the Urban Legend, but from the descriptions that Gerber offers of it I would expect it to share most if not all of the problems of the bigger version.
 
I like the Gerber 800 Legend for the most part, and the biggest reason I purchased it was because a fellow firefighter recommended it.

It does have its good points an bad. I'll list them:

Good:

-Carbide wire cutters

-Rem-Grit intergangeable saw

-Fiskars scissors

-Locking implements

-Heavy duty tool all around, with beefy implements. Pliers are thicker than on a Leatherman ST classic.

Bad:

-Aluminum handles. While I haven't had any trouble with these, it does make the tool a bit larger, and sometimes difficult to hold.

-Carbide wire cutters. While a wonderful idea, these type of cutter inserts are the very same thing used on inserted carbide cutters that are used in the machining industry. They cannot withstand any shock at all, and tend to chip or crack under heavy use if care isn't exersized. I'd rather have a hardened cutter like is on the majority of the tools.

-Pliers don't open wide enough. The pliers on the most inexpensive Gerber open wider than these do, and therefore more useful when needing to get a bigger 'bite'. Pliers on this tool also aren't machined as well as others, resulting in not closing all the way down.

-Combo knife blade. I don't think I need to elaborate on this. Plain blade is sufficient, with the Rem Grit saw.

-Lack of can opener. This is something I use quite frequently at work, opening my lunch, and I had to resort to carrying a military P-38 on my keyring. I now have holes in most of the pockets of my uniform pants.

-Kraton handle inserts. Cheesy. I'd rather have the bead blasted aluminum handles without the plastic.

Overall, there are better choices. I started carrying the original Gerber model in 1991, and it worked very well until I tried the LM Wave.The Gerber smoked the Wave in reliability, and in the heavy duty area.
I have yet to find a tool that is as heavy duty as the SOG PowerLock, but the LM ST200 comes very damn close.

In summary, the military issues certain personnel multi tools for theur jobs (EOD, Special Forces, SEALs, pilots just to name a few), and those tools are the LM supertool,the Gerber EOD model, and the SOG PowerLock.
These three are the most heaviest duty multi tools available, bar none. The Swisstool may compete with these (I don't know, I've never seen one, so I can't judge it.)

These are my own opinions, gained through my experiences carrying these tools in my capacity as a Firefighter/EMT, and in my second career as a machinist/ tool & cutter grinder. Your opinions may be different.
 
I have a SOG Paratool that I like very much. It seems to hold up very well and I like the way the pliers deploy.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
Tough and comfortable to use...SOG PowerLock, or for something a little smaller, there is the SOG Deluxe Pocket PowerPlier.
Click to expand...

Glockman must have been feeling lazy because he didn't say enough! But, I totally agree!

First, thank your son for his commitment to his country!

Second, SOG, hands-down has the best quality multi-tools in the world. I bought a special SOG Powerlock that was specially designed and issued to the demolition teams of the US Military. It was missing a few tools of the usual Powerlock (I assume to save $$ by not include tools they wouldn't need.) Anyway, I bought one of these secondhand and purchased from SOG two parts it was missing: Sissors and 1/4" drive unit.

I've always thought a multi-tool shouldn't come with a plain-edge blade since most people who would use one would be carrying a good knife.

What I ended up with, after removing the plain edge knife to add the pieces I ordered was my DREAM multi-tool that included EVERYTHING I ever wanted EXCEPT a plain-edge blade but still had a serrated blade.

My (now very CUSTOM) SOG is what I consider to be the most PERFECT multi-tool. It contains everything I'd ever need as long as I was carrying a good plain-edged knife with me. (Which is a given.)

Mine is Black-coated. After loosening the nuts a little I can easily open it with one hand by opening it butterfly-knife style. I LOVE the gears that multiply the force that's applied to the pliers. I can take a medium grip on the handles and still get a HARD grip with the pliers. This was demonstrated many times for me while fishing in Alaska recently when I was working on a lure or removing a hook from a fish. I used it a lot up there. The jaws opened plenty wide enough for anything I ever needed.

I removed the covers that are supposed to give you a more comfortable hold for convenience sake, but I didn't miss them, and even without them I still felt that grabbing still felt reasonably comfortable. I suppose that if I had to use it for an hour straight then I might want the covers in place or it might become uncomfortable after that amount of time.

I've tried several Leatherman models including the WAVE, and a couple Gerbers, but the SOG Powerlock is head and shoulders above the rest!

My SOG will stay with me for life; I'm that impressed with it.

The only other opinion I might add is that the Leatherman Juice models are GREAT for their SIZE. If you want something small, you should definately check out a Juice.

Outside of that, I honestly believe that SOG has the multi-tool thing all figured out and you'd have to be crazy to choose anything other than a SOG, especially the PowerLock.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top