Favorite Multi-tool?

[theJanitor]

What's yours? Why? looking to add one or two to my kit. Thanks!

[vcdgrips]

I have always been a big fan of Geber because they are easily opened one handed relative to most other brands. The have several "Mil-Spec" models that are made in the USA as transparently displayed on their website.

Mine is 25 years old and continues to serve well.

https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools#aq=@categories%20==%20(%22multi-tools%22,%22multi_tools%22)&numberOfResults=20

[flyrodr]

Have multiple examples of Leatherman, Gerber, others. The one in my range bag is one I "won" at some training course I went to (believe an LAV one). It's a "Pocketsmith" with a Caspian label on it, and is 1911 centric. The jaws will fit the bushing, it has multiple screwdriver blades, hex wrenches, round rod, etc. Don't know that I've ever used it, but it's pretty nice.

I always end up looking for the tool that is designed for the specific job, rather than compromising with a multitool. That said, if you can't carry around a tool box, the multitool sure beats trying to use fingers or teeth. I have found that the cutters on some (those behind the toothed pliers) aren't up to cutting some wire that diagonal cutters would snip easily.

The "multitool" that I carry and use constantly is a Victorinox Tinker that I bought when I started working; it has to be getting close to 50 years old. It's still going; I'm retired.

It's a compromise, but certainly not a bad tool.

[Cookie Monster]

Leatherman, pick your poison on what you want it to do.

[BobM]

I carried a SOG Power Plier on my duty belt about twenty years. I like that I can open it one-handed. I carried a Leatherman Wave a long time off duty. I like that it has scissors and it’s comfortable in the hand. A few years ago I found two Leatherman Super Tools for half price at Walmart. I bought both, gave the silver one to my nephew for Christmas and have carried the black one since. It’s bigger and heavier than the others but it’s heavier duty also. I’ve used the saw blade in the woods and around the house; I use the ruler quite a bit; and the various screwdrivers as needed. I used the pliers earlier today while installing a bino pouch on a HPG kit bag.
Today I just got the bit kit and adapter to give it more capability.

[Gater]

I've got a few, and my fave is prob a Victorinox Spirit X in black oxide. It isn't perfect (things that come to mind are--besides no one hand opening (for most tools)--the not-quite-precise-enough end "needlenose" pliers, limited opening of the scissors, absence of a ruler, and a bit strange phillips head driver), but I've gotten a fair bit done with it. The tool set is good, and outside accessible.

ETA: clarification.

[Sharkbite]

Leatherman original super tool. It was gifted to me 20 years ago by my mentor and I've carried it daily since. I bought 6 original belt sheaths at a gun show way back and am on my 3rd one. I have 2 other original super tools that I got as surplus at a local Army/navy store. One is even blackened stainless.

I have Gerber milsurps that I leave in range bags and vehicles.

[Whiskey]

I carry a Leatherman MUT everyday as well as the bit kit that works with it. Its large, but I dont generally notice it.

[JCN]

I keep one in every vehicle. It’s useful in a pinch.

[Clusterfrack]

Leatherman Wave. I have a MUT, but use the Wave a lot more often.

[BillSWPA]

Leatherman Wave, Skeletool, and Micra.


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[Duelist]

I’ve had some Gerbers that I used a lot. Couldn’t tell you where they are today. I’ve got a Victorinox Tinker I bought in 1998 that has been all over the world. I mostly use a Victorinox Executive daily now, but once in a while the Tinker comes back to work, and I really like my 2007 Soldier.

The size, portability, realistic toolset, and low profile nature of the Victorinox (nobody with a functioning brain thinks an Executive or the even littler keychain tool is actually a weapon, and most won’t think that of the pocketknife sized ones either) just fit my daily work-a-day life very well.

I think I have three or so Executives. Because they’re little and I sometimes forget where I put the one I’m using, so I get out another one and get a happy surprise when I find the usual one a week or a month later.

[Hambo]

Original Leatherman PST. I've had others, but it's not big or bulky, and it gets the job done. If I had to replace it, Leatherman now makes the Bond which is very similar.

[rob_s]

Unless in dress pants, a Leatherman Skeletool (https://www.leatherman.com/skeletool-18.html) or Skeletool CX (https://www.leatherman.com/skeletool-cx-19.html)is in my pocket. I always have one spare at home too after losing one a few years ago and having to wait to get a new one in the mail. I can’t be without for that long! I’m pretty sure there’s also one in my desk drawer at work, and until recent,y replacing it with a Wingman (https://www.leatherman.com/wingman-11.html) there was one in my briefcase too. In actual use there’s really nothing the Wingman does that the Skeletool doesn’t, but I like the scissors the Wingman has.

[rd62]

I have a Gerber Multi-plier I keep on my chest rig that I never wear (but is there if the sky falls). I've had it 20+ years and it works well when I dig it out for some use or another.

Daily though, I carry a Boker version of a SAK I won in a Karma giveaway here. I carry it in addition to a Benchmade folder. The SAK is used for tool stuff as I previously had a bad habit of using my regular pocket knife as a screwdriver, pry bar, can opener, etc. The SAK has all the functionality I need day to day and is lighter and less bulky than the larger Gerber Multi-plier.

[APS-PF]

I have a leatherman in each car and shooting bags. Wave, Core, Pulse, Rebar. I used to carry the Pulse or Juice S2 daily but found that I rarely used the pliers and the extra weight wasn't worth it. For the last 2 years I've edc'd a Victorinox Ranger 91mm in addition to a one hander, usually a Spyderco lockback.

[Duelist]

I have a Gerber Multi-plier I keep on my chest rig that I never wear (but is there if the sky falls). I've had it 20+ years and it works well when I dig it out for some use or another.

