New to multitools, looking for recommendation

J

JDX

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Mar 2, 2014
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Latetly I've been carrying my Spyderco techno and manix 2. But there are times where I need other tools on me. I have a SAK Fieldmaster, but I really need pliers so I've been looking more into the leatherman style. Features I would need are:
-flathead and Phillips screwdriver
-pliers (needle and regular)
-an adjustable wrench (I don't think this exists in a multitool)
-bottle opener
-serrated knife
-metal file


Budget is $100

Open to other suggestions. Thank you!
 
I'm going to sound like a broken record in the multitool forum, but you might look at the Victorinox swisstool. It doesn't really meet all your criteria though (over $100, no adjustable wrench and you have to choose between the serrated blade and the metal file) but I'm very happy with mine. I had one of the Gerber mp600's before the swisstool. That might fit your criteria better. Someone will probably be along before long with a better suggestion though. I'm hardly an expert on all things multitool.
 
If you like Spyderco, hunt down a Spyderwrench. But I believe CRKT has one similar called the Guppie. Both are crescent wrench based.
 
I've had both the spyderench and the Byrd wrench pass through my hands. Kind of unique tools, but the reasons they did not make it to my EDC rotation...The pliers are kind of stubby, not needle nosed at all, the wrench did not open to 3/4", and the file shape was not very useful to me. But they are well thought out tools and if the things I mentioned are not deal breakers for you I'd suggest tracking one down and trying it. If you don't like it they've held their value pretty well in the resale market. There is a cheap multitool with pliers and a wrench in the marketplace...not worth buying if you would ever use it hard
 
Your first tool? Get a Leatherman Wave. It has everything you want. The warranty of LM is just superb and I (personally) prefer LM ways over Victorinox on their multitools. But that´s just another story...
 
I use a Gerber and a Leatherman Wave. The Wave is a better product but the pliers can be deployed with one hand on the Gerber so that is what I reach for most of the time.

They are both good. You can't go wrong with either brand.
 
I'm a Swiss army knife guy. A zillion models with a variety of sizes and tools. I also like the Boker Plus Tech Tool City series (I carry a City 1 sometimes). Both Victorinox (SAK) and Boker Plus are good knives. The Deluxe Tinker and Mechanic have pliers and phillips head screw drivers (and probably other models too).
Rich
 
Sounds like your SAK has every tool you want except pliers. Why not just get a pliers. They have sheaths for pliers to carry them on your belt. Short of that, I don't reccomend the pliers on the super tinker or mechanic, they're only good for very small objects. A Leatherman or SwissTool will be best if you must have the pliers and other tools together.
 
I recommend the Leatherman JuiceCS4. It has a pliers and a saw amoung its 15 functions.

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Although I personally prefer to carry a SwissTool Spirit, I like my Leatherman Wave a lot too. Great tool and affordable. If you don't like the weight though, you might consider to get a PST which has most of the tools you mentioned.
 
Have you tried the Gurber suspension. I use one every day and it's really good.
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I have them pretty much from small/light to the 300. My sweet spot is the Blast/Rebar range for size/weight/strength general capabilities.
 
The Leatherman Rebar is your best bet here. The pliers and replaceable wire cutters are top notch
 
Can you elaborate on your need for pliers? They come in all shapes and sizes, so knowing what you'd use them for would help.

I, for instance, have issues gripping things with my hands, so I rely on a small pair of pliers for a lot of everyday tasks. Most of these cases can be handled with a small tool like a Leatherman Juice or Skeletool, or even a Gerber Dime or Leatherman Style PS. (Personally, though, even with a smaller tool in my pocket, I keep a large multi-tool nearby anyway.)

On the other hand, if you're unlocking threaded shackles or turning bolts (you mentioned wanting a wrench), you'll probably want another tool entirely. There are MTs based around wrenches and vise grips, and tools purpose-built with things like oxygen tank keys and M1911 bushing wrenches. But if you want a general-purpose wrench, nothing beats a wrench.

Based on the list you've given us so far, though, we could recommend just about any multitool out there. Except what would have been my first recommendation: a Leatherman Wingman or Sidekick, which are out since you explicitly want a file. With spring-loaded pliers, a pocket clip, a relatively lightweight package, and entry-level pricing, it's a good way to try things out and see (a) if carrying a multi-tool is something you want to do, and (b) which toolset you actually need.
 
What I take with me depends on what I expect to do on a given day. The PST was my first Leatherman, followed by the Super Tool, which I then carried exclusively for the next nine years, along with the Micra for scissors and other small tools. Both PST and ST are pretty much retired, except I take the PST with me when traveling to where locking blades are not legal for EDC.
 
I personally use a leatherman fuse which basically has Everything except the serrated blade and is discontinued. I'd suggest the Gerber mp 400 which has Everything you want, carries a lifetime warranty, and is only 50$ ( I have nothing against Gerber, and recommend the mp400 for its features and price )
 
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