Suggestions for Multi Tool?

[SouthernLion]

Looking at getting a multi tool. Now this would be an EDC item. I'm not getting it for any one particular reason, so a well rounded tool is what I'm looking for. My one request is not a keychain size one like some I have seen online. After looking around online, the Leatherman Wave seems to be a good all around multi tool. What are you guys' suggestions?

[teecro]

You are correct the Leatherman Wave is a good all around tool... I've been carrying and using a multi-tool of one brand or another for the last 20 plus years; when I discovered the Wave least 10 years ago I stopped looking for a better tool. It is strong and robust without being too large and heavy nor is it too light... As an engineer this and a good flashlight are always on my person while on board ship  

[Whisper]

Just remember that Leatherman supports antigun political candidates. I prefer to buy products from companies that don't spend their money trying to abolish my rights.

Gerber multitools for me.

Cheers,
Whisper

[Spots]

After breaking half a dozen Gerber I went Leatherman. This is the first I have heard of them being antigun. I carry a Leatherman MUT, it's one of their largest and heaviest but it gets used daily and has for 3 years now. Everything from constructionn mechanic work on bikes and cars, hunting, fishing and where it really excels, at the range or down range in the military. I love mine and just wish they had been available in 2007 so I could have bought one immediately after boot camp to carry my entire enlistment.

[btq96r]

I have a Leatherman Charge, and it's awesome.  I used to be a Gerber guy, and they aren't necessarily bad, but I'm converted to Leatherman.

[nightrunner]

I have probably 4-5 different Leathermans right now, from a really big one to a small one that is basically just a pair of pliers and a pocketknife.

I love them, but I do try to evaluate what tools I need and carry the smallest one with the tools I need.

[peejman]

My EDC is a Leatherman Wave and I've got several others (different versions.... one that lives in each car, in my motorcycle, kitchen junk drawer..).   My criteria for EDC was the smallest one I could find with both pliers and scissors.  I use it frequently but I'm not very hard on it .  It's lasted a long time. 

[Omega]

I have carried various multi-tools and have quite a few on hand still as most have a great warranty.  The one that has been my EDC is the Gerber Legend: http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-08239-MP800-Legend-Multitool/dp/B000051WSH

It just has the best all around features of the rest of my multi-tools.  It has user replaceable hacksaw blade, and wire cutters (3 surfaces before replacement), needle nose which I use more than flat nose, and a blade and scissors accessible from the closed position.  The only thing that would make this tool better is if it had the geared jaws like my SOG http://www.sogknives.com/type/multi-tools/powerlock-eod-2-0-v-cutter-black-oxide.html.  I now prefer Gerber vs leatherman due to breaking a few of them (replaced under warranty) but they have improved their tool over time so they are not too bad now.  Whatever one you get make sure that the grip does not close all the way when the plier portion closes or you will be pinched, and for comfort its better that the opening be to the inside while using the pliers. 

[JAB]

I have a few - including some 'throwaways' I bought in a multi-pack at Home Depot.  My favorite, though, is a Gerber like this one:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-05500-MP400-Compact-Multi-function/dp/B00004TR4S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1432907879&sr=8-4&keywords=Gerber+multitool

 

I prefer this one because of the one-hand deployment of the pliers.  Leatherman multi-tools - as well as others that fold/unfold the way they do (including the ones Gerber makes in that style) are awkward to open and even more awkward to close, to me.  Of course, when I first started carrying a multi-tool (and a Gerber like the one linked above was the first one I ever carried daily) I was doing more fishing than I am now.  Holding a fish in one hand and trying to open a Leatherman style multi-tool with the other so you can use the pliers to extract the hook is a PITA.  Being able to simply pull out the tool and deploy the pliers is much better.  Further, the pliers on these are more of a 'needle nose' style while not being what I would think of as a true 'needle nose'.  That allows them to do things that require a thinner plier profile (like extracting a hook from a fish's mouth) while still being able to pretty well handle 'flat nosed' plier jobs, too.  Of course, it is still a multi-tool so - like all multitools (at least in my experience) probably won't have quite the 'grip' as a good, strong, large set of pliers.

 

Another feature I like about this, particular multitool is that the other tools - when deployed - lock into position (you release them by sliding the black, plastic tab on the side of their respective handle.)  Trying to use, say, the screwdriver in a multitool while it is constantly trying to fold up on you is annoying to say the least.

[atlas3025]

I have carried various multi-tools and have quite a few on hand still as most have a great warranty.  The one that has been my EDC is the Gerber Legend: http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-08239-MP800-Legend-Multitool/dp/B000051WSH

It just has the best all around features of the rest of my multi-tools.  It has user replaceable hacksaw blade, and wire cutters (3 surfaces before replacement), needle nose which I use more than flat nose, and a blade and scissors accessible from the closed position.  The only thing that would make this tool better is if it had the geared jaws like my SOG http://www.sogknives.com/type/multi-tools/powerlock-eod-2-0-v-cutter-black-oxide.html.  I now prefer Gerber vs leatherman due to breaking a few of them (replaced under warranty) but they have improved their tool over time so they are not too bad now.  Whatever one you get make sure that the grip does not close all the way when the plier portion closes or you will be pinched, and for comfort its better that the opening be to the inside while using the pliers. 

 

+1 on the Gerber Legend.  They are an older design, but Have everything I need.

[Trekbike]

I have a Leatherman Wave but don't use it as a EDC, not because it's not a good tool, I just don't find I need all it's functionality the majority of the time.  

 

I saw a Kershaw multi-tool/knife that has peaked my interest.    While it doesn't have the versatility of a true multi-tool, it should perform better as a self-defense blade should that need arise.    

