Strongest Multi-tool?

I like the SOG largest multitoolfor its unique hinge design and it's array of tools. By far the most durable multitool I have used and abused is V-nox's Swisstool with 3 blades, a saw, a plain blade and a serrated sheepsfoot. It seems bombproof and Victorinox is great when it comes to warranty replacement of a damaged product so even if you manage to bust it...send it back!
 
All this talk of the drawbacks of the Swiss Tool due to the spring tension on the blades has me wondering. I guess I've never given it much thought because I've grown up with slip joints and other knives that were no different or tougher for me to deal with. I am a nail biter and have been all my life and have never had finger nails to speak of yet the ST is my preferred multi tool. I've usually got one nail or rarely a couple short ones that do the job for me but rarely is it my thumbs and even when I have nails they are short. When I am deep in thought I'll bite unconsciously. My wife is always slapping me telling me to stop picking and I don't even know I'm doing it. I really don't like nails because mine have always been weak and when I did allow them to grow out I just broke them or tore them off which is why I hate them. Anyway, my point is I've never had any issues getting the tool I want out of the thing.

I use the serrated blade a lot and the phillips head. Next would be that great file this thing has. I've used the crap out of that thing as well as the leather punch and saw. I rarely use the plain edge but its seen some. I've found that I can get the phillips head out using my pinky, which hardly ever has a nail. But by just grabbing the point and forcing it out I manage everytime. No fingernail required. :D

STR
 
sparkee said:
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.
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You think? :) That kind of heat could easily ruin the temper and leave the metal soft or brittle. He obviously destroyed the tool when he did that and took it out of factory specs. Then when he went to use it hard it broke on him because he had already ruined it by exposing it to very high heat.

Any tool could fail like that if the temper was changed.
 
I have extensive experience with Vic and SOG, both of which are probably the best out there.

SOG is heavier and stiffer. Pliers are the best.

VIC spirit is more refined and better engineered and lighter.

I EDC the Vic spirit but for serious outdoor adventures I prefer the SOG.

When I was in the Army, most of my fellow officers who were tool/blade savy had SOGs. The SOG blade by the way is very sharp! Cut through high grade climbing rope like butter.
 
The SOG sizzors are larger than the Spirit, maybe a bit sharper. But the spring in the Vic Spirit is better. As far as function is concerned, the Spirit sizzors are slightly better.
 
My vote for toughest multi tool is Schrade Tough Tool. I own four of them and I have put them through the ringer with excellent results.
 
The real answer is none of them. If 'toughness' is your main criterion then buy a pair of pliers from the hardware store. It will cost a lot less and will be much tougher than any folding pliers.

Multi-tools are about versatility, space saving and 'gadget' value. The knife component of multi-tools is also a compromise compared to most 'real' knives. I admit to liking them (I like gadgets) and own most of the better models on the market but when I want to do something that requires a really 'tough' tool, I use conventional pliers.
 
imho I think the surge is the toughest. heavy but tough. got one for christmas and love it. i have owned gerber and sog. like this the best. never leave home without it.
 
2manyknives said:
The real answer is none of them. If 'toughness' is your main criterion then buy a pair of pliers from the hardware store. It will cost a lot less and will be much tougher than any folding pliers.

Multi-tools are about versatility, space saving and 'gadget' value. The knife component of multi-tools is also a compromise compared to most 'real' knives. I admit to liking them (I like gadgets) and own most of the better models on the market but when I want to do something that requires a really 'tough' tool, I use conventional pliers.
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There is no doubt that conventional pliers are generally stronger than a folding multi-tool and we all understand that. K Williams was asking for the strongest multi-tool realizing that such a gadget is a compromise when compared to conventional tools. Having a multi-tool with you when you need it beats having any conventional pliers back at home. So, I think there is at least one and possibly several answers to the question. I gave mine and others gave theirs.
 
MrWoodsWalker said:
There is no doubt that conventional pliers are generally stronger than a folding multi-tool and we all understand that. K Williams was asking for the strongest multi-tool realizing that such a gadget is a compromise when compared to conventional tools. Having a multi-tool with you when you need it beats having any conventional pliers back at home. So, I think there is at least one and possibly several answers to the question. I gave mine and others gave theirs.
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This is true. If felt the need to use pliers for long term, heavy-duty use, I'd put one of these in my bolt bag.

http://www.ironworkergear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=272
 
I was removing the bolts from the tank on my parents toilet earlier and used my Leatherman charge large screw driver and it seemed to flex or kinda give a lot. I got a flat head out of the tool box. I don't want to break my new toy. I never do remember my supertool giving like the charge did. Does anyone know if the bits are covered under the warranty or they on us?
 
Jay_Wyatt said:
I was removing the bolts from the tank on my parents toilet earlier and used my Leatherman charge large screw driver and it seemed to flex or kinda give a lot. I got a flat head out of the tool box. I don't want to break my new toy. I never do remember my supertool giving like the charge did. Does anyone know if the bits are covered under the warranty or they on us?
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It has been my impression that the Charge is not as robust as the Super Tool. Perhaps it is not supposed to be, with one-hand opening, replaceable bit versatility and a bit less weight as the trade-off. It's the old story: convenience versus function and what compromises suit the individual. I tried both and stayed with the ST 200. My preference is for strong and simple, no knock on the Charge intended.
 
had a gerber but it was stolen long before i got to know it well... then i got a SOG power lock, holds up for daily chores, wicked sharp little blade, and the geared plier/cutters are really cool. i would replace it with the same if i lost it.

je
 
colubrid said:
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.
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As I sit here typing this -- I have a SOG Powerlock on my left (broken blade tip -- my fault) and jaws on the pliers are sticking towards the end of the travel. Not my fault -- used it as intended to cut wire ... eventually the edge folded over and got the pliers to stick (when almost closed) -- almost useless for fine work. Do not get me wrong -- I still love my SOG, It did not break because it was sitting in the back of the drawer -- it was used... a lot... reached out to SOG so I can purchase new jaws and new blade. But still -- great tool, no question, strongest ... Well ... Nahh
 
I'd wager this Schrade / Peterson tough grip tool and any of it's variants are the strongest multitools ever made.
 
MrWoodsWalker said:
My vote for toughest multi tool is Schrade Tough Tool. I own four of them and I have put them through the ringer with excellent results.
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Or the Peterson vise grip " tool box " variants.
Maybe they're not what the OP had in mind, but there no way any other multitool could possibly be as strong / tough.

On the Peterson the implements look very close to those of the Utica multimaster, if they were sourced from Utica they're probably not quite as good as Leatherman but the pliers absolutely will blow every other multitool off the face of the earth.
 
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