Knife & Multitool Holiday Gifts?

[Stuey]

I posted up a list of my favorite pocket knife and multitools as part of a series of gift guides. This is actually one of the questions I'm asked quite frequently. "Which ones do you recommend?"

http://toolguyd.com/2010/11/top-5-knife-multi-tool-gift-ideas/

So, which are your favorites to give, and the best you received?

*paging Bolster* which Spyderco would you recommend? I put off buying one for so long that I forgot which ones I was looking at!

 

[vlpronj]

I got the Gerber Suspension about a year ago, in a combo pack with a AA light, and some minitool from Gerber. I love the Suspension, but I haven't yet found a pouch that works well for its weight.

Of course, I'm more a tech/PC guy, and I dont use my multitools for grunt work. Others might prefer something beefier - I used to have the original MultiTool, but updated after slicing myself once too often due to non-locking tools.

 

[Old Donn]

Multi-tool, Gerber 600.
Knives, 1) Kershaw 1560 ST, 2) Kershaw 1620 ST, 3) Spyderco Delica.

 

[Stuey]

My buggest issue with the Suspension was its smallish knife blades. I do love the spring-powered pliers, but the overall tool is a bit too bulky for my liking.

It did come with a nylon pouch, but I never attached it to my belt. It sits in a lab drawer.

I <3 the Gerber minitools. Did you get the scissors or the plier one?

 

[american lockpicker]

The Suspension is shite. The smaller leathermans are good(squirt and juice), any Victorinox or Wenger, Gerber MP(any), and NOS US made Schrade.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

always loved my winchester don't know which model it is though

 

[Stuey]

Sad thing is, I broke the very tip off my Skeletool's blade. Not enough to justify sending it in for replacement, but still. =(

 

[Theloniousmonk]

I still want one of these:

They must have outstanding green in Switzerland...

IMO, any multi under $50 is essentially the same in quality, even design... never really had good luck w/ multi's but the leatherman and winchesters seem to have worked better for me than others.

 

[mrholeshot]

Leatherman Wave, end of story

 

[Mario]

Leatherman Wave, end of story

Almost! My friend has the Wave but I prefer my newer Charge Al. The Charge Al has a better knife and the outer "skin" has less sharp edge. Love mine and use it every working days, I don't carry it on the weekends.

I cant' see how a multi-tool would be better!

 

[american lockpicker]

Leatherman Wave, end of story

While it is a good tool its rather crude in my opinion and not as refined as a SOG or Victorinox Swiss Tool or Spirit.

 

[Judd55]

Leatherman Wave gets my nod, I use the blades more often than anything else on it as I think most peolple will. Both blades are accessible from the outside with one hand, a simple flick of the thumb opens a blade. Also the serrated blade has a serration on the outside that is easily identified by feel in case you cannot look away from your work or it is dark out. Most other Multitools require opening the handles to access the blades which requires both hands and is usless when holding onto something that requires cutting. This happens often enough in my trade to warrant this and I would not own a Multitool that did not have this feature.

Regards, Judd

 

[v8garage]

My buggest issue with the Suspension was its smallish knife blades.

How long are the knife blades on the Suspension? I have a Leatherman Wave, but I can no longer carry it to work with me in some nuclear power plants. They have new rule about no knife blades longer than 2 1/2". I am looking for a quality multi-tool that will comply with the new regulations.
V/8

 

[Stuey]

How long are the knife blades on the Suspension? I have a Leatherman Wave, but I can no longer carry it to work with me in some nuclear power plants. They have new rule about no knife blades longer than 2 1/2". I am looking for a quality multi-tool that will comply with the new regulations.
V/8

I'm not sure, but can measure it on Monday.

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/92

The closed tool is 3.5" long. I'm fairly certain that the blades are less than 2-1/2". Maybe 2"? I'll have to check. But they're downright puny in comparison to the Wave.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

While on the topic, one of the best things a true knife lover can do is stop by the Smokey Mountian Knife Works store in Pigeon Forge, TN. Man, I could spend days in there!

Brought this green Victorinox Spartan back with me last time. I personally love Victorinox knives. I've carried something similar to this every since I was in the 8th grade (yes, to school everyday too). I'm naked without one, as I've gotten so used to always have a screwdriver, awl, and of course blade with me. To me, you won't get these as razor-sharp as a Case, Buck, etc but the edge lasts much longer.

 

[cheap bastard]

The Leatherman crater series knives work very well. I use a C33TX daily along with my SOG S66 Power Assist multi tool. The SOG has been with me for two years and the knife for about 9 months. The "phillips" head driver on the SOG works very well on Japanese or ROC product screws. The Leatherman phillips head works well on U.S. made hardware in my experience. The 1/4" driver on the SOG is super handy in my work.

