Which Multi-tool for All Around Use?

U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
1,437
Well, today while I was at work, I had some downtime so I was doing my rounds of the forum, then on to www.knifeart.com, and other knife sites. My boss (whose desk is right next to the one I was at) commented, "Knifeart!?!" So we got into this dicussion about knives as art, then into multitools. It dawned on me that a new multi-tool would be the perfect Christmas gift for him.
He mentioned liking the new Leatherman with the screwdriver bit attachment. I however, (being a crazy knife-nut) thought that perhaps the Spyderench would be better. First of all it's diffrent, (I can't see him going out and buying one of those himself), and second of all it has a lot of tools on it (including interchangable screwdriver bits). Personally I'm thinking of getting a Spyderench for myself, but if you guys think the leatherman is a better tool, then I'll probably get that for him.

Well, what multi-tool would you guys get?

Thanks,
Mitch

P.S. I carry a Gerber Multi-tool now, but he didn't seem too enthusiastic about it when I let him borrow it.

P.P.S He carried an old "original" Leatherman that he's had for a long time, it's not in bad shape, but it may be time for something new.
 
Your going to get a different answer from everyone here, but I have a Gerber and it can't be beat.
I just got one of the new 600 series. The standard setup, needle nosed stainless with the screwdriver attachment.Its great. I used it all last summer baling hay and straw so you know it got used. The wire cutters are still in great shape, no chipping or rounding of the teeth even though they cut a lot of baling wire. I've cut up to 12 guage romex with it too, only you have to cut it 1 conductor at a time.The pliars are really smooth to use and its great being able to flick them open one handed instead of folding them. They work more like regular pliars becuase of it also.The blades are pretty good for a multi tool. I use mine to strip wires and have a better knife for general use. The serrated sheepfoot blade is good for heavy cutting and is fairly easy to sharpen.The bit attachment it really strong as it uses 1/4"hex drives over the phillips bit with is good and solid.This allows you to use whatever type of bits you want in it.They all fit in the sheath in a seperate pocket so you can get the pliars out without the attachment falling out. The bolt action lock is very strong and I doubt it would ever fail unless you broke a blade or tool off. The file, drop point blade and sheepsfoot blade can be opened one handed and closed one handed with a litle practice too.I've also used ther old model that has slip lock blades and is a little smaller. I had it for 4 years and used it for everyhting from a crowbar to a hammer and what it was meant for.I drove 16penny nails back in with the handle several times, and pryed on things with it as hard as I could(maybe I'm just really weak!) Its in the drawer, works fine, I just had the need for a new one.Well you're probably sick of reading this so I'll quit here. I'm sure theres a lot to be said for the other tools also but you can't go wrong with the gerber. Go to byo.gerberblades.com and you can design your own.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Hey I feel REALLY dumb. I just looked back here and saw you already have a Gerber. Oh well.I geuss I've spent to much time at eh keyboard.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Don't feel dumb. I agree that the Gerber is a GREAT tool. (That's why I carry one) It's just that my boss didn't really like it all that much. No biggie.

Thanks for replying,
Mitch
 
Where I work the favorites are the Leatherman Super Tool and the Wave. The guys that carry the ST like it because all the blades lock. The ones that wanted the Waves like the one handed knife blade opening.
 
Most of my buddies at work carries a Leatherman, and that including me. Wave, ST & the micra. I prefer the Wave and Super Tool especially the external deployment of the knife on the Wave. Makes life easier using a knife in the muti-tool world.
smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Rommel (edited 07 December 1999).]
 
My personal favorite, and most often daily carry multi-tool, is the Victorinox SwissTool. If I were buying a multi-tool as a gift for someone else, however, I'd assume he/she would like the Wave better, due to the smaller size, one-hand accessible blades, and scissors. I, on the other hand, prefer the SwissTool's assortment of implements (awl vs. scissors, for example) and sturdiness of construction well enough that I don't mind a bit of extra weight. I also like the measuring scale and the fact that all implements lock, and unlock easily. One-hand accessibility of knife blades is a non-issue for me, since I always have one or more other knives I can get to faster anyway.

I also own a Leatherman Super Tool, which I carry sometimes but not as often as the SwissTool. With practice, you can open the Super Tool pliers one handed, balisong style. The method of unlocking the Super Tool implements is a pain, but at least everything locks.

I say, get him the Wave. I don't need one myself, but for a lot of people it seems to be just the thing.


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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.
 
I have a buck tool which I think is real nice, but I wish the metal was not so soft. Given the choice, I'd go with the wave myself. Too bad it was not out when I bought my Buck.


Mutt
 
Flame suit on: I think the Wave is kinda flimsy (but looks cool and is a more convenient size). SAK and Supertool are tough hombres. SAK is a work of industrial art.

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Hoodoo

When you arrive at the fork in the road, take it.
Yogi Berra
 
Ihad an original leatherman and loved it. But a friend broke the tip off the blade, and everyone kept imroving on it. So I tried a gerber. It was great if all you really used were the plier's/cutters. Iwent on to a S.O.G. paratool which I loved, and when I did finally crack the body on them using them as pliars S.O.G. repaired it free. I now have a Wave And think it to be the best so far.
But both Kershaw and leatherman are producing locking pliars now. Does any one have an opinion on them?
 
Got 'em and used 'em all (except Swisstool, which I'm haunting the wife to get me for X-mas). IMHO,The Wave is the best for all around versatility. Flimsy? I've had Supertool screwdriver bits snap on me at the worst moment. Just proved to me that these multi tools are great for on-the-spot repairs but nothing beats the real thing (i.e. Vise Grips, crescent wrench, first aid kit,etc.)
smile.gif


Al
 
I have an original Leatherman that I like well enough and recently bought three Gerber multi-tools that were on sale for $15 each. Even though I tend to prefer peformance and value over shiny, compared to the Leatherman the Gerber is pretty crude, and I'm surprised that people would lump them in the same category. Some of the tools are hard to open, they have a nice sand on metal feel as instead of being ground it appears that they were blanked and tumbled or shot blasted, and evidently in effort to get the tools to open the company soaked the tools in enough oil to get oil all over one's hands when using the thing. The blanking isn't what I would call fine, as the radius from the blanking wasn't ground off resulting in what could be considered as an already worn out tool. I don't mind having touch stuff up, especially if one ends up with a good tool for the money, but I'm glad I never paid full price for these things. I guess the newer models are better as a lot of people seem to like them.
 
Swiss Tool, very handy tool. The wave has knives that you can open one handed but I rely on the several other Knives that I have at my disposal for cutting related chores so I don't use the knife on the Swiss Tool very often, with the exception of the serrated blade is handy for cutting plastic ty-wraps.

G2

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If you can't be kind,
at least have the decency to be vague. Stephen Wright

www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

Gillett PA

 
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