Swisstool versus Supertool 300 - Fit and Finish

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

I've read just about every discussion of Swisstool versus Supertool 300 I could find, both here and similar forums. I see praise of both tools, but some consistent comments that the fit and finish on the Victorinox models is unmatched. I've even read a number of comments from those claiming to have owned many, many MTs and wish they had just bought Victorinox to begin with and stuck with that.

If fit and finish were my only concern, I'd just order a Swisstool and be done with it. But I actually prefer the appearance of the Supertool 300, am in the minority that prefers all of the tools to open from the "inside," and like black oxide coatings ... which to my eyes just look better on the Leatherman products than Victorinox. On pure aesthetics, I prefer the Leatherman. On features and tool selection it's a wash ... the ST300 pliers are better for me, but the Swisstool has some offsetting pros. So it's really down to looks versus quality.

Other things I've read is that the Victorinox Swisstools have significant vertical blade play due to the lock design and that Leatherman quality is arguably not what it used to be.

Since actual direct comparison at a local retailer looks to be unlikely, and ordering both models is too expensive, what guidance can you give on how these tools compare? Based on looks and specs, the Supertool 300 in black oxide is the pick for me. But I don't want to regret not paying approx $15 more for a black oxide Swisstool if there are quality issues with it.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I've owned a swisstool for like 6 years. I used the tool and love it, very solid reliable tool. I love the saw on it. With that said, i prefer the pliers on the ST300. I like how the tools are accessible on the swisstool from the outside. The fit and finish of the swisstool is much better than the ST300. Not to say it's not put together well, i just like the polished tool and the tightness of it. I think the tool layout of the swisstool is better also. really, the only thing the ST300 has on the swisstool is the pliers, i much prefer them. But on the other hand, the pliers of the swisstool are made to be stronger loosening things, the pivot seems beefier and the pliers are thick and stout. If you don't need needle nose pliers, go with the swisstool for sure. As well as black oxide, that's a preference of your own. I don't think it will resist rust as well if that's an issue you may experience. I've owned three swisstools, no verticl play. Maybe a tiny bit, the same or less than the ST300. I EDC a wave, so i am not biased towards victorinox in any way. The saw is way better on the swisstool. If you're after a large multi tool, i own a surge, ST300 and swisstool. If i had to pick between those three, i would pick swisstool. But, the wave is under estimated. The wave has a kick a$$ file, the saw is useable, nothing will ever compare to a victorinox saw though, the blades are accessible from the outside and they keep a good edge, and it's small. Can also accept a pocket clip, which is how i carry it. You can buy a bit kit with it, which would trump the tool loadout of any multi tool. I would actually recommend a black oxide wave, i think they look sweet, and my wave gets all my pocket time between all my tools. It may be small but it gets used on my car for big tasks more than my other multi tools!

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Well, I just ordered a used Swisstool RS (plain shiny stainless). It wasn't from an auction site and the MT wasn't photo'd. But there is a reasonable return policy and the price was right. Perhaps this is a way for me to see if this Swiss MT engineering is going to make me forget about my preference for the aesthetics of the Leatherman. I do like the RS version, particularly the scissors. Don't think the belt cutter will see much action (hope not).

 

[Doug Add]

I don't have the ST300, so I cannot compare. I have owned the SwissTool RS for about three and a half years. There is a bit of blade movement when locked in, but nothing that troubles me or creates any difficulty when using it. Having owned Victorinox knives for nearly 30 years, when I considered a MT, I was naturally biased toward the SwissTool, but I am not at all disappointed in my choice. And, at the sale price of $45 at the time I got it, it was an easy decision to make.

At 11 oz. it is a bit on the heavy side, but I don't feel it on the occasions I have belt carried. It typically resides in my book bag/briefcase. I have never had any of the tools fail to perform exactly what I wanted them to do. Like you, I hope I never need the belt cutter!

I will be interested to read your impressions once you get it and put it to work.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Yeah, you made a good choice. the only thing leatherman really has over it is one hand opening on some tools and the diamond file. Other than that, vic made a basically perfect tool. Pliers are all a preference. You could have gone with the swisstool spirit also. Niteize makes a stickable pocket clip that is perfect for the swisstool if you like pocket carrying

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

The Spirit is no doubt a more practical pocket carry size, as the Swisstool is a bit of a brick. But I plan to carry it in my book bag/briefcase/EDC combo bag, so that should be no real issue. In fact, I can probably offset the weight by taking out a couple of other tools already in there. I have to say that the Spirit's ergonomic handle layout just looks wrong to me when the tool is closed. That may be a shallow observation. But I just can't get used to it. But I'm not a completely impractical person and if the big brother Swisstool wins me over, I could see me getting over my objections to the Spirit's appearance.

 

[IUKE12]

I've had both the Swisstool X and the LM 300. I kept the Supertool 300. I use the multi-tool every day at work. Swisstool beats LM fit and finish but that's where it ends for me. I found unlocking the tools to be difficult with wet or cold hands. Not so with LM. Also, the small nail nicks provided on the Swiss tool make it difficult to open the tools. Pulling all the tools out at once and selecting the one you need is so much easier than the Swisstool. The replaceable wire cutters are another big plus for me and you can't beat the LM 25 year warranty.

 

[metsfan]

I would say go with the leatherman. In fact, I would say go with the Surge instead. The outside accessible blades are a feature that once.you get used to them you regret not having it. And like was stated previously, the no questions asked replacement policy is ridiculous. You break your tool, send it back and you get a new one in roughly 2 weeks! Are you serious?!? I've had the swisstool, and the smaller plier head and smaller cutter made me get rid of it.

