Multi-Tools

D

Defender

Joined
Sep 8, 1999
Messages
96
In my earlier post regarding Knife carry in the military I noticed most everybody recommended some kind of Multi-tool. As such Im going to get off my butt and buy one (I've been thinking about it for awhile). It used to be that Leatherman had the best Multi-tool in the business hands down..but nowadays just about everybody has some kind of offering. What would you guys recommend?
 
I've handeled and used ALMOST all of the multitools and I still think that the Leatherman Supertool is the best. All of the tools lock without a cheesy mechanism IE: plastic or springs. When it closes in the pliers position your hands do not get pinched IE: Gerber. All the rest are Leatherman copies to some extent and cannot improve enough to warrant me to buy a different style.
 
It's a little more expensive, but I've found the Leatherman Wave to be a huge improvement over their older models. Why?

1. Plain edge, serrated, and 2 files are accessible without opening the tool.

2. The items in #1 can be opened and closed one-handed.

3. The handles are contoured for a much more comfortable grip when using the pliers.

4. I think they've released some new version s that have a different set of tools.

I still have and ocassionally use my original, but the Wave has taken it's place in my daily carry bag.

Check out the reviews/comments at Equipped to Survive: http://www.equipped.com/wave1st.htm , http://www.equipped.com/wavecmnt.htm , & http://www.equipped.com/wave%2Dnoframes.htm . Also, you might want to do a search here as well.
Ray

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831




[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 17 September 1999).]
 
Well, I've had the Leatherman Wave, Supertool, PST II, Micra, + the Swisstool.
Although the Wave is a nice multitool I found that it had just too much handle flex and felt almost cheap. The 2 sturdiest ones I feel are the SwissTool and Leatherman Supertool. The Swisstool you can open all implements without opening the pliers, but they all lock with little springs. If I had to pick one that would be the strongest duty but not neccesarily the most convenient it would be the SuperTool.
I've had no experience with the Kershaw, SOG
and others.
Walter
 
I had a Leatherman and it hurt my hand every time that I used the pliers, so bought a Gerber Multiplier and tool set. I have never been disappointed in my choice. The Leatherman and others like it have thse sharp edges on the plier handles.

As an option, I am eagerly awaiting the chance to handle the Spyderench. If it is as good as it looks I'll be buying one.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh


 
I have owned an orginal Leatherman for years and used it several times. I just aquired a Wave. I like it and discovered while watching TV last night that I can open any tool on the Wave with my right hand alone. I doubt if I ever will actually have the need to do so, but it is nice knowing it can be done. I think there are several high quality multi-tools on the market. Choose the one that suites you best.
 
Hugh,

Have you seen the Leatherman Wave? It has round edges so the pain of using the pliers is gone.

By the way - I have a first production run Gerber Multi-Tool. It managed to cut through a 1/4" steel gun lock cable, but broke during the process. Hurt like the dickens when my palm's flesh got pinched by the handles. The first run's pliers were cast rather than forged, if I remember correctly. Thought I'd let you know, just in case you also have one of the FPR's.

Ray

[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 17 September 1999).]
 
I was issued a leatherman wave at work and yes it is easier on your hands and it is pretty cool to be able to open the knives one handed. I still feel that the one handed knives that I carry will be used before my multi tool knives and one handed access when I am using my multi tool isn't that important. I just hate it when my tools close on my hands and i bust my knuckles when I am using my wave but the problem doesn't exist with the supertool. For the pliers to be a discomfort to your hands you really need to be cutting a lot of barbed wire or some such other wire and a lot of it. The Supertool is still the best dollar for dollar.
 
I have the wave and the supertool, and I would go with the supertool unless you handle the wave that you are going to buy. The quality control on the wave seems to be so-so. Some are perfect and tight, while others have a lot of handle play, making it feel cheap. The metal used to form the handle is also a bit thinner on the Wave compared to the supertool.
 
I like the Victorinox SwissTool. It's sturdy. The little springs are not a concern for me. I've used the screwdrivers on mine pretty hard and it hasn't come close to breaking.

