New Multi-Tool

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Jan 2, 2007
Messages
128
Hello all. I am looking to get a new multi-tool to put an end to the irony of having to go-to a different multi-tool for a specific job. Anyway, I've owned quite a few, LM Original and Crunch, Various SAKs, Gerber Auto pliers, etc...
What I have in mind are the following:
-LM ChargeTTI
-Victorinox Swisschamp XLT
-Victorinox SwissTool cs Plus
I'd like to know what you think would be the ideal multi-tool so I don't have to keep switching out. I'm an artist who is always building frames and canvas stretchers, wiring and hanging paintings, installing in galleries etc...if that helps.
Thanks everyone.
 
Hello all. I am looking to get a new multi-tool to put an end to the irony of having to go-to a different multi-tool for a specific job. Anyway, I've owned quite a few, LM Original and Crunch, Various SAKs, Gerber Auto pliers, etc...
What I have in mind are the following:
-LM ChargeTTI
-Victorinox Swisschamp XLT
-Victorinox SwissTool cs Plus
I'd like to know what you think would be the ideal multi-tool so I don't have to keep switching out. I'm an artist who is always building frames and canvas stretchers, wiring and hanging paintings, installing in galleries etc...if that helps.
Thanks everyone.

All good choices, but there really is no "ideal" multitool, all compromise one or another function. For your purposes, I believe the Tti is best. As a photographer who sometimes displays in galleries (got one up right now, in fact), I find one hand blade opening, true needle nose pliers and the bit system seals the deal for me. I would recommend getting the accessory bit extender for it, as the screwdriver bits are sometimes too stubby for countersunk screws. Of course, I use the multitool for a lot else, too.

That said, several years ago I used a Swisschamp for a framing job (long story why proper tools were not available at the time). It did the work, but only because the picture wire used was thin enough for the dinky pliers wire cutter. A Charge would have been more convenient.
 
znapschatz, thanks for the feedback. I was leannig more towards the LM Charge TTI. However, I have always been loyal to Victorinox...anyone else???
 
Victorinox spirit , feature packed , best build quality out there , a great compromise . Another worth a look is the swisstool RS . The spirit cured me of my multitool adultery , up till that time I just couldn't get no satisfaction .I got turned of Leatherman , their main claim to fame is one hand opening , I never used it , and always carried a dedicated folder . Their build quality is nowhere close to Vic.'s .

Chris
 
Victorinox spirit , feature packed , best build quality out there , a great compromise . Another worth a look is the swisstool RS . The spirit cured me of my multitool adultery , up till that time I just couldn't get no satisfaction .I got turned of Leatherman , their main claim to fame is one hand opening , I never used it , and always carried a dedicated folder . Their build quality is nowhere close to Vic.'s .

Chris

"Multitool adultery..." that's great! That's exactly how I feel! BUt I had no idea that LM's build quality was second to SAK's. I always thought they were pretty solid, but I guess I have not really handled the SwissTool...
 
I have both a Spirit and Charge TTi. Both are great. I like the Charge more because handles on the Spirit are straight stainless and can be a bit slippery when wet. The Ti slabs make for a pretty good handle. The crimper in the plier head bugs me, but that's easily gotten around.
 
Multitools are by their basic nature compromises . We all have different needs . There is no such thing as best , I have been trying to find best since 1984 , when I got my first Leatherman . The only sweeping generalization I'm prepared to make is that a large percentage of the Gerber line are Drek ! SOG , probably the best if plier strength is your main requirement , otherwise pretty crude . Leatherman has a pile of models , main claim to fame is one hand opening , and better blade steel . These are not important to me as I carry a SAK and a dedicated folder anyway . Victorinox has the nicest implements , and better than average pliers .

All multi Pliers have an inherent disadvantage , they are cast . Gerber's castings are awfull , Vic's are very clean and need little machining , most are somewhere in between .

In point of fact you might be better off carrying a Vic. Ranger and a pair of Kline pliers . This is an potion I keep turning over in my mind .

One very nice feature of the Spirit , is that the handles are curved , just like real pliers .Almost all other multi's have straight handles .

