My Ideal MultiTool

[Streak]

Having just received my Charge (and being a little disappointed) and already owning a Gerber 800, Supertool, Supertool 200 and others. I wanted to mention what I thought would be the ideal tool without a bit kit.

Once in a pouch on the belt I have not found weight of any of the tools to be an issue.

I dont know the Swiss Tool products but understand that their individual tools are the best there are.

My ideal tool would have the individual tools of the quality of the SAK.
The sprung pliers of the Gerber 800.
The tungsten carbide inserts of the Gerber 800.
Tools that open from the outside, without having to open the multitool.
All tools lockable with easy to use lock mechanism (which one?)
One handed opening knife and maybe one other of the tools.
Scissors
File
One knife
small, medium, large screw driver
Philips screw driver of the Leatherman Supertool
Awl/Reamer
Can/bottle opener
Maybe a saw and if so then like the Gerber 800 with replaceable jigsaw blade
Ruler
Quality nylon pouch with option of nylon belt clip and horizontal/vertical carry loops
User customisable tool selection

What have I forgotten?

What would you add or leave off?

Streak

 

[Lunal_Tic]

I've actually got a Victorinox SwissTool and you're right it's nice but 1) it's a tank, heavier than any Leatherman or Gerber I own 2)hope you've got good fingernails 'cause it's got a stout spring to overcome to get the tools out 3) and while they state correctly that the tools won't "fan" on you like some other brands when you try to open them, sometimes you'll need to go through a couple anyway to get to the one you need; they've all got nail nicks but it's still not easy 4) plier jaws are a bit short

It also has a feature I like, its pouch has slot for a hex head set with an L handle which was included with mine. Does it count if it's not attached to the actual tool? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I actually like the thing but very rarely carry it. Of course YMMV.

 

[SJACKAL]

Why are you disappointed with your Charge? I am thinking of getting the Charge XTi...

 

[Streak]

SJACKAL, It's mainly that I have got used to my Gerber 800 features (sprung handles, tools open from the outside, jig saw, tungsten carbide hard wire cutter etc.). The Philips bit is much too large and I have broekn the smallest screw driver trying to turn Philips screws too small for the Philips bit. Gerber's warranty has been good though and anything which has broken has been fixed FOC.

The Charge is expensive and I think the main cost is the Ti handles which to me is a gimmick. I dont like having to open the handles to get the tools out, I dont like the bit driver concept. Important tools like the large flat and Philips should be permanent. Friends of mine who have used the Charge for a few months have found that the little spring that hold in the large bit loses tention and the bit often stays behind in the screw you are screwing!!

The new Wave now has all tools locking which is great, but the it also has the same bit driver concept of the Charge which I think is bad.

The Charge is in my cupboard at the moment and I will probably end up selling it. I like my good old faithful Supertool and also have the Supertool 200 which I havn't carried yet.

 

[cobb]

Ive had cheap ones and they just break to do anything with them. I had a swiss one but it was huge and not too useful, no plyers. I finally sprung and spent 60 bucks on a locking leatherman. That is the best pocket tool yet. Hasnt rusted and works for all my needs. The knife is super sharpe to teh point when ever I cut myself I cant feel it.

Cant think I could ask for anything better than that.

 

[SJACKAL]

You got valid points there streak...

The most attractive feature of the new leatherman series is probably the 154CM clippoint blade, better steel and its also slightly bigger than the one on the old version wave, more belly and beefier...

Otherwise like you, I don't really like the bit driver concept too on first impression. Seems that in trying to give a more comprehensive selection of tools, they used the bit driver concept with interchangeable bits, but the things I am worried of is that I will get loose bits around that aren't part of the main body, even they all go into some type of holder its still away from the main tool body. I never like the tool adapters for the old version wave either too, nor the tool adapter of the swiss tool in this aspect. That defeats the purpose of having a solid piece of multitool on the belt, and you get to worry about lossing the other bits... But this is first impression, I hadn't used these yet so can't really comment.

 

[Mike Painter]

I would add a decent screwdriver to the mix. One that extends out from the narrow end of the body and is at least as long as the body. All to often I find that the short shaft at right angles to the body does not allow me access to a screw. (ya know. If I had a dirty mind I could take this all wrong. Especially teh short shaft crack /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[riscfaktor]

In praise of the Gerber 800, I think Gerber is the only one to offer the replaceable jigsaw blade and the carbide cutter inserts. Working as an machine repairman I have access to all the carbide I ever need (although the original inserts have yet to fail). I finally found the Remgrit jigsaw blades on Ebay--paid $8 for 20 of them, regular 2.88 each elsewhere. The biggest drawback of the 800 I find is the jaws don't open wide enough.

Gerber does make another multi-tool, called the Technician Kit, with four different replaceable "heads" whose jaws do open wider. The extra long needlenose are really nice, but this tool doesn't fold, however.

I'd like to see a more perfect multi-tool as well. But until I see one with the replaceable saw option, or at the very least the replaceable carbide cutters, I'm not going to switch.

 

[mossyoak]

since i'm a student we are not allowed to carry "weapons" on campus but we are allowed to carry little key chain knives i edc a victorinox mini super champ with a led in it and a ballpoint pen but when i'm at home i edc a leatherman juice xe6 and a kershaw chive

 

[greenLED]

I like my Leatherman Wave. The rounded edges are a nice feature when using the pliers. *However*, the edges of the external blades still have sharp edges so it *still* hurts your hands to use any of the other tools. Did this change with the Ti, or the new Wave model?