Multi tools

Before anyone can answer your question there's important piece of information you left out. That piece of information is how much you're willing to spend and what tools you expect to get. As best I can tell the real Swiss Army tools have the best knife blades but really none of the multi tools I've seen have really good blades. Plus the handle is just not good for working with a blade. If all you want to do is cut some string or something it'll probably work but any kind of detail work or carving or something it's not going to be fun.

Most multi tools have decent screwdriver blades at least the flat ones. Some have Phillips blades that are sort of 3D but not quite. They work okay. Really none of the screwdriver blades on any multi-tool I've ever seen actually work all that well. For one thing is very hard to get any pressure on the bit itself. The handle just isn't made to do that.

As for the pliers, most quality multi tools actually do have pretty decent pliers. that's probably the tool they have that works the best in my experience.

I'm going to tell you what I think. This is just me talking. If you actually need to use the tools on a multi-tool on any regular basis don't waste your time with the multi tool. Get a decent folding knife, screwdriver with multiple bits and tips, and a needle-nose plier. You will be far happier and get much more work done. Trust me on this thing I used to carry a multi-tool everywhere. I realized after a while it just wasn't a very good tool. So I left it at home and put a decent pocket knife in my pocket and a pair of needle-nose pliers and screwdriver in my computer bag and I am far better off.

On the other hand if you're looking for something you're going to use once in a blue moon a multi-tool makes more sense. Incidentally I have found that even the cheap multi tools were pretty good if you forget about the blades. None of the multi tools I've seen have really good blades anyway so forget about them as knives. But even the cheap multi tools often have decent screwdrivers and a decent plier.

The multi-tool I often carried years ago had a pair of scissors on it and over time I realized that I used the scissors almost as much as the other tools combined.

As always ymmv.

I like the one hand opening Gerber multi-tool. Flick of a wrist and pliers are deployed. The pliers are "real" tool quality and I have abused mine applying as much force as I could without issues. MP600 for $34 (Blunt or needle nose) - https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-MP600...8&qid=1497586543&sr=1-4&keywords=gerber+MP400

Smaller MP400 Compact - https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Compa...rd_wg=ahYZ9&psc=1&refRID=AQ9CF8V8HX1Q945WJ3WM

I used SOG Paratool before replacing with the Gerber - https://www.sogknives.com/type/multi-tools/paratool.html

Having owned quite a few multi tools in the past, I would say find the model of a Leatherman that has the features you require. I have had many in the past, and still have at least 4. One stays in my pocket at all times, one for the tackle box, etc.

The victorinox swisstool is an excellent multitool for the money. Very robust with a good amount of tools. For leatherman, I've used both the wave and the supertool 300. Both of those are also excellent. Between the three, I'd give the slightest edge to the wave- it has a tiny screwdriver for glasses, and this four-eyed man appreciates that. That being said, I lost my wave recently and that bugs me to no end.

My recent multitools have been Gerber and lately SOG. Like both brands, would buy again.

I went through a few Gerbers and then bought a first gen Leatherman Wave over a decade ago. The updated Wave has replaced the single fixed Phillips screwdriver a slim bit driver, so those are replaceable, and have hardened bits. However, if I was going to replace my Wave I'd get the Surge - http://www.leatherman.com/surge-3.html? . The first advantage over the Wave is that the Surge has replaceable wire cutter blades in the plier jaws. The Surge still has the slim bit driver, but replaced the wood saw blade slot with a better pair of scissors. The file blade slot is now a file in t-shank tool holder, so you can replace the file if needed, or swap in a wood saw blade if you're missing that. For any Leatherman with the slim bit holder, you can get an extension that accepts any standard 1/4" screwdriver bit, so that's another helpful feature if you're looking for good screwdrivers.

ugaarguy said:

Surge has replaceable wire cutter blades in the plier jaws

Click to expand...

Military issue MP600/Sight Tool and MP600 Center-Drive models have tungsten carbide replaceable wire cutters - https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-MP600-Sight-Multi-Plier-30-000588/dp/B00783N8M4

MP600 Center-Drive with spring loaded pliers and magnetic bit kit (accepts regular bits) - https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Center-Drive-Multi-Tool-Sheath-30-001194/dp/B01LX91NIU

You can pick up used MP600 with replaceable wire cutters for less like $30 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Military-Gerber-600-Needlenose-Multi-Tool-Pliers-USA/252980809806?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140602152332&meid=8cc3b8d93fbf43afb9b606f75ca84767&pid=100011&rk=2&rkt=7&sd=130776977866

I jump on and off different boats every day, and I try to carry enough for quick fixes. Often I need something to hold both a nut & turn the bolt or screw, so one tool won't do it alone. Since actually making repair is someone else's job, I just need to have enough for the minor adjustments or a simple quick fix, and I carry a lot of other gear, multi tools suffice.

