Which Leatherman?

afishhunter

afishhunter

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Oct 21, 2014
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Thinking of getting a multi-tool. I will not buy ANYTHING branded "Gerber". ("burn me once, shame on you ... burn me twice, shame on me")
Anyway, it is my understanding that Leatherman makes the best quality and most durable multi-tool on the market.
I am torn between the Surge, Wave, and Super Tool 300. Of these three, which would you recommend?
It will be used on the job, I am an over the road truck driver.

I realize these may be "over-kill" for my profession, but I do not want to have a need for a tool and not have it.

Also, can the serrated blade be replaced with a second non-serrated blade? I do not like serrated blades, and in 60 years, I have never had a use for one - other than on a bread knife.

Thanks in advance.
 
Charge TTI... I had some issues with mine, but I believe I got a old one. Been using it a lot and loving it. SV30 blade is amazing.
 
I have the Wave(2 of them, original and newer) and the Wingman. Started out with the Wave, but changed over to the Wingman for the spring-loaded pliers. The original Wave had the best scissors; they were the folding kind with the long blades. They are pictured in the 1998 Timeline on the Leatherman UK site. It really depends on the tools you believe you will need. The newer Wave models have replaceable screwdriver bits. If you were going to use the screwdrivers a lot, it may be better to look at the models where the bits can be replaced. If you are buying it mainly for the pliers, the Wave has more rounded handles that don't bite into your hand as much.
 
I'm just going to take a wild stab and figure that there are a lot of times that you are in places far from normal civilization. I would say that the supertool would be your best option, really tough wire cutters, a saw and decent file. I don't guess that you do many road-side repairs, and if you do you'd have the tools for the job, but not everything goes to plan all the time. The supertool fits that line between mechanical and wilderness in my opinion.
 
Sharp Steel said:
I have the Wave(2 of them, original and newer) and the Wingman. Started out with the Wave, but changed over to the Wingman for the spring-loaded pliers. The original Wave had the best scissors; they were the folding kind with the long blades. They are pictured in the 1998 Timeline on the Leatherman UK site. It really depends on the tools you believe you will need. The newer Wave models have replaceable screwdriver bits. If you were going to use the screwdrivers a lot, it may be better to look at the models where the bits can be replaced. If you are buying it mainly for the pliers, the Wave has more rounded handles that don't bite into your hand as much.
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I also have an original Wave. It is a great knife that will serve you well. Go with a leatherman wave.
 
afishhunter said:
Thinking of getting a multi-tool. I will not buy ANYTHING branded "Gerber". ("burn me once, shame on you ... burn me twice, shame on me")
Anyway, it is my understanding that Leatherman makes the best quality and most durable multi-tool on the market.
I am torn between the Surge, Wave, and Super Tool 300. Of these three, which would you recommend?
It will be used on the job, I am an over the road truck driver.

I realize these may be "over-kill" for my profession, but I do not want to have a need for a tool and not have it.

Also, can the serrated blade be replaced with a second non-serrated blade? I do not like serrated blades, and in 60 years, I have never had a use for one - other than on a bread knife.

Thanks in advance.
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I would say you are wrong. The Victorinox Swiss Tool and Swiss Tool Spirit are hands down MUCH better quality and are easily as durable as a Leatherman.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
I would say you are wrong. The Victorinox Swiss Tool and Swiss Tool Spirit are hands down MUCH better quality and are easily as durable as a Leatherman.
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Listen to the Capt..... The Vic tools are vastly superior in quality. I will also add you do yourself a disservice not considering the U.S. Made versions of the Gerber such as the MP600. They are rugged and durable. Every bit as durable as any Leatherman offering and can be had at a better price point.
 
BASguy said:
Listen to the Capt..... The Vic tools are vastly superior in quality. I will also add you do yourself a disservice not considering the U.S. Made versions of the Gerber such as the MP600. They are rugged and durable. Every bit as durable as any Leatherman offering and can be had at a better price point.
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Nice to see a familiar face over here. :thumbup:
 
If you want or need one hand opening blade you need to focus on Leatherman Surge/Charge/Wave or the SOG PowerAssist.

The SOG PowerLock has more tools at the expense of one hand open blade as does the Leatherman Super Tool 300.