 

[Packard V8]

Problem with any multi-tool is one must use it for some weeks to learn how it will feel and work. For instance, my son gave me a new Leatherman Crunch with the visegrip plier feature. I didn't like it nearly as well as the original. Then, one day I was on a fix which needed a third hand. The visegrip did the job perfectly. However, for 99% of my use, I liked the original better. I've also got a Leatherman Juice C2 which is handy for pocket carry.

I have a Victornox Swiss Army Officier which I carried all through Viet Nam. There isn't enough money to buy that little jewel. I liked it so much I have picked up two others just like it, but I can tell the difference blindfolded.

Bottom line - everyone will have his favorites, but individual applications are so different, it is impossible to predict who will like which one.

jack vines

 

[v8garage]

I'm not sure, but can measure it on Monday.

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/92

The closed tool is 3.5" long. I'm fairly certain that the blades are less than 2-1/2". Maybe 2"? I'll have to check. But they're downright puny in comparison to the Wave.

Measured one still in the blister package at Lowe's. As well as I could measure with it still in the package it appears the blades are 2" and are definitely shorter than 2 1/2". It looks perfect for what I need. They only had one and the wife got it as a stocking stuffer for me.
Thanks,
V/8

 

[Jeff]

Leatherman Supertool 300 - in the truck
Gerber 600 Needlenose - in the boat & fishing
Schrade Tough Chip - in my work briefcase
Buck Bucklite 355 - on my belt @ work only (because it can be autoclaved)

 

[5toes]

SOG Flash... my daily carry

I also like RAT knives

 

[Stuey]

SOG Flash... my daily carry

I also like RAT knives

I'm still trying to break in my RAT Izula, but it's not exactly pocketable. Thus far I'm liking it a lot.

 

[Rickster55]

While on the topic, one of the best things a true knife lover can do is stop by the Smokey Mountian Knife Works store in Pigeon Forge, TN. Man, I could spend days in there!

Actually in Sevierville, TN. Just up the road tho'. It is quite the place. Been there about 4 times on business.

 

[lipadj46]

Bear Grylls Survival Knife that's funny stuff

I would think a Bear Grylls survival knife would be more like a steak knife that comes on his hotel room service cart. What a poser.

 

[vlpronj]

1)smallish knife blades
2)a bit too bulky for my liking.
3)It did come with a nylon pouch
4)Did you get the scissors or the plier one?

1) Yeah, I don't use my multitools for much anymore - maybe slitting some CAT5/CAT6 cable, opening a package, etc.
2,3) The OEM pouch didn't last a week. I bought a NiteEyz that made it for a whole month, but the weight is gonna rip anything that's not leather or commercial grade apart
4) Pliers, I think for the mini-tool. But they seem eager to twist - they haven't but I don't use it or keep it with me much because of that. It's one of the ones I just throw in the trailer box or glove compartment.

 

[ADaughen]

Get one that has the pliers with smooth handles on the outside (blades stored on the inside of the handles when in pliers form). The first time you try to grab/cut something with those hollow handled ones you will hate it.

Gerber used to make one that way.

As for a knife. I found a CRKT Tiny Tighe Breaker on cheaper than dirt and I have put through plenty of abuse. It has a double locking system that takes some practice and isn't for people with lowered hand dexterity or fat fingers.

I had been lusting for a Kershaw Blur, but the CRKT fell into my lap for 1/3 the cost and has held up great for the past three years.

 

[hilld]

Personally, I prefer my SOG. I also have various Leatherman's and Gerber's.

 

[Tatsuya]

Those Kershaw 1660s are awesome, I love the speed safe assisted open. I want one.

I've got a Skeletool as a daily carry. Really handy for ordinary tasks with the outside knife and the bottle opener. I would not use it for work though, the pliers aren't beefy enough. Get a bigger Leatherman or Gerber instead.

I also had a Freestyle but I lost it and then got the Skeletool. You might as well just go for the Skeletool, it's the same tool with a bottle opener and bit driver but the size difference is negligible (to me anyway).

 

[usdemt]

I have used a Schrade (now out of business I believe) for years. Its pretty worn down now and the handles touch when I have something small in it but it still is by far the most comforatable multi too I have used. I also like that you can open the blades and such without having to open up the tool as they are on the side. You can get them super cheap online now that they arent in production anymore. I think I paid close to $100 back when they were new but its still one of my better tool investments. Now that I looked up a link and saw you can get them so cheap I think I might get a 3 or 4 more to scatter around tool boxes and such.

