[stillaftermath]

I've got a long standing personal vendetta with the Gerber brand as a whole, personally. I've had two of their multitools and one knife from them, and all three broke in one way or another. To be fair, they weren't the top of the line ones with the best steel, etc - But neither are any of the Leathermans I've owned and lost over the years, nor were the SOGs I owned before my Benchmade, and they held up just fine - The two SOGs, in fact, are now EDCs for two friends who previously didn't bother with knives, and chugging along great.

One of the multitools was tossed years ago, the other and the folder are in my dresser. Every now and then I'll call them up to argue with them about their "lifetime warranty" that requires I have a copy of the purchase receipt (Yeah. I'm gonna hang onto that for my lifetime) in the vain hope that some day they might honor it.

Are there any brands or particular models you guys avoid like the plague? I don't mean flea market specials, but mid-range stuff where you expected quality and felt let down?

Any that you think are just dog ugly or have some wonderfully new and innovative mechanism that you think just flat sucks?

[Isaac's Grandpa]

Mainly just the Gerbers. The multi-tool would raise some nasty blood blisters in the palm if I slipped off a bolt. I am not too happy with the Kershaw assisteds. I have had 5 that the safety tab broke on. Some day I will have to send them back.

[Doug S]

I liked Leatherman better when they were marked "U.S.A." They no longer meet that criteria, but the prices continue to go up. I didn't mind paying their prices for an American made product. Now, I find it a little more difficult. I like my older Leatherman tools, and my SOG tool. Used to have a Gerber when they first came out, and liked it. I wouldn't buy one now, for some of the reasons I mentioned above, and some others I won't bore you with. Actually, I've come to prefer Victorinox products.

[federalfarmer]

BUCK! what a pile of unsharpenable steel! :banghead:

[mustang_steve]

I really dislike Spyderco. Their steel choices and blade shapes, while good just aren't my cup of tea. I also despise tip-up carry, which most of their knives are.

For multitools...I'm not a fan of SOG. I had two SOGs, both broke in under a month under the same conditions my Leatherman PSTII handled for nearly 8 years.

While I like the Gerber Suspension for it's locking features...the blade stop bent under some heavy usage within a couple months, causing the blade to move about 18" while "locked". It was fixable, however I'm not buying one of those again either.

Needless to say, I'm hell on my "utility" knives. So far Leatherman is the only one I've had that can put up with it (well minus my habit of shattering the screwdriver bits, heh...did that to an EOD model Bucktool working on the dash of an 89 Corolla as well).

[JohnnyOrygun]

Gerber is my least favorite. I had one of the original gerber multi tools, it seems 2-4 of the implements broke... Poor castings. I sent it back and they did send me a new one. But that's been 12 years ago, I gave that one away. In general I find gerber products to be inferior, their metals aren't as good as Leatherman. The only thing.I have broke on any of my leatherman's is the knife tip & that was my fault.I also don't care for gerber knives, they don't seem to hold an edge and they are hard to sharpen. IMHO

[mustang_steve]

The only problems I've had with Gerber and Buck knives as far as blades go is I dislike the angle of the edge. After changing the angle with my Lansky system, they all work really well. Especially my Gerber Paraframe....it needed a more acute blade angle compared to what it shipped with.

[JohnKSa]

I tried a Gerber Multitool (Multi-Pliers, IIRC) some years back and didn't like it. It was bigger than I thought it needed to be and I got pinched a couple of times using the pliers function. I replaced it with a SOG Paratool and haven't looked back.

No complaints on the Gerber knives although they don't scream "buy me" when I look at them. I have a few that I've acquired here and there over the years and am generally satisfied but I don't go looking for them.

I don't care for the Leatherman tools because I don't like the way they fold back on themselves. You end up applying pressure to the inside part of the handle while using the pliers which is usually not comfortable. Also, the way that they fold can allow them to fold up while you're using the pliers once they get a little loose from use.

[7X57chilmau]

My second Leatherman original multi-tool failed a month or 2 ago, the pliers cracked at the joint. The previous tool suffered a failed wire cutter about 5 years ago. I'll bring it in for warranty replacement soon.

While the leatherman has failed me a second time, I don't really blame it. I use them hard. This one failed while bending the handle on a knife (handle was red, forces shouldn't have been so great as to break the pliers, but time caught up with it). In the end, the leatherman plier shape is a great needlenose one with better rigidity than most of the needlenose pliers I've come across.

I've generally had good luck with the knives I own. I don't buy cheap crap, and I evaluate a few examples of the model I want before choosing mine. I take the best one I can find in the store's inventory. Smoothest action, best allignment, etc.

