[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Multi tools (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/17/2007 7:23:37 AM EDT
| I need a good general purpose multi tool. Any good recomendations, ones to avoid....? Gerber, Leatherman, SOG? |
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My Victorinox has served me well for 12 years. I used it a lot as an electrician. Great metal positive locks. Easy to unlock and well made. The blades hold the edge. The saws and file actual work. My guys have been buying the new SOG and are very happy with them. They seem well made and are a good design Unless Leatherman has improved the lock mechanism forget about. |
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I like the Leatherman a lot better than the Gerber. If you use the knife a lot get the Wave, If you use the tools more get the Supertool. The Wave locking mech isnt as strong as the Supertool for the external tools. Otherwise, I think the Gerber is OK.... decent quality, just not as handy and easy to work with as the Leaterman. I think the Leatherman stands up to hard use better. |
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I guess I'll be one of the few Gerber fans. I like the one hand opening feature (has come in handy a lot!), and the tools hold up very well. I have Leathermans and a SOG as well. The Leatherman and SOG FEEL much more sturdy,but I have never been able to break a Gerber. The Gerber models are generally lighter. The SOG handle was VERY uncomfortable until I ground off the sharp edges where the handle sheet metal is rolled over. The Leatherman is hard to open quickly. I break it down like this: Comfort to use: Gerber, Leatherman SOG Quality: SOG, Leatherman, Gerber (just doesn't FEEL as strong as the others) Ease of opening/using: Gerber, SOG, Leatherman What I carry most often: Gerber I have a buddy who used to use a Leatherman in Iraq to bust open padlocks (inserted the pliers into the shackle and twisted until the shackle busted), so they are hell for tough. I have sawed completely thru a door with a Gerber. Any of the three should serve you well. |
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I asked the same thing a while back. pretty much people swear by either the gerber or the leatherman. the thing that pushed me one way was the fact that several people posted that leatherman heavily support anti-gun movements. so that pushed me to the gerber. I will see if I can find that post |
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I use the Gerber. I use it ion the job every day. it works really well. I have been using the sme one for 7 years, I have gone through two sheaths, but the tool is still going strong. The one handed opening is the cats a$$ when you are 20 feet off the deck hanging on to the strand with one hand. |
If that is true I will return the wave I just bought. |
Me too 
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I have a couple of Gerbers, a SOG, and a Leatherman. They are all well made and will do their job. I just got a SwissTool, and it seems better made than the others. One thing I like is that the blades don't "clump' together when you want to access just one. Leatherman owner was a big Dem supporter in the 2004 election, and in response to complaints from non-socialists was argumentative and entirely unrepentant. I'll not buy another of their products. FWIW, I therefore find myself using the Leatherman tool I bought long ago in an effort to wear it out or break it, thus costing Leatherman $$ in warranty replacement cost. This is going beyond a personal boycott, and I commend the idea to you all. |
The company's owner was an outspoken Kerry supporter. From an archived thread in the General Discussion forum: -----Original Message----- From:****** Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 6:03 PM To: Mktg-1 (Leatherman Tool Group Inc.) Subject: Kerry Endorsement I for one own one of your tools that I purchased at a high-school friends gun and outdoor store. I will never purchase another Leatherman and will pass this info on to my buddy. He is a staunch Republican and I am sure will heed my suggestion not to sell your product. In addition, the gun boards are tearing up this endorsement. I hope your liberal Democratic patrons decide they need your product to trim their nails and open their beers because true sportsmen are not going to buy them { France ring a bell}. Sincerely, ***** ----- Reply Message ----- From: Tim_Leatherman To: ******* Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 4:21 PM Subject: RE: Kerry Endorsement Dear Sir or Madam: I assure you I have personally read your e-mail. However, due to the volume of messages received, I cannot give a personalized response to each to you. However, here in a nutshell is a general response: Because I publicly stated how I am going to cast my vote, almost all of you have threatened a boycott against my company. So be it. I took a position, and now I will accept the consequences. I am still going to do my absolute best to make great tools and hope that you and all Americans, of every political affiliation, will find them of value. If not today, someday. Tim Leatherman President Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. -----Reply Message----- From: ****** Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 1:41 PM To: Tim_Leatherman Subject: Re: Kerry Endorsement Tim, My new Gerber tool is superb and our new President is even better. Regards ****** -----Reply Message----- O.K. then. You are a double winner. I am a double loser. Do I detect a bit of gloating? Happy now? Satisfied yet?  |
Yes and no. When the founder/owner/CEO of a privately held company rubs it in my face so to speak, I get a bit irritated. If Leatherman was the best, that would be one thing, but there are other, equally good options. I have an older Gerber, made in the USA, that has served me well. The Swisstool will be my next purchase if I buy another anytime soon. |
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Agreed on both points. I look at politics affecting my purchases this way, out of sight, out of mind. If you're going to be outspoken about something that I'm not keen on, then I guess I won't buy your products or listen to you music, or watch your movies, etc... I've carried a Gerber now for about 5 years and it's great, plus, the customer service is outstanding.
