Which two Leatherman MT's to keep from list and why?

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sir_mike

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Hi all,

I went alittle MT crazy over that last week or two and purchased quite a few Leatherman MT's and want to narrow what I keep down to just two so I am asking for some advice based on your actual use of the ones I have listed. If you could choose only two, which two would you pick and why? These are all new and once I get two picked out based on the recommendations, I will sell the rest.

I know it is based on what I am gonna use them for so let me start by saying I dont have a job as an electrician, builder, engineer, etc. I work out of my house fixing computers and generally dont need anything but a screwdriver. However, I am going to start carrying a MT daily as in the short time with them I have used them in a couple of situations around my house and yard when I had one on me. Anyway, here is the list.

SuperTool 300
Rebar
Surge
Wave
Charge AL
Sidekick
Kick

Wow, I guess I dont have that many! :) It doesnt matter to me if I carry it on my belt or use a clip and put it in my front pocket. I also have the Bit Extender (Surge, Wave, Charge AL.) and Removeable Bit Driver (works on Kick, Rebar and SuperTool 300.)

Thanks in advance for the help to narrow down this insanity! :D
 
Wow, you went a little MT crazy :p

I would probably keep the SuperTool 300 and the Wave. Both are pretty proven designs.
 
hayes31 said:
Wow, you went a little MT crazy :p

I would probably keep the SuperTool 300 and the Wave. Both are pretty proven designs.
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And that doesnt count the couple of Victorinox MT's I also purchased! :)

I am kinda leaning towards the Rebar/ST300 for the replaceable cutters (just incase and to have alittle more versatility) and the Charge AL cause the Charge has a 154cm and is basically the Wave.

The Wave I have is alittle tight and very hard to open the blade up one handed so it is frustrating me to the point to kick it out the door! Really!
 
sir_mike said:
And that doesnt count the couple of Victorinox MT's I also purchased! :)

I am kinda leaning towards the Rebar/ST300 for the replaceable cutters (just incase and to have alittle more versatility) and the Charge AL cause the Charge has a 154cm and is basically the Wave.

The Wave I have is alittle tight and very hard to open the blade up one handed so it is frustrating me to the point to kick it out the door! Really!
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Charge AL, Super Tool 300, and consider keeping the Rebar as well.

The Charge is an great all around full sized multi-tool easy to carry on the belt or in pocket with a removable pocket clip. It's only drawback is no awl. Still, an AL could be all you would really need for out and about, but there are some projects that just require bigger tools.

When you need to apply big crunch force, there is no substitute for mass. Although the Surge can supply that, I think it a bit fiddly for the kind of rough use something that size is meant to tackle. Interchanging parts can be convenient, but also another something to mess up or lose. I believe any job requiring that much versatility can be handled with a Charge, and a simpler, beefier multi-tool is better for serious work. Besides, the removable bit kit you have gives you just about the same advantages.

Why the Rebar is that it is a sweet little tool. Can't give you reasons, but I love mine.:)
 
znapschatz said:
Charge AL, Super Tool 300, and consider keeping the Rebar as well.

The Charge is an great all around full sized multi-tool easy to carry on the belt or in pocket with a removable pocket clip. It's only drawback is no awl. Still, an AL could be all you would really need for out and about, but there are some projects that just require bigger tools.

When you need to apply big crunch force, there is no substitute for mass. Although the Surge can supply that, I think it a bit fiddly for the kind of rough use something that size is meant to tackle. Interchanging parts can be convenient, but also another something to mess up or lose. I believe any job requiring that much versatility can be handled with a Charge, and a simpler, beefier multi-tool is better for serious work. Besides, the removable bit kit you have gives you just about the same advantages.

Why the Rebar is that it is a sweet little tool. Can't give you reasons, but I love mine.:)
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Those are the exact three I am thinking about cause of the tools offered and but I want to try to get it down to only two but man, it isnt easy! Ain't nothin' easy! :)
 
Rebar on your belt, Supertool 300 in the kitchen junk drawer, and Surge in the glove compartment.
 
powernoodle said:
Rebar on your belt, Supertool 300 in the kitchen junk drawer, and Surge in the glove compartment.
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Hmmmm, I will have to think about that one! :D

I dont know if I can give up the Charge AL with the better blade though! Its a hard choice!
 
ST300 for sure, it's a workhorse.

As for the 2nd, I want to say Rebar, but it's so similar to the ST300. So I'd probably go with the Charge as a more EDC friendly (but seriously, keep the Rebar to!).
 
I have a different point of view on this. Since you're keeping two, they should look and function the same. From your list, the Charge would be my EDC choice. Pair it up with the Surge and you have two different sizes of the same tool. I would add the Wave as a backup.

A second choice set could be the ST300 + Rebar. Both are good tools, but with no external tool access. So there's an extra step every time you pull them out for a quick snip or cut.
 
1. Decide between either the ST300 or the Rebar for your first MT.
2. Decide between either the Wave or the Charge. From your choice between the two, decide either between that or the Surge for your second MT.

