Which Multitool to get.

O

Ouch2001

Joined
Jan 7, 2001
Messages
21
Hello all,

Its been a while since I've posted/visited here. Been busy with work and shooting.
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I'm interested in getting a new multitool but have come to realize that not even the toolmakers have all available products to see, i.e. a new friend who has retired from the military has access to the military store, which has the Leatherman Supertool, BO finish complete with the cap crimper, yet Leahterman's site doesn't even show the BO finish tool let alone the ones with the nifty little feature.

So my question(s) are 1)of the tools out there, which one is the most popular/usefull and 2) is there a site which has a WIDE selection of multitools for me to look around.

Thanks.

 
Most of the camping/hiking equipment online sites have a pretty good selection of tools. Also, Doug Ritters website: http://www.equipped.com has pretty complete reviews of most of the decent brands out there.

In my personal opinion I like the Leatherman Wave. It features a one handed liner lock knife that can of course be accessed without opening the tool. I also think that the hex tool attachment is better than Gerber's I've seen these onsale at REI for about $55 and you can get them new on Ebay for around $50 or less. My only real complaint is that the lanyard hole is way too small. (They say its designed for you to attach a small keychain type ring to it but simply making that lanyard tab larger would be much better.)


Gerber's Legend 800 also has the one handed knife feature but generally I have found it to be much more expensive and to me the advantage of Gerber has been the one handed pliers which of course you loose to gain the rapid knife access. (though its price is comming down so if you can get a bargain its worth a look.)

One advantage to Gerber of course is the one handed deployment of the pliers on their 600 and most other Gerber models.

I really liked my old Gerber because it had a really sturdy awl/punch on it however none of the Gerber's come with this tool anymore and those old ones don't have locking blades. Frankly the knife was so annoying to get at though I don't think I ever used it since I carry an additional knife anyway.

One other thing....on Gerber's website they do have an option that lets you pick the color of the frame and the tools your 600 will include.

Of course there are many other good brands but these are the two I've had experience with and I've been very happy with both of them. I would think carefully about what you plan to use your tool for, decide what tools are "must haves" and choose accordingly from any of the more reputable makers.
 
I love my Leatherman Wave! I originally bought it because I got a great deal, and I almost never carry it on my belt, but it's amazing how many times per week I pick it up for a quick task or a "honeydew" chore. Most tasks are accomplished before I could go to the back of the house where my "real" tools live.

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AKTI Member #A000934
"Always just one knife short of perfection!"
 
About five or six years ago I decided I needed a multitool. I had some money, so I bought a SOG, a gerber, and a Leatherman PST. I didn't like the side opening pliers on the SOG. A little to likely to close if you weren't careful. The Gerber was buffed to be all rounded edges. Had to take a file to all the screwdriver bit to get them to bite enough to work and not just cam out of the screw. These two may make better products now, but I never bought another from either one. I did later buy two super tools and two micras from Leatherman and am quite happy with all of them. Have recently got a Wave and that now goes everywhere with me and the super tools stay one in the office and one in the car for use by people I won't let touch the Wave.
 
Well Leatherman it is.
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I was leaning toward the Leatherman anyway as I really like them. I hate my Bucktool, especially with the "half" philips screwdriver.

I looked at the SOG's, but could see right away that the "angled" feature was not a plus.

Once again, thanks all.

EDIT:
BTW, I would get the Wave, but I always carry my BM735 or Spyderco Howard Veile.

[This message has been edited by Ouch2001 (edited 06-01-2001).]
 
I second the Wave. I have a Gerber too, which I value for one hand opening of the pliers. But the Wave is my favourite overall. It's smaller than the Gerber and feels better in my hand. Plus it has a saw which my Gerber lacks.

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Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
Whitehead, Alfred North (1861 - 1947)
 
I sold my Wave in favour of a Pulse, but it is still one of the best tools out there. The scissors on the Wave are much better than those on the Pulse.

I can't wait for the Supertool 200 (Supertool with the Pulse type unlocking mechanism) Not sure if I will carry that one everyday or carry the Pulse daily and keep that one for hard usage (weekends, hiking, etc.)



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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
I have and have owned most of them at one time. When I purchased the Victorinox SwissTool I stopped carrying all the rest or sold them off.

It's a little heavier than the Wave or small leathermans but each tool is spring loaded, fit and finish is perfect and it's very comfortable. BTW, all tools are accessible without opening the pliars.

I cannot reccomend this one enough, most of my friends got rid of their Leathermans and bought these when they saw how nice mine was.

