[ARCHIVED THREAD] - which Leatherman multi-tool? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/18/2008 1:21:11 PM EDT
| I was going to get a leatherman multi-tool because i heard how awesome they were, then when i went to look, there were a ton of different models. Which one has all the features i would need in a survival type sense? |
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I have several of the different models. The Super Tool is the most rugged and is what I have carried when packing or hunting, as it will do any of it's functions well. If you have not bought one yet, take a look at the SOG lineup. They have less tools and their power lock feature on the pliers is much superior to the Leatherman hinge. I have one of the large power lock tools and two of the smaller ones. Once they are broken in they can be opened one handed and are easier on the hands to operate. To me the SOG tools are more rugged and easier to use than the Leatheraman tools. Both are made in the USA so buy the model which has the features you like the best. Good luck, and enjoy shopping. 
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This one sogknives.com/store/S31.html or sogknives.com/store/S44.html I like SOGs far better |
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I got a leatherman super tool 200 from Marshalls for $20 in their clearance stuff over in the miscellanious stuff by the mens department. Just wanted to throw this out there so all you guys can keep an eye out at your local Marshalls. Here's the one I got(sorry don't know how to make the link hot): http://www.leatherman.com/multi-tools/retired-products/super-tool-200.aspx |
| sweet - am I in before someone posts all about the evilness of tim leatherman and how you are the spawn of satan for buying one of this products? I have the Charge Tti - it replaced a leatherman sideclip that I completely wore out. If you've got the money - buy the Charge - natchezss.com has a pretty good price on them. |
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I have a SOG PowerLock.... It sits in a drawer, I went back to using my Victorinox Swiss Tool X. Nothing I have used comes close to it in ease of use or quality of tools. www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=doityourself&product=53936& |
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I won't buy a new Leatherman on account of the owner's liberal, in-your-face politics and his sizeable contributions to Lib politicians. AFAIK. he has continued to do so. No problem with buying used units. I urge any Leatherman owner to send in their multi-tool for any warranty service it might need. That way, Tim Leatherman has to spend his money owning up to his guarantee, and can only spend that much less contributing to anti-gun lib politicians. I do have one or two older units, and they are of good quality. OTOH, Gerber, SOG, SwissTool and others are equally as well made, if not better in some cases. My wife sells kives and such, so I can get anything I want at a significanty reduced price. FWIW, WallyWorld has excellent prices on most of their multi-tools; maybe about half of MSRP. I find it curious that some folks still bash the long-dead Bill Ruger for his mistake in the past (for which he apologized and tried to atone), but are perfectly willing to give people like the unrepentant Tim Leatherman their business. It's your money, but no way am I willingly and knowingly going to help fund the opposition with my dough. |
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I have a few multi-tools; my duty carry is a Leatherman Charge (with tool bits) and for off duty/camping, I really like Swiss Spirit. I have two older, original Leatherman Waves which are great tools as well and still get to see plenty of use. What's more important are the tools you need... First, you need to identify what tools you need. To be honest, if you already carry a quality pocket folder, you really don't need that S30V or 154CM blade on the multi-tool. It's always a good backup, by mine rarely get used. Pliers are the key, and I prefer needlenose for working with snare/bailing wire, getting into tight spaces, lifting the pot lid while it's over the stove/fire, etc. The most important features I look for are: Pliers (I prefer needle nose...the Swiss Tool and older Gerbers are a little too blunt) File Scissors Saw (unless I carry my SAK Outrider or Rucksack) Awl/chisel Large flat-tip screwdriver Small flat-tip screwdriver Cross-tip screwdriver Swiss Tools and Spirit:  Between the different Swiss Tools, I like the X-model with the scissors:  Regular Spirit:  I love the Spirit's chisel/wire stipper tool!  Original Wave and Charge (I like the one-hand opening feature for the blades):   Two locking varieties, the Crunch and Kershaw (out of production I think); the Crunch remains in my day bag...it's a great compact locking pliers tool:   The Leatherman Blast is a pretty good size-for-the-tools bargain:  Gerber's have a great set of plier heads with a unique action to employ them (one-handed), but their tools don't impress me much as they don't seem like very serious secondary tools.  