What's the best multi tool?

S

skcusloa

Joined
May 9, 2005
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209
Under 100 bucks. Just looking for pliers and other basic tools. Would be nice to have a decent type of steel used in the knife blade too.
 
The best price on full size pliars with the basic screw drivers is the LM Kick.
If you want good blade steel, the LM Charge is a lot bigger and heavier, with many more tools, but can be had for around $100. Are there specific tools you want/need?

Will
 
I was looking at the charge. I'm getting it as a gift. My father has a 25 year old craftsman lockback that he needs to retire before he loses it. He's beat the crap out of it. He asked for a leatherman type tool. He almost always buys junk tools and I wanted to get him something high quality.

I'm just afraid I'll buy him the charge, he won't like it for some reason, and he'll just strap the craftsman back on.

I'd get him a spyderco, but considering how he abuses things, like prying on nails with the edge of his knife, I think a multi tool would work better for him, so he will have the right tool for the job. He wants it to be in a pouch because he hates having things in his pocket.

The surge attracted me because it had nice blade steel.
 
skcusloa said:
The surge attracted me because it had nice blade steel.
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:confused: Are you confusing Surge for Charge? AFAIK, the Charge is the only one in the multitool lineup with a premium steel blade, while the Surge has whatever blade steel Leathermen usually come with. Those are quite serviceable, but the only advantage of the Surge is the blades are slightly larger than on other models.
 
My first choice, and the one I EDC, is the Victorinox Spirit. I like the ergonomics, selection of tools, versatility, and toughness. The Spirit Plus Kit includes a small ratchet for 1/4" hex bits and a 10-bit holder that adds even more versatility to the basic package.

My previous carry, and second choice, is the SOG PowerLock. It has the best pliers of any multi-tool I have used, although its other features are in the "good but not great" category.

--Bob Q
 
Considering the swiss invented the multi tool (SAK's) I think their modern one would be very good. They're cheaper too. It doesn't look like it has a full sized knife blade in it.

What's with the springs?
 
skcusloa said:
Considering the swiss invented the multi tool (SAK's) I think their modern one would be very good. They're cheaper too. It doesn't look like it has a full sized knife blade in it.

What's with the springs?
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I was wondering that myself. Has anybody formed an opinion about how reliable they are?
 
new leatherman wave.

it's got everything except a corkscrew, comes with a vertical/horizontal sheath and you can get a pocket clip for only a few bucks. and all the tools locks and it folds so you get more torque on the screwdrivers. :D
 
Another vote for the Surge. I like the Charge because it is more pocketable than the Surge, and the blade steel is a plus if you need that sort of thing. However, the Surge is just a hard use brute of a tool. If it had a corkscrew I could leave my SAK at home (not that I would:)). Depending on how prepared your dad likes to be, the Surge offers a lot of features once it's paired with the leatherman bit kit. Kinda big and clunky, but that's what it's designed to be.
Best of luck to you.
Jake
 
VICTORINOX SWISSTOOL SPIRIT IS THE BEST TOOL!!!! :D :thumbup:
In fact I will trade all my Leatherman's for Swisstool Spirit.
 
For me I choose Victorinox over any other every time. I like Leatherman, but I don't think they are as well made and are more expensive than comparable Victorinox tools. I once looked a the Wave (original) in a shop and it seemed like a rough old thing to me. Put me off getting one of those.

From your original specs (decent type of steel used in the knife blade) then the Leatherman Charge fits the bill best. The SwissTool Spirit does not have a pointed knife blade, but a serrated blade with a a rounded off edge. This is not a problem for me as I always carry a small SAK and it's nice to have different blade type options, but this may not be suitable for what you want.

Then there is of course the original SwissTool - as solid a multitool that you can find.
 
znapschatz said:
Has anybody formed an opinion about how reliable they are?
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Are you asking about the new scissor design that uses the backspring? If so, the Spirit hasn't been out long enough to really prove things one way or the other, although I have yet to hear of a failure.

It is probably a good sign that Wenger has used a similar design for years now and has not had any problems with it.

--Bob Q
 
i will stick to victorinox swisstool and spirit plus with ratchet. dissapointed with the original wave, flimsy and wobble.
 
nitric said:
i will stick to victorinox swisstool and spirit plus with ratchet. dissapointed with the original wave, flimsy and wobble.
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Not sure where that comes from...

Flimsy? Hardly. As far as I can see from the design (yes, I have both), the Wave's folded steel handles look to be about as sturdy as the SwissTool Spirit's thicker, but single-thickness, handles. I bought an original Wave the first month it was out, and it was my sole EDC for most of the time since; I've beat the crap out of it, and it's held up just fine.

Wobble? Yeah, the handles don't "snap" tightly closed like the SwissTools, but I don't really care. I can flip open the Wave and deploy the pliers with one hand easily. SwissTools don't flip; one-hand deployment is difficult to do with the Spirit, and impossible with my SwissTool X. That Victorinox "snap" sure gives an impression of quality, but it doesn't add any utility to the tool.
 
The display model Spirit I played with in the store had WAY more wobble than my 5 year old Wave. So much wobble it felt like a piece of junk of really. It seems my experiece is somewhat unique though.

Will
 
Gryffin said:
Not sure where that comes from...

Flimsy? Hardly. As far as I can see from the design (yes, I have both), the Wave's folded steel handles look to be about as sturdy as the SwissTool Spirit's thicker, but single-thickness, handles. I bought an original Wave the first month it was out, and it was my sole EDC for most of the time since; I've beat the crap out of it, and it's held up just fine.

Wobble? Yeah, the handles don't "snap" tightly closed like the SwissTools, but I don't really care. I can flip open the Wave and deploy the pliers with one hand easily. SwissTools don't flip; one-hand deployment is difficult to do with the Spirit, and impossible with my SwissTool X. That Victorinox "snap" sure gives an impression of quality, but it doesn't add any utility to the tool.
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That is what I have been saying all along. I carried the Swiss tool (I have two of them), old Wave, and now the Charge everyday (and Surge in the woods) and I have come to the conclusion that the Swiss Tool isn't as amazing or perfect as everyone says. Sure, it is made to look and feel like an extremely high quality tool, because of tight springs and a high polish, to attract the eye of the buyer. The finish is real nice on it, but I don't think it is anywhere near as usefull and overbuilt as my old wave, charge, and surge. It's not real bad, as there are much worse out there, and I wouldn't feel undergunned carrying one. However, I feel because of its finish and pedigree people hold it in higher regard than it really should be.
 
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