Recommend a leatherman

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Looking at getting myself a good multi-tool for work. I'm a tradesman in the manufacturing industry currently at the management level but still on the floor 100% of the time. I basically have traded in my toolbox for a pen and paper but it would really be helpful to have something on me for some basic stuff.

Some of the highlights I'm looking for would be...

-decent slotted screw driver for opening panels
-a small Philips would be nice.
-pliers with a cutting edge for snipping light gauge wire
-pliers that could loosen off small fastners
-definitely don't need a wood saw or bottle opener.

I noticed some have a belt clip, not required but a definite plus.

any recommendations?

 

[devoncoolman]

I have the leatherman PST which is the original leatherman. Love that thing. Has a good needle nose plier with multiple slot screwdrivers and a philips no.2 driver. Sharp knife, wood saw, bottle opener, and an awl.

Very tough tool.

 

[1950mercury]

Leatherman wave

 

[Stuey]

+1 for the Wave.

http://toolguyd.com/leatherman-wave-multi-tool-review/

Don't want a saw? Skeletool.

http://toolguyd.com/leatherman-skeletool-cx-review/

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I'd say Wave or Charge TTI (if you don't mind the extra cost). Loved the TTI and it was my daily carry till it got stolen, and now I use the Wave. Also have a Surge that gets used a lot out in the garage. The Sure would be another good option if you wanted something a bit larger/ heavy duty than the Wave/TTI. New version also has replaceable wire cutting edges.

~ Carson

 

[adblink]

wow that Charge TTI is nice but very expensive. Here in Canada the wave goes for $90 at homedepot. The Charge is $210.

thats the 2nd time I've heard a lot about the wave, and for $90 thats affordable.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Charge

 

[jjjrmx5]

What's your budget and how big of a tool (LOLZ) due you want to carry around.

Amazon or www.basspro.com should gie you a good idea if prices and features.

I need to get me another Wingman for daily duty as the Wave I have is just doo bamn bulky for me to tote daily.
And a bit overkill for me.

I like to keep it lean and mean and light, but ya need what ya need.

Price is driven by features. Same as it always is.
Good luck.

 

[SquareLJ]

A Super Tool 300 has been with me for many years (including a deployment in Afghanistan). Sadly, it has a saw and a bottle opener, but it does have a lanyard hoop. Haha. Either one you choose, if you take care of it, it will last many years.

http://www.leatherman.com/2.html#start=6

 

[colin39]

I'd say Wave or Charge TTI (if you don't mind the extra cost). Loved the TTI and it was my daily carry till it got stolen, and now I use the Wave. Also have a Surge that gets used a lot out in the garage. The Sure would be another good option if you wanted something a bit larger/ heavy duty than the Wave/TTI. New version also has replaceable wire cutting edges.

~ Carson

Charge tti top leatherman ive got 2 one for the car one for the work van

 

[unclebadger]

I carry a wave...use it everyday. I will turn around if I forget it or stop in and buy a new one on the way to work if it gets lost!

 

[RonM3]

I have a Blast, Style CS and a wingman. They were gifts from work. The Blast should do everything you asked for. It comes with a nice sheath. The Blast also has a pair of scissors. The scissors don't look like much but I used them a lot. I work in a power plant and having the Blast allows me to do things without having to go all the way back to the shop to get tools.

 

[T45]

Leatherman wave

+1 on the Wave

Any lighter and its just about worthless. Any heavier and the same. Might as well carry tools at that stage.

 

[amlv20]

I'm trying to get my GF to get me a Mut eod for Christmas.

 

[kctyphoon]

+1 on the wave, the black one in particular. You should spend some time on YouTube watching reviews on the different models. Esp when it comes to the sizes.

 

[bareass172]

Thanks for this post, I was looking for some additional options myself.

 

[jwsia]

the wave

 

[JBradley500]

I really like my Victorinox Spirit X if you're not set on the Leatherman brand. If you're looking for a cheap option I have used the Leatherman Sidekick for a while now and it gets the job done, just not as refined or cool. More of a "beater".

 

[allinon72]

Leatherman Wave. Use it every day. I'm on my second one - Leatherman stands behind their warranty.

 

[maxwage]

A Super Tool 300 has been with me for many years (including a deployment in Afghanistan). Sadly, it has a saw and a bottle opener, but it does have a lanyard hoop. Haha. Either one you choose, if you take care of it, it will last many years.

http://www.leatherman.com/2.html#start=6

+1 on the Super Tool 300. It is an extension of my hip. It throws my equilibrium off if I don't wear it

I've had my current one for years now. Original leather case still going strong. I have a back up in case I loose or break this one.

I've had the Wave in the past, but I prefer the size and stoutness of the ST300. But in my opinion, you can't go wrong with any LM.

 

[maxwage]

Super Tool 300

A Super Tool 300 has been with me for many years (including a deployment in Afghanistan). Sadly, it has a saw and a bottle opener, but it does have a lanyard hoop. Haha. Either one you choose, if you take care of it, it will last many years.

http://www.leatherman.com/2.html#start=6

+1 on the Super Tool 300. It is an extension of my hip. It throws my equilibrium off if I don't wear it

I've had my current one for years now. Original leather case still going strong. I have a back up in case I lose or break this one.

