Strongest Multi-tool?

I haven't been here in the forums that long but I know for sure you're gonna get a ton of replies from a lot of people here.

My vote goes to the Leatherman Wave and or Surge. A lot would dis-agree, but that's just my own opinion. Based on experiences with Gerbers, SOG's and other Leatherman products. ;)

So how 'bout it guys? Let's begin........:D
 
I've had several now. Started out with a SOG which I believe was their first model in the multi tool line up. It got stolen before I had it a year though. I replaced that with a Leatherman Super Tool. I got used to that one and liked a lot of things about it. I particularly liked the way you could flip open the pliers to use them with one hand much the same as you see guys opening their balisong knives. I did not care much for the way that when you wanted say a blade you got everything else in line with it and had to push back all the ones you didn't want to get the one you did want out to use it.

Since that one I've had several others. In my opinion the Victorinox Swiss Tool is the toughest one of them all. I carry that one to this day. Second would be SOG and Leatherman but really saying second isn't fair. They are all close to the same level of toughness. The Swiss tool is stiff though. Even after years of beatings it is still tight as a drum.

STR
 
And would have to rank leatherman the toughest. And the SURGE the toughest of all by far.

2nd Would be the Sog Power Lock.

3rd the Swiss tool. Sorry put there philips head and awl just dont hold up to heavy use.

And dead last the Gerber Multi Tools. The entire tool just didnt hold up well.
 
I've beat the crap out of my phillips head on the Swiss Tool and think its better than any of the ones on competitor knives. Heck its even better than my Craftsman and Snap On screw drivers IMO. The awls on all of them need repointed often though. I've never had any tool with an awl that held up that well but then again anything with a fine point is going to show signs of wear fast.

STR
 
Which Swisstool do you folks like?? Which one has the most tools in it? I have several leathermans, and have been thinking of getting a swisstool, but haven't done much research yet so thought I would ask.
 
I have the one shown starting in the second picture in this link. Its the best one I've ever owned. If I had to replace this one I'd probably go with the exact same one again. I carry a small SAK with a scissors and that is really the only thing this tool lacks. Every tool on this one of mine has had the tar used out of it. Its the one thing that is always on my belt without exception. I may leave without my knife, or my gun but this is always there.

The author of this link thought the pliers were not so good on the Swiss Tool. I found that interesting because I feel the opposite. I do like needle nose pliers and while the ST has a more blunt type plier than the Leatherman Super Tool I had I feel they actually work better. The Swiss Tool is for sure kinder to bolt heads and nuts than the Leatherman was because it slips far less from a better grip of both the pliers and more leverage on the larger more comfortable handle it sports.

http://www.equipped.com/swisstoo.htm

STR
 
STR said:
I have the one shown starting in the second picture in this link. Its the best one I've ever owned. If I had to replace this one I'd probably go with the exact same one again. I carry a small SAK with a scissors and that is really the only thing this tool lacks. Every tool on this one of mine has had the tar used out of it. Its the one thing that is always on my belt without exception. I may leave without my knife, or my gun but this is always there.

The author of this link thought the pliers were not so good on the Swiss Tool. I found that interesting because I feel the opposite. I do like needle nose pliers and while the ST has a more blunt type plier than the Leatherman Super Tool I had I feel they actually work better. The Swiss Tool is for sure kinder to bolt heads and nuts than the Leatherman was because it slips far less from a better grip of both the pliers and more leverage on the larger more comfortable handle it sports.

http://www.equipped.com/swisstoo.htm

STR
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Although well enough satisfied with my Leathermen that for 10 years I never considered shopping for another multitool, several months ago circumstances placed a Swisstool before me at a price I couldn't refuse.

Compared to Leatherman, I thought the Vic product's fit and finish were impressive. Access to the tools without having to open the handles was a real plus, and the Swisstool had a complete assortment of all the tools I like in a multitool, plus really nifty chisel and prying blades. Chances are, if this multitool had been on the market when first I went looking, it might have been my choice over Leatherman.

Immediately, the Swisstool went into EDC rotation. After some months of use, these are my observations:

The advantages of exterior tool opening is somewhat offset by having to take off my gloves to dig out a blade with a (sometimes split) thumbnail. A Leatherman, in comparison, loosened after a few months of use, can pretty largely be operated with the flat of my thumb or often with glove, even dealing with the tool clusters that come out. A decade of Leatherman experience helps, of course, but I remember back then getting used to it right away. Likewise, it slows me down a bit when I attempt to do something "the Leatherman way" with the Swisstool. However, anybody starting off with the Swisstool probably wouldn't have this unlearning curve to deal with.

