Which small multitool (EDC) would you recommend, and why?

C

CyberPilgrim

Joined
Dec 30, 2005
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I am also looking at getting a small multi-tool I can carry everyday. I prefer it have a clip I can use to hook it to my pocket, yet have various tools and a blade.

What do you recommend, and why?
 
Evey time such a post appears, I have to rave about the Victorinox Spirit. It is my favorite of the several multitools I've owned, and I carry it daily. It is well built, has a practical array of tools, all of which can be accessed without unfolding the tool, and is compact enough to be carried in a pocket (no clip though). The main knife blade takes some getting used to, but is perfectly functional. I prefer this tool to any of the Leathermans I've owned (not that they're bad), and to the full-size Swisstool which is bulky for daily carrying.
 
I'm in agreement with Foilist on the Vic. Spirit, but if you want a really small toos to carry in the pocket, check out SOGs Crossgrip. It's only about 2 inches when closed, has the leverage gear mechanism and will do some decent work...not really heavy work, but it's still very useful.
:)
 
Personally I wouldn't consider the Spirit a small multi-tool... I've seen the weight stated incorrectly numerous places (apparently because it was listed incorrectly in the official catalog). It is not less than 6 ounces. When I think of small, I think keychain-sized or at the biggest a Leatherman Juice. Perhaps if you clarify the size you're looking for, we can help you better. However I am not aware of any multi-tools that I would consider small that have a pocket clip... the Leatherman Kick has an optional clip but I wouldn't consider it to be small. It is one of the lightest (if not the lightest) full-size multi-tools available, though, at 5.2 oz., so it might be worth your consideration.

If you're willing to have someone customize (or do it yourself) it's likely a clip can be added to a multi-tool of choice.
 
My favorite so far for all around choice is the Leatherman Charge XTI.

It's small, has a lot of functions, 154cm blade, and serrated blade (both of which can open via thumb whole w/ liner lock. Even with the Tool adapter kit, it fits in my microtech sheath.

The only thing I wish it had (that so far only SOG has done to my expectations through their power plier series) is have a mega strong plier head capable to cuting barbed wire, withot ruining the plier heads.

I can;t seem to find one with all of the funtionality I desire, and still have kick tail plier heads. - Just picky I guess.

Good luck,

sp

Never had a Vic, so may have to check one of those out :D .
 
I find my L'man Micra handles nearly all the chores I come across in real day-to-day life.
 
plowboy said:
I'm in agreement with Foilist on the Vic. Spirit, but if you want a really small toos to carry in the pocket, check out SOGs Crossgrip. It's only about 2 inches when closed, has the leverage gear mechanism and will do some decent work...not really heavy work, but it's still very useful.
:)
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The crossgrip looks interesting. Does it have a clip for EDC?
 
CyberPilgrim said:
The crossgrip looks interesting. Does it have a clip for EDC?
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No. It comes in a little plastic type sleeve. It is a small tool for sure. I just drop it in my pocket and never notice it until it's needed. It's probably too small for a clip. You can buy one for around $20.

I think there is something called a swisskey(??) too. Look over at NewGrahams under misc. and you may find a few items. They used to have a couple of small tools.

Good luck.
:)
 
CyberPilgrim said:
By small, I mean no more than 4 oz.
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Leatherman Juice models weigh in at close to that; 4.3 oz for the C2, and the S2 is 4.4 oz. They are lighter and more compact than full size multitools, but are more versatile than watchpocket size ones like the Squirt.
 
Personally I wouldn't consider the Spirit a small multi-tool... I've seen the weight stated incorrectly numerous places (apparently because it was listed incorrectly in the official catalog). It is not less than 6 ounces.
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can someone please post the correct closed length and weight of the Swisstool spirit. I too am comparing this to the juice line.
 
Its heavy. Very heavy. Heavier than my original gerber mult plier. Maybe heavier than a 2AA mini mag. Closed itsalmost 4.25" x 1.25" x 5/8" at the widest points. With the pliers exposed, the length jumps to a little over 6 inches.

