New to multitools, suggestions if you please.

[Droc]

Hello everyone. 

I recently became interested with multitools after I purchased a Gerber Suspension(it was cheap) for a family member. 
I have owned a number of swiss knives and various unmemorable tools in the past and now am looking into purchasing something for daily use. 

Im not looking to go budget crazy, and I wont be modding.  I just need a small, compact tool thats solid quality but rugged enough for daily use.  Im a contractor by trade and often need small tools around the house.  I dont have firearms anymore, so something like the MUT is not needed...although the hammer is a sweet feature. 

So far I have been eyeing up the Skeletool CX

Being in Canada, amazon.ca looks to be my best bet for purchase. 

COmments/suggestions?

[Lynn LeFey]

I think I can safely say you'll get suggestions for the Leatherman Wave and the Victorinox Spirit. Those are two very good tools. if your budget is tighter than what those tools cost, I'm sure folks can provide more options.

Also, welcome to the boards.

[JAfromMn]

I'm going to suggest you look into the leatherman juice line of tools.

I'm a handy man at work and I carry a juice s2 or Xe6 around the house often.

its about the same size as the suspension but a better made tool with usable tools .

you can't go wrong with a skelettl cx if you think you'll need a one hand knife tool.

enjoy the hunt of your right tool.

[stealth007s]

Welcome to the forum Droc!¡! I'd go with the Wave or Charge for work stuffs and any of the Juices for around the house

[sjian]

The Skeletool CX is more like an upgraded pocket knife than your standard multitool in my opinion.  It really only has 3 main features (blade, pliers, bit driver).  I believe if you're in a trade, you probably want a saw (wood/plastic) and file and probably sturdier pliers as well.  All pliers have a limit to how much stress they can take, and the skeletool and juice pliers are rather small.

I'd imagine as a contractor, you probably want the heavy duty tools so you can put more force into your work.

[Snagga]

The wave will not disappoint you. I think with your line of work anything less would not feel like a reliable tool in your hands

[Zed]

Yep wave for me too as a great alround tool  welcome to mto 

[AimlessWanderer]

You can't go wrong with a Leatherman Wave or Victorinox Spirit, but if you want something smaller you might want to consider a Swiss Army Knife and a Smaller tool like a Skeletool or Gerber Octane.

NOTE: I tried a Skeletool and didn't like the ergonomics one bit, and I'm not alone - but others love it. If you are tempted to get the Skele, try to play with one in person first to see how it feels for you in hand. It'll either feel really good or really awkward

[Droc]

Ill look into the wave, though Im still likeing the skeletool for the knife.  Its probably one of my most important features as its the one thing I dont carry.

thanks for the suggestions

anyone in canada, amazon.ca seems to be the best bet

[Fishnuts2]

Go for the Victorinox Spirit.  You'll have a top notch tool set that won't let you down.

[Landrew]

Ill look into the wave, though Im still likeing the skeletool for the knife.  Its probably one of my most important features as its the one thing I dont carry.

thanks for the suggestions

anyone in canada, amazon.ca seems to be the best bet

Carried the Skeletool for a time, but found it disappointing in situations where I really needed to use it, although it was very light. I upgraded to the Wave, and then the Charge TTi, which I love. Mounting it horizontally on the belt, and wearing it at the 4 o'clock position on my waist, I hardly know its there.

Oddly enough, I found the best prices to be at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Amazon was actually higher than any of the retailers here in Calgary.

[dks]

If you want something mainly for the blade but smaller look at the Freestyle too.

For something larger the SOG pwerduo may be good but handle it first as their quality varies a lot.

Have a look at the Wenger larger pliers models too, with nice large blades.

Finally, the blade in th wave is similar in size to the skeletool (and you have two blades), so you are not gaining much bladewise with the skeletool.

[bmot]

Finally, the blade in th wave is similar in size to the skeletool (and you have two blades), so you are not gaining much bladewise with the skeletool.

Actually, the wave's blades are even bigger

[dks]

Finally, the blade in th wave is similar in size to the skeletool (and you have two blades), so you are not gaining much bladewise with the skeletool.

