Best value multi-tool / Leatherman

[lasergecko]

I'm looking for a multi-tool / leatherman, anyone have a specific model / brand that you think this a really good value? Where did you buy yours from?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

love my Juice S2

*edit* scratch that, its a Juice CS4

 

[Barfo]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2074698

 

[AndroidVageta]

Leatherman Wave

/thread

 

[vi edit]

I don't think there's much in the way of "value" with the multi tools. There's simply quality tools and crap tools with not much in between. Leatherman is a very high quality tool that comes with a premium price. I won't mention models because it's highly use(r) specific.

 

[xSauronx]

i have the surge, which i got for i think 75 a while back (on sale)

mostly i wish i just had the skeletool, as the surge is pretty hefty for just occassional use (i bought the surge when I was a field tech/satellite guy and needed a good multi tool)

so if you need one a lot...get the surge/wave (theres just a minor difference, but i dont recall what). if you need one now and again, get the skeletool.

 

[vi edit]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2074698

This tool does not provide any value.

 

[Possessed Freak]

I ended up having to get a non leatherman as I needed a 110 punch down tool to work with the PBX system. It's all about what devices you need on your multi-tool.

 

[vi edit]

I ended up having to get a non leatherman as I needed a 110 punch down tool to work with the PBX system. It's all about what devices you need on your multi-tool.

Is it an impact based one? I wouldn't want any other punch down device than my dedicated one that has an impact function and can do both cutting and non cutting.

 

[xSauronx]

I ended up having to get a non leatherman as I needed a 110 punch down tool to work with the PBX system. It's all about what devices you need on your multi-tool.

im not really sure what youre getting at since the OP made it clear he wanted a leatherman like multitool. i have an impact-punch tool (a paladin) that is pretty decent but its not really comparable to a multitool/leatherman in anyway other than that its a hand tool.

FWIW, OP, my cousin has an SOG model multitool and was pretty fond of it last I recall.

 

[duragezic]

Depends what size you're looking at. They go from Leatherman Micra/Squirt size to Juice to Wave and such. I'd get a Leatherman or Victorinox.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/user/nutnfancy on YT (goto Playlists and Multitools Reviewed).

I'd like to get a Charge but they are expensive. So I might get a Surge or Juice S2. With Leatherman it's often just a matter of design (accessible by outside or not), size, and tool selection. But some of the Victorinox look sweet for a full size MT.

As the videos linked above say, from what I can tell, yourcornerstore.com has the best prices by far on stuff like that.

 

[kage69]

Another vote here for the Wave! I've used a number of different multitools from a variety of makers, and the Wave's design and sturdiness is by far my favorite. Was gifted one years ago by my father in law, and it's still going strong. Highly recommended.

 

[lxskllr]

I'm not a fan of Leatherman tools. Maybe the newer ones are better, but the metal in the classic styles is too brittle for my uses. I'd consider one, but I'd have to see what else is on the market. If Victorinox made one, that would be the first tool I'd look at. I'm a huge fan of Swiss Army knives.

 

[Bignate603]

I've owned a squirt, juice and wave. Each of them was a great tool. If you're planning on keeping it and using it constantly I'd pay a bit extra to get what you really want.

 

[herm0016]

sog tools are much heavier duty than leatherman tools

http://sogknives.com/store/tools.html


I have a power lock eod with the v cutter and love it. the v cut is great for striping small wires. these tools are nice because you can take them apart and customize them with different tools and different jaws depending on your needs. mine has a broken tip on the pliers but i just need to replace that part, not the entire tool. i use mine for a lot of things, including a hammer all the time and it still looks nearly brand new, its been on my belt for 4 years now. the newer version of the powerlock is much better with the individual locks on the tools. I would probably get the same tool again, or would look at the new power assist.

 

[Schadenfreude]

I'm not a fan of Leatherman tools. Maybe the newer ones are better, but the metal in the classic styles is too brittle for my uses. I'd consider one, but I'd have to see what else is on the market. If Victorinox made one, that would be the first tool I'd look at. I'm a huge fan of Swiss Army knives.

But wait, they do!

Personally I have a Victorinox and would recommend them, but I've heard really good things about SOG brand multitools as well - in fact I picked one up for my father-in-law's b-day present.

UPDATE: Handling the father-in-law's SOG I was suitably impressed (and greedy; after all, it's not a bad idea to have an extra one in the car too, no?), so I skipped over to Ebay and got one for under $30 including shipping!

 

[lxskllr]

But wait, they do!

Personally I have a Victorinox and would recommend them, but I've heard really good things about SOG brand multitools as well - in fact I picked one up for my father-in-law's b-day present.

Nice designs. They aren't cheap, but I think that's what I'd go for assuming the design worked out in hand. I'd have to see it in person to get a good feel for the knife.

 

[LordMorpheus]

I have a Skeletool. I love it. Maybe not the best value, but for an everyday carry knife, it's great.

 

[coolroyboy2]

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/91

My pick.

 

[xSauronx]

I'm not a fan of Leatherman tools. Maybe the newer ones are better, but the metal in the classic styles is too brittle for my uses. I'd consider one, but I'd have to see what else is on the market. If Victorinox made one, that would be the first tool I'd look at. I'm a huge fan of Swiss Army knives.

really? ive been pretty happy with my surge...its a hefty, well-built tool thats taken a lot of abuse and bumps and ive never worried about it.

i do keep a small swiss army knife in my pocket most of the time...ill pull that out before the leatherman if i can.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Is it an impact based one? I wouldn't want any other punch down device than my dedicated one that has an impact function and can do both cutting and non cutting.

I have a dedicated impact as well. The multi-tool is just for me to solve issues. If I don't need to cut, then I pull out the small screwdriver I carry around and use that.

 

[lurk3r]

But wait, they do!

Personally I have a Victorinox and would recommend them, but I've heard really good things about SOG brand multitools as well - in fact I picked one up for my father-in-law's b-day present.

Yep, I broke 2 leatherman's, the original and the wave over the coarse of a few years, have had the Victronox for at least 6 years, its heavy and tough, a real man's tool.

 

[SP33Demon]

Victorinox Swisstool X, got it for xmas and freaking love it. The locking mechanism for all the tools are rock solid and the scissors are really handy.

 

[adairusmc]

Leatherman Surge
/thread

I fixed that for you

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I got two of these off Ebay for something like $40 and have been quite happy with them:
http://www.leatherman.com/products/product.asp?id=19&f=7&c=1