Best non mainstream MT?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

After Pacu's discovery of an Uttica copy it got me to thinking of what the best non major brand MT is

I would of said Bear and son's efforts but even they are a fairly major manufacturer, so I guess its over to you guy

[dks]

Manufacturer or brand?
Bahco tend to be decent and widespread in DIY stores but they do not make (all) their own multitools...

Ganzo seems to make many tools, some ok some not, so even though their line is small they seem pretty big manufacturing wise.

SOG small enough?

[Ashley]

I actually like the Cabela's multi with light very well.

Sent from Ash forum mobile

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've seen Bahco's and they do look good

Not seen the other suggestions though

[dks]

Not seen the other suggestions though

You must have seen SOGs 

Here is a discussion about Ganzos:
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,37309.msg604560.html#msg604560

and some 1st looks at them
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,28974.msg498478.html#msg498478
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,24439.msg446417.html#msg446417
(that was I think my 1st ever post, and you replied in the thread; short memory, right?  )

If you look at them in Exduct you will recognise them as products being sold with many different names on them: http://www.exduct.com/ganzo-multi-tools-online-wholesale-store.html

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

After almost 40,000 posts everything gets a little hazy

[Zed]

i would like to try this one out 

http://www.exduct.com/Chinese-Folding-Knives/Ganzo-Knives/G201B-Ganzo-Multi-Tool.html

[AimlessWanderer]

Non-mainstream ... 

Well most of the SAK's I carry are ones that have been discontinued as the manufacturer thought they were no longer marketable. Many of my other carried MT's are discontinued too such as Core, MP700, Bear Jaws (Mini, Standard and Super), Mini, KF4 etc etc. Some of my MTs have been modded which I suppose takes them out of mainstream too.

As regards tools which are a non-mainstream manufacturer or brand ... I have a Bahco branded one with corkscrew (manufacturer unknown), but aside from that most I've tried that has been off-brand has either failed me or just not been suitable for my needs. The little Sheffield branded keyring tool, the IDL T5 and T7, the Screwzall are all usable but limited.

I think True Utility has come up with some nice little items, but not necessarily multis. Twistick, Telepen, Eyeglass, Slimclips are all decent offerings from them. I have limited exposure to their multitools though

I'm not sure there's any particular one th ..... WOAH! Got one!

Swisstech Utilikey!!! That's the one that get's my vote 

[nuphoria]

Good question Mr.LOTS

I don't know... I don't have or use any!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Me neither, but then maybe that should be addressed as there could be some fine tools to be had

[Steinar]

Too bad Lynn has connectivity problems, I think she would have great input here.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Too bad Lynn has connectivity problems, I think she would have great input here.

True enough

[rdub934]

i would like to try this one out 

http://www.exduct.com/Chinese-Folding-Knives/Ganzo-Knives/G201B-Ganzo-Multi-Tool.html

I really like this one. Would love to mess around with one to see how it performs. Although I do not like the butterfly shape of the closed tool, all those outside accesible tools are pretty sweet.

[Sazabi]

Non-mainstream ... 

Well most of the SAK's I carry are ones that have been discontinued as the manufacturer thought they were no longer marketable. Many of my other carried MT's are discontinued too such as Core, MP700, Bear Jaws (Mini, Standard and Super), Mini, KF4 etc etc. Some of my MTs have been modded which I suppose takes them out of mainstream too.

As regards tools which are a non-mainstream manufacturer or brand ... I have a Bahco branded one with corkscrew (manufacturer unknown), but aside from that most I've tried that has been off-brand has either failed me or just not been suitable for my needs. The little Sheffield branded keyring tool, the IDL T5 and T7, the Screwzall are all usable but limited.

I think True Utility has come up with some nice little items, but not necessarily multis. Twistick, Telepen, Eyeglass, Slimclips are all decent offerings from them. I have limited exposure to their multitools though

I'm not sure there's any particular one th ..... WOAH! Got one!

Swisstech Utilikey!!! That's the one that get's my vote 

Just as a head's up, the Mini Bear Jaws is still made, however the non-locking Bear Jaws and Super Bear Jaws aren't - only their locking counterparts are now. :/

[AimlessWanderer]

Non-mainstream ... 

