[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Multi-tool Recommendations (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/11/2010 5:22:43 PM EDT
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Hello everybody,
I'm sure this has been discussed in here, but my searches brought up nothing. I currently have no 'large' multi-tool. I've been looking at larger ones such as the Wave and/or Surge. I really liked the size and weight of the Wave, but read some pretty bad reviews about quality. The main concern for me is durability. Maybe I could pose it this way, if you wanted one multi-tool that you would use for hiking AND SHTF, which one would you get? I'm thinking most important tools for me will be can opener, scissors, pliers, knife, and flat-head screw driver. I would prefer to stay under $75. Thanks! |
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Quoted:
Hello everybody, I'm sure this has been discussed in here, but my searches brought up nothing. I currently have no 'large' multi-tool. I've been looking at larger ones such as the Wave and/or Surge. I really liked the size and weight of the Wave, but read some pretty bad reviews about quality. 
The main concern for me is durability. Maybe I could pose it this way, if you wanted one multi-tool that you would use for hiking AND SHTF, which one would you get? I'm thinking most important tools for me will be can opener, scissors, pliers, knife, and flat-head screw driver. I would prefer to stay under $75. Thanks! The Wave has my vote. No issues with mine. 25 year warranty if you have any issues with yours. |
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It's a little over your $75 price point but I would highly recommend the the Leathermen Charge TTi. I've had one for years and it's by far the best multitool I've ever owned. Amazon is selling them now for $102.
The handles are made of titanium and the knife blade is a clip point S30V blade. It also comes with 8 double end bits that come in very handy at times. The bits fit in a flat holder that slides into the sheath with the tool. Check the Amazon link below for the full specs. You can get it with either a nylon or leather sheath. http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830685-Charge-Nylon-Sheath/dp/B000LG823K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292125564&sr=8-1 |
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It's a little over your $75 price point but I would highly recommend the the Leathermen Charge TTi. I've had one for years and it's by far the best multitool I've ever owned. Amazon is selling them now for $102. The handles are made of titanium and the knife blade is a clip point S30V blade. It also comes with 8 double end bits that come in very handy at times. The bits fit in a flat holder that slides into the sheath with the tool. Check the Amazon link below for the full specs. You can get it with either a nylon or leather sheath. http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830685-Charge-Nylon-Sheath/dp/B000LG823K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292125564&sr=8-1 This one for sure - I'm hard on multi-tools and I use mine probably 20 times a day in the oilfield - great tool oh and in before a Tim Leatherman is the spawn of satan and I'm an evil American that hates this country because I buy his product.... |
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Quoted: I'll second that vote, the Charge and Surge are the best large sized multitools I've ever used. I have two Charges since I lost one and replaced it, then found the first one. It's a little over your $75 price point but I would highly recommend the the Leathermen Charge TTi. I've had one for years and it's by far the best multitool I've ever owned. Amazon is selling them now for $102. The handles are made of titanium and the knife blade is a clip point S30V blade. It also comes with 8 double end bits that come in very handy at times. The bits fit in a flat holder that slides into the sheath with the tool. Check the Amazon link below for the full specs. You can get it with either a nylon or leather sheath. http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830685-Charge-Nylon-Sheath/dp/B000LG823K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292125564&sr=8-1  |
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Vice-grips,
I have an old Leatherman and one of the Kershaw locking mulittools (it was a gift) but over the years I have just started using vise-grips. They hold better, are cheaper (I have them in BOBs and GHBs). You want a saw, watch the video. watch me Need a screw driver, buy a cheap small one and a chainsaw or triangle file. For maybe twice the weight I have much better tools for less money, and would rather carry the extra pound know know they will stand the test of time. my $.02 |
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Vice-grips, I have an old Leatherman and one of the Kershaw locking mulittools (it was a gift) but over the years I have just started using vise-grips. They hold better, are cheaper (I have them in BOBs and GHBs). You want a saw, watch the video. watch me Need a screw driver, buy a cheap small one and a chainsaw or triangle file. For maybe twice the weight I have much better tools for less money, and would rather carry the extra pound know know they will stand the test of time. my $.02 Funny. I was just using one of my Vise Grips and thought how I would rather have them and a SAK over a multitool. Of all out there, I do like my Gerber. !5 years old, don't remember the model. The Victorinox multitools are top notch from whatI have read, but I dont own one. |
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SOG Powerlock are great tools and you can add/remove implements or just order what you want on them. USA made. I found on local, used and super cheap.
