who makes the toughest multi tool?

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redneck

redneck

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Hopefully this isn't too off topic since multi tools aren't exactly weapons, although you could probably thump somebody pretty good if you had too.

I work on a farm and my leatherman is a lifesaver but also takes a severe beating. I used to carry gerbers and felt like the quality went to hell, so I switched to a leatherman super tool 300. I like the larger jaws, and the selection of tools, and it has held up better than the gerbers but after a couple years its falling apart.

I know I can send it in on warranty and get it refurbished but I don't know how to live without it in the meantime :rolleyes: I've been considering buying a 2nd one, only I'm not sure what I would get. If there is a different model or brand that is stronger I would consider it. The jaws on my 300 are so sloppy they will barely cut mig wire, and won't even begin to cut stranded wire. Is anybody else a contender? Would a different model from leatherman be better? Their ads, list the super tool as one of their strongest.
 
I think I'd just buy another Super-Tool and keep one in rotation back to the mother-ship when it wears out.

Mine has held up fine for close to 30 years, but if don't use it daily like you do.

rc
 
I agree with RC, get a duplicate and keep rotating them back to Leatherman.

OTOH, Victorinox makes a multitool that is purported to be pretty tough.

None of them are supposed to replace a tool kit and I don't think any of them design and build them to last for years for some of the things we put them through.
 
I own a pair of SOG Power Pliers, I think I've had them close to 20 years now. Before that I had an original pair of Leatherman pliers and still would if some POS didn't steal them.

Anyway, the SOG pliers have held up great. I did have to send them back once for warranty work, their early rivets on the folding legs were just a tad weak. I was using them at work to remove a bolt and had them between both hands to get as much pressure on the nut. With that and the combination of putting all my weight on them caused one of the rivets to crush and they snapped apart.

Sent them back to SOG and they were upgraded to a new bolt design, they also sharpened both blades sharper then when it came from the factory and cleaned it up. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair if I ever need them. As for the large blade being resharpend. A friend had to use it to cut brass out of his leg after having a bad round go off in his M2. I think about 20 or so small pieces. Said the blade was so sharp he didn't feel a thing!
 
The pawn shops are full of good multi tools for well under 1/2 retail. Have a draw full and send back when needed as suggested above.
 
I have been carrying a Leatherman Wave for about 10 years that I bought at basic training. I have lost it on training lanes, dropped it (accidentally) out of helicopters, and used it for nearly every daily task minus cutting something (dedicated knife for that). Still works and I only thorough clean it about once a year.
 
I have had a Leatherman Skeletool CX for a couple of years now and it has been great with no problems to report. Also have an older Brookstone Multi-tool which serves as back-up in my truck.
 
multitool

I was in my local Grainger and saw a multitool made by Stanley up on the pegboard. I had to get it since it was just a little over $20 I could not resist. It is heavy, pretty well made, and at that price I won't cry if (when) I lose it. Can't have too many of those things. Each individual tool is sub-optimal for its intended purpose, but all together it can really save the day.
 
The absolute toughest one I've had (and I've had several), was an original USA made Schrade Tough Tool. When Schrade was bought up by Taylor Tool and production shipped to china in... '07 or so? the quality went to real garbage. I wanted a spare and I bought a Chinese one around '08. The Chinese made knife was so bad I called up Taylor's CS and got them to exchange the Chiense one for a NOS American made one that they had in their warehouse.
The American ones, if you can find one NOS are just absolutely unbeatable.
 
Sounds like another super tool is my best bet, but I will have to give the SOGS a look. I'm not sure they have jaws as big as the super tool though.

I have looked at the victorinox tool and I felt like it was very well finished, but not quite suited for what I would do with it. The internal tools appear to be borrowed from some of their knives, and not made as stout as the rest of the tool. I have managed to twist a couple of the screwdrivers on my super tool, so going to one made of thinner stock seems like bad idea.

