Went shopping for a Multi tool today.....

Dave Costin

Dave Costin

Joined
Oct 14, 2000
Messages
466
.....but I couldn't decide on one that I really liked. The closest was the Wave but I don't like the scissors. I would rather have tweezers or a compass or even a magnifying glass. Would also like to see the saw just a tad bit thicker. I did really like the sheath though.

I liked the 200 but just a bit big. Looked at several others too but nothing grabbed me. Oh well, guess I'll wait and see what's next. Maybe Leatherman will re-vamp the Wave soon or come out with more of a "Woodsman" edition.
 
I was reading Wired magazine on a plane flight today and saw a new Gerber multi tool that looked pretty cool. It has replaceable carbide inserts on the wire cutter part of the pliers and nas one blade that is actually a holder for any style standard jugsaw blade. The picture showed it with a carbide hacksaw sort of metal cutting blade installed. That would seem to give a lot more versatility than my WAVE has. Only drawback is I think the price mentioned was about $130.00.

Now I have to find one and see it in real life.

jmx
 
As soon as you talk about a magnifying glass or a compass, you're probably talking about a SAK - either a Victorinox or a Wenger. Like sgtmike88 said, a Swisschamp has all the nifty features, but the pliers won't be comparable to a Leatherman-type tool. How about a full featured SAK and a Leatherman MiniTool for the pliers?

Dan
 
The tool I was referring to is a Gerber Milti Plier 800, here is a link:

http://www.gerberblades.com/gerberlegendaryblades.html?8239

It looks cool to me. BTW, who mentioned a magnifying glass???

jmx

PS: The way the Gerber site describes the replaceable carbide inserts for the wire cutter and the ability to rotate a fresh edge into place leads me to believe that like the saw part of the knife, they are using some sort of pre existing insert technology like what has been used in the machine tool industry for many years.
 
I believe Sgtmike 88 was referring to Dave Costin's post when he mentioned the Swisschamp.

I've seen and handled the 800 before and I find it a little too bulky. I like the spring loaded pliers though. Puts less stress on the hands. Also I found the tools a little harder to get to as compared to the Wave.

I would suggest the Swisstool or my favourite the SOG Titanium nitride powerlock...(no tweezers, compass or magnifying glass on these though). I don't think there is any multi tool out there has any combination of these.
 
Thanks all!

Yes, you are right in that what I'm describing is kind of like the Swiss champ but I have read many many posts before even shopping and have concluded that the Swiss tools screw drivers and pliers would not be as useful and durable (in my opinion). I've read that the pliers are not as strong and the screw drivers will not "bite" as well.

Dan, I am hoping that someone will make one with just what I need so I won't have to carry two.;)

I have tried the Gerber and find it just too big. This is why I like the Wave, because of it's compactness. I just wish they would do away with the el-cheapo scissors and put something more practical in it's place.

With the way these things are constantly changing I am hoping the right one will be out soon.
 
Hi Dave, Here's a thought for you to consider.....

Buy a Leatherman Pulse AND a SAK of your choice.

Now don't laugh. This is a very useful combo that allows
you to dial in exactly that you want/need in tool carry while
offering that "extra" tool when the other is busy. Example....
You're holdng a small nut what do you turn the screw with now?

I prefer a Leatherman "original" supertool ( the 200 is Ok just not
me) and stockman. There are time when I carry /use the pulse or
supertool with one of my SAK's to keep the carry load reasonable.

Give it a thought ,mate. it really is a workable idea.
 
I'm a loyal fan of the original Super Tool..I use it for hammering, as a yawara..you name it. Oh yes, for its meant purpose ;)
Although I've heard Wave fits the hand better, much more comfortable etc., I think it's only suitable for daily carry in urban areas.
But who knows..

Cheers,
 
I carry my Micra routinely, and a Supertool when I might need a real multitool :)

1SKS has good prices on Gerber multitools and some of the others might be more user-friendly for casual carry than the 800.

I like the idea that the 800 accesses the tools when the handles are closed and puts the smooth side of the handles out when the pliers are in use.
 
Originally posted by Dave Costin
that the Swiss tools screw drivers and pliers would not be as useful and durable (in my opinion). I've read that the pliers are not as strong and the screw drivers will not "bite" as well.

