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Posted: 4/9/2004 10:10:05 AM EDT
| Anyone's recommendations and reasons why? |
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I've got a Gerber Multi-tool (had it for years) and now a Leatherman Sideclip. I suggest the Leatherman products over the Gerber (at least the one I have.) The main reason is because of the screwdrivers on the Gerber. The ends and sides are somewhat rounded, not all all squared off as proper screwdrivers should be. This makes them less than ideal in my opinion. The Leatherman screwdrivers on the other hand have sharp corners and sides. This allows them to properly grip the screw for insertion/extraction. I do like the slide out action of the Gerber, as it can be used one handed. However, with practice, I can "flip" my Leatherman most of the way open, far enough for me to finish opening it with one hand. I don't think you can really go wrong with either, but my money is going towards Leatherman from now on.... |
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lots of good tools, with pros n cons to all, you almost have to try them all out to see which one you like. i got the original leatherman, and a bucktool. the leatherman is nice but gripping down hard when using the pliers isnt too comfortable for your hand. the bucktool needlessly has an extra blade and a lanyard loop, where you could have 2 other more useful tools, the grip is more comfy but the pliers dont hold the work as well. id like to look at the swiss tool, or the leatherman wave. |
| I have the leatherman wave, and I love it. I never go anywhere with out it. The only thing I dont like about it is the star wrench you need to tigten or loosen the tension on the tools. Its a wierd half way metric sized one, and one of the sides came so thight from the factory that I need another tool to pry them out. Other than that , I love it, its great. |
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Make no mistake about it, Gerber is the choice of the US ARMY soilders who spend there own money on a muti-tool. I've seen hundreds of them and and the only drawback I have ever found is that the alloy colored (not black) ones will rust if not cared for or if they even smell saltwater. Once the rust starts it will usually not stop. If you go with Gerber don't buy a used 1st Gen. model as they will pinch your hands. The handles when (when you slip off a bolt) will close and be flush with each other and if your palm is inbetween them you will no longer be a Gerber fan. Gerber, Gerber, Gerber!! The other choice which I like but I have not seen field tested is the Kershaw muti-tool. It is always open, has vise-grips and a knife on the outside of the handle thus you don't have to unfold, extend, ect... your tool to get to the knife. The Bucktool is way to complicated to open, period!! Leatherman has many choices and I have heard many good things about them but opening them is not fast even with 2 hands. BTW it was probably the 2nd choice of muti-tools I saw on soilders hips. Swiss Army Knives makes one that a Black Hat used to carry but it was the only one I ever saw and I think he bought it to be different. The SOG tool I have never seen but there knives seem to be of good quailty. Schrade makes them as well and have handled a few but there doesn't seem to be anything special about them. Spiderco makes a very spange one that I've never held and it's expensive. I can't think of anyone else that makes one worth mentioning. I've studied muti-tools for years and can't find a better one than Gerber. Kershaw I believe makes a better knife using better steel but I haven't seen them beat on by Airborne Infantymen for years so it's 2nd place to me. Another drawback about Gerbers and maybe as well as all muti-tools is that if you try to cut something with the wire cutters and that object, say a clothes hanger is to hard it will deform the edges. When this happens the pliers tend not to pivit on it's hindge(s). When this happens you have to open the plyer manualy and it gets to be a pain in the ass. Glockdog Airborne!! |
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As an Air Force plumber I carry a muti-tool on my hip use it more often than daily. I have tried several types and brands my impressions are as follows. The Gerber is a good lightweight one-handed tool, but just not up to the task of real abuse. I have both broken them and seen the pliers broken. The original Leatherman is a good small tool, but as stated above, if you need a good bit of pressure it will hurt your hands. You will break the small screwdriver if you use it on anything other than eyeglasses. I now have been carrying the Super Leatherman for over a year and could not be happier. It seems to be as robust as the original with more tools and none of that discomfort. Seems to thrive on abuse, as I have not broken it, yet. Even the little screwdriver seems more robust and it is still intact. My $.02 |
| I have two Leatherman waves, they are the bomb! Costco (do you have them in NE?) has had them in stock for the last 6 or 8 months for $59.99 with the nylon sheath and AAA Mini Maglite. I also have a SOG Power Pliers, very high quality, but not enought tools and just "something" that I don't like. Also a Gerber, it's ok. And a LM Supertool. Leatherman also has the best warrenty, just sent it to them and they'll fix it, no questions asked. |
Yep, this is exactly what my Gerber multi-tool does. I bought it many years ago, so apparently they have changed the design. Hopefully they fixed the screwdrivers as well. I'm surprised more of the multi-tool makers aren't putting pocket clips on them. I've already got enough pouches and other crap strapped to my belt, I don't need a multi-tool sheath added to the mix. Right now, only Leatherman (AFAIK) offers multi-tools with a pocket clip. |
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