I agree with every point made by STR about the Swisstool and share his preference for the original version. About the plier jaws, however, sometimes I need a true needlenose and prefer Leatherman for that. Also, the Leatherman pliers open wider. At first I discounted that as a minor point, but on two recent occasions it became an issue.

I haven't used the Swisstool enough to have an opinion on how well it will perform under a variety of conditions or its long term durability. It has so far performed very well and is definitely confidence inspiring. But so is Leatherman, which has a proven record for me.

Much as I admire the Swisstool, I can't say it blows the Leatherman into the weeds. I will continue using this tool until it is second nature before I can make a proper comparison. Could take years. Conservative by nature, I don't rush to judgement :)
 
Strongest is definely the SOG Powerlock. I think the SOG rates better in the quality debt than Leatherman. Leatehrman Core is thr largest and you can open the tools without a fingernail. For larger fat hands. But the Core weighs 10oz. Tyhe Surge has a lot of tools but is even heavier than the Core and the tools are not as big.

The Victoriniox is the best quality by far. It does not rust (Leathermans rust really easy) and they can be had for $49. online, which is more tha half the price of the high end leathermans.. If you need a source for the Victorinox multitools you can PM me.

I like the Swisstol X but the smaller Vic Spirit is nice as well. Both are priced at $49. A Surge of LM Charge ect are much more $$. The SOgs is great but heavy as well.

Hope this helps some. It all depends on what you are using it for. But to answer your question on the strongest it is definely the SOG.
 
I have used the Leatherman Wave, several different models of the Gerber and the SOG Powerlock. I have a ton of Gerbers some still in the box, I am in the military and and it seems like every time I turn around they are giving me a new one. The SOG is by far the strongest most durable plyer going. The only thing I think that could be improved are the tools some of them look like an after thought. The knife is especially terrible, but thats ok because I never use it as a stand alone I always carry a larger folder or fixed blade.
 
sparkee said:
I haven't been here in the forums that long but I know for sure you're gonna get a ton of replies from a lot of people here.

My vote goes to the Leatherman Wave and or Surge. A lot would dis-agree, but that's just my own opinion. Based on experiences with Gerbers, SOG's and other Leatherman products. ;)

So how 'bout it guys? Let's begin........:D
Click to expand...

Obviosly yo never had a VICTORINOX SWISSTOOL :thumbup:
 
Tango44 said:
Obviosly yo never had a VICTORINOX SWISSTOOL :thumbup:
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Hi Tango44, Yes I never did get a swisstool (yet), although I had considered getting the RS version. The simple truth is, I never had to. All of my LM's have withstood the roughest use and all of them came out none too worse for it.

My brother had one of the first edition swisstools, but i saw him break it after 6 months of moderate use. So I rest my case.......:)
 
sparkee said:
My brother had one of the first edition swisstools, but i saw him break it after 6 months of moderate use. So I rest my case.......:)
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sparkee what part of your brothers swisstool broke and how ?

Cheers

Dunc
 
dunc5 said:
sparkee what part of your brothers swisstool broke and how ?

Cheers

Dunc
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Hi Dunc5, I figure this must have been my brother's fault, he said he tried to remove the big retaining spring from the engine block of his Honda motorbike. While twisting the spring out, one end of the plier head broke-off and left him with a 2-inch scar on the back of his right hand. :(

2 things to consider here: First, my brother works as a welder and sometimes I've seen him use his swisstool to hold iron that he was welding. I'm thinking the heat from all that activity may have caused some malleability to the swisstool. Second, the spring I was talking about was kinda big even for a motorbike, similar to springs on garage doors. :rolleyes:
 
colubrid said:
So Sparkee......... Do you concede?
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I'm not conceding anything ;) hehe. The fact is, I do not have any personal experience with the swisstool to make an informed judgement about that particular multitool.

But if you kind people will help me remedy the situation by donating one to me, well...........I might just consider joining the Dark Side. :D :thumbup:
 
I'd have to say the Surge,followed closely by the Swiss Tool X with scissors.
They both have some great features and shortfalls,but I give the Surge the nod with the removable saw/file, the larger scissors,belt sheath can be used horizontially or vertically,needlenose pliers and more robust main blade JMHO....But you can't go wrong with either of them,just stay away from any Gerber.

Kap
 
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