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

[ConditionZer0]

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

This is a solid policy.

 

[ConditionZer0]

If you purchased a SwissTool X, you would not be wrong.

[mtngunr]

Most folk simply need to have a simple blade for various cutting chores......and something else also to use for other common chores which would wreck the nice blade.....scrape/pry/tighten etc, we have all done it with the knife blade at some time or another, and perhaps regretted not having something/anything available besides our blade at that moment......and that pretty much is all the majority of folk ever need as for tooling..

AND it is something which needs to actually be there.....at 2.4 oz and zero corners or protruding blade humps/gizmos and totally rounded and tapered top to bottom and stem to stern, i nominate the humble and still available Victorinox Pathfinder.....it cuts and will open a paint can, bottle or can, snugs slotted and phillips screws and even can saw a notch in an emergency ( like most folk ever need that, either)

a red flyweight torpedo never noticed in pocket....it will be there....which is the primary requirement of any multitool.....barring getting one of those, i recommend the smaller and slightly lighter SAK or modern Pioneer minus keyring......but longer blades cut more with each stroke.....

[mtngunr]

One other i would recommend to most anybody would be the TL-29 by any reputable USA maker....another dandy cutter/scraper/prier/snugger....only downsides being rust and the shackle......and while at it, will mention the alox Soldier grandaddy MIL-K-818D which is probably overkill for most folk (what percentage of buyers actually use a can opener on a folder?)....but it and the TL will open cowls all day long and driver blade ready for another....most multitools are really for only occasional emergency use....not these....they hold up without a bit kit and truly pocketable....

[mtngunr]

double post deleted

[bounding star]

Heres a good website to help sort through all different multitools and other gear: http://parametrek.com/

[strmliner]

Don't bra carry a Leatherman.  You will get rust issues from boob sweat.

Def

Are you speaking from experience?

Trust me, you really don't want me to answer that!   

Def

            

[strmliner]

A classic in hand is more useful than a Surge at home.

Agreed...

But a Rambler or Manager is even better and no more hassle than the Classic...I carried a Classic for years, then learned about the Rambler!   

[raistlin65]

Once of the best pieces of advice I think you can give an MT newbie is to get an awl because you can use it for many tasks that would dull your primary blade.

BTW: I'm at a loss for what to say about boob sweat to add to the conversation 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm still thinking that we have some potential for this- I mean, what is the point of us having all of this tool related experience if we can't really pass it on to others?

Def

[SteelRaven]

I buffed my Gerber multi plier with Flitz metal polish with teflon when I got it around '94 or so, and I reapplied some Flitz at least once this century that I can remember, and it has never rusted.  I think I could get away with bra or undergarment carry.

SO is that a MT in your pocket or are you just happy to see me

Yeah dks and prfsantos must be wearing off on me and yeah I know

Show content

That's what she said 

More like "is that a Cold Steel RAJAH 2 in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me"

[kkokkolis]

My suggested procedure is the following
1. Look around in internet sites and mark what you like.
2. Read reviews about the tools that draw your attention and narrow your options
3. Ask in MTO about the tools of your narrowed list
4. Buy the Victorinox Spirit.
Set.

[SteelRaven]

The quandary is having to buy one MT TO ADJUST/Mod the others.

I just "hate" that!! ....

Shhhhhhh....don't tell anybody or our secret is ruined!

And somebody mentioned the other day about installing a 3mm punch on an MT to use in place of the "Glock tool"....,

I'd stick one of those on a Surge or Power Lock in a skinny heartbeat....

I swear it never ends...does it??!!

[pfrsantos]

Once of the best pieces of advice I think you can give an MT newbie is to get an awl because you can use it for many tasks that would dull your primary blade.

BTW: I'm at a loss for what to say about boob sweat to add to the conversation 

Yes, I too have nothing tasteful to say about boob sweat...
 

[SteelRaven]

Once of the best pieces of advice I think you can give an MT newbie is to get an awl because you can use it for many tasks that would dull your primary blade.

BTW: I'm at a loss for what to say about boob sweat to add to the conversation 

Yes, I too have nothing tasteful to say about boob sweat...
 

I do....Soap,  steam, bubbles, and hot water are ingenious multi tools that should be shared regularly with a close friend!:rofl:

[Padre]

Short answer to that question about MT's.
"What MT should I buy?"

