I NEED your HELP picking a Multi-Tool

[P2K1]

Hey everybody I need help from those who know multi-tools. I'm looking to pick one up for work. I'm working as a carpenter's assistant at a theme park but we don't so much do carpentry as much as repairs around the park. We have a huge array of power tools and hand tools and all that so I won't be using this for any serious work, I just want a knife obviously as well as an array of versatility so that for tiny things that need to be done I can just use the knife instead of having to grab a tool from the truck. Quality and durability are a big priority as well. I'd love any advice you can give, thanks

[Charger]

get a leatherman charge. Premium steel blades, solid as rocks, and the bit system is a must for being ready to repair something.
 
http://www.leatherman.com/family/multi-tools/Full-size%20Tools(anything that says charge on that page)
Welcome to the forum!

[nuphoria]

Welcome to the forum PK21 

The Charge is certainly an excellent tool with many fans, but it really depends on your needs and personal likes and dislikes. The Vic Spirit is also really popular and solid 

The main multitool.org site (linked top left) has a massive archive of reviews which are well worth reading too.

[Pacu]

no question here....leatherman Wave hands down.

[Vadim]

Charge,Swisstool Spirit - you never be disappointed  .........or.... -  SURGE! 

[nelly1974]

 Although i don't own one and don't really care for it my self,
I think you would do well with a Leatherman Supertool 300.
The pliers are the strongest on the market and all the tools inside are well built including the knives.

[jekostas]

What would you most used tools be and how much do you want to spend?

[nelly1974]

  Oh welcome to the forums bud

[ratslash7]

Do you know what kind of fasteners you are likely to run into? If it's mostly Phillips and slotted screws and the occasional cotter pin then there are lots of choices. If you're going to run into torx, Robertson, really big or small phillips then you might want to consider a Leatherman that can use the bit-kit. Of there is going to be alot of nuts and bolts then the Leatherman Crunch can be really handy.

I never know what I'm going to face so I carry a Leatherman Charge TTI with a bit card and a 4" adjustable wrench and bit extender in the side pockets of the sheath. It rarely fails me.

Welcome to the forum.

[hingesadness]

no question here....leatherman Wave hands down.

x2

I admittedly haven't tried many full size MTs but the Wave is just incredible.  No tool can do everything, but I feel pretty confident with my wave.  The locking blades with one hand opening are great.  I don't think I'd want to go back to two hand open and/or non-locking.  The diamond file is awesome.  When I'm busy working in the garage I pull out my Wave when the "right" tool is out of reach.

I carry a Micra on my keychain as well.  It's great too.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Being in Canada I'd suggest that you get something that takes standard hexagonal bits for one simple reason- Robertson screws.  You are likely to encounter them all over the place, and SOG is the only one that that offers a Robertson component, but it means buying a SOG, ordering the Robertson and installing it in the tool- better to just buy a tool that accepts a standard 1/4" hexagonal bit then go to Canadian Tire and buy a decent bit set that includes Robertsons.

Some good ones with a standard hex adapter are CRKT's Zilla Tool, Leatherman's [url-http://www.multitool.org/leatherman-tool-group/medium-tools/leatherman-crunch.html]Crunch[/url] and Spyderco's SpydeRench/ByrdRench.  You really can't go wrong with any tools from the main companies like Gerber, SOG, Leatherman, Victorinox, Wenger, Bear or Columbia River Knife and Tool, which means it all boils down to the features you want and the price you are willing to pay.

Since you are in/near Toronto, go and see Sean and/or Rodney at S&R Knives on the second floor (outside Sears) of the Woodbine Mall in Etobicoke and tell them I sent you, and you need a good tool.  They'll set you right.

Def

[lovenhim]

You are getting a lot of great advice.. My vote for you is the Leatherman Wave.  I say this because it has the same toolset as the Leatherman Charge models but is cheaper and can still use the optional Bitset and bit extensions.  I love my Leatherman wave. 

[Zed]

A wave is a top choice, but doing your job i would choose a ST300 as has great very versatile drivers , and a micra on your keys so you have scissors, its a great paring, the only problem you may find with the wave is the bit driver as the drivers arnt very long so hard to get in fiddly places, still a great tool though ,

paul

here is a size comparison,

the st300 and the wave


and here is some mods i made for the bit driver on the wave,
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,19384.0.html

[Mercury]

My vote goes to a Leatherman Blast with a bit kit.  Versatility with the bit kit, rock solid multitool, and it weighs practically nothing on your belt.  It pretty much has everything once you add the bit kit. 

[Chako]

I am going to pitch my tent with Grant. Robertsons are everywhere in Canada. I would definitely go with something that can accept a standard hex adapter. If the knife is all important, the Zilla tool is your key. It comes with a very strong set of pliers, a beautiful sized work blade, and the hex kit. You can carry two bits in the tool.

A lot of good advice in this tread all around.

[MultiMat]

I guess mate if having a knife you can easily open & open quickly the Leatherman Wave & Charges have blade finger holes for easy one handed opening with the added advantage of not having too open the tool up too access the blade(s).

If speed & ease of blade deployment the Leatherman Core would be a tops work horse , it has only recently been retired & upgraded by Leatherman's SuperTool 300 which a lot of members here also love  .
 

That said most of the larger Multitools by Leatherman , Victorinox , SOG & Gerber would probably serve you very well .

G'day & welcome mate 

[Styerman]

A leatherman of some flavor ( even the lowly kick would be OK ) , a Universal Tool Adaptor , and 1/4" hex bits . A wave or Charge would be cool , if they are in your Budget . If you are close to a Le Baron or Bass Pro outlet , you can see them in person .

The Vic. Spirit or Swisstool is a strong contender , and will also operate the U.T.A.

In a job like yours , I would also throw a Kline 10 in one driver in the leg pocket of my Carpenter's pants . It will outperform the drivers on any Multi .

Where are you located , might be able to advise on Brick and mortar locations near you .

Chris

[WhichDawg]

when I was in the trades I seen many with Leathermans. they do have so many models to choose from.

if i went back I'd bring my Vic Spirit, good size and great tool compliment.

[Inzelique]

If the "tool" aspect is more important than the knife, look at the Supertool with a universal adapter or a bit driver adapter so you can use any 1/4" bit and if absolutely necessary it will work as a nut driver.  I'd also look at the SOG. It is fairly customizable and you can get a robertson bit on board.  ( don't the Wave and Charges also have a " Canadian" bit set available? )  The SOG also has the 1/4" socket drive and with an adapter will also drive any 1/4" bit. 
The SOG is a bit less expensive because you don't need the special flat bits, but the Leatherman options are MUCH easier to carry on your person.
My Blast and driver adapter with bits fits comfortably in a pouch about the size of a cell phone holster.

[asupernothing]

i would go with the lm charge alx. you cnat go wrong with having 2 bit drivers. even if they are the special flat bits. for most specialized jobs you will be using specialized tools. but having a mt is always helpful. earlier today at work i was using my s2 and charge alx while threading iron pipe.
the handle on our threader is broken so the s2 was my handle. and i was doing a deep thread job so the charge was holding the release to keep it from disengaging.
now if i had not had the 2 mts with me i would still have been able to do the job. but they saved me about 20 minutes.

i lost focus somewhere in that and dont remember what my ultimate point was...

[P2K1]

This is an old thread but Id like to thank everyone who replied your advice was very helpful I picked up a Surge today. I've got to get a cordless drill/gun and sawzall which brands do you guys stand by? (Quality and durability are what I'm looking for)