My Two Favorite Multi Tools, A Comparison

lovenhim · **on:** October 30, 2010, 04:53:41 AM

Hello everyone. I thought I would talk a little about my two most used and most loved multi tools that I own. I want to say up front that I am not a collector, I am a user. I would rather have a few tools that I use than a collection of items that I just look at now and then. That being said, my two most loved multi tools that I own are the Leatherman Wave and Victorinox Spirit.
   There is a lot to like about both of these multi tools and I like them both for different reasons. Overall fit and finish and how solid the tool feels, the Vic Spirit wins this hands down. It feels like it is better built and more sold and I like the positive feel of the springs when the locks for each tool are engaged. The Vic wins on this as I prefer its locking to the Leatherman Wave.
   The outside one hand opening blades on the Wave are a feature that I like but it is not a deal breaker for me. The Vic Spirit also has outside opening blades, however they are not one hand opening, but that is ok with me. One feature that I like very much about the Victorinox Spirit is that all its tools are opened from the outside of the tool, so you do not have to open it up to access a screwdriver. You have to open uo the Wave to use its tools, not a big deal, I just prefer the Vic Spirit for ease of use.
   One area that the Wave shines is in its optional bit kit and extension, I love that. I know the Vic Spirit has an optional tool set, however I do not own it so I can not comment on it, yet I am sure that it is very nice and would be just as handy as the bit kit for the Wave. The Wave has an optional and very nice pocket clip that you can install, I wish the Vic Spirit had this. You can add a clip to it by using a pocket clip made for a handgun which is held on by 3M tape, however I do not own it so I can not comment on it.
   Overall I think that you can not go wrong with either of these multi tools and they will both do the job and are very nice to carry and use. Below are some comparison pictures so you can see these two multi tools side by side.

EZ822 · **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2010, 10:47:56 AM

Great comparison.

rp252 · **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2010, 11:23:46 AM

Cheers for the comparison mate. If you were forced to choose between the two which would you go for?

lovenhim · **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2010, 05:22:59 PM

Quote from: rp252 on October 30, 2010, 11:23:46 AM

Cheers for the comparison mate. If you were forced to choose between the two which would you go for?

If I were force to pick one of these two, it would be the Leatherman Wave and here is why I would pick it over all:

it is less expensive to buy
the bit kit and extension make it versatile
the clip in pocket clip that removes easily
the stock sheath is leather, has a snap and can do horizontal carry

I like them both and these two are the best that I own, however for me if I could only own one and use one, it would be the Leatherman Wave.

scrappy · **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2010, 06:05:17 PM

Nice comparison. I think much of the community here would put those up as the best brands out there for the points you have mentioned

J-sews · **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2010, 02:38:17 AM

Nice side by side there lovenhim

Benner · **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2010, 03:19:18 PM

Great work mate.

Mercury · **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2010, 12:47:44 AM

Both are great tools, nice comparison!

Hull_ n_Back · **Reply #8 on:** November 02, 2010, 01:42:37 AM

Nice work!

Having owned both i personally would go for the Spirit, but you can't go wrong with either

sawman · **Reply #9 on:** November 02, 2010, 03:25:31 AM

Very nice comparison. I'd be curious as to what you think of the Charge (AL*/TTi). Anyhow, you have great taste in multitools

Nathan · **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2010, 07:50:09 AM

Nice comparison. I still don't own a Victorinox plier based multitool, but my Wave is great.

lovenhim · **Reply #11 on:** November 04, 2010, 07:03:38 PM

Quote from: sawman on November 02, 2010, 03:25:31 AM

Very nice comparison. I'd be curious as to what you think of the Charge (AL*/TTi). Anyhow, you have great taste in multitools

I would love to see, use, and try out a Charge AL/TTi.

Mercury · **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2010, 05:15:48 PM

The AL has an awesome feel to it, never tried a TTi.

lovenhim · **Reply #13 on:** November 08, 2010, 02:29:11 AM

I had a chance today to use the Vic Spirit while the Wave was sent in for repair. I can say this, the Vic Spirit feels much more solid when using the philips driver to take apart a baby crib. It does not have the play the Wave does in its replaceable bits. I am loving the Vic Spirit more every day.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2010, 02:50:48 AM

Well, that tears it.

lovenhim, you've convinced me. I'm going to carry my Vic Spirit for the next few weeks on the farm and see what I think. There's plenty of planned wiring and routine work to see how it does.

This sort of thread is what makes MTO so valuable. Where else can you find so many unvarnished opinions of tools in the real world.

scrappy · **Reply #15 on:** November 08, 2010, 03:51:44 AM

Quote from: lovenhim on November 08, 2010, 02:29:11 AM

I had a chance today to use the Vic Spirit while the Wave was sent in for repair. I can say this, the Vic Spirit feels much more solid when using the philips driver to take apart a baby crib. It does not have the play the Wave does in its replaceable bits. I am loving the Vic Spirit more every day.

My wave has no play in the driver. That is too bad

lovenhim · **Reply #16 on:** November 08, 2010, 04:40:06 AM

My Wave has a very slight play in the fold out tool, a very slight amount of loose fit when you add a bit, and I have no measured it yet (and maybe I will) but I would say maybe 1/8 inch of play when I use the extension. The Vic Spirit is solid and very tight on all its tools and drivers. I really want a fullsize Swisstool now.

Dunc · **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2010, 09:52:18 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on November 08, 2010, 02:50:48 AM

Well, that tears it.

lovenhim, you've convinced me. I'm going to carry my Vic Spirit for the next few weeks on the farm and see what I think. There's plenty of planned wiring and routine work to see how it does.

This sort of thread is what makes MTO so valuable. Where else can you find so many unvarnished opinions of tools in the real world.

And this is the sort of reply that also makes MTO valuable

Can't wait to read your findings .

Dunc