Still think Leatherman did the EDC world a disservice by discontinuing the Squirt platform. Its the best pocket-sized plier-based multitool to carry with a utility knife secondary. Iguess its like cars, the bigger the better, but even the Skeletool doesnt offer as much utility, and the Free platform is just too damn big...If Victorinox made a Squirt sized Swiss Tool I'd be their first customer.
Been carrying the squirt p4 on my keychain for 10+ years. Still my favorite tool. Alot of people say the pliers are too small to be useful but it's not true for all tasks. Also they have an advantage over Saks for cutting wire. Will say the little Nextool looks great too. Quite a bit bigger though.
Honestly, I think the Gerber Dime has always had a better toolset than the Squirt, so I don't mourn the loss. However, in terms of Leatherman doing the EDC world a disservice, discontinuing the Style PS is unforgivable. Even the new nextool can't hold a candle to it.
I reach for mine twice as often as any other multi tool. It is amazing. I don’t use the knife very much, so I wish there was a tool I could swap for that… but I don’t want to lose any of the other tools!
Noticed that the vid began and ended with Victorinox. That's a nice full circle for such a storied MT company. Great work, Dom. The insights you share certainly speak to your 25 years of experience.
Bought myself The Leatherman Arc as my first multitool and for the long term, well is expensive but all 20 tools is useful to me and I use all of it, the best multitool is the one that you actually will carry every single day and use all the tool in it.
It's nice to see Victorinox to get so much attention. YT reviewers don't emphasize enough the superior quality of this brand, when compared to their competitors. I have a Rambler as part of my EDC for years. The toothpick is the most used tool - haha!
Still carry the Wave after many years. I don't know what I would do without it, I use it all the time and it has gotten me out of a tough situation many times. I have Supert Tool 300s in all my vehicles and first aid kits. Multi-tools are amazing!
Grabbed the MX Clip when it went on sale earlier, and I have not been disappointed. The quality on this guy feels so superior to almost any other tool I've handled. It's kinda hard to explain, but it just really stands out.
Great video Dom! My journey began with a Climber in HS. It was a gift from a family friend. Later, working in an office setting, I carried a Manager on my keys for years. Today, in my urban environment, I don't need quick pocket access to a saw. My tool priorities are blade, scissor, pry, file, screwdriver and pliers in that order. This leads me to one of several load outs: 1. Knife-based, centered around the Vosteed Raccoon Top Liner Lock or something similar. 2. SAK-based, centered around a custom Cyber Companion or Free T4. 3. Pliers-based (Free P2, Skeletool and now Spirit MX Clip). I have to say, I've only had the Spirit MX Clip a few days but it is divine. I can see why it's so high on your list!
You’ve taught me a lot about knives and multitools. Thank you! Good video recapping your experience and tools you’ve introduced through the years! I bought one Leatherman multitool (Wave+) and likely will never buy another. I love the SOG PowerPint and Vic Mini Champ, both of which I carry and use daily. I’ve added BiBury, Shall, and the Gerber Dual Force; the Dual Force is the best full size multitool I’ve ever used. For me, it has the tool set I use most. I jumped in on the discount for the Roxon Flex Companion; so far, I like it. One last comment: I love the Rocktol Multitool Pocket Knife (also carried daily, if not used daily). Please keep up your work!
I’ve had it about a year; picked it up from Gerber on a sale for about $45. We live on 3 acres with 3 families; between construction and maintenance, it’s become indispensable. We also RV a lot (I was retired but went back to work this year); it is super helpful around the RV. I did tweak the plier heads a little doing something they’re not made to do, but they still work fine. The screwdriver, saw, and chisel have all been well used and have held up well. I haven’t used the knife much since I always have a knife or two on me that I prefer.
My first, and still only, multitool is the Swiss Champ. Honestly, the part you said where once you go above a certain size you want to go pliar based multitools is pretty accurate. The small pliars aren't big enough for anything major, and so far I only found them useful for getting sand burs out of my shoes on the beach. One thing I will say about the Champ though is it taught me that first lesson about "how do you plan to carry it?". I tried for about a month to figure out the best ways to carry it, and make the key ring usable, and it led me to getting a pocket clip for the tool. Tried a keychain flashlight, which was useful but was scratching up the knife, and wish I got the clip sooner than I did. I'm still using the tool though, and I feel like its a great "training" or demo platform. Basically "Here's just about every single good tool in a package small enough to still be pocket carryable. See what you like."
@@maxlvledc Swiss Champ, not the mini, and I tried lol. It was a horrible idea because it was waaaaaaay too heavy. So I tried to make the key ring useful instead of taking it off entirely. The pro Olight keychain flashlight was pretty nice on it for a bit till I realized it was taking the chromium layer off the knife and scratching up the scales. So I moved the flashlight to my actual keychain, and then got Swiss Karryclip for it. The clip is a life saver because it makes the champ no longer slosh around in your pocket while running. XD Speaking of the mini champ though... I wish there was a keychain SAK that was like a companion to the larger Champ. Only one I can think of that can fill that role is the Wenger model with the fingernail clippers and serrated scissors, but I have so many fingernail clippers right now I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.
Thanks for your video. I've bought quite a few multitools over the past couple of years, based on your recommendations and those of others on UA-cam (like HVAC Budget). For example, I've bought the Nextool Mini Flagship Gen 1 (no broken springs yet!), Nextool Mini Sailor Scissors, Victorinox Rambler (the one I always carry in my pocket), Bibury Multitool Pliers Pro, Roxon Flex Companion, and the Oknife Otacle P1 (Nextool Mini Sailor clone). I've had to exchange a few of these for a replacement due to QC issues that I couldn't fix myself. From what I gather, Victorinox tends to have pretty high QC compared to most of the other brands. I've found Nextool, Bibury, Roxon and Oknife customer service to be very responsive when issues or questions arise.
