victorinox or leatherman ?

T

tactical.practical

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Oct 14, 2014
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ive recently been looking for a multi tool for my edc and im deciding between the Victorinox evogrip 18 or the leatherman sidekick. i saw a couple reviews of the sidekick and heard that the blade has some play (some do some dont) and that kinda through me off i also never have a use for pliers because i always carry a proper tool kit in the car however the evo grip is light weight and and has all the tools i need and none i dont. which one is better ?
 
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I've had both on construction jobs and much prefer the Victorinox. It's much stronger than the Leatherman. Then again, that was more than a decade ago, so I don't know if Leatherman has improved since then.

Sprayman
 
I've only handled a Leatherman Wave, but I've had a Wave for going on 6+ years now. I'd consider it one of the toughest and most useful knives I have; not because the blade on them are so much stronger than other knives, but because the other tools allow greater strength than other blades. For instance, there are other tools on the Wave that I'm much more confident prying with than I would be with any of my knives. Honestly, I don't understand the urge to pry with blades (not accusing anyone here of that). But because the multitools are there, any super tough jobs can be deferred to better tools for the job. The blade and lock have held up more than enough. Given the completely steel make up of the Wave, I tend to view it stronger than Victorinox's in general, but not so much that it matters. I've never felt like my Victorinox's would fail me. But between the two blades on the Wave, the tools for prying, screwdrivers and the super useful pliers (used them for all kinds of random things), the Wave is a winner in my book. I'd go with the Victorinox if I was more interested in how comfortable it would be to carry it in the pocket.
 
I would not say one is "better" than the other as it depends on your particular needs. You mentioned it will be for your EDC right? Do you plan on carrying which ever one you buy every day. If so I would say the Victorinox would be better suited to be carried in a pocket. The Sidekick does have a pocket clip if you wanted to carry it that way, but the Sidekick is a little heavy for pocket carry in my opinion. You mentioned the Victorinox has all the tools you want and none you do not need. Seems you answered your own question already. ;)
 
I had a Leatherman Sidekick, before upgrading to the Rebar. But I didn't notice anything at all wrong with the Sidekick for while I had it, before giving it to my sister. There was no blade play or wiggle that I noticed. And even if there is, the hex screws are right on top so you can adjust them.
 
Sprayman said:
I've had both on construction jobs and much prefer the Victorinox. It's much stronger than the Leatherman. Then again, that was more than a decade ago, so I don't know if Leatherman has improved since then.

Sprayman
Click to expand...

In what ways were your Vics much stronger? Maybe I don't beat on them hard as some do, but in using both I never noticed that one was stronger than the other. Both seemed pretty tough to me and I never broke anything on either. Please share.
 
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I love my Leatherman but I find I don't need a plier based multitool in my day to day very often. I find the Victorinox easier to tote around in a pocket.

My favorite Victorinox models are the Pioneer, Farmer (adds a saw), and Tinker.
 
SAKs are a pocket knife with a few tools added.

Leatherman MTs are folding pliers with a few tools added.

IMO, SAKs are for pocket carry so long as you stick to 3 layers or less. Above that, they become brick like.
IMO, Leatherman with pliers are for belt or pack carry, not pocket carry. The possible exception is the Squirt which is hard to take seriously or the Skeletool. Even the Juice are too big for pocket carry.

The central question to me seems to be, do you want a pocket knife[1] or a belt carry set of pliers. No right or wrong. Both are legitimate.

[1] - Another pocket friendly option if one doesn't need pliers is to carry a pocket knife of choice along with a "key chain" tool like the Leatherman Micra.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Pinnah you scared me for a minute. I'm accustomed to seeing that picture of your Opinel and Micra together. Now you change it up with a Buck knife replacing the Opinel?
 
Charlie,

I'm glad somebody noticed!!

Yeh, 9 days out of 10 I carry the Opinel #9 Inox. Here's the updated picture.
Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr


But you know... one gets bored. The Buck 500 as some... I dunno... some swagger that the Opinel does not. And honestly both the Buck and Opinel make me happier than any SAK. Entirely emotional response.

With the Micra in my LFP, I'm to change my EDC knife as the mood or need suits. When wearing dress slacks (not often, but it happens), I can downsize to this cute Schrade 5OT.

image by Pinnah, on Flickr


Today, I'm carrying a new to me Buck 112 (2 dot) very similar to this one. I had forgotten just how lovely the lines of the 112 are. Really one of the nicest knives to hold in your hands.
Buck 112 by Pinnah, on Flickr

All of this to say that there are several ways to achieve the EDC functionality the OP is looking for.
 
