Gerber MP600 Bladeless Vs. Vic OHT/Soldier

[ToolJoe]

  I think I have it narrowed down to what I want to carry next. It is down to the Gerber MP600 bladeless or a Vic One Hand Trekker/Soldier and a pair of standalone pliers (lineman). I figured out either one of these two setups would give me the most bang for the buck. I would carry the MP600 in my work bag since I always carry a knife based mt in my pocket or carry the standalone pliers in my work bag and the Trekker in my pocket. Any recommendations?

[Zephon]

I'm one to actually go with an actual pair of pliers, given the chance.  I mean using a multi-tool is cool and all that and nothing beats it if you've got nothing else on you, but if I know I'm gonna need a pair of pliers for a given task then I found it better to just bring a heavy-duty pair of pliers (or vise-grips). 

[Smaug]

Of those options, there are a couple good reasons to go with the Vic/pliers instead of the MP600 bladeless:

• You'd have a knife
• You'd have a working wire cutter
• Longer stock saw
• Toothpick and tweezers

[zoidberg]

I carry and use a BN MP600 but only because I'll have another tool handy for cutting wire.

For me, as a stand alone tool it is a fail. More so IMO if it's the needle nosed version. The blunt nosed is better.

Hmm, that gives me an idea for a thread.

Edit: I see it wouldn't be stand alone.

What knife based multitools do you carry?

[ToolJoe]

90% of the time it is a Crater C33T and the other 10% is a Vic Tinker.

[ToolJoe]

I'm going to put a new spin on this one: Bladeless MP600 v Rebar v OH Trekker/dedicated pliers..

[sLaughterMed]

I'm going to put a new spin on this one: Bladeless MP600 v Rebar v OH Trekker/dedicated pliers..

In that case, let me throw a wrench into your thinking....

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,62309.0.html

Basically, someone at Leatherman screwed up, and accidentally listed both Skeletool RX and  Knifeless Rebar under a list of compatible items with their sheaths. Leatherman officially dented the RX, but ignored the knifeless Rebar.

So what I'm saying is that it may be worth it to wait on the Rebar, and get the knifeless version when it comes out in the near future, even though my personal choice on the matter is get the Rebar.

I know, I'm so helpful in decision making! Just going my part

[AimlessWanderer]

I'm going to put a new spin on this one: Bladeless MP600 v Rebar v OH Trekker/dedicated pliers..

Here's my take on it....

MP600: Comfortable handles, and the tools inside can be relied upon. The file isn't the greatest though. Needle nosed or blunt nosed pliers are personal choice, with a good main gripping area, but the indexable cutters are too brittle for hard wire, and aren't close enough for thin stranded materials. The standard MP600 plier heads without the inserts, are better for wire cutting in my opinion.

Rebar: very uncomfortable handles in my opinion, with lots of hotspots and a more splayed too. Drivers are good (apart from the taper on the smaller one which stops you getting into connector blocks etc), good file and saw are good (though expect to get a build up of crud in the nail access slots). Blades feel too delicate for the size of tool to me. Better wire cutters, but heavily compromised main gripping area, and no choice of blunt/needle nose unless you introduce them to Mr Grindstone

OH Trekker & dedicated pliers: I personally don't like the 111mm range. Stick with 91mm unless you specifically want a longer saw and longer locking blade, in which case skip the 111mm and go straight to 130mm. Pliers depend on what you choose 

[sawman]

MP600

[ToolJoe]

If I go with option three, I would go with some shorter length lineman pliers or combination (as knipex calls em) pliers.

[ToolJoe]

I think it's now down to a Rebar or a Trekker/Soldier with some dedicated pliers now..

[ToolJoe]

I'm leaning towards the bladeless MP600 now. I already have a couple dedicated blades I could rotate for carry (Crater C33T/Gerber EAB) so the bladeless MP600 would be a good compliment to what I carry that day. I've never had a Gerber MT so i'm itching to give them a try.

[parnass]

I'm leaning towards the bladeless MP600 now...

I have a few MP600s in different configurations, including a bladeless version.  One regret I have about the bladeless MP600 is that the replaceable carbide cutter blades don't work as well as the conventional cutters for doing electrical work (copper wire). 

