The Essential Multitool Buyer's Guide- what do you think?

[Grant Lamontagne]

It occurred to me that we see a lot of threads about people asking what multitool they should buy, what would best suit them, what they should buy for a friend or relative etc.

So here's your chance- when someone asks you what multitool they should buy or what should they look for in a multitool, what advice do you give?  I'm looking more for general guidelines than a specific brand or tool, so if you give any specific answers you will need to justify why you said it!   

Def

[SteveC]

Buy one of each 

[rdub934]

I guess I would start by asking several questions:

1) What are you primarily going to be doing with the multitool?
2) What method of carry would they prefer: sheath, pocket, keychain or will it ride in glovebox, pack, or sit in a desk drawer?
3) What conditions will the tool be used?
4) Is price a factor and if so, what is the price range?

Regardless of the answers to these queries, my biggest advice is that they stay away from cheaper offerings, despite being more affordable, and stick to the household names in multitools: SOG, Gerber, Leatherman, or Vic. These companies have a long history of making multitools, have good reputations, offer really good warranties, and have awesome customer service.

[magentus]

Buy one of each 

Only one?

[hiraethus]

I'd ask a bunch of questions back:

Budget?
What would the tool be used for?  (DIY/camping/in the car/fishing/zombie apocalypse etc etc?)
Location/legalities?  (Government building/schools/work/use in public/which country?)
For use on its own or with other tools?
Do they want a 'system' like the Surge or a standalone tool like the Wave?
Scissors or not?
How do they want to carry it? (pocket/belt/bag/lanyard/as a fistload)
Hand size?
One-hand opening?

Then tell them to buy a Spirit.   

[derekmac]

I'd tell them to join MT.O, and start a thread asking what they should buy! 

[ToolJoe]

Join MTO and ask questions later sounds like good advice..

[mcb]

Replace able screw driver bits.  The ability to replace them when you wear them out is important to longevity of a multi-tool.  In my experience screw drive bits are one of the first things to wear out.  Replaceable bits also increase the versatility of the tool given the huge variety of drivers/fasteners there are out there.

[colt 1911]

If they all ready joined MTO it's to late, they are going to end up buying everything.

[sLaughterMed]

Replace able screw driver bits.  The ability to replace them when you wear them out is important to longevity of a multi-tool.  In my experience screw drive bits are one of the first things to wear out.  Replaceable bits also increase the versatility of the tool given the huge variety of drivers/fasteners there are out there.

Id rather have a standard bit kit than a "replacable bit system" like Leatherman's bit kit. The bits are difficult to replace, as Leatherman does not sell them individually, or even as custom sets. Victorinox's kit is IMO the best, as ut can stand alone, rather than Leatherman's bit extender or adapter- or the SOG or Gerber kits.

[LoopCutter]

If a gift, I suggest they buy 2. 
One to keep, because that is what occurs with best intentions, then the 2nd one for the purposed gift.   
Then everyone is happy. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rdub934]

Replace able screw driver bits.  The ability to replace them when you wear them out is important to longevity of a multi-tool.  In my experience screw drive bits are one of the first things to wear out.  Replaceable bits also increase the versatility of the tool given the huge variety of drivers/fasteners there are out there.

Id rather have a standard bit kit than a "replacable bit system" like Leatherman's bit kit. The bits are difficult to replace, as Leatherman does not sell them individually, or even as custom sets. Victorinox's kit is IMO the best, as ut can stand alone, rather than Leatherman's bit extender or adapter- or the SOG or Gerber kits.

I think that is more of a personal preference. So, definitely something to mention. The large bit driver was one of the deciding factors that made me go with a Leatherman Wave (the purchase that brought my multitool fever to critical levels). However, now I prefer dedicated drivers on my multitools. But for longevity sake, the good brands have warranties. If I wore out or broke a driver, or anything, I'd get in touch with the manufacturer for repair or replacement.

[Poncho65]

Buy one of each 

Only one?

That's just to get started

[Poncho65]

I prefer a MT to have a knife blade, scissors, file (diamond is best), saw, awl, flat driver and a Phillips head driver.  OHO and outside accessible tools are nice for me but not a must. Removable wire cutters are nice as well but not a must either. I also like as low profile and high quality sheath as I can get for that specific tool as well. For a light duty tool that is not my main EDC I like a pocket clip versus the sheath as well. If I think of anything else I will add it

[mcb]

Replace able screw driver bits.  The ability to replace them when you wear them out is important to longevity of a multi-tool.  In my experience screw drive bits are one of the first things to wear out.  Replaceable bits also increase the versatility of the tool given the huge variety of drivers/fasteners there are out there.

Id rather have a standard bit kit than a "replacable bit system" like Leatherman's bit kit. The bits are difficult to replace, as Leatherman does not sell them individually, or even as custom sets. Victorinox's kit is IMO the best, as ut can stand alone, rather than Leatherman's bit extender or adapter- or the SOG or Gerber kits.

