Who makes the best multi-plier?

Gunner · Oct 26, 1999

I would like opinions on who make the best multi-plier and the model # or name. I have a Leatherman PST and love it. I might get a new leatherman, maybe the Wave. What do you guys think? Thanks.

SDMatteson · Oct 26, 1999

I have a Gerber and a PST2 but the one I like
best is the SOG Powerplier.The fit and finish
are outstanding and the compound leverage
allows more plier pressure with less squeze.
I think a man needs to carry 3 pair, large ,
med. , and small . For me it is the SOG ,PST2
and Micra.I don't own any of the others so
am not quilified comment.

Knife Outlet · Oct 26, 1999

My choice is the Leatherman Wave. It's the one I chose for myself. I really like the fact that you don't need to open the tool to get to the blades and I like the liner locks even more. Take care.

------------------
Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com

m · Oct 26, 1999

I would like to see a Leatherman standard size tool (app. 5-6oz.) with a wood saw blade (like the one in their super tool) instead of their knife blade.It would also be nice if the pliers were able to get on a little bigger bolt head.
m

David Williams · Oct 26, 1999

I'm torn between the Swiss Tool and LM Wave. The Swiss Tool has better fit and finish (too much finish maybe). The Wave has a better design. My Wave has loose handles which I don't like. The LM SuperTool, PST and PST II are my next choices with a nod to the PST II because it has scissors.

------------------
"A knifeless man is a lifeless man"
-Nordic proverb

Gunner · Oct 26, 1999

David my handle on PST2 got loose and if you look closely you can tighten the handle with two pairs of pliers. There is a bolt type thing where the handle and pliers meet.

David Williams · Oct 26, 1999

Gunner,

Thanks for the concern. The LM Wave has the tamper-proof torx bolts. I don't yet have a bit to fit it. If anybody knows the size I would appreciate a comment.

------------------
"A knifeless man is a lifeless man"
-Nordic proverb

Athanatos · Oct 27, 1999

David Williams writes:
<BLOCKQUOTE>The LM Wave has the tamper-proof torx bolts.</BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, responding to your question, I first went and got my set of Torx bits for tamper-proof screws. Then I got my Leatherman wave. Then I noticed that the holes on the Wave are for 5-pointed stars.

------------------
It's always Dark. Light only hides the Darkness.

Athanatos · Oct 27, 1999

While I certainly haven't tried every multi-tool, I was reasonably happy with my Leatherman PST, and have been very happy with my Leatherman Wave. It's one of four knives that I carry almost everywhere.

I will note that I've bought three Waves now (two as gifts), and with every one of them getting out the blades on the pivot of the Phillips' head driver has been a problem.

------------------
It's always Dark. Light only hides the Darkness.

Gary W. Graley · Oct 27, 1999

Swiss Tool has my vote, the Wave is pretty neat with being able to open the blades one handed, but if I need to cut something I've several on hand to cut stuff so that wasn't to big a draw to me. I like the finish, though David Williams has a point, I could see a more raspier finish on the outsides for better gripping would help.

G2

------------------
I don't have a solution,

But I admire your problem.

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

Scarman · Oct 27, 1999

I vote SwissTool, although the Leatherman supertool comes in at a close second.
Have yet to catch the Wave.

------------------
The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster

Rev 20:12

SDouglas · Oct 27, 1999

I own a wave and a Swiss Tool. I prefer the Swiss Tool because I think it is more rugged and I like the fact that it doesn't suffer from Clumping.

I have to admit that the Wave is a little lighter to carry. Maybe that is why my wife has taken it over.

------------------
AKTI Member No. A000370

Joe Talmadge · Oct 26, 1999

The Wave and SwissTool seem to be the most mentioned on these forums, but I've wondered why the new Gerber tools don't get mentioned as much. Over on Jeff Randall's and Ron Hood's boards, the Gerbers seem to be the top choice, and they get barely a mention here. Here are some differences:

If you want needlenose pliers, you must choose the Gerber or the Wave.

If you want bigger-size pliers, you must choose the Gerber or the Swisstool.

If you want scissors, you must choose the Gerber or Wave.

If you want easy access to the tools with minimal fuss, Swisstool is best by far, then Wave, then Gerber.

