Not one multi tool has what I want on it!!!

T

TonyC

Joined
Jul 23, 2003
Messages
89
Hi guys,

I have a problem! I own several multi tools most of which are superb and some which are not. BUT! I cannot find a multi tool which would suit me for everyday carry. The closest I have got to is the Victorinox Swiss Tool however it's just too darn heavy and bulky for EDC. I carry it all the time when I'm out in the wilderness though and wouldn't be without it. It's the toughest tool around I reckon.

What I'm looking for is a tool which is about the same weight and size as the original Leatherman. The following list of tools would be a must on it:-

Pliers
Large blade,
Scissors,
Diamond File
Woodsaw
Can/Bottle opener

I don't mind about any other tools but those are the essentials. The other thing it must have is that the tools are accessible while the pliers are closed I can't bear having to open the tool up select what I want and then close it up again :grumpy: what a pain that is.

So can I find a tool fitting this description? Well not yet that's why I'm posting this. Can anyone help does anyone know of a tool fitting this description?

Oh I just thought please don't mention the Leatherman Wave as although it does fit my criteria I tried one and just didn't like the way the handles flexed when I used it, that was real off putting.

Take Care

Tony
 
Wold'nt a gerber 600 series also fit your criteria ? Gerber also used to have a program called create a gerber or create a tool something like that where you could order a gerber mixing different tool and color of handles . At the time they claimed something like 10,000 or so possible combinations .
 
Tony - You're not alone. I've asked Leatherman a couple times over the years, to make that same exact combination of tools, but also with a good quality awl. The original PST was light and small enough to fit in your pocket. No sheath required. I’d have to say that the original PST is by far my favorite multitool. I just wish it had a saw instead of 4 billion flathead screwdrivers.

I have done the Gerber custom tool. It's not bad, but not close to perfect. The largest drawback is the replaceable saw. It’s next to impossible to find a wood saw blade that will fit in a Gerber tool. I customized a jig saw blade to fit my Gerber, but the blade is quite a bit smaller than a Leatherman or SAK wood saw. Almost too small to really be useful. Also, the Gerber isn’t very compact. You definitely need a big old sheath for it. Other than the above, I really like the tool. I use it now for night fishing, since my Gerber is dayglow yellow in color. I couldn’t lose it n the dark if I wanted to.

I’ve taken to carrying a SAK Tradesman for hiking trips. The pliers aren’t large or robust, but good enough for removing fish hooks. The file is pretty good. The blade locks. Awesome long saw. Perfect awl. No scissors, but I carry a tiny SAK Classic with scissors.


trade2.jpg



One more thing. If you carry a Tradesman, this sheath is an absolute must. Those Swiss make EXCELLENT quality leather sheaths!!!

http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&shop=SK&code=4.0538

4.0538.jpg
 
I would try the Leatherman Juice XE6. It's compact and the leatherman diamond files are the best I've seen on a multitool...( The Juice is only 3.2" long)
See if you can find one in a shop and play with it for a bit.
(It comes in a non-fruity gray color also )

http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/xe6/default.asp

There's also the new leatherman charge Ti (with scissors) which will be out in a couple months.. they've beefed up the pliers, added locks to the tools and made the main blade out of 154CM steel.

http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/chargeTi/default.asp

Even the small XE6 puts SAK pliers to shame...and both of the above have diamond files... (one side is grooved steel and the other is diamond).
 
I would go with Buzzbait's suggestion of a SAK.

Victorinox's quality seems to be a little higher then Leatherman too in my oppinion.
-Kevin
 
Victorinox's metal saw and file is awesome...my dad borrowed mine to saw through a relatively big padlock and he was amazed...

I think only the Gerber Legend has tools that open without opening the pliers...
Others usually require you to open it for most of the tools...

Like Buzzbait i'm having problems with the replacemen for the saw on the Gerber...
 
I suggested trhe juice and the new charge (above) specifically because you can open all the tools (except the screwdrivers and on charge-scissors) from the outside. Having both, I would say that the leatherman's are tougher than SAKs for jobs requring more muscle. (Except for the Swisstool of course).
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your thoughts on the multi tool problem. I have to say the Leatherman Charge does sound like an option, unfortunately they don't seem to have got over here to the UK just yet. Are they similar to the build of say the leatherman PST etc or are they closer to the juice?

I really do wish Leatherman would design a tool specifically for the outdoorsman, with tools on it for outdoor use situations (only lighter and more compact than the Swisstool). I really don't want a multi tool inundated with a variety of screwdrivers which are about as much use to me as a chocolate fire guard :rolleyes: . How about replacing them with something more useful like say a magnifying glass great for looking at maps in detail, starting fires and with my eyesight finding that annoying little thorn that's managed to bury itself into the end of one of your fingers. :)

All the best,

Tony.
 
The charge will be close in form to the wave, but much improved.
The juice is more of a compact-fit-in-your pocket slipjoint (the XE6 being for BIG pockets), but the new charge is likely to be belt sheath sized (And the sheath it comes in carries the 17 bits it comes with...)

If you don't need a strong (real) pliers and can get by with a SAK pliers, then there are some options there, and SAKs generally have a larger tool/screwdriver ratio.

On the other hand the diamond files on the Juice and Charge are the best.
And the pliers are top notch.

Also, the Charge is supposed to be out this august or so..
 
I think Leatherman are just like most business's - they can provide the best but would rather sell products which are ever improving - that way everybody keeps buying the latest models and they keep making money !!
 
TonyC said:
I really do wish Leatherman would design a tool specifically for the outdoorsman, with tools on it for outdoor use situations (only lighter and more compact than the Swisstool). I really don't want a multi tool inundated with a variety of screwdrivers which are about as much use to me as a chocolate fire guard :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Seems to me that if they will make the Flair with its corkscrew (decent enough idea), olive fork, and pate' knife they should be willing to make other "specialty" tools as well.

There have to be more people looking for a general "outdoors" multitool than people looking for a folding picnic set which has sprouted needlenose pliers and a work knife.

Then again, I don't think that the Flair was ever a real big success....
 
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