I am a long time merchant seaman and I work in the offshore oil biz. I do do a lot of rigging work on deck at times and the multi- tool I ALWAYS carry is the Leatherman Supertool 300 - forget the rest, they may be fine for camping, fishing or daily carry but for actually doing a job sometimes under difficult circumstances in my experience nothing comes close to a Lm ST 300 - an aboslutely essential piece of kit. Carry that along with a Spyderco Mariner knife and in my opinion based on more than a few years of experience you have an unbeatable combination at least for the jobs I have to do.
@@Towerfrank993 I have and daily carry both. I use the ST300 5-6x as much as the Surge. It's lighter and more comfortable to use. Pliers after a good bit of use are easily one handable too. Supertool is only a smidge heavier than the wave.
I have the super tool 200. No complaints. This one was a replacement due to my first leatherman pliers breaking in half. Called the company and told me that the leatherman has a 25-year warranty. So, i had to send them the broken one and replaced it with the super tool 200. I had an emotional attachment to the first one due to taking it to Afghanistan and back. But, I was told that's the only way the company would exchange it. Nevertheless, it's an awesome tool.
He's right about the leatherman signal not being the love it deserves. Perfect outdoorsman tool. He missed a few things too, the drivers, the hex slot on the side, the lock. It's my constant companion. No mods except some hessian twine on the beener for tinder. Selection of bits in the case, flashlight and sharpie on the sides thereof. You're ready.
I haven’t had any use for either the Ferro rod or the sharpener, and I just recently modded it so that I have space for three additional bits. Easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made
The only negative thing about the Victorinox Alox Series is they lose the Toothpick and Tweezers. I EDC a Red Rambler and the flat nail clippers. On workdays, the Leatherman Crunch and Gerber Centerdrive with some bits and sockets are added. So many awesome selections to fill the needs!
Great video. I'm a Charge Ti guy. Have an older Gerber. Just about pinch myself every time I use the pliers. One thing you didn't mention is ergos. Leatherman seems to have the fewest hot spots. IMO.
I've carried a Leatherman Surge since, I dunno, the Revolutionary War, and I love it. But I recently tried out the Leatherman Free P4, and I love that, too. Now I need to decide which is going to be my main EDC and which is my backup. Both are fantastic.
Thanks out of Germany, i like how you pack so much information in such a "short" video. Thanks, you helped me a lot, finding the perfect tool for my needs.
I've had many Leathermans over the years. I was on the Supertool train for years, until I settled on the Surge for duty carry, and the Juice for off-duty EDC. Sometimes I swap in the PowerPint instead of the Juice if I expect I might have more robust things to do. It's all about the pliers for me. SOG and Leatherman have the best pliers of any multi-tool IMO.
Hey man, did your supertools pivots wear out? I’ve had 4 now and they all became so weak you couldn’t use the pliers well enough to even use the tool outside of what was in the handles
After many years and many different multitools, my top choice is the Leatherman Wave+. There's one thing I almost *never* hear Knife/Tool/EDC/Prepper/Camper/Hiker/Hunter people talk about: *EYEGLASSES!* I wear glasses. Without them, anything beyond a few feet is a massive blur. My kids, wife, and parents also all wear glasses. It's important to be able to do basic eyeglass maintenance, which is why I love the Wave+ with its inclusion of a precision flathead/Phillips bit driver. I've used that tool a lot, both on eyeglasses and myriad electronics and computers that have small screws requiring a precision driver. The Wave+ ticks all the boxes for my personal multi-tool requirements: good build quality and functional steel, blade, saw, file, can opener, pliers, scissors, regular bit driver, and precision bit driver. I haven't found another multi-tool that fits the bill.
One nice add on for Victorinox that have corkscrews are their mini tools sets. They have a set of 4 mini screwdrivers or a set of ferro rods with tinder. But they are an extra cost.
My first leatherman is more than 10 years ago. It is still like new. Impressive. Now it is my backup tool. Today , I have leatherman Bolster. Again, impressive .
I loved this video. I'm a Victorinox fan since I was 10 years old when my dad bought me my first knife/multitool: the Handyman, which I still own and use occasionally at home. I always carry two: minichamp on my keys and another medium sized victorinox. Currently, the very minimalist "Waiter"
The Leatherman Surge can use ANY store bought T-Blade jig saw blade in the attachment point just by removing the Leatherman file or saw blade and replacing it. Bimetal blades, Diablo carbide tip blades, diamond impregnated blades… it makes up for the hokey skinny Phillips head they put in it.
The Leatherman Rebar is the best Leatherman multi-tool. The Rebar is the best balance of cost, lightness, and robustness. Comparing it to the Wave+, for instance, The Wave+ and bit kit costs the same as two Rebars! I'd rather have two Rebars than one Wave+. Having to buy and carry bits for the Wave+ only adds to the cost and to the weight. Moreover, the scissors on the Wave+ are basically useless for anything but for thread snipping.
I’m a huge fan the right tool for the job. Personally, I use Swiss Army is my go-to, I don’t require something large in my pocket or my side as an extra edc. The smallest SA to the SA huntsman. Is good enough for me.
Wave needs a major redesign, when used as pliers it will bite your palm where the grips come together 20:54. You can't back away enough if you want grip strength, never again.
I have many of these. They are all good to have with you. I had one of the Gerber power pints. It was a good little tool that I got it to retire my Leatherman Juice 2. It didn’t need replacing, It just seems to have become a collectors item. My daughter saw the power pint and now she carries that along with a Huntsman. I usually carry a Wave +. It has most things I need and has solved many situations for me. Although an awl and a corkscrew are missing. So, sometimes I carry a SAK too. Or, I carry a Ranger or Handyman SAK with Knipex pliers. Decisions, decisions. But, I can get by with my Wave+ most days and feel strange when I don’t have it with me. Thanks for the video.