Gerber 400, Diesel, etc. are great tools too. Victorinox Swiss tools are good to go as well. Leatherman Blast or Wave is hard to beat. USA made. If you don't want to buy from Leatherman new, look on Ebay or locally at pawn shops and buy used. Leatherman honors their warranty if there is anything you need repaired. So will Gerber, SOG and Victorinox. Also, I like leather sheaths. Just my preference. If you can go somewhere and handle a few of them that will help you decide. You will probably end up with more than one before you are done! One piece of advice: Do Not Buy A Cheap Knockoff Multitool. Stick with the real deals. Only buy cheap ass multitools for people you don't like. |
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ive broken the cheap ass gerber ones and i dont like the SOGs because ive gotten my hand caught in those stupid gears. leatherman is owned by a shitbird etc....
the best mulit tool ive used is the swiss tool. i love it! you dont have to open it and its small and compact. also VERY tough ive used it pry cut hammer etc. it doesnt get better |
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Gerbers are fine for casual/incidental use, but are not built to the same standards as the leatherman tools.
I use them because they are free. If you get one, take apart the two threaded sleeves that all the tools pivot around and loctite them. Otherwise, they will come loose while you are using the tool or even worse while it is on your belt and all the tools will quietly disappear.... The changeable carbine cutting bits are a neat idea but usually just end up cracking. |
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Gerbers are fine for casual/incidental use, but are not built to the same standards as the leatherman tools. I use them because they are free. If you get one, take apart the two threaded sleeves that all the tools pivot around and loctite them. Otherwise, they will come loose while you are using the tool or even worse while it is on your belt and all the tools will quietly disappear.... The changeable carbine cutting bits are a neat idea but usually just end up cracking. I have had the same gerber multi for 6yrs now and it has not come loose or had anyproblems holding up to anything. I use it almost daily, when it finally goes I will be buying another gerber. |
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Gerber Diesel, hands down. i can't break mine, the kid can't break his, and the knife blade actually holds an edge. Ops I agree with Ops 100%. Best Multi tool I've owned. -Needle nose pliers, more functional for multitool pliers IMO -All tools lock open -Scissors, great for cutting mole skin -Black finish, flat -Opens w/ one hand -Very comfortable in the hands http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e218/expert244/GBRGEO1545.jpg |
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Gerber Diesel, hands down. i can't break mine, the kid can't break his, and the knife blade actually holds an edge. Ops I agree with Ops 100%. Best Multi tool I've owned. -Needle nose pliers, more functional for multitool pliers IMO -All tools lock open -Scissors, great for cutting mole skin -Black finish, flat -Opens w/ one hand -Very comfortable in the hands http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e218/expert244/GBRGEO1545.jpg Hell, it just looks cool right there. I'd buy one just to frame it in a shadow box for display. |
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I have the leatherman skeletool. I use it as my everday carry knife and it comes in handy quite often. The blade is quickly deployable. The screwdriver is actually useful. And the pliers are pretty ergonomic. Pretty much all the tools you need and none that you dont. http://www.leatherman.com/product/Skeletool |
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Gerber Diesel, hands down. i can't break mine, the kid can't break his, and the knife blade actually holds an edge. Ops I agree with Ops 100%. Best Multi tool I've owned. -Needle nose pliers, more functional for multitool pliers IMO -All tools lock open -Scissors, great for cutting mole skin -Black finish, flat -Opens w/ one hand -Very comfortable in the hands http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e218/expert244/GBRGEO1545.jpg +100 Try holding something in one hand and deploying a leatherman with the other. The Gerber is a quick flick of the wrist. |
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ive broken the cheap ass gerber ones and i dont like the SOGs because ive gotten my hand caught in those stupid gears. leatherman is owned by a shitbird etc.... the best mulit tool ive used is the swiss tool. i love it! you dont have to open it and its small and compact. also VERY tough ive used it pry cut hammer etc. it doesnt get better this, note, the first post does not always nail it. |