B/c I prefer smaller MTs, I'd choose the Rebar and the Charge.
 
Halberdier said:
I have a different point of view on this. Since you're keeping two, they should look and function the same. From your list, the Charge would be my EDC choice. Pair it up with the Surge and you have two different sizes of the same tool. I would add the Wave as a backup.

A second choice set could be the ST300 + Rebar. Both are good tools, but with no external tool access. So there's an extra step every time you pull them out for a quick snip or cut.
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(Basically, a continuation of my earlier post)
Frankly, I see no reason both tools should look and function the same. It doesn't take long to get comfortable with either, but each can be preferable for certain circumstances while roughly interchangeable in case of loss or breakage.

Surely you will want a multi-tool with one hand blade opening, so useful when the other hand is engaged. That's why for most EDC uses the Charge should be first choice, and the second should expand on that by providing unique implements or qualities. That's why I lean ST 300, which provides an awl, longer fixed screwdrivers, beefier pliers with exchangeable wire cutters and above all, extra mass. In multi-tools there is seldom too much, although there can be too little.

As for ease of use; probably the most awkward of all leatherman designs ever was the lock release method on the original Super Tool. In order to fold blades or implements, you had to first pull out another on the same side to release the lock. The procedure was clumsy, time consuming and potentially dangerous. However, almost from the first during the 9 years I carried an ST near every day, the procedure had become so second nature I hardly thought about it while going through the motions. For me, in comparison, accessing blades and implements on the ST 300 are a mere nothing, although YMMV.
 
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I like the Charge so that one is staying so I only have to decide which one to go with it. Based on some comments, I might lean towards the ST300 as it has a few benefits not found on the Charge like the Awl, replaceable cutters, etc.

I guess this is what happens when you just go out and buy a few! :)

Keep the discussion/comments coming as I still havent made my mind up yet! Thanks all! :D
 
I've carried a Victorinox Mechanic in a belt pouch for a long time. Just found this Leatherman Crater c33T to try as a smaller pocket carry, only a 2.5 inch blade.

http://images.knifecenter.com/thumb/1500x1500/knifecenter/leatherman/images/860211.jpg

I'm not a fan of large multi-tools like most Leatherman, etc. - too heavy and hard to get open when needed. The c33T looks like a good compromise for pocket carry. Any one else have one?

Rich S
 
Rich S said:
I've carried a Victorinox Mechanic in a belt pouch for a long time. Just found this Leatherman Crater c33T to try as a smaller pocket carry, only a 2.5 inch blade.

http://images.knifecenter.com/thumb/1500x1500/knifecenter/leatherman/images/860211.jpg

I'm not a fan of large multi-tools like most Leatherman, etc. - too heavy and hard to get open when needed. The c33T looks like a good compromise for pocket carry. Any one else have one?

Rich S
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Well, even though I am a fan of the larger Leathermen, sometimes I like to lighten the load or to pair up something with something else. The Crater c33T is great for both.
I am drawn to multi-tools because it seems to me that for only a small increase in size and weight in a pocket tool, you can have a good deal more capability than from a blade only. OTOH, I have been totally spoiled for anything other than OH opening blades. The Crater has it all, and in (for me) the right sized package. I love the flipper, which is some serious fun (although not around the general public).
 
I think I am just going to keep one and the winner is....the Rebar! I think it has all the tools I should need and I have the bit driver that fits it so I can use the bit kit with it.

Thanks for the comment everyone! :)

EDIT: I might keep the Kick being that it was cheap and not really worth anything if I was to sell it.
 
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Rich S said:
Does the flipper on your c33T Leatheman open the blade all the way? Mine only opens it half way.
Just wondering.

Thanks
Rich
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I recently got a C33Tx as a gift. The flipper on mine will open the blade almost 3/4 of the way, however with a bit of "wrist action" it'll open it quite nicely. Just remember to keep the inside of the mechanism free of all kinds of gunk or dirt and apply a little oil every once in a while.
 
Rich S said:
Does the flipper on your c33T Leatheman open the blade all the way? Mine only opens it half way.
Just wondering.

Thanks
Rich
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Yes, it does. It took a bit of practice to get it open consistently, but now the blade flips open all the way most of the time, failing occasionally when i don't quite have the knife in the correct grip or stroke the flipper smartly enough. If you are having problems with yours related to stiffness, try a (very) little oil at the pivot and work it. Often a new knife takes a while to break in for proper function. Less likely, a decentered blade could also cause a problem. That's something you can see for yourself, and if you have that going, send the knife back to Leatherman warranty for adjustment. My guess, however, is that unused knife + unfamiliarity is causing the problem.

Because successful blade flipping depends on technique, I would not rely on the flipper for self defense, but for every other OH purpose, I like it fine. There is nothing better (knifewise!) when the other hand is holding something that needs cut; pull the Crater out of pocket, flip the blade, cut. So slick. On the few times the blade doesn't quite get to lock, a quick shake and it's there. Even (especially?) as a down time toy, the c33T is one of my favorites. Love that flipper!
 
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