I carry a leatherman wave on my belt everyday. The pliers and wire cutters are sooo handy, I'm surprised most of the people here downplay them. I must interact with wire more than most people. The pliers are also useful handling nuts and bolts, not as good as the proper wrench but fine for small low torque applications. I find hundreds of other uses for the pliers. For example, if there is a tick crawling on me, the pliers are the easiest way of killing it (not extracting, just killing).
 
For me it is as simple as this.

If you need pliers get a leatherman

If you can live without pliers get a SAK

I prefer SAK's because imo the are of better construction and more refined. Pliers on a SAK are not ideal though for many jobs.
 
I have a Wenger Evo 18, which is the forerunner of the Vic Delemont series Evo-grip 18. My impression? Too thick, too "bricky". For me the thickest that works is the Vic Tinker (either size) or the Wenger Highlander. The smaller Tinker and the Highlander are both 84/85 mm long and fit comfortably in the pocket. The Evo 18 doesn't. Also, I find the placement of the tool in the Evo 18 doesn't work for me.

But these are my impressions, and I have no interest in a Leatherman or anybody else's multi-tool. They are just not for me — but I know others like them and use them in preference to any SAK, new or old. So it goes.

The original question probably has no definitive answer, a priori! You may just have to get one or both and decide.

This thread, although all about knives, may be helpful:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Handle-quot-feel-quot-vs-quot-asthetics-quot
 
RBB,

Are you talking about EDC pocket carry?

For me, there are 2 issues closely related. Do I need or want pliers on my person for EDC? The answer is no. Second, am I willing to belt carry anything, including a cell phone, Buck 110 or Leatherman? Again, for me, the answer is no.

I use a clip on sheath for my Leatherman tools. I clip one on when doing chores. I carry one in my day pack set up like that. It was on my belt all day Saturday this past weekend, once last week when helping my neighbor with their heating system ... You get the idea. Only when needed.

In this sense, 95% of the Leatherman vs SAK debate is nonsense. At their best, SAKs are pocket knives and they stop being good when they move into bricks that require a sheath. At that point, get a real multitool.

Leathermen are sheath carry tools. Leatherman hasn't really cracked the code on pocket carry and really, do you need small pliers daily? Perhaps someday Leatherman will make a SAK killer small plier based tool, but until then, small SAKS are better pocket knives. Well...

I think the Micra + single blade knife is a better SAK than any SAK.
 
s
pinnah said:
RBB,

Are you talking about EDC pocket carry?

For me, there are 2 issues closely related. Do I need or want pliers on my person for EDC? The answer is no. Second, am I willing to belt carry anything, including a cell phone, Buck 110 or Leatherman? Again, for me, the answer is no.

I use a clip on sheath for my Leatherman tools. I clip one on when doing chores. I carry one in my day pack set up like that. It was on my belt all day Saturday this past weekend, once last week when helping my neighbor with their heating system ... You get the idea. Only when needed.

In this sense, 95% of the Leatherman vs SAK debate is nonsense. At their best, SAKs are pocket knives and they stop being good when they move into bricks that require a sheath. At that point, get a real multitool.

Leathermen are sheath carry tools. Leatherman hasn't really cracked the code on pocket carry and really, do you need small pliers daily? Perhaps someday Leatherman will make a SAK killer small plier based tool, but until then, small SAKS are better pocket knives. Well...

I think the Micra + single blade knife is a better SAK than any SAK.
Click to expand...

I agree that almost every Leatherman I've seen is really of a size that sheath and belt carry are the way to go. As I've mentioned before here, I have one of the pocket-size ones — a Squirt — but don't carry it due to its feel and operation, which I find unpleasant. But if I liked it, it would definitely be a pocket carry. In the end, however, I'm a knife guy, not a multi-tool guy. But that's me.

However, if someone finds his or her daily life calls for regular use of tools, then probably you have "real tools" nearby all the time. And a Leatherman somewhere on you, pocket or belt, for on-the-spot fixes.

My life doesn't have much call for tools. And for the occasional situations where real tools are needed, I make sure I have them handy when needed. For nearly all other tool and blade uses, I have one or more SAKs either on board or nearby.

As I say, a knife-carrying guy, not a tool-carrying guy — and everybody's mileage varies.

I think the whole Swiss Army Knife idea started well and produced some excellent pocket knives. The ultra-specialization began when the company realized that the public associated them with tool-laden pocket knives, and like a good producer, they expanded the line and enhanced the brand. Whether this was a wise move in the Big Picture of Pocket Knife Utility is questionable for all the reasons people have noted. But it sure was a good move, brand-wise.

I do notice that apart from the little SAKs (Classics, Ramblers, etc.), nearly all the mid-range consists of a pretty standard blade and tool set, not far from the traditional camper pattern, augmented with an extra or two to skew it to some particular market-segment.

