A Newbie looking to fill his new EDC (Maxpedition Fatty)...

[Pecos Bill]

Hello All,
I discovered that I am a occult techno-geek! Since that revelation, I have started researching this EDC thing... 
I am NOT a collector (at this time!), and I actually use my tools for hardcore work. I have discovered these various multitools (my head is spinning with all the choices!), as well as the massive amount of information listed on this site. I would like one, maybe two, to stick in this organizer. From what I have read and seen here,  there are several MT's that I would like: Swisstool (non-Spirit) , SOG Power, and LM Charge or the Surge model.
My apologies for taking too long to ask, "Which two tools would you recommend?" $$$ budget is not a concern at the moment (christmas for me ).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Oh yeah, this site ROCKS!
-PB

[Bensasupertool]

Id say keep the tool over 4 inches for your hardcore work. My first LM was a ST300 and that tool has been abused on construction sites. It works well in gloves and hates water. The sky is the limit here dude.

[stealth007s]

You're on the right track with what you want. Can't speak for the Swiss Tool or any SOG products but I can say the LM stuff is usually spot on.

Welcome to the forum!¡!

[AimlessWanderer]

The Charge or Wave is a good all-rounder, and having the pocket clip and OHO blades can be very nice for many people. It's not as heavy duty as some of the other tools you listed though. The Swisstool is fantastic, though some people in oily scenarios aren't happy with their hands slipping on the tool. The SOG pliers are great, but the other implements aren't as heavy as the other options. I'm not overly familiar with the Surge.

My personal favourite is the Swisstool

[dks]

As it was suggested there are several good options.

If you do not need outside opening tools then, my favourite, the LM ST300 is very good and comes with replaceable cutters on the pliers, so if you damage them cutting hard wires you can replace them. The file on the ST300, however, is just ok.
The Surge is considered less heavy duty than the ST300, but comes with scissors, outside opening tools, replaceable saw and file, takes a variety of bits but has no replaceable cutters.

The Wave is basically a smaller version of the Surge and there is also the Rebar that is a smaller version of the ST300.

The Victorinox Swisstool is a good, solid, nicely finished tool, which to me looks too pretty for hard work, so I do not use it. Others that use it love it.

The SOG has excellent pliers, since the force you apply is multiplied through them more than with normal pliers and you can easily change the tools on it; customisation. The tools are not really heavy duty and lately I and others, have been seriously let down by SOG quality.
Some Gerber products are loved by some but I do not use any of them heavily to know their limits.
You may also look at the LM Crunch, if you need pliers that really grab strongly.
There are also some good, cheaper, offerings from e.g. Ganzo.

If you need tools that will complement each other then your 1st choice will affect your 2nd (if you have scissors on one tool you will not need them on the other).


Also decide what you mean by heavy duty as the Surge, ST300 and Swisstool are especially heavy and you will feel their weight all the time.

[Pecos Bill]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, and also the welcome. I am gonna go with the Swisstool to start (the CS plus).

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Hi Pecos!  Welcome to MT.O!   

Since you're getting a Swisstool, I'd also recommend something smaller to compliment it as well.  There will be some overlap though, since the Swisstools come with pretty much every possible thing in an MT. 

Look at something like a Juice S2 or a mid-size SAK for pocket carry.  The Vic Climber, Tinker, Explorer, Compact, Camper, Hiker, Huntsman, etc. are all pocketable, will fit in one of the loops of a MaxPed EDCO, and have a good selection of handy tools.  The Wenger SAKs are also excellent, and have some nice features the Victorinoxes don't, like a locking main blade and outstanding scissors, and they're just a bit smaller than a regular Vic SAK.  A Wenger model like the S14 or S16 is a great pocket EDC knife.

If you want something that's more of a true folding knife, then check out the Buck X-tract.  They make a few different models, and everything opens with one hand (except for the scissors on the "Fin" model.)  They're very durable and decently priced.

And, just to throw another bone out there, you should consider getting a decent torch for your MaxP EDCO too...  There are a lot of good LED models available now, with a wide range of sizes, outputs, emitter types/tints, and prices.  A good entry level LED torch will only run about $25.  A really nice high end EDC torch is in the $70 range.  Most are also small enough to also fit in one of the elastic loops on the EDCO too.

[MARIOS7319]

Welcome aboard Pecos! 
You have made the right choice IMHO with the Victorinox Swisstool.
You will never regret it.
A will agree with Heinz you have to carry a decent torch in your EDC bag.
With that two in your bag you can deal, with almost everything.
 