Impressive presentation mate. Almost convince us to get the Wave, almost.! We just use generic stuff and mod them to the limit as we most use our multitool when trekking in the outback or hinterland. You're very correct saying that mulitools are the best for mods. Cheers from Australia.
Yes! I love my Flagship Pro. Hard to beat for the price & features. I have a few gripes, but nothing terrible. I still use my Center Drive for heavier duty stuff, though
I work maintenance for a major appliance co. and I carry the Gerber Armbar Drive in my pocket when I go to calls and end up using it all the time for minor fixes or adjustments. Saves me from carrying a hand full of tools just to do a small job.
I almost bought an old 1st gen Gerber multitool. I worked at a car dealership. The serrated blade would cut through plastic bumpers, so well, when installing trailer hitches.
Classic SD is a must. I consider it my hygiene knife. Lends itself to be my edc. The other knives are in rotation. My 1970s camper does seem to stay in my pocket longer than most
I carry multiple multitools I suppose. So my "daily blade" is the Milwaukee 6 in 1 utility knife(I'm an electrician, so having that is a must). I also have a Leatherman wave on my belt, and I've carried that for the last 10 years. It started with me in construction, went to emergency medicine and it still resides on my belt going back to construction. Even on my off days, I still put it on. My knife may change on days off versus days working, but I'm a Leatherman forever!
I use to carry a tool box because I have to frequently use screw drivers with various bits and pliers... Then I switched to a Leatherman Supertool 300 with a bit adapter and I dont even take my tools out of my truck. A lot of my work is done hiking in and its a major weight saver.
I love Victorinox knives had them up into my 20's. I even recently purchased one of their watches. However, my favorite multitool is the SOG I still have my SOG Power Assist I think it's called, purchased it probably 2008 carried it daily. Alot of miles on it used it almost daily as a jet engine specialist on an active flightline. I am just now looking for a replacement.
An OG Leatherman Wave that I bought in early 2000 is my everyday. I feel the farm anecdote, as a former dairy farm kid. I found it moreso for a period of my life where an older motorcycle was my only vehicle.
Great video, thank you. As someone in a similar situation, my only suggestion is to move the join to the side so it isn't visible on camera. It doesn't feel quite as strong a retention, but it will be invisible from the front.
You nailed it on small MT scissors being great nailclippers. I dont even own nail clippers, I just use my leatherman Style CS. That's literally all that tool does is cut my fingernails, toenails, and nose hair 😂
I left my “dedicated” truck tool box in another vehicle while on a 4 hr trip one time. My throttle cable gave out on the highway at 70mph and my soul nearly slipped out my cornhole. I had a cheep gerber multi nestled deep in the bottom of the middle console. I made the temp repair in a pluckers parking lot. The only thing I regret more than leaving the tool box behind is deciding to risk it all again and eat at pluckers. The multi secured the W, And I’ll never forget it.
Great review and was so glad to see that you love the Leatherman Wave. I was torn between the SURGE and the WAVE+ weeks ago, then opted for the WAVE+ due to the smaller size. I absolutely love it, even playing with it while watching TV. Such great quality, and have used it a load of times already, even to help fix my fridge freezer (ice maker) involving replacing the water inlet & wiring. So handy. Cheers!!
Great vid, thanks heaps! With the surge, since it fits any t-shank blade, the fellow you mentioned could just get an old t-shank jigsaw blade and grind it to a point with an angle grinder and then he’d have a tool for the sprinkler nozzles 🤷🏼♂️
You would be hard pressed to find a hunter that travels lighter than myself. From my rifle to my bed-roll, I can carry everything to be out for 2 weeks and it was a difficult strategy to compile. You have tabled some difficult choices but I think I'm going to go with the Leatherman free limited edition. It offers the most utility for its light form factor. Not too big to get snagged but not too small to be lacking. Thank you for the excellent video.
My multitool everyday is a Victorinox Swisschamp. Packed with things i need and not quite need, but compact and lighter compared to plier-based multitools.
Every SAK needs an ultra tac clip. I have one on my Trekker, my classic SD, my swiss army compact and my Rebar. Look up: UltraTac Deep Carry Pocket Clip. For $4 you have a deep carry multitool. Works great on gerber armbar too.
I have that same griptillian but it's coated s30v. Leatherman charge is so underrated...I've had mine 4 years, never had a problem with it and it never leaves my belt
I have (I'm a collector) many different multitools from a Swiss+Tech key tool to a Leatherman MUT to a Russian Army Ratnik 6E6. My favorite multitool for EDC is my Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X. It combines all the tools you'd find in several other multitools and is thin but very strong. Surprised it's not in this list.
Like my Farmer X too, good when carried with Knipex Cobra XS...that's a capable setup as good as most Leathermans, if you don't need wire cutters or file. So an outdoor toolset. If I'm at home or just local in the city I pair it up with a Climber, but a Super Tinker is probably a better option. The 93mm alox have a few advantages over the celidor (plastic) scaled models. Not just that the scales are sturdier and stronger, the liners on them are made from Nickel Silver as opposed to Aluminium, the reamer is inline, the blade and opener/screwdriver are thicker, and the backsprings are stronger, because they don't have to accomodate backtools. 93mm alox Victorinox are based on the old Soldier model (now Pioneer) which was issued to the Swiss military for the best part of 50 years which is good pedigree imo. I know people across the pond may joke about the Swiss military but it's not for nothing they haven't been invaded for centuries. Many years ago a Prussian General was invited to watch the Swiss Army on manoeuvres. He was impressed and asked the Swiss commander how many men were in the Swiss Army. The Swiss officer replied 500,000. The Prussian asked him what he would do if he sent 1 million of his soldiers to invade, and the Swiss officer replied ''each of my men will fire two shots, and then go home''.