I remember when the tough tool came out and I thought it looked interesting, but I don't think I want to take my chances now that taylor cutlery makes them.
 
There are piles of surplus Gerber multitools on the market now, can be had for around $20 like new (or new). Nice thing is that their cutter in them can be replaced when they get dull.

For the price, I would get one (or more) of those. Mil spec and seem to hold up well
 
I'm not a SOG fan in general, but they have a model with some heavy duty pliers/wire cutters that may be worth looking into.
 
I carried a leatherman wave for many years and switched to a sog which I've carried for ????? how long is a coons age? lol I also own the large version and it lives in my bag that's in the car. I find the large one to heavy to carry on me for my uses.........but it's around the same weight your used to.

I own gerbers also but just never seem to leave the little sog.....it's similar to the plain leatherman from years ago but has the gears in the jaws. I don't know if they make much difference but it makes sense. lol It's what made me switch from leathermans
 
Two good answer according to my experience :
"Victorinox makes a multitool that is purported to be pretty tough." extremely well made out of very tough steel and elegant too.
"an original USA made Schrade Tough Tool" yes my experience too, they are huge and clunky but I used mine to repair Marine diesel engines 20 years and now one I bought on ebay resides in my Motorcycle saddle bag.
 
I like my leatherman a lot but if I was using hard enough to tear it up that fast I would consider carrying regular pliers or whatever. When I farmed I carried one of those combo adjustable wrench/plier tools in a belt holster or a vise-grip and also had a tool box nearby.
 
Leatherman. I have a Charge Ti that was a gift. Actually, I have a replacement Charge Ti for the one I finally had to send in when my oldest son broke the knife. (It is not a pry bar, after all.) He had a Wave that my Dad gave him for his BD; he lost that. I got him a Gerber Suspension; he lost that. I got him and his brother each Sidekicks for Xmas two years ago. His has already been back to Leatherman for a new knife. (Some people's children. :rolleyes: ) At least he hasn't lost it yet. ;) His brother has just started working, so I'm sure his'll now see some hard use. I have a slew of different cheap multitools in many different go-bags, but my Leatherman stays on my belt or in my pocket always.
 
"an original USA made Schrade Tough Tool" yes my experience too, they are huge and clunky but I used mine to repair Marine diesel engines 20 years and now one I bought on ebay resides in my Motorcycle saddle bag.
Click to expand...

Actually, I don't find the Tough Tool to be "huge and clunky." It's wider than my other multi-tools, but flatter. It lies nicely when sheathed so that it protrudes less from be belt and doesn't catch on quite as much because the lay-out makes it very slim from front to back.

I remember when the tough tool came out and I thought it looked interesting, but I don't think I want to take my chances now that taylor cutlery makes them.
Click to expand...

Then find a NOS model from before Taylor took over. So long as it says USA on it, then you should be good to go.
 
Kingcreek said:
I like my leatherman a lot but if I was using hard enough to tear it up that fast I would consider carrying regular pliers or whatever. When I farmed I carried one of those combo adjustable wrench/plier tools in a belt holster or a vise-grip and also had a tool box nearby.
Click to expand...
If I was farming for myself I would keep a tool box on each tractor with basic hand tools, or have one that I could swap around at least. I am assistant supervisor/mechanic for a big commercial farm and they don't believe in doing stuff like that because they don't trust their employees not to steal them. So I have tools in the shop, and I have tools in my truck, but if I end up running a tractor it has to fit on my belt or in my lunchbox, and then when the kid on the other side of the field breaks whatever he is driving I have to go play macgyver because its a half hour drive in a tractor to get to my tools:banghead:. If you can't tell, I'm a little bitter about the whole issue but its probably not going to change :(
 
I have 3 Waves 1 of the older style and 2 of the new style. FWIW if you send in an older one for repair they just replace it with a new one.

If you have one of the new styles be sure to get the extra bits they offer for them, pretty handy to have Allen, Torx, Robertson and all the different flat and Philips bit sizes.
 
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