Me? I stay close to the basic four-blade patterns: Vic Pioneer and Cadet, Wenger Standard Issue and Highlander. These are most usable for me. Others climb higher on the slopes of specialization, and if that makes them happy — great. But I've found what works for me.
 
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RBB,

I agree with everything you've written.

I too think the SAKs and campers in general are the best when they stick to a 2 spring with or close to that.

Personally I would like to see more tool variation in that smaller more pocketable size but for me, it's a moot point as I find knives that short to be frustrating anyhow. I consider my Opinel/Micra combination to be a SAK/Camper alternative for guys with big hands. If I had smaller hands and if there were a thin Alox SAK with scissors and a selection of screw drivers....
 
AreBeeBee said:
s

I agree that almost every Leatherman I've seen is really of a size that sheath and belt carry are the way to go. As I've mentioned before here, I have one of the pocket-size ones — a Squirt — but don't carry it due to its feel and operation, which I find unpleasant. But if I liked it, it would definitely be a pocket carry. In the end, however, I'm a knife guy, not a multi-tool guy. But that's me.

However, if someone finds his or her daily life calls for regular use of tools, then probably you have "real tools" nearby all the time. And a Leatherman somewhere on you, pocket or belt, for on-the-spot fixes.

My life doesn't have much call for tools. And for the occasional situations where real tools are needed, I make sure I have them handy when needed. For nearly all other tool and blade uses, I have one or more SAKs either on board or nearby.

As I say, a knife-carrying guy, not a tool-carrying guy — and everybody's mileage varies.

I think the whole Swiss Army Knife idea started well and produced some excellent pocket knives. The ultra-specialization began when the company realized that the public associated them with tool-laden pocket knives, and like a good producer, they expanded the line and enhanced the brand. Whether this was a wise move in the Big Picture of Pocket Knife Utility is questionable for all the reasons people have noted. But it sure was a good move, brand-wise.

I do notice that apart from the little SAKs (Classics, Ramblers, etc.), nearly all the mid-range consists of a pretty standard blade and tool set, not far from the traditional camper pattern, augmented with an extra or two to skew it to some particular market-segment.

Me? I stay close to the basic four-blade patterns: Vic Pioneer and Cadet, Wenger Standard Issue and Highlander. These are most usable for me. Others climb higher on the slopes of specialization, and if that makes them happy — great. But I've found what works for me.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with all said here!:thumbup::thumb up:

I am a pocket knife guy. When I reach into my pocket, 7 or 8 out of 10 times it's for a knife to cut something. A package, mail, whatever. A small percent of the time I need a screw driver. A basic scout knife pattern seems to be the best SAK/pocket knife for me aside from the dedicated pocket knife I like. I don't need tools all that often, and if I do, there's a real tool kit in the car trunk, another behind the seat of my pickup, and a another in the glovebox on my Vespa. The BMW motorcycle came with a rollup tool kit under it's seat, and you could rebuild the whole engine with that one.

It's surprising what I've fixed in the middle of nowhere with just a screw driver to get into the thing and fiddle a bit with it.
 
"....It's surprising what I've fixed in the middle of nowhere with just a screw driver to get into the thing and fiddle a bit with it."

Jackknife — here's a Real-Life SAK Tool Use, Ripped Straight from Real Life...

I'm currently at a big (20,000+) scientific conference in a big city, where I end up carrying arround all day a rather hefty messenger bag, filled with laptop, charger, various bits of this and that, folding umbrella, and a half-full coffee thermos go-mug. I mean that bag weighs, like, a ton. Plus I'm wearing or carrying a lightweight mountain parka because outdoors in this place is somewhat rainy and somewhat chilly and you have to be prepared.

And sometimes in the day, you gotta go visit the little scientists' room. I go in, shut the stall door, and go to hang up the messenger bag and jacket — and the !@#! hook on the door is loose. Way too loose to hang the bag and jacket on. (And, no, the floor is not usable.)

BUT — great news! — the screws holding the hook on are Phillips-head.

Out comes the little Vic Classic I mailed to myself at the hotel ahead of time and picked up on arrival. (Am I smart or what?) It's an SD Classic, of course, and so the wide end of the fingernail file fits the half-slot perfectly. I tighten the two screws, hang the bag and jacket safely above the floor, and all is well.

D'you think Vic will be interested in my Victorinox Story (http://www.swissarmy.com/stories/thegift). No, I don't think so either. But the little guy really did come through as advertised.

(Yeah, yeah, I know. Any multi-tool would have done the same, maybe even better. But I like having a knife aboard.)
 
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