Getting a multi-tool, which one?

[Texpatriate]

I already have a Leatherman Micra that I've been impressed with, so I guess I'll stick with Leatherman. I'm thinking about either the Wave or the Surge.

Opinions? Other suggestions? Anybody have both, but like one better than the other? Anybody own or handled the new skeletool or skeletool CX? Other brands I should consider?

I'm never without a knife (usually a spyderco delica combo edge), so the blade on the multi-tool is the least of my concerns.

Just looking for a well made, tough-as-a-boot, general purpose multi-tool that can I carry with me pretty much wherever I go, but would also be useful in an unforeseen future survival situation. Thanks!

 

[MikeJackmin]

There are lots of good multi-tools out there, each with their own advantages and drawbacks.

I personally carry a Leatherman Core, their replacement for the now-discontinued Super Leatherman. The black version is supposed to be a US Army issue item.

The Gerber 600 is also used by the miltary, and has a nice feature - the wire cutting blade at the base of the pliers is replaceable. Better yet, the blade itself is three sided, so it can be rotated twice to expose a fresh edge before replacement is needed. I've never used one but they seem quite nice.

If you are patient, you can get pretty good deals on ebay, especially on used tools. The TSA confiscates a lot of them at airports.

My advice? Carry both a multitool and a small pocketknife with a screwdriver blade. You'll be surprised how often you'll need a separate tool to hold a bolt head still, while you use the multitool pliers to tighten a nut.

 

[simpleguy]

I went with the Wave, only because Doug Ritter says so.......

http://www.equipped.org/devices14.htm

Doesn't make it the best, just thought that if I was going to buy one, I would take advice from someone that really knows what needs to go into a good tool.

 

[ashtxsniper]

Wave, Surge, and Charge TTI are the best IMHO.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Update on my previous post - only the newer Gerber 600s have the replaceable wire cutter blades, the older ones do not. Here's a nice photo that makes it clear what to look for:

http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-ARMY-GERBER-MULTI-PLIER-600-TOOL-SET-TOOL-BOX-KNIFE_W0QQitemZ280212266525QQihZ018QQcategoryZ48824QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[50 Shooter]

I use a set of the SOG Power Pliers and they work great, I actually broke mine while being creative with it and SOG fixed it for free. While it was there they also resharpened all the blades.

So a big +1 for their customer service and product.

 

[mp510]

I use a set of the SOG Power Pliers and they work great, I actually broke mine while being creative with it and SOG fixed it for free. While it was there they also resharpened all the blades.

So a big +1 for their customer service and product.

Sog's are built like tanks and have some of the best leather multi-tool sheaths on the market. I have a Sog Powerlock and it is top notch. The gear system makes plier operation very smoothe, and also distributes the stress better than Leatherman pliers do. My Leatherman PST failed in a pivot due to plier stress (Leatherman replaced it for free with a Blast), but the Sog system is designed to prevent that failure from ever happening.

Worth the money.

 

[EHCRain10]

Ive got a Surge, a blast, and a Kick
the surge sits in my glovebox because it is a little too heavy for everyday carry and the kick sits under my bikeseat for trail repairs.
The blast is on my belt almost everyday and it gets used alot

 

[Soap]

I have an original PST, a 1st gen Wave, and now a Charge TTi. I really dig the Charge TTi for its high quality main blade, comfortable handles, relatively light weight, and bit drivers. I'm sure that the newer Wave would be right up there with it though.

 

[BorisDaBastid]

I used to have this really sturdy Leatherman Wave a while back. It was the stainless model with the #2 phillips screwdriver that was actually a sturdy piece, not the reversible kind they have with the Wave now. Alas, it is currently sitting buried in a sand dune in Kuwait, as I messed up and left it sitting on the ground after eating a MRE one night. I replaced it with the new model wave, and am still *kinda* impressed, but I will say this: The mil-issue Gerber is feces.

Dung.

Fell apart after a month of normal, soldier-type use. In fact, I've not met a Gerber yet that has lasted as long as that first Wave. Unfortunatly, my Leatherman Karma is all sorts of bad, because my new model Wave is somewhere in the inner workings of my Bradley. Bah.

Long story short. Leatherman can't be beat.

 

[Matt-man]

I have a Core, plus a Crunch and a Juice. I like the larger size of the Core, but for me it's too heavy to lug around everyday. I usually carry the Crunch in my bag.