[Pecos Bill]

@ Heinz & Mario,

The Buck X-tool looks promising! I don't know much about torches (flashlight?) tech. Did a quick search and discovered there are people as fervent about 'torches', as there are about mt's...
I did see something that may work:
http://goinggear.com/nitecore-ea1-explorer-series-1-x-aa-180-lumen-led-flashlight.html?utm_source=Newsletter+9%2F12%2F2012&utm_campaign=20120912+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

If either of you have suggestions on torches that will fit(most lumens per $), in the maxped fatty, lemme know.
This is good stuff to know!
Thanks again,
PB

[Northern Geek]

@ Heinz & Mario,

The Buck X-tool looks promising! I don't know much about torches (flashlight?) tech. Did a quick search and discovered there are people as fervent about 'torches', as there are about mt's...
I did see something that may work:
http://goinggear.com/nitecore-ea1-explorer-series-1-x-aa-180-lumen-led-flashlight.html?utm_source=Newsletter+9%2F12%2F2012&utm_campaign=20120912+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

If either of you have suggestions on torches that will fit(most lumens per $), in the maxped fatty, lemme know.
This is good stuff to know!
Thanks again,
PB

Check out the flashlight section of MTO

[Zed]

Welcome  I've had a swisstool and liked it but pretty heavy I've also tried all the leathermans and you can't go wrong with the wave or charge. as allrounders i use a sog powerlock for more abusive work and edc a sog pocket power pliers as compact.

[Pignut71]

Welcome! 

I don't think you can go far wrong with the four makers you have mentioned. However, If you appreciate a very well engineered product with a quality finish then you have already selected the perfect tool.

On the subject of flashlights, the only bit of advise I would give you is don't get too bogged down with lumens. I did this and realised that in fact I prefer a decent balance between lumens and runtime. Nothing worse than constantly changing cells or having to carry a bulk of spares IMO.

Enjoy...

Regards, Jon.

[Zed]

I was using my phone before lol so here it is a bit better written lol, ok wave and charge are great alrounders as cover pretty much everything,the swisstool is amazingly made and has real fiddle factor, the powerlock and st300 make great solid work tools but I like the sogs bit adapter at work  the pocket powerpliers is great due to its compact size also I like the fact you can change the tools on sogs,but if I had to have one mt to cover most jobs well it would be a wave or charge  saying that I've decided I need a swisstool again and a original wave to finish my collection off   

[gregozedobe]

.... I actually use my tools for hardcore work.

If you can tell us some more about what you intend to use these tools (or at least the main/essential tasks) for we can give more targeted recommendations.  You are right, there are so many different MTs, and each has its individual strengths and weaknesses.

[derekmac]

Id say keep the tool over 4 inches for your hardcore work.

Haven't had my coffee yet, so this made me chuckle!   

Welcome to the site!!  I have a Swisstool, and a Gerber MP800.  Both are big and capable tools.  I carry my Swisstool everyday, and it hasn't let me down yet, but neither did the MP800. 

If you're able to, go to a store and try holding some in your hands to see how they feel.  You don't want to get something that sounds good in writing, but isn't comfortable in your hands.

[Pecos Bill]

I'll try to provide a little background. I work in commercial construction, I mountain bike, backpack, and a little time on my HAWG. I actually need the MT more when I mountain bike than when at work!
Guyz, all the suggestions are great, and I'll keep you posted with pics on my 'Project EDC' build.
It's also good to see some humour here... (4" LOL!!!).

[Zed]

I'll try to provide a little background. I work in commercial construction, I mountain bike, backpack, and a little time on my HAWG. I actually need the MT more when I mountain bike than when at work!
Guyz, all the suggestions are great, and I'll keep you posted with pics on my 'Project EDC' build.
It's also good to see some humour here... (4" LOL!!!).

theres plenty of that here mate and cool folk  ive mountainbiked for over 23 years and carried a wave since 98 and found it worked well combined with other tools but i still carry a selection of the usual bicycle kit as well  your swisstool should work fine, im sure you will try a few more out and as said its nice to combine MT's with SAK's etc, just check out the many forums and do a little searching 

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

P-Bill... NiteCore has a good reputation in general, but they've been going through some significant transitions in the last year and a half or so.  They're now owned by the same company that own Jetbeam, another high end torch manufacturer, and until NC released the new explorer series with the digital side clicky, it was nearly impossible to tell an NC from a JB.  That said, I've heard a lot of good things about the new NC digital side clickies.  My issue with their new products is they only make them with cool tint (bluish, purplish) emitters, which I really dislike.  I also have several other lights from other companies, some more than others, and there are a lot of options available, depending on what your needs are.

