Northslope Nimrod
Member
Suggestions on a good multi-tool. It must have pliers, knife, scizzors and screwdrivers. It also must be small. Which one? Where is a good place to buy?
Looking for good Multi-Tool
- Thread starter Northslope Nimrod
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ACP230
Member
Smoky Mountain Knife Works has some Shrade multitools on sale.
BruiseLee
Member
Schrade Multitools
I got two Schrade multitools from them. One was the Tough Tool, the other was the Vise Grip.
The Vise Grip was only $9.99. I've actually gotten to like this tool! It's basically just a needle nosed Vise Grip plier with the lower handle replaced with a Schrade manufactured handle enclosing the usual knife blade, screwdriver, etc. It's definitely not going to replace your Leatherman or Swiss Tool, but a Vise Grip is a damm useful tool, and the Scrade version only adds to it's versatility. Also, I've never seen A Leatherman Wave, or Swiss Tool priced at $9.99!
I also got the Schrade Tuff Tool. I got the version with the removable 1/4" bit drive, the other version was already sold out.
This is a rather large multitool - its got to be a good 50% bigger than my Gerber Multipliers and BuckTool. As far as being used as a pair of pliers goes, the tool is excellent - very strong, and it is a slip joint plier to boot, which means it will work with a larger variety of objects. The handles also won't bit into your hand like some of the early Leatherman's. Another good thing is all of the tools are accessable without having to unfold the pliers.
Not all the tools lock. The thing is so big it would be impossible to use as a screwdriver, etc., in tight spaces. Also, some of the tools they included are of limited utility. For example, I'd rather have a nice pair of scissors than an awl or a scraper. Also, like most multitools, the various implements tend to clump up when you try to extract them, which drives me crazy.
A very heavy duty tool and well worth the $20 I paid for it.
Oh, I also got the Scrade Tough Chip for $5! It's like a mini version of the Tough Tool, only with scissors instead of pliers. It also has a removable file, toothpick, and tweezers in one handle. I like it a lot, the scissors are great, but again it's a little on the big size. A nice tool, but a bit much for keychain carry.
Bruise
Bruise
I got two Schrade multitools from them. One was the Tough Tool, the other was the Vise Grip.
The Vise Grip was only $9.99. I've actually gotten to like this tool! It's basically just a needle nosed Vise Grip plier with the lower handle replaced with a Schrade manufactured handle enclosing the usual knife blade, screwdriver, etc. It's definitely not going to replace your Leatherman or Swiss Tool, but a Vise Grip is a damm useful tool, and the Scrade version only adds to it's versatility. Also, I've never seen A Leatherman Wave, or Swiss Tool priced at $9.99!
I also got the Schrade Tuff Tool. I got the version with the removable 1/4" bit drive, the other version was already sold out.
This is a rather large multitool - its got to be a good 50% bigger than my Gerber Multipliers and BuckTool. As far as being used as a pair of pliers goes, the tool is excellent - very strong, and it is a slip joint plier to boot, which means it will work with a larger variety of objects. The handles also won't bit into your hand like some of the early Leatherman's. Another good thing is all of the tools are accessable without having to unfold the pliers.
Not all the tools lock. The thing is so big it would be impossible to use as a screwdriver, etc., in tight spaces. Also, some of the tools they included are of limited utility. For example, I'd rather have a nice pair of scissors than an awl or a scraper. Also, like most multitools, the various implements tend to clump up when you try to extract them, which drives me crazy.
A very heavy duty tool and well worth the $20 I paid for it.
Oh, I also got the Scrade Tough Chip for $5! It's like a mini version of the Tough Tool, only with scissors instead of pliers. It also has a removable file, toothpick, and tweezers in one handle. I like it a lot, the scissors are great, but again it's a little on the big size. A nice tool, but a bit much for keychain carry.
Bruise
Bruise
Jay Kominek
Member
I'm not sure what constitutes small, but I've got a Swisstool, and it is the greatest thing ever. It has all the tools you're asking for, plus the other standard multitool thingies, and is built hefty enough that I've used it as a hammer, too. I've completely stopped treating it gently, and it hasn't cared one whit. Works as good as the day I pulled it out of the box.
$70 new from some place on ebay. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one the instant this one dies.
$70 new from some place on ebay. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one the instant this one dies.
MilsurpShooter
Member
Leathermens are built well... didn't know they supported Dems though, might have to melt mine down now
The Gerber Multiplier is actually issued by the Army now to all troops heading to the Sandbox.
The SOG is also good.
I use a Leatherman PST (the original) every day, but it was free (Christmas gift) years ago, and I won't buy another.
The SOG is also good.
I use a Leatherman PST (the original) every day, but it was free (Christmas gift) years ago, and I won't buy another.
joshlm
Member
I would scond the SOG models. I have one and it has been very durable and is very easy to open.
BryanP
Member
I have a Gerber multiplier (the needlenose variant) that was given to me back in 1995 that has served me well. No scissors and it's not small, though.