David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
"Never carry a knife shorter than your schnoz."
 
Defender - SpydeRenches began shipping Wednesday (16SEP99).

Different sort of solution.
4 close tolerance castings in 17.4 ph
1 440C locking blade (265 inch/lbs of force to defeat the lock). One hand open.
1 slip joint plier. (2 postions)
1 adjustable wrench (to 9/16")
6 screw driver bits, although any standard bit can be substituted (torx, allen, phillips, etc.)
1 diamond file with flat, concave and convex surfaces.
extends to longer tool for length or leverage.
Comes apart so one can use screw driver and the adjustable wrench at the same time.
Pocket clip for immediate access.
$110 MRSP.
Sorry for the sales pitch.
sal
 
I'm new to multi-tools but I like the original Leatherman for it's size and tool quality, and if I wanted bigger and more multi-tool stuff I'd get a Supertool. I like something with a corkscrew so I try have a smaller SAK around too, and I also still like having the Victronix Champ around when traveling, car camping and such. A deck screw might work with the Leatherman pliers though :^)
 
Swiss Tool for me, I've heard rumors that they were going to make a smaller version?

{:~>

G2

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It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me,
it is the parts that I do understand.
Mark Twain

www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

 
I guess I have to be to outsider here, I have a Sog Paratool, that I haven't carried in along time(They banned them where I work) . To me it feels like its built a little stronger then the original Leatherman and I like the ablility to completely take it apart and be able to adjust the tension.
Ray
 
I have the Supertool, the Wave, and the Swisstool. I like them all.

The Wave has the features I like for everyday carry (scissors, one hand openers, etc.)

The SwissTool or the Supertool are the ones I would rather rely on for really hard work. I like the tool quality of the Leatherman better, but the Swisstool has a chisel (which is surprisingly useful), a crate-opener, and you can get to the tools from the outside.

YMMV...



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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

Specialization is for insects.
 
R.D.M.: banned? Because of all the recent news coverage of death and destruction caued by multi-tools? Did I miss something? What gives?

I've got a gold-TiNi-coated SOG PowerPlier in my backpack, but I feel there's a SwissTool in my future, and that's what I recommend to others...

The Wave doesn't impress me -- it's big claim to fame is locking knife blades that you can (get this) open with one hand. I'd venture a guess that everyone here already carries something of much higher quality that fulfills that role. What a MultiTool really needs, IMHO, are easily accessible locking screwdrivers.

Personally, what I'd really like to see would be sort of a cross between a Micra and a small SAK (with some additions): with a SAK's smooth/round shape to carry easily in a pocket, with a scissors, a file, and locking slotted and philips screwdrivers (and maybe one small blade for detail work) -- something optimized to drop in a jeans pocket as a compliment to the "tactical" knife of the day.

-- Carl

[This message has been edited by Carl Jacobsen (edited 20 September 1999).]
 
Hi Carl
Nothing like that, The company(BNSF) I work for is tired of people cutting themselves, I'm actually suprised we're aloud to carry knives(under 3"). If you cut yourself with a knife you better have a damn good reason why you didn't use one of the approved cutting utensils they provide.
 
After extensive research (I actually did a spreadsheet on pros and cons of multitools) I decided on the Wave. For me, it boiled down to one reason: it was the only tool I could find which had a decent saw, a decent knife blade (2, actually) and a scissors. This made it perfect for hunting, fishing (the scissors) and backpacking. They are now down to around $60, so don't I feel stupid for paying 85! Seriously, I do recommend it. I've had no complaints.
 
By their very nature multi-tools are a set of compromises. The smart thing, then, is to decide where you're willing to accept more compromise and where less.

I chose the PST II because it has less compromised scissors and it has a groove in its diamond file (three guesses as to what I often use a multi for!).

True, the pliers are more compromised than on other choices, and the screwdrivers don't lock, but these parts rarely get used hard so I can accept it.



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I don't want my children fed or clothed by the state, but I would prefer THAT to their being educated by the state.
 
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