It's time I got me a new multi-tool. I've got an old Leatherman that, in the interest of being as ironic as possible, I dedicated my "range bag" tool in honor of their anti-gun leanings.
But I need (want, really) a good, solid, every day multi-tool. And I haven't the faintest idea what to look for - Gerber, SOG, Leatherman, even Victorinox and Wenger make multi-tools now!
So... What's good, what's not, what's worth the money, and what's a rip-off?
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13 comments:
I don't have wide experience. I've been carrying the Smaller Gerber tool for 10 years or so, and it works well for me. Previously I had the older and larger non-locking model, and other than being non-locking it was pretty good. (I replaced the lanyard ring with a glass cutter for my job)
The bigger Gerbers I've tried aren't so good--I think they have changed to low-cost materials on at least some of them. One had non-retractable pliars which wasn't obvious from the packaging. That was returned immediately. Another had a non-hardened file, which made it useless for just about everything--Too fine for soft material, too soft for metal. I also had a Phillips screwdriver snap off.
Letherman has an anti-gun history? Really? That sucks.
I've had my Pulse for years (hell, it's strapped to my waist opposite the Glock right now!) and I absolutely adore it.
What's the back story on this? I always recommend Leatherman because mine is so $#^*& reliable, but I'm more than willing to not if they don't respect rights.
Robb,
I am partially corrected. Tim Leatherman supported John Kerry in 2004. He was not directly supporting gun control, merely one of gun control's largest cheerleaders in the US Senate...
Yo-
I like the Gerber, & the only reason I went w/that brand was because the tool openings are on the INSIDE when using the pliers, i.e. smooth side presented to the paw. Hard to get a good grip when the edges of all the other stuff is diggin' in yer hand.
The old woman & I both have them, & like 'em. She uses hers in the barn, mine mostly resides in my BOB.
FWIW.
YMMV.
FIIK.
My large Gerber, while not 100% stainless steel, has over a million sea-miles on it, and hasn't failed yet. The blunt-tip retractable locking pliers (once you get the hang of the wrist snap to open them) are absolutely key for saving the day with one-handed jobs where the other is occupied.
If I was (more of a) tool fetishist, I would dry-hump the things 24/7, and who can say better than that?
By a strange coincidence, my Leatherman is also my "Range bag" multitool...
I had no idea they were anti-gun, though.
As for multi tools, the only one I have experience with is the Leatherman (which was a Christmas gift from my uncle). I have heard that the Victorinox Swiss Spirit is, in the words of Borat, "very nice."
I've carried a Gerber for several years, and haven't really had a problem with it. Used to use a SOG Paratool (which you MIGHT be able to find on Evilbay), and it was pretty good too. But I prefer the Gerber...
I use a victorinox swiss tool, and have been happy with it for about 6 years. I could never keep a leatherman around for more then 2, before I killed it.
AE
My $0.02...
I got the SOG Powerlock to replace my Leatherman Wave. Both had their good points. The Wave was nice, because you could open the knife blades without opening the pliers. The SOG is nice because the pliers flick open like a butterfly knife, one-handed. I use the pliers nearly every day, the knife only occasionally.
Both have bottle openers, but the Channellock pliers are still the best in the toolbox for that purpose.
I got the oldest Incubus a Gerber for Christmas last year. he's a paramedic/firefighter and he loves it. In the subsequent year he's converted most of the Leatherman-carriers in his station over to Gerber.
Regards,
Rabbit.
I've liked my SOG Paratool for years.
Try to see as many as possible side by side.
I have the Victorinox multi-tool (no idea what the model name/# is).
I use it every day, sometimes several times a day.
Knives for cutting, 1 philips screwdriver, 2 slotted screwdrivers, one file, 2 saw-edges, etc. Very easy to use, opens and closes smooth. Had it for probably 8 years now, and only two problems: snapped the tip off one slotted screwdriver while trying to loosen a recalcitrant screw, and the canvas case is threadbare.
No idea how expensive it is (it was a gift).
Best plan is what freddyboomboom said: get some good recommendations, then line them up side-by-side at a gun show to see which you like best.
I've got Victorinox SwissTools in both cars. Very nice. Tools are on the outside so that you can open them without opening the pliers first. The other thing I like is that every single tool locks in place.
Bit heavy for carry. The Spirit version weighs about half as much.
One downside is that they cost like 60 bucks. A six pack of Huskey multi-tools is 20 bucks at Home Depot. The Huskeys aren't as nice, but they might make more sense for car carry, the toolbox, your desk at work, and other places where tools get lost, stolen, or grow legs.
I used the Victorinox One Hand Trekker for a while. It has all the usual SAK tools and a one-hand opening lock blade. Not bad and is only 30 bucks, but the scales are slippery when wet and the blade is kinda spindly with an iffy lock.
What I carry now is a Buck Strider Tarani one-hand opening lock blade (beefy ATS34 blade steel and G10 scales) in my front pocket, and a little Victorinox Cadet with the basic SAK tools in my back pocket.
The combo of the two knives covers most things (pliers being the main exception). Sometimes I need the big blade, and sometimes I need the small blade on the SAK, and the SAK tools come in handy pretty darned often.
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