I feel like this video had too much to not comment. 1. Great to see that bladeHQ channel bounced back from Ben and Zack leaving. This channel was not so good for a while and I’m glad to see people that make you want to watch again. Thank you. 2. Solid Magiver reference. Lol 3. Best knife scissors I’ve used were on my leatherman squirt. Super neat lightweight tool. The squirt also has the best nail file and curved nail cleaner I’ve used. 4. This was a great overview of a ton of great multi tools from the cheap to expensive. Good to see and learn. 5. I have to agree on the Victorinox info. I carry a camper everyday with whatever knife is applicable to that day’s chores. It seems like a constantly moving target. I’ve transitioned from heavy full-size multi tools and now prefer the lighter weight versions. 6. What is up with the “pulling your thumb mail off test? Good god!?!? Haha. I too dislike when the smaller pliers do not perform but I do not pull on my fingernails to verify if one can be yanked out or not. Interesting comment but I am not sure it makes me want to hang out. Lol 7. Happy to see the channel rebuilding and putting out good content.
I got excited when he said work champ. I have a work champ that I got from a friend and the knife blade has some engraving in it. It's got every tool I could realistically need. I'm looking to get me a retention chain for it too.
I started out with a Leatherman and as soon as it went sideways when I tried to cut a wire I switched to Gerber because you can pull the Jaws apart with the Gerber if that happens but the Leatherman just wants to close back up!!!! When they get stuck with a thick wire between the Jaws. And if you're far away from any extra tools you're pretty much ********* but with the Gerber at least you can pull them apart and be on your merry way!!!!
Great video! I wish Leatherman would relaunch the Juice CS4. My favorite multitool by far. It has helped me clean fish in the backcountry and fix everything from furnaces to PCs here in civilization. I trusty edc tool for over a decade.
if you replace the Swiss army knife eighter the toothpick or the tweezers with the FERRAL Rod -- then using the notch on the Bottle opener you will get a great spark
I recently got a Leatherman Surge and was gifted a Leatherman Skeletool so I use those now lol. Used a Victorinox Tinker before (it was my grandpa's). I retired it for safe keeping
Victorinox Deluxe Tinker for EDC and the Leatherman Wave for camping or other heavy duty tasks. The mini pliers on the deluxe tinker are incredibly useful and underrated
the ONLY Multi tools 1) for Gun owners -- the Leatherman MUT 2) for 1st responders or combat Medics -- the Leatherman Raptor + may be the Outland Multi-Mission Ax 3a) campers the JACK knife + 4 Hack-saw blades & and a little paracord for handle 3b) Two-in-One a HORI-HORI japanese > 4) every day carrying -- GRIM Survival Credit Cards may work for some people with GOOD skills
Gerber Armbar is literally the perfect everyday carry for me because I'm a pocket carry, EXCEPT that the drive doesn't lock so it's snapped back on my hand more times than I can count. 😮💨 I wish they'd fix that ... All I want out of pocket carry is a knife, driver, and scissors that LOCK.
I have at quiet a few of those multitools you talked about. and I love them!!! i use the gerbers with the center driver on them, the wave+, and the crunch, while on the job. the wave also you can buy extra bits and different holders that fit the wave they just know came out with a socket bit holder for it. I created a extra bit holder to hold different bits while away from my locker that has my bit box. in savvies i have the SOG with the bits and another leatherman crunch. when my dad saw the SOG one he bought it to he kind of likes it the problem is mine flows easier then his does not. one bigger swiss vitoranox has a pen along with the tooth pic and tweezers, one you should try in leatherman is the crunch that is a good locking plyers. the swiss with the plyers don't try cutting anything with the cutters that it come with on the underside or you'll pinch the mental and the plyser won't flow well any more it will get stuck done that now, oh well.
Slathered some diamond paste on my surge and its full on balisong mode. So I got a free for my sasquatch hands. Its silky smooth now. Just after one hour of messing around with it. 👌 awesome piece of kit.
The Phillips driver is the same as in the Paratool and unfortunately is brittle high carbon steel ☹️ I wish dealers sold the spare parts because shipping from the US is crazy.....
In my opinion, the Signal is the exact opposite of an outdoor tool, it’s an urban carry. The reason is that if you’re going seriously hiking, you should NOT be relying on the Signal’s fire starting capabilities, you MUST have a dedicated option. However, you know when you’re not carrying a dedicated fire starter? Urban life. It has all the tools you need from a standard EDC plus the survival essentials for an emergency situation!
I'm a leatherman user (event technician) since 1995, also abused for motorcycle repairs etc.. So real tough working condition. I still own it, leatherman super tool. These days I use a leatherman rebar knifeless, really light weighted, compact... A dream 😀. Don't need two blades in a multitool, I wear a folder ( spyderco) anyway. Best combination for my proposals. Unfortunately you forgot about the whole Swiss tool line, the real competitor for leatherman.
Fun fact: The tool McGuyver used doesn't actually exist. Technically, the knife was a Tinker, but in various episodes, McGuyver would pull a tool out that the Tinker doesn't have. He had a magic SAK that always had exactly what he needed for that episode.
Hey, the t-shank on the surge is just a standard jigsaw mount so just find a cheap one, file down the teeth and stick it in there. If you want to carry it and it's too long just snap it off.
I'm rocking a leatherman wave plus with a Milwaukee fastback 6in1 boxcutter. Will likely get some micro Knipex pliers and a little flashlight to add to my edc as the wave + pliers don't hold too well but I'd rather have the needle nose without that option and just get the knipex
Late to the party, but just wanted to point out that the Gerber Center Drive DOES have a storage slot for one extra bit. Same spot as the Dual, just metal instead of plastic tabs.