That said, the craftsmenship is absolutely outstanding. every inch is mirror polished, the tools lock up great with a system resembling the axis lock (well in priciple anyhow), tools are very stout. I especially like the blade, its razor sharp, partially serrated with a plain edge right near the base; and its shaped like an old school straight razor. I really have to stress how well biult this tool it, and IMHO its well worth the weight it your planning on using it hard at all. Heck, even the pliers snap right in place so you don't have any binding problems like in the leathermans (that I've used anyways).
 
platbuck said:
can someone please post the correct closed length and weight of the Swisstool spirit. I too am comparing this to the juice line.
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Go to the Victorinox web site for exact specs, but the Spirit and Juice are entirely different categories of multitool. The Spirit is capable of almost anything a full size tool can do, while the Juice is for light duty only. I have wrecked a Juice CS4 (sent to and fixed by Leatherman at no charge) on work that would have been no challenge at all for a Spirit. But it weighs more and carries best on a belt , while a Juice, up to the CS4 model, is easily pocketable, even with pliers more useful than those found on anything else that size. However, crank down too hard and they will swoon.

Oddly, the one superior feature on the Juice is scissors, larger and opens wider than those on the Spirit, which has IMHO the worst scissors of any Vic offering (and I am usually a big fan of Vic scissors). I would prefer the S model, which adds a spear point plain edge blade and loses that sucky scissors. For that function, a watchpocket Micra does me fine.

If you are contemplating a multitool for serious purposes, the Spirit is less of a compromise. As a SAK alternative that adds useable pliers to the mix, Juice is a contender. It depends on your individual needs. I finesse the matter by owning both.
 
The original Leatherman PST weighs 5.2 ounces. The Victorinox Spirit weighs 7.4 ounces.

Both are built better and stronger than my Leatherman CS4 Juice which weighs 5.5 ounces.

I just weighed them all on a digital scale.
 
The LM PST is a nice tool. Those Juicer jobs with the alumn. handles are cheesy. You can easily carry the PST in just about any pocket comfortably. The original PST was right on from the get go. LM should bring it back.
 
The Leatherman Sideclip is discontinued but you can get the info under "Retired Tools" on their website. It's a little thinner than the PST, so it probably comes in right around 4 ounces. You can find them quite often on auction sites. It has a great clip, too, if that's a big factor for you.
 
JNewell said:
The Leatherman Sideclip is discontinued but you can get the info under "Retired Tools" on their website. It's a little thinner than the PST, so it probably comes in right around 4 ounces. You can find them quite often on auction sites. It has a great clip, too, if that's a big factor for you.
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Leatherman sez 5 oz, but slightly thinner because they leave out the awl and file (gnarl:mad: ). If anyone can do without these, fine, but include me out.

KTMGUY said:
The LM PST is a nice tool. Those Juicer jobs with the alumn. handles are cheesy. You can easily carry the PST in just about any pocket comfortably. The original PST was right on from the get go. LM should bring it back.
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Only recently, I have reverted to a PST, my first multitool. Ten years ago, I thought it was nice enough, but not sufficiently heavy duty, and I would have preferred locking implements. When the Super Tool was introduced not long after, both issues had been resolved, so it was my EDC for several years. The PST became a loaner or for sometime carry, like when traveling to where locking blades are illegal.

For no other reason than a Target blowout clearance price, I picked up a Juice in January '06. It seemed like a good alternative to a similarly set up SAK because of its real, if small, pliers, which Vic didn't offer in that size pocketknife. In practice, though, it turned out to be a disappointment, just not up to some jobs. Trying to cut hard wire sprung the tool, which had to be sent back to Leatherman (and was fixed at no charge). As a comparison, I retrieved my old PST and cut the same wire, but easily.

That caused me to rethink the PST. Actually, I found, It was both handy and capable, stronger than I had remembered, and was easily pocketable. It had most, if not all the implements I would have liked, but at half the weight of my regular EDC, a fair trade-off from time to time.

Another thought: it tickles me that so often when I am dealing with some multitool-related issue, coincidentally a thread on that very topic will appear on this forum. So to all, thanks, but how did you know?
 
I think it depends on what you're going to do with it. I carry a Juice S2 and have found it perfect for light to medium tasks. But, it is not as capable as any of the full size tools mentioned. If you're looking for a PST style tool I would also suggest the Sideclip. I did see one in a local hardware store a while back. I don't know if they still have it but you might be able to find one if you look in out of the way stores or just try the BST Forum or ebay. I have one and it is a good choice but I don't need locking blades on a tool for EDC.
 
Also recommend the Sideclip... My Sunday church tool. Rugged enough and light enough. For Daily duty I use the New Wave with clip.

Sideclips are getting hard to find. And slow to open the knife but will get the job done. For the weight it's the best Leatherman I've had and I have a few along with Gerber, Victorinox, etc. So if you find one Grab it as I'm looking for another for myself.
 
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