I've yet to have the lock tab on my kershaw fail. I suspect closing the knife on a tab that's partially in teh lock position is the problem here. Once the plastic is nicked, it'd be easy to break. Under normal usage, it's plenty tough for the job (leverage to open the blade is very poor when closed'n'locked. The tab sees very little force.)

J

[theotherwaldo]

Folks! Stop and think!!

Most of these "tools" are miniatures, made from less than one-quarter of the metal of a real tool. The original multi-tools from which these were copied were either emergency survival tools or shiny executive pocket toys. Of course they're fragile!

That said, I have a number of these little gems. I've never knowingly bought one, though. You know how auction lot purchases are. Found also in used cars and tackle boxes. Even found one in the library parking lot.

I've never broken one. They all raise blood blisters if you aren't careful. They are all design compromises, trading strength and capacity for compact size. I've allowed for this when using them.

I have no complaints, as I have no unrealistic expectations.

[HoosierQ]

I am with Isaac's Grampa on the Gerber.

I have one and it is really a neat piece of workmanship...and I still have it. But the thing is so dangerous to your palm that if you use the pliers, you better have a pair of thick gloves on or you will be injured.

I love Gerber knives but not this product.

[Gordon]

Leatherman is/was a big BO supporter and is NOT 2nd amendment friendly. Anything I can do to lessen their sales is not enough....
Victornox makes a very nice multifunction pliers rig. After 5 years of use I am satisfied in every way. I carry it in a Blade Tech sheath.

[stillaftermath]

Folks! Stop and think!!

Most of these "tools" are miniatures, made from less than one-quarter of the metal of a real tool. The original multi-tools from which these were copied were either emergency survival tools or shiny executive pocket toys. Of course they're fragile!

I think most of us acknowledge when we break something and it's our fault.

The crux of my complaint with Gerber multitools is that I use Leathermans in the same roles all the time, and not one of those has broken on me. When I replace one, it's because I lost the old one or I want a different model. Every Gerber I've used has failed me in less then 2 or 3 years, and I'm not particularly hard on them. The folder that broke on me was the final straw; the catch release mechanism just snapped off from being opened and closed. No stress harder than a few pounds of force from my thumb was applied on this at any point, ever, and it still broke in like 4 months from daily opening and closing.

In addition, I have some design complaints about the Gerbers multitools, like the way the pliers slide out seems counter-intuitive to me, and how they always gap in the middle when folded. I like the way I can unfold a Leatherman one-handed by catching one handle on my pocket, and I like they way they fold up completely closed with no gaps. Seems like a more efficient use of space to me, but that's personal preference.

I'm not a fan of Spydercos as a matter of aesthetics, either, but I'll leave them alone. There's nothing wrong with them, I just don't like the look of them.

[7X57chilmau]

I've got one of the victorinox multi-tools as well, and it's better than the Leatherman in all ways but 2: The handle, while much more comfortable than the Leatherman's, is very heavy, which means it stays home on backpacking trips, and the pliers don't have as fine a point (though they're absolutely excellent pliers!)

J

[stillaftermath]

Leatherman is/was a big BO supporter and is NOT 2nd amendment friendly. Anything I can do to lessen their sales is not enough....

Can you actually back a source on the 2nd Amendment issue with Tim Leatherman? I've heard it for years but nobody can really cite anything other than Tim Leatherman is a Democrat, largely due to environmental issues, and that he once filled a pretty badly worded ATF engraving order.

But has he ever actually said anything, anywhere, about guns? The only quotes I can find from him anywhere are explicitly regarding environmental issues. It doesn't seem particularly surprising to me that an outdoorsman of any sort might be extremely interested in environmental conservation, regardless of how misguided you might think he is.

[Ghost Walker]

I don't like Leatherman tools; the handles are way too slippery. I don't like Spyderco knives, either, because the steel is too soft.

I collect Randall-Made knives; but, my choice for everyday carry is CRKT. The blade locks are very secure; and, the steel is more than hard enough for general use. My favorite model? The now discontinued #6783 with a serrated black blade.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9927/crktk6783folder.jpg

[Cap n Ball]

I use Toolzall by Crescent. Excellent all round tools. Like with any multi-tool you need to be carefull when opening or closing.

[mustang_steve]

If you want opinions on what knives I reccomend or not and why, here we go, my collection (well minus my pen knives):
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/catatonic_cyclist/DSCN0199.jpg
Top Left: Gerber Suspension: The feel is good, the springed pliers are nice althoug the overall size is on the bulky side. Locking blades/tools is a plus. The stop is prone to bending under high torque applications and the steel is poorly ground, but can be made to take a nice edge.

Bottom Left: Leatherman PST II: Nice feel, pliers are a bit difficult to handle since there's no springed hinger. No locking tools, thus tool slippage is more likely. Durability is very high and the blade is capable of taking a wicked edge.

