Multitool company options

bodog

bodog

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All I really find are companies like LM, SAK, Gerber, and SOG. I'm of the mind to buy once, cry once. I'd rather buy a set of wiha drivers than anything from walmart. It doesn't scare me to spend more than 150 bucks for a tool that's worth it. What I'm looking for are high quality multitools. I've never seen sog have something great. I think gerber is low quality all around. LM is basically the standard, and I'm betting SAK is a little better quality in not simply tolerances and fit, but the steel itself.

So the question is who makes the top tier multitools?
 
I'm a Leatherman Fan and have had most models over the years .
I just stick to my Leatherman Surge now for work hours .
I like the Size ( Big ) the locking tools and blades , the one handed opening of the blades , its toughness , decent sized pliers .
I have no personal knowledge of the Victorinox tools , I suspect that they are quality , but honestly I cant see the reason for me to change from my Surge .
I will say the Surge is heavy and it has to travel on your belt , at work thats not an issue for me but weekends and after hours I dont always wear a belt so I pack the Multitool away and out comes my SAK 's , they are all that I need when I'm at home .

Ken
 
I wouldn't say that Gerber is low quality all around as you put it, but as with their knives, the imported tools are going to be very much a mixed bag and really not worth a second look from anyone who intends to actively use a tool. I've bought a couple of their MP models (similar to Army-issue version as far as I can tell) and they seem very well built in contrast to the absolute crap of their Chinese stuff, but I find myself leaving them at home because of the size and weight. To be honest, I have a bad habit of not paying attention to weight and dimensions when ordering online, so the MPs seem huge and heavy. In the long run, I have switched to EDCing a Leatherman Wingman, even though it's not quite as full-featured as the Gerbers.

It occurs to me from time to time that I'm rarely far from my toolbox, either at work or at home, and that most of the tools inside are not particularly high quality, yet they are better for their intended tasks than the multi-tool equivalents.
 
Victorinox, Leatherman, and USA made Gerber MP's. If weight is an over riding concern, then be sure to check weights before buying; if not, then either of these brands should fulfill whatever need you may have for a multi-tool.
 
Does anyone have experience with Bear and Son products? Other than pix, I know nothing about them, never handled one. They look similar to multi-tools gen 1 versions, but I was wondering about quality.
 
Victorinox are the top in my opinion for fit and finish and overall quality, steel is probably about the same as the standard, leatherman does have the option of the better steels for the main blade. That being said, is the premium paid over the upper end leatherman tools worth it? thats up to the buyer. I would say that you should look more at the features and go from there, if you are looking at that sort of tool.
 
gadgetgeek said:
Victorinox are the top in my opinion for fit and finish and overall quality, steel is probably about the same as the standard, leatherman does have the option of the better steels for the main blade. That being said, is the premium paid over the upper end leatherman tools worth it? thats up to the buyer. I would say that you should look more at the features and go from there, if you are looking at that sort of tool.
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What about the steels of the frame and other tools? The knife steel doesn't really matter to me and I can actually do without it cuz I carry a dedicated knife all the time with or without a multitool. I just want a quality multitool that doesn't have slop, doesn't have shoddy grinds, and has good, strong pivots in the pliers and that hold the tools in the frame, too. If I was a tool maker I'd make custom multitools, I think there's a small but legitimate market for something higher quality than what's currently produced.
 
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I would personally go for a Swisstool or Swisstool Spirit if you are looking for the "next step" in multitools.


Not my picture.

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swisstool_1600.jpg
 
the swisstool stainless is absolutely top notch. I've had no problems with it when used saltwater fishing, where as my leatherman needs a good cleaning afterwards. The swisstool was fine with just a quick rinse every night and back in the sheath, but if I skimp on drying the leatherman, it will spot up slightly on the pliers and such.
 
Judging from their other stuff I would say that victorinox would be the way to go. I have a charge tti and had a juice xe6, in my humble opinion leatherman's fit and finish is rubbish. My tti may just have been a dud but the ruler doesn't fit into the scales in a single spot without a gap, the pivot where the handle joins the head on the left hand side of the tool is much looser than the other side and the pliers themselves were cast dodgy and didn't meet properly at the tip till I ground it down.
Having said that i would recommend it or one of the AL models to anyone. It is a good tool and does the job though I wouldn't use the pliers too hard, it looks classy and has a great range of tools. I can't personally justify the 200 dollar AU pricetag so I think the swisstool would be a better option.
Anyone know if the swisstool spirit comes in a version without the bread and butter knife serrated blade?
 
I've owned and carried most major brands of multitools. Victorinox, Leatherman, and SOG all make quality full-size tools, beyond that it's up to personal taste which suits your needs. The smaller tools...well besides the Leatherman micra I've not seen one I'd want to carry. For the last few years I've generally EDC'd a full size swisstool X. The Spirit X is very nice too, but I prefer the full size implements. I've got a Paladin tool (made by SOG) that's waiting it's turn in the belt pouch next. The Spyderco spyderwrench was very well made but a bit bulky and weird, and I missed needle nose pliers. The Byrdwrench was almost as nicely made. The kershaw vise-grips were also well made but too long for my taste. The sliding head Gerbers are OK, lots of my students and co-workers carry one, but I am spoiled by how easy it is to get to the implements on my Swisstool to want to bother with sliding out the plier jaws on a tool every time I need a screwdriver. The Wenger Rangers have a huge knife blade but otherwise compared to a Swisstool the rangers are huge and have fewer implements. I liked the Wenger Minigrip better, but it's almost as big as the Swisstool, has smaller pliers and lacks locking implements. The Bucktool was OK for light work but not strong enough for heavy use. I had a Super Bear Jaws once, briefly before I gave it away. The quality did not really impress me and I didn't like the unlocking levers. YMMV
 
znapschatz said:
Does anyone have experience with Bear and Son products? Other than pix, I know nothing about them, never handled one. They look similar to multi-tools gen 1 versions, but I was wondering about quality.
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Funny that you mention Bear & Son's line of multi-tools, known as Bear Jaws, or Crescent ToolZall...these MT's were patented, and Victorinox, who wanted to enter the multi-tool market, but didn't have the machinery/tools necessary for a quick startup, bought out Bear & Son's in 1997 so as to have access to these patents, and quickly introduced the SwissTool, which was a USA manufactured MT, and closely patterned after the BearJaws. Victorinox sold the business back to the Bear Family in 2003, who continue to manufacture a line of MT's, while not as shiny and pretty as a Vic, nevertheless, a very capable and worthy MT.
 
Student762 said:
Anyone know if the swisstool spirit comes in a version without the bread and butter knife serrated blade?
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After going through a trial period with Leatherman and Victorinox multi-tools, I went with Leatherman. It's a personal thing, they just seemed to fit me better, but I had a great deal of respect for the Vic products, would gladly recommend either of them as a good choice. Among the features I liked about Spirit was that "butter knife blade." It cut great and was surprisingly versatile on all sorts of materials. Give it a chance, you might grow to like it, too.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
That would be the Swisstool Spirit X. My favorite model. :thumbup:

Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Swisstool-Spirit-X.jpg
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My fave as well, and so much so that after reading this thread, and viewing that picture, and pondering owning a SwissTool, I went to the Navy Exchange at the Little Creek Amphib Base and found the Spirit X for a paltry $50.00. I bought one, and think perhaps I should snag a second one as a gift, seeing as internet prices are almost double. Thanks Captain for the nudge.:thumbup::)
 
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