 

[Syph007]

Swisstool lover here. I collect leathermans too, but the fit and finish of the Vics and the outside accessible tools are what make me like it better. Not that warranty should really matter, but they have a lifetime warranty, not just a 25 yr one. I think my work environment must be damper than others, since all my leathermans ended up rusting on me too, the swisstool I bet you could carry in a rainforest and it would be unscathed. That polished finish doenst allow rust to get a foothold and for me its a huge plus.

 

[znapschatz]

I've had both the Swisstool X and the LM 300. I kept the Supertool 300. I use the multi-tool every day at work. Swisstool beats LM fit and finish but that's where it ends for me. I found unlocking the tools to be difficult with wet or cold hands. Not so with LM. Also, the small nail nicks provided on the Swiss tool make it difficult to open the tools. Pulling all the tools out at once and selecting the one you need is so much easier than the Swisstool. The replaceable wire cutters are another big plus for me and you can't beat the LM 25 year warranty.

Although I, too, admired Swisstool f&f, I had about the same experience with it, coming to the same conclusion. On the last day I had the Swisstool, just before packing it up to send to its new owner, I got a moment of "seller's remorse", that maybe I was being too hasty.

Well, just as I was fretting over this decision, my wife asked me to install a curtain rod. The hardware of this required screwing into hard wood, so I made one last comparison. Using the ph driver, I snugged a screw down far as I could get it with the Swisstool, which ended when further effort caused it to slip out of the slots. Then I applied my Leatherman Super Tool ph driver and was able to turn the screw an additional half turn, with no slippage.

That afternoon, out went the Swisstool. I never looked back.

 

[znapschatz]

Swisstool lover here. I collect leathermans too, but the fit and finish of the Vics and the outside accessible tools are what make me like it better. Not that warranty should really matter, but they have a lifetime warranty, not just a 25 yr one. I think my work environment must be damper than others, since all my leathermans ended up rusting on me too, the swisstool I bet you could carry in a rainforest and it would be unscathed. That polished finish doenst allow rust to get a foothold and for me its a huge plus.

As an older kind of guy, I don't really have a stake in which is better, a 25 year or lifetime warranty. They amount to the same for me, but even in the unlikely event I'd live beyond 25 years, I can pretty well guarantee there will be other things on my mind then.
As for you youngsters, I would be willing to bet that past 25 years Leatherman will still fix for free (that's a safe bet for me, actually, because I probably won't be around to pay up ).

 

[Gadgetaholic]

am in the minority that prefers all of the tools to open from the "inside,"

Probably.
I have a Wave (bought over 10 years ago) and a SwissTool X, probably the best feature of the SwissTool in comparison to the Wave is the tools all being on the outside. I can pull the SwissTool from the belt pouch and open out a tool and use it, much easier then on the Wave. When you open up the SwissTool to use the pliers the handles are MUCH more comfortable due to your palm & fingers not pushing into any tools as they are on the other side of each handle. I still like my Wave, but it really isn't any where near as comfortable when I use the pliers.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Well I had a chance to handle the ST 300 and the Rebar this weekend. I can't say it was an instant love connection with either, but the Rebar was close. The ST 300 just seems a little too large, certainly for pocket carry. And it's hard to judge how that mass will be an asset or liability while working unless I were to actually test one working. I know the Swisstool is just as large, so I'll work the Swisstool as hard as I can and get an idea. The Rebar, OTOH ... I may have to get one of those soon. However, I also have a Leatherman Fuse on its way to me now. So I may be set for a mid-size carry MT for a while.

I also handled a Sidekick. I have to say I was less than impressed. It's a well featured tool for the price. But compared to the Rebar and ST300 I also handled at the same time, it felt like thinner framing and tools and just "less than." I'm sure the tool is capable of quite a bit. But perhaps I shouldn't have handled the more premium models first. At this point, I'm inclined to spend just a bit more and keep my eye on the Rebar or the Swisstool Spirit as my next MT, if indeed I buy another MT any time soon.

 

[Nntrance]

I'm not sure whether to grab a ST 300 or SAK Champ. Anyone have a dog in this fight between these two specifically?

 

[znapschatz]

I'm not sure whether to grab a ST 300 or SAK Champ. Anyone have a dog in this fight between these two specifically?

They aren't really comparable, IMHO. It's a little like asking which is better, a claw or ball peen hammer. My advice is get both.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Since the OT, I've bought a Swisstool RS, Wingman, Sidekick and Fuse. The Swisstool RS is, indeed, an amazing piece of MT engineering and just really impressive. It shall live in my briefcase for daily (5 days a week, anyway) carry. The ST300 seems like an impressive tool as well, but rendered redundant by my having the Swisstool RS. The three new Leatherman tools are a bit of overkill, but I got them all at excellent prices so I indulged. Each of the three carries in pocket much easier than the Swisstool RS, even if they're a bit more "ordinary" as tools.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

I'm not sure whether to grab a ST 300 or SAK Champ. Anyone have a dog in this fight between these two specifically?

If you need pliers, the ST300 for sure. There's just no comparison. Otherwise, it comes down to whether you prefer a pliers based MT or a knife based. They both have their advantages. I think the ST300 is a much harder working tool for about the same money, but it's larger and heavier than a Swisschamp or Champion.