Top Right: Parkey Gypsy: Butterfly knife, ultra-thin steel handles. Poor grip due to the steel handles, fast as lightining to deploy and the easiest carry knife I have. It can take a moderate edge. This knife was a repair job...the fool that owned it before me took it to a grinder and screwed it up pretty badly.

Second down: S&W SWAT Assisted Open: One of my favorites. It's a little wide, but the action is solid and flawless, the safety is just that (safe)...and the blade is both easy to sharpen and holds a very sharp edge well. Downside...the pocket clip is turning a really dark grey (not rusting though).

Third down: Benchmade Panther: This knife is amazingly light, having a Zytel handle and titanium liner lock. The blade is harder than all hell (it will damage my Norton stone if I use it on it), but it's edge holding ability is simply insane. This knife has been used as an ice pick, used to split carpeting tack strip, etc...the only scratch it has is from a carbide sharpener. Simply put, it's IMO the Sherman tank of knives....worth the $90 I paid for it back in 1998. Yes, the handle is bashed to hell....I let some woman I worked with at the time borrow my knife...I didn't know she was going to use it to hammer a nail into a pallet. :(

Fourth down: Gerber Paraframe: It's the second thinnest of these all, and possibly the lightest, having an aluminum handle/integrated liner lock. The Titanium Nitride finish will wear off quickly if this knife is used as a box cutter (which I did). The edge is not the best holding, but it can take a super sharp edge by simply altering the bevels. This is my EDC just because it's reliable and easily replaced if it does end up missing/broken/etc.

[Black Toe Knives]

What a silly question. There is no such thing as a knife I don't like. I have bought Chinese knives for patterns. I may not want to use it. But no such as a knife I don't like. Knives are my passion.

[erictank]

Isaac's Grandpa said: I am not too happy with the Kershaw assisteds. I have had 5 that the safety tab broke on. Some day I will have to send them back.

I accidentally ran a Ken Onion Leek (Kershaw-branded assisted-open) through the laundry, washer and dryer both, a while back. The heat in the dryer wrecked the plastic locking-tab, naturally, and being thrown around the dryer drum popped it open, which ended up snapping the tip off (amazingly, NOTHING ELSE in the dryer was damaged. Don't know HOW that happened...). Well, I ground the tip back to sharp and sent an email to Kershaw asking for the price to get them to ship me a new locking mechanism, and explaining the circumstances by which the knife was damaged - figured they'd get a chuckle out of it. They sent me 4 new locking mechanisms in separate little baggies, for free. I'd call that good customer service, myself, and the knife has been a near-daily companion for several years now - I think it's great, frankly. My only real gripe is that there are 3 different sizes of star-head bolts holding the thing together - would it have killed them to have used ONE size? Regardless, I'd buy a Kershaw again in a heartbeat.

SOG did something similar for me with my Pentagon Elite knife, when I broke the skeletonized pocket-clip several years back - I sent them an email via their site, and got a new clip for free. I'd buy from them again, as well.

[mustang_steve]

I agree, fantastic service is great. My thing with multitools is I use them in the line of my work, where carry of a toolbox is impossible for various reasons. So for me, warranty is not a consideration. That said, I'm sticking with Leatherman. They have a fantastic warranty (well kinda...a replacement PSTII was of inferior build, but the model was disco'd for about 4-5 years at that point)....but their tools take massive misuse to break in the first place (I was using one handle to increase torque to a screwdriver that was being used as a prying device).

[22-rimfire]

I have a SOG and old Gerber (actually the original) multi-tools. Never owed a Leatherman. I find that I never want to have to depend on any of these tools. I treat them like I do a SAK.... okay for low stress tasks. I can't say that they are comfortable to use. I seldom have one on my belt. But I do have one in my vehicle just in case.

I'm not fond of Gerber knives in general although I used a Gator for years as my field knife. I used it for chores that I often wouldn't use another knife. Never broke however. The only knives that I have purchased that I don't like in the last 10 years are Frost Cutlery blades. I have not bought anything from United Cutlery which I rank at about the same quality level. Some complain about SOG products, but I have been happy with all of the their blades I own and I own quite a few.

[Mokwepa]

Dont like Leathermans surge,wave,charge. Ive managed to break the frame on all of these. The best leatherman is the supertool and supertool 200. I use a leatherman everyday for hard work, havent broken a supertool yet.

Dont like any of the gerbers, break them in a week.

[TimboKhan]

I also despise tip-up carry, which most of their knives are

Pretty easy to fix on most models, though if they aren't your thing, they aren't your thing.

[Quilbilly]

Any multi-tool but the leatherman.

Also, I don't like most benchmade knives just because they look cheap to me. Dumb reason I know, but there it is.

