Recommend me a decent multi tool

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dakota1820

Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
96
I know leather man used to be the gold standard . My last leatherman didn't seem as good as older ones I've had. I would like to get a multi tool that's comfortable , functional, durable and doesn't cost to much 60 bucks ish would be good. What do you recommend?
 
If you don't want a Leatherman then Victorinox or Sog is the way to go. I vote Victorinox Swisstool Spirit
 
I think the Swisstool Spirit is a good alternative to a Leatherman as already mentioned, but it's a bit more than you're looking to spend. Just out of curiosity, what was your last Leatherman? I have been impressed with my Skeletool CX (my go-to tool for mountaineering and splitboarding), and while I haven't used the Charge TTI as thoroughly, it's not showing any signs of weakness either. I have a Wave from about 12 years ago that developed some wiggle in the pliers after relatively little use--my newer Leathermans feel like higher quality imho.
 
what have you owned, and what models are you comparing it to? honest answer is that all most all brands have had a drop off in fit and finish to keep the price points down. The Victorinox ones are very nice, but might hit above your price point. I havent seen any new SOGs in person since ownership changed.
On the topic of Leathermans, I'm not a fan of some models, I think the wingman and sidekick are not well designed, but that's just one man's opinion. I really like the Rebar, but its a rough and tough tool, nothing great to look at.
As for recommending models, there are too many to choose from. What tools do you need? what size factor do you like? What did you not like about the leatherman you have?
 
I've had the side kick, I broke the both the flat head screw drivers while unscrewing something. both a different times. but just trying to unscrew a screw and they snapped. very disappointed by that. I had older leathermans that were very tough but were uncomfortable in the hand.
 
Simply because the Sidekick broke on you, that doesn't mean an overall loss of quality. What was the screw in that you were trying to get out? Was it really set or rusted in place? Was it difficult to get out with a dedicated screwdriver?

Multi-tools are meant for convenience, not to outright replace dedicated tools for hard jobs.
 
In your price range, one of the SOG flavors would be good. They are quality MTs, and the plier configuration multiplies your grip strength. User replaceable tools, and smooth deployment. They are a little on the large side, if that's an issue, and the tools are not on the "outside". Lifetime warranty.

Gerber makes functional tools, but they are substandard (in my view) to the other big players in terms of design, construction, etc. They do work though.

Victorinox makes the cream of the crop, but you are looking at $90 there. So maybe check out SOG.

SOG Powerlock S60. $57 - $64 on a large internet auction site.
 
I have found m Leatherman Kick (no longer manufactured) to be useful. You can check the features and size, then look for something similar.
 
Charlie_K said:
Simply because the Sidekick broke on you, that doesn't mean an overall loss of quality. What was the screw in that you were trying to get out? Was it really set or rusted in place? Was it difficult to get out with a dedicated screwdriver?

Multi-tools are meant for convenience, not to outright replace dedicated tools for hard jobs.
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It was to rusty it was a screw for an automotive door panel. And yes a real screw driver took it right out. It was a tight screw especially for what it was used for but the leather men shouldn't of broke. Maybe I got a defective piece? I've had other leathemans before that were great not always comfortable but were durable.
 
dakota1820 said:
It was to rusty it was a screw for an automotive door panel. And yes a real screw driver took it right out. It was a tight screw especially for what it was used for but the leather men shouldn't of broke. Maybe I got a defective piece? I've had other leathemans before that were great not always comfortable but were durable.
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The only real way to tell would be make use of the warranty, get it repaired/services and see how it holds up. There's definitely a lot of pieces involved to address before the entire package can be written off as bad.
 
The Sidekick is definitely one of the more affordable Leathermans. I have a Leatherman Squirt PS4, and as much as I love the thing, it feels incredibly cheap compared to my others. I'm wondering if there is a significant difference in quality between the cheaper models and the more expensive ones, other than just the blade steel and extra features. My Skeletool CX just feels incredibly solid, and I have cranked down screws pretty hard with the bit driver without any problems. I've put some real torque on the flathead screw driver of the Charge TTI without problems either.
 
The sidekick is also on the bottom end/hobby side of the scale of leathermans. Maybe look into the new wave, or supertool 300?
 
I broke the only Gerber MT I ever owned, and it wasn't abuse.

I like the Victorinox also - both sizes. Fit and finish are great. If weight and size are a consideration - consider the spirit.

I own many Leathermans, and their fit / finish seem to be a little more hit/miss as of late. On the positive side, I have never broken a LM.

The last one I bought was the ST300 due to the replaceable cutters.
 
richard thurman said:
what about the Gerber? I have had them in the past and they have been wonderful. USA made too.
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I have carried a Gerber in one form or another for over 13 years now.
from the old design your own mp600 - the diesel that rides on my belt today.

Quality has deminished overtime but so had price.
The 600 series that were USA made were over 100 bucks.

Production got sent overseas and they
I started to come in clamshell packing
( worse qualitywised ones imop)

believe they got a little better now.

For me the one hand flick opening was always what I was used to and worked well for me.

I found leathermans' uncomfortable tobuse as pliers. They were always hard on my hands.
( supertool300 is in my bob though )

Dan
 
Ended up buying an sog power assist.
havent used it but I really like it so far. Its a lot easier on my hands than the leatherman ever was. It feels great. One thing that I have to get used to is its complexity, it is far more sophisticated and complex than I am used to.
 
Toyz said:
I own many Leathermans, and their fit / finish seem to be a little more hit/miss as of late. On the positive side, I have never broken a LM.
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I can agree with this. I bought 2 juices as gifts a little while ago. One had an unground screwdriver (it was just a square piece of bar stock that would never fit any screw), and the other one had a spring snap on the back just from opening the tool it was associated with.
I sent both back in, and both were replaced. One had no problems after that, but the other one I got back was a different model AND a different color!
How do you mess up that badly?
I sent the wrong one back (which I should not have had to do) with a letter. A few weeks later I got my model back. No reply to my letter, no apology, nothing. It worked this time, with all tools serviceable, but for the time I spent and the lack of communication from leatherman, I was really unimpressed.
My father has carried a leather man with him for as long as I can remember, without complaints.
I don't know what happened in my case, but the QC/W&R left a lot to be desired in this interaction.
 
All I've ever used or bought is Leatherman's except for cheap no name multi-tools that break apart within first use. But just got a Leatherman Rebar that I like. Pretty solid and like the lock down feature of the blades and other tools.Paid $30 for it but can probably find them for cheaper. But if had $60 to spend would buy something stronger and could take more abuse. The rebar should be able to hold up to most things you would use it for though.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
All I've ever used or bought is Leatherman's except for cheap no name multi-tools that break apart within first use. But just got a Leatherman Rebar that I like. Pretty solid and like the lock down feature of the blades and other tools.Paid $30 for it but can probably find them for cheaper. But if had $60 to spend would buy something stronger and could take more abuse. The rebar should be able to hold up to most things you would use it for though.
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Seems a good price. They rarely come down any lower than that on line and are usually more in stores.
 
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