I was buying multitools like crazy and never thought how I want to carry them. Only years later I figured out that for 95% of use-cases I need only my nextool flagship mini in my pocket, and then something bigger but still light, like powerpint, in my edc pouch. I don't take my pouch all the time, but I will always have the small multitool on me.
Fantastic video. Lots to explore, but this aligns with my view that Victorinox is Boss. Swisstool, Compact, Rambler, Ranger are all exceptional. I have one more with a special place in my heart: the Spartan.
The Victoria Knox manager is probably the best tool that they make. It’s got the perfect combination of EDC tools. I wouldn’t recommend a rambler only because the ink pen on the manager is so so useful. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend carrying a Swiss Army knife unless it had the ink pen that’s how handy that little pen can be.
@ I know it’s a shame. I personally can’t recommend the rambler because that ink pen is so clutch. But you’re right the only alternative is the mini champ and that’s way too big. I think the rambler’s the better of the two... plus you can always mod it with the scales with the pen
Best companion tool in my opinion to go with a dedicated pocket knife is the vic swisstool spirit xc. It has the scissors, saw, file, and serrated blade to compliment the dedicated pocket knife. It's size to tool density is superb, quality is top notch, and ergonomics are outstanding.
Speaking from long experience, horizontal appendix belt carry is fantastic for large SAK or Wave size tools 👍 There's no such thing as too much information, especially when it's about a tool that you'll probably use for 10 years !
@@maxlvledc I've posted this response 5 times but it keeps getting deleted. The sheaths I use are $5 A l I e x p r e s s twenty two c al magazine holders. They have molle & horizontal mount for a 2" belt. Highly recommended 👍
I carry a little Swiss Army style multitool made by Mikov. It has a little knife, bottle opener, punch and corkscrew. I actually use it- mostly for opening packages or beer bottles. I imagine most who carry multitools never use them.
A great roundup, thanks. Makes me think back over the pocket knives and multitools I've had over the years. I still have a Leatherman Supertool from the end of the 90's in my tool box along with a WWII british navy pocket knife with marlin spike and a selection of Swiss Army knives I used to carry everyday knocking around. However, I have shifted to carrying the bladeless Nextool minisailor lite for everyday use after watching your review and love it.
Excellent video! The trend is for these new multitools is to continue improvement while maintaining value & a competitive price point...LTG is the elephant in the room, as they, who were in the van of innovation, are slowly being left behind in the dust...your comments on the Surge are an excellent example of this, as is your entire presentation...that & QC, which is why V, for example, is still so masterful...great job, Dom...thanks!😊
Always fun watching your videos and hearing your take on different models while sipping on a bourbon. I bought the MX Clip through your link a few weeks ago when you posted about it. It'll be delivered tomorrow. Can't wait to carry and use the hell out of it. Cheers!
Yes! I started from Surge and stopped on Vix Handyman. Weight & Comfort is much much important than bulletproof brickness I have a Free P2 as backup, but it’s just stay in box couple of years
I have come back to the SAK as the tool that best fit my EDC needs. I don't use the multitool 0pliers for much besides pulling ticks and burrs off my dog. The Swiss Champ pliers is all I normally need outside the house. The Champ is about the same footprint and weight of a Leatherman. If I am doing things around the house I have dedicated tools for that and a pair standard pliers is much more robust than the pliers on a multitool. Same thing applies to the bit drivers. The vehicle is the only place I can see where something like a Leatherman is useful to me and I carry a Wave and a full bit kit in my emergency pack.
Wonderfully thoughtful video as usual. I have the Swiss Spirit and Swiss Tool X so was reluctant to also bite on the MX Clip... but at the $113 it was impossible to ignore (looks like delivery is 1-2 months out, at this point). Took the bite via your affiliate link...thanks for lead! With looser tools, the pocket clip, and the thumb stud, I might actually carry this one on my person. (My current EDC is the Rambler on my keychain and the KS2E in the pocket... it will be hard to shake loose that combo... but the MX might just do it.)
I completely agree. I love my Spirit X over any of my leatherman & gerber stuff. The one hand blade was never a worry for me as its no use being left handed anyway and I use a clip'n'carry sheath so the pocket clip was not a factor for me either.
For me the Rocktol Gen-R is my new go to. It is my favorite tool set-up and still has a pocket clip. Love the 1/4 bit driver vs proprietary bits. The magnet trick for the bit driver is awesome also.
I really agree with you that "accessories can be a trap". I have many multitools (Rebar, ST300, ARC, Charge, Signal, Flex, Flash, etc.) the one I alway choose to carry is multitool that's has a belt clip, light weight, and don't need to carry other accessories or sheath with it. More accessories mean more weight and space you need to concern. Now, my main EDC is ARC in my pant pocket and Rebar as a secondary multitool in my bag.
Very comprehensive video!!! My favorite category is companion pliers. At first I carried the skeletool, then I went with the power liter. Finally I tried a sog power access, and I've stuck with it for 3 years working handyman, carpenter, tree work, and commercial fishing. It's the precision plier head, 1 handed opening, compound leverage, and weight (5.9oz). My only gripe is its not comfortable to squeeze, oh well. I may give the bladeless rebar a try. Thanks!
