Who makes the best multi-plier?

Maybe the fact that the old Gerber Multipliers raised blood blisters if you squeezed them hard or slipped off a bolt head was a design feature to keep you from squeezing them hard enough to break them
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.If the plier head breakage is a common flaw I would like to hear from more people about it because I haven't heard anything about it till now.I have broken a few name brand "channel locks" before but I just thought it was 'cause my awsome grip was just too much for a hand tool to take
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.I hope Gerber has their stuff together on these new tools because I always liked the way they were light weight and could get on a bigger bolt head and were faster opening than the other tools.And now if they offer a saw instead of a blade on a true pocket tool (as opposed to a sheath tool) I will have to look at them double-hard again!
m
 
m,

I have the Multilock Sport and I would call it a pocket tool. I like the size and the weight, but I tried to put the blade from a friend's bigger Multilock into my smaller tool and it wouldn't fit. The blade was about was 1/4" to 3/8" too long (it was hard to tell if it was too long, but it looked like it) and the teeth were splayed out and made the jig saw blade too wide. If I looked around, I could probably find a blade that would fit. If the lengths are all too long, I could just snap off the tip of the blade. The hard part might be finding one with the teeth not splayed out. Also the washers had to be removed to allow the saw to fit. The washers mostly help keep the tools from clumping when pulled out, so not having them would be a minor inconvenience.
 
Althought I don't think the blades and other tools aren't designed very well the Schrade Tough Tool has the best pliers of all the multi tools.
 
After having the Gerber multi-plier pinch my hand yet again, I went multi-tool shopping. Oddly enough, the one I liked best was the Leatherman SideClip. The best tool is the one you have with you when you need it. Second place was the SuperTool and I might have bought it for heavy duty use but I want to examine the Crunch before making any decisions. I also like the SideClip because I do a bit of traveling overseas and locking blades are an issue in some countries.

I like the idea of the custom multi-tool as offered by Fiskars. Because I carry a knife, I certainly don't need two knife blades on a multi-tool. If Leatherman offered the same option, I'd be first in line.
 
There are different ideas on what defines "best" in a multi-tool. For me, tool capability is the criterion.

Any multi tool is a compromise for portability, but in terms of tool quality and selection, IMHO the LT Super Tool is best. It's drawbacks are less hand comfort when bearing down hard on the pliers and pain in the ass unlocking, but they are minor considerations to me. I have had mine 3 years and it has served often and well. Had the Swisstool been on the market at the time I was shopping it would have been considered, but at present I am well enough satisfied with the ST.

The Wave, I believe, is more marketing than substance. It is well made and has some clever features, but is not as strong as the ST at close to the same weight and most of the tools do not lock. Also, it omits the awl and scales, both of which I use often, and can't be fitted with the tool adapter. And at a higher price as well? Not for me.
 
I'm getting tired of hearing about the Wave's lack of strength. Has anyone seen a broken one? I've seen broken Gerbers...

I was concerned with the Wave's strength at first. The handles do have a bit of "give," and the construction didn't appear very robust. I was careful using it at first, didn't apply too much pressure. Then I got more daring. Finally I stopped worrying entirely. I haven't got the strongest hands around, but it will take whatever force I can apply - and unlike other Leathermans, I can apply full force due to the rounded handles. That's a big plus.

Add to that plain and serrated locking blades that can be opened and closed one-handed, and this tool is a lot more than "gimmick." It's so handy that I actually stopped carrying a "beater" folder and just rely on the Wave for light and/or potentially abusive cutting. Locking file, a locking saw that cuts like crazy, standard screwdrivers plus scissors... it's a masterpiece. Perfect? Of course not. But so far the best one for me.

-Drew
 
I've been a long time leatherman fan. I bought the first one they had, with the chunky knife blade which they've since changed. Over the years, I've used it a ton and it has been very reliable. Since then, I've bought a Supertool (love it) and a micra (also excellent but I not carry sog crossgrip instead 'cause of the pliers).

