I really need a multi-tool

[Snapped-off]

Under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't use a multitool, however working on a submarine they are almost indispensable. I carry a leatherman Sidekick daily on my uniform belt.

I've also had a Leatherman Crunch, which has vise-grip style pliers, that work shockingly well in my opinion. I'd suggest getting a quality tool if you're going to EDC.

 

[fourjeepin]

Gerber tool here. The Leatherman cut into my hands when gripping the pliers tightly. Many of the multitools do this where the open portion of the handle is outward instead of inward. Major usage design flaw in my opinion.

 

[Rarified27]

I bought a Husky multi tool once and broke it after using it maybe 2-3 times. Since then I've had a Leatherman Surge and beat the **** out of it. I don't think you'll find a better multitool. Most of the components are replaceable too which is nice. Screwdriver tips, blades, files, etc can all be replaced.

I had the surge for a long time- it was just heavier than I felt was necessary and had a few things I'd never used. The big scissors were probably the best I've ever seen on a multi tool.

Now I have the Skeletool as my EDC.

After years of gizmo-laden knives, I had to find something lighter. A streamlight polytac sits well next to it. Both have clips and fit damn near anywhere on your pants.

The pliers, screwdriver and knife are all I ever need when I'm not near actual tools, so I'm satisfied. With a 2.5" blade, it also keeps you out of trouble if you happen to travel through one of "those" states.

 

[justme-]

My only argument for a cheap tool is if it's your first and have no idea what your real needs are. Figure that out, then spend the money ob quality. IMO

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Mo, because the cheap tools fail...either to successfully do a task instilling a feeling that multitools are useless, or it breaks instilling the feeling that all are junk.... cheap poor quality anything will fail and we all here know that when it comes to tools cheap quality is not the way to go.

Fwiw another user mentioned the PST having uncomfortable handles when used as pliers and using Gerber instead... exactly why I went.gerber originally.... current generation tools have solved that...wave, surge, crunch, etc.

 

[colin39]

I have 2 leatherman charges one black and a titainium xti
I wanted the charge tti damascus, just cause it looked cool

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I love multi tools. My most useful and used one is the little Sheffield on my keychain. Unfortunately they are no longer a made in the U.K. Tool


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[Major Ramifications]

The cheapie multi tool is just going to piss you off and make you think that you don't need a multi tool.
Get a Gerber or a Leatherman and wear it regularly. I think you'll be surprised at how often you use it.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Surge goes everywhere with me. Excellent heavy duty tool. For social occasions I have a Charge, Wave and Wingman.

Just bought an OHT, which I think I'll really like, but dropped it and snapped off the serrated blade. It broke in such a way that I sent it in right away, as I knew I'd end up cutting the puss out of myself if I kept it around with that blade broken.

 

[Tallpilot]

I need to put together a small tool kit to keep in her CRV. There's a pocket knife, a screwdriver handle with bits, tape measure in there. I need to add a few odds and ends to it.

This is the solution. Every time I update one of my tools to a better version the old one goes in the lady's car. At this point her car probably has enough tools in it to do a head gasket job.

 

[ajchien]

I'd look into the victorinox swisstools. If you don't want to spend that much, then look at the leatherman tools.

 

[Jack84]

Victorinox all the way!

 

[buffalobill]

I have a victorinox, I'm not as handy as a surge or crunch. Biggest plus with the victorinox is the bit set and driver that comes with it.

 

[jd_1138]

If someone has an unused multi-tool (with pliers) sitting around and you want to sell it for a reasonable price, PM me. Then I will give the one I bought off Cripe to someone for free on here (I will even pay s/h) to spread the love.

I will review both tools.

 

[SantaAna12]

Under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't use a multitool, however working on a submarine they are almost indispensable. I carry a leatherman Sidekick daily on my uniform belt.

I've also had a Leatherman Crunch, which has vise-grip style pliers, that work shockingly well in my opinion. I'd suggest getting a quality tool if you're going to EDC.

Thanks.

