ok guys...need some advice...newbie here

[johntom2000]

I was in situation the other day a muti-tool/Swiss knife with pliers would be handy. I was at the local Ross's store they had some by some different makers. I know Swiss suppose to be top dog in this area, with that being said more companies makes these type of knifes. Which companies makes the best ones at reasonable price. I would iek to spend around $20-25 for a all around good one.


Thanks,

John

 

[collim1]

I am assuming you are taking about a plier based multitool. $20-25 bucks is going to be tough for a decent tool. I have found some older discontinued used Leathermans at Pawn shops for less than $20. A Fuse and a PST, which are both generally considered outdated, but still very useable. The Wingman and Sidekick are Leatherman's budget tools but are still $10-15 above your budget. They will be functional tools, but I would actually prefer a used older model to one of these.

A Swisstool, even used, is going to be nowhere your budget.

 

[The Zieg]

The jump in quality is very sudden and obvious with pliers-style multi-tools. My experience is that inexpensive also means cheaply made in these tools. Especially with the knife and screwdriver blades. The price point seems to be about $50 where the quality goes up, at least in most retail stores. Collim1's suggestion about pawn shops is excellent. You'll find a Leatherman, an SAK, a SOG at a pawn shop in your price range and chances are it won't be close to used up. Size and feel also matter. Personally I'm not a fan of how Leathermans feel in my hand as pliers. Most of them I see in the big box stores are in clamshell packages. Can't test them in my hand. In a pawn shop, they'll be under glass and a clerk can let you handle them. You may love Leathermans but you'll want to know before you buy whether the size is right.

Then there's eBay.

Zieg

 

[Piso Mojado]

I was in situation the other day a muti-tool/Swiss knife with pliers would be handy.

Some Swiss Army knives have pliers. In my very limited experience with multi-tools, the smallest pliers based multi-tool is superior to any SAK as pliers. I carry SAKs out of habit, and because (so I tell myself) their other tools are more useful to me.

If you are interested in a Swiss Army knife, the best ones are made by Victorinox. Wenger also made good SAKs, and part of their knife line is still in production rebranded as Victorinox's Delémont Collection. Wenger (and ex-Wenger) SAK pliers have a slip joint which makes them a little more useful. This is my Wenger EvoWood S557:

 

[SAK Guy]

All excellent advice!!!! :thumbup: