What causes multitools to wear out?

[znapschatz]

Discussions about various tools often includes how well some of them hold up under "hardcore" or "brutal" use.

I have an 8 year old Supertool that is showing some wear, but at my rate it should last a good while longer. Stressing a multitool beyond its design capabilities can cause failure, we know, but what kind of routine use wears these things out?

 

[mrblond]

Coming from a long time user perspective. I used my Supertool for work, bought by work so it got beaten.

1. loose needle nose pivot. I believe this will happen to most brands. I use my needle nose for prying at times. Cant be good practice.

2. then comes twisted screw drivers.

3. and broken drivers etc.

4. I have dropped my old version supertool on hard surfaces all the time.

Anyway I still have my one year old swisstool in like new condition. Its so nice I will hate the day it gets dropped on the cement. I am more carful with it.

Bottom line: routine use they will last for ever. But the old version Supertool and the Swisstool have a higher level of sturdiness then most others. They seem to have thicker blades all around. The Swisstool has the best phillips by far and a better fit/finish.

 

[klattman]

Coming from a long time user perspective. I used my Supertool for work, bought by work so it got beaten.

1. loose needle nose pivot. I believe this will happen to most brands. I use my needle nose for prying at times. Cant be good practice.

2. then comes twisted screw drivers.

3. and broken drivers etc.

4. I have dropped my old version supertool on hard surfaces all the time.

Anyway I still have my one year old swisstool in like new condition. Its so nice I will hate the day it gets dropped on the cement. I am more carful with it.

Bottom line: routine use they will last for ever. But the old version Supertool and the Swisstool have a higher level of sturdiness then most others. They seem to have thicker blades all around. The Swisstool has the best phillips by far and a better fit/finish.

I agree with the above, and have a few more ideas.

5. HEAVY USE:Using them repeatedly beyond their capabilities (prying with screwdrivers or the pliers) results in loose pivots and warped tools.

6. NO USE: Many multitools sit in a bag etc, and can be exposed to elements like saltwater or acid, or worse yet, be put away without being cleaned and oiled from those environments. Corrosion can make them hard to open or use and, in effect, 'wear them out.'

Anything in-between #5-#6, and avoiding #1-4, and most all well-known tools will last for a very long time.

 

[Matches]

I have wrecked implements on several multi-tools at work (none off the job). I agree with what has been stated so far and would add that at work I have saved hundreds of trips down four flights of stairs by having a multi-tool. Considering my rate of pay, I could probably justify buying a new tool every month even though I've only "retired" two multi's in ten years.
The implements I broke were definetly a result of not having the right tool for the job and/or out and out abuse. There is something special though about a multi-tool that has seen alot of action

 

[numberthree]

I destroyed 2 multitools, a Gerber and an SOG PowerPlier. The Gerber was used to cut some drywall screws, which deformed the wire cutter so much that the pliers would no longer close properly. The SOG was just flattening some small copper tubing during the course of repairing a condenser microphone's shock mount, and one whole half of one of the plier jaws broke right off.

For the past couple of years, I've carried a Swisstool X, and that thing has been through hell. It has: been all over a 1968 John Deere tractor for myriad repairs, used as a hammer, pryed with, cut drywall, fiberglass, plastic sheeting, measured with, fixed my car, installed horse waterers, changed oxygen cylinders, sawed 2x4s, cut vents, you name it. The best part is, it still looks and feels new except for the screened on victorinox logo which has been scratched off. I've been using it hard but it's not even sweating yet....

 

[uitlander]

If you are using your wave to cut electrical cord make sure the wire your wife unplugged in the other room was the correct one. Vaporized half the wire cutting edge in a flash. :grumpy: I have convinced myself that the little arc cut in the wire cutter blades are great for wire stripping. Yahh right.
Maybe this shud be in a thread about shortening the lifespan of multitool users instead.
I have 4 multitools of Gerber/leatherman, used Wave at work for years and think the biggest loss of utility comes from either prying with the pliers or pivot wear from twisting along the axis, pushing needlenose tips apart. Never broken amazingly, but pretty sloppy at the pivot pin.
thinking about retiring abused and seared wave for the Swisstool that gets such good word of mouth here.
cheers