Dan, I am hoping that someone will make one with just what I need so I won't have to carry two.;)
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,
I sold a lot of swiss tools and leathermans in the last years. I got some complaint back - only leathermans !!
The most who buy leathermans in my store needs the finer tips of the pliers or want only leatherman at all.
I self use the swiss tool and in my opinion are all parts better than the parts of other tools.

I think there will come no tool (in the quality of victorinox, leatherman, gerber) with tweezers, compass and magnifying glass in future. But there is a small ruler with compass, magnifying glass and thermometer from the victorinox survival set. You could take it separately to the tool of your choice.
 
Pizzini.at, mate I will have to roundly disagree with you about the
Swisstool being better. I bought one when the first came out only to
be bitterly disappointed that Victornox would produce such a usless
tool. None of my other SAK can be faluted for anything. Not so the
Swisstool. The pliers are never right for anything being either to stubby
or won't open wide enough , the blades all are way to polished to be of any
use at all. Then there is the overall polish that make the darn thing VERY
slick with wet or oily hands. What a b!tch.

The original supertool has none of the faults noted on the Swisstool. NONE.
Sure it's not all shiney and bright it's made to work with. And work it does.......
 
Hi Tightwad,
I´m sorry that you are so disappointed with your swiss tool.
I had a supertool before the swisstool came out.
The pliers open the same wide (the pliers of the swisstools changed a little since the first came out) and wet or oily the supertool is as slik as the swisstool. To open and close on of the blades of the supertool is allways circumstantial and brings you in danger of cutting. To use the pliers aches because of the sharp edge of the handle.
I use the swisstool often and i have no problem that the blades are polished.

But that´s life - It would be boring if we had all the same tool ;)
 
My favorite is still the Gerber Sport plier. It has everything that you really need in a size that can fit into your pocket without being overly bulky. The pliers are very sturdy and I find they do not stick like some of the leatherman tools when trying to open and close the jaws with one hand.

I find the Juice to be utterly useless as the pliers are not at all comfortable in the hand. I think they're going for the color crowd here. I will give Leatherman their due however, in that they are the most innovative as far as the variety of designs. The Pulse was neat but too stiff.

I thought the Swiss Supertool was just too large. Same thing with the Gerber Legend.

As far as mini tools go, I like the Scrade Tough Chip and the little Sog, I forget the name.
 
Originally posted by BOK
my favourite the SOG Titanium nitride powerlock...(no tweezers, compass or magnifying glass on these though). I don't think there is any multi tool out there has any combination of these.
Click to expand...
No handgun either...Sorry...Next time, we'll try to think about everything! ;)
 
IMHO, the Pulse is a good buy. It's reasonably priced, all the tools lock open and they have rounded out the edges on the handles to allow comfortable use. And it's just about the size of the original PST.
 
Thanks everyone. What I was trying to say in reference to the Wave was I would rather see something of more use put in place of the scissors, i.e. magnifying glass, tweezers, OR compass...not all three.

I really don't want to have to buy two tools I would rather just wait for the one I really want if I can find it or if someone would make it.;)

There is bound to be something new out soon. So far though, and no offense to anyone but my favorite is the Leatherman brand. Just something about them kind of grab me.:) I like the 200 but wish they had a down-sized version. Or like I said a Wave with something in place of the scissors and a little thicker saw.

I'm in no hurry at the moment however next month or next week or even later this afternoon things may change. You guys now how it feels when that bug bites and you just "haftahaveit" right now don't you?:D

Thanks for all of your suggestions. (A gun huh? hmmmmm......) ;)
 
I like the Wave's scissors, not as nice as the Micra, but way better than SAK scissors, and way way way better than either the Gerber and Schrade tough chip (both of which I found to be near useless).
With a good mutli plier such as Leatherman line or the Swisstool, the pliers are precise enough to be used as tweezers.
BTW, both the Micra and the SOG scissor tool have tweezers, presumably because they don't have pliers.
 
I seem to get my full share of splinters, and have tried the Micra tweezers on them a few times. No luck. I end up using the Micra knife blade to dig slightly under the splinter, then tweeze it out with the tip of the blade and a thumbnail.
 
Originally posted by sgtmike88
What you've described is a Victorinox SwissChamp.
Click to expand...

Have a look at the Champion XLT...lots of fun.

Dan
 
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