Skeletool cx pros; form factor is smooth and sleek. Price is great. Knife is excellent, weight is great, bit holder is great, I used the carabiner end as a pry tool for paint cans. Cons; there's no small pokey tool, the plier ergos are not great with the curved handle, the plier head is not precision, the pocket clip is weak steel, no file, no dedicated flat head/pry/scraper, not easily 1 handed. Conclusion is that it's an excellent minimal tool for a painter or electrician, but the SOG power access has it beat in every con as well as pros except ergos which are equally bad in a different way. The compound leverage of SOGs tools also makes them way way more functional. As a carpenter, the precision plier head of the power access, and the tiny tools are super handy for staples and unjamming nail guns. It's also less than an ounce more than the skeletool which is crucial to me.
good video. I agree. And since I develop multi-tool cards. I also constantly think about what set of tools would be best in a pocket. (and although many tools are not possible in the multi-tool card format) However, comparing in hands Leatherman, Sog, Gerber, Victorinox, I would also choose Victorinox for the balance of everything. - an excellent set of tools (exactly what is needed), excellent quality / price. The only thing that would be good to improve in all models is a one-handed knife opening, and a larger knife
I am working on a desk. For me bit drivers on multitools have always been a little bit of a gimmick. The reach and usability of bit driver implements is very much limited, with several exceptions of course. 90% of the time all you need is a flathead and phillips (and eventually a hex bit for your bicycle or ikea furniture). If you are trying to repair something with a torx or something even more specific... you really should be using a dedicated tool for that. And if you are working in the trades, a small toolbox/tool-roll/tool pouch with the specific tools you need for your job would be far more usable than a do-it-all multitool. Of course you can have a multitool in your pocket complementing that. But another important thing that matters when choosing a multitool is choosing what do you need on a daily basis. Multitools and EDC have become a very much style thing over the initial utility they were intended for.
I carry the Leatherman Rebar now. I had my fist mutltitool in the early 80's! Was a schrade, which I still have! But in my opinion, it's not the tool, but the person using that tool that makes it affective!
Got the Spirit X i couple of weeks ago thanks to your channel. A great tool for sure. Prefer the regular victorinox scissors but thats really the only minus. And if you're carrying a vic folder alongside (which I do) it sorta turns into a plus. Thanks for another great video!
Great video Dom. I personally would go with the Arc over the MX clip to support the home team. I also didn’t see the Skeletool. It’s so handy and pocketable with a much better blade and driver over the powerpint I think it should have been mention worthy
I’m in the trades and I’ve never met anyone who carries a multitool. People just think we do for some reason, we’re never far from the right tool for the job. I have one that I carry for backpacking, camping and climbing. I think the only time I used it, is when I first got it and I was trying to find reasons to use it.
Excellent video. Gives me something to think about. I'm more partial to the SAK Fieldmaster than the Huntsman. Similar tool set, just has Philips screwdriver vs corkscrew. When it comes to multitools, I have mixed feelings. I have collected them everscence Leatherman came out with it's first Multitool. I hardly ever cary them. Pliers make lousy wrenches. Find myself just never using them even when I cary them. A Victorinox Super Tinker w/plus scales & Tool clip does everything I need. Now I have a rotational cary with for mentioned Super Tinker, Free T4, & Roxon KS2E. Love Roxon's stuff, high quality and performance at a good price. Keep up the great work.
Let's go , gonna go with my Gerber 600(been carrying for 15+ yrs on belt EDC pouch)for quick deployment with 1 hand and using other hand to hold whatever. Have other flip style tools but don't have time to flip open n close them I literally use my pliers multiple times EVERY DAY. I'm the maintenance guy at the shop(cabinet, millwork)
Oh so far video is for the home owner person, I use mine as a tool every day. But carry pry bars, 2 LED lights, griaitus wrench/prybar tool , micro screwdriver from Ace , tweezers, and 5 other knives
👍 Manager, Powerpint, Rebar, and Swisstool mx are all amazing. I just asked Leatherman what the actual weight of the Knifeless Rebar is. They've had it and the regular Rebar at 189.94g on their website for years. No way they are exactly the same.
On my home scale, my Rebar weighs 188 grams and my Knifeless Rebar weighs 178 grams. Hope this helps! I bought the knifeless Rebar for my 8 year old daughter so that she can use a multitool without me worrying about her having a knife!
@@maxlvledc Mine weighs 179g or 6.3 oz. It's OK. There are some hot spots in the handles. The awl is very difficult (bordering on dangerous) to deploy. And the scissors are terrible. It's not my first choice.
Very nice overview and very nice G-SHOCK! One more thing for Victorinox - the lifetime warranty. I have Victorinox SAKs I have used for more than 25 years (if you know what I am saying 😉 ).
Totally agree about the Manager. I got one off ebay and carry it daily even around the house. I've used everything on it unironically. I have other tools, including other SAKs, but can't carry them in Chicago due to tighter blade laws. We're it not for that I'd consider daily carrying my Explorer. (Philips head is way more useful than flat.) The only think I miss is a flashlight. I've considered upgrading to the midnight manager, but that's also discontinued so I'd have to go to ebay again.
@ ya to me the weight isn’t the issue. I just carry a stand alone knife and now that I can carry a custom full sized multi tool it has made things much better for me.
19 годин тому
Seems like the 'hook cutter'/'package opener' mod on an 58mm Victorinox blade is more common than i thought. What is more MacGuyver than modding your SAK. XD
The moment you stop learning new things is just before they put you in a pine box. Some of the new flex implements have been let loose (at least upon the US), and hopefully, that means an international release for the companion is soon to follow. Made a suggestion to hvac budget about the Nextorch Pioneer; do the deployed shears fit in the raptor/clone holster?
One of the reasons I'll be making videos is to discuss these things with you. The Rebar sheath sucks and I haven't heard you say that. I own 3 rebars and there is an added cost to buy something to carry it in.
