Multi Tools

Jim Brennan

Jim Brennan

VHS Member Old Skool
So my wife wants to get me something for Christmas. Since an HPX-500, and HD production monitor, or a motorized pan and tilt head are out, I thought I would retire my venerable Swiss Army knife and get a good multi tool.

Originally I looked at Leatherman, since they started the trend. But then I saw the Gerbers, and I liked the way the plier head slides into place (handy for one-handed use). The Gerber Recoil is even spring loaded, which is cool (but it lacks some essential tools, like a bottle opener)

After looking at a few up close, I still like the concept of the Gerber pliers, but they don't seem as durable as the Leathermans. I liked that the Leatherman Blast has a little reversible jewelers screwdriver on it.

Anyway, I was looking for feedback. Aside from everyday household stuff, I mostly use my Swiss Army Knife on set. This would replace that.

Thanks.
 
I got the Leatherman Surge a few months ago. It's one of my favorite possesions. I use it every day. It's one of those things I find excuses to use. Doing the dishes? Fix that pothandle.

It's really nice in that it has 2 different sizes of screwdrivers, both with reversable heads. And you can buy the bit kit for it too.

And the 2 external knives (1 serrated, 1 straight), external scissors, and external saw/file (exchangable) don't hurt either.

I got mine for $70. Seemed like a pretty damn good deal to me.

Having said that, that new Skeletool on their site looks pretty awesome.
 
Yeah the skeletool looks cool. I was looking to see if it needed to be plugged in :smile:

I know that I can't really go wrong with either brand, it's really more about the features. A lot of the leathermans have those little screwdrivers, but I can't see on the gerber site if they have them.
 
I need to see the Skeletool in person. If it feels as good as it looks, I may get one to replace my beat-to-hell pocket knife. I would have to see the knife in action though, to see how easy it is to use.
 
Went to the Sportsman's Warehouse and did some comparing. The Gerber 600 and the Leatherman Blast were the 2 that I liked best in terms of size (and price, both being $50) Some of the bigger ones (like the Surge) were nice in that they had more stuff, but I don't want anything too heavy. The features on them were identical except that they had 2 different types of saws and the Leatherman had the teeny jewelers screwdriver. I did dig the way the Gerber pliers slid down, but after trying to flick open the Leatherman, I found that it was just as easy to open one-handed. So while it was a rock and roll feature, it wasn't really a selling point.

After making the poor salesguy take about 15 of them out and trying them every which way for 45 minutes, the quality in every other way seemed identical. So I went with the leatherman because of that little screwdriver. I figured that I couldn't go wrong either way.

Thanks for your feedback everyone.
 
Leatherman Wave classic FTW.

I have 2. One is *always* [except when I'm flying, or swimming] on my hip, the other is purly as a backup as I couldn't go the week it would take to repair without one if the first one ever broke.

I'm so used to it that if for some reason I don't have it with me, it throws me off balance and I walk in a big circle.


- Mikko ... can use his Leatherman just fine one handed. With his eyes closed.
 
Used a Leatherman classic for years and years, until it was confiscated by TSA on my way to a location show (although they let me board with the 4-1/2" flick knife in my carry-on; that's another story...)

Have a Skeletool on order; was supposed to deliver in November, but delivery has now slipped to December (and they are rapidly running out of December, too...)

If anyone is interested I will post some notes on the Skeletool, when it eventually arrives...
 
I wouldn't mind hearing about that. I guess it's like the RED camera of multitools.

Leatheman now makes their FUSE model without a knife. I would assume the purpose is to allow you to carry in to areas that do not allow knives (Like an airplane), but I wonder if the screwdrivers and file would still allow the TSA to confiscate it?
 
I'm still looking for a good micro with pliers and small scissors for an 'everyday' carry.
 
mikkowilson said:
Is that the voice of experience talking?


- Mikko
Click to expand...

TSA can confiscate anything they like.

Including nipple piercings, which can apparently be used for the purpose of hijacking an airplane, although I am not sure exactly how.

Just notified that the Skeletool is en route; should have it by Tuesday.
 
Skeletool's in hand.

My, but this thing is cool. Cooler than a lot of the sci-fi props I usually handle. I'll be playing with it all night...

I'll put up some pics, tomorrow.

Possibly including injuries.
 
IMG_4532.jpg


It's a nice small (*really* small) package when folded...the carabiner-style clip is brilliant. And functions as a bottle opener.




IMG_4533.jpg


Still has a belt clip on the other side.




IMG_4534.jpg


Extra driver bits stow in the handle. The pliers/cutters have a more positive lock than my old Leatherman, which is reassuring.




IMG_4535.jpg


Someone at Leatherman finally figured out that locking blades mean fewer lost fingers. Bravo! Plus, it thumbs open, one-handed. Which is nice.



IMG_4537.jpg



The driver bit sits weirdly off-axis. I haven't yet tried it out, so that might not matter. Who knows; it might even help.
 
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