Don't know if you know. With the SOG PowerAccess Deluxe, where you put the 1/4" bit adapter, that is a flat male 1/4" socket adapter. Yup, you also have a socket tool with the SOG PowerAccess Deluxe.
Check out Victorinox Sportsman - it's mroe useful than tinker, despite not having a dedicated philips. You can unscrews most PH screws with smaller "dullblade/file" of the Sportsman, and you can do a lot of things with it too, like prying plastic cases (not dulling/risking the blade)
@@clintwestwood3539 Maybe you build dollhouses, but the swiss tool and spirit are basically toys. They have been persistent failures, every time I have tried to use one. I had to keep going back to get a real multi-tool. Actually, sometimes, I have used the Surge, but I have many multi-tools tgat succeed where Victorinox fails. If Victorinox made good multi-tools, none of the other multi-tools would exist. Leatherman Tools came into existence due to the failures, inadequacies, and general uselessness of Victorinox. Victorinox then tried to copy Leatherman. Leatherman still has the number one best-selling multi-tool on the market. Period. In the span of a few years, Leatherman caught, surpassed, and far outsold Victorinox, who had almost a decade head start. That is quite a testimony to Leatherman, and a decouncement of Victorinox. Victorinox has been trying to catch up, and does make some toy-like copies, much like WorkPro, Nextool, etc. As for quality, Victorinox toys arrive all slimy and nasty. The design of tools rather precludes function. They break. Victorinox' "warranty" is useless. They never fix anything. The toy is gone for months at a time. Like I said, Victorinox: a fail at everything. If you have any evidence to the contrary, you have failed to produce it, but it is your perogative to be a victorinox fanboy. On the usefullness scale...well, if you are actually even able to use a tool, I hope you are able to do something useful.
@@googleuser6635 😂😂😂 did you seriously wrote an essay on multitools, maybe I’m building dollhouses, but it’s still better than having no job and nothing to do rather than upping that blood pressure. Careful! Your heart can only handle so much, chill a bit and sip on the biberon Leatherman is still low quality tool used by low quality tools, nothing changes even after your love letter
I have a Gerber Centre Drivee, Gerber ArmBar, B/BURY 22-in-1, Leatherman Surge and lastly the Victorinox Swiss Champ. All have different uses for me and earn their place. Here in the UK, SOG are very difficult to find which is very annoying as there are a couple of models I want to purchase. You have a great collection.
I daily a Leatherman signal, victorinox classic, and often have a gerber pocket clip as my wallet… I flirt with all the sides… gotta say the signal is a beast for outdoors type stuff. I use the pommel all the time.
I am a long time merchant seaman and I work in the offshore oil biz. I do do a lot of rigging work on deck at times and the multi- tool I ALWAYS carry is the Leatherman Supertool 300 - forget the rest, they may be fine for camping, fishing or daily carry but for actually doing a job sometimes under difficult circumstances in my experience nothing comes close to a Lm ST 300 - an aboslutely essential piece of kit. Carry that along with a Spyderco Mariner knife and in my opinion based on more than a few years of experience you have an unbeatable combination at least for the jobs I have to do.
Glad to hear the ST300 is serving you well!
Have you tried the Surge?
@@Towerfrank993 I have and daily carry both. I use the ST300 5-6x as much as the Surge. It's lighter and more comfortable to use. Pliers after a good bit of use are easily one handable too. Supertool is only a smidge heavier than the wave.
Definitely agree. At work all I use is the st 300 and out of work I usually have a charge or signal on me
It is called: "when I've never tasted anything sweeter than a carrot in my life.".
I have the super tool 200. No complaints. This one was a replacement due to my first leatherman pliers breaking in half. Called the company and told me that the leatherman has a 25-year warranty. So, i had to send them the broken one and replaced it with the super tool 200. I had an emotional attachment to the first one due to taking it to Afghanistan and back. But, I was told that's the only way the company would exchange it. Nevertheless, it's an awesome tool.
He's right about the leatherman signal not being the love it deserves. Perfect outdoorsman tool. He missed a few things too, the drivers, the hex slot on the side, the lock. It's my constant companion. No mods except some hessian twine on the beener for tinder. Selection of bits in the case, flashlight and sharpie on the sides thereof. You're ready.
I haven’t had any use for either the Ferro rod or the sharpener, and I just recently modded it so that I have space for three additional bits. Easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made
The only negative thing about the Victorinox Alox Series is they lose the Toothpick and Tweezers. I EDC a Red Rambler and the flat nail clippers. On workdays, the Leatherman Crunch and Gerber Centerdrive with some bits and sockets are added.
So many awesome selections to fill the needs!
Great video. I'm a Charge Ti guy. Have an older Gerber. Just about pinch myself every time I use the pliers. One thing you didn't mention is ergos. Leatherman seems to have the fewest hot spots. IMO.
I've carried a Leatherman Surge since, I dunno, the Revolutionary War, and I love it. But I recently tried out the Leatherman Free P4, and I love that, too. Now I need to decide which is going to be my main EDC and which is my backup. Both are fantastic.
Thanks out of Germany, i like how you pack so much information in such a "short" video. Thanks, you helped me a lot, finding the perfect tool for my needs.
I've had many Leathermans over the years. I was on the Supertool train for years, until I settled on the Surge for duty carry, and the Juice for off-duty EDC. Sometimes I swap in the PowerPint instead of the Juice if I expect I might have more robust things to do. It's all about the pliers for me. SOG and Leatherman have the best pliers of any multi-tool IMO.