The line up:  I've recently added a SOG Powerlock to the lineup; this is another beefy multi-tool...it's on the same size/scale as the large Swiss Tools and the compound leverage is pretty impressive. I just don't like the tool covers...they can be removed, but I like easier access to the tools. Several choices to choose from. Figure out what you "need" and determine those requirements. It's easy to get the mega multitool with everything on it, but if you only end up using just the pliers...it becomes just dead weight. Multi-tools are a compromise; if you need serious pliers or wire cutters, carry a dedicated set; if you need a serious knife, carry a dedicated, quality folder. All the tools are handy, but second rate to dedicated tools...just understand the limitations. Also, if you don't use it, you're waisting money and carrying excess weight. Once you decide, take your multi-tool by itself on your next backpacking/camping trip. See how it performs for all your tasks. Some people have made it their whole life without a multi-tool and then there are others who will swear they couldn't make it a day without it. I won't go down the political path, but raf is correct that Tim Leatherman is a big democrat supporter...if that's an issue it's something to consider when making your choice; I will say that Leatherman's they are made in America and made well. Some of the best engineering are the Swiss Tools and the smaller Spirit is packed full of features...one reason why it's one of my top picks. Just a few of my thoughts. ROCK6 |
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The surge is my every day carry knife. It is pretty big compared to the wave. It feels like real tool in your hands. I completely wore out two Waves in the time my Surge has been going strong. Maybe I should package them up and send them back to Leatherman to see what they can do for them! |
i won't give him any money either. i also recommend breaking any tool with his name on it and sending it back for repair to slow the flood of money donated to the dems. remember tim wants a change from the republicians. that said, the swiss tool is a much better multitool. |
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I carry a Wave in my BOB, one in the vehicle and a Kick in my laptop backpack. Now that I'm seeing the large amount of Victorinox and SOG users, I may get one of each. I also carry a Gerber Clutch on my keychain. It's come in handy, even though the blades don't lock. The pliers are fairly strong, but the tool hurt your hands if you really have to bear down. 
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| i have a Wave - used to use it daily, but now I no longer need it for my job. Still keep it around and use it for most everything around the hose. After seeing all the other multi tools, I may have to look for another one. The only thing I do not like about he Wave is that the blade gets dull very quick. I use it to cut and strip wire, open boxes and packaging and cut stuff. Things I think should not make a knive get dull in a short time frame. Anyone else experience this? |
Lets see what a piece of crap Tim Leatherman is: Leatherman hires veterans Here is a link to someone who emailed Leatherman about his politics: Leatherman politics And the text of Leatherman's response:
Stop spreading mis-information about the company. If you don't like the fact that he voted for Kerry (and I don't either) then so be it. However, his company makes tools in the US. I think he's misinformed about his political views but I have no doubt that he cares for his country. A LOT of companies support both sides in the political debate. The reason is that they want to get benefits from WHOEVER gets elected. There is no evidence that I am aware of that leads me to believe that Leatherman has made "sizeable" contributions to liberals. Either start presenting hard evidence or stop spreading internet BS. You critizise people for buying from someone who "supports" liberals. Then you advocate that people buy tools from Walmart. Well lets look at Walmart's contributions to democrats: Walmarts Democrat and Republican contributions I don't work for the company nor do I have any interest in the company. I just know that Leatherman makes good tools and I'll keep buying them even if his political views don't match mine. |
Yeah, I've had a Gerber for almost fifteen years. My original one was lost when I loaned it out  and when I replaced it they had the "custom multitool" ordering option going. I think that was in 2000, so this one is eight years old--and I love it.However, I'm a teacher, and carrying it on my belt is at best "not encouraged", so my daily carry tool is a Leatherman Squirt E4, with wire stripper and plier nose tool. It gets the job done. |
this |
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I have a wave and love it. but my next multitool will be a swisstool Probably this one |
It's illegal to refuse to hire vets. If he goes further than he is legally obligated to, good for him.