Well most of the SAK's I carry are ones that have been discontinued as the manufacturer thought they were no longer marketable. Many of my other carried MT's are discontinued too such as Core, MP700, Bear Jaws (Mini, Standard and Super), Mini, KF4 etc etc. Some of my MTs have been modded which I suppose takes them out of mainstream too.

As regards tools which are a non-mainstream manufacturer or brand ... I have a Bahco branded one with corkscrew (manufacturer unknown), but aside from that most I've tried that has been off-brand has either failed me or just not been suitable for my needs. The little Sheffield branded keyring tool, the IDL T5 and T7, the Screwzall are all usable but limited.

I think True Utility has come up with some nice little items, but not necessarily multis. Twistick, Telepen, Eyeglass, Slimclips are all decent offerings from them. I have limited exposure to their multitools though

I'm not sure there's any particular one th ..... WOAH! Got one!

Swisstech Utilikey!!! That's the one that get's my vote 

Just as a head's up, the Mini Bear Jaws is still made, however the non-locking Bear Jaws and Super Bear Jaws aren't - only their locking counterparts are now. :/

Yeah, I actually knew that  brain fart on my part 
Thanks for the correction 

[Sazabi]

Non-mainstream ... 

Well most of the SAK's I carry are ones that have been discontinued as the manufacturer thought they were no longer marketable. Many of my other carried MT's are discontinued too such as Core, MP700, Bear Jaws (Mini, Standard and Super), Mini, KF4 etc etc. Some of my MTs have been modded which I suppose takes them out of mainstream too.

As regards tools which are a non-mainstream manufacturer or brand ... I have a Bahco branded one with corkscrew (manufacturer unknown), but aside from that most I've tried that has been off-brand has either failed me or just not been suitable for my needs. The little Sheffield branded keyring tool, the IDL T5 and T7, the Screwzall are all usable but limited.

I think True Utility has come up with some nice little items, but not necessarily multis. Twistick, Telepen, Eyeglass, Slimclips are all decent offerings from them. I have limited exposure to their multitools though

I'm not sure there's any particular one th ..... WOAH! Got one!

Swisstech Utilikey!!! That's the one that get's my vote 

Just as a head's up, the Mini Bear Jaws is still made, however the non-locking Bear Jaws and Super Bear Jaws aren't - only their locking counterparts are now. :/

Yeah, I actually knew that  brain fart on my part 
Thanks for the correction 

No worries, just thought you'd want to know so you could get some spares.

[batrev]

I have to second the vote on the utilikey. I've carried one every fay for 8 years. It sees nearly daily use and is still good as new!

[nuphoria]

Just thought of one people have talking about recently - that Rough Rider with pliers.

Apparently it's rather good for the money

[scrappy]

Great topic!

I vote multitasker.

[Grant Lamontagne]

What about the Raker Ring Tool?  Does that count?  I'd be hard pressed to think of a non mainstream tool that is in more MTO member hands than that one.

Def

[Ombudsman]

Great topic!

I vote multitasker.

+1  Multitasker Rulz ! 

[Gareth]

I don't have many non-mainstream tools but I do quite like my True Utility Mini-Mate.

[scrappy]

I don't have many non-mainstream tools but I do quite like my True Utility Mini-Mate.

that is a cool looking tool. I like the serrated blade. I will have to find one here in the US

[Gareth]

I don't have many non-mainstream tools but I do quite like my True Utility Mini-Mate.

that is a cool looking tool. I like the serrated blade. I will have to find one here in the US

Did you have a look at my little review?  The strap cutter/serrated edge is an excellent little tool, the other serrated knife/saw/thingy is just odd.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,38833.0.html

[parnass]

My favorite non mainstream multitool is the non locking Crescent ToolzAll Pro, made by Bear & Son.  It is a clone of the Bear Jaws 155 and resembles a more comfortable, easier to use Leatherman PST, but with outside opening implements and beefier handles. 

Bear & Son no longer offers the non locking version Bear Jaws and reports of the locking version aren't as complimentary.