I agree that you shouldn't obsess over getting maximum lumens.  Beam profile, tint, and run time are also important considerations in a good torch.  I will happily sacrifice a percentage of total lumens for a beam profile or tint that gives me a better experience with a torch.  What I mean by that is how well will it truly show colors, and is the beam wider and broader, or is it narrow and long?  Does it have a large diffuse hotspot, or a small and cleanly defined one.  Most people find flood beams with diffuse hotspots to be best for EDC use.  "Neutral" or "high color rendering index" (HCRI) lights are specifically designed to a better job at accurately showing the color of an object.  Unless you have a specific need for something like that, like say, telling different wires in a junction box apart, they're kind of specialty items, but still very nice to have even if you don't have need for fine color discrimination with a light.

There are a lot of nice 1xAA and 1xCR123 lights on the market, but my all time favorites are made by a company called Zebralight.  (I've already gotten a handful of other members here hooked on them...  )  You can check out their stuff at zebralight.com and Travis is an authorized reseller of their lights.  I have like, five of them now... three headlamps and two flashlights.  The nice thing about the Zebras is they make most every model in either a 1xAA or 1xCR123 version, with cool, neutral, or HCRI emitters, they have incredible run times for the amount of output they have, and the user interface is one of, if not the best, I've ever used.  It's hard to wrong with one of their lights.  Another company that makes outstanding high end lights is called Spark.  They have both headlamps and flashlights, and also make some outstanding products.  I have one of their 1xAA headlamps as well, and it outdoes some of my Zebras in certain ways.  That's the trick with lights; like any other tool, there are different ones that work better/best for different usage/task situations.  The most important thing is to figure out your intended use first, and then get recommendations from there.

Anyway, *end brain-dump*...    Hope this helps.  Feel free to ask us anything you want to know about getting a good torch for your kit.   

[Dtrain]

A Good Pair of Pliers and a Roll of Duck Tape!

Dtrain

[MARIOS7319]

Welcome! 

I don't think you can go far wrong with the four makers you have mentioned. However, If you appreciate a very well engineered product with a quality finish then you have already selected the perfect tool.

On the subject of flashlights, the only bit of advise I would give you is don't get too bogged down with lumens. I did this and realised that in fact I prefer a decent balance between lumens and runtime. Nothing worse than constantly changing cells or having to carry a bulk of spares IMO.

Enjoy...

Regards, Jon.

+1 

Also as others wrote, it depends for what work you want the flashlight.
I have two of Led Lenser and i am very satisfied.
I am waiting to arrive a SUNWAYMAN M20A, because this company has excellent build quality and very bright focussed beam in their flashlights.
I will post at the Flashlight Forum, when i will receive it.

[Bensasupertool]

Id say keep the tool over 4 inches for your hardcore work.

Haven't had my coffee yet, so this made me chuckle!   

Welcome to the site!!  I have a Swisstool, and a Gerber MP800.  Both are big and capable tools.  I carry my Swisstool everyday, and it hasn't let me down yet, but neither did the MP800. 

If you're able to, go to a store and try holding some in your hands to see how they feel.  You don't want to get something that sounds good in writing, but isn't comfortable in your hands.

haaaaaaaaaa dirty minds.

[Zed]

Id say keep the tool over 4 inches for your hardcore work.

Haven't had my coffee yet, so this made me chuckle!   

Welcome to the site!!  I have a Swisstool, and a Gerber MP800.  Both are big and capable tools.  I carry my Swisstool everyday, and it hasn't let me down yet, but neither did the MP800. 

If you're able to, go to a store and try holding some in your hands to see how they feel.  You don't want to get something that sounds good in writing, but isn't comfortable in your hands.

haaaaaaaaaa dirty minds.

Yeah the mp800 is a big chunky Tool     

[Snagga]

There are tons of youtube videos that will give you alot of great ideas for your fatty. Boils down to your specific needs. I keep a surge in my fatty. I like being able to use a metal cutting blade in the saw holder. I will be changing out the head to a sp300 head soon. Good luck

[SwissArmy Zippo]

My Current edc. Not in pic but recently added juice s2.  Also there's a link to my edc attached.

[Zed]

I think what we carry in these organisers is a personal preference to what you use daily or might need,mine is a mix of drivers/watch reparis tools,and cycling tools, so again personal too me, here is mine, not a fatty but you get the idea