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I got blown up by a 500lbs IED on m first trip to this shithole. Launched the Up Armor HMMWV (Humvee) 40 ft in the air. I ended up with a shattered leg a broken Benchmade, a broken forward retention hole on my M4. a missing Streamlight NF-2 and numerous other injuries. Yet the Swiss tool on my belt right next to the destroyed Benchmade came through with nary a scratch. The only reason she didn't redeploy with me was for sentimental reasons and I now carry an exact duplicate. So when I say bomb proof I mean it. Get a Swiss Tool. Oh yeah Benchmade stands by their product replaced the Knife no questions asked. Same goes for the Streamlight in fact cause I did not tell them the color they sent me 2, one green and one black. If you cant do the Swiss tool get a SOG Just my $.02 |
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I've got a Victorinox. I was going to carry it every day, but my little brother gave it to me as my present for being a groomsman in his wedding. I didn't want to scuff it up with every day carry 'round. It comes with me everywhere, but stays in the truck, bike or what have you, not on my belt per say. I did however pick up a multi tool on a whim a few weeks ago. It's made by Winchester. It has a decorative wood inlay in the handle and I prefer black or silver, but no biggie. I picked it up on sale and it came with a fixed blade knife. For its price, I have been fairly impressed with it. My 5 yr old son and I go on camping/fishing trips almost every weekend. We've had a 2 month drought here so there haven't been very many interuptions at all. A coupla things I've liked about it so far: I've used the pliers for some decently heavy duty stuff and they are no worse for wear at all. The straight and phillips head drivers are a decent length and they lock in very straight. I like this because you don't cross thread screws so bad. The saw locks in very well so as to not have that fear you're about to eat your hand. Wood 2-3" in diameter saws pretty easy and quickly. Last Friday night my son and I went to camp and fish and we were pulling the boat out of the water at about 11:30PM. I went to cinch down the boat and put my transom saver on the back and noticed my boat had gotten off center on the rear most roller. Couldn't use the transom saver that way. Like a dolt I layed my transom saver on the asphalt and proceeded to back down the ramp again to let it settle itself. Hit the transom saver just right with the front left wheel. It hit the bottom of the truck and torqued it pretty good. Those things aren't that flimsy, but I was able to use the pliers to bend it enough to pull the boat to the camp site and home the next morning. I'll need to buy another transom saver, but it allowed me to improvise enough to get it home safely. The pliers never had that sloppy flexy feel and got the job done. Don't guess I could ask for more. They were only $69.99 to begin with and that's not super high. They were on sale and if you were a rewards member you got an even bigger discount, so for $19.99 I got a multi tool that I intended as a low cost back up that's doing a pretty good job. |
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If I stopped buying stuff from morons who do stupid shit, I would never buy anything. My Leatherman Surge is way better than my SOG Paratool. Its not even a contest. The leatherman has better ergos and stronger tools. I meant to send one of my paratools back to SOG, but it ended up in a drawer for the last 5 years with busted pliers. My Surge is my go to tool in SHTF. It is my constant companion. The wave is as good, but smaller. I destroyed two waves so far, doing things to them that they definitely were not ment to do. On top of completely wearing them out. I have no complaints. |
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Here is the SOG that I have. Borat would say: VERY NICE I did not buy it from there. Search for the best prices, on anything you buy. Some internet dealers are just truely freaking amazing at what they price their merchandise. SOG will handle anything you throw at it; or throw it at.
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I have both a Leatherman Supertool and an old-ass Schrade...I've had the Schrade for about 10 years now, I don't know if they even still make the damn thing. The Schrade has held up well, it stays in my everyday bag and has travelled the country many times over. Downside is that it is bulky. The Leatherman is nice but big and clunky, the ergos suck IMO. It stays in my primary BOB. I think they're all decent, my pops has a gerber and he seems to like it, my wife has an original Leatherman and it's OK too. If I was buying new it would be a Wave or SOG. |
+100000000 Too bad they stopped making it and the replacement is  I have one that I've carried for years and I just found 3 more at a guns show. I'm stocking up on them while I can. I've played with ever multi tool I could get my hands on and they all suck by comparison |
Actually, many on this thread are wrong and don't see that I am right. But I am a patient man.  Multitools are a personal thing. Kinda like trying to explain why you prefer Coke over Pepsi. Any well machined tool with a decent design will have a fan club as well as a hate club of bashers. |
Just get one second hand. I got my Wave from an airport auction after TSA stole it from some poor soul. I've been really happy with the Wave. 4 easily accessed locking blades - smooth, serrated, saw, and file. The blades are on the outside so you don't have to do a folding jig to get at them. 4 screwdrivers - 1 phillips, 3 flats. Scissors that work well, pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, and a bottle opener. My only complaint is that the blades are stainless. The Swisstool and SOG look really nice, though. I think you'd be happy with any of these three. |
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I've only had it a year or less, but if I was forced to choose one multi tool of the ones I have to last the rest of my life it'd be the SOG powerlock. It's big, bigger than I care for to lug around in a front pocket, but it's a stout tool. I have to admit I ordered a wave today. I know the owner is a libtard but damn, it's a neat design. |
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So you guys think China or Austria support gun ownership in America? I have variety of multitools some of these you guys would laugh at like the Coleman Camper and Kobalt but they do the job. In fact, my Coleman has been on my boat for seven years now. When it comes down to grabbing the one tool I would want in crisis, its my Wave not one my Gerbers. I like the most used blades on the outside and the fact they lock. It saves time. Tj |
Tell the truth Hawk, you'll order more cause you like having more. At least I know I do!  SOG is next on my list. Just waiting on the right time. The cheap ones I tend to use in high theft probability or low use applications. Except the Coleman, I use it on the boat cause I figured it would end up in Davy Jones locker one day. Figures, it wouldn't.  Tj |
I can neither confirm nor deny any such thing regarding liking to have more....  I'm not saying which one I got yet, but it had a really nice feature I hadnt seen on any others. That said, yeah, I would like to get one different brand from what I got to not only have something different, but to have one with me and one stored with some gear. And then there is always that whole two is one, one is none thing... |