Multitool advice sought...

M

meliaant

Joined
Sep 10, 2008
Messages
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Hey folks...got a $75 gift card to Bass Pro Shops for Christmas from my cousin, and have decided to use it on a nice, solid multitool...soooooo, here comes the obvious question: Leatherman, Gerber, or SOG? Don't wanna go above $100 (would require too much out-of-pocket $$ from me), so what should I be looking at? Thanks!
 
I'd say go for a Leatherman. I've had multitools from all three of the makers you mentioned (Leatherman, SOG, Gerber) and Leatherman makes the nicest product.
I like the Wave in particular.
 
From the above,I would go for the Victorinox Swiss Tools or Swiss Tools Spirit :) :thumbup:
 
1st choice: Victorinox SwissTool

2nd choice: Leatherman Surge

3rd choice: Gerber Legend
 
Yes don't forget Swisstool meliaant! arguably the best! (at least in quality and satisfaction)

What will you be using it for meliaant? and how would you like to carry it? I ask because they come in many sizes/weights. Main EDC, backup to a blade, near water, etc. Then we could give you a better answer.
 
Swisstool or a Leatherman Charge ALX are good options. I've never seen any Victorinox products in a Bass Pro. They carry Wenger here. The only Multitools I've seen are Gerber or Leatherman. I think they may have a Byrdwrench at some stores though. Given the options I'd go with the Leatherman Charge AL. It will take all of the $100 though. Or you could get a Wave for around $80.
 
I just got a Leatherman Charge Ti. I'm very happy with it. I also got the extra bits for it. I like that the blades can be opened one-handed and that they lock. They also make the knife blade out of S30V premium steel and they're a tiny bit larger than the blades on other multitools.
 
Swisstool. Love mine. If you want one without a serrated blade and with scissors get the X. Theyre a beast and have never let me down.
 
I don't know where you are located, but I work for Bass Pro and you may find better selection in the way of multitools on the website as opposed to our stores this time of year. All I am saying is don't go in there, giftcard in hand and say "well, thats the best they have." Like I said, it depends on your location, but I have found the current inventory issue to be in the favor of online ordering. Plus you can use your giftcard online. Good luck.
 
Leatherman Wave of you want larger (heavyer) or the Leatherman Blast of you want lighter. I've carried a leatherman since the early 90's...and they have never failed me!
 
SOG Powerlock. Got one for my birthday last November and couldn't be happier, just wish the new assisted openeing blade model would have been available then though... I picked mine up for $69.95 from Academy. Most rugged, best made tool I looked at. Second choice would be Leatherman, forget Gerber. Go look at a Leatherman and a SOG side by side and you'll notice some major differences in quality of build and design. SOG has by far the best pliers of the bunch and the one handed opening is extremely smooth, as a mattr of fact, the whole tool is smooth...
 
Another vote for the Wave. I have the old style wave and prefer it over the newer locking one, although the new ones are a great toll in themselves. You might find one of the older ones on the bay. I also have the Charge TI, and although the quality is there, I like how the older Wave snaps open and closed, where the newer ones open and close with friction on a piece of steel that moves toward the blades to lock them closed.Kind of hard to explain, but the older waves work more like a backspring on a slipjoint.I'm talking about the plier part. I have owned Gerbers, a Swisstool, and a Sog switchplier, Leatherman Supertool, and the original small Leatherman. and the Wave is best in my opinion.
I have sent in three Waves for warranty, one the phillips bit was worn,one I dropped with the blade open and the little square blade stop chipped off,and the first one I sent in was the original old old wave and it would open and close like a butterfly knife.It used to make a clacking sound in the sheath when I walked.No questions asked, they sent me out a new on every time. 25 year warranty.
 
daniel1126 said:
SOG Powerlock. Got one for my birthday last November and couldn't be happier, just wish the new assisted openeing blade model would have been available then though... I picked mine up for $69.95 from Academy. Most rugged, best made tool I looked at. Second choice would be Leatherman, forget Gerber. Go look at a Leatherman and a SOG side by side and you'll notice some major differences in quality of build and design. SOG has by far the best pliers of the bunch and the one handed opening is extremely smooth, as a mattr of fact, the whole tool is smooth...
Click to expand...

I just looked at the website for the new SOG power assist and it looks pretty cool I must say.
 
The only thing I find about the SOG power assist is it is rather big and chunky and while AO blades are nice it not really essential on a multitool.

My two favourite right now are both full size multitools

The Swiss Tool X and the Leatherman Charge TTi.

The Swiss Tool X has more tools built into it, only one knife blade, but gives you the scissors and all the screwdrivers built into the unit. It also extremely resistant to rust and has a great locking mechanism. Love the prybar, the saw, the blade is a great shape, the best can opener in the business and many other tools.

The Leatherman Charge TTi has less tools on it, but the main blade is out of S30V and much easier to get too. I also love the bit driver on there and the extender as well as the removable lanyard and clip. That and the diamond file on it is amazing. The Charge has better grips on it too in my opinion. Much less slipperly and better pliers. Just be aware with the charge you be carrying the extra bits and bit extender to get all the functions out of it.

That and the Swiss Tool is far cheaper.

I couldn't decide which one I wanted so I ended up getting both in the end.
 
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