Leatherman Multi-tools

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Skillet

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So I am shopping for a multi-tool, and have narrowed it down to Leatherman and Gerber. More specifically the Leatherman Sidekick and Skeletool, as well as the Gerber Suspension.

If you own one of these little tools, I would like to know how you like it. the goods, the bads, basically a review.

also, suggest a multi-tool if you want to, but i would prefer it to be 60 dollars and under.

thanks!
 
Suspension =/= Skeletool

The Gerber Suspension doesn't really compete directly with the Skeletool.

The Suspension is not a bad tool, and it has spring-opened plier jaws (i.e. when you relax your grip, the spring opens the pliers). The Skeletools that I've handled are pretty much a plier, knife, & screwdriver only combo (also a bottle opener integrated into the handle).

A guy I work with has a Skeletool, and it provides him with everything he needs. I have a Suspension that I take on plane trips when I don't want to risk my Leatherman Wave in baggage handling. (When I toss my normal EDC stuff into a suitcase, it represents something like $250 worth of hardware, so I have a less expensive alternative to each piece.)

Me, I use tools that aren't included in the Skeletool, so I carry the Wave.

I use the micro screwdriver, the can opener, the file, and the scissors, none of which are part of the Skeletool.

I can't fault the quality of the Skeletool -- it's quite well made -- and I have to say that the Gerber is adequate, if not quite the polished product that the Leatherman is.

Does that help?

 
yes, but Here's my problem. the Skeletool has too few tools on it but the Gerber has an adequate amount but I have heard bad stories about the Jaws breaking on those. So I started looking around for more. and I found a set of SOG powerassists Black Oxides, for about 67 bucks on cheaper than dirt. a bit overbudget, but nevertheless satisfying.

But the Skeletool is a backup option.
 
Price The Wave

Also price the Leatherman Wave.

The quality is solid, and it has a full complement of tools.

I have seen it locally for under $65.

You may be able to beat that on line.

 
The biggest problem I found with the Gerber Suspensions are how little the tools are on it, especially for a tool that large and heavy. The blades for instance on my leatherman are twice the size. I also find the suspension pliers require much larger hands to use and not as strong as the leatherman, but I do like the spring in them.

I never used the skeletool, but it does seem a little lacking in features, especially since I am used to the supertool and the charge. There is always the like of the Fuse or Blast in the same price range and so on. Also you might look at the Swiss Tool.

If you are going for a Gerber I probably drop the Suspension for one of the other models like the Diesel. I tend to use mine in my telescope supplies now, where I don't put it through too much hardwork. I did find a problem with the tabs to pull out the blades snapping off in my pocket for some reason. It is my cheap go to tool when I don't want to risk a better one.
 
I have the suspension and the wave BOTH

hands down the wave beats the crap out of the suspension. lots more tools lots sturdier. worth the money. '

This is from a Gerber man who has their knives, hatchet and lots of other items too but no competition on these 2 tools.
 
I am seriously looking into the wave and the powerassist from SOG. See, i recently obtained a SOG Seal pup knife and the nylon sheath has a front pocket for a multitool that is just begging to be filled.
 
I have the Wave and a Skeletool CX. The Skeletool CX has an amazingly sharp 154cm blade, is light weight, and is beautiful to look at with the carbon fiber, DLC coating and all of the lightening holes, but doesn't have enough tools.

The wave is a big tool but is is a sturdy piece, has lots of tools, and everything is locking. I am in love with leathermans quality and customer service.

I would pick a leatherman with a few more tools than the skeletool or the kick and I think you will have a trusty companion that will last you a lifetime.
 
I will add a x10 for the wave. Funny thing about this thread is how it stays focused on the upper tier products.
If you would have asked about a top tier scope you would have been drug into the gutter with suggestions of brand x is good enough. Nice to see people appreciate quality.
The wave has a whole other pouch full of tools available, that's what sold me.
 
I have the Skeletool and the Surge. The surge is HUGE and the Skeletool is a beautiful piece of steel. There are very few tools on the the Skeletool...it is really a knife with a pair of pliers. The Surge is a Wave on steroids. I got one of each because I wanted one big strong tool for carrying in a bag...the Surge. If I were EDCing, I would've gone wave for the lighter weight. The Skeletool is really a glorified pocket knife...that looks way cool and has a nice little screw-driver. If I were in a suite and tie (which ain't often) and wanted to have a tool handy, I would toss the Skeletool in one pocket and my Victorinox Super Tinker in the other and I'd be good.

The knife on the Skeletool and Surge are amazingly sharp for a mass produced product. I put both on a bench strop with green compound and then just plain leather and WOW, what an edge! In fact, I am going to explore some of their knives to see how they compare.
 
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I carried a Gerber Diesel in Iraq. Loved it. In the Seabees everyone has a Gerber/Leatherman. It's basically a personal preference thing. They are all good tools.
 
I've carried a Wave for years, but recently I found a Super Tool 300 on Amazon for $49.95. Just got it a week ago, and I'm sad to say I retired my wave from EDC. If you dont mind a little bigger, tougher multitool, go with the Super Tool.

Cody
 
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Hello all, RON L here - SERE SURPLUS

I have Both the Gerber Basic Multi Tool, same as I was ussued in 87, and I got a Second wave to replace one I traded off in a Trade deal! I like the Rugged nature of the Gerber and have sent back a few for repair, I have a fondness for the Leatherman Tool, it carried the 25 year Warranty and they have never failed to repair or replace any broken items! The wave has all the tools I need and use and I like the sissors! The gerber opens wider and allows the larger size stuff to be grasped and manipulated! I've never had any ussues with either tool and like them both!

RON
 
I don't buy Leathermans because:

#1, the owner supported Al Gore, and

#2, they use a proprietary 5-lobe Torx-type fastener for which you cannot get a driver bit, even from Leatherman.
 
I want to throw my vote for the wave out there as well. I've carried one for the past few years and I absolutely love the thing. Mine was quite a bit more expensive than the prices I've read in this thread, but it was worth every penny. The only problem I've had with mine was that it has rusted a little bit, which surprised me. But I've also had it with me down at the beach, where you really have a hard time staying away from the salt water, so that might be accidental abuse more than anything else. Even still, it is still solid and very well desgined
 
Leatherman Warranty

This thread isn't too old to dust off, and I have my reservations about a new thread about my multi-tool experience in a weapons forum, so I'll just add my comments to this thread.

Anyway, I've carried a Leatherman on my belt for years, and I end up using it almost everyday. Twice, I've had to ship the tool back to Oregon for warranty work, both times they simply shipped me an entirely new unit.

Last week, I was using the smallest of flat-head screwdrivers to pry on something and the dang tip snapped right off. I figured that I was misusing the tool so I didn't plan on sending it back to them, but a couple of my employees egged me into sending on back. I only expected Leatherman to swap out that little part, but no, they send me back a whole new tool.

Sort of feel bad about the whole thing now, but since they are such a good company with the very top tier customer service, I'm going to have to go out and buy something else of theirs. I owe it to them!:)
leatherman-kick.jpg
 
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I have a couple of Leatherman tools and I can't say enough good thing's about them. They are precision made from high-grade materials... mine have served me well for years with no sign of problems.
 
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