Plier based:
Wave, or if you have the money, Spirit.

SAK-style:
Any two layer 91mm will do.

Right?
 

[AimlessWanderer]

Q's

Pliers based or knife based?
Most important functions? Why?
Preferred size/weight? How will it be carried?
Special considerations? (left handed, oily hands, corrosive environments, legalities....)

I generally wouldn't make any recommendations to a new user without taking such questions into account. If I did, it would be a bad recommendation.

[raistlin65]

Once of the best pieces of advice I think you can give an MT newbie is to get an awl because you can use it for many tasks that would dull your primary blade.

BTW: I'm at a loss for what to say about boob sweat to add to the conversation 

Yes, I too have nothing tasteful to say about boob sweat...
 

I do....Soap,  steam, bubbles, and hot water are ingenious multi tools that should be shared regularly with a close friend!:rofl:

Seems like there might be a need to start a boob sweat recommendation thread in the Break Room! 

[SteelRaven]

Once of the best pieces of advice I think you can give an MT newbie is to get an awl because you can use it for many tasks that would dull your primary blade.

BTW: I'm at a loss for what to say about boob sweat to add to the conversation 

Yes, I too have nothing tasteful to say about boob sweat...
 

I do....Soap,  steam, bubbles, and hot water are ingenious multi tools that should be shared regularly with a close friend!:rofl:

Seems like there might be a need to start a boob sweat recommendation thread in the Break Room! 

New from MTO...Boob Lube.

Long lasting lube, cleans and protects the MTs you love the most.

 Boobs too!

Environmentally friendly, non toxic. Prevents rust, chaffing, scratches, heat rash...harmless to all materials.

And the best part...your favorite MTs has the same floral dreamy scent as all your other toys!!

[DaveK]

I remembered doing this blog a while ago - blimey just look at the posting date 

I think its pretty valid still : http://blog.mtblog.org/?p=27

[Steinar]

I remembered doing this blog a while ago - blimey just look at the posting date 

I think its pretty valid still : http://blog.mtblog.org/?p=27

The nasty part is no tool has arrived which has shaken up the landscape since then either.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I remembered doing this blog a while ago - blimey just look at the posting date 

I think its pretty valid still : http://blog.mtblog.org/?p=27

So.... your suggestion for someone looking to benefit from the sum total of experience from thousands of members on this site is..... to go somewhere else?

Ouch..... 

Def

[SteelRaven]

I remembered doing this blog a while ago - blimey just look at the posting date 

I think its pretty valid still : http://blog.mtblog.org/?p=27

So.... your suggestion for someone looking to benefit from the sum total of experience from thousands of members on this site is..... to go somewhere else?

Ouch..... 

Def

Sorry boss, you're stuck with me!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Good- you have learned the first lesson, "do not listen to DaveK" early on! 

Def

[SteelRaven]

Good- you have learned the first lesson, "do not listen to DaveK" early on! 

Def

I listen to many voices...the ones in my head are whispering "Becker Bk9!!"

Am I crazy?? :ahh:

[DaveK]

I remembered doing this blog a while ago - blimey just look at the posting date 

I think its pretty valid still : http://blog.mtblog.org/?p=27

So.... your suggestion for someone looking to benefit from the sum total of experience from thousands of members on this site is..... to go somewhere else?

Ouch..... 

Def

Ha! Sorry - didn't think too deeply about it.

Suggestion was more to pinch what you think is relevant really. Besides, you don't need to spend long on that blog before you're diverted back here - there's a fair few backlinks

[SteelRaven]

My major MT bark in the a$$ is I have an older LM sage with the non replaceable jaws...

Simple...buy another tool...well at $150 that's a pain at this moment, so I wanna simply change the plier head....

Where to get it??

Leatherman...I know. Will they sell it...??

[Grant Lamontagne]

I don't believe they will. They would rather that you spent the money on a new tool and they also don't really like people tinting with their tools, which is why they use security bits to hold them together.

That's why this place is here- someone might be willing to sell you a spare head if they have one after the mods they have done. 

Def

[SteelRaven]

I don't believe they will. They would rather that you spent the money on a new tool and they also don't really like people tinting with their tools, which is why they use security bits to hold them together.

That's why this place is here- someone might be willing to sell you a spare head if they have one after the mods they have done. 

Def

Well that's a good thought...have to check into that option!