 

[american lockpicker]

I have used a Schrade (now out of business I believe) for years. Its pretty worn down now and the handles touch when I have something small in it but it still is by far the most comforatable multi too I have used. I also like that you can open the blades and such without having to open up the tool as they are on the side. You can get them super cheap online now that they arent in production anymore. I think I paid close to $100 back when they were new but its still one of my better tool investments. Now that I looked up a link and saw you can get them so cheap I think I might get a 3 or 4 more to scatter around tool boxes and such.

I used to have a few of those.

 

[Jeff]

I have used a Schrade (now out of business I believe) for years. Its pretty worn down now and the handles touch when I have something small in it but it still is by far the most comforatable multi too I have used. I also like that you can open the blades and such without having to open up the tool as they are on the side. You can get them super cheap online now that they arent in production anymore. I think I paid close to $100 back when they were new but its still one of my better tool investments. Now that I looked up a link and saw you can get them so cheap I think I might get a 3 or 4 more to scatter around tool boxes and such.

X2 on Schrade. I've had my Tough Chip for many years. Best mini-tool I've ever had.

 

[Stuey]

For less than $20, I might have to try one of those!

Not knowing the history of the tool, I would have thought it was just another cheap import by the price.

Edit: They're cheap b/c the intellectual property was bought by someone else who is remanufacturing them in China with (from what I just read) questionable quality. Bummer.

http://www.taylorbrandsllc.com/index.php?page=schrade-2010-pages

 

[ADaughen]

I have used a Schrade (now out of business I believe) for years.

I think they were absorbed by another company...

I used to carry a Schrade locking blade in Scouts. 4" blade with 1/3 serrated. I could cut down small trees. Great for cutting. Not so good for prying/hacking. My Tiny Tighe Breaker has almost 2x thicker blade across the whole profile.

 

[babzog]

2,3) The OEM pouch didn't last a week. I bought a NiteEyz that made it for a whole month, but the weight is gonna rip anything that's not leather or commercial grade apart

That's the main reason why I don't carry a multitool, even though I'd like to.. once clipped to my belt, the weight always makes me feel like my pants are falling down.

I'd like a good folding/locking knife, just the knife, with a 4-6" blade, in a lightweight but sturdy belt pouch. Something that can hold a good edge.

 

[shanker]

*paging Bolster* which Spyderco would you recommend? I put off buying one for so long that I forgot which ones I was looking at!

I have the Spyderco Pacific Salt with H1 in Black for a daily pocket knife and LOVE IT..

I've cleaned many of saltwater fish and have yet to actually clean the knife just to see how the H1 will hold up...so far not a speck of oxidization.. (and I live in the TX GUlf Coast, literally)

 

[Stuey]

I have the Spyderco Pacific Salt with H1 in Black for a daily pocket knife and LOVE IT..

I've cleaned many of saltwater fish and have yet to actually clean the knife just to see how the H1 will hold up...so far not a speck of oxidization.. (and I live in the TX GUlf Coast, literally)

I'll have to look into that one, thanks!

Do you have the one with the black handle, or black blade? Serrated or plain edge?

I can never decide between blade types, leading me to sometimes buy both over time.

 

[usdemt]

For less than $20, I might have to try one of those!

Not knowing the history of the tool, I would have thought it was just another cheap import by the price.

Edit: They're cheap b/c the intellectual property was bought by someone else who is remanufacturing them in China with (from what I just read) questionable quality. Bummer.

http://www.taylorbrandsllc.com/index.php?page=schrade-2010-pages

Mine is Made in the USA but like I said I have had it since they were new. I guess I dont know about the others. But check Kmarts, I still see the, USA made ones there on clearance. They run around $35 on the clearance sales that I have seen but I know they have had them.

 

[shanker]

I'll have to look into that one, thanks!

Do you have the one with the black handle, or black blade? Serrated or plain edge?

I can never decide between blade types, leading me to sometimes buy both over time.

black handle, black blade, smooth edge..

I'm not a big fan of serrated edges....although I do see the logic in a serrated edge

 

[Rickster55]

I think they were absorbed by another company...

Schrade went bankrupt around 2003 give or take a year. They had a huge display in Walmart and ramped up to keep up with Walmart's demands. Anyone who has dealt with Walmart from the vendor side knows it is an almost no-win situation. When Walmart pulled the plug, that was pretty much the end for Schrade. Scrade's sister company - Camillus Cutlery Company - went out of business in 2007.

 

[c4e]

My multitool of choice is in my avatar next to the "fragile" box.

 

[Stuey]

My multitool of choice is in my avatar next to the "fragile" box.

Me too! I use floors for sitting on, storing things on, standing on, catching things I drop, and for collecting dust.