What's in a name?

[Rodion]

I was talking to a store clerk about comparing the Gerber Legend to Leatherman Charge, and he just couldn't understand what I was saying: he kept opening both up and showing me the implements, like a kid who can recite a paragraph, but has no idea what they just read. This got me thinking: I've been hovering around the whole multitool thing for some time now and now know more about them, than anyone else I've ever talked to in real life. I could probably do the clerk's job better. But, I still know very, very little. For instance, if a customer approached me and asked what was the difference between the major manufacturers, what would I say?

Right now, I take it Gerber is the most innovative and has the least overall quality. Leatherman nailed one design and has been running with it ever since, adapting the same frame to different sizes (Skeletool notwithstanding, I have no idea where that fits). SOG focuses on making heavy duty, go-to tools. Finally, Victorinox took their supreme finish and engineering, and made what is basically a better, stronger Leatherman.

How far off am I? 

[Medic82]

Sound’s right too me

[hawkchucker]

I would actually have to go with the leatherman being in the inovators seat. They made most major changes to the MT industry. Not withstanding the Gerber company just making the slider jaws.

LM made most changes overall in size and in impliments. However I would give Sog way more credit. You got to give them points for the compound leverage. Plus they took chances with the Palladin company making some way cool specialty elec. tools.

[brandonc223]

Right now, I take it Gerber is the most innovative and has the least overall quality. Leatherman nailed one design and has been running with it ever since, adapting the same frame to different sizes (Skeletool notwithstanding, I have no idea where that fits). SOG focuses on making heavy duty, go-to tools. Finally, Victorinox took their supreme finish and engineering, and made what is basically a better, stronger Leatherman.

How far off am I? 

I think that the opinions on the company are just that, opinions, Every one thinks differently and has a manufacterer that they prefer, and every company has made their own innovations, Sog has compound leverage, Gerber has locking/OHO pliers, leatherman has OHO blades, and Vic has it's easy opening tools. I also disagree that leatherman has stuck to more than one design, they have many multi tools, available in many sizes, some with OHO, and are the first major multitool company to come out with clamping pliers. (Guess witch company I prefer!)

[Roadie]

and are the first major multitool company to come out with clamping pliers. (Guess witch company I prefer!)

Actually that wasn't Leatherman This thread is about the Kershaw A100 that was available before the Crunch

[brandonc223]

and are the first major multitool company to come out with clamping pliers. (Guess witch company I prefer!)

[Leatherman123]

I didn't know that the A100 came out before the Crunch! 

[Spoonrobot]

Right now, I take it Gerber is the most innovative and has the least overall quality. Leatherman nailed one design and has been running with it ever since, adapting the same frame to different sizes (Skeletool notwithstanding, I have no idea where that fits). SOG focuses on making heavy duty, go-to tools. Finally, Victorinox took their supreme finish and engineering, and made what is basically a better, stronger Leatherman.

How far off am I? 

My take:

Gerber: Not really innovation, just variety. Basically trying to catch up to the tools released by Leatherman.

Leatherman: Nailed at least two designs: The basic butterfly opening tool and the one-handed carriage. Gave a brand identifier to multitools that the general public knows and is fairly familiar with.

SOG: Interchangeable parts for pretty good customization of the tools. Sole supplier of individual implements. Compound leverage gives overall plier strength above and beyond the industry average but decreases the overall plier utility.

Victorinox: Leaps and bounds in fit/finish and overall functionality above the competition. The three piece handle design leaves me thinking these tools are strong but would fall short of some of the others in over all durability tests.

Just my thoughts. 

[Leatherman123]

Spoon's take pretty much sums it up! Very well written!

[Poncho65]

Victorinox: Leaps and bounds in fit/finish and overall functionality above the competition. The three piece handle design leaves me thinking these tools are strong but would fall short of some of the others in over all durability tests.

I hope none of the Vic ppl read that   all I could here them thinking would be (This means war) with one of those funny accents like on cartoons 

[Spoonrobot]

And once again, we arrive at this picture.



 









( )

[E. Danny]

Back in 2007, When I got my first Wave and was first introduced into the world of Multitools, you could have put 2 tools in front of my face. A Wave and a Flik.

I would have chose the Wave. Why? The simple brand of LEATHERMAN on it. People had LEATHERMANS at work. Hunters had LEATHERMANS. Survialists carried LEATHERMANS. Not Gerbers.

[Spoonrobot]

Maintenance men carry Gerbers-not very glamorous. 

[tomcrx]

And once again, we arrive at this picture.

(Image removed from quote.)

 


Funny, as the SwissTool hordes descend upon the great wall of Leatherman to defend their honor, you have a Vic in your hand to defend yourself






( )

[Poncho65]

Well I guess the wall of LMs will help.  Great pic if you need reinforcements just PM me I'll help all I can

[Rodion]

Right now, I take it Gerber is the most innovative and has the least overall quality. Leatherman nailed one design and has been running with it ever since, adapting the same frame to different sizes (Skeletool notwithstanding, I have no idea where that fits). SOG focuses on making heavy duty, go-to tools. Finally, Victorinox took their supreme finish and engineering, and made what is basically a better, stronger Leatherman.

How far off am I? 

My take:

Gerber: Not really innovation, just variety. Basically trying to catch up to the tools released by Leatherman.

Leatherman: Nailed at least two designs: The basic butterfly opening tool and the one-handed carriage. Gave a brand identifier to multitools that the general public knows and is fairly familiar with.

SOG: Interchangeable parts for pretty good customization of the tools. Sole supplier of individual implements. Compound leverage gives overall plier strength above and beyond the industry average but decreases the overall plier utility.

Victorinox: Leaps and bounds in fit/finish and overall functionality above the competition. The three piece handle design leaves me thinking these tools are strong but would fall short of some of the others in over all durability tests.

Just my thoughts. 

You mean Swisstool isn't the toughest??? 

Then... which one is?...

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'd still sat the Swisstool's the strongests

[Benner]

I'd still sat the Swisstool's the strongests

Or maybe the Supertool. 

[BIG-TARGET]

And once again, we arrive at this picture.

(Image removed from quote.)

 









( )

Me thinks vous forgot one?? 

[Mike D]

Right now, I take it Gerber is the most innovative and has the least overall quality. Leatherman nailed one design and has been running with it ever since, adapting the same frame to different sizes (Skeletool notwithstanding, I have no idea where that fits). SOG focuses on making heavy duty, go-to tools. Finally, Victorinox took their supreme finish and engineering, and made what is basically a better, stronger Leatherman.

How far off am I? 

My take:

Gerber: Not really innovation, just variety. Basically trying to catch up to the tools released by Leatherman.

Leatherman: Nailed at least two designs: The basic butterfly opening tool and the one-handed carriage. Gave a brand identifier to multitools that the general public knows and is fairly familiar with.

SOG: Interchangeable parts for pretty good customization of the tools. Sole supplier of individual implements. Compound leverage gives overall plier strength above and beyond the industry average but decreases the overall plier utility.

Victorinox: Leaps and bounds in fit/finish and overall functionality above the competition. The three piece handle design leaves me thinking these tools are strong but would fall short of some of the others in over all durability tests.

Just my thoughts. 

I think your thoughts are spot on, well done!