Multi tools

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Even if I didn't believe Leatherman were the best product for the money, I would wholeheartedly recommend them for their service. I was given a Charge Ti by a friend for doing some gun work, and when my son borrowed it and broke the blade :what::fire: , I sent it in to Leatherman for repair. They sent me a brand new one. When the same son broke the blade on his Sidekick he got for Xmas (so he'd stop borrowing my Charge), I sent it in and a new blade was installed. Now if he'd just stop losing them.....he lost a Wave my Dad gave him for his 16th BD, then that Sidekick gave him. I got him a $4 Ozark Trail tool and told him when he stops losing them, maybe a Leatherman again....:p
He bought himself a Gerber Suspension, and still has it. Not a bad tool for the price.
 
I've dealt with Leatherman's repair center once for my (lost) wave. I buggered up the wire cutters, they fixed it and sent it back. No complaints.

Since this thread has started, it's been making me want to go through the house looking for it one more time and see if I can scare it up.
 
hso said:
The Romans even had a multi bladed tool knife (no pliers) sometime between 200 and 300 A.D.
article-1247230-081570E4000005DC-940_964x310.jpg
Click to expand...
Well, thats the coolest thing I have seen today.

For me, I have it down to two multitools. They work for me, you may be different. I keep, at all times, a Leatherman Wingman in my EDC bag. It offers the best combination of useful tools and small form factor that I have found. I keep a Leatherman Wave in my truck. Useful tools (again), but since I am not carrying it the larger size doesn't factor in. I actually do carry a pretty solid tool kit in my truck for more involved repairs, but most of the time when I need a tool in my truck the Wave works perfectly. I also carry a SAK "Super Tinker" in my bag, but that is entirely for the toothpick and scissors. That it is a good knife is a bonus, but I honestly don't use the blades very often at all. That same comment can be said about the Leathermen: I rarely use the knife portion. I keep them sharp, and its nice to have, but I carry them for the tools, not the knife. I keep a knife in my pocket at all times, and if something needs cut thats what gets used.

I do really, really like the Victorinox Swiss tool. Great quality. But, Leatherman also has good quality, is easier to find, has great CS and the Wingman is substantially cheaper. The Wave is not, but it also has more tools.
 
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OK update. I have been using the Gerber center drive for work for a week now. I also went and handled a Leatherman.
The Center drive is working well for me so far.
Positives:
1. The long center drive screwdriver/bits. Works well
2. Larger pliars that allow a purchase on >1/2" hex nuts.
3. One hand use.
4. Good long sharp main blade.
5. One hell of a bottle opener/ toenail digger.
Negatives:
1. Metal finish or lack there of. this tool showed surface rust on day one from being around corrosive water and concentrated nitrogen. Day 1. have to rinse and oil daily.
2. A little bit floppy as if pivot pin could be beefier/ or tighter tolerance.
3. A little bulky, but hey that is what allows the large pliars.

That is about it. I do feel it is worth the dough and at this point would buy again.
 
I am on my 2nd Leatherman. The Wave. I like having the blade available without having to open the handles.
I have worn one everyday for over 10 years. I do HVAC/R work and use it more then I figured I ever would.
I prefer the leather case w/snap over the cheap velcro one that comes w/the new ones.
 
(7/28/17) Popular Mechanics lists top 10 multi tools - http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/g2962/best-new-multitools/

1. Gerber Center-Drive - $85
2. SOG Knives Q2 - $50
3. Leatherman Skeletool - $48
4. Victorinox Classic Swiss Army Pocket Knife - $14
5. Leatherman Juice S2 - $65
6. Gerber MP600 Sight Tool - $75
7. Sog Sync II - $60
8. Leatherman Tread Multitool Bracelet - $185
9. Griffin Pocket Multi Tool - $25
10. Kopis Designs STK - $200
 
Would you prefer this list? - http://knifeinformer.com/the-top-10-best-multitools-ever/

"Top 10 best multi tools ever

In this article I will show you the absolute ten best multitools on the market today. You may be surprised to see that they’re ALL made by Leatherman – but you shouldn’t be. Leatherman is the undisputed king of multitools and simply unmatched in my opinion. Since Tim Leatherman built his first multitool and created Leatherman Tools in 1983, the Leatherman company has continued to innovate and demonstrate unrivaled quality. Their 25-year no-questions-asked warranty says it all. Take it from me, all you need is Leatherman.

So, without further ado, here’s my list of the top 10 multitools."

1. Leatherman Wave - $80
2. Leatherman Charge TTi - $170
3. Leatherman Skeletool - $50
4. Leatherman Juice CS4 - $70
5. Leatherman Surge - $90
6. Leatherman Squirt PS4 - $30
7. Leatherman Crunch - $90
8. Leatherman Super Tool 300 - $80
9. Leatherman Skeletool CX - $80
10. Leatherman Charge AL - $140

 
Best Multi-Tools In 2017 – Popular Handyman Tools - https://top10bestpro.com/best-multi-tools/

1. Leatherman – Skeletool Stainless Steel Multi-tool
2. Gerber [22-01545] Diesel Multi-Plier
3. Leatherman 830040 Wave Multi-Tool
4. Leatherman 300 Multi-Tool
5. Leatherman – MUT Multi-Tool
6. Leatherman – Rebar Multi-Tool
7. Leatherman Crunch Multi-tool
8. Leatherman TTI Charge Multi-Tool
9. Victorinox SwissTool And Ratchet
10. Gerber Multi-Plier 600 Multi-tool
 
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Just added a new tool to the box recently- a victorinox swisstool spirit I got used for a good price. Upon receipt I noticed it was missing a spring for the lock system on one side, so it was sent off to Victorinox with a $5 for repair. Will see how it is when I get it back.
 
Update on the Victorinox Swisstool Spirit- got a package from them back today. Inside was my old spirit and a new one. Looks like they couldn't fix the issue, but sent it back with a new one to boot:) Call me one satisfied customer. Hat's off to Victorinox.
 
I don't understand the big price difference between the Wave and the Rev.

The Rev really has a lot of stuff and is a pretty good multi-tool - 14 tools and it sells for around 30 bucks, the Wave has 3 more tools/functions than the Rev and it costs around $90.00
 
ilbob said:
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.
Click to expand...

SOO THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I carry a multi, a Leatherman Surge. I can't think of a time when a SAK or good name-brand multi-tool
wasn't a constant EDC. BUT when I know I am going to do a job, I bring real tools.
The multi-tool is a crutch, at best. If you are up on a ladder, down in a crawl space, out in the woods,
or in the attic, and you suddenly discover you need to cut a string, or tighten a screw or bolt, the
multi-tool will save you time, and your knees. If you use them for everything, or demand too much
from them, you will wind up disappointed.
 
C0untZer0 said:
I don't understand the big price difference between the Wave and the Rev.

The Rev really has a lot of stuff and is a pretty good multi-tool - 14 tools and it sells for around 30 bucks, the Wave has 3 more tools/functions than the Rev and it costs around $90.00
Click to expand...

Look at the tools side by side. The wave uses smaller tools for more versatility. Scissors require more manufacteuring processes, the Wave has them the Rev doesn't. The pivot joints on the Wave allow a belt clip and keyring to be added, the Rev can't do that. Wave has a mini bit driver where you can stick almost any screwdriver bit in, the Rev just has a Philips head. And one of the biggest selling points of the Wave, is the most likely common use tools are moved to the outside so they can be used without fully opening the tool. In short, you get what you pay for.
 
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