Posted: 5/7/2001 7:33:21 PM EDT
|
What multitool do you carry? What do you wish you carried? I'm looking to get one but am a little overwhelmed with the choices. The Leathermen do not seem very comfortable to use. The new Gerbers with the rubber on the grip seem comfortable and the colors are nice but do they last? So, what do you recommend? Thanks. |
|
I've had two Gerbers - first one was the original model that closed all the way (and gave NASTY blood blisters if you slipped using the pliers - voice of experience). I lost that one. Second one I broke the pliers on. Now I have a Schrade Tool. Pretty nice, but the Phillips blade sucks and getting some of the blades to unfold is irritating. I really want a Leatherman Supertool. [sniper] |
| I've got an old Gerber, a new Gerber, a Leatherman PST and a Schrade Multitool. I am kinda partial to the Schrade. The old Gerber wouldn't open bottles worth a damn, but the new Gerber fixed that problem. I like the one-handed opening of the Gerber too. Really I just reach for the closest one. |
|
"first one was the original model that closed all the way (and gave NASTY blood blisters if you slipped using the pliers - voice of experience)." Amen to that... Replaced my pair with the new Gerber 800 Legend model. MUCH improved! My first experience with scissors on a multi tool. Gave away my original pair to a friend. Stern warning about pinching tendencies along with it. He didn't think it would be a big problem. Pain is a good teacher... |
|
I just picked up the Gerber Legend and love it! The biggest reason I went this route is the replaceable tungsten carbide wire cutters. I also like the one-handed opening knife and scissors. I had a bit of a problem finding replacement jig saw blades, but it's a good feature nonetheless. Bradd |
|
SOG Power Lock. It has a bunch of different blades and tool adapters. You can also get a socket adapter which is handy. The removable blade handle covers are nice if you are really torqing (sp) on something. I think you usually see them in store for about $80, but you can pick them up on gunbroker and auction arms new for $50, which is a pretty good price. I think they also have a life time warranty. |
| I am extremely hard on multitools, heck between the surplus buisness and being both a Combat Engineer and a Heavy Equipment Mechanic in the Army Reserve I have broken every tool on the market (all the Gerbers, Leathermans, Sogs) with the exception of the Schrade, and I have carried mine for 2 years now. It is a litte bigger than the rest, but is well worth the money. |
|
Quoted: I've had two Gerbers - first one was the original model that closed all the way (and gave NASTY blood blisters if you slipped using the pliers - voice of experience). I have that Gerber model and I found out about blood blisters the hard way too... but I still have it and after 4 years of usage it is still going strong! [sniper] [b]The Sniper |
|
I have the Gerber Multi-Lock (the locking version of the Multi-Tool) with needlenose pliers. At the time, it was the best available. However, a few weeks later, the Leatherman Wave was released. Now, I never liked the early Leatherman, though the needlenose pliers on them were always the best. The blades open from the wrong side, and the edges were sharp when using the pliers. The Wave solved all of those problems, and it's probably the best available now. I will eventually pick up a Wave to augment my Gerber. The thing is, all of the major brand names have various tools, and most have SOME advantage over the others. The trick is to figure out how (and how often) you're likely to use any given feature, and use that as your guide. -Troy |
|
As per usual, I'm going to go against the grain, and put in my lone vote for the Kershaw. locking needlenose with simple knob to adjust tension, with flat and round jaw profile, a real working file and saw, knive that works without opening the tool. Heavier than any SOG, Gerber or Leatherman I've handled. Just a sturdy MOFO. Got it for 50 bucks new w/nylon sheath. I never realize how often I use it until I leave it on the workbench and go anywhere. D. |
| I've owned a Gerber, Paratool, a couple Leathermen, and a no-name Chinese-made clunker. I don't carry any multitools now. Instead, I bought a good quality pair of small pliers and a Victorinox Swiss Army knife. I carry the pliers and the knife in a nylon belt pouch, just like you have to use with any of the multitools, and find the combo is more comfortable and useful than the multitools...as well as weighing about the same. If you think about it, multitools are nothing more than expensive, fragile pliers with some extra gadgets in the handles. The screwdrivers and other tools are impossible to use in tandem with the pliers on a multitool. Anyway, the multitools are mainly a semi-useful geewhiz kind of thing, IMO. |
|
I have one of those Gerber(why does that remind of baby food?) multitool sets that Derek45 mentioned. I had this Gerber tool for many years. Bought it because it is so cool! To get access to your pliers, all you have to do is flick your wrist and presto chango...out comes your pliers in a flash. Very impressive around the women. [:)] How strong and durable are the tools? I don't know...never had a chance to actually use it for any other purpose. [:(] Again, I only bought it to impress the women. [:D] -RoadDog |
|
I bought my dad one of the new Gerbers that has just come out (800 Series) for Christmas. This one has got all the old ones beat by a mile. The ability to replace the saw with a new blade and the carbide inserts in the wire cutter is really innovative. I paid special attention to the pinching issue and they have solved that with this series. My dad is a real torture tester on both knives and multi-tools, he's a full time farmer. So far he really loves this one. I can't the number of times he has thanked me for this gift and it makes me feel really good that I bought him something useful that he'll use every day. |