One of the reasons I keep picking Gerber over Leatherman ...

[Monrogue]

Go for it Al - your comparisons are always interesting

[Cupboard]

I've done some myself, I didn't put up pictures of every combination because it was getting silly.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,47745.25.html

Having a look back at that, I see that I didn't think the Wingman was too bad. Well I've currently god a Sidekick on my desk at work as an emergency spare, and the sire cutters on that are terrible. They just don't meet.

[Syncop8r]

Are the smaller (Fuse, Wave, MP400) multitools particularly uncomfortable for you, or do the larger framed tools just feel more reassuring?

Out of those I have only handled a Wave; I don't remember it being uncomfortable, just a little small.

[zoidberg]

Excellent series of posts, 50ft-trad.  I concur with several points concerning the ease of using Gerber vs. non-Gerber pliers, but I think the majority of your analysis addresses gripping larger objects.

I've been thinking about this again recently, and wondering if I ought to take a series of wire cuting pics. This may be a task that people need to do more frequently, and might be a better comparison for people. It might also show slightly different results, based on the shapes of the various plier heads.

Worth doing?

Yes.    I've done a lot of testing but never bothered with pics.

[zoidberg]

Lots of people here talk about using their pliers on nuts. I wouldn't dream of doing this unless it was an emergency.

If I didn't use pliers on nuts I wouldn't bother carrying them. 

[AimlessWanderer]

I've done some myself, I didn't put up pictures of every combination because it was getting silly.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,47745.25.html

Having a look back at that, I see that I didn't think the Wingman was too bad. Well I've currently god a Sidekick on my desk at work as an emergency spare, and the sire cutters on that are terrible. They just don't meet.

We might be at cross purposes here Tom. I wasn't thinking in terms of cutting performance, as you and 3rdpig have got that well sorted, but more in respect of ergonomics again. I was just a little mindful that whilst this comparison is within the capacities of the pliers (on most of them at least), it might be outside what users are liable to do regularly with their tools

[AimlessWanderer]

.... and before I start thinking through how best to do this, there's a strong possibility that Gerber will have a distinct ergonomic advantage again on some tools, not just due to the handle differences as already highlighted, but because they sometimes choose anvil cutters rather than bypass. Bypass cutters have to open a way to become level, before opening further to accommodate the wire. I don't know how much a difference that's likely to make, but I'd imagine it will have at least some effect on the final handle position

[Lichtbote]

If I didn't use pliers on nuts I wouldn't bother carrying them. 

Reading this i assume you are no trained mechanic/engineer? 

Most of us hate nuts that are damaged by grabbing them with pliers, there are dedicated tools out there - and pliers are only an emergency tool for use on nuts.

[AimlessWanderer]

If I didn't use pliers on nuts I wouldn't bother carrying them. 

Reading this i assume you are no trained mechanic/engineer? 

Most of us hate nuts that are damaged by grabbing them with pliers, there are dedicated tools out there - and pliers are only an emergency tool for use on nuts.

I also hate nuts that are damaged because the last numpty to turn them used oversized, worn, or sprained spanners. In 25 years of engineering, I have come across plenty of hex nuts that can only be turned with pliers, waterpump pliers, and stilsons .... or hammer and chisel/screwdriver

[ducttapetech]

Lots of people here talk about using their pliers on nuts. I wouldn't dream of doing this unless it was an emergency.

If I didn't use pliers on nuts I wouldn't bother carrying them. 

+1
One of the reasons I carry a multiplier. To turn nuts and bolts when I am no where near a tool box, which tends to be a lot.

Nate

[Lichtbote]

I also hate nuts that are damaged because the last numpty to turn them used oversized, worn, or sprained spanners. In 25 years of engineering, I have come across plenty of hex nuts that can only be turned with pliers, waterpump pliers, and stilsons .... or hammer and chisel/screwdriver

I agree that sometimes pliers or more aggressive methods are needed - but only due to idiots who damaged the nuts before by using non-matching tools.

[ducttapetech]

I also hate nuts that are damaged because the last numpty to turn them used oversized, worn, or sprained spanners. In 25 years of engineering, I have come across plenty of hex nuts that can only be turned with pliers, waterpump pliers, and stilsons .... or hammer and chisel/screwdriver

I agree that sometimes pliers or more aggressive methods are needed - but only due to idiots who damaged the nuts before by using non-matching tools.

And when regular tools strip them out.

Nate

[Syncop8r]

Even adjustable spanners are known as Nut F***ers.

[ducttapetech]

LOL! I haven't heard that in a while.

Nate

[Syncop8r]

Lots of people here talk about using their pliers on nuts. I wouldn't dream of doing this unless it was an emergency.

If I didn't use pliers on nuts I wouldn't bother carrying them. 

Remind me to never touch your nuts. 

[Lichtbote]

Even adjustable spanners are known as Nut F***ers.

That´s why i don´t use them.

The only one i own is a little (sized 4", up to 13mm) Facom adj. wrench, which i only use for very light tasks. I carry it at work in my pocket for the few moments my cart is not at my side. Mostly for holding the bolt head while using the correct sized wrench or socket on the nut.