Victorinox swisstool or Leatherman Supertool?

T

TonyC

Joined
Jul 23, 2003
Messages
89
Hi guys, and girls of course.

I've just read the recent article which was posted on Multitools.

I've been thinking about buying a new one for some time as I used to have one of the original Leatherman's, a great tool, strong and reliable, unfortunately I managed to lose it after many years of excellent service.

My wife went out and very kindly bought me a Leatherman wave. Unfortunately it just wasn't man enough for the jobs I need it to do. The most disconcerting thing about it is the way the handles flex away from each other when the mearest force is applied to them when working with the tool. I actually returned the Wave to with a note explaining the problem I was having. The Wave was returned to me with no note and the problem still evident. I have continued using it and it has continued to get looser and looser.

Anyway, after reading the answers to the Multitool post on this forum I have narrowed my choice of replacement down to these two, the Victorinox swisstool and the Leatherman supertool.

I have to say that I haven't got as much faith in the Leatherman company as I used to but as you guys seem to hold the supertool in high esteem I'm willing to give them another go.

Which one would you knowledgeable people go for. I have to explain that where I live there are no shops which would keep either of these items in stock, so trying and looking at them both to compare them is immpossible.

The tool will be carried daily, and probably used daily as well. I basically need to know, which one of these two is the strongest. Also which one is the easiest to use, especially if you have very cold hands.

Thanks,

Tony.
 
Originally posted by TonyC

The tool will be carried daily, and probably used daily as well. I basically need to know, which one of these two is the strongest. Also which one is the easiest to use, especially if you have very cold hands.

Thanks,

Tony.
Click to expand...

It is tough to determine which of these tools is stronger, as they are both very solidly built. Far better than the Wave for genuine work. Either will be suitable for fairly heavy use.

In my opinion the Victorinox easily beats the Leatherman in terms of "easy to use". All the implements are on the outside for easy access, the lock release is much more conveniently placed, and the stronger spring detents in the handles allow for easier use in an extended position. Overall it's just a better though out design.

I have also found Victorinox implements (saws and awls and such) to be generally superior the those on Leatherman products. This is not surprising, as Victorinox has more experience making folding tools than anybody else in the market (except perhaps Wenger).

The Swisstool is also available in a couple of alternate configurations, including one with excellent scissors.

Either one would serve you well, but I'd be inclined to go for the Victorinox.
 
I don't think you could go wrong even you picked one at random. I had a lot of good use from my Supertool. Absolutely a bulldozer, especially the pliers. But I've handled the Victorinox and it sure seems as tough as anything on the market to me. It is also a bit more user friendly, as fishbulb said, with the tools more accessible. The lock mechanism is easier to use, too.
 
Also, don't overlook the SOG PowerLock, as it's one tough tool, that is very comfortable to use (due to the "wings", and the compound leverage). Also, its' tools are user-changeable.
 
I've tried them all, for the most part, and carry the SAK. I've yet to break/bend anything on it in two years.

That and the fact that SAK will replace it forever if it does muck up over the years withtheir lifetime warranty.

Others warranties run out over the course of a year or two.

If you don't lose the tool, you can get it replace in 10 years for free.

Brownie
 
Actually, the Leatherman warranty is much more than a year or two. It's 25 years.
 
I'm assuming we're talking about the Supertool 200, so...

Since I have both and really like both I would say it's a tough choice. I think both represent the unltimate refinement in a multitool made to this date.

So here are some thoughts...

Leatherman
* Has the ability to use their very cool add on tool kit. Get one if you can.
* I think the new locking mechanism on the LM is stronger than the SAK.
* More needly - needle nose pliars.
* Better Phillips screwdriver.

SAK
* Highly refined polish and finish.
* Tools open with pliars closed.
* Chopped pliars give more beef near the tip and are closer to pliars than needle nose, I like'em.
* No tool bunching, grab a tool, get a tool.
* Tools open and close smoothly.
* The chisel rocks, you will use it for more than you ever thought you would.
* Even though Leatherman rolled their handles the SAK is still more comfortable in a hard grip.


I think this represents the high point of each model, have fun choosing :)

(Or just buy both...)
 
Sorry to hear you had problems with the Wave:( I think it's a terrific tool, even though I don't use it at work. Since I don't always use the correct tool for the job at work, I beat on a Craftsman Pro multi-tool (now available from Schrade).Between the SuperTool and SwissTool, I'd have to go with the SwissTool because it looks and feels totally indestructible.;)
 
The LM tools can be tough to access without strong fingernails.
The screwdrivers on the Vic are polished and some object to this.
The wire-cutters on the LM cut better:they are deeper and have a hard wire notch.
The Vic handles are more comfortable during hard use of the pliers.
The LM handles will loosen up with use; bad because it limits it's ability to be used with the handles at different angles, good because the pliers can be slung open one handed like a butterfly knife.

Anything you do to break one of these would probably also break the other one.

I currently carry the Vic but I would be as happy with the LM :cool:
 
Tony,

I had the EXACT same experience with a Leatherman Wave. I returned it to them and actually went through 3 of them before they said that basically that's "just the way they are..."

LM was VERY nice about the whole thing, but I was very dissapointed in the Wave.

I haven't had much experience with the SuperTool, but I have had a good deal of experience with the SwissTool and I can wholeheartedly reccomend it.