Hey man, did your supertools pivots wear out? I’ve had 4 now and they all became so weak you couldn’t use the pliers well enough to even use the tool outside of what was in the handles
@@765outdoors No such problems for me. 🤷
After many years and many different multitools, my top choice is the Leatherman Wave+. There's one thing I almost *never* hear Knife/Tool/EDC/Prepper/Camper/Hiker/Hunter people talk about: *EYEGLASSES!* I wear glasses. Without them, anything beyond a few feet is a massive blur. My kids, wife, and parents also all wear glasses. It's important to be able to do basic eyeglass maintenance, which is why I love the Wave+ with its inclusion of a precision flathead/Phillips bit driver. I've used that tool a lot, both on eyeglasses and myriad electronics and computers that have small screws requiring a precision driver.
The Wave+ ticks all the boxes for my personal multi-tool requirements: good build quality and functional steel, blade, saw, file, can opener, pliers, scissors, regular bit driver, and precision bit driver. I haven't found another multi-tool that fits the bill.
One nice add on for Victorinox that have corkscrews are their mini tools sets. They have a set of 4 mini screwdrivers or a set of ferro rods with tinder. But they are an extra cost.
Knife blade does not stay sharp very soft steel
@@Chris-y2q Could you specify who did you reply to please? Was it to Leatherman or Victorinox comment?
@@kawo666 Leatherman
Nice multitools my personel fav the Leatherman Rebar,love the high quality production of these videos Thank you Blade HQ
My first leatherman is more than 10 years ago. It is still like new. Impressive. Now it is my backup tool.
Today , I have leatherman Bolster. Again, impressive .
Ya, the Richard Dean Anderson MacGyver used multiple SAKs including tools like saw, scissors, and orange peeler. Great video love multitools
I loved this video. I'm a Victorinox fan since I was 10 years old when my dad bought me my first knife/multitool: the Handyman, which I still own and use occasionally at home. I always carry two: minichamp on my keys and another medium sized victorinox. Currently, the very minimalist "Waiter"
Explorer replaced Huntsman in my pocket. Inline Philips is great!
@@yespeace2000 I'll check it out!
The Leatherman Surge can use ANY store bought T-Blade jig saw blade in the attachment point just by removing the Leatherman file or saw blade and replacing it. Bimetal blades, Diablo carbide tip blades, diamond impregnated blades… it makes up for the hokey skinny Phillips head they put in it.
The Leatherman Rebar is the best Leatherman multi-tool. The Rebar is the best balance of cost, lightness, and robustness. Comparing it to the Wave+, for instance, The Wave+ and bit kit costs the same as two Rebars! I'd rather have two Rebars than one Wave+. Having to buy and carry bits for the Wave+ only adds to the cost and to the weight. Moreover, the scissors on the Wave+ are basically useless for anything but for thread snipping.
I’m a huge fan the right tool for the job.
Personally, I use Swiss Army is my go-to, I don’t require something large in my pocket or my side as an extra edc.
The smallest SA to the SA huntsman. Is good enough for me.
Wave needs a major redesign, when used as pliers it will bite your palm where the grips come together 20:54. You can't back away enough if you want grip strength, never again.
Victorinox Compact or Super Tinker or Fieldmaster and the Leatherman Wave are my favourite Mutitools.
I have many of these. They are all good to have with you. I had one of the Gerber power pints. It was a good little tool that I got it to retire my Leatherman Juice 2. It didn’t need replacing, It just seems to have become a collectors item. My daughter saw the power pint and now she carries that along with a Huntsman. I usually carry a Wave +. It has most things I need and has solved many situations for me. Although an awl and a corkscrew are missing. So, sometimes I carry a SAK too. Or, I carry a Ranger or Handyman SAK with Knipex pliers. Decisions, decisions. But, I can get by with my Wave+ most days and feel strange when I don’t have it with me. Thanks for the video.
Wave+ and Raptor combo gets you out of places far south.
Impressive presentation mate. Almost convince us to get the Wave, almost.! We just use generic stuff and mod them to the limit as we most use our multitool when trekking in the outback or hinterland. You're very correct saying that mulitools are the best for mods.
Cheers from Australia.
@@danielcohen3538 Fair Dinkum mate.!
While I have a few Leathermans I prefer the Supertool 300, it's a beast. You missed a few though, Nextool is probably the main one you missed.
Yes! I love my Flagship Pro. Hard to beat for the price & features. I have a few gripes, but nothing terrible. I still use my Center Drive for heavier duty stuff, though
I work maintenance for a major appliance co. and I carry the Gerber Armbar Drive in my pocket when I go to calls and end up using it all the time for minor fixes or adjustments. Saves me from carrying a hand full of tools just to do a small job.
I almost bought an old 1st gen Gerber multitool. I worked at a car dealership. The serrated blade would cut through plastic bumpers, so well, when installing trailer hitches.
Classic SD is a must. I consider it my hygiene knife. Lends itself to be my edc. The other knives are in rotation. My 1970s camper does seem to stay in my pocket longer than most
You can modify most any t-shank blade/bit to facilitate your aunt's needs.
I have a modified reamer, wood saw, metal saw, and file.
1/4-in bit driver and replaceable cutters are top of my list.
nice
I carry the signal pretty often. I like having pliers and the bit driver plus a pocket clip since I don’t want it on my belt
Victorinox onyx sd. Ballpoint pen, ruler, light, knife, scissors, flathead driver. Still very lightweight.
I carry multiple multitools I suppose. So my "daily blade" is the Milwaukee 6 in 1 utility knife(I'm an electrician, so having that is a must). I also have a Leatherman wave on my belt, and I've carried that for the last 10 years. It started with me in construction, went to emergency medicine and it still resides on my belt going back to construction. Even on my off days, I still put it on. My knife may change on days off versus days working, but I'm a Leatherman forever!
