Multitool

[BullPar]

Just looking for a multitool. I dont know much about them. Who makes the best one.

 

[bigmikey]

I would have to say Leatherman, they were the original, and make a bunch of different models, they also have a 25 year guarantee, you will not go wrong, with leatherman. the cheapest place I have found for them is WalMart. Leatherman is the only multitool I will ever use. I know alot of people will agree with me on this, go to www.leatherman.com I am sure other people with chime in with there opinions very shortly.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[keithhr]

I have the juice kF4 and the S2, both the best size and tool choices and pocketable.

 

[SheetBend]

Here are the tools I use.

SwissTool: Heavy duty use. Screwdrivers have polished edges so may slip in shallow groved screws. Tools require two hands to open. Tools are accessed without opening handles.
Leatherman SuperTool: Heavy duty use. Tools require two hands to open.
Leatherman Wave: Medium duty use. Tools require one hand to open blades and two hands to open screwdrivers. The 20th Anniversary Edition is just released to market.
Leatherman Juice: Light duty use. Tools require two hands to open. Colorfull handles help in an envirorment where fellow co-works are sensitive about knives and tools.

 

[tiktok 22]

I've used a lot of different multi's, but keep going back to my leathermans. IMHO these are the best multi's you can get.

 

[BruiseLee]

There is quite a bit of discussion about multitools on bladeforums.com. From the posts there, I would definitely say the SOG Powertool and the Victorinox Swisstool are the favorites. Both are very heavy duty, and if I already didn't own a Gerber and a Bucktool, I buy one of those two.

Bruise

 

[Commander]

[ QUOTE ]
SheetBend said:
Here are the tools I use.
Leatherman SuperTool: Heavy duty use. Tools require two hands to open.
Leatherman Wave: Medium duty use. Tools require one hand to open blades and two hands to open screwdrivers.


[/ QUOTE ]

Supertool is great. But the Wave is the best all around tool. I love mine!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

 

[bigmikey]

I have held a few of the sogs, and the tools felt so thin and cheap..

 

[zorba]

The wave is the way to go. Small, one hand opening and a very slick design

 

[_mike_]

For pocket carry I use my Leatherman Squirt P4 and Swiss-Tech original Micro-Tool. For sheath carry I use a plain old original Leatherman or a Gerber Multi-Plier. The Gerber is several years old (one of the original ones) and doesn't have the plastic parts on the ends of the handles.

I really like them all.

Mike

 

[mylan]

I have a wave with tooladapter, all in one leather beltpouch. I really like the two knife blades that can be opened and closed by one hand. With some practice even by a lefty like me. In this combo it is a bit big and heavy but when I have to use it I can go hard on a replacable toolbit instead of the wavetools themself. Here in the Netherlands they are pretty expensive so I like to keep it as new. I see a multitool more as a gadget that comes in hand really well in emergencies, not when I am planning to work on car or motorcycle.

 

[BullPar]

im thninking of getting a wave. So far everyone suggest leathermans.. Thank youall

 

[Hoghead]

BullPar
Here is a link to Equipped to Survive & Multi-Purpose tools
http://www.equipped.com/devices2.htm#HandyTools
This might help.

 

[tsg68]

I like the Kershaw, it's a little bigger than the leathermans and such. I have tried leatherman, Schrade Tough tool, several Gerbers and now the Kershaw (I buy the Craftsman branded ones because of the easy replacement warrantee). The thing that I have found with most of the multitools on the market is that if the blades aren't made with a steel of sufficient carbon content (stainless steels being higher in chromium content than carbon) they break, bend and strip too easily. The Kershaw has tool blades made of high carbon steel and they are replaceable, that makes a big difference. The knife blade and the handles are stainless steel though. The plier jaws have a needle nose point and are locking, like vise grip pliers and are pretty tough, not the usual stripped tooth problem. The cutters are well tempered unlike most of the other brands that I have had chip out on me. There is a screwdriver accessory kit that goes nicely with the tool too. With the handles in the open position they form a nice handle to use the hacksaw too, which I have used to cut off rusted bolts, wire shelving, threaded rod and some 1/2" steel rod. I have been a contractor ( spray finisher,carpenter, welder, cabinet maker and architectural metal worker) for quite a few years and the Kershaw has been the toughest multitool I have owned, ever, period. I ask alot of my tools and I know nothing is bulletproof, especially in multitools, I have even broken two of the Kershaws, one the stamped handles failed and snapped along a bend line. And the other time I snapped one of the pins on the locking mechanism, neither failure made the tool useless, and I was able to finish what I was doing. Both times the other tools would have completely failed long before this one did. I don't even bother taking the other ones to work now, I just can't trust em!

TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[glockboy]

I carry a bucktool for three years and still going and going and going.

 

[BullPar]

I havent looked at the kershaw line yet I will do that tomarrow. i have untill friday to make up my mind. lol Thats when I get paid..

 

[Sonic]

Everyone has made good suggestions here based on their own individual needs. The bottom line is you need to ask yourself what you need and expect out of this tool.

I suggest to narrow it down to a few good choices and go to a local retailer to see these models in person. Hold each one in your hand and check for comfort, also grip it tightly as this is most likely how you'll use it. Make sure the plier design will suit your needs too. You'll find that all of these multitools have slight variations in design with their pliers. Each was designed for a specific type of use. Do you need needle-nose or blunt-nose? How large should the pliers be? Remember that the larger the pliers the more force can be applied to it, but also remember that smaller pliers are usually handier and can fit where the larger ones can't.

Make sure all of the "other" tools suit your needs too. What tools do you find you need, but don't have on you? Do you need screwdrivers or file/hacksaw/saw type tools or both? Also try the "other" tools to see if they actually work, if possible. Not all designs will work in actual use.

That said, I used to EDC a WAVE w/tool kit. I switched to a Victorinox CyberTool 41 when I found I needed various screwdrivers more than a medium-duty pliers. But now I carry a Victorinox Handyman and a Leatherman Squirt RS edition. But keep in mind that I'm an audio/video tech/installer so my tool needs aren't typical of most.

I would highly recommend the Victorinox SwissTool, SOG Powerlock, Leatherman WAVE, as these are the models I've heard the most universally good reviews on and all have good warranties. These are all the "best of" for multitools but are also the most expensive. There are also some quality "mini" multitools on the market if small size is important to you, like the Leatherman Squirts and juices. Good luck!

 

[StuU]

The Leatherman Pulse is one of the best tools available. The original Leatherman PST was a giant hit- good tools and small size/weight. It had flaws such as non-locking tools and no scissors. The Pulse is the original PST with most of the problems fixed...all blades lock, beefed up pliers, good scissors, hardwire cutter, and more comfortable squeeze grip. And much smaller and pocketable than the Supertool, Wave, Swisstool, or SOG Powertool.

 

[DieselDave]

I vote Swisstool and Wave. I think the Swisstool is a better all-around heavy duty tool but the additional size and weight over a Wave is very noticeable. I had the Wave as an EDC for a few months until I got the Swisstool and then gave it away. Now I wish I had it back. They are both better than any other I have tried but the smaller size and lighter weight of the Wave would come in handy.

I guess it depends on what you will be doing with it. If it’s frequent heavy duty use I would say buy the Swisstool. The handles on the Swisstool are longer allowing you better force and it seems a little sturdier. If it’s occasional heavy duty use I would say get the Wave. Either one is great. I also carry the Leatherman K4 as an EDC but rarely use it. If I dealt with small screws or things like small gauge wiring it would be of more use.

You couldn’t give me a Gerber, my hands are still recovering from being pinched repeatedly from an old model about 5 years ago, I’m kidding about the recovering but it really turned me off to Gerber. I have not owned a SOG.

Don’t be temped with the $6 multi-tools at Big Lots. They are indeed $6 multi-tools. I bought one for a friend that was going to Haiti, in fact he gets home Wednesday. I played with it before I gave it to him. That tool is crap. I told him to give it away over there before he returned home. He wanted to borrow my Swisstool for the trip (mission trip for his Church) but I told him, “forget it”. I also gave him a dozen key chain lights to take along and give away as well as let him borrow a Mini-Mag. Oh yea, I also lent him a Nite-Ize pouch to hold his gear. I only mention all that so yall don’t beat me up to bad for giving him the cheap-*** multi-tool. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Mark_van_Gorkom]

I can vouch for the Swisstool's sturdiness: I regulary use mine as a pry bar!
The bitset on the plus models is very good too, more compact than leatherman's tool adapter, high quality bits, and plenty room for extra bits. I use the bits at least as much as the tool itself.
With practice, all the tools can be opened single handed BTW.

Now for a Swisstool with ATS34 knife and chrome vanadium tools...