Chris
 
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Victorinox spirit , feature packed , best build quality out there , a great compromise . Another worth a look is the swisstool RS . The spirit cured me of my multitool adultery , up till that time I just couldn't get no satisfaction .I got turned of Leatherman , their main claim to fame is one hand opening , I never used it , and always carried a dedicated folder . Their build quality is nowhere close to Vic.'s .

Chris

Since getting my Spirit (and giving it a serration-ectomy) a few years ago, I have traded or given away most of my other multitools. It is that good.
 
Since getting my Spirit (and giving it a serration-ectomy) a few years ago, I have traded or given away most of my other multitools. It is that good.

Ditto here , the only plier based multi's own are a Spirit and a Swisstool RS . I gabve all my Leatherman stuff to deserving underlings . Prior to that epiphany I owned at least one of everything Leatherman . I dont miss em , or feel any desire to replace them . The Spirit goes on the belt , and the Swisstool is usually in the bag or briefcase .

Chris
 
I got myself a charge TTI today , and I´m very pleased with it ,
the S30V blade is about the same length as an delica, slimmer , but with an longer cutting edge .

I think of it as a one hand open and folding knife, with pliers and tools .

The s30v blade was what made me buy it , the rest of the stuff is just a bonus.

1234,,,,
 
znapschatz, thanks for the feedback. I was leannig more towards the LM Charge TTI. However, I have always been loyal to Victorinox...anyone else???

There is no need to reject one make for the other. At one time I couldn't imagine a better pocket companion than Victorinox SAKs. I had several in succession, culminating with a Swisschamp, which I considered best of the best; still do, in fact. That was the only multi-tool I carried for years until one weekend in 1996 when first introduced to a Leatherman PST.

Compared to Vic products, the PST seemed primitive, crude and awkward, but the pliers were SO useful I gave it a chance. After month or so of alternating a PST with the Champ, I moved back to the Vic product, but had meanwhile learned to appreciate that simplicity has its virtues. In terms of utility, the PST was sufficiently robust, held up well, provided more gripping power than available on any SAK of the time, and the screwdrivers were better, square and sharp. You can't have it all, though (so I thought at the time), and my acceptable tradeoff compromises favored the Swisschamp. But this didn't last long.

What turned me was the Super Tool. The greater heft and locking implements provided much better utility, and coupled with a Micra for scissors, small blade, tweezers nail file etc., I felt on balance better prepared for Whatever than with a SAK. It's been that way ever since, and experience has justified my preference many times over.

Sometimes I carry a SAK, always when travelling, but usually it is to supplement my Leatherman of the day (I own several). After having tried a Swisstool and a Spirit, I went back to Leatherman. Victorinox multitools are, like their SAK counterparts, cleverly designed, well made and beautifully finished. I admire the hell out of them, but for my purposes, I prefer Leatherman pliers, screwdrivers and, on the Charge and Surge models, the diamond files and one hand blade opening. Neither Vic nor Leatherman has ever failed me.

All that said, I've had good use out of my Swisschamp and other Vic SAKs, and I like having them available for the occasional time they are better for EDC. Or just because I feel like fondling them. Did I mention they are beautifully made? :)
 
Just ordered the Swiss Tool CS Plus. Let you know what I think when it arrives. Thanks again for all of the feedback folks.
 
I think you'll like it . Hope you've eaten your weaties , they are heavy !

Chris
 
I think you'll like it . Hope you've eaten your weaties , they are heavy !

Chris

Ok, well my SwissTool CS plus just arrived in the mail from Amazon.com...holy crap this thing is a TANK. cdf, you weren't kidding...
 
Congrats! You made an excellent choice there. I myself have been EDC'ing a Vic SwissTool X Plus for more than a few years now, and it never fails me. =)
 
I just received an interesting multitool with a different approach. It's knife based rather than plier based, and it's quite a beast. The Fox MPSK Survival camp tool: knife (good N690 steel), saw, utility blade. All items double lockable (liner lock + red switch) It also comes with a wrench and bit set. There are variants with a belt cutter etc. The marketing wants us to believe it was designed in cooperation with italian military helicopter pilots. Whatever, it is pretty well made, but of course a bit heavy. Worth checking out in my opinion:

3781.jpg
3781.jpg


Here is a pdf with all info on the series. Does anyone here use one of them?
 
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Fox cutlery in Italy does some very high quality work , I'm sure it's a high quality piece .

Chris
 
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