Worst part about it is that the case is pretty cheesy, not heavy duty at all. I use a custom clip case from my Kimber 1911 and it fits perfect. I'm also planning on making a Kydex sheath for it soon.
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The first multi-tool I ever saw was the Supertool. I still carry it in my jacket pocket every day. The Supertool is so sturdy that I think you could throw it out the window of the car going 40 and it might get scratched. After carrying it, all the other multi-tools seem puny or flimsy. The only thing it lacks is a scissor.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
-----------------------
"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
The Gerber 400 sport fits comfortably in my pocket unlike other larger multitools. You can't beat the one hand plier deployment and the plier jaws don't stick together like my leatherman.

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Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com
 
I bought a Leatherman the year they first became available and I have carried several models since. All of them were solid, reliable tools.

My current preferences, based on features, run to the Victorinox SwissTool X and the Gerber Legend. I prefer my tools on the outside for both ease of access and better grips on the plier handles.

The Legend has come out as my overall favorite. I like the spring-loaded pliers, the carbide cutters, the interchangeable saw blades, and even the really excellent scissors.
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I keep my SwissTool X as a backup, but I just got one of Mike Sastre's custom concealex sheathes for the Legend. It's going to stay on my belt.

--Bob Q

[This message has been edited by bquinlan (edited 06-04-2001).]
 
Been carrying a Gerber for 3 years now.Hard to change.Works just great.

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have a"knife"day
 
My wife uses the small leatherman, my father in law the micra, i carried the older gerber until i finally decided to get the gerber 400.nice tool.my buck tool stays home where i uses it for any honey dooos that come up.

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guy g,bcci lifetime member #1502
 
Hi.

I have several multitools but my favorites, most useful and most carried are the Leatherman Micra and the Leatherman PST II.

I carry my Micra everyday, everywhere. It is without a doubt one of the most useful things I have ever owned.

For camping, hunting, fishing, etc, I also carry one of three Coast multitools. I have a standard Coast tool which is basically a pary of wire cutting pliers with a utility style pocketknife with backspring blades mounted on one of the handles. I have a similar one with needlenore pliers, and a recent acquisition of a Coast Fishing tool which is essentialy similar to the others but has a longer needlenose pliers. These are very good for camping, hunting, fishing, etc. What I really like is the fact that the blades have backsprings!

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ouch2001:
Hello all,

Its been a while since I've posted/visited here. Been busy with work and shooting.
smile.gif
.

I'm interested in getting a new multitool but have come to realize that not even the toolmakers have all available products to see, i.e. a new friend who has retired from the military has access to the military store, which has the Leatherman Supertool, BO finish complete with the cap crimper, yet Leahterman's site doesn't even show the BO finish tool let alone the ones with the nifty little feature.

So my question(s) are 1)of the tools out there, which one is the most popular/usefull and 2) is there a site which has a WIDE selection of multitools for me to look around.

Thanks.

</font>
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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.
 
I owned an Original Leatherman and carried it almost every day for the last 8 years. Along the way I handled other multi-tools, and even owned a couple of others, but I stayed with the tried and true Leatherman. It took its lickings and came back for more. I finally upgraded to the Wave, and it is simply incredible. Buy a LM Wave, you won't regret it. If you shop around you should be able to find one someplace for about $50. Or if you hang around BFC enough, you might be lucky enough to find a NIB original for $15.00 and a Wave for $30.00 (needless to say, I just about broke my keyboard in my haste to post a response to that thread....)
 
I am with 'cpirtle' on this one.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I have and have owned most of them at one time.</font>
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I did not have them all, but I had played with all of them, many times trying to decide on one.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">It's a little heavier than the Wave or small leathermans but each tool is spring loaded, fit and finish is perfect and it's very comfortable. BTW, all tools are accessible without opening the pliers.</font>
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And you get no bunching... That is where you go for one tool, and get a couple.

And each tool locks.

And you do not have to pull a second tool out to get the first tool unlocked.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I cannot reccomend this one enough,</font>
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You can say that again.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Worst part about it is that the case is pretty cheesy, not heavy duty at all.</font>
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I use a Benchmade sheath, I got it on a tip from a Forumite.

And when considering multi-tools, don't forget the originals..... The Swiss Army Knives.

I just got a Victorinox Locksmith, and I love it.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

My website, guided links, talonite/cobalt alloy info, etc....
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff

&gt;&gt;---&gt;Bill Siegle Custom Knives&lt;---&lt;&lt;
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

"To wait for luck is the same as waiting for death." -Japanese Proverb

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao Tzu

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.

40K Space Marine Army, For Sale or Trade for Knives or Gear http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/002045.html
 
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