Leatherman recommendations

[czechsonofagun]

One thing. I broke the pliers on skeletool this summer pulling a nail out of a tree - I was on a climbing tree stand, didn't have better tool on me.

The pliers just snapped to three pieces, no problem there, Leatherman send me new one in exchange for the old one, but from my metallurgy classes I believe the pliers should be only case hardened and in the worst they should bent not fragile brake.

 

[nue2farm]

FWIW I have several multitools. I carry the gerber SOG most of the time. Others are in my truck or on the tractor. I also have one in my cabin. I'ld say get what you like and use it..

 

[Rockin RK]

I have carried the PST (original leatherman) since '86 or '87 I broke the plier jaws once and of course they replaced the tool, last year I decided that I should retire it so I got the Charge and I'm very happy with it. Ireally like that I can open the bladed without opening the tool. From using the ones I've owned and seeing those that friends own I don't think you could go wrong with any leatherman it's just a matter of which one fits your needs best.

 

[Travelover]

I've got a couple of Micras that I carry with me when I travel. I find the scissors and tweezers to be really handy.

 

[picker77]

About 8 years ago somebody gave me a standard Leatherman for Christmas. I carried it a while, but it had so many little sharp stamped metal edges all over it that I nearly cut myself on the handles, etc. every time I opened it and tried to use it. It also had a bit of wobble built into the opened tools and blades, and just didn't feel like it was built with any real precision. Maybe they had a bad day at the factory that day? The experience sort of turned me off of the Leatherman brand name.

Anyway, flash forward to last summer, I bought a new ATV and wanted a cheap multitool to carry in its emergency tool kit. Bought a house brand tool from Home Depot (Husky, I think it is). Side by side, it's fit and finish is 500% superior to my genuine Leatherman. All the tools and blades on it are both tight fitting AND easy to open, and all edges are carefully rounded for comfort. Precision fit on all parts, no wobble. I suppose it's made in China (I've never looked to see), and it cost me maybe $15 or so. Guess which one gets carried and used?

Just goes to show that price isn't always an indicator, I guess.

 

[looknlearn]

I normally have a hard time deciding when there is money involved and there are so many options, but I have resettled on the the Leatherman Crunch. It is great to have such a bank of knowledge and experience to consult. Thanks Guys.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

.... I'ld say get what you like and use it..

.... From using the ones I've owned and seeing those that friends own I don't think you could go wrong with any leatherman it's just a matter of which one fits your needs best.

You guys are probably right in that I will use and learn to like whatever I get.

 

[Putter]

For work I carry the wave. I have the clip in adapter and a set of 1/4" screwdriver bits for it in a leather holster on my belt. If you need the screwdriver bits look at this over the half size bits that come with another Leatherman (I forget the name). Use it constantly. I have a larger Victorianox one for days off. I always have on or the other. Even dressed up.

 

[milkman]

I've had the original Leatherman and now have the Wave, I prefer the wave, just more comfortable to use. I looked at the Gerber several years ago, but liked the Leatherman. Looking at the prices now, if I was in the market, I'd have to go with the Gerber for this price.

Gerber Diesel Black with Molle Sheath - #22-70039 : Gerber Multi-Tools - at Rocky National

 

[955er]

I also have a Gerber I have carried for the last7 years. I like the way the pliers deploy with a flick of the wrist.

 

[schmism]

I also have a Gerber I have carried for the last7 years. I like the way the pliers deploy with a flick of the wrist.

while the plyers deploy quickly... the lack of any space between the handles means a very poor ergonomic feel to the pliers when in use.

that and i generally found the tools onboard to be of much lesser quality than those on my PSTII. (the phillips head driver to be downright completely worthless)

 

[kjung17]

I have to put in a word for the Gerber, also. I have had 3 tools in 15 years.1 worn out.1 lost.1 going strong. Great edge retention on blades.

 

[sfloggie]

The Wave military (black).

 

[looknlearn]

My Crunch arrived in the mail today. It seems to be well designed and will built. I already gave it a workout this afternoon. Got home and was told that the clothes washer wasn't working and it wouldn't unlock to get the laundry out. So me and my brother dug in with only his Surge and my Crunch. Found a small rag jammed in the drain pump and a penny, a stone and a large bead in the drain filter. I got a screwdriver to speed up the reassembling. The washer works as good as ever and the crunch has it's first scratches.:thumbsup:

Also have mastered the one-handed opening and closing technique.

 

[looknlearn]

Here is an update on my thoughts on the Crunch after having it for a few months. First of all I see that replaceable screwdriver tips are a must if you use it much (Phillips head tip is is about worn out). The flat head screwdriver is on the end of the file and snapped off at the thumbnail catch for opening (the weakest spot. Plus it is tempers for a file so in my opinion is to brittle for a durable screwdriver.) I love having locking pliers on me at all times and and will miss them if I go with out them but the when firmly locked onto something, it has become a bear to unlatch cause something has worn or come loose and catches. The stops are also worn so it almost goes to far closed. All in all I think is was a great idea but it is built too light for farm work. I may demand to much or my hands are too strong. I am planning on sending it back to get repaired soon and maybe then next one will last longer.

These are my experiences with my first multi tool (other than a cheap one I busted in half trying to use the pliers) I end up borrowing my bothers Surge quite often so sometime when I got the money I may try that one or a non-Leatherman brand of multi-tool.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I broke my skeletool pliers to three pieces year ago and discovered they are too brittle - typical pliers are case hardened with only hard surface. The idea is the surface holds for abbrasion and the center provides the strength. The way these pliers snapped shows they are hardened through and through since it was a fragile brake.

Normal pliers would bend first before braking.

Still I am happy with the tool for the use while hunting.

 

[texasjohn]

My Surge gets used probably 10 times a day... no problems of any kind....screwdriver seems fine so far, it is separate. Actually, for the quality and a tool I use so frequently, I think it's inexpensive. Wish I'd had one sooner. I was initially concerned about weight/size compared to other models..but have discovered, at least for me, this is not a problem. I carry it in a leather sheath on my belt everywhere. This is the secret..if you don't have it with you, you can't use it, and, it is a little large for a pocket.

 

[Redbug]

I have had several brands of multi-tools. Lately, I have gotten a couple Gerbers and like them better than the Leatherman's. For me, they just seem to handle better. All the multi-tools are great inventions.

I have these:
Gerber Multi-Plier 600 Needlenose 07530

 

[ManAtArms]

I have a leatherman wave and charge Ti. I have carried and use the wave every day for the last 10 years or so and more recently the Charge for the last year. Overall, very happy with their quality. I did snap the pliers on the Charge a few months back, but they replaced it no questions asked.

I like the Charge for the replaceable driver bits, althought its a bit harder to dig out the interior tools on the charge than it was on the wave.

-mark