I was considering buying a Wave, but instead bought a SwissTool. I have always been impressed with Leatherman fit and finish but the Swiss tool is exceptional. It's an awesome piece of work.

I haven't had a chance to handle a Wave. I'm curious at some of the negative comments because Leatherman has always made quality stuff.

I was a mechanic for 10 years, so I have pretty high standards for the tools I use. Leatherman, to me, was always highly functional and tough. The SAK is there too.

As for Gerber, I haven't seen the latest interations. I looked at one about 4 years ago and, IMHO, they were real clunkers. The finish was poor (deep, rough pits in the pliers) and I've never owned screwdrivers designed like theirs. Screwdrivers are supposed to have square corners, not rounded. From a mechanic's perspective, the Gerber was barely a tool. Perhaps they've changed? I dunno.


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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
That's probably a really really old version -- I'll be posting the newest iteration to rec.knives today.

Joe
 
Joe,

My browser was freezing up. It's been doing that since I upgraded to Netscape 4.7. I wanted to ask a question in my last post before I clicked send. Is the Gerber tool at Fiskars based on the Multi-Lock?

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

 
I started out with a Victorinox SAK many years ago,loved it. Then I bought a "black" LM PST and really liked the concept, but didn't carry it very often. Then the Gerber Multiplier came out, bought one of those (and another, AND another.....)and used hell out of them. Suddenly, I got the Leatherman bug again and bought a Supertool. YES!!! Love it, very nice. All was excellent until the arrival of the WAVE!!! OH JOY!!!. Now, the Wave rides everywhere and the Supertool is on stand-by/back-up duty.

I went shooting Sunday,one of my cohorts asked me if I had a screwdriver,seems a shooter down the line had a feed prob with his lever action. Out came ye ole Wave, screwdriver used and prob fixed in about a minute. Gotta love the handiness, eh?

Yesterday, while doing a call, the detectives asked if we had any latex gloves. We had used up our ready supply and I asked him what did he need them for. He stated that he needed to bag some evidence and I handed him the Wave and he used that.

I still have my original Gerber Multiplier and one other Gerber, gave the rest away and am now a Leatherman fan.

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Anybody seen the bactine, please?!?!?!?

 
Hmmmmmm. The Wave served as a good substitute for latex gloves? First I've heard of this. I assume, then, that it would also function as a good condom substitute? An incredible multitool indeed!



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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
In first place for me is the Victorinox Swiss Tool.

After that it is the Leatherman Super Tool, because of the total package with adapter.

The new SOG PowerLock looks good.

SOG tool based on the OSS tool.
 
Ahhhhhh, Hoodoo, the Wave does a lot of things, but an emergency condom is NOT one of them. (Something about having sharp steel near that area just frightens me......) The detective was using the Wave to bag a firearm for evidence without getting his fingerprints all over it. Should have explained it a wee bit better,sorry.

Later, Jeff

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Anybody seen the bactine, please?!?!?!?

 
I just replaced the standard carbide tipped blade of the Gerber 600 series with a thinner blade and put it in a 400 series and it worked! The pliers slide in and out with no problem. There is a problem with clumping since I took the washers out, but that's OK. My friend wants his blade back of course, so now I need to see if I can buy the blade thingy from Fiskars or I might end up having to buy another multi-tool.

On a lighter note. At first I was trying to get the carbide tipped blade to fit in the 400 series. Since I had never seen a carbide tipped jig saw blade, I was trying to rub the "paint" off to make the blade thinner and darned if I could get even one small flake of paint off! The blade didn't look right, and it still didn't seem right. It was only when I went to the tool store and checked out the blades did I realize the blade was carbide tipped and that was how it was supposed to look. Anyhoo, that's the story... toodles.
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David,

The fiskars build-your-own is based on the 600 series, which is now also called the Multipllier (but not to be confused with the old generation of multipliers). Having thought about it a bit, I think the build-your-own idea is kinda cool, but the stock 600 series multiplier has a pretty good tool selection. More importantly, the build-your-own appears to be at full retail, and I'd rather get the stock version at a discount.

Joe
 
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