I just got a leatherman micra and considering 90% of the time i need a tool im at home with my normal tools its perfect for me.
I use to carry a tool box because I have to frequently use screw drivers with various bits and pliers... Then I switched to a Leatherman Supertool 300 with a bit adapter and I dont even take my tools out of my truck. A lot of my work is done hiking in and its a major weight saver.
I had my Gerber for 20+ years and it has never let me down
I love Victorinox knives had them up into my 20's. I even recently purchased one of their watches. However, my favorite multitool is the SOG I still have my SOG Power Assist I think it's called, purchased it probably 2008 carried it daily. Alot of miles on it used it almost daily as a jet engine specialist on an active flightline. I am just now looking for a replacement.
An OG Leatherman Wave that I bought in early 2000 is my everyday.
I feel the farm anecdote, as a former dairy farm kid. I found it moreso for a period of my life where an older motorcycle was my only vehicle.
I’m a leatherman, but I still have a heart for the gerber dime. Best tiny knife with pliers, and scissors
My grandfather carried a Swiss I carry a leatherman rebar. I feel like all men should carry a multitool they definitely come in handy.
I’ve been carrying a Skeletool for a few months now, best knife I’ve ever owned
Great video, thank you.
As someone in a similar situation, my only suggestion is to move the join to the side so it isn't visible on camera. It doesn't feel quite as strong a retention, but it will be invisible from the front.
You nailed it on small MT scissors being great nailclippers. I dont even own nail clippers, I just use my leatherman Style CS. That's literally all that tool does is cut my fingernails, toenails, and nose hair 😂
I left my “dedicated” truck tool box in another vehicle while on a 4 hr trip one time. My throttle cable gave out on the highway at 70mph and my soul nearly slipped out my cornhole. I had a cheep gerber multi nestled deep in the bottom of the middle console. I made the temp repair in a pluckers parking lot. The only thing I regret more than leaving the tool box behind is deciding to risk it all again and eat at pluckers. The multi secured the W, And I’ll never forget it.
Victorinox also has several models that have bit drivers with built in bit sets.
I use the OHT for work, and that thing does work. Highly recommend solely due to being able to open everything with one hand
I keep a Victorinox nail clip 580 on my key ring. It’s my most used multi tool, followed by my Leatherman rebar.
Great review and was so glad to see that you love the Leatherman Wave. I was torn between the SURGE and the WAVE+ weeks ago, then opted for the WAVE+ due to the smaller size. I absolutely love it, even playing with it while watching TV. Such great quality, and have used it a load of times already, even to help fix my fridge freezer (ice maker) involving replacing the water inlet & wiring. So handy. Cheers!!
Great vid, thanks heaps!
With the surge, since it fits any t-shank blade, the fellow you mentioned could just get an old t-shank jigsaw blade and grind it to a point with an angle grinder and then he’d have a tool for the sprinkler nozzles 🤷🏼♂️
Center drive holds 2 bits. One in driver and one in the bit holder.
I'm 53 always have a SAK Tinker from Cub Scouts to adulthood. Dad was a US Army SF instructor. He always carried one also.
You would be hard pressed to find a hunter that travels lighter than myself. From my rifle to my bed-roll, I can carry everything to be out for 2 weeks and it was a difficult strategy to compile. You have tabled some difficult choices but I think I'm going to go with the Leatherman free limited edition. It offers the most utility for its light form factor. Not too big to get snagged but not too small to be lacking. Thank you for the excellent video.
Great picks. The Gerber Center Drive does have 1 bit holder on the inside, just not 2 like the other. It is nice that it can use standard bits too.
I was about to say that!
My multitool everyday is a Victorinox Swisschamp. Packed with things i need and not quite need, but compact and lighter compared to plier-based multitools.
Every SAK needs an ultra tac clip. I have one on my Trekker, my classic SD, my swiss army compact and my Rebar.
Look up:
UltraTac Deep Carry Pocket Clip. For $4 you have a deep carry multitool. Works great on gerber armbar too.
I have that same griptillian but it's coated s30v. Leatherman charge is so underrated...I've had mine 4 years, never had a problem with it and it never leaves my belt
I have (I'm a collector) many different multitools from a Swiss+Tech key tool to a Leatherman MUT to a Russian Army Ratnik 6E6. My favorite multitool for EDC is my Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X. It combines all the tools you'd find in several other multitools and is thin but very strong. Surprised it's not in this list.
I’ve got one too and am shocked that the Victorinox ‘SwissTools’ range is always overlooked by reviewers.
SAK always rulZ
Like my Farmer X too, good when carried with Knipex Cobra XS...that's a capable setup as good as most Leathermans, if you don't need wire cutters or file. So an outdoor toolset. If I'm at home or just local in the city I pair it up with a Climber, but a Super Tinker is probably a better option.
The 93mm alox have a few advantages over the celidor (plastic) scaled models. Not just that the scales are sturdier and stronger, the liners on them are made from Nickel Silver as opposed to Aluminium, the reamer is inline, the blade and opener/screwdriver are thicker, and the backsprings are stronger, because they don't have to accomodate backtools. 93mm alox Victorinox are based on the old Soldier model (now Pioneer) which was issued to the Swiss military for the best part of 50 years which is good pedigree imo. I know people across the pond may joke about the Swiss military but it's not for nothing they haven't been invaded for centuries. Many years ago a Prussian General was invited to watch the Swiss Army on manoeuvres. He was impressed and asked the Swiss commander how many men were in the Swiss Army. The Swiss officer replied 500,000. The Prussian asked him what he would do if he sent 1 million of his soldiers to invade, and the Swiss officer replied ''each of my men will fire two shots, and then go home''.
