So I'm looking for a new pocket tool...

[Tex Arcana]

What I have now:

Gerber MultiPlier 600 Pro Scout. Nice tool, I've had it for about 15 years or so. I love the ability to flick my wrist to pop out the pliers, so much so I switched from my previous Leatherman to this.

15 years is a long time, and it's breaking regularly on me now. The knife blade has snapped, the flat screwdriver blade has snapped, the fine flat blade has broken too. I think it's time to retire the old boy.


So I've heard that the latest Gerber tools, according to people I know and amazon reviews, aren't nearly as good, poorly constructed and easily broken. I'm also hearing/reading that the Leatherman products are excellent, still.

I like the new products put some of the blades on the outside, so they can be used without totally opening the tool. Scissors are a must as well, the Gerber ones have always been the best. I like the fact that Leatherman has micro-screwdrivers and accessory bits that go with the tool.

I dislike the butterfly opening need of the Leatherman; I've never liked the saw on the Gerber. I loved the saw on my old Leatherman, but I snapped it off really well on a small sapling one day.

One Leatherman I'm considering is the Wingman:

I like the size and simplicity. I love the sturdy scissors, and the fact they're on the outside with the knife.


We sell the Wave at Lowe's, with the concomitant 10% employee discount:

I like the multiplicity of tools, the essential blades on the outside, and the multi-bit tool setup, as well as the microdrivers. I don't like the scissors, I do use them a fair bit, and need them to be sharp and tough.

I am listening, all. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[BoxANT]

Leatherman OHT
Gives you one handed opening.

 

[bigghoss]

I have the sidekick, same as wingman just some different tools. I love the size and weight and you can't beat the price. I used to carry a new wave but it was just a little large and heavy for me.

 

[Tex Arcana]

So I've been digging a bit, and had some time to look over Leatherman's Surge:

I like the scissors for sure, it has the other criteria as well, and a swappable/replaceable file and saw blades, which is great. It's big and heavy, but it's shorter than my 600ProScout, and only 1.2oz heavier.

I'm liking this a lot, ATM.

Any thoughts?

 

[znapschatz]

So I've been digging a bit, and had some time to look over Leatherman's Surge:
I like the scissors for sure, it has the other criteria as well, and a swappable/replaceable file and saw blades, which is great. It's big and heavy, but it's shorter than my 600ProScout, and only 1.2oz heavier.

I'm likening this a lot, ATM.

Any thoughts?

I tried it. Great tool, but it's heavy. Some people can tolerate it. After having toted an original Super Tool 9 years, at first I thought I could get used to it, but after
a few weeks, found that I couldn't. Turned out that the ST's 9 ounces was what I could manage, 12.5 oz was too much. YMMV.

 

[tirod3]

I was breaking Gerber's twenty years ago, they weren't that good then. I moved to the SwissTool, it's great but a monster in daily carry, so I've become a Leatherman user since. The latest is the Sidekick, which replaced a Benchmade Risk in EDC, and is a lot more useful in an auto part counterman's job.

Is it perfect? Well, there's a saying, perfect is the enemy of good. What they mean in saying it is that trying to find the perfect multipliers elevates the range of performance in each task to the point it becomes a Wave, SwissTool, or something even more high end. That's all nice and good if we could pick out each tool and have it assembled like a Vic knife in a shop in Zurich, but it isn't happening in America. We get to choose the best all around answer available on the open market - which is where the "good" comes in. You can carry something cheaper and still be a quality tool.

Just because I would prefer a higher alloy serrated main blade doesn't mean the one supplied won't cut. If the pliers don't have gear multiplication then I really need a socket and rachet, if they don't shoot out the front, are seconds in deployment a life and death issue? Something's broke down, it's going to take time to get it back up regardless.

Each and every "improvement" really has an offsetting disadvantage, price being just the first. At $40, the Sidekick is 1) lightweight, 2) rides on a pocket clip for easy extraction, no flaps to fail or sheath to hang up, 3) has tools big enough to be useful, and small enough to raise a question about the user knowing the limits. Choosing the appropriate tool is part of the repair assessment.

What the Sidekick does best is be there, you can tweak a drawer pull tighter, install a tail light bulb, cut some rubber heater hose, grab a errant screw with the needle nose right now, rather than searching for something else because you simply don't have a roll around tool box following you everywhere.

That's what I'm hearing from other Sidekick users - they already have been using much more expensive multi pliers, and tried the so called "tough" military issue ones. Well, expensive, heavy, or tough in name only can be the problem. Better something cheaper, lighter, and no hype.

 

[Tex Arcana]

Good point.

The only real advantage to a flick-out pliers I've ever seen, besides the shock on peoples' faces, is the fact I can use it as a lethal weapon, quite easily.

So it's less of a criterion than I originally thought.

 

[Tex Arcana]

TTT

I'm still questing, mainly because I need to lay hands on the two I'm thinking about, the Wingman and the Surge; but I can't find any place that either has both on display, or will open the damn packages and let me handle them. :grumpy:

Anyone have any suggestions?? North of DFW area.

 

[mcrow]

No suggestions for Dallas. However, I have a Wingman and love it. Perfect for EDC with the pocket clip. Also has all the tools one might use most day to day.

 

[bigghoss]

I saw one at a very well known department store and they had a display model. My local branch doesn't have display models though.