I think that is more of a personal preference. So, definitely something to mention. The large bit driver was one of the deciding factors that made me go with a Leatherman Wave (the purchase that brought my multitool fever to critical levels). However, now I prefer dedicated drivers on my multitools. But for longevity sake, the good brands have warranties. If I wore out or broke a driver, or anything, I'd get in touch with the manufacturer for repair or replacement.

For me I wear out Philips bits too often to have to warranty repair my multi tool that often.  I do have a bit adapter for my Surge and MUT that allows me to use standard bits for some of the more exotic fasteners but in my Skeletool having the two standard bit in that tool covers 95% of what I need a bit driver in a MT for.  Definitely something to consider when selecting a multi tool.

[82brutus]

I think what I would ask them:

Budget
What are you wanting to use this for?
**Do you carry a knife?
*Do you have any tools in your car?  What brand of tools?
Are you looking for something portable to replace all this?
***Do you use pliers more than you use screwdrivers or vice versa?

I feel like the "do you already carry a knife?" and "do you use pliers more than a screwdriver?" actually are some of the more important questions. I found this out the hard way owning many pliers based tools. I tended to use the knife and screwdriver more so comfortable handles, easy access to tools was a huge factor. On a day when I was going to use pliers more than anything something like the MP600 was going to excel. If they own a knife, the type of knife can play into it. Do they like something shaving sharp, do they like to scrap and poke and beat on it.

[SteveC]

Buy one of each 

Only one?

That's just to get started

Don't want to overwhelm them , we can suggest multiples later  once they have been properly assimilated   

   

[Kampfer]

If a friend or relative shows interest in carrying a MT, I would glad take care of it out from my pocket, so budget is not an issue as long as he/she is willing to carry it on person.

In that case, I will normally choose a keychain MT like Swisstech Utili-Key, Vic Classic, LM Squirt for him/her.

If that person is the outdoorgoing, sporting, working, tinkering type, I would choose a full size MT with OHO blade and pocket clip, with a stealth. LM Wingman / Sidekick is perfect for such.

If he/she just like one to throw in the car; sorry I can't help you.

[NKlamerus]

Oh!!!!! We should whip up one of them "follow the line" charts

[Kampfer]

Oh!!!!! We should whip up one of them "follow the line" charts

Most likely the MT would ended up in a drawer somewhere.

[Demel]

 

[NKlamerus]

Something like this

[Poncho65]

Buy one of each 

Only one?

That's just to get started

Don't want to overwhelm them , we can suggest multiples later  once they have been properly assimilated   

   

Exactly 

[Steinar]

My experience with "newbies" is a lot like this:

Q: What is your budget?
A: Nowhere near what quality brands cost.

... so I often think the best recommendation is point people in the direction of e.g. the MT.o review section so they can get some basic knowledge. The last one who asked me was my brother-in-law who is a little cheap, so I simply asked him about what he needed and what he liked, and then my wife and I simply gifted him a proper MT for his birthday.

In other words, I think the start of a buyer's guide is giving enough background that a newbie knows enough to ask meaningful questions and have more or less realistic expectations.

[firiki]

1) Start by getting a Spirit, as it's widely considered the pinnacle of multi-tools.

2) Then get a spare one.

3) In the unusual but not impossible case the Spirit doesn't meet your needs try to find what other MT will do that. The Spirit has shown you the way.

4) Send firiki the Spirit from steps 1 and 2

[Humppa]

Well... we could make a question-catalogue. This one should have been filled by the asking person. The catalogue is opening of the thread.

If the questions are not asked properly and well, it just gets closed. But the person has to get the advice that there is a catalogue that has be answered...

This will avoid some strange questions like "Which MT for militay use under 10.00 US-$ ?!?!"  - I mean, what are they thinking?

In a german spoken forum this is almost a procedere that has been used for many years. It needed some time until it established, but now it seems to run pretty well.

Standard questions for MTs or flashlights or any other kind of gear.

Just my .02 Cent.

[firiki]

Seriously now, some very good questions have been asked, I'll list some and add mine as well:

- Bugdet?
- Pliers-based or knife-based? Maybe consider a SAK?
- What kind of use?
- You realise that a MT is more of a convenience item and not a proper tool? (Yes, even the alox Pioneer!)
- Why not a Spirit?

The MT question form is a very good idea. My only reservation is that it takes away the personal touch and spontaneity this place offers that I'm sure we all love.

[Padre]

The most important question is if the potential buyer is biased towards some specific brands.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think that when you ask these kinds of questions, like "what do you want to use it for?" or "Do you have any interest in any specific brands?" most people are likely to just look at you, shrug and say "I dunno, I just want a good one just in case."

At least that's been my experience.

Def

[metasyntax]

If they want pliers, two questions to ask could be: "How much do you want to spend?" and "How much do you want to carry?" Then depending on the answers...

|        | Cheap     | Moderate  | Expensive |
|--------+-----------+-----------+-----------|
| Light  | Wingman   | Skeletool |           |
| Medium | MP600     | Rebar     | Spirit    |
| Heavy  | PowerLock | Surge     | SwissTool |