The closest to your requirements I can find is the Leatherman Juice. They come in several variations. I don't own one so I can't really comment on them, but I wouldn't mind having one.
The closest to your requirements I can find is the Leatherman Juice. They come in several variations. I don't own one so I can't really comment on them, but I wouldn't mind having one.
CRridermike
Member
i like gerbers best, mine is really nice and well built.
molonlabe
Member
Lethermen supported Kerry so I bought a Victornox for our son going to IRAQ.
BerettaNut92
Member
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Leatherman Charge XTi.
I know, I know. Tim Leatherman voting for Kerry is different than Levi-Strauss donating $125,000 (or was it $250,000) to Pax (the anti-gun group, not our moderator)
I know, I know. Tim Leatherman voting for Kerry is different than Levi-Strauss donating $125,000 (or was it $250,000) to Pax (the anti-gun group, not our moderator)
molonlabe
Member
Don't buy Levis either. I have no intention of dancing with the devil.
Sometimes our boycotts are all we got because the executives at the top don't give a rats a** about our Second Amendment.
Northslope Nimrod
Member
Thanks for the input. I actually had the Gerber as in the photo above. It worked great....but I lost it. I was hoping to find something a tad smaller. I was really eyeing the Juice S2 model but I have ruled it out. 1) The tools don't lock and 2) You guys just informed me of their DEMON CAT connection. Its kinda fun to boycott! Thanks for the info!
Any other suggestions? I did forget to mention that the tools must lock!
Any other suggestions? I did forget to mention that the tools must lock!
Roland of Gilead
member
I'm not sure what constitutes small, but I've got a Swisstool, and it is the greatest thing ever.
2nded.
I bought two Leatherman PSTs for Xmas gifts. I also voted a straight Dem ticket in '04 and attended fundraisers for the Dems.
But Leatherman PSTs don't have as good a pliers as the Swisstool, and I am a farmer, I use mine about 100 times every day. I am on my 2nd (lost my first, it didn't have scissors, I forget what it had instead) and I love it, though its not small, and not light (think Leatherman Supertool), and once in a while the pliers will slip and pinch the shi+ out of you. Still the best multi-tool I've had. I'd rate Gerbers the worst name brand multi-tool.
2nded.
I bought two Leatherman PSTs for Xmas gifts. I also voted a straight Dem ticket in '04 and attended fundraisers for the Dems.
But Leatherman PSTs don't have as good a pliers as the Swisstool, and I am a farmer, I use mine about 100 times every day. I am on my 2nd (lost my first, it didn't have scissors, I forget what it had instead) and I love it, though its not small, and not light (think Leatherman Supertool), and once in a while the pliers will slip and pinch the shi+ out of you. Still the best multi-tool I've had. I'd rate Gerbers the worst name brand multi-tool.Campusninja
Member
Swisstool is tough to beat. Had a Gerber Urban Legend, traded it for the Swisstool RS.
Northslope Nimrod
Member
I've decided!
(I started the thread) Thanks for the input. I also found a few reviews and comparisons on the net. The vast majority recommended Victorinox (Swiss Army). So....I ran and bought the Victorinox Spirit. It is new and slightly smaller than the original models. The pouch is real leather and looks great. The tools are high quality! Everything "clicks" well into place. The tools are accessible without opening the pliers. I handled several at the store, including SOG, leatherman and Gerber. IMHO there is no comparison. The Victorinox is much better. THANKS.
(I started the thread) Thanks for the input. I also found a few reviews and comparisons on the net. The vast majority recommended Victorinox (Swiss Army). So....I ran and bought the Victorinox Spirit. It is new and slightly smaller than the original models. The pouch is real leather and looks great. The tools are high quality! Everything "clicks" well into place. The tools are accessible without opening the pliers. I handled several at the store, including SOG, leatherman and Gerber. IMHO there is no comparison. The Victorinox is much better. THANKS.
Mulliga
Member
Darn you...
...now I have to get a Spirit!
Love the SwissTool. Heavy, good steel, and just well-put together. Opening and closing the thing is like hearing a Swiss watch tick.
...now I have to get a Spirit!
Love the SwissTool. Heavy, good steel, and just well-put together. Opening and closing the thing is like hearing a Swiss watch tick.
SOG Paratool is pretty hard to beat. Opening and closing are different from anything else, but the result is a full sized pair of long-nosed pliers with handles that can't fold while you're using them. Also, your hand applies pressure to the outside (not the accessory side) of the handles which is much more comfortable. The way it closes also provides a sort of semi-locking feature.
I grind off the "opening assist" and then carry it in my pocket--it's flat enough that it's not a problem to carry that way. It's also easy to replace accessories if you break something and to tension the accessory axle to adjust how easy/hard it is to open the blades--no special tools required.
I grind off the "opening assist" and then carry it in my pocket--it's flat enough that it's not a problem to carry that way. It's also easy to replace accessories if you break something and to tension the accessory axle to adjust how easy/hard it is to open the blades--no special tools required.
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