And Leatherman is quite correct insaying that he, personally, did not contribute to Kerry/Edwards, at least in any form that www.opensecrets.org can trace. Whether he did so in an untraceable way is impossible to say. However, he did specifically endorse Kerry/Edwards, giving his name, company position, and company name at the time. Now, after he gaet some grief, he says it was a personal endorsement, and would we all please forget about his company and his position within it?
He gave (donated) his endorsement to Kerry/Edwards, and that face he confessed to when forced to. If you are so concerned about buying only US-made goods, that is your business. I prefer to spend my hard-earned money on quality items; if such an item is made in the US, great. If not, I will buy as I choose, regardless of origin. Please don't try to accuse me of being somehow unpatriotic if I choose to buy superior goods not made in US. Capitalism is a hard system, and it is what this country was founded on. Frankly, I think unpatriotic, in the larger sense, to support US firms that make inferior products under the misguided premise that doing so helps our country.
Yes they do. What they are doing is paying bribes to both sides, and hedging their bets. Far from admirable. Required nowadays, but far from what our founding Fathers envisaged.
He lent his name, Company name, and Company position to Kerry/Edwards in endorsing them. As to whether he contributed money, I cannot say. Personally, I wouldn't bet against it.
You and I will have to agree to disagree. I refuse to buy new goods made in any country that is our enemy, either actual or potential. I also refuse to buy goods made by a company whose Owner and CEO goes out of his way to endorse political candidates whith whom I greatly disagree. That is my right as an individual consumer, and as an American. If you choose to do differently, that is your business. |
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Raf I am sorry that you are so confused. Reading is fundamental. Please read my entire post and think before posting. I never critizised anyone's shopping at Walmart. I shop there myself. I simply pointed out the contradiction in your statement that you won't buy Leatherman tools because of his "sizeable contributions" (your words) to liberals when the same company that you recommend shopping at (Walmart) also does the same thing but with sizeable financial contributions (my words). So, you willingly shop at at business that contributes to liberals but won't buy from Leatherman because he endorses a liberal (nice tap dancing around the reworking of your earlier comment that he makes sizeable donations and then once confronted with the fact that he has not contributed money to liberals you explain that comment by saying that you meant his endorsement and not money  ) I never said that it was ok with me that a company donates money to both sides of the political debate. I just said that it happens. Please don't put words in my mouth or make assumptions on what I said. Again, reading is fundamental and comprehension is critical. Also, you accuse me of saying that you are unpatriotic (your words). Please point out to me where I said that you are unpatriotic. Good luck with that because I never said it. I am sure that you are patriotic you are just misinformed about this issue. Then, when called on your inaccuracies and assumtions, you make accusations against me that I never said.
Somehow I strongly doubt that you have always "refuse to buy new goods made in any country that is our enemy, either actual or potential". If you own a TV, computer, radio, or various items of clothing, I am certain that it was either made in China or at least parts of it were made in China or other third world country. So, don't try to tell me that you never purchase goods made in a country that hates us. Speaking of Walmart, I bought two Leatherman Wave tools recently at Walmart that were marked down to $49 from $68 IIRC. |
Please don't attempt to demean my intelligence by such a cheap allegation. Been done before. Didn't take.
Wait a minute, Didn't you imply Walmart was a Demo contributor because of their lopsided contributions to the Dems? Yet Tim Leatherman contributed his Name and Company in support of the Dems. Can't have it both ways.
He contributed the most precious thing he has, his name and reputation. Compared to that, money is as nothing.
I'll wait for you to stop backpeddlin' before I respond.
I can tell when someone's wrapping the flag around themself and calling out people who do different as unpatriotic.. That won't wash. If I chose to diss people who support anti-American agendas like Kerry's, that means far more to me than where I buy a pocket tool. There's a BIG forest out there, mebbe you should look away from the trees and see the whole big picture. Are you SURE you are a conservative?
You know nothing about me. I can buy, used, anything I want so that the money does not go to foreign enemies. You might want to consider doing business in such a manner if you are as patriotic as you claim to be.