@ I'm looking at my original PST leather from 85 and so don't understand why Leatherman didn't still include good leather that will patina with use. The original PST and sheath are perfect.
For a normal EDC, I think the Victorinox knives are best size and value you can have. My only complaint is in order for them to become the best for EDC they need the plus scales b/c that pen and pin save the day (at least for me) very often. Do you think Vic should just make all scales plus scales? Is this a necessary mod in your opinion as it is mine? Same question with the keychain variety, I find the retractable pen to be far more handy than the tweezers or toothpick and for me that is a necessary mod.
@@maxlvledc I disagree, I think pocket clips are a great way to lose a knife/flashlight/tool as they constantly catch on things and flip out. But I do understand the increased cost with the plus scales but for utility I think it's well worth the $5.
if Dom did that, he would not be this wealth of information. A lot of really interesting items wouldn't have had the exposure that they have had. for sure I would have a few fewer conveniences
A 40 minute long video on multitools? Heck yeah. Btw Dom, I noticed you never showed a pocket clip from keysmart on your victorinoxes, do you not like it or have you not tried it? Would love to hear your opinion on that. Greetings from Italy, the land of no blades because.....yes.
🤮I would never carry the Swiss tool although the arc is to expensive I still carry my surge well now I carry a surge clone because I misplaced my surge, but the arc is the dream even though it’s a money grab and way out of my budget. It’s just so sexy.
In my opinion, every multitool maker should add 3D Philips head screwdriver into their product instead of totally crappy, ugly, and useless tool”ish” object which exists just for increasing the number of its function (and bulk).
i prefer to carry a swiss army knife with pliers. they have a far different use case than other multitool pliers like leatherman. they are like mini hands or super tweezers. i hardly ever use scissors so they are not as useful to me.
Still think Leatherman did the EDC world a disservice by discontinuing the Squirt platform. Its the best pocket-sized plier-based multitool to carry with a utility knife secondary. Iguess its like cars, the bigger the better, but even the Skeletool doesnt offer as much utility, and the Free platform is just too damn big...If Victorinox made a Squirt sized Swiss Tool I'd be their first customer.
Been carrying the squirt p4 on my keychain for 10+ years. Still my favorite tool. Alot of people say the pliers are too small to be useful but it's not true for all tasks. Also they have an advantage over Saks for cutting wire. Will say the little Nextool looks great too. Quite a bit bigger though.
"I'd be their first customer." Only if you saw it before I did! ;-)
@@mcflyguy161
They shot themselves in the foot, by choosing rivets rather than screws they created a costly warranty nightmare 🫤
@@T-Mo_I have both the squirt and nextool mini sailor. Both are fantastic but the nextool scissors are awesome
Honestly, I think the Gerber Dime has always had a better toolset than the Squirt, so I don't mourn the loss. However, in terms of Leatherman doing the EDC world a disservice, discontinuing the Style PS is unforgivable. Even the new nextool can't hold a candle to it.
Probably the best multitool video ever
Wow, thanks!
Rambler is my most used multitool as well! It's the GOAT of all keychain multitools!
I reach for mine twice as often as any other multi tool. It is amazing. I don’t use the knife very much, so I wish there was a tool I could swap for that… but I don’t want to lose any of the other tools!
Noticed that the vid began and ended with Victorinox. That's a nice full circle for such a storied MT company.
Great work, Dom. The insights you share certainly speak to your 25 years of experience.
Bought myself The Leatherman Arc as my first multitool and for the long term,
well is expensive but all 20 tools is useful to me and I use all of it,
the best multitool is the one that you actually will carry every single day and use all the tool in it.
You are absolutely right, use it or lose it!
It's nice to see Victorinox to get so much attention. YT reviewers don't emphasize enough the superior quality of this brand, when compared to their competitors. I have a Rambler as part of my EDC for years. The toothpick is the most used tool - haha!
Yeah, the toothpicks are surprisingly useful!
Still carry the Wave after many years. I don't know what I would do without it, I use it all the time and it has gotten me out of a tough situation many times. I have Supert Tool 300s in all my vehicles and first aid kits. Multi-tools are amazing!
Grabbed the MX Clip when it went on sale earlier, and I have not been disappointed. The quality on this guy feels so superior to almost any other tool I've handled. It's kinda hard to explain, but it just really stands out.
Great video Dom!
My journey began with a Climber in HS. It was a gift from a family friend. Later, working in an office setting, I carried a Manager on my keys for years. Today, in my urban environment, I don't need quick pocket access to a saw. My tool priorities are blade, scissor, pry, file, screwdriver and pliers in that order. This leads me to one of several load outs:
1. Knife-based, centered around the Vosteed Raccoon Top Liner Lock or something similar.
2. SAK-based, centered around a custom Cyber Companion or Free T4.
3. Pliers-based (Free P2, Skeletool and now Spirit MX Clip).
I have to say, I've only had the Spirit MX Clip a few days but it is divine. I can see why it's so high on your list!
Now all we need are stick on handle texture like they have for the arc
You’ve taught me a lot about knives and multitools. Thank you! Good video recapping your experience and tools you’ve introduced through the years! I bought one Leatherman multitool (Wave+) and likely will never buy another. I love the SOG PowerPint and Vic Mini Champ, both of which I carry and use daily. I’ve added BiBury, Shall, and the Gerber Dual Force; the Dual Force is the best full size multitool I’ve ever used. For me, it has the tool set I use most. I jumped in on the discount for the Roxon Flex Companion; so far, I like it. One last comment: I love the Rocktol Multitool Pocket Knife (also carried daily, if not used daily). Please keep up your work!