If you use the pliers often and need easy access with minimal fuss, the Gerber is by far the best, Wave and Swisstool are tied but far behind.

Aesthetics wise, Wave is definitely the coolest

Then Swisstool, then Gerber. This is a total don't care for me, but some people do care.

If your screwdrivers must lock, then you must choose Gerber or Swisstool. However, don't count out the Wave, the non-locking but offset screwdrivers work effectively like a lock.

Gerber has a very cool feature, replaceable saw blades.

On top of that ... I just went to www.fiskars.com. They have a Build Your Own Multitool feature! You choose the tools you want in your multitool, they build it and send it to you.

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com

Joe Talmadge · Oct 26, 1999

Just went to www.fiskars.com to build my own Gerber multitool. Some tough choices. I went with bullnose stainless pliers, though I'm still looking at the needlenose.

For the components, I had some really tough choices. There are no good configurations that give you both scissors and the saw blade adapter. Which is more important to me? It would be an easier choice for the scissors, but since I usually have a micra on me, perhaps I can do without scissors on my bigger-duty multitool.

I like either the T1/W2 configuration (no scissors) or T1/S2 configuration (no saw). Beyond that, they offer identical strong tool lineups: blade, bottle opener, Med & Large screwdrivers, awl, can opener, phillips screwdriver, coarse/carbide file.

I'll go with the purty blue handles

Joe

johno · Oct 26, 1999

A local hardware store has a pile of Gerber multi-tools on sale for $20, both needle nose and blunt nose. The tools don't look as well finished as those on my original Leatherman, meaning crisp not excessively polished edges, the sliding pliers don't look as robust, and it looks like a blood blister machine the way the handles close. Still, $20 seems like a good deal, for gifts if nothing else.

Joe Talmadge · Oct 26, 1999

johno -- Those are almost certainly the now-discontinued earlier version of the Multipliers, which had the potential to pinch the crap out of your hand when you used the pliers.

Fit & finish is significantly better in the newer models, the screwdrivers are now squared, etc.

Like you said, though, $20 for a Multiplier is a really good deal, if that's what it is.

Joe

m · Oct 26, 1999

Joe
Did Gerber fix the pinch problem on their new tools?Do you have any idea what the new tools weigh?
Thanks,
m

Joe Talmadge · Oct 26, 1999

m -- I've only held the tools at a dealer's table, but couldn't see how the tool could pinch, the problem seems to be fixed.

The big tool (600 series) is big -- I put it in the x-beefy class, like the Wave and Swisstool. I haven't handled the smaller 400 series yet

Joe

David Rock · Oct 26, 1999

I prefer the SwissTool, all things considered, although the Leatherman Super Tool is a close second. I like the overall feeling of robustness of the SwissTool. I like the fact that the tools can be opened and closed independently of one another, and that everything locks. I don't have much use for the one hand opening blades on the wave. I always have at least two better one-hand folding knives on my person anyway. And I don't have much use for scissors on a multi-tool (I carry a Micra anyway, in case I do need them)

Joe: Go with the saw over the scissors. In a pinch you can cut most things with a knife blade, but when you want to saw through a stick or PVC pipe or whatever, not much else will work.

The Gerber is not the only tool with one-hand -opening pliers. I can open the Leatherman Super Tool pliers quite easily with one hand, bali-song style. Makes an interesting "clack". Very fun to fiddle with while watching the Atlanta Braves self-destruct. Very therapeutic.

Gunner, if you haven't already seen them, you should check out the excellent multi-tool reviews at http://www.equipped.com/

Regards,
David Rock

------------------
AKTI Member # A000846
"Never carry a knife shorter than your schnoz."

JoHnYKwSt · Oct 26, 1999

Gunner,

I think your decisioin would have been much easier if you had this dilemma a day ago. There was a deal on a site where you could use a coupon to get the wave for about 30 bucks, but it's too late now.

For me, I prefer the Wave. The one handed opening blades are a real plus. But I have to admit the swiss tool is very nice. The swiss tool would probably be my favorite if it wasnt' for the blunt pliers.

------------------
Johnny
[]xxxxxx[]=============>

Who makes the best multi-plier?

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"