I just got a Victorinox Swiss champ! So versital and sleek! I love it!
I feel like this video had too much to not comment.
1. Great to see that bladeHQ channel bounced back from Ben and Zack leaving. This channel was not so good for a while and I’m glad to see people that make you want to watch again. Thank you.
2. Solid Magiver reference. Lol
3. Best knife scissors I’ve used were on my leatherman squirt. Super neat lightweight tool. The squirt also has the best nail file and curved nail cleaner I’ve used.
4. This was a great overview of a ton of great multi tools from the cheap to expensive. Good to see and learn.
5. I have to agree on the Victorinox info. I carry a camper everyday with whatever knife is applicable to that day’s chores. It seems like a constantly moving target. I’ve transitioned from heavy full-size multi tools and now prefer the lighter weight versions.
6. What is up with the “pulling your thumb mail off test? Good god!?!? Haha. I too dislike when the smaller pliers do not perform but I do not pull on my fingernails to verify if one can be yanked out or not. Interesting comment but I am not sure it makes me want to hang out. Lol
7. Happy to see the channel rebuilding and putting out good content.
I got excited when he said work champ. I have a work champ that I got from a friend and the knife blade has some engraving in it. It's got every tool I could realistically need. I'm looking to get me a retention chain for it too.
I started out with a Leatherman and as soon as it went sideways when I tried to cut a wire I switched to Gerber because you can pull the Jaws apart with the Gerber if that happens but the Leatherman just wants to close back up!!!! When they get stuck with a thick wire between the Jaws. And if you're far away from any extra tools you're pretty much ********* but with the Gerber at least you can pull them apart and be on your merry way!!!!
Great video! I wish Leatherman would relaunch the Juice CS4. My favorite multitool by far. It has helped me clean fish in the backcountry and fix everything from furnaces to PCs here in civilization. I trusty edc tool for over a decade.
They brought it back a couple months ago
That’s really cool how U mentioned the leatherman that Jordan used to win Alone Season 6 & Clay Hayes from season 8!
thanks, imo scissors are the most useful for me
Leatherman Free P2 has been my edc for 3 years now!
if you replace the Swiss army knife eighter the toothpick or the tweezers with the FERRAL Rod -- then using the notch on the Bottle opener you will get a great spark
I recently got a Leatherman Surge and was gifted a Leatherman Skeletool so I use those now lol. Used a Victorinox Tinker before (it was my grandpa's). I retired it for safe keeping
Cool video and nice overview! Would've loved to see the skeletool in there because it competes with the powerpint.
Victorinox Deluxe Tinker for EDC and the Leatherman Wave for camping or other heavy duty tasks.
The mini pliers on the deluxe tinker are incredibly useful and underrated
I have the deluxe tinker and I too EDC it
I want to buy Victorinox Compact to keep in my Altoids EDC kit.
But will it fit in Altoids tin because Compact is 91 mm in length ?
Key chain the tinker daily. Its great. The screwdriver was so handy when I had an old ute.
the ONLY Multi tools
1) for Gun owners -- the Leatherman MUT
2) for 1st responders or combat Medics -- the Leatherman Raptor + may be the Outland Multi-Mission Ax
3a) campers the JACK knife + 4 Hack-saw blades & and a little paracord for handle
3b) Two-in-One a HORI-HORI japanese >
4) every day carrying -- GRIM Survival Credit Cards may work for some people with GOOD skills
❤
Gerber Armbar is literally the perfect everyday carry for me because I'm a pocket carry, EXCEPT that the drive doesn't lock so it's snapped back on my hand more times than I can count. 😮💨 I wish they'd fix that ... All I want out of pocket carry is a knife, driver, and scissors that LOCK.
Great tips thank you it's helped me out with my choices. Regards Cliff.
I have at quiet a few of those multitools you talked about. and I love them!!! i use the gerbers with the center driver on them, the wave+, and the crunch, while on the job. the wave also you can buy extra bits and different holders that fit the wave they just know came out with a socket bit holder for it. I created a extra bit holder to hold different bits while away from my locker that has my bit box. in savvies i have the SOG with the bits and another leatherman crunch. when my dad saw the SOG one he bought it to he kind of likes it the problem is mine flows easier then his does not. one bigger swiss vitoranox has a pen along with the tooth pic and tweezers, one you should try in leatherman is the crunch that is a good locking plyers. the swiss with the plyers don't try cutting anything with the cutters that it come with on the underside or you'll pinch the mental and the plyser won't flow well any more it will get stuck done that now, oh well.
You're missing my two most favorite multitools. Victorinox Swisstool and Leatherman Juice S2.
There is an extra bit inside centerdrive. Smaller bit that can be exchanged back and forth. Just letting you know.
Slathered some diamond paste on my surge and its full on balisong mode. So I got a free for my sasquatch hands. Its silky smooth now. Just after one hour of messing around with it. 👌 awesome piece of kit.
Started in1992 with LEATHERMAN PST , Super Tool , Core , ST300 and Rebar .
Tip on the “bar of steel that fits in the T-shank”, you could take a bosch saw blade and file down the teeth on the saw and that's that.
The Phillips driver is the same as in the Paratool and unfortunately is brittle high carbon steel ☹️
I wish dealers sold the spare parts because shipping from the US is crazy.....
I've been carryint the Skeletool for years.But I still love my Wave+ and my Surge.
Leatherman Surge + Gerber Dual Force = Perfect combo for me (both in my edc pouch).