Someone gave me a used Kershaw Vapor. I HATE it. One of the ones made in China. It is not great quality and is all beat up. I get more use out of it than my other, nicer, knives because I just do not care about it. I beat on it on purpose when I get the chance. Just cant justify buying another knife until I need one...

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I bought my dad a Gerber paraframe once.


It absolutely wouldn't hold an edge for any reasonable amount of time.

Buttery soft steel on that one.

[rhinoh]

I bought one of the Gerber Remix knives recently. I really like the large hole to stick your index finger through for absolute retention, assuming you keep your finger.
But- when closing it with that skeleton frame..whoa:eek: That could shear off a fingertip instantly if you have them poking into the openings in the skeleton. I'm really amazed in todays society Gerber even sells these, I'm sure they'll get sued if they haven't already.
Its ok otherwise, nothing great but its only a $25 knife.

BTW CDNN has been including a free knife with their orders recently. A Maxam brand...they included 3 in my recent order even though I was only due 1, I wouldn't give you $3 for all 3:barf:

It reminded me of the total POS Sig was giving away awhile back for registering a purchase online. They charged $5 to ship what turned out to be a 50 cent knife..that wasn't even the one promised. One side of the blade said SIG the other said China :cool:

Multitools- I love my Leatherman Surge. Have carried several other Leathermans in the past. Had great service out of all of them. Somewhere I have one of the early Gerbers- yep it pinched my palm too! Left a long blood blister I have never forgotten, its been retired for years, one of my sons probably has it, haven't seen it in a long time.

[conw]

http://www.riversidepapercompany.com/images/jansan/plastic_knife_white.jpg

Biggest. Waste. Ever.

[rhinoh]

I liked Leatherman better when they were marked "U.S.A." They no longer meet that criteria, but the prices continue to go up. I didn't mind paying their prices for an American made product. Now, I find it a little more difficult.

Curious where you got the info they weren't American made? Is it current or part of an old dispute?

I dug around some and found they were sued by California because they contain 5 parts made in Europe, Canada and Mexico but 25 parts that were made in the USA.

California won a judgement against them in 2004 that was overturned in 2006 on appeal, affirming they can say "Made in the USA"

I looked all over my Leatherman Surge and can't find any label at all as to where they were made...which I find odd.

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2006/01/23/story7.html

[Doug S]

rhinoh,

I don't know the details other than it does have to do with the California lawsuit. As you mentioned, it is one of those deals where not enough of the parts are made in the U.S., for the product to be stamped made in the U.S.A. according to California law. They were once marked that way, but my newer ones are not. Same with Gerber, which is now marked manufactured in U.S.A. "of foreign and domestic" parts. My SOG tool is marked made in U.S.A., but I don't think I see the U.S.A. stamp on the newer ones. I'm sure someone could lecture me on the merits of the global economy, but I guess I'm a little old fashioned when it comes to knives/tools. I like them "Made in the U.S.A.

[usmc1371]

I used the hell out of my gerber multi tool for 4 years and it never let me down. I have the "engineer modle" with the nifty blasting cap crimper, det cord cutter, and priming punch all of wich I liked and used. Back in the real world all of those features make it pretty much usless.
I swear by Benchmade knives and have carried the same one for over 10 years, Spyderco has always done right by me as well.
Not a fan of CRKT they just didn't seem to hold up well and I don't like the factory edge.
One thing I really like about benchmade is they are made about twenty min from where I live so its no prob to take them in for a rebuild every five years or so-for free!

[conw]

Oh, CRKT is a definite disappointment in my book. I consistently see people raving about their M16 line. Every time I handle an M16, esp their "EDC" version, it looks/feels flimsy like a gas station Chinese knife. Lock seems poor, and lots of side-to-side sway and flex. Maybe these were great back when folders were more expensive...

[Valkman]

Every time I handle an M16, esp their "EDC" version, it looks/feels flimsy like a gas station Chinese knife. Lock seems poor, and lots of side-to-side sway and flex.

That's how they've always seemed to me too but people keep raving about them. Maybe they've never had a knife with real good lockup? I wouldn't trust it.

[usmc1371]

I had quite a few marines run out and buy CRKT M16 knives and atleast 90% of them broke over the corse of a nine month deployment. The lock up is second rate at best, edge holding was poor as well. It's almost a crime that they are sold in every PX/BX on earth when for ten bucks more you could have a spyderco and ten more bucks you get a benchmade griptilly that will last and actuly work for a long time.

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I've owned a chris reeve sebenza, benchmade, etc...


I still love the CRKT carson series knives.
I even gave one of the big SF versions to my cousin when he left to Iraq.

He had no problems with it at all, and lost it in a firefight near the end of his tour.