Spyderco Forums

i recently lost my leatherman charge and am looking for a new multitool, but am thinking about something non-leatherman this time. are there any other brands that compare to leatherman? i do have a ByrdRench which is ok, definitely unique, but kind of clumsy to use. i much prefer leatherman style tool



looking for: needlenose pliers

PE blade

SE blade

saw

multiple screwdrivers

SOG isn't bad for multitools, and I saw a nice one by Paladin for network stuff (110/66 punchdown, cat5 stripper).

yup, paladin 240 (they have smaller versions, but this is the really nice one).... REALLY jonesin' for one, maybe for xmas...

I had a Gerber multi tool and loved it. It had all the above except maybe the saw. Couldn't remember.

I really like my SOG Powerlock. I got the one with the seatbelt cutter; it has a combo blade, a saw, 2 sizes of flat blade screwdrivers and 1 phillips. Mine also has a nice file, an awl, can opener, bottle opener and a 1/4 inch socket driver. It's main feature is the geared needle nose, plier, cutter. Between the gears and the large handles you can exert great pressure with little effort.

I got mine on ebay new for about $36 about two years ago.

vampyrewolf wrote:SOG isn't bad for multitools, and I saw a nice one by Paladin for network stuff (110/66 punchdown, cat5 stripper).

Paladin is made by SOG.

SOG's need two 1/4" wrenches / sockets to be taken apart and you can play Lego SOG's by adding and removing different parts to suit your needs. SOG can also be modified with a pocket clip. SOG's are made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty.







MY second choice is a Victorinox SwissTool "S" - which you can also add a pocket clip to

I wouldn't go too far out of my way just to find something other than a Leatherman. There is a reason why they are still THE standard by which all other "multitools" are judged. I love my Wave, but the "new" Supertool 300 is high on my must have list. It has everything you are looking for in a heavy duty tool. Check it out.
hickster

I'll third - (forth?) the SOG Powerlock. It is my use it/abuse it for stuff I don't want to use the E4 on. I got a Leatherman several years ago and it lasted about 6 hours before fouling the cutters and going back.

Their CS is as good as Spyderco's also AFIAC.

I really like my Gerber .Its locks are easy for me to manipulate.

PolishSumgai wrote:Paladin is made by SOG.

I knew that, but they still market it under the Paladin brand :p

Here's a site that might help you a bit:
http://www.multitool.org/home/

Hope you find a nice tool.

I'm quite fond of my SOG Powerlock, but the screwdrivers leave much to be desired. Leatherman owns the market in that regard. You may give the Vic Spirit a go, as it can be had with a bit kit and mini ratchet and extension which ride inside the pouch.

http://www.multitool.org is loaded with information.

i've had really bad luck with leathermen... i've burned through quite a few, much quicker than i expected to. a PST from vampyrewolf lasted me longest... until Alaska got to it. Now the pliers won't work...

I've been having much better luck with a $3 racheting screwdriver set, a pair of $2 pliers, a spydersaw, and a spydie... throw them all in my EDC bag. :D

Friends of mine have had Gerber ones and liked them although I personally haven't used one.

Victorinox makes some good ones. SwissTool and Spirit lines.

This doesnt address your question exactly, but I've actually been looking for a multitool without all the knives since I carry my Spydies. So, I've been focused on the Victorinox Spirit - the original has only what some folks call a Butter knife - sort of sheepfoot, sort of serrated, but not too aggressive. Its smaller and lighter than my Swisstool original, but also has scissors. So I will replace my Swisstool with the Spirit (when I get it). Also, for lighter and less heavy duty carry, Im going to get a Leatherman Juice (with corkscrew). Of course, these cost money and I have to decide -multitool or another Spydie?

Another vote for a Power lock. It's tough, it's got a decent selection of tools, and the pliers are great.

I don't carry it as much as my leatherman skeletool that i lost, but it's much tougher. It even has wire crimpers.

I'd really highly recommend that you take a look at the Victorinox Swisstool and the Swisstool Spirit. From my experience, Victorinox makes the finest, and toughest, multitools on the planet.

I've had occasion to use several different brands of multitools, primarily Leatherman, SOG, and Gerber (and Victorinox, of course!).

I'd rate them:
Victorinox > Leatherman > SOG > Gerber
though Leatherman and SOG are very close to each other in quality.

Fact of the matter is that I've broken, and seen friends break, Gerbers in a multitude of ways. I've seen the screwdrivers on SOGs fail and deform due to excessive torque (trying to remove stuck screws that a Victorinox Swisstool Spirit promptly took care of without complaints). I have yet to see Victorinox or Leatherman tools fail (except one Leatherman where the pliers broke, but I think that was a fluke). However, between the two, Victorinox has a superior fit and finish, as well as better ergonomics. Truth be told, Leatherman has superior blades on their tools, but I always have a Spydie with me, so that doesn't factor into my decision.

In any case, my personal choice is a Swisstool Spirit, and it's held up fantastically well for me over the years, including an accidental dunk into the Pacific Ocean, without any complaints. I urge you to check them out.

p-38 can opener


fits on your keychain and does so much




1. Can Opener
2. Seam Ripper
3. Screwdriver
4. Clean Fingernails
5. Cut Fishing Line
6. Open Paint Cans
7. Window Scraper
8. Scrape Around Floor Corners
9. Digging
10. Clean Out Groove on Tupperware lids
11. Reach in and Clean Out Small Cracks
12. Scrape Around Edge of Boots
13. Bottle Opener
14. Gut Fish (in the field)
15. Scale Fish (in the field)
16. Test for 'Doneness' When Baking on a Camp Fire
17. Prying Items
18. Strip Wire
19. Scrape Pans in the Field
20. Lift Key on Flip Top Cans
21. Chisel
22. Barter
23. Marking Tool
24. Deflating Tires
25. Clean Sole of Boot/Shoe
26. Pick Teeth
27. Measurement
28. Striking Flint
29. Stirring Coffee
30. Puncturing Plastic Coating
32. Morse Code
33. Box Cutter
34. Opening Letters
35. Write Emergency Messages
36. Scratch an Itch
37. Save as a Souvenir
38. Rip Off Rank for On-the-Spot Promotions
39. Bee sting removal tool (scrape off w/ blade)
40. Knife sharpener
41. shuck oysters

dd61999 wrote:p-38 can opener


fits on your keychain and does so much




1. Can Opener
2. Seam Ripper
3. Screwdriver
4. Clean Fingernails
5. Cut Fishing Line
6. Open Paint Cans
7. Window Scraper
8. Scrape Around Floor Corners
9. Digging
10. Clean Out Groove on Tupperware lids
11. Reach in and Clean Out Small Cracks
12. Scrape Around Edge of Boots
13. Bottle Opener
14. Gut Fish (in the field)
15. Scale Fish (in the field)
16. Test for 'Doneness' When Baking on a Camp Fire
17. Prying Items
18. Strip Wire
19. Scrape Pans in the Field
20. Lift Key on Flip Top Cans
21. Chisel
22. Barter
23. Marking Tool
24. Deflating Tires
25. Clean Sole of Boot/Shoe
26. Pick Teeth
27. Measurement
28. Striking Flint
29. Stirring Coffee
30. Puncturing Plastic Coating
32. Morse Code
33. Box Cutter
34. Opening Letters
35. Write Emergency Messages
36. Scratch an Itch
37. Save as a Souvenir
38. Rip Off Rank for On-the-Spot Promotions
39. Bee sting removal tool (scrape off w/ blade)
40. Knife sharpener
41. shuck oysters

Anyone know where you can buy these for reasonable prices?