Glad to hear about the dual force, not a lot of long term testing out there.
I’ve had it about a year; picked it up from Gerber on a sale for about $45. We live on 3 acres with 3 families; between construction and maintenance, it’s become indispensable. We also RV a lot (I was retired but went back to work this year); it is super helpful around the RV. I did tweak the plier heads a little doing something they’re not made to do, but they still work fine. The screwdriver, saw, and chisel have all been well used and have held up well. I haven’t used the knife much since I always have a knife or two on me that I prefer.
My first, and still only, multitool is the Swiss Champ. Honestly, the part you said where once you go above a certain size you want to go pliar based multitools is pretty accurate. The small pliars aren't big enough for anything major, and so far I only found them useful for getting sand burs out of my shoes on the beach.
One thing I will say about the Champ though is it taught me that first lesson about "how do you plan to carry it?". I tried for about a month to figure out the best ways to carry it, and make the key ring usable, and it led me to getting a pocket clip for the tool. Tried a keychain flashlight, which was useful but was scratching up the knife, and wish I got the clip sooner than I did.
I'm still using the tool though, and I feel like its a great "training" or demo platform. Basically "Here's just about every single good tool in a package small enough to still be pocket carryable. See what you like."
right on! did I read it right that you are using a swisschamp on your keys? or did you mean minichamp?
@@maxlvledc Swiss Champ, not the mini, and I tried lol. It was a horrible idea because it was waaaaaaay too heavy. So I tried to make the key ring useful instead of taking it off entirely. The pro Olight keychain flashlight was pretty nice on it for a bit till I realized it was taking the chromium layer off the knife and scratching up the scales. So I moved the flashlight to my actual keychain, and then got Swiss Karryclip for it. The clip is a life saver because it makes the champ no longer slosh around in your pocket while running. XD
Speaking of the mini champ though... I wish there was a keychain SAK that was like a companion to the larger Champ. Only one I can think of that can fill that role is the Wenger model with the fingernail clippers and serrated scissors, but I have so many fingernail clippers right now I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.
I keep reaching for my Leatherman supertool 300(M) I think it’s very underrated and doesn’t get mentioned enough.
In retrospect, I should have added it to HD section...
It’s a great tool. Just limited with the inside opening tools.
Thanks for your video. I've bought quite a few multitools over the past couple of years, based on your recommendations and those of others on UA-cam (like HVAC Budget). For example, I've bought the Nextool Mini Flagship Gen 1 (no broken springs yet!), Nextool Mini Sailor Scissors, Victorinox Rambler (the one I always carry in my pocket), Bibury Multitool Pliers Pro, Roxon Flex Companion, and the Oknife Otacle P1 (Nextool Mini Sailor clone). I've had to exchange a few of these for a replacement due to QC issues that I couldn't fix myself. From what I gather, Victorinox tends to have pretty high QC compared to most of the other brands. I've found Nextool, Bibury, Roxon and Oknife customer service to be very responsive when issues or questions arise.
Victorinox is the BEST quality in the multitool world..its not even close.
I was buying multitools like crazy and never thought how I want to carry them. Only years later I figured out that for 95% of use-cases I need only my nextool flagship mini in my pocket, and then something bigger but still light, like powerpint, in my edc pouch. I don't take my pouch all the time, but I will always have the small multitool on me.
Fantastic video. Lots to explore, but this aligns with my view that Victorinox is Boss. Swisstool, Compact, Rambler, Ranger are all exceptional. I have one more with a special place in my heart: the Spartan.
The Victoria Knox manager is probably the best tool that they make. It’s got the perfect combination of EDC tools. I wouldn’t recommend a rambler only because the ink pen on the manager is so so useful. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend carrying a Swiss Army knife unless it had the ink pen that’s how handy that little pen can be.
Manager is Discontinued 😢
Manager is Discontinued 😢
@ I know it’s a shame. I personally can’t recommend the rambler because that ink pen is so clutch. But you’re right the only alternative is the mini champ and that’s way too big. I think the rambler’s the better of the two... plus you can always mod it with the scales with the pen
I’ve been a multitool fan my whole life, and I love your picks!! These are all excellent and I would recommend the same picks in the same categories.
really?! right on!
Best companion tool in my opinion to go with a dedicated pocket knife is the vic swisstool spirit xc. It has the scissors, saw, file, and serrated blade to compliment the dedicated pocket knife. It's size to tool density is superb, quality is top notch, and ergonomics are outstanding.
That is a very good option!
Speaking from long experience, horizontal appendix belt carry is fantastic for large SAK or Wave size tools 👍
There's no such thing as too much information, especially when it's about a tool that you'll probably use for 10 years !
very very few sheaths that can do that, I like the one from Tools for Gents.
@maxlvledc I've found that $5 AliExpress 0.22 cal magazine pouches are a very good fit and they always have multiple mount options 👍
@maxlvledc - I've found that $5 AliExpress 0.22 cal magazine pouches are a very good fit and they always have multiple mount options 👍
@@maxlvledc
Ali Expr ess sell $5 0.22 cal magazine pouches that are a good size and mount any way.
@@maxlvledc
I've posted this response 5 times but it keeps getting deleted.
The sheaths I use are $5 A l I e x p r e s s twenty two c al magazine holders. They have molle & horizontal mount for a 2" belt.
Highly recommended 👍
I carry a little Swiss Army style multitool made by Mikov. It has a little knife, bottle opener, punch and corkscrew. I actually use it- mostly for opening packages or beer bottles. I imagine most who carry multitools never use them.