That pouch must be heavy! -George
@@BladeHQ And unfortunately is, that's only cons of that 😒 I carry it in my backpack so isn't that important at the end 😏
Leatherman Crunch user, the locking pliers have been a godsend on too many jobsites to ever leave home without it.
I love my SOG Powerpint! It's just the right size for what I need out of an EDC multitool.
Nifty tool, great fidget, but quality of the blade and the pliers are disappointing. Skeletool much better. And I have both.
In my opinion, the Signal is the exact opposite of an outdoor tool, it’s an urban carry. The reason is that if you’re going seriously hiking, you should NOT be relying on the Signal’s fire starting capabilities, you MUST have a dedicated option. However, you know when you’re not carrying a dedicated fire starter? Urban life. It has all the tools you need from a standard EDC plus the survival essentials for an emergency situation!
Aw, left out the Swisstools
I'm a leatherman user (event technician) since 1995, also abused for motorcycle repairs etc..
So real tough working condition. I still own it, leatherman super tool.
These days I use a leatherman rebar knifeless, really light weighted, compact... A dream 😀.
Don't need two blades in a multitool, I wear a folder ( spyderco) anyway.
Best combination for my proposals.
Unfortunately you forgot about the whole Swiss tool line, the real competitor for leatherman.
Just got a Leatheman free p2 the other day. Really like it so far..
This was an wonderful video but i Dont know where the skeletool went i think it deserves a place in this video
Pol
Fun fact: The tool McGuyver used doesn't actually exist. Technically, the knife was a Tinker, but in various episodes, McGuyver would pull a tool out that the Tinker doesn't have. He had a magic SAK that always had exactly what he needed for that episode.
macguyveronline has a list of each model used in each episode
I have a mutitool in my haversack, which I carry every day. For the last 10 years, I had never had the chance to use it.
i have a gerber center drive and just wanted to add if anyone was looking that it does have storage for an extra bit on the tool
Hey, the t-shank on the surge is just a standard jigsaw mount so just find a cheap one, file down the teeth and stick it in there. If you want to carry it and it's too long just snap it off.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I never knew that, but I'm about to go crazy making other inserts for it. You're a good person! -George
I'm rocking a leatherman wave plus with a Milwaukee fastback 6in1 boxcutter. Will likely get some micro Knipex pliers and a little flashlight to add to my edc as the wave + pliers don't hold too well but I'd rather have the needle nose without that option and just get the knipex
Late to the party, but just wanted to point out that the Gerber Center Drive DOES have a storage slot for one extra bit. Same spot as the Dual, just metal instead of plastic tabs.
Don't know if you know. With the SOG PowerAccess Deluxe, where you put the 1/4" bit adapter, that is a flat male 1/4" socket adapter. Yup, you also have a socket tool with the SOG PowerAccess Deluxe.
Check out Victorinox Sportsman - it's mroe useful than tinker, despite not having a dedicated philips. You can unscrews most PH screws with smaller "dullblade/file" of the Sportsman, and you can do a lot of things with it too, like prying plastic cases (not dulling/risking the blade)
As in most such tests you are missing the tool that beats all: The Victorinox Swiss Tool and the Swiss Tool spirit!
Those are 2 mediocre tools. If there is nothing else, then they will have to suffice.
Believe they should be included
@@googleuser6635If they are mediocre, Leatherman surge is good only as a paper weight at that point 😂
@@clintwestwood3539 Maybe you build dollhouses, but the swiss tool and spirit are basically toys. They have been persistent failures, every time I have tried to use one. I had to keep going back to get a real multi-tool. Actually, sometimes, I have used the Surge, but I have many multi-tools tgat succeed where Victorinox fails.
If Victorinox made good multi-tools, none of the other multi-tools would exist. Leatherman Tools came into existence due to the failures, inadequacies, and general uselessness of Victorinox. Victorinox then tried to copy Leatherman. Leatherman still has the number one best-selling multi-tool on the market. Period. In the span of a few years, Leatherman caught, surpassed, and far outsold Victorinox, who had almost a decade head start. That is quite a testimony to Leatherman, and a decouncement of Victorinox. Victorinox has been trying to catch up, and does make some toy-like copies, much like WorkPro, Nextool, etc.
As for quality, Victorinox toys arrive all slimy and nasty. The design of tools rather precludes function. They break. Victorinox' "warranty" is useless. They never fix anything. The toy is gone for months at a time. Like I said, Victorinox: a fail at everything.
If you have any evidence to the contrary, you have failed to produce it, but it is your perogative to be a victorinox fanboy. On the usefullness scale...well, if you are actually even able to use a tool, I hope you are able to do something useful.
@@googleuser6635 😂😂😂 did you seriously wrote an essay on multitools, maybe I’m building dollhouses, but it’s still better than having no job and nothing to do rather than upping that blood pressure.
Careful! Your heart can only handle so much, chill a bit and sip on the biberon
Leatherman is still low quality tool used by low quality tools, nothing changes even after your love letter
I combine my Leatherman TOOL and a Swiss Army knife tinker with the scissors, for a full range of tools and to equal my pockets.
I just bought the wave plus black version it had scratches and shit on it sending it right back
Lol?
Have you ever used the Leatherman MUT?
I have a Gerber Centre Drivee, Gerber ArmBar, B/BURY 22-in-1, Leatherman Surge and lastly the Victorinox Swiss Champ. All have different uses for me and earn their place.
Here in the UK, SOG are very difficult to find which is very annoying as there are a couple of models I want to purchase.
You have a great collection.
I always carry a SAK SD in the fifth pocket. I have other multi tools but that one gets used the most.
I daily a Leatherman signal, victorinox classic, and often have a gerber pocket clip as my wallet… I flirt with all the sides… gotta say the signal is a beast for outdoors type stuff. I use the pommel all the time.