I'm sure the Democratic Party is happy that their supporter, Tim Leatherman, has your money in his pocket and ready to be donated to NoBama via some untraceable path. Be happy in your purchase. You have enabled The One. |
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Raf: I see that you have decided to resort to insults rather than to have a rational discussion about an issue. You have also chosen to take my comments out of context and to mis quote me. Since you have made up your mind, clearly no facts will convince you. I could care less if you don't like Leatherman tools or Tim Leatherman's personal political views. You certainly can choose to spend your money wherever you choose. I just dislike seeing people spead bad internet rumor rather than facts. Pat Rogers was correct when he said that the internet is the biggest source of misinformation. It's just sad that it has to come from a member of the site staff. Since you are not interested in facts and just want to sling insults, then this discussion is over. To the OP: Sorry for derailing your thread into a political discussion. I have nothing against most of the tools mentioned. I do not like Gerber tools after owning several because I feel that their metalurgy is inferior. The new ones may be better but I am not willing to spend my money to find out when Leatherman tools are still top of the line. I have owned a SuperTool and several Wave tools. I've also given the tiny Micra tools to people as gifts. I also owned one of the original Leatherman tools but I lost it somewhere. I have been nothing but happy with the various Leatherman tools that I have owned. They are all of the highest quality and the OP will no doubt be happy with whichever one he purchases. I recommend the Wave as a good balance between size and being big enough to do some good work with it. As a survival tool, I recommend that whichever make/model you purchase, make sure it has a saw. In survival conditions, you will find that the saw gets the most use followed by the two knife blades. I have used the Wave and the SuperTool at the Marine Corps Cold Weather Survival course that I went to a number of years ago and it was a great piece of gear. Leatherman tools were all they issued in the class. That says something for the Leatherman quality. |
Specify my CoC violations. If you wish, report me to my superiors. Make sure to give them a complete accounting; I certainly will.
No, I have quoted you exactly, as any reader can plainly see. Your problem is that you are in the wrong on the issue, and I have shown it so.
Please don't re-accuse me of spreading false rumors. It is one thing if you cannot refute my claims, but please don't waste my time by repeating your unfounded allegations. You had your shot, and blew it.
Not for nothing, but quoting Pat Rogers does nothing to buttress your allegations in this thread. Leave Pat out of something he doesn't even know exists. Nice try, no cigar.
Buh-Bye.
As a long-time owner of Leatherman, SOG, Gerber, and SwissTool devices, as well as many others, please allow me to say that IMHO, SwissTool is the best quality. Perhaps the fact that I am not fixated on one or another brand will lend some creedence to my claim. They are are all of good quality, but only one can be the best. I suggest re-reading the above thread, and trying out a couple or three that seem to fit your needs. Buying and testing a few is not money wasted; you will find your personal best, and the rest will still be very good back-ups. |
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I was looking for a multi-tool a couple years ago... I ended up with a SOG Powerlock in Black Oxide. I use it at least once a day... I've worn out 2 sheaths... I like the nylon sheath b/c I wear it horizontally on my belt just above my right buttcheek. Comfortable, out of the way, easy access, doesn't interefere with my CCW IWB holster... It is a great tool... I'd recommend it to anyone... My $.02 ~Troy |
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Interesting this is coming up. I am kind of on the market for a new one. Currently I am using a SOG powerlock. The pliers are great. Tools are pretty good. The knife blade lacks a lot. It's half serrated and beveled on only one side. Crap. Here is what I deem important. I want a non-serrated blade that is decent enough to carve with. Serrated blades are no good for wood work- only cutting rope or similar cuts. A saw is nifty for survival situations. Other than that, your basic tools- decent needlenose pliers, philips head and flat head drivers. Semi important features- ability to open the blade one handed. If one handed is f%cked up, I want to easily be able to open the blade. The Leatherman line has several that fit the bill- Charge, Wave, and other variations of those. I held the Swisstool today- it may be the best made one I have ever held. It's a bit expensive at my local shop (~$114). I'm not sure which I am getting yet. I want to check out some of the newer leatherman models before I decide. ETA: Another one that I really like is the Skeletool- if only it came with a saw. I really like the idea of shedding oz. |
Three Gerbers and a Leatherman Wave here. The Gerbers are okay (even the China-made "Suspension" model), but I like the Wave the best. The Leatherman certainly has the most solid feel of quality out of the four multitools I have... even if it is a dirty Democrat.  
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