Spec me a multitool?

ttaskmaster

ttaskmaster

ttaskmaster

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For decades I've been struggling with the cheap, crappy One Pound Special multitools people seem to love buying me for Christmas. None have actually fallen apart, but they're loose, rattly, blunt, snappable piles of junk... and one doesn't even open thanks to the 'innovative' inclusion of an LED torch that jams the pliers shut...

So I was thinking of getting a proper multitool and am looking for any recommendations.

I had been considering the Leatherman Surge, as it seems to have most of the stuff I'd want (love the external blades and additional bit kit), but have heard that Leatherman quality has fallen badly of late...?


What do people think?
Leatherman? Gerber? SOG? Swiss Tool?
Can you swap out some of the tools you don't need (like some of the many flathead drivers, for example)?
 
Gerber have been a bit hit and miss in my experience - my brother has one of the "normal" size multitools by them - can't remember which off the top of my head - and it is quite good but the Vise I picked up in a sale recently has some issues with being hard to open some of the blades. I have a couple of Gerber knives which are pretty decent though.
 
I can recommend a Victorinox Swiss Tool.

I've had mine for over 12 years, having been bought it is a gift. It still works well, and is incredibly well made.

I take it for granted really, but find myself using it more often than any of my other tools (even the Philips screwdriver seems to fit better than any of a set of screwdrivers in my tool cabinet).
 
ttaskmaster said:
I might just bite the bullet then - Leatherman have a decent warranty, apparently, so if I break it, they fix it...
Click to expand...

I have about 7 leatherman and yeh if anything breaks you get it fixed or just replaced for a brand new one.

I even got a brand new replacement when my screwdriver wore out, sent it off for the price of a stamp and an envelope and a week later i had a brand new tool.

They also do an upgrade program, if you break a tool they dont manufacture any longer they will give you a choice of tool replacement that is to do with tools and not price so I broke a £15 leatherman and got a £35 leatherman in return.

Best warranty ever.
 
Depends what you want it to do.

IMO Leatherman have the best one-handed-opening function, and the best blade steels. They would probably be my preferred all-rounder (and that I mean if I could only have one multitool to go camping with, fix my bike with, use around the house).

Best thing for camping - again IMO - is not something based around pliers. I'd go for a large locking Victorinox.

In my limited experience of them, Gerber tools are pretty soft and flimsy.

Haven't tried SOG.

If you want something primarily for around the house/office, the Victorinox Spirit with ratchet bit driver set would be my choice.
 
Recently purchased a Leatherman Wingman to leave in the car. Only used it a couple of times and have been quite impressed by it. Feels solidly built and has a decent selection of useful tools.
 
Leatherman all the way. As others have said, their warranty is second to none. Bought my father one a few years back, after a about a years use he managed to break the locking mechanism. Contacted the UK realise center and was sent a returns envelope, about a week later had a brand new tool arrive.

Also as others have said, Gerbers too hit and miss
 
I have a dewalt one. Same as Stanley Fat Max range (not to be confused with regular Stanley ranges)

It's solid and two years in it is still like new despite abuse and use. It is cheap for what you get simply due to the brand and tradesman functionality of it rather than the style of gerber or leatherman. But then it goes with the rest of my dewalt kit.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-16-in-1-multi-tool/7539c

If money is no object get a leatherman
 
I have a Gerber Suspension; picked it up when they were £20 or so on Amazon. The price has since gone up to close to double that :eek: I find it fine on for my needs, though the knife is a bit weedy.

Leatherman are better quality, but only if you get a proper one IMO; the Wave, Super Tool etc are the base model to go for; £60+ over here, but pretty cheap in America if anyone is travelling. The Wingman, Juice, Style etc are much inferior tools.

My only advice is to get something that has attachments you will use; more only makes the tool clunkier, bigger and heavier if you don't use them.

I have a Victorinox lock knife and the Suspension; both of which are used regularly.

I want a Leatherman as they are better, but can't justify the cost for the benefit - I'm going to wait until someone/I go to the states :)

Long and short of it is that most recognised multitool/knife brands make decent kit (Gerber, Wenger, Victorinox, Leatherman, SOG etc)

Have a look here - http://www.heinnie.com/knives-and-tools/multi-tools
 
Another vote for Leatherman. Have 2 Leatherman charges that I bought from the states back when you could buy sharp things from ebay.. Been absolutely great. Decent steels, all the tools lock in place, precise needlenose pliers, titanium body and even has screwdriver bit holders so you dont end up with a rounded off screwdriver forever bolted to your tool. You can also grind flats onto a normal hex screwdriver bit to get them to fit, which is a lot cheaper.

EDIT: Jesus, just googled and seen the current price of the Leatherman charge Ti... £160 :eek:. Think I paid around £60 inc delivery a good few years back from the US. I dont think I can still recommend them for that price :(. Good, but not £160 good.
 
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I use a Leatherman Wave for work. It's a great bit of kit and when I ruined the old one and asked for a quote for repair they said send it in and we'll replace it for a new one!
 
I have a Leatherman PST II which I've owned for about twenty years, it gets used at least once a week for something and still feels new (no looseness or blunting), it's without doubt the best tool I've ever purchased.
 
I have a swisstool x and a leatherman supertool 300. I'd call both of these 'full size multitools' as they weigh a fair bit. But it's a reassuring sort of weight.

The swisstool is of a much finer build quality compared to the leatherman. It has that precise feel to opening and closing all the tools.

In contrast the supertool 300 is distinctly more agricultural in its build. I don't mean it's badly put together. It's just not made by victorinox... :p

The leatherman doesn't have scissors, the swisstool does. The leatherman does have replaceable cutters in the pliers, the swisstool doesn't.

The swisstool can access the tools without having to open the pliers. The leatherman you have to open the pliers to get at the tools.

I like them both. Price-wise I think the leatherman was a little cheaper than the swisstool, but not by much. Both were somewhere between £80-90.

If it's worth any consideration, I'm carrying the leatherman now; the swisstool is at home - it's just too shiny ;)
As for the lack of scissors on the leatherman, I also carry a SAK 'mountaineer' penknife in my pocket. So I guess I'm covered for fixing/opening stuff.

Careful with the locking blades that come with most multitools. They can get you into trouble with our stupid knife laws here. You'll need a reason for carrying it should you get stopped by plod... "'cause it makes me feel all manly and rugged." is not a good enough reason lol
If I'm off down the pub, the SAK remains in my pocket, but the multitool will stay at home.
 
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