Daily though, I carry a Boker version of a SAK I won in a Karma giveaway here. I carry it in addition to a Benchmade folder. The SAK is used for tool stuff as I previously had a bad habit of using my regular pocket knife as a screwdriver, pry bar, can opener, etc. The SAK has all the functionality I need day to day and is lighter and less bulky than the larger Gerber Multi-plier.

I have one of those Bokers, too. Nice knife.

[That Guy]

I've been using a Leatherman Skeletool CX for a few years now. Turns out most of the time either I don't really need more than a knife, pliers and a screwdriver, or it's time to go grab some proper tools.

[drummer]

The Victorinox Spirit is the best made multi-tool, in my opinion. I wish they'd sell them with one hand opening blades and a pocket clip. You get quality but not the innovation of others.

The old Leatherman Sideclip might still be my favorite with just what you need and a handy clip. The newer Leatherman tools aren't the same.

[RevolverRob]

By far the most used piece of kit I carry daily is a Leatherman Squirt. Which punches way above its weight class in terms of function and use. I used it three times at work just yesterday.

For range bag/guns though - the Multitasker is my go to. Worth it.

[TicTacticalTimmy]

I really like my Leatherman Free P4. It is the only expensive modern multitool I have owned so nothing to compare it against. All tools lock back, has all the small tools I find myself needing and more, though sometimes I have wished I could get more torque on the pliers, but I imagine that would be the same with any reasonably sized multitool.

A bit holder is very important to me so I use a Wera female square drive to female hex drive adapter, which I keep in a box of 6mm bits I got on amazon for like $10. The female square drive slips over the phillips and flathead tools and stays pit when working. Gives me bits for everything rather than the limited and expensive 4mm bits used in dedicated leatherman bit holders.

[Guerrero]

I've used a bunch of Leathermans: the Wave, Super Tool, Wingman, Skeletool CX, MUT, but my favorite is the Rebar, mainly because Leatherman's flat driver bits and I don't get along. I don't know how many Philips bits I've rounded off, and I couldn't ever figure out how to carry all the bits I might need. The Rebar has a dedicated (non flat) Philips driver, as well as a couple flat-blade drivers. It's like a Super Tool light.

[Blades]

I've been carrying a Leatherman Crunch for 11 years or so. The vise grip has been useful.

[WDR]

I carried an original Leatherman for 15+ years. After the sheath wore through the bottom edges, and the pliers became loose, I retired it, and switched to a Wave a few years ago. I like the Wave, but I wish I could find a slim/simple sheath for it, that didn't suck. Most are huge on the belt, and a bunch of them are garbage.

[joshs]

I prefer a Victorinox SAK and some quality needle nose pliers (current favorite are some small ones from Knipex).

[JPedersen]

My 1996 wave was great … I have bought 6 LM since then and they have all been just so so quality. I am a tradesmen a did you ACTUALLY USE them as tools … they fail pretty quick. Soft metals. The Surge has lasted the longest. LM will warranty them no problem … but it is a hassle. All in all … they don’t make them like they used to!


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[GearFondler]

I carried an original Leatherman for 15+ years. After the sheath wore through the bottom edges, and the pliers became loose, I retired it, and switched to a Wave a few years ago. I like the Wave, but I wish I could find a slim/simple sheath for it, that didn't suck. Most are huge on the belt, and a bunch of them are garbage.I keep a Crunch in my truck bag, mostly because of the genius of its design. Folding pliers aren't exactly rocket science but a folding locking plier? Yeah... It's damn near impossible to believe a human could design that.

My 1996 wave was great … I have bought 6 LM since then and they have all been just so so quality. I am a tradesmen a did you ACTUALLY USE them as tools … they fail pretty quick. Soft metals. The Surge has lasted the longest. LM will warranty them no problem … but it is a hassle. All in all … they don’t make them like they used to!


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkI had a jaw snap off of a LM Super Tool years ago while pulling a nail out of a tire. Did LM replace it for free? Yes. Did that help me out in the moment? Nope.

I have since pretty much given up on multi tools as they are too much of a compromise... The driver bits bend or deform and the needle nose combo pliers are a compromise in their own right. And I always have a few good knives with me so the shit-pot blades are also useless.

I carry a small pair of Knipex Cobra Pliers now and they can actually do Real work.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210918/72070b78e42b6a4f2d2fb068db566cdb.jpg

[Up1911Fan]

I have both Leatherman and Gerber. My favorite is a Gerber that's close to 20 years old.

[rcbusmc24]

I have real wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and bits and pliers in vehicles and larger range setups because when you need a tool you really need a real tool, but I still have and use a bunch of multi tools due to ....stuff... My favorites are leathermans, both the Skeletool CX and particularly the Sidekick, they are small, have a decent selection of usefulness included and most importantly have pocket clips. I'm not going to put another pouch on my belt or kit for a multi tool, I already have enough shit attached to those. They are also relatively affordable at the base PX's and to be honest I have found many of the ones I have out in the training areas I frequent after other units have passed through... as well as all of the other brands and types. I kinda hope to find a lost in the woods Multitasker someday, as they look nice but I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a multi tool. I've never cared for the MUT's or the EOD ones that the USMC seems to like to give out every now and then. If I'm actually crimping charges then I'm using real crimpers as well...

[GearFondler]

If I'm actually crimping charges then I'm using real crimpers as well...

Using the proper tools when fiddle-farting around with high explosives? Seems like sound reasoning I suppose.

[eb07]

I have a Leatherman super tool in all of my vehicles, my hiking pack, and my go bag. They are built like tanks.