I put SOG right up there in the same class with Victorinox in terms of build quality, fit and finish ands SOG is made in America so you should at least consider them.
 
BASguy said:
Listen to the Capt..... The Vic tools are vastly superior in quality. I will also add you do yourself a disservice not considering the U.S. Made versions of the Gerber such as the MP600. They are rugged and durable. Every bit as durable as any Leatherman offering and can be had at a better price point.
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I bought a new, USA made Gerber knife shaped object, back in the late '80's. my first and LAST Gerber purchase. Slicing warm butter dulls the blade. That is not an exaggeration.

I'll check out the SAK tools.
 
afishhunter said:
I bought a new, USA made Gerber knife shaped object, back in the late '80's. my first and LAST Gerber purchase. Slicing warm butter dulls the blade. That is not an exaggeration.

I'll check out the SAK tools.
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Well, I'd just say that it's a probably not a great indicator of current quality if your comparing it to an experience from 20 years ago. Keep in mind, back then Leatherman was turning out quality product and that it not the case currently. Not trying to make an issue, and if you don't like Gerber that is a personal decision. Just trying to point out a few things you might want to consider.
 
BASguy said:
Well, I'd just say that it's a probably not a great indicator of current quality if your comparing it to an experience from 20 years ago. Keep in mind, back then Leatherman was turning out quality product and that it not the case currently. Not trying to make an issue, and if you don't like Gerber that is a personal decision. Just trying to point out a few things you might want to consider.
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Could you describe the major differences in quality between Leatherman then and now? Some changes are obvious cost cutters, like bead blasted instead of polished implements, but overall, of the then and now samples I have (1997 Super Tool, 2000 PST, 2007 Charge TTi, 2011 Super Tool 300, + a few more) they all seem to be about equally well made. What am I missing?
 
znapschatz said:
Could you describe the major differences in quality between Leatherman then and now? Some changes are obvious cost cutters, like bead blasted instead of polished implements, but overall, of the then and now samples I have (1997 Super Tool, 2000 PST, 2007 Charge TTi, 2011 Super Tool 300, + a few more) they all seem to be about equally well made. What am I missing?
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I don't think you're going to find too many Internet forums/reviews these days that don't have a significant amount of customer input on the declining quality of Leatherman. It's just not a secret, so it's really not a debate unless you think there is some mass delusion going on.
I myself have purchased/used no less than 20 different Leatherman's in the last 5 years. I have lost a few at customer sites, but tend to frequently give them away to apprentices in the trade. With that said, consistency is the problem at Leatherman these days, not necessarily fit and finish. You can order a Rebar and it's a nail breaker trying to get at tools, the next one can be so loose they fall out. Implements on some are scratched and marred from deployment that a new tool can look like it's been used for years. Do they work? Sure. Is it annoying? Absolutely. Does it represent a decline in quality? You bet. Are they a value for the money? The consumer will decide that, but I've seen no evidence that sales are off. Not really my thing, so I wouldn't know. I do know, that they are not putting out product with the same QC they did 10-15 years ago. That's just a fact.
It's an iconic American company and I'd love to see them pumping out great product again and not become the next Craftsman.
 
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I have the wave and love it. I purchased the leatherman bit set and extender and I end up using my leatherman for all sorts of jobs. Especially lots of tightening of screws.
 
I own a Leatherman Supertool 300 and it is a fantastic Multi-tool I highly recommend it.
 
I think the wave is the perfect combination of price, capability and size/weight. I like the bigger scissors and replaceable file on the surge but it is a lot heavier than the wave. I just wish leatherman made their pliers at a higher rockwell. the supertool 300 doesnt have a jewelers screwdriver and the 2d bit driver so it wouldnt fit my needs as well. the Charge models are basicly waves with handle scales and a knife blade made of better blade steel.
 
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Guess I'll try and get my hands on the contenders. Might be safer than buying blind online. At the prices I've seen online, this is going to be a major purchase for me.
 
afishhunter said:
Guess I'll try and get my hands on the contenders. Might be safer than buying blind online. At the prices I've seen online, this is going to be a major purchase for me.
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REI well have all Leatherman tools available to handle though not necessarily the best prices. Dicks or Cabelas as well.
 
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