whats the best

A

allknives

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Sep 27, 2010
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Well the thing is i dont own a multi tool. Ever one tells me that i need one and i want to know what is the best. So when i go to buy one it will not be a peice of junk.
 
Can't go wrong with Leatherman. I'd recommend the Wave for a mid size and the Skeletool for a more minimal lighter version.
 
I guess I would want to know what you plan to use it for.... I mean a IT Geek might not have the same uses for a MT as say a Diesel Mechanic would.... General purpose? Camping, Hiking, etc? A leatherman Blast is a good choice, or Wave or ST 300, or Surge, or Charge. Beater? Get a Cheapo Gerber. Heavy hitter? Check out SOG. Elegant? SwissTool is the way to...

I tend to recommend MT based on it's intended purpose...
 
The top 3 multitool makers (Leatherman, SOG, and Victorinox) have roughly the same excellent quality. The best tool is the one that fits your need and your system.

For general purpose the popular models are Leatherman Wave / Charge and Victorinox Swisstool Spirit.
 
How old are you? Where do you work? (Or at least what type of work do you do?) What style of dress do they wear there? Who is telling you that you need a multi-tool? Is there a reason you are being told to obtain a multi-tool?

I carry a Leatherman Supertool at work everyday. I carry it on my belt in a sheath. I mainly carry this model because I'm left-handed and some multi-tools like the Leatherman Wave are decidedly right-handed tools.

But I also have a Vic SAK Pioneer Harvester, Pioneer Pruner, Cadet, ...

I got my 14 yr old cousin a Gerber Suspension. He's happy as a clam with it but he's also only 14. I've heard others disparage them.

If you're opening boxes or something get a Pioneer Pruner and use the hawkbill blade. If you need a blade and just a screw driver and bottle opener get a Cadet. Need a saw? Move up to the Harvester or another model that has that. If you need pliers - I prefer Leatherman. Others prefer Gerber. Different style, different preferences.

You can google swiss army knive and it will take you to Victorinox's webiste. You can use the tool match feature to see what knives have the implements you would like to have.

Good hunting!
 
I have a swisstool and swisstool spirit as well as a leatherman supertool and micra, I'd say overall quality goes victorinox, but leatherman has more choices and variations, for overall edc i'd say swisstool spirit
 
michaelm466 said:
for overall edc i'd say swisstool spirit
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbup: The Spirit has just about every tool you might need on a day to day basis without having to worry about carrying extra bits around. It is an easily pocketable size too if you don't want to have it in a sheath and IMO it looks the nicest of all the multitools.
 
I really like SOG. I have both the powerlock and the powerassist. I'd recommend the powerlock for the fact that it has more tools. To be honest I never really fell in love with Leatherman like most do. All the tools including the main pliers felt clunky. The only Leatherman I found that I did really like was the Surge. It had lots of over-sized tools to get most jobs done and felt the smoothest of them all, but coming in at around 12.5 ounces it was a beast that I couldn't see myself carrying. It really does depend on what your doing so look around and pick up the one that will do what you need it to do.
 
Like all have said, you opened a can of worms... we all have opinions about quality and the likes - application and what you generally plan to do with the tool is key - a couple years ago a big box store was clearanceing Gerber Suspensions (under 8 bucks)- I keep it in my car and use it IF I THINK some might ask to "borrow" it! the up side is the tools deploy without opening the piler. - Another "Big Box" had leatherman's on sale - I now own a "Kick" (in my wife's car) and a "Fuse" which I carry on a belt (all for less that some are asking for the Kick)- Sometimes I use the Skeletool which was NOT on sale.. I love it but the tool choices are limited. And retired are: an old Leatherman PST and an old black Gerber Multiplier pre 600 series - I love the one handed deployment but after some 20 years I retired it too! IMO they all have a place - I've not used a Swisstool although I generally carry a Vic Sak... they should be awesome! A good thing to remember is you generally get what you pay for! Also in the mix is a "modified" Leatherman Micra - I filed the scissor blades into a pliers for very light duty - but it works great! - Good luck
Peace
Revvie
 
start with the cheapest, good quality one you can find, like a leatherman PST, or Gerber, SOG pocket-plier, whatever. then carry it for a while and figure out what tools you use, what you would like changed.
alternately look at the things you encounter in a day that a multi-tool might be good for, then decide if a dedicated tool would be worth carrying, ie. I carry a crescent wrench at work all the time, because it works better than pliers for what I do, and it is expected that I have one. Multi-tools are best for those odd tasks that happen, but not often, as no Multi is better than the tool it replaces. Then once you have a general idea of the tools you are looking for, look for the multi that has them, and features you want. (outside opening blades, needle or blunt pliers, etc)
then look at what size you think you'd reasonably carry, if you work in jeans and a heavy belt, then a large tool might be for you, but not if you wear a suit. (again depends on you)
If all you need is a few screwdrivers from time to time, maybe a SAK covers you, if you need very specific tools, maybe a SOG is good where you decide the load-out (as I and others have done) Remember your needs may change, and there is nothing wrong with having the "right" tool for the job so maybe you need a wilderness multi-tool and an Urban one.
Hope I'm making sense
 
I'll also suggest the Leatherman Wave, or if you don't mind the extra weight & size, the Leatherman Surge is a good one to have. I have a Surge, and today I used the (exchangeable) diamond file it has, along with some sandpaper, and smoothed off the sharp-edges it has when closed, and now it's perfect.
 
As long as you stick to the big brand names (Leatherman, SOG, Victorinox and some Gerber's) you'll be fine.

Decide what components you'll likely use and go from there. IMO (and I know not everyone agrees) don't be tempted to just buy the biggest tool out there, too big and heavy and there's a good chance you'll just not end up carrying the thing.

So if all you want is a pair of pliers and a couple of screwdrivers, then look at a LM Kick or a Gerber Octane (for example), think you might find a use for a pair of scissors? Step up and look at the LM Fuse, and so on.
 
Leatherman wave or Charge family , or if you want a real touch of class , a Vic. Spirit X . Cant go wrong with either , both are very resalable/tradeable .

Chris
 
Everyone gets hung up on questions like this, "What is the best?" because the truth is the best is only up to the individual. I have had many multi tools in the past and I currently have a SOG and I like it more than the others and for me that makes it the best. I hate the juice but to others its the best because it weighs so little. Get your hands on them and see what the feel like because pictures can be misleading to comfort and if the tool doesn't feel good in the hand you're not going to want to use it. :)
 
I've been using a Victorinox Spirit X and I'm very pleased by it's performance. But also think what you might be doing with it because if it's too bulky or too heavy you won't carry it. And the best one is the one you have on you.
 
It's all about what you need. lay them side to side and see what you value in your tool.
for me, scissors are valued on an MT, so that would be a big factor in my decision. etcetera etc.
 
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