Which multi-tool? Leatherman or. . .

[john fish]

Looking to buy a multi-tool to carry and use at work.  I've had the cheesy ones in the past but am looking for a quality tool this time.  Need pliers, screwdrivers, a blade, etc.

What brand is high quality?
What do you like or dislike about yours?
Which tool do you use the most?
Which tool is surprisingly useful?
What's your name? Who's your Daddy? Is he rich like me?

Thanks.

[wrbix]

Really like my Leatherman Wave+ :
- two blades, use serrated for general use, reserve plain one for sharper needs (when?)
- didn’t think I’d ever use the can opener but it comes out frequently for general scraping and gouging
- file holds up to steel
- saw is very handy for foliage, not for woodwork
- screw drivers OK, they work for non high torque use
- scissors OK but small
They honor their warranty, snapped a blade clean off at the thumb notch doing something stupid, they replaced whole unit.
I’ll always have one, haven’t tried others....do have a first generation L’man around here somewhere

[wrbix]

...interesting sidenote: when shipping in the broken one, girl at UPS store asked what was in package then related she had 3 or 4 at home...each time her husband was deployed to Middle East he was issued one.

[Motormike]

Another choice is Gerber.  I have a Gerber Multi-tool that has served me well for many years.  Always have it with me on multi-day trips on the bike.

[JJ]

The Leathermen or equivalent Gerber UPT are both great.   I have both

However, one cannot beat a well equipped good ol' Swiss Army Knife - either Wenger or Victorinox...

[siabeid]

I have had a Leatherman since they first came out. Very high quality and still made in Portland, Oregon. I would probably be using my original one, but a couple of years ago my brother in law broke the file off using it to pry off a piece of baseboard. It was a very good file, but a lousy prybar! He bought me a Leatherman Rebar to replace it. It is even better than the original. All of the tools are very high quality and I use them all of the time, particularly the pliers, blade, screwdrivers and file. It is sort of the equivalent of Snap On as far as quality and detailing goes. About 15 years ago, my neighbor broke the blade on his, (his fault) which he had had for many years. He called the office in Portland to see if he could get a replacement blade. A couple of days later he received a complete new tool in the mail. Free of charge and a thank you for being such a long standing loyal customer. Get a Leatherman.

[Gliderjohn]

I have had one Leatherman break on me that had been a gift after about 20 years of use. Looked on the internet and their website found no way to get a replacement. Anyway a while later I found a new one in the box at a garage sale for $2. It also had the warranty paper and the contact info, so went that route and had a new free replacement a couple of weeks later. So I have $2 wrapped up in two of them.
GliderJohn

[cliffrod]

I've carried a Leatherman Supertool literally every single day since I got one at work in Jan 96.  Thought it was a stupid gimmick but soon came to trust it.   Great tool, but it has some weak spots.  The various blades are not tempered ideally.  They're too brittle and easy to break, whether it's inadvertently prying, twisting a screwdriver, squeezing the pliers, whatever. The early blade lock design also fatigues so the blade will no longer lock.  Everything being inside means extra opening/closing to use any of it.  The pliers are used all the time.  I always carry two knives in my pocket- a regular knife (usually my Victorinox Parachutist) for general knife use and reserve the rarely used blade on my leatherman for a razor-sharp blade when needed.

Their warranty is great.  I had no papers and sent in my original & a second one I had. No paperwork.  Multiple broken blades, worn out locks on #1 and #2  had the pliers break at the main hinge.  Two brand new Supertools arrived in the mail about 2 wks later, no questions asked.   

My wife has a smaller Leatherman Rev that she carries daily.  It has outside blades and belt clip.

My machinist neighbor carries a Gerber.  The pliers deploy with a snap of the wrist and he says they're a much stronger & more durable tool that a leatherman.  For now, I'll keep using my leatherman.

[AJ Huff]

I have the Leatherman Wave and the Gerber multi tool. Both are excellent..I slightly prefer the Gerber because the tools are inside the handle giving my hand a smooth surface to hold.

-AJ

[john fish]

I have had a Leatherman since they first came out. Very high quality and still made in Portland, Oregon.

Interesting.  I did a search and it looks like Leatherman and Gerber are both made in Portland.  I like buying US products. 

[Ncdan]

The original leatherman tool only, goes in my pocket. If my pants are on,  my leatherman is on my person.

[PhilB]

I'm going to reinforce the others.  Leatherman and Gerber both make good examples, and I haven't seen any others that impress meany more than those.  I've had both, and currently am using a Gerber.

The first Leatherman unit did not have a locking mechanism at all, and that was a flaw.  The blade, and the screwdrivers, would sometimes fold when being used.  I assume they no longer make units that way, but if you're looking at used ones, or pick one up at a garage sale, be aware of that.

PhilB

[Ncdan]

I'm going to reinforce the others.  Leatherman and Gerber both make good examples, and I haven't seen any others that impress meany more than those.  I've had both, and currently am using a Gerber.

The first Leatherman unit did not have a locking mechanism at all, and that was a flaw.  The blade, and the screwdrivers, would sometimes fold when being used.  I assume they no longer make units that way, but if you're looking at used ones, or pick one up at a garage sale, be aware of that.

PhilB

You are right Phil that the original does not lock. However I’ve carried that original type for 40 years now, three new ones as one last me around 10-12 years, and learned how to maneuver around that flaw. The problem is that the newer models that lock are really to large to carry in ones pocket as a knife is carried and if it’s not in your pocket it’s worthless if left at home when needed. Personally I was prone not to place other larger versions of the tool on my belt, especially if dressed nicer to go out. I realized earlier on that every time I didn’t have the tool I would end up needing it, therefore if I put on my pants, in the pocket goes the tool👍

[jcctx]

I HAVE A COLLECTION OF MULTI TOOLS; (darn caploc) Leatherman and Gerber best!!

[DougG]

Hi all,                                                                                                        4-3-21

I have a leatherman.  However (not to confuse this thread), I find it a bit bulky to carry/wear, sometimes.  So, I carry the following in my watch pocket.  It has everything I need on a daily basis (plus a LED light and pen).  I don't leave home without it.










Be well, stay well,
DougG

[Ncdan]

Hi all,                                                                                                        4-3-21

I have a leatherman.  However (not to confuse this thread), I find it a bit bulky to carry/wear, sometimes.  So, I carry the following in my watch pocket.  It has everything I need on a daily basis (plus a LED light and pen).  I don't leave home without it.










Be well, stay well,
DougG

Just curious Doug, can you cut a barb wire fence strand with that tool? I didn’t think so 🤔👍

[dte8dom]

I carry the Leatherman Skeletool. I've had a lot of different EDC pieces but by far my favorite for the last several years is the Skeletool, the black carbon fiber looking one.

[DougG]

Hi Dan,                                                                                                                         4-4-21

Nope on the barbed wire.  I use my cell phone for that.   

Be well, stay well,
DougG

P.S.  Happy bunny day all!

[JJ]

For the FULL sized model...here is the cheapest to the most expensive...

[Ncdan]

I have had one Leatherman break on me that had been a gift after about 20 years of use. Looked on the internet and their website found no way to get a replacement. Anyway a while later I found a new one in the box at a garage sale for $2. It also had the warranty paper and the contact info, so went that route and had a new free replacement a couple of weeks later. So I have $2 wrapped up in two of them.
GliderJohn

Want to double your money on one of them???

[Bulldog9]

I've carried a leatherman skeletool for years. 3"blade, pliers and screwdriver in a compact pocket unit.