survival multitool Gerber vs Leatherman

J

jhrule

Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Messages
62
I was wondering which one is better. I have heard gerber is way better but i dont know if thats true.i have also seen the pliers on gerbers snap right off. Please give me a suggestion on which to get
 
Victorinox Spirit is on it's way to me as I write this from Miller's Surplus in Tucson,AZ! It's got the best of everything, and it's one of the most comfortable to use and carry!
 
swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool.:D

Seriously I'v never seen a LM or Gerber that felt more solid than the swisstool. I love how every single component opens from the outside. Plus, it's super strong, but still has a lifetime warranty as opposed to LM's 25 year warranty. Its all stainless and has BM axis style locks on every thing. Did I mention that its also completely bombproof?:D


Edit: if you absolutely don't want the swisstool, get a LM. Most Gerbers are made in china and alot of people dont like the quality.
 
I've used the Gerber for years as my fishing multi-tool because of its one hand opening.
That said, the other tools on it are terrible. The screwdrivers are soft and the serated blade will dull out in no time.

For small pocket tools the Leatherman Juice and Squirt are outstanding.

If you're looking at full size tools, I gotta go with the majority and vote for Victorinox.
 
I have had a Leatherman supertool since '94 or '95. It wiggles a bit but it is still EDC'd.

I plan on getting a wave down the road.
 
I have had a leather man wave that I've carried every day at work for the past 5 years...and has been a bused and is still going strong, Despite this however for outdoor use or anytime when probably won't use pliers I reach for a victorinox sak...I don't have any of thier multi-tools yet but I'm sure they're 1st rate.
 
The Swisstool is remarkable. I am always delighted that the tools never bind when I open them. I would rate the Leatherman as a decent alternative, but not in the same league as the Swiss offering.
 
been carrying an older original leatherman for years 93-94 with no problems.

A concern of mine has been LM no longer has the USA stamp due to some imported parts.

Working at UPS I see some of the LM's that get returned and have broken out of their packaging. The most notable damage 50%+ of the time is snapping of one side of the pliers. Also these items usually have a lot of looseness to the tool retention - think butterfly knife.

.02 $

J.
 
3wolves said:
swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool, swisstool.:D

Seriously I'v never seen a LM or Gerber that felt more solid than the swisstool. I love how every single component opens from the outside. Plus, it's super strong, but still has a lifetime warranty as opposed to LM's 25 year warranty. Its all stainless and has BM axis style locks on every thing. Did I mention that its also completely bombproof?:D


Edit: if you absolutely don't want the swisstool, get a LM. Most Gerbers are made in china and alot of people dont like the quality.
Click to expand...

The Gerber Multi-tools are USA made & are built very well & all the tools lock open ! Also the Gerber opens very fast & smooth w/ one hand ;) . I don't like Gerber knives but their multi-tools are a whole different ball game ! I also have a LM kick & I like it to :p
 
To much plastic in Gerber MTs now for me. Nice and light when new, not too good when it gets older...
 
The Swisstool is also extremely corrosion resistant (WAY more so than Leathermans, which have serious rust problems around salt water). I use it on my boat in and around salt water and have never had any rust on it at all.
 
For a survival multitool, the Leatherman Wave is the way to go. I've used it and abused it in ways I don't think it was intended to, and it's still going strong. The thing is built like a tank.

Different individuals will give you different answers. That is personal preference. That been said, the Wave allows for one-hand opening of the knife blades, one-hand opening of the multitool itself, has wood and metal saws, two different types of files, all locking tools, and gives you all the tools you will need in a survival situation. Some will argue that the mini screwdriver it useless for survival, but if you have bad eyesight and wear glasses, being able to mantain your glasses in the field can make a big difference for your survival. The only thing I wish it had is a threading awl, though the provided awl works well.

I have the Gerber one-hand opener, and it was my multitool EDC untilI got the Wave. In all honesty, they are in different clases all together. The Gerber is a good multitool, I keep mine in my BOB, but I EDC my Wave.

I don't own a Swisstool. Owning one may or may not change my mind, but I don't see how you can possibly improve on the Wave as a survival multitool.

In the words of Dough Ritter in his 1999 evaluation of the Swisstool, "If you don't really need the extra size and robustness of the pliers and knife blades in the Super Tool or SwissTool, and don't mind spending a bit more, then it may well be better to wait for the new Leatherman Wave with its one-handed opening blades."
 
I have owned all three multitools. The first I had was a leatherman when I was a brand new private. I used it alot when out in the field as well in the motor pool. I broke the pliers while removing a bolt. I had it for a year. I had the gerber for a couple of months before it grew feet and walked away. It did not seem as well made as the leahterman. I then got the Victorinox and have not had any trouble with it at all. With me, I'm more for function than looks. They are all good in my opinion, but my nod goes to the swisstool.
 
I've been carrying and using my Vic Swiss Tool for around 7 years now. Carried an original Leatherman before that 'till my wife (now ex wife) used it for some gardening and lost it. The Victorinox is by far the better tool in my opinion. If keeping weight down matters to you then you may want to look for something else 'cause this thing is a brick. I don't mind it and really don't notice it anymore. The locking mechanism probably isn't the strongest, but it works fine if you use a little common sense. I don't really remember how tight everything was on it when it was new but there is just the slightest amount of play in pivots for the implements on mine. . . enough to be able to feel but not really enough to see. Not bad IMO considering the amount of use it's had over the last 7 years.

As for the warranty:

"LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY

Victorinox guarantees all multi-tools to be of first-class steel and provides a lifetime warranty against any defects in material and workmanship.
The warranty does not apply to damage caused by abnormal or unreasonable use of any of the implements (including repairs or alterations other than by our Authorized Service Center).

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. Additional rights may be available under the laws of your State or Province. It is in place of all other warranties, including warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and warranty of merchantability and excludes any liability for incidental or consequential damages. "

Taken directly from their web sight: http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/LifetimeLimitedWarranty.aspx?
 
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