 

http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1920-Select-Fire-Multi-Tool/dp/B002IVPKOU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432921596&sr=8-1&keywords=kershaw+select+fire 

[gjohnsoniv]

I've become a fan of the SOG multitools after switching over from Leatherman. I've been carrying the Sog EOD for several years now and using it daily, and rather innapropiately for some tasks it wasn't designed for, like a hammer. The thing I like is that the compound gears make cutting through things really easy and that it's a fairly slim tool. What I don't like is not being able to replace the cutting jaws on the pliers like you can do on some Leatherman models, but then again the jaws aren't that rough on mine either.

All in all I don't think you can go wrong between Sog and Leatherman.

[gjohnsoniv]

Edit. Double tap. Edited May 29, 2015 by gjohnsoniv

[Randall53]

I have a a Gerber and it's the best one I've ever owned. By far. Mine is the Gerber 5500 MP400.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Randall53

[Caster]

I've got a couple of Gerber multi tools and they are not all that and certainly didn't come with a bag of chips.

 

The Leatherman is much better quality.  

 

As far as their political stances, I understand I really do.  I strive to support those who support me but if you ONLY ever do business with those who are aligned with your beliefs, you won't get much in this world.  

Edited May 29, 2015 by Caster

[nightrunner]

This is the first I have heard of Leathermans being anti gun. I always go for the quality product no matter what their political or moral stance is.

[Monkeyman2500]

This is the first I have heard of Leathermans being anti gun. I always go for the quality product no matter what their political or moral stance is.

Don't quote me, but after reaserching it seams he supported John Kerry during his presidential run. That seems to be where the anti gun thing stems from. That was the big deal. Aside from that quality and customer support look to be excellent.

[Omega]

I've got a couple of Gerber multi tools and they are not all that and certainly didn't come with a bag of chips.

 

The Leatherman is much better quality.  

 

As far as their political stances, I understand I really do.  I strive to support those who support me but if you ONLY ever do business with those who are aligned with your beliefs, you won't get much in this world.  

Which model of gerber, maybe we can exchange a great quality leatherman for a lowly gerber or two and I'll even throw in the bag of chips.   :cool:

 

With some companies I refuse to do business with them due to their political leaning. Such as companies with anti-gun policies, but there are times when you can't avoid them or you already have their products. I personally never heard of them being anti-gun but, besides the ones I already own, I dont see me getting another one so it doesn't matter if they are or not. 

[Whisper]

I strive to support those who support me but if you ONLY ever do business with those who are aligned with your beliefs, you won't get much in this world.

So far, for every product made by an anti-gun company, I've very easily been able to find a similar product made by a rival company that isn't trying to destroy my rights. So instead of Levis, I buy Wranglers. I haven't been to a McDonald's in decades (except to urinate). I had a Leatherman tool back when Leatherman began giving money to Al Gore, and when that tool broke (yep, it happens) I went to a Gerber.

It really isn't hard to avoid giving money to your enemies. And make no mistake, companies that give money to political candidates who want to felonize gun ownership are our enemies.

Cheers,
Whisper

[willis68]

The Victornix swiss tool is far better than any Leatherman I have owned,

 

I bought one of these when I stopped buying Leatherman tools due to the Political stance Tim has shown

 

 http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-SwissTool-Pouch/dp/B0000224UE

Edited May 30, 2015 by willis68

[Caster]

^^^^ ...and mister sensible knife man comes in for the win. I had one of those in my hands a year or so ago and passed. It was dang nice. Solid.

[teecro]

The Victornix swiss tool is far better than any Leatherman I have owned,

 

I bought one of these when I stopped buying Leatherman tools due to the Political stance Tim has shown

 

 http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-SwissTool-Pouch/dp/B0000224UE

 

I didn't know about the Leatherman stance but now that I do and you've shown me an equal if not better tool.... I simply say thank you!

Edited May 30, 2015 by teecro

[Omega]

The Victornix swiss tool is far better than any Leatherman I have owned,

 

I bought one of these when I stopped buying Leatherman tools due to the Political stance Tim has shown

 

 http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-SwissTool-Pouch/dp/B0000224UE

Never knew they made these. I have a couple or three Victorinox Swiss Army knives running around somewhere, nice tools. I just sort of see the knives as a gentleman's tool and not as a field tool so never really put them through their paces.

[JAB]

I have a Leatherman Wave but don't use it as a EDC, not because it's not a good tool, I just don't find I need all it's functionality the majority of the time. 

 

Honestly, since I have not been fishing, etc. as much lately I don't really have as much daily need for a multi-tool as my job isn't the type of job that generally calls for the use of such tools.  I keep a cheapo in my EDC sling pack, though.  However, I also keep a Victorinox SAK TInker in that sling pack, too and find myself reaching for it more often than the multitool when I need a screwdriver, bottle opener, etc.  To me, the tools on a good SAK are just easier to access and use - especially the knife blade(s.).  At the current time, to me, a multitool is mostly just a set of folding pliers but when I need a set of pliers then I need a set of pliers so I like to have a multitool around for the pliers and as backup to the SAK for the other tools.

Edited June 3, 2015 by JAB

[JAB]

This one caught my eye the other day.  On such a small tool - which would, of course, limit leverage - a crescent wrench might be better than a pair of pliers for a lot of jobs.  I also like the shape of this one and the assortment of driver bits.  The knife blade looks more easy to use than a more 'traditional' style multitool.  To cap it all, this one has a flashlight, too (and probably not a junky flashlight like I have seen on some cheapo multitools in the past.)  I don't really have that great a need for one but have a feeling one of these will end up living with me sooner or later.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-9070/dp/B000PL6N2S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433345440&sr=8-1&keywords=crescent+wrench+multitool

Edited June 3, 2015 by JAB