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Any multitool users out there?

okiesmoke

okiesmoke

Active Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
317
Over the last year, I've been picking up several outdoor activities/hobbies. Bought a mountain bike, been trail running, wife and I hike and I'm currently researching kayaking, and wanting to take my wife camping. Her version - holiday inn. Mine - Bear Grylls. We'll meet in the middle. "Ok Drew, on to the question!!!!"

Any recommendations for a multitool that does it all but doesn't weigh down my packpack/camelbak/pocket? I realize "they" can't do it all in just one tool so I'm willing to tote along a sturdy knife/hatchet/saw, etc. I've been looking at the Leatherman Juice series but can't really decide. Any recommendations will be extremely appreciated! Thanks ladies and gentlemen and have a Merry Christmas!
 
Gerber. Much better than Leatherman IMHO. Better features, better steel. I keep their Multi-Plier 600 in my truck, and a Compact Sport in my desk. That one goes on my belt when I'm camping . . . along with, sometimes, the now-discontinued Gerber coffin-handled Bowie. :D

~Boar
 
After a couple deployments to the sandbox and plenty of hiking trips, I've gone through quite a few different multi-tools from Winchester, Gerber, and Leatherman. The best one from personal experience would have to be the leatherman wave. It's lightweight, compact, has a durable nylon sheath, and takes a beating. It has every tool that I've needed and doesn't include all the high-speed stuff that 95% of multi-tool packers would never use. Very non-nonsense if you will.
The one thing that you may need that it doesn't include is a set of different bits, but I think they sell the sets for them on "that auction site". The Gerber Legend would come in a close second.
Hope this helps,
Mike
 
2 Gerber's...the multiplier 600 and the suspension butterfly.

I really like the 600 because I can deploy it one-handed, very quickly. Mine is several years old and lacks the spring action and general coolness of the newer one (the suspension butterfly), but it's a great go-to tool for general purpose fixing. Also the blades don't lock.

I bought the Suspension Butterfly (what a stupid name for a multi-tool) a couple of years ago when I was out of town on business and had to re-wire a computer rack. I figured I would use it to destruction and then just leave it (it was less than $30 and I had only carry-on luggage)....I abused it pretty good and it still works great! I ended up shipping some stuff back, so I got to keep it. It's nice, not too heavy, the pliers spring back to open and the blades lock open too.

I also carry the little Leatherman scissors on my keychain. I've thought of throwing the Leatherman Juice in my pack mainly because it has a wine cork (you never know when you are going to run across a nice bottle of Cab), but it's kind of pricey and a hard sell for me, considering I already have two.

I picked up a cheapo knockoff somewhere that I kept in the truck until the first time I tried to use it. What a piece of crap. The pliers had so much play in them I had to use my other hand to keep the jaws aligned. When I got home, I stuck it in the vice and snapped off one of the handles with a pipe. Poor tools just get you into trouble.
 
I have owned Gerbers & Leathermans. In my opinion neither can hold a candle to my Victorinox Swisstool. I never was a big fan of Swiss Army knives, but this thing is super. The tools lockup tight, they never clump together when trying to open and they open so smoothly. I can't imagine ever going back. I personally am a two knife guy. I never leave the house without my Swisstool and my Sebenza.
 
Gerber Multi-Plier® 400 had it for well over 12 years now and its never let me down. I even used it to cut most of my mother's car's front end away after a "low speed" accident to enable her to drive to the garage. The state-trooper looked at my cutting job and told her he felt it safe enough to let her drive.

I never leave home without it.
 
I'm gonna ut in a plug for the leatherman. I've got the generic leatherman PST, the one that started it all. I've used it for years and years and years, Parents got it for my with my Initials engraved on it for scouting. I took that thing on so many camping trips, it's been lost, found, left under a foot of snow al lwinter, filled with mud, cream cheese, anything and it's perfectly fine today. Knife holds an edge, tools dont stick if it's well lubed, and its loosened up quite nicely for 1 handed opening over the years.

I personally cannot stand the way the gerber pliers slide out, they just feel so flimsy and shakey, and rattley.

That's just my 2 cents though...YMMV
 
Oh man don't even get me started talking knives!!!
My most recent is the leatherman skeletool with the extra bits. That works awesome!!! I have an original style leatherman and a Gerber one, used to have an SOG tool. Buy the skeletool with the extras, very lightweight and very useful! Other than that buy yourself a Marlowe custom knife and you are set!!!
 
Leatherman Micra all the way. It handles all the 'emergencies' my belt can't handle, and fits on the keychain.

As an aside, I have a standard leatherman, it's ok, but the lack of a locking mechanism has made me nervous a few times. If I'd bought it I'd be pissed I didnt spend a little more. Since I found it? It's fantastic.

~R
 
mysterea said:
Leatherman Micra all the way. It handles all the 'emergencies' my belt can't handle, and fits on the keychain.

As an aside, I have a standard leatherman, it's ok, but the lack of a locking mechanism has made me nervous a few times. If I'd bought it I'd be pissed I didnt spend a little more. Since I found it? It's fantastic.

~R
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I forgot about my micra! Most useful lil thing ever, I keep it on my keys. Those scissors are SHARP. They'll cut anything.
 
I've been carrying an original Leatherman for 15 years, but there's a lot more intriguing stuff on the market these days to choose from. All I can tell you is that my Leatherman has saved my ass on numerous occasions.
 
I'm a fan of the Gerbers. I like the way they slide open with one hand and how the blades/tools lock open. I've got two of 'em, one issued and one I bought.
 
I typically carry a leatherman Micra in my pocket. Handy little gadget.
I have both Gerber and Leatherman Multitools in various strategic places.
One in the car, one in the Emergency Kit, and one in my brief case.

I paid very little for these, buying them at serious discount when put on clearance.
 
okiesmoke said:
Any recommendations for a multitool that does it all but doesn't weigh down my packpack/camelbak/pocket? I realize "they" can't do it all in just one tool so I'm willing to tote along a sturdy knife/hatchet/saw, etc. I've been looking at the Leatherman Juice series but can't really decide. Any recommendations will be extremely appreciated! Thanks ladies and gentlemen and have a Merry Christmas!
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I like the Victorinox SwissTool -- it seems very well built compared to some other multitools I've used.
 
switters said:
I have owned Gerbers & Leathermans. In my opinion neither can hold a candle to my Victorinox Swisstool. I never was a big fan of Swiss Army knives, but this thing is super. The tools lockup tight, they never clump together when trying to open and they open so smoothly. I can't imagine ever going back. I personally am a two knife guy. I never leave the house without my Swisstool and my Sebenza.
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This! ;)
 
okiesmoke said:
Her version - holiday inn. Mine - Bear Grylls. We'll meet in the middle.
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What do you mean meet in the middle, both of your versions are the same. You must have meant the Les Stroud style of camping :p

Joking aside, im a fan of Bear, just had to jump on this... i have nothing of value to add. that is all.
 
moki said:
switters said:
I have owned Gerbers & Leathermans. In my opinion neither can hold a candle to my Victorinox Swisstool. I never was a big fan of Swiss Army knives, but this thing is super. The tools lockup tight, they never clump together when trying to open and they open so smoothly. I can't imagine ever going back. I personally am a two knife guy. I never leave the house without my Swisstool and my Sebenza.
Click to expand...

This! ;)
Click to expand...

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one here with any taste. :sign:
 
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