New to multitools, suggestions if you please.

[Mercury]

That's a real good point.  One of the reasons I don't buy premium steels is the fact that I just don't feel like putting in the effort to sharpen them.  That and standard 420HC is just fine by me anyway.

[Lynn LeFey]

I don't do a lot of hard use on my blades, and I'm not any kind of master blade sharpener, so I'm always fine with the standard blade steels. I' ve sharpened both the Wave blade and Victorinox blades, and both sharpen pretty easily for someone at my non- masterful skill level.

This is a point to keep in mind when choosing your tool.

[Sparky415]

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

I'm with Al here try before you buy (I'm a fan of them) 

 

[Droc]

By chance this morning I checked a local for sale site and picked up a mint condition leatherman wave for $40.  Nice tool.  Im still going to look at a skeletool for a small, lightweight blade with tools, but the wave should be fine for everything else. 

Seems solid enough.  Used the pliers to pull a bunch of 3inch flooring staples, knife to cut drywall seams and the screwdriver bit to undo some dryer vent clams.  Seems solid enough for light duty when my toolbox isnt at hand. 

Ill be picking up the extra bits...Think Americans are the only ones to commonly use philips still....Robertson bits are the common here. 

[Lynn LeFey]

Seems solid enough for light duty when my toolbox isnt at hand.

I think you're going to find this to be the case with any MT. It's never going to be as good as a dedicated tool box, but for light stuff, it saves time from having to go grab your full tool kit. Also... 'light stuff' is pretty subjective. For most general tasks, MTs are perfectly adequate. For tradesmen, they're a nice at-hand solution, but not meant for heavy duty use.

Also, good find on the Wave. $40 is a good price for one in good condition.

[Droc]

My friend came over and showed me his skeletool's.  he has the normal and the CX

Picked up the regular one total at LeBarons.  I like the CX, but I dont think its worth the premium.