This is what I want, but I don't know whats out there anymore!

S

SkaerE

Joined
Sep 9, 2001
Messages
428
i have an older gerber multitool (issued by the Army) thats about on its last legs.

I would like to replace it, but dont really know what the leaders of the pack in terms of quality are anymore.

I'd like

a straight blade,
a serrated one,
needle nose pliars (ones that dont come out of the handle like the gerbers' - the railways can get jammed up easy),
an awl,
phillips, and flat screwdrivers
saw
one handed opening of the blades would be GREAT!

thats about it, no need for scissors and other crap (although nice, I'd like to keep this streamlined)

thanks!
 
NoSilverman said:
I would look at the Leatherman Wave and the two Charge models. They have all the things you listed.
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None of these have an awl, and as it was in bold this appears to be an important function for SkaerE. The Leatherman Surge has all the required functions, but the screwdrivers are part of a changeable bit driver if that is not an issue for you. I don't own one so I cannot comment on how good a tool it is.

The Victorinox SwissTool has all the requested tools, but is not one handed opening for the blades (no scissors as well on the original model). However, the pliers are somewhat snub nosed, so this may no be suitable for you. I do own one of these and it has never let me down.

As many of us have found here there is no ideal tool that has all the functions that we would like and it is a matter of compromise - or on the other hand we can justify buying multiple tools ;-)
 
SkaerE said:
how about the SOG tools? any good?

http://www.shopsog.com/SOG-PowerPlier-S65.htm

this one has about everything i think i want (sans serrated blade, but it does have a 2/3 combo blade) not sure if its a one handed opener or not though, cant tell.
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SOGs are awesome. I have a couple of the EOD PowerLocks. I love the the compound leverage gears and how smooth they open. Yes, you can open them with one hand. You'll probably be tempted to do so many, many times. And best of all, Made in the Good Ol' USA!
 
Well, another thing about SOG's is you can get replacement components and fix the thing yourself without voiding your warranty or having to send it in. This component replacement ability allows you to customize it a bit too by swapping out ones you don't need/want for ones you do. Exactly which combinations will and won't work, I don't know but at least there is some flexibility.
 
The Surge got an awl and it is a wonderfull tool if u don't mind the size.
It took some time for me to get used to the size... but I'm hooked now.
An extra feature of the Surge is that it can hold standard t-shank blades.
LE-830158.jpg
 
heathah said:
SOGs are awesome. I have a couple of the EOD PowerLocks. I love the the compound leverage gears and how smooth they open. Yes, you can open them with one hand. You'll probably be tempted to do so many, many times. And best of all, Made in the Good Ol' USA!
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The blades can't be opened with one hand with SOGs!
Please explain how u manage to do that :)
 
romeomajk said:
The blades can't be opened with one hand with SOGs!
Please explain how u manage to do that :)
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Actually SOGs are designed to be opened one handed. Check out their website and it describes how they are designed just for that. Pretty much, you hold one handle and swing it around, some what like a butterfly knife, and the other handle opens right up. Takes a little practice and a little time to loosen the tool, but it works great. Thats how I open mine all the time.
 
On the SOG I think romeomajk is talking about opening the blade one handed and jtb49er2000 is talking about opening the tool one handed. Though the tool can be opened and the pliers accessed one handed, I do not believe the knife blade is accessible one handed.
 
jtb49er2000 said:
romeomajk said:
The blades can't be opened with one hand with SOGs!
Please explain how u manage to do that :)
Click to expand...

Actually SOGs are designed to be opened one handed. Check out their website and it describes how they are designed just for that. Pretty much, you hold one handle and swing it around, some what like a butterfly knife, and the other handle opens right up. Takes a little practice and a little time to loosen the tool, but it works great. Thats how I open mine all the time.
Click to expand...

Agreed! :D
 
yam said:
On the SOG I think romeomajk is talking about opening the blade one handed and jtb49er2000 is talking about opening the tool one handed. Though the tool can be opened and the pliers accessed one handed, I do not believe the knife blade is accessible one handed.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I see what you mean. I have found that you can remove the stainless cover that swings over the implements within the tool. This allows easier access to the other tools but is also rough on the hands when using the pliers.
 
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