Best multitool?

[MS 9x56]

I’ve got a little bit of an obsession with multitools and probably own a dozen or more… most are gerbers, but there are a couple of leathermans and a couple of SOGs in the pile.. I’m not super picky about brand or even which functions a tool has as long as there’s a knife blade, pliers, and a flat and Philips screwdriver… everything else is just a bonus…

Just one question. Why?

 

[Nhoro]

Victorinox multi-colour for me. I have had a Leatherman wave but it was stolen. The Victorinox is big but better quality.

 

[coreydb]

I use a Leatherman; I forget which model, but I've had it for years and carry it in my "field gunsmith repair" pouch. I can't count the number of times I used it.

 

[mdwest]

Just one question. Why?

why not?

1 in the glove box of the truck, 1 in the glove box of the wifes SUV, 1 in the glove box of the polaris side by side, 1 in the glove box of the boat, 1 in my tackle box, 1 in my wifes tackle box, 1 in my work desk drawer, 1 in my hunting pack, 1 in the wifes hunting pack, etc..etc..

Im never more than about 5 feet away from a multi-tool... and can "fix" most of the worlds problems pretty quickly with one plus a roll of duct tape

I do admit Im a bit obsessive about "preparedness" though... I keep a pack under the rear seat of the truck that has a tool kit, tow straps, first aid kit (both boo-boo and trauma), multiple lighters, flashlight, spare water, spare food (MRE), a fixed blade, air compressor, fix a flat, a jumper pack/battery, jumper cables, a multi-tool, and a bunch of other stuff...

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Never caught on to multi tools, I would guess that 30% of the men in my area walk around with a pair of slip joint pliers, the snap-on are really popular.
Multi tools are just not tough enough to be used as pliers, and I’ve never seen anyone use the other stuff.

 

[Legion]

Leatherman is still the king for a reason. I've beaten the hell out of a Wave for years and it just won't die. The Wave+ is probably the best all-around if you're only gonna have one, good pliers, decent blades, all the tools actually lock (huge safety upgrade from the old ones). The bit driver is way more useful than you'd think. If you want lighter for a trip, the Skeletool is brilliant has the basics (knife, pliers, bit driver) and disappears on your belt.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I remember when the “slide out” design hit the market in the 1990’s and everyone had to have them. I stayed with the Leatherman, but did see how useful the Gerber tool could be. Specifically how quickly it could be deployed with a flick of a wrist. Very convenient in certain situations but I think they had durability issues with the early models. I’m sure they’ve made upgrades since then.

I have had this model for close to 30 years...literally just ordered a Leatherman Arc to replace it last week. I'll habe the Gerber around the house.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

why not?

1 in the glove box of the truck, 1 in the glove box of the wifes SUV, 1 in the glove box of the polaris side by side, 1 in the glove box of the boat, 1 in my tackle box, 1 in my wifes tackle box, 1 in my work desk drawer, 1 in my hunting pack, 1 in the wifes hunting pack, etc..etc..

Im never more than about 5 feet away from a multi-tool... and can "fix" most of the worlds problems pretty quickly with one plus a roll of duct tape

I do admit Im a bit obsessive about "preparedness" though... I keep a pack under the rear seat of the truck that has a tool kit, tow straps, first aid kit (both boo-boo and trauma), multiple lighters, flashlight, spare water, spare food (MRE), a fixed blade, air compressor, fix a flat, a jumper pack/battery, jumper cables, a multi-tool, and a bunch of other stuff...

My wife and both daughters all habe them in their autos.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I do carry the Gerber Dime as my EDC. My old one broke about a month ago after having it for several years and they replaced it, no questions asked basically.

 

[Woodcarver]

I remember when the “slide out” design hit the market in the 1990’s and everyone had to have them. I stayed with the Leatherman, but did see how useful the Gerber tool could be. Specifically how quickly it could be deployed with a flick of a wrist. Very convenient in certain situations but I think they had durability issues with the early models. I’m sure they’ve made upgrades since then.

I have a Gerber slide that snapped one of the plier jaws off whist loosening a not overly tight 1/4" nut. The quick flip was very handy. That now sits in the reloading room where the other blades get used occasionally. I carry a small Leatherman when bird hunting to pull stickers and cactus spines out of my dog's paws. There's a couple other Leathermans and some cheap knockoffs scattered around. Need a couple more....

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

The one hand operation was key to me and why i choose the Gerber. I am hopeful I can figure out the one-handed operation of the Arc.

 

[Tintin]

Pretty much a Leatherman guy.

Have quite a few models. The Wave+ is the one that gets most use. Whilst the warranty is excellent, in my experience, the quality is not what it once was, I think my current Wave has been replaced 3 times.

A bit like the farmers axe - had 3 handles, 2 heads but it's a great axe.

When weight is an issue, I carry a retro Sideclip.

 

[Hififile324]

I have 2 Gerbers. The scissors failed on both of them. The Leatherman Wave+ is now on my belt!

 

[shootist~]

I drop a Gerber Dime in a shirt pocket every time the dog and I do our hike. Very handy for pulling cactus thorns - and beats the hell out of using your fingers (amhik). I think I have three around the house for light duty.

A Letherman Skeletool goes on the belt when hunting.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Leatherman Supertool original
Leatherman Wave

What @IvW said: the Leatherman Supertool original. You can still find them on eBay.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Never saw the point until my last Africa trip I ended up with thorns in the soles of my boots. Fortunately I was able to borrow a leatherman and fix the issue before they worked all the way through the sole. This happened on several days that trip. A Leatherman is now on my 'must have' list.

 

[Altitude sickness]

The original Leatherman.

While I was in the Army I always had one with me. They even made a special non magnetic model with blasting cap crimpers.

I did not know they made a non mag model.

 

[skydiver386]

I did not know they made a non mag model.

They used to make several for Blasting and Demolition work.

The Civilian model was silver and the pliers had a crimper sized for a #10 cap. The Military model was black and sized for the slightly larger military blasting cap commonly used with time fuze or Det cord.

It beat the heck out of carrying the bag of tools they issued with the Riggers knife, crimping tool, etc.

 

[mdwest]

The EOD Supertool variant is available to thr civilian market now.. (it’s stainless with black oxide coating though… so, magnetic)…

https://www.leatherman.com/products/super-tool-300-eod?srsltid=AfmBOooK8-_-dB2v84NLqdUJq6QGP8RjTGld2Y9HasHfj_lMHwklz-tH

I believe the original ones that were mil issued in the early 90’s were made of bronze.. so, non magnetic, but also not as strong.. (although plenty strong for crimping a cap, cutting shock tube, etc etc..

 

[Altitude sickness]

I’ve only used MilSpec standard issue crimping tools