My current line up is a Gerber Diesel, a CRKT Guppy, and a tiny Leatherman that has wire strippers jaws, micro common and Phillips screwdrivers and fine tweezers.

The Guppy has a 1/2 adjustable wrench end ( I milled mine to 5/8") and takes standard 1/4" bits, which it carries in a little magnetic side saddle bit holder/ flashlight combination.

The Gerber has locking blades, one hand opening, and a combination straight & serrated blade that takes a pretty good edge.

I use the Vic Spirt and the SOG Powerlock the most. Both are very strong and robust. Victorinox, Leatherman, and SOG make very good multi-tools. I have never seen or used a multi-tool that actually replaces other tools for regular use except the pliers. The multi-tool I use the most is the little key chain sized Leatherman Squirt. I keep other tools in my work bag or vehicle depending on the situation and always includes one of the better larger multi-tools. I don't wear them on my belt regularly. I would rather use a regular tool designed for the job. Most multi-tools are there for when you don't have any tools with you.

Lately I have been using the Leathermans. I prefer the Surge, but it depends upon the
blades which are really important to you. They aren't cheap, but most decent Multis are going
to cost you. The Victorinox is also good, and the Gerbers. The Leatherman is just a little tighter,
stouter, lighter, etc.

My very first pliers based multi-tool was the Gerber back around 1990. It just never clicked with me and I have read they aren't as strong. I find Gerbers on jobs occasionally and have a number of them, but I don't use them. Probably should give a couple of them away.

Victorinox, Gerber, Leatherman, and Dog are the brand's I would buy. I have had two Gerber tools, one brokerage heavy abuse, and the other is in my camping bag right now. My fiance has a Leatherman wave tool in her fishing bag, and it has seen use. I haveusedthe dog and victorinox tools before and was impressed by them. They are good for use when you don't have the right tool at hand. I would find one with good pliers and screw driver bits and forget the knife as it will not be as good as a dedicated knife.

Leatherman Charge TTI all day everyday.
I have two, when I break one I have a backup while I wait for a replacement. Leatheman customer service is as good as it gets.

I have carried the same black oxide coated Leatherman Wave since 2006. I bought the bit kits and extender separately to carry in the same pouch about a year later. I figured if this Wave ever broke I would upgrade to a Surge or Charge. But it hasn't.

https://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-F...d=1497736478&sr=1-11&keywords=leatherman+wave

Conversely every Gerber M600 I was ever issued broke. Or didn't have the tools I needed on it. At one point I was somehow issued 3 at once. 2 of them broke within 4 months. I kept the last one unused to turn in so I wouldn't get a bill for the replacement.

I emailed Leatherman recently to ask what the charges would be to repair my 30 year old original. They told me that even though the warranty says 25 years they will fix it for free. I have had better success with the durability of the Leatherman. I also have a Victorinox that I like very much, but I think at this point I can definitely say I prefer the Leatherman. But unfortunately, not the cheap models.........

the old and fairly massive Schrade made in USA tool was before the new Millenium but really it is very hard to beat if you can find one. I also have a large Victornox from the early 2000s in a kydex sheath and for fancier outings am never with out my smaller 5 year old Victornox in it's spiffy factory belt case. Also the mini Swisstools are excellent for the 2 is one and one is none crowd of which I am a member in good standing
https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Vi...&ad_type=pla&gclid=CJ2xtbXExtQCFYhqfgodRQsOaQ

I have an original Leatherman, before any other model came out. It still does just fine, and rides with me everywhere but inside the wire.

After breaking my Gerber's jaws twice (Gerber replaced them), I bought Leatherman. I think they are my favorite .
I even have the small skeletool for my casual dress pocket knife. You will rarely catch me without pliers.

Here is my edc.

I was gifted a very fancy Husky multi tool many years ago. Brass bolsters and rosewood handle. I was skeptical of the quality but it has stood up to years of hard use and looks good doing it.