I've had the Wave in the past, but I prefer the size and stoutness of the ST300. But in my opinion, you can't go wrong with any LM.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I vote Wave, or one of the Charge models if you wanna be fancy. I've had several chances to upgrade from a Wave (lost or stolen, not broken) and always ended up with another. It's a refined classic IMO.

I have one of the newer, cheaper ones (Sidekick IIRC) that I leave under the seat of my motorcycle. Works well enough for what it is & I can't justify leaving an $80 Wave there, but I like the Wave a lot better for something I use often.

 

[Dave455]

Bear in mind that none of the tools on these Multitools are as good as the real things! Almost every plier manufacturer, for example, forges their tools. Almost every multitool manufacturer casts theirs, and thus their 'cutters' mostly work by shearing so are never as good as the proper tool! Consider If you would be better served by a small pair of decent needle nose pliers and a decent bit driver!

If you still want a multitool, and they have their uses, then I reckon the Victorinox Swisstools, in their various forms, are by far the best made! The Swisstool Spirit would probably fit your needs, but it does have tools you don't need! Generally, they all do!

Leatherman MUT seems really good too. Just starting to see a few here in the U.K. It looks to be a notch above everything else in terms of manufacturing quality, and is really well thought out! Gets around the cutter problem with separate cutter blades, but it's a big (and expensive) tool and biased towards maintaining an M4. If you think you need an MUT consider an FAL and a Swisstool!!

 

[ajchien]

Ive got a wave and it's great. I can't carry it without the pouch though. It's a belt tool, not a pocket tool.

I'm wondering if it's too much multitool for the OP.

The Skeletool has pliers, wire cutters, a bit driver and knife. Smaller so that its more easily carried. The only concern I have is that it might not be big enough to provide leverage as a pry tool or to give leverage to turn tighter fasteners.

I'd also consider looking into the Swiss army tools.

 

[Filson]

Another big +1 to the Wave.

I've had mine for around 4 years now, carry it daily, use it daily, absolutely ZERO issues with it so far. If I ever break or loose mine, it will be replaced immediately.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I have had a Victorinox Spirit for years now, and I'm still very happy with it. It makes a Leatherman feel cheap. The several tools are all well-made, and I like them better than their Leatherman equivalents. My son has a Wave, and my daughter had a Juice, and now has a Skeletool. The Leatherman stuff is far better than it was many years ago, but it doesn't have the fine machinery feel or the jewelry look of the Victorinox.

As Dave455 said, this isn't a substitute for high end pliers, or good scissors, or a Snapon ratcheting screw driver, but it is a pleasure to use, within its limits.

 

[Badger 13]

I have the Leatherman PST, and the Wave. I also have the Victorinox which is about the size of the Leathman "super tool". I must say that the Victorinox is very nice, but on the heavy size. I feel the best every day carry is my Wave, and it is the older version. I would suggest to find a store that carries multi tools and see which one fits you the best.

 

[joebachor]

leatherman wave

 

[IndyGarage]

I agree, Wave.

Here's why: Supertool 300 is slightly bigger, but has all the blades on the inside if I remember correctly. Wave has four locking tools available on the outside when the tool is closed. You can open them with one hand and work with them.

If you want one that fits better in your pocket, but is still pretty tough - the Juice S2 is as small as an old pocket knife, has a great variety of tools and fits nicely in your pocket. It's an old design, so the blades don't lock. The best feature on it is the scissors.

 

[adblink]

Ive got a wave and it's great. I can't carry it without the pouch though. It's a belt tool, not a pocket tool.

I noticed the wave has this optional belt clip you can buy/add instead of using the pouch. Does anyone have one of those on their wave? opinions?

Victorinox Spirit is very nice looking I'll give you that, if I can find someone local I might check it out. I am leaning towards the wave at the moment.

A strong slotted bit is very important, because I'm in the food industry everything and I mean everything is enclosed in waterproof panels. So while I do have a bunch of keys for them you'd be surprised how many different style locking options manufacturers can use.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I have the belt clip on mine. Works great. If I'm not using the holster I just put the tool in my pocket with the clip on the outside. Doesn't flop around or fall to the bottom of your pocket and get turned sideways. Also fits in the holster just fine with it so I leave the clip on all the time.

~ Carson

Picture Edit:

 

[maxwage]

I agree, Wave.

Here's why: Supertool 300 is slightly bigger, but has all the blades on the inside if I remember correctly. Wave has four locking tools available on the outside when the tool is closed. You can open them with one hand and work with them.

True on the ST300. It never really bothered my but this is a great point on this model.

 

[1950mercury]

The wave belt clip does not work on tbe 1st gen wave

 

[Two Speed]

Original PST. I've looked at some of the newer offerings, too bulky for casual toting around for my tastes.

Alex.

 

[pressure teck]

The leatherman wave is the way to go. I carry one every day. It is a great product.