Actually, the wave's blades are even bigger

 
I had a look at mine a few weeks ago and remembered them being similar, with the wave one being possibly bigger, but did not want to go and say bigger since I do not have them in front of me now.

[bmot]

Finally, the blade in th wave is similar in size to the skeletool (and you have two blades), so you are not gaining much bladewise with the skeletool.

Actually, the wave's blades are even bigger

 
I had a look at mine a few weeks ago and remembered them being similar, with the wave one being possibly bigger, but did not want to go and say bigger since I do not have them in front of me now.

It isn't a lot, I'd say 0,5 to 1 cm... But it's something.

Besides that: See what shape knife you like better, as they're not exactly the same.

[SwissArmy Zippo]

Juice S2 is my edc mt. On my edc bag I carry a Swiss tool spirit x.

[Lynn LeFey]

I'd agree with the Juice S2 being great for a somewhat smaller tool. All the basics are covered, but no locking or One Hand Open blade.

If pliers aren't a big need, then Swiss Army Knives offer a better array of tools for less weight.

I have owned a Leatherman Wave and currently own the Victorinox Spirit X. The Spirit X VERY slightly edged out the Wave, in my opinion, but if One Hand Open is important, then the Wave would be a clear winner.

One other thing to consider... if you want a somewhat less expensive way to try a tool out, consider putting a wanted request on the 'Tools Needed' board here. I've gone through a number of tools this way, at less expense than buying them new. Everyone I've dealt with here have been very reliable and professional, too.

[Monrogue]

Yeah, it all depends on the knife blade needs.  If you want One Hand Opening (OHO), then, as others have mentioned, the Wave or Charge series would be best.  It would also depend on how heavy duty of a set of pliers you'd want on it as well.  If OHO isn't a deal breaker for you, then I would suggest the Leatherman SuperTool 300 or Rebar (a smaller version of ST300).  I love my Rebar, but I also love my Charges and Swisstool Spirit.  Multitools are tricky as there never seems to be just one perfect version for all of your needs.  They are always a compromise in some way.  Enjoy the process though, as it is a bit fun and addicting

[Droc]

Oddly enough, I found the best prices to be at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Amazon was actually higher than any of the retailers here in Calgary.

I was comparing prices between the two sites.  The Gerber Suspension I picked up for a family member was from Mountain Equipment Co-op, and it was $7 more at MEC.  The skeletool runs $15 more, The spirit is slightly cheaper at MEC.  The wave is cheaper by $5 from amazon. 
No big deal, wasnt sure if there was some hidden jem of a retailer that I may have missed. 

One concern with the leatherman tools is I have heard that they rust bad and easy.  My friend blew $150 on a leatherman tool and within a year of very light use it was covered in rust. 

[Landrew]

I'd agree with the Juice S2 being great for a somewhat smaller tool. All the basics are covered, but no locking or One Hand Open blade.

If pliers aren't a big need, then Swiss Army Knives offer a better array of tools for less weight.

I have owned a Leatherman Wave and currently own the Victorinox Spirit X. The Spirit X VERY slightly edged out the Wave, in my opinion, but if One Hand Open is important, then the Wave would be a clear winner.

One other thing to consider... if you want a somewhat less expensive way to try a tool out, consider putting a wanted request on the 'Tools Needed' board here. I've gone through a number of tools this way, at less expense than buying them new. Everyone I've dealt with here have been very reliable and professional, too.

My best carry at work is the Charge TTi, and in the off-hours I carry only the Juice CS4. These are the two best tools you can carry in my opinion.  I keep a fully loaded Surge in the car.

[Warfusion]

Find the right Leatherman for what you newd it to do. Or get 3 or more....can't go wrong with an LM.

Sent from my Android toothbrush!

[MeadMaker]

Oddly enough, I found the best prices to be at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Amazon was actually higher than any of the retailers here in Calgary.

