Leatherman Multi-tools

I honestly think the design on Leathermans is superior to the Gerbers. They always seem more sturdy. Leatherman uses big, beefy hinges, and fewer of them. They are also less susceptible to getting dirt in them due to their closed sides.

I got the Leatherman Blast from Lowe's for about $50 and I LOVE IT! It has all the tools I could want and is solid as a rock. Unless size is an issue and ya just HAVE to have a smaller tool, look at the Blast and it's features.

If you can hold off a few months, perhaps you should consider the new Leatherman EOD? I'm considering this as a replacement for my wave and kick.

I've never tried any other multi-tool since all I hear is that Leatherman is the gold standard.

I've broken two of them in just over a year's time. They sure can break, this I know, but I have no reason to not use them.

I carry a Gerber Diesel virtually every day. I lost the little bit kit some time ago. I prefer it over my Leatherman 2000 simply because the Gerber has scissors.

I have found that 90% of the time ... all I really use are the knife, pliers, screwdrivers, and scissors ... in that order.

My skeletool is what I carry when I get out of my work clothes and get cleaned up. It is just too handy not to carry. the pocket clip keeps it oriented perfectly in my pocket, ready to be pulled out and the blade flipped open in a flash. I would carry it just for the knife alone....the screwdrivers and pliers are just an added plus.

I had the first style leatherman when you could only get it in one configuration, I loved it. I finally lost it of course, then got a gerber (cant remember what model) and broke one of the handles off using the pliers. I know carry a leatherman fuse and it is in my back pocket everyday. I am a boilermaker and use my leatherman quiet often at work. It holds up very well.

Hello all, Ron L here - SERE SURPLUS

I own and use Both a Leatherman (wave) as well as a Older configuration Gerber as I was Issued in the Military! I prefer the Leatherman for jobs requiring needle Nose and the water pump type of head on the Gerber for jobs that require a larger open jaw? I got both used and I paid less than 50$ for Both, I see not a reason to not have BOTH? Like the 9MM Vs 45 argument or the AR VS AK Deal, I never did decide, I just went BOTH? LOL

RON

Don't take this as any sort of negative opinion about Leatherman tools, but I had a new Wave and sold it pretty quickly to my buddy. Why? Because I had an old Wave that I loved and the new one just didn't feel as good or as well built.

Thats not to say the new Wave was poorly constructed, it wasn't. It was just, you know, different. Like, the best way I can describe it was it just felt less substantial. I know very well that a lot of that simply had to do with the fact that my old one was broken in and comfortable, but at the end of the day I just didn't like the new one as much. I like Leatherman tools, and I will one day buy another (Skeletool for work applications possibly, and whatever the big one is called), and I would go so far as to recommend a Wave. They just aren't for me anymore, it seems.

I had an older Leatherman, when there was only one option - "The Leatherman" which lasted me years and years until it misteriously vanished from my luggage one vacation.

My wife bought me a Victorinxo SwissTool that I carry visibly on my belt every day and use every day. I have been told that "you know your not supposed to have that thing in here" comment by the same person who asks to use it the most. I was/am happy with both of these.

Used to have an original Leatherman. Used it for years, then lost it. Got a Fuse. Used it for years. Gave it to a friend when I got the Surge. The Surge is one heck of a tool, but HUGE. I carry it at work, but carry a smaller Case knife for off-hours. Haven't tried anything else. Haven't wanted to.

To get something that'll hold up, you're going to have to go with Leatherman or Victorinox. All the others, but especially Gerber, just won't hold up. I suppose there are exceptions but none in Gerber's lineup.

I have a 4 Leathermans (Surge, their first original whatever it's called, a Skeletool, and the Micra, the little guy with the scissors in place of the pliers) and the Gerber Multiplier. The Gerber is so dangerous to use that...well...I don't. The design of the thing is terrible. If you are using the pliers and slip, the thing will slam shut on the skin of your palm like a bear-trap

I have several multitools, from Leatherman, SOG, Gerber, and Victorinox. I had an old Leatherman for years, and the Victorinox is the closest in quality to the old Leatherman. I had to laugh at HoosierQ, because the Gerber I have snapped shut on the inside of my palm one day and I had a 3 inch long blood blister in a thin, straight line right down the inside of my knuckles.

+1 on the Leatherman Blast. It's solid, has great tools, and fits easily in a pocket. I got mine in black but you can find the stainless one for ~$38 on Amazon. Great medium duty Multi Tool.

Video review on Leatherman Blast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6IfJyIomyA

i own a skeletool and its perfect because you can clip to your pocket and it has just the right amount of tools. the jaws are a little to thin to really loosen or tighten any big bolts. but for everyday carry its great ......

I have a wave and a surge, the wave is old before they had the bits, and the surge is new. I carry the wave when outdoorsing-it-up and the surge goes in the truck, but spends most of its time on the kitchen counter where my wife will grab it all the time for things around the house.

Go with a SOG instead. The SOG line of multi tools proved themselves to me in Iraq. Gerbers are standard issue but mine always broke. My leathermans dident last much longer. But, my SOG powerlock last me the whole tour without rusting or breaking. I touched the blade up on it every once in awhile on my whet stones and it was good to go. I could also open it with one hand. IMO, I found the SOG to be a superior multi function tool.

I have a Leatherman Charge TTi for EDC. It is a great tool and has yet to let me down.

I have one of the originals, still in great shape, every day carry for me. The kinfe doesn't come out as much because I also carry a Benchmade Resistor which is razor sharp. But the Leatherman has been there MANY times, great tool. The wife has a mini Leatherman on her keychain, and uses it every day as well.
Don't need a Wave, Surge, Kick, EOD, Super, whatever they call them - I'm good.

Thanks for that info on the screws, RCMODEL. Mine doesn't have the security stud, but the five lug thing may work. I'll look into it. Leatherman wouldn't sell me a bit or even tell me where to find one, and all I wanted to do was tighten a loose screw. No more Leathermans for me.

FWIW, I think my SOG tool is a bit better than my Leatherman.

I served many years with 'Force Recon' in the U.S. Marines. I was fortunate to be issued one of the first 'Leatherman' to be built. (Leatherman wanted us to test them) It was small back then but I liked it and still have that little thing put away here..I have carried a 'Leatherman Super Tool' I reckon since they hit the market and it has sure been a handy little thing. I use it a lot. Matter of fact I just used the serrated blade about 30 minutes ago. The tool stay's on my belt constantly and I mean all the time. It is just alway's there and it's like it's part of me. I have never experienced any problems at all with mine although I am careful to not try and push it beyond it's limits or even to it's limits. ONE THING HERE. To the best of my knowledge Leatherman Tools do NOT come with a lifetime guarantee. I know my Super Tool came with a 25 year guarantee. All of that stuff concerning guarantees may have changed of course....

Walmart has the Leatherman multi-tools on sale (about half price) to make way for the new models.

I prefer the way the Gerber handles have the tools on the inside when the pliers are being used instead of the other way around like the Leatherman digging into the palm with the edges of the handle sides.