Multi-tools

[kickingfrog]

I noticed an add in a fishing magazine celebrating the 25th anniversary of Leathermans multi-tool (Wow, time flies!). I have the original (with the bit adapter), the wave and the micro. The wave is the one that I use the most when camping because it has locking blades.

 

I haven't used many of the other brands out there, so: What are your likes and dislikes for multi-tools? Do you prefer the real original Swiss army?

 

Can you tell that it's 5 in the morning and I've been up for a couple hours because I can't sleep?

[jace]

I almost bought one of the anniversary edition PST's when i saw them about a month ago but i didn't think it was for me because i like to use my stuff and don't baby anything.

 

I have mostly leatherman brand multitools. One original PST from about 15 years ago, maybe more. a PST2, Charge Ti, a micro, and a wave which is my least favorite..too cheap feeling compared to the other full size models.

 

I tried 3 Gerbers and i won't be trying another, one full size and two pocket size. The only one i can name is the keychain model which is the Solstice. Gerbers okay but don't feel as solidly made, i don't think any of the imitation brand multitools are as well made/designed as a real leatherman. just like Visegrips and Channel-locks, nothing equals the originals.

 

I forgot about swiss army. good knives but i'm always so disappointed when a plastic side broke, cracked or started chipping or wearing away which happens to all of them. The metal sided models never appealed to me. One day when i have a bag of money to blow, i might be tempted to get a super geek novelty model that i saw on tv, it has absolutely everything and it's about 5-6" wide.

Edited June 14, 2008 by j ace

[kickingfrog]

For me the Swiss Army knives lack of locking blades is an issue (Need all my digits for spherin'). I've never thought wave as "cheap feeling", but that's me, and a difference of opinion makes a horse race. Of course I own a better "pocket" knife, better pliers and better screw drivers, but I'm not bringing all of them on a canoe trip or carrying them in my tackle box.

[ChrisK]

Gerber for me. I like the slide action of the pliers

[Greencoachdog]

I own both Leathermans and Gerbers, and prefer the Gerbers hands down... much better quality IMO. I think I have every model of Leatherman and Gerber, my favorite is the 700 series Gerber Fisherman. I use it for both Saltwater and Freshwater fishin, very high quality cutting blades on it too!

 

Never that impressed with the Swiss Army knife.

[danbo]

I like the cheap ones from the flea market..if I lose 'em..who cares. If I lend 'em & never see them again..oh well!

[kickingfrog]

Gerber for me. I like the slide action of the pliers

 

I like the idea of the slide action but since I haven't lost or broken my other ones I don't need to buy a new one... yet.

[Greencoachdog]

I like the idea of the slide action but since I haven't lost or broken my other ones I don't need to buy a new one... yet.

 

You "need" a collection of them!... that way I can borrow a couple...

[kickingfrog]

You "need" a collection of them!... that way I can borrow a couple...

 

So much to buy, so little to spend.

[Billy Bob]

None of them ever appealed to me. I have a small tool box in my truck that I can do almost anything with and just a few hand tools in the boat. There is not too much you can do on the water anyways so I have no need for a lot of tools aboard.

 

A good knife is always a must. I have three in the truck and 5 in the boat

[forrest]

I like the 2 $5 CTC multi-tools I have. The pliers are large and have come in handy, bottle opener is great, no locking blade though. I leave them sitting around and would never feel too bad about loosing them.

 

My small swiss army does have a locking blade, sissors and a few useless items. Its small and I do not have to worry about loosing it: $15

PS: it came with a salmon emblem on the side that is a bit of a mystery because it is not geared for fishing.

 

forrest

[glen]

I like a 3" swiss army knife because it is small in your pocket. As for the multi-tool i dont use one very much.

[Greencoachdog]

This is my Gerber 700 series Fisherman:

 

Very long needle nose pliers for easy hook removal.

 

Fiskars scissors for cutting braided line

 

File w/ hook sharpener groove (other side)

 

Smooth and serrated blades (razor sharp!)

 

Screw drivers

 

Awl

 

Bottle opener

 

Replaceable wire cutter blade

 

Crimping tool

 

I can have a hook out of a fish before a Cat can lick his

 

All tools lock in place.

 

Stores in a nylon sheath on my belt, always at my finget tips!

Edited June 14, 2008 by Greencoachdog

[tibbs]

I have the Swiss Champ swiss army knife.

 

It has everything including the kitchen sink!

[Burtess]

I started out years ago with a Leatherman PST (got it from my in-laws, best gift they ever got me!) and now use a Charge Ti.

Wouldn't use anything else, the handles on the Charge Ti are much more robust than any of the stamped handles out there.

 

Burt

[huntervasili]

I own both Leathermans and Gerbers, and prefer the Gerbers hands down... much better quality IMO. I think I have every model of Leatherman and Gerber, my favorite is the 700 series Gerber Fisherman. I use it for both Saltwater and Freshwater fishin, very high quality cutting blades on it too!

 

Never that impressed with the Swiss Army knife.

 

Agreed... I have the Gerber recoil (spring loaded pliers) and love the thing... great when when you have a fish, all you have to do is press the button and remove the hook!

[Clampet]

This is my Gerber 700 series Fisherman:

 

Very long needle nose pliers for easy hook removal.

 

Fiskars scissors for cutting braided line

 

File w/ hook sharpener groove (other side)

 

Smooth and serrated blades (razor sharp!)

 

Screw drivers

 

Awl

 

Bottle opener

 

Replaceable wire cutter blade

 

Crimping tool

 

I can have a hook out of a fish before a Cat can lick his

 

All tools lock in place.

 

Stores in a nylon sheath on my belt, always at my finget tips!

 

Geez GCD, I never realized how serious you take this stuff!

I pity the fool that speaks ill of a Gerber 700 series Fisherman.

[holdfast]

Around 1994 I watched a documentary on Canadian Engineers clearing Booby Traps around a water pump house in Croatia on the Fifth Estate as my friend WO Dan Hartford narrated as one of his men was cutting a trip Wire with a Leatherman. Danny slyly mentioned that QUOTE " his soldier had bought the Leatherman with his own money because the Army didnt see fit to buy it for their Soldiers. Within a Month the Engineers were given a leatherman which became our most important tool. A few years later they went with Gerbers, but after a couple of years they went back to Leatherman because the Gerber would pinch the hand and the jaws would break. I some how kept my leatherman as they are a returned piece of kit that has to be signed for. My Opinion, leatherman if you got the money, or Carolina selling in CTC. On sale this week with a decent rugged knife.

[jwl]

I got one I won in a fishing derby, it was in a Remington kit with a multi-tool, a buck knife and flashlight in a nice litle wooden box, it's pretty handy to have around camp

[BITEME]

Leatherman WAVE