A great roundup, thanks. Makes me think back over the pocket knives and multitools I've had over the years. I still have a Leatherman Supertool from the end of the 90's in my tool box along with a WWII british navy pocket knife with marlin spike and a selection of Swiss Army knives I used to carry everyday knocking around. However, I have shifted to carrying the bladeless Nextool minisailor lite for everyday use after watching your review and love it.
Glad to hear it!
Excellent video! The trend is for these new multitools is to continue improvement while maintaining value & a competitive price point...LTG is the elephant in the room, as they, who were in the van of innovation, are slowly being left behind in the dust...your comments on the Surge are an excellent example of this, as is your entire presentation...that & QC, which is why V, for example, is still so masterful...great job, Dom...thanks!😊
Appreciate the feedback!
I've had my Flex for about a month now, and I love it. My Flex Companion and some of the new implements should be here tomorrow.
The “Franken-man” has been the 💣… You da man Dom- great video 👊🏻🔥👊🏻
Appreciate that, man!
Always fun watching your videos and hearing your take on different models while sipping on a bourbon.
I bought the MX Clip through your link a few weeks ago when you posted about it. It'll be delivered tomorrow. Can't wait to carry and use the hell out of it. Cheers!
let me know how deployment is!
Love my Swiss Tool Spirit X. Refined, smooth as butter, quality built. But it’s my weekend carry. Work day carry is my Charge+ or Rebar.
Yes! I started from Surge and stopped on Vix Handyman. Weight & Comfort is much much important than bulletproof brickness
I have a Free P2 as backup, but it’s just stay in box couple of years
I have come back to the SAK as the tool that best fit my EDC needs. I don't use the multitool 0pliers for much besides pulling ticks and burrs off my dog. The Swiss Champ pliers is all I normally need outside the house. The Champ is about the same footprint and weight of a Leatherman. If I am doing things around the house I have dedicated tools for that and a pair standard pliers is much more robust than the pliers on a multitool. Same thing applies to the bit drivers. The vehicle is the only place I can see where something like a Leatherman is useful to me and I carry a Wave and a full bit kit in my emergency pack.
Wonderfully thoughtful video as usual. I have the Swiss Spirit and Swiss Tool X so was reluctant to also bite on the MX Clip... but at the $113 it was impossible to ignore (looks like delivery is 1-2 months out, at this point).
Took the bite via your affiliate link...thanks for lead! With looser tools, the pocket clip, and the thumb stud, I might actually carry this one on my person. (My current EDC is the Rambler on my keychain and the KS2E in the pocket... it will be hard to shake loose that combo... but the MX might just do it.)
I completely agree. I love my Spirit X over any of my leatherman & gerber stuff. The one hand blade was never a worry for me as its no use being left handed anyway and I use a clip'n'carry sheath so the pocket clip was not a factor for me either.
From Spain. Great video. Congratulations.
Thank you very much!
For me the Rocktol Gen-R is my new go to. It is my favorite tool set-up and still has a pocket clip. Love the 1/4 bit driver vs proprietary bits. The magnet trick for the bit driver is awesome also.
fantastic tool.
I really agree with you that "accessories can be a trap". I have many multitools (Rebar, ST300, ARC, Charge, Signal, Flex, Flash, etc.) the one I alway choose to carry is multitool that's has a belt clip, light weight, and don't need to carry other accessories or sheath with it. More accessories mean more weight and space you need to concern.
Now, my main EDC is ARC in my pant pocket and Rebar as a secondary multitool in my bag.
Right on!
Very comprehensive video!!! My favorite category is companion pliers. At first I carried the skeletool, then I went with the power liter. Finally I tried a sog power access, and I've stuck with it for 3 years working handyman, carpenter, tree work, and commercial fishing. It's the precision plier head, 1 handed opening, compound leverage, and weight (5.9oz). My only gripe is its not comfortable to squeeze, oh well. I may give the bladeless rebar a try. Thanks!
Interesting! Thoughts on skeletool?
Skeletool cx pros; form factor is smooth and sleek. Price is great. Knife is excellent, weight is great, bit holder is great, I used the carabiner end as a pry tool for paint cans.
Cons; there's no small pokey tool, the plier ergos are not great with the curved handle, the plier head is not precision, the pocket clip is weak steel, no file, no dedicated flat head/pry/scraper, not easily 1 handed.
Conclusion is that it's an excellent minimal tool for a painter or electrician, but the SOG power access has it beat in every con as well as pros except ergos which are equally bad in a different way. The compound leverage of SOGs tools also makes them way way more functional. As a carpenter, the precision plier head of the power access, and the tiny tools are super handy for staples and unjamming nail guns. It's also less than an ounce more than the skeletool which is crucial to me.
good video.
I agree. And since I develop multi-tool cards. I also constantly think about what set of tools would be best in a pocket. (and although many tools are not possible in the multi-tool card format)
However, comparing in hands Leatherman, Sog, Gerber, Victorinox, I would also choose Victorinox for the balance of everything.
- an excellent set of tools (exactly what is needed), excellent quality / price.
The only thing that would be good to improve in all models is a one-handed knife opening, and a larger knife
I am working on a desk. For me bit drivers on multitools have always been a little bit of a gimmick. The reach and usability of bit driver implements is very much limited, with several exceptions of course. 90% of the time all you need is a flathead and phillips (and eventually a hex bit for your bicycle or ikea furniture). If you are trying to repair something with a torx or something even more specific... you really should be using a dedicated tool for that. And if you are working in the trades, a small toolbox/tool-roll/tool pouch with the specific tools you need for your job would be far more usable than a do-it-all multitool. Of course you can have a multitool in your pocket complementing that. But another important thing that matters when choosing a multitool is choosing what do you need on a daily basis. Multitools and EDC have become a very much style thing over the initial utility they were intended for.
