The forgotten or underappreciated multitools

Hickory n steel

Hickory n steel

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This thread is for those other MT's that often don't see as much appreciation these days as the big 3 do, Leatherman, Gerber, and the Victorinox spirit seem to hog all of the glory.
Hell Leatherman and Gerber even have forgotten or overlooked models that nobody talks about these days.

This thread is for those other plier or scissor based MT's which are maybe out of production by now , are often overlooked because the designs may be a bit different , or simply just aren't very well known.
I'm not talking about cheap generic Chinese tools either.

I'm talking about tools like the old US made Schrade Tough series, the Bucktools, B&S Bear Jaws , The Utica multimaster / variations, the little Sebertool MT's , and even the forgotten or overlooked LM and Gerber models.


I've got a Utica multimaster currently, A Schrade Tough tool and Schrade Tough chip on the way, a Sebertool M2 on the way , plus a lot of 17 other mint condition mini tools including a Sebertool M3 that I just bought off eBay.
5 or 6 of the lot are various current Chinese Swisstools , but this stuff might make great stocking stuffers.
There's some filler like a cheap magnesium bar, a Coghlans whistle , and a $1 credit card survival tool, but the rest is mostly gift worthy or stuff I wanted.
Basically I just impulsively bought a collection of stuff without really looking at what it included and now have to figure out what to do with most of it.

I'll keep the two or 3 things I actually wanted, Christmas gift some, and probably do a giveaway somewhere here on BF's for the rest.


I'll post the Multimaster tomorrow and the rest as they arrive.
 
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You should add SOG multi-tools to your list as they are generally very good. I looked at the small one (PowerPint) on Wednesday at a store and I am going to get it. It runs around $40. I want it for the ability to insert various nut drivers and screw drivers into the center where you can exert the most force if you need to and it appears to have a pretty good needle nosed pliers.

I suspect many of the multi-tools are made in China.
 
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22-rimfire said:
You should add SOG multi-tools to your list as they are generally very good. I looked at the small one (PowerPint) on Wednesday at a store and I am going to get it. It runs around $40. I want it for the ability to insert various nut drivers and screw drivers into the center where you can exert the most force if you need to and it appears to have a pretty good needle nosed pliers.

I suspect many of the multi-tools are made in China.
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They do or at least did have some American made models, my cousin has one his brother bought at a PX and sent him and the quality on that tool I'd say is as good as anything.
 
Here's the Utica multimaster, this one an Armstrong Tools rebrand.

It's got an extremely simple yet effective mechanism for locking the blades

And the sheath holds some driver bits.

Been carrying it at work the past couple weeks and while it's a bit unorthodox compared to the Leatherman format it works just fine.
 
And the schrades arrived today, so here's the little ST2 tough chip.



The blade, Philips , and larger flathead all lock , you push in on either of the two drivers to unlock.

Then in the other handle you get tweezers, a toothpick, and a nail file.

 
Here's the Tough tool.





You press in on the sheep's foot blade ( which strangely doesn't lock ) to unlock the saw and large flat blade driver, you use the blister pack opener to unlock the combo edge knife blade and and Philips screwdriver.

Overall there are some things I do and don't like, the saw is definitely sharp and cuts as well as a Leatherman saw.
I like the shape and balance of precision and strength In the pliers, but the tool is not the best to hold during pliers use.
And you're holding the tool flat when using the other implements which is a bit strange.
 
The Russian Ratnik 6e6. I don’t own one but if you google it and watch videos you definitely notice that it’s made in the Mother Russia. :D
 
A.L. said:
The Russian Ratnik 6e6. I don’t own one but if you google it and watch videos you definitely notice that it’s made in the Mother Russia. :D
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Leave it to the Russians to put a tanto blade and a 100 year old can opener design on a multitool.
 
I've a pretty old leatherman supertool, had it for years. It was given to me by someone that didn't care for it. I also have an SOG, don't know the model. I like and prefer the supertool. I guess one just buys the tool that fits the needs.
 
my super secret tinkering micro tool ;-)
well, its a light weight gadget
and just the thing for
hideaway...
 
yeah, utica;-)
the kutmaster minimaster
15-3536E-5.png

http://www.kutmaster.com/productline/uticacutlery/multipurpose-tools.php
https://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=MiniMaster
 
I think 2 of the most overlooked and underappreciated multitools are the long discontinued Byrdrench & Spyderench :

BY15P_M.jpg

T01_M.jpg
 
sv4 said:
I think 2 of the most overlooked and underappreciated multitools are the long discontinued Byrdrench & Spyderench :

BY15P_M.jpg

T01_M.jpg
Click to expand...

I can see why because they're extremely unorthodox and hokey, they definitely do something no others really do and I'm sure it come in handy as much as any multitool for a lot of people.
 
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Hickory n steel said:
I can see why because they're extremely unorthodox and hokey, they definitely do something no others really do and I'm sure it come in handy as much as any multitool for a lot of people.
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I have one of the Byrdrenches, and it's really a very functional tool, except it's a bit "fiddly" and complex. It actually breaks into 2 separate pieces so that the crescent wrench and the knife/screwdrivers can be used at the same time, haha. If memory serves, a couple of the reasons why these did not last very long on the market was it's complexity and the expensive tooling costs. But certainly a lot of thought went into the design.
 
aaah... the leatherman mini tool!
always felt there could have been
a bit more add-ons to slightly increase
its tool capabilities and overall utility.
generally, its cut down size of a full sized
plier is what's going for it.
so its a great choice if a plier is all you want.
sure makes a great addition for a hideaway though...
there's simply no denying that the mini tool is one awesome early leatherman innovation that sadly didn't quite catch on :)
 
GIRLYmann said:
aaah... the leatherman mini tool!
always felt there could have been
a bit more add-ons to slightly increase
its tool capabilities and overall utility.
generally, its cut down size of a full sized
plier is what's going for it.
so its a great choice if a plier is all you want.
sure makes a great addition for a hideaway though...
there's simply no denying that the mini tool is one awesome early leatherman innovation that sadly didn't quite catch on :)
Click to expand...
They command a butt load on eBay or I'd try one out, I pretty much know how it'll work out for me but hope to be surprised.

I don't think the minitool concept will ever come back out, but Leatherman definitely does need to come out with something a little bigger than the squirt with slightly sturdier pliers.
The market is lacking an American made option in this pliers size.
This is exactly what I want at 2.5 inches closed with sturdier pliers than a squirt, they're a dime a dozen under various brands but the quality is always low.

I had a couple I've received as promotional items and such, I gave both my brother for a tackle box tool he didn't have to worry about loosing.
 
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