I don't think that you can really go 'wrong' with either, but you will probably find that you like one more than the other.

-John
 
Tony,

My first multi-tool was a Leatherman Super Tool. It now rides in my tool kit. My SwissTool rides on my belt and gets used. I actually have two of them. The original SwissTool is used on weekends for any and every kind of job. My daily to work carry is a SwissTool X with the scissors.

Everything I didn't like about the Leatherman was corrected with the SwissTool. The handles are much more comfortable to use. The tools are available without opening the pliers and they don't 'clump'. Contrary to what others say, I have found the wire cutters to be stronger.

One of the most understated tools is the 'crate opener'. I have found it to be very useful as a short pry bar and a large, slotted screwdriver. I also like the scraper/wire stripper tool.

Overall I believe the SwissTool is as rugged, relilable and as near perfect as a multi-tool can be.
 
I prefer the SwissTool myself, but they are both outstanding tools. And I have to agree that the chisel came in handy a lot more than I ever expected. :)

I wanted to mention that you definitely want to look at the different SwissTool models before you settle on one. The original version, the "SwissTool", does not include scissors. I think the best general-purpose version is the SwissTool X.

--Bob Q
 
I have both an original Supertool and SwissTool. I've never tried the ST200 so can't comment but the main difference is rounded handles and new lock system (as in the Pulse).

The SwissTool is a more refined and user friendly tool and I think overall it's advantages outweigh the Supertool's but that's just my opinion.

While the original Supertool is a workhorse, it's slightly more primitive - the tools are harder to open, they clump together and the locking mechanism, while strong, is a little primitive compared to the SwissTool's. Don't get me wrong however, both of these will take a lot of punishment so it's really down to personal preference. Maybe a single aspect of either tool will swing the balance for you i.e. you must have true needle nose pliers or you hate polished finishes, you must have scissors or you need 'unrounded' screwdrivers..I could go on.

It's a tough choice but if worst came to worst I'd choose the SwissTool. That's why I tend to leave the Supertool in the car and carry the SwissTool on my belt.

Both of these (and the ST200 for sure) are very strong tools so they equal in that respect. If ease of use is your priority then I would go for the SwissTool.

You may want to check out the Powerlock too. That has a received many praises in this multitool category.

Let us know what you choose in the end and if you're happy :)
 
Thank you all, for your informative advice.

I have to say, that after reading your posts it looks like I'm going to go with the Swiss-tool, most probably the Swiss-tool X as having scissors on the tool has real appeal after getting used to having some on my Leatherman Wave.

Comfortable handles are one of my priorities, so again the Swiss-tool comes up trumps and secondly, one of my biggest dislikes of the original Leathman I had, was the fact that you had to open the pliers to access sll yhr other tools.

Regarding the negative's of the Swiss-tool, I rarely use the screwdriver's on my multitools so the polished finish shouldn't cause me too much of a problem if however, I find that it does I guess I could always get them either bead blasted, or have a coating of some sorts put onto the tips.

Thank you ever so much for helping me make a decision. I'll let you know my impressions of the tool once I've put it to work.

Cheers,

Tony
 
Originally posted by TonyC
Regarding the negative's of the Swiss-tool, I rarely use the screwdriver's on my multitools so the polished finish shouldn't cause me too much of a problem if however, I find that it does I guess I could always get them either bead blasted, or have a coating of some sorts put onto the tips.
Click to expand...

If nothing else you could always just scuff the tips up with some wet/dry sandpaper.

That seemd to work out nicely on mine.
 
The only gripes I had with my Swisstool was the
soft (non-hardended) screwdrivers (plus the rounded
polished tips) and the not right for anything
pliers:mad: .

But then again isn't "work" the reason we buy a
Multi-TOOL?? :confused:

The Leatherman Supertool exhibits NONE of these
design flaws so you decide which is "better".;)
 
Too bad for me that I didn't read here about the Wave earlier. Having been a longtime Leatherman SideClip fan, I finally bought a Wave this past weekend. The selling point was that it was a 20th year Special Edition model (w/black anodization) although the decision was also heavily weighted by the good things I've been hearing about the regular Wave. (Anybody know how many "20th year" Waves were made?).

Although I was aware of the "looseness" of the Wave in the closed position at the dealer, I was quite surprised when I took it home and compared it to my SideClip. The Wave, imo, felt flimsy compared to the SideClip. Further, the SideClip is easier to carry (slimmer) while having most of the tools I need and none of the tools that I don't need. This is "just me" but that's my honest opinion.

I had planned to carry the Wave (which includes two large blades) for those times when I did not want to carry both a knife and the SideClip multi-tool (which includes one tiny blade). However, I project that the Special Edition Wave might spend more time as a collection piece while the SideClip continues as the multi-tool companion to my EDC cutting/slicing tool the majority of the time. I'll continue to give the Wave a fair shot and try carrying it for awhile--perhaps time and actual use may change my opinion.

Getting back to the topic of this thread, I would recommend that TonyC personally handle both tools before deciding which one to purchase--it's really a personal "touchy/feely" thing.
 
I have several friends who SWEAR by their LM Waves. There are tons of people who love them. They can't be all wrong, but I just wasn't very impressed.

-John
 
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