 

[wuluf]

i have a fuse

and use it everyday. make sure the tools lock open or they'll close on your knuckles...

 

[JTW Jr.]

i have the kershaw one with the vice grip like pliers. Works good so far.

 

[hso]

I have to admit that I like my SOG PowerPlier, but I've been taking the Leatherman Crunch with me down to the barn more and more.

 

[TimboKhan]

I like Leatherman simply because I have always had very good luck with them and the one time I needed some service it was excellent. The Wave was always my favorite, because I liked not having to unfold the thing to get to the knife.

That being said, let me offer two suggestions. One is Leatherman, one is not.

The first is the brand new Leatherman Skeletool CX. I am very interested in this tool because it looks less bulky than the Wave and has the three things that I find most useful. Knife, Pliers, Screwdriver (with bit storage on the knife). It also has a pocketclip, which I really like. Check it out here:

http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/skeletool-CX/default.asp

The second would be the Swisstool. I have read nothing but good reviews of them, from both "experts" and regular guys. Here is a good review by THR's own Dave Markowitz:

http://survivalpreps.blogspot.com/2007/06/victorinox-swisstool-rs-multitool.html

Also, Daves follow-up to his first post

http://survivalpreps.blogspot.com/2007/06/swisstool-follow-up.html

 

[cdcmj]

The charge TTI cant be beat. Quality material on all accounts. Solid lock up and feel. Search around, you can get it under 100$ shipped.

 

[Siaharok]

I used to swear by Leatherman products. I recently switched. Victorinox Swistool Spirit. The engineering is just amazing. I love it.

 

[Texpatriate]

Generations?

Thanks for the posts, good information so far. A couple have alluded to different "generations" of the Wave, some being better than others.

What's the difference, and how do I tell which generation I'm buying?

I ask because I might be getting a used Wave from a guy on Craigslist who is selling one here locally, and it would be helpful if I could tell what generation I'm looking at.

 

[XDKingslayer]

I prefer Gerbers.

For fishing I carry this one: http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-07572-Fisherman-Multi-Plier-600/dp/B00006JSPC

For every day use I carry this one: http://www.gerberstore.com/index.php?xpage=itempage&xid=401

The fishing Gerber is hands down the best fishing multitool out there. The Thinner needlenose are great for removing hooks. The scissors cut braided line cleanly and the cutting edges on the needlenose are replaceable and cut wire leader nicely.

 

[TennVOL]

buy leatherman....he supports the libs.

I'd get a gerber or SOG

 

[MadMercS55]

I've gone thru several Gerbers over the past couple years, but my 5 Leatherman's keep on going. I have an original base model leatherman, original Wave, New Wave, Charge TTI, and a Surge. I keep the Surge in my vehicle due to it's heft. I carry the Charge daily since it's lighter and came with a pocket clip. The old leatherman and wave see various house duties and the new wave rides in my travel pack. I've tried alot of different tools out there and just keep coming back to Leatherman every time.

 

[Texpatriate]

Well folks,
Looks like the search has come to an end....for now at least. I'm sure that there'll be others in the near future. I bought a Wave off of a guy on Craig's List, because it was just too sweet of a deal to pass up: $45 for a like new/never used Wave. Nice guy too.

I'm not sure but I think it must be the newer generation Wave since he said he just bought it in the Fall. I'd still be curious to find out what the difference is between the generations if anybody knows and wants to chime in. MadMercS55, sounds like you have both, what's the difference? I'd love to see pictures to compare if you have them, but don't go out of your way.

 

[MadMercS55]

The new Wave has a reversible flat/philips medium bit and a very small reversible flat\philips bit. On the older wave the bits are all separate and fixed. Leatherman now sells sets of these reversible bits in varying types, torx, various size flat and philips. On the new wave, the tools in the handle have locks, on my old wave, the tools are slip joint style. The new wave also has a place for the optional pocket clip, where the old one doesn't. Those are some of the major changes. I've heard they changed blade steels and such too, but my Waves do not have any blade steel markings on them.

 

[Eroc]

I know you wanted a Leatherman, but I am partial to Gerber, they make a rock-solid unit:

http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=1470

 

[20nickels]

My favorite is the Wave. Because I bought it for $15 at a Tulsa pawn shop.