| Victorinox Swiss Tool is very nice. I have a Leatherman Super Tool 200 that is nice too. I have an ancient (1993) Gerber with non-locking tools (I prefer locking tools). I have a SOG (issued at work) that has a really crappy blade on it; it is dull from the factory and difficult to put an edge on. |
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Gerber Diesel, hands down. i can't break mine, the kid can't break his, and the knife blade actually holds an edge. Ops I agree with Ops 100%. Best Multi tool I've owned. -Needle nose pliers, more functional for multitool pliers IMO -All tools lock open -Scissors, great for cutting mole skin -Black finish, flat -Opens w/ one hand -Very comfortable in the hands http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e218/expert244/GBRGEO1545.jpg +100 Try holding something in one hand and deploying a leatherman with the other. The Gerber is a quick flick of the wrist. If you can open a butterfly knife one handed, you can open a leatherman one handed. Practice makes perfect. 
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Quoted:
Vice-grips, I have an old Leatherman and one of the Kershaw locking mulittools (it was a gift) but over the years I have just started using vise-grips. They hold better, are cheaper (I have them in BOBs and GHBs). You want a saw, watch the video. watch me Need a screw driver, buy a cheap small one and a chainsaw or triangle file. For maybe twice the weight I have much better tools for less money, and would rather carry the extra pound know know they will stand the test of time. my $.02 Works for me too... |
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I have to agree with the Gerber Diesel. The only thing that would make it perfect is if they would have the replaceable wire cutter blades and if they would put the replaceable blade attachment point in it somewhere. I have that on my one Gerber 600 and I really like it.
I carry my Diesel in my range bag, which is always my vehicle. I can't believe how much I use it! |
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Carried a Wave everyday as an EDC for 4 years now. Only problem I've had is with the pocket clip getting caught on something and breaking. Buy several at a time and it's not a big deal.
It definately gets my vote and I carried a SOG and a Gerber overseas. If you can grab a SOG when it's on Steepandcheap it's a great deal on an excellent tool, though. |
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I've tried many in the last 20 years from the original Leatherman (ouch when really bearing down on the pliers). My current favorite is the Leatherman Charge TTI.
• Blades you can get to without opening the handle • comfortable grip when using the pliers • Sandvik steel main blade • plenty of junk in there and still reasonable on the weight due to the Titanium • all tools lock.. and unlock easily • diamond file/stone built in |
| I'm a Leatherman fan. Have a Skeletool CX for my EDC, have an old Pulse in my pack. I have a cheap Micro knockoff on my keychain. Planning on getting a MUT soon to fulfill the Large Format hole in my collection. The Charge TTi is a very nice choice, and was my top choice till the MUT came out. |
| I've had a Gerber for a few years. I broke the locking mechanism last summer opening a can of Spaghetti-Os for my kids while camping. It still works but the tools don't lock open. I know a lot of people love the Gerbers but I just figured I'd throw in my experience. |
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The Wave makes a really good compromise between size/ability and weight.
The Juice series are lighter and smaller, but really not as good for using. Perfect if you want to monkey with a fishing reel, pull a pot off the fire, etc. Not good for pulling out at a job site. The Supertool, big Sog, etc, are better if you are going to be using them heavy, but really up the weight. I used to carry a Wave for hiking and work. I used the saw, diamond file, pliers, knife, etc. Also, it works great w/ the pocket clip you can buy. The Charge comes with the pocket clip, I believe, and one of the Charge models is identical to the Wave. My issue with the Wave was that I would break them eventually, and as the price kept going up I couldn't justify replacing them. They do have a great warranty, but I just didn't feel like being without the tool because I used it so much. It really is a good tool, however. |