I was comparing prices between the two sites.  The Gerber Suspension I picked up for a family member was from Mountain Equipment Co-op, and it was $7 more at MEC.  The skeletool runs $15 more, The spirit is slightly cheaper at MEC.  The wave is cheaper by $5 from amazon. 
No big deal, wasnt sure if there was some hidden jem of a retailer that I may have missed. 

One concern with the leatherman tools is I have heard that they rust bad and easy.  My friend blew $150 on a leatherman tool and within a year of very light use it was covered in rust.

You will hear stories about rusty Leatherman MT's but rarely one that was covered in rust.  Nice thing about Leatherman is their warranty.  If it rusts, breaks, bends or deforms just send it in and they will take care of you for the cost of shipping one way. 

If size isn't a big deal to you then try the Wave.  It is their best seller because it works well for a wide variety of people.  If you need a smaller MT then look at one of their Juice MT's.  I've EDC'd Juices for ten years and I have yet to find another tool that suites my needs as well.

[Droc]

Oddly enough, I found the best prices to be at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Amazon was actually higher than any of the retailers here in Calgary.

I was comparing prices between the two sites.  The Gerber Suspension I picked up for a family member was from Mountain Equipment Co-op, and it was $7 more at MEC.  The skeletool runs $15 more, The spirit is slightly cheaper at MEC.  The wave is cheaper by $5 from amazon. 
No big deal, wasnt sure if there was some hidden jem of a retailer that I may have missed. 

One concern with the leatherman tools is I have heard that they rust bad and easy.  My friend blew $150 on a leatherman tool and within a year of very light use it was covered in rust.

You will hear stories about rusty Leatherman MT's but rarely one that was covered in rust.  Nice thing about Leatherman is their warranty.  If it rusts, breaks, bends or deforms just send it in and they will take care of you for the cost of shipping one way. 

If size isn't a big deal to you then try the Wave.  It is their best seller because it works well for a wide variety of people.  If you need a smaller MT then look at one of their Juice MT's.  I've EDC'd Juices for ten years and I have yet to find another tool that suites my needs as well.

yah, I think im looking at the wave or spirit...spirit can cost a pile more at times.  I think Ill check some reviews and see if I can hold them at MEC or SAIL. 

[Lynn LeFey]

Some on-line place had a great sale on the Spirit X, and I got mine for about $45 shipped. I seem to recall the stuff I traded to get the used Wave I had was also about $45 worth, and the tool was so close to new condition that it might as well have been. If you're patient, you can find good deals on good tools.

Again, consider posting wanted ads to the Trade Forums here.

[Warfusion]

Leatherman!

Sent from my Android toothbrush!

[sjian]

I  must be an odd one but my swisstool spirit X has a little rust on the pliers after 6 months, but the charge tti which I've had for 18 months has none.

[Mercury]

Another vote for the wave here.  I carry one everyday and it does every thing i want it to. The spirit is also an excellant option.  If you are worried about rust i would strongly recommend a black oxide finish.  My wave is BO and has been soaked several times while at the lake and it doesnt have a spot of rust!

Sent from Tattooine while bulls-eying womp rats bigger than two meters.

[Droc]

I  must be an odd one but my swisstool spirit X has a little rust on the pliers after 6 months, but the charge tti which I've had for 18 months has none.

The TTI is really pricey isnt it?  like an extra +$50 over other models?  Isnt it just the handle thats titanium but the tools are still plain jane steel?

[bmot]

I  must be an odd one but my swisstool spirit X has a little rust on the pliers after 6 months, but the charge tti which I've had for 18 months has none.

The TTI is really pricey isnt it?  like an extra +$50 over other models?  Isnt it just the handle thats titanium but the tools are still plain jane steel?

Well, the knife has the better S30V steel, but the rest of the tools are the same. Of course you get a slightly different set than the wave, with cap crimper in the pliers and a cutting hook on the serrated blade. That's about the difference, if I'm right

[dks]

Remember that fancier steel will also be harder to sharpen, so make sure you can sharpen your premium blades, before you buy them, if you will use them a lot.
They should, however last longer when sharpened.

Even 440C steel is hard to sharpen without diamond stones.