I carry the Leatherman Rebar now. I had my fist mutltitool in the early 80's! Was a schrade, which I still have! But in my opinion, it's not the tool, but the person using that tool that makes it affective!
For sure!
Got the Spirit X i couple of weeks ago thanks to your channel. A great tool for sure. Prefer the regular victorinox scissors but thats really the only minus. And if you're carrying a vic folder alongside (which I do) it sorta turns into a plus.
Thanks for another great video!
Looking forward to this one
Cant wait for this vid. I already know its gonna be great.
Nice video, thank you for the chapters
Great video Dom. I personally would go with the Arc over the MX clip to support the home team. I also didn’t see the Skeletool. It’s so handy and pocketable with a much better blade and driver over the powerpint I think it should have been mention worthy
I thought it over...proprietary bits kill it for me.
The Swiss Tool mx clip, perfect for pocket carry with a great set of quality tools!
After bending my fingernail back several times, I went back to Leatherman. I agree it is an amazing tool though that should last a lifetime!
I’m in the trades and I’ve never met anyone who carries a multitool. People just think we do for some reason, we’re never far from the right tool for the job. I have one that I carry for backpacking, camping and climbing. I think the only time I used it, is when I first got it and I was trying to find reasons to use it.
Excellent video. Gives me something to think about. I'm more partial to the SAK Fieldmaster than the Huntsman. Similar tool set, just has Philips screwdriver vs corkscrew. When it comes to multitools, I have mixed feelings. I have collected them everscence Leatherman came out with it's first Multitool. I hardly ever cary them. Pliers make lousy wrenches. Find myself just never using them even when I cary them. A Victorinox Super Tinker w/plus scales & Tool clip does everything I need. Now I have a rotational cary with for mentioned Super Tinker, Free T4, & Roxon KS2E. Love Roxon's stuff, high quality and performance at a good price.
Keep up the great work.
Awesome! Do you ever carry a pocket wrench?
Thoughtful video. Thank you!
Really helpfu, thank you!
Looking forward to the video 😊👍
Let's go , gonna go with my Gerber 600(been carrying for 15+ yrs on belt EDC pouch)for quick deployment with 1 hand and using other hand to hold whatever. Have other flip style tools but don't have time to flip open n close them
I literally use my pliers multiple times EVERY DAY. I'm the maintenance guy at the shop(cabinet, millwork)
Oh so far video is for the home owner person, I use mine as a tool every day. But carry pry bars, 2 LED lights, griaitus wrench/prybar tool , micro screwdriver from Ace , tweezers, and 5 other knives
sick! mp600 blunt nose?
👍 Manager, Powerpint, Rebar, and Swisstool mx are all amazing. I just asked Leatherman what the actual weight of the Knifeless Rebar is. They've had it and the regular Rebar at 189.94g on their website for years. No way they are exactly the same.
On my home scale, my Rebar weighs 188 grams and my Knifeless Rebar weighs 178 grams. Hope this helps! I bought the knifeless Rebar for my 8 year old daughter so that she can use a multitool without me worrying about her having a knife!
@@waholoopesorry74thanks! I guessed at least 5 grams difference. Hopefully Leatherman replies and fixes their website info.
I thought it was more than that but still 10g is something lol.
@@maxlvledc Mine weighs 179g or 6.3 oz. It's OK. There are some hot spots in the handles. The awl is very difficult (bordering on dangerous) to deploy. And the scissors are terrible. It's not my first choice.
@@ParkerBinion the scissors are the same ones found on the Wave and charge. They have worked pretty well for me, but I don’t use them very hard
The Arch is king for me
I carry a Leatherman Micra and Wave +, as well as a Victorinox Farmer Alox. Covers most of the things that come at me.
Very nice overview and very nice G-SHOCK!
One more thing for Victorinox - the lifetime warranty.
I have Victorinox SAKs I have used for more than 25 years (if you know what I am saying 😉 ).
I like the gshock got it half off on ebay
Totally agree about the Manager. I got one off ebay and carry it daily even around the house. I've used everything on it unironically. I have other tools, including other SAKs, but can't carry them in Chicago due to tighter blade laws. We're it not for that I'd consider daily carrying my Explorer. (Philips head is way more useful than flat.)
The only think I miss is a flashlight. I've considered upgrading to the midnight manager, but that's also discontinued so I'd have to go to ebay again.
nah, dedicated lights ftw.
@@maxlvledc Right on. I put a high CRI Skilhunt EK1 (and KeySmart Nano Clip) on all my EDC SAKs.
Consider that the clip on the Spirit MX is removable and may be mounted on the opposite side for a better pocket carry.
Best companion tool. I’d say is the Roxon flex.
Its heavy though at 9oz. That being said, if you can carry it comfortably right on!
@ ya to me the weight isn’t the issue. I just carry a stand alone knife and now that I can carry a custom full sized multi tool it has made things much better for me.
Seems like the 'hook cutter'/'package opener' mod on an 58mm Victorinox blade is more common than i thought.
What is more MacGuyver than modding your SAK. XD
The moment you stop learning new things is just before they put you in a pine box.
Some of the new flex implements have been let loose (at least upon the US), and hopefully, that means an international release for the companion is soon to follow.
Made a suggestion to hvac budget about the Nextorch Pioneer; do the deployed shears fit in the raptor/clone holster?
Not a chance
Thank you for that video
Surprised that the Leatherman Micra didn't get a mention in the keychain category - I've carried one for 30 years.
