Leatherman or Gerber multi-tool?

[ROTTO]

I am in the market for a multi-tool and have narrowed it down to either the Leatherman Wave or the Gerber 600 series. Which would you recommend and why? It would be for occassional use only. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[RoyG]

Gerber

Have had both. Like the Gerber better.

Also Tim Leatherman is way too left for me to support him anymore

 

[Sportcat]

I have the Gerber 600 and a Leatherman Charge xTI. Both are great tools. You can find good deals on Gerbers on ebay.

 

[Rich K]

Gerber.I use mine on a daily basis,and absolutely no problems.Mine is 5 yrs old.I had a Leatherman at one time,and the first bit of hard use it puked out.I tossed it,bought a Gerber,and haven't looked back.

 

[21H40]

I've got a leatherman wave that's seen some solid abuse out here. I haven't broken anything on it, yet, but one of my team leaders broke his milspec Gerber's pliers. I've seen other small parts on Gerbers break out here, but they are more common by far, especially in the hands of younger troops who don't know how to abuse a tool without breaking it.

Mostly, I'd say your preference for pliers folding out or sliding out should push you one way or the other.

 

[nomadboi]

Love my Leatherman Wave. Use it daily, abuse it some, broke a blade once prying something I shouldn't have. Mailed it back, they replaced it free within the week.

 

[Hawgleg44]

I was given a Leatherman at one of my former jobs and hated it. Most of us spent our own money and got Gerbers. I still have my first Gerber I ever bought, it's used just about daily, and it has never broke.

I went through three Leathermans in only two years. They all broke at the pivot point of the pliars. And, I used them hard (no harder than the Gerber that's lasted for the past 6 years), but didn't really abuse them. Before being enlightened to the Gerber, I bought my father a Leatherman, too, for Christmas one year. He broke his in the same spot, then the warranty replacement did the same thing.

All the Leatherman's I got broke the tip off the needle nose pliars. Not a big deal, I ust ground them to a flat point. But, the pointed tips have never broken off my Gerber.

So, I'd stick with the Gerber.

 

[BryanP]

For a full-sized multi-tool you can't beat the Gerber. For a smaller pocket model the Leatherman Juice (several models) is sweet.

 

[ETCss Phil McCrackin]

I've got both the Wave and the Super-tool, and I can give them both my highest recommendation. The Wave is very comfortable to use and is perfect for any small job, whereas the Super-tool is slightly larger and is completely suited for larger/harder jobs with its greater leverage and locking utensils. Finally, between oilfield and ranch work, house jobs, and 10 years and counting of US Navy paid vacation....., I have seen probably every brand of multi-tool break except SOG's and Leatherman's.

 

[frenchwrench]

I've used both but I only use the Gerber now. One handed opening and quality blades and tips make all the difference to me.

 

[nomadboi]

As said, I love the wave... but I hated the supertool. Didn't like the locking mechanism at all, wasn't as comfortable as the wave, and the saw blade bent pretty quickly.