I have the older Blast, and for the patrol that I am doing it is a working compromise.
I got an aftermarket expedition sheath that was expensive, but reliably over-built. I am surprised at the quality of the SS. It has seen plenty of saltwater, and has required minimal maintenance.

Pretty nice tool choices we have.

 

[bushmechanic]

Leatherman is cool, but Gerber is what I end up using all the time. The one-hand opening is worth it's weight in gold, and they are indeed tough as nails; especially now that they have hardened wire cutting jaws.

Looking forward to checking out that "Center Drive" unit.

These were pretty much go-to products in the military when I was in, and they've improved since then.

Quite a few of them are made in the USA as well, if you care about that. Gerber does a lot more here than even I thought a while back.

Nothing wrong with a Leatherman, though. Go to REI or whatever you have nearby and you can mess around with some to see what you like. Great Outdoor Provision Company has them in a display case, open to try out, all the time. I'm sure there are others.

 

[Citation]

I've got three "decent/good" multitools.
Leatherman Squirt P4 - great for a small pocket thing.
Leatherman Kick - Nice multitool with a good set of screwdrivers.
Gerber something - Well the pliers work well and the knives are easy to flip out without opening the thing up (looking at you Kick).

I wouldn't put any in my car as a backup set of tools.
I actually have a multi-tool in every car but just as a backup, light duty tool. I don't need anything fancy. The biggest use for these things is pulling the nail out of a tire before I install a plug.* I agree with the other poster who suggested spending far less and just getting a few basic pliers, screw drivers etc. A cheap multi-tool isn't a bad thing to have but it seams silly to put a $100 tool in the car when that will buy quite a decent set of tools.


*If you want a great thing to keep in the car, a tire plug kick and a mini-compressor. With the pair I've been able to repair most of the flats I've had over the last 20 years. With the SUV I don't even have to take the tire off half the time.

 

[ffemtdisp]

+1 on the Leatherman Wingman for value for my needs. I added a belt holder. It goes where I do.

 

[stonesfan68]

I carry a Leatherman Fuse with me daily. I'm just an office worker drone but the tool sure comes in handy sometimes.

 

[jd_1138]

I've got three "decent/good" multitools.
Leatherman Squirt P4 - great for a small pocket thing.
Leatherman Kick - Nice multitool with a good set of screwdrivers.
Gerber something - Well the pliers work well and the knives are easy to flip out without opening the thing up (looking at you Kick).

I wouldn't put any in my car as a backup set of tools.
I actually have a multi-tool in every car but just as a backup, light duty tool. I don't need anything fancy. The biggest use for these things is pulling the nail out of a tire before I install a plug.* I agree with the other poster who suggested spending far less and just getting a few basic pliers, screw drivers etc. A cheap multi-tool isn't a bad thing to have but it seams silly to put a $100 tool in the car when that will buy quite a decent set of tools.


*If you want a great thing to keep in the car, a tire plug kick and a mini-compressor. With the pair I've been able to repair most of the flats I've had over the last 20 years. With the SUV I don't even have to take the tire off half the time.

Yeah I also keep a small 12V air compressor in my cars. I never have to fart around with finding a station that has air, and I can blow up balls, air mattresses, etc. with it.

The multi-tool arrived from Cripe. Definitely not bad for $2.50. It's about 3.5 to 4 inches when the pliers are in use, and the unit folds down to about 2.5 to 3 inches. The pouch seems well made, though the belt loop is only about 1.5 inches, so it may not fit on larger belts. But I guess you could connect it to a carabiner and hang it from a belt loop or get a larger pouch.

The tool itself also has a small clip independent of the pouch, so you can hang the tool itself from a ring of keys. As far as quality, it is definitely not HD but seems OK. It has a wire cutter built into the plier head, has a couple blades, a file, a bottle opener, small Phillips and slotted screwdrivers. Definitely worth the $2.50. In a pinch, it's better than nothing.

 

[JuliusPepperwood]

Leatherman sidekick is badass. Spring loaded can't be beat.