The replaceable cutter blades require more force than the conventional cutters when cutting wire.  Plus, I haven't been able to strip insulated wire with the replaceable cutters.

[TheDude]

Parness I found the same thing. Best wire cutters I found were. SOG compound leverage and swisstool were way better than MP600 or Leatherman. But I still like the MP.
Cause it's..... ah.... nifty!

[Smaug]

Joe, it's hard to explain just how bad the wire cutter is on the MP600 with the carbide insert.

If you're itching to try an MP600, find a pre-carbide one for sale. The cutter on my MP400 is orders of magnitude better than the one on the carbide MP600.

I second TheDude's recommendation re. wire cutters. Did you see my wire cutter comparison video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa0pqFR3yVU

Rebar with a OHO knife is a good combo. You'd have a quick blade with the OHO knife, and everything else with the Rebar. (including a reasonable wire cutter) I had one, but returned it in favor of a used, great condition Wave. (which cost about the same as the new Rebar)

[comis]

I'm going to put a new spin on this one: Bladeless MP600 v Rebar v OH Trekker/dedicated pliers..

Here's my take on it....

MP600: Comfortable handles, and the tools inside can be relied upon. The file isn't the greatest though. Needle nosed or blunt nosed pliers are personal choice, with a good main gripping area, but the indexable cutters are too brittle for hard wire, and aren't close enough for thin stranded materials. The standard MP600 plier heads without the inserts, are better for wire cutting in my opinion.

Rebar: very uncomfortable handles in my opinion, with lots of hotspots and a more splayed too. Drivers are good (apart from the taper on the smaller one which stops you getting into connector blocks etc), good file and saw are good (though expect to get a build up of crud in the nail access slots). Blades feel too delicate for the size of tool to me. Better wire cutters, but heavily compromised main gripping area, and no choice of blunt/needle nose unless you introduce them to Mr Grindstone

OH Trekker & dedicated pliers: I personally don't like the 111mm range. Stick with 91mm unless you specifically want a longer saw and longer locking blade, in which case skip the 111mm and go straight to 130mm. Pliers depend on what you choose 

I beg to differ on how comfortable is the MP600 handle vs Rebar handle, especially if we need it to saw(MP600 Pro Scout).

@OP 

Between LM Rebar vs MP600, I would probably prefer Rebar for smaller footprint/easy carry/minimalist feel, and great price/performance.

Judging from your usual carry of Crater/Tinker, I think you would like and appreciate Vic OH Trekker better than the other combo, especially if you don't need use 1/4 bits or constantly need pliers.  Personally, I would prefer to have fast easy access to my blade/simple tool in my pocket, then to fish out a MT everytime when I just need a simple job done.

[ToolJoe]

I'd love a Swisstool but why are so they dang expensive 

After watching that video, it looks like it affirms that the cutters on the bladeless mp600 are lackluster.

Looks like its down to the Rebar or Trekker/Pliers.

[ToolJoe]

To throw another card in the mix, what about the SOG Power Lock or Power Assist?

[zoidberg]

To throw another card in the mix, what about the SOG Power Lock or Power Assist?

I'm considering giving one of them a try too.

[ToolJoe]

Another good thing about the SOG's is they seem to be very mod friendly and interchangeable for parts..

[Etherealicer]

To throw another card in the mix, what about the SOG Power Lock or Power Assist?

I'm considering giving one of them a try too.

No experience with the Power Lock but I suggest you try that one... the Power Assist has too many hot-spots on the handle (with the locks etc.), the Power Lock looks better that way.

[ToolJoe]

I'm also thinking about going with a variant of the Trekker and this big set of pliers:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_464614-16878-55754_1z0wcfw__

Lowes has it on sale for $10..

[ToolJoe]

I think at this point, I am going to cancel the bladeless MP600 out of the equation due to the less than stellar things I have had about it.

At this point, it is probably down to a Spirit w/butter blade vs. a OH Trekker/Pliers.

[ToolJoe]

Update: I think I am going to go down the avenue of Trekker/Soldier/GAK and dedicated pliers. I seem to get along better with SAK's more than plier based mt's..

[ToolJoe]

I bought a Vic oh soldier from feline vet