The old one had decent scissors, but since 1999 ish the scissors cut like crap and it's $50 now
@@maxlvledc OK, I got one with the decent scissors!
Let’s do this.
What about the Gerber Dime? Thoughts, classification?
It's not bad at all, scissors kind of suck though
can you make a video using every tool in the multitool.
which one?
@@maxlvledc BIBURY Multitool Pliers Pro BI2045 thank you really appreciate it!
One of the reasons I'll be making videos is to discuss these things with you. The Rebar sheath sucks and I haven't heard you say that. I own 3 rebars and there is an added cost to buy something to carry it in.
You are not wrong..are you referring to the Leather sheath? I love carrying a horizontal sheath personally.
@ I'm looking at my original PST leather from 85 and so don't understand why Leatherman didn't still include good leather that will patina with use. The original PST and sheath are perfect.
Do you think Leatherman will release a Arc Lite soon? Like a P2 to the P4
I hope so
I carry a 940 and a endura 4 plus I carry an old leatherman in my edc bag.
Great updates & suggestion maestro.! But which multitool would Mrs. Maxlvledc choose? Have a great Christmas & safe New Year from Australia.
Hmm. So far...skeletool is the only one I can convince
welcome to multitools....had my sak since 78 to 88...since then went to leatherman 88 to 2000 and mostly Sog or gerber since then
Wow, very interesting! What gerber?
For a normal EDC, I think the Victorinox knives are best size and value you can have. My only complaint is in order for them to become the best for EDC they need the plus scales b/c that pen and pin save the day (at least for me) very often. Do you think Vic should just make all scales plus scales? Is this a necessary mod in your opinion as it is mine? Same question with the keychain variety, I find the retractable pen to be far more handy than the tweezers or toothpick and for me that is a necessary mod.
More important imo is a pocket clip. But I think many will not care and be upset with increased cost
@@maxlvledc I disagree, I think pocket clips are a great way to lose a knife/flashlight/tool as they constantly catch on things and flip out.
But I do understand the increased cost with the plus scales but for utility I think it's well worth the $5.
The leatherman micra didn't make the cut for keychain list?
$50, and scissors are garbage these days.
Do you have a link for the diamond file you had in this video?
Never mind, I found it listed in your article. Great review!
should be there! just in case: amzn.to/4iuKqbZ
You should have mentioned roxon flex companion, i think that's the ultimate EDC
He did
I did
İn the video, i couldn't remember you mentioning
I know it says a lot about me, but for all that is holy, close that Gerber multitool fully before moving on to the next! 😱😬
lols! which one?
@ the Gerber Dual Force. Been binging your channel tonight; got me convinced in buying a Big Idea Designs Ti pen. 👍🏻
Have you ever gotten a Bushcraft fire going with one of those mini ferro rods? 😂
Yep
@maxlvledc lol, I remember back in the scout days having a small one and trying to light up some leaves and pine needles with no luck.
the MX clip doesnt have a micro bit driver does it? the arc might still be the tool for me
It does not.
What's a "two-dimensional Phillips"? I didn't see it on the Victorinox Manager's file when you mentioned it.
Ah! The flat head on that file is tapered to precisely fit inside a #2 philips socket. Try it!
hi im from Germany we cant carry one handed multitools so what would you recomend for me ? thanks for the great video
hmm, Victorinox Spirit or Swisstool would be good!
@@maxlvledc thanks
Ok companion multitool section…what’s the knife? Is it a winterblade?
yep, Winterblade M-fire
@ man, beautiful knives. I love the blade profile/style/shape just wish they or someone else made budget friendly knife with that blade shape
I've got a respect for anyone who commits to multitools but I haven't found the right fit. Designated tools are the way for me.
They 100% have their place.. I think of multitools the same way as a tool box organizer...saves you time, hastle, and money.
I’d be more impressed if you’d carried the same multi-tool for 25 years.😂
I'm WAAAY to ADHD for that lol. But 8 years with the original wave and no other is an achievement I think.
@ I carried the original Leatherman for about 6 years after it came out.
if Dom did that, he would not be this wealth of information.
A lot of really interesting items wouldn't have had the exposure that they have had.
for sure I would have a few fewer conveniences
I carried the original Leatherman Super Tool for 18 years.
@@diemman70 6 years of the original leatherman sounds awful in modern day
I need left handed options. After all these years no brand provides it as an option.
P4, or Flex, basically are your options at this point
I think I will never uderstand why would I use Victorinox Compact instead of Climber for example. Do these several grams really justify it?
For some...I prefer super tinker for a similar reason. That's the nice part about having soo many options
A 40 minute long video on multitools? Heck yeah.
Btw Dom, I noticed you never showed a pocket clip from keysmart on your victorinoxes, do you not like it or have you not tried it? Would love to hear your opinion on that.
Greetings from Italy, the land of no blades because.....yes.
Not a huge fan of those metal dangler clips.
🤮I would never carry the Swiss tool although the arc is to expensive I still carry my surge well now I carry a surge clone because I misplaced my surge, but the arc is the dream even though it’s a money grab and way out of my budget. It’s just so sexy.
In my opinion, every multitool maker should add 3D Philips head screwdriver into their product instead of totally crappy, ugly, and useless tool”ish” object which exists just for increasing the number of its function (and bulk).
Your not wrong
Long videos Matter
Ummm, k. Thanks? 😅
Like 1778
i prefer to carry a swiss army knife with pliers. they have a far different use case than other multitool pliers like leatherman. they are like mini hands or super tweezers. i hardly ever use scissors so they are not as useful to me.
@maxlvledc you just passed max level, you are now god level edc
haha, not at all. Still much to learn.