Swisstool spirit, yay or nay?

[Ifeexpert]

I'm a straight up LM fanatic, recently I've been looking at the swisstool spirit and in pictures it looks really cool, the fully loaded one that comes with bits and all bells and whistles, can someone convince me on NOT getting one.

What a dork , i know.

[in_sympathy]

I recently put my hands on it for the first time as well and I'am really into LM too. Well it really is a nice fancy MT, fit&finish are fantastic, but the handles are a bit like... I can't count on it, you know, it just feels a bit weak to me in comparison to my Wave and I don't like the way you get the tools out of it - don't have replaceable nails on my fingers . I know it's a great tool and all, just not my type


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Dream. Wish. Leave nothing undone. Repeat.

[Lynn LeFey]

This is probably more appropriate in the SAK forum.

However...

I think you'll find that most everyone on these boards likes the Spirit. It's got a lot going for it.

With that said...

I owned a Wave. I got rid of it to get funding to get other tools. I got a Spirit, and got rid of IT as well, again to make way for tool funding. But I got another Wave, and have not yet replaced the Spirit. I PERSONALLY feel that the Wave just edges out the Spirit. And it all comes down to the OHO blades. That's for ME, and MY needs.

Ive heard problems about the tool being too slippery in wet/oily situations. I'm not a huge fan of the Spirit's philips. Other than that... I'd say it hovers right around the 'best MT' position, depending on your needs.

I think asking someone on THESE boards to convince you AGAINST a tool is like asking your alcoholic buddy to help you stop drinking. 

[Corwyn]

Needed some money two month ago... sold all my 3 Leathermans, both my Gerbers and my SOG... kept both my Spirit and my Spirit X... that tool is so beyond everything... flawless build, perfect ergonomics, great tool, perfect lock-up... use one and never think about another multitool again...

I mean... yeah I guess it's quite good.. get one 

[Zed]

Im a wave owner since 98,i think most know my thoughts on the wave,especially the original wave,but a while back i got a vic spirit, im a fan of vics sak's and carry one daily,the spirit has amazing fit n finnish,everything is super smooth,and its a solid compact mt and very ergonomic in the hand,its become my new work mt and ive no complaints,i use to be very loyal too leatherman but feel the QC on newer mt's sometimes is off,for me the leatherman wave and victorinox spirit are 2 of the best mt's out there 

[Ifeexpert]

Thanks all !!!  :drink:and def wouldn't help my alcoholic friend to stop drinking since i love beer  :cheers:as well.
I guess you just have to try it on your own to find out

[in_sympathy]

Thanks all !!!  :drink:and def wouldn't help my alcoholic friend to stop drinking since i love beer  :cheers:as well.
I guess you just have to try it on your own to find out

+1, thought it'd be my next MT, but not yet I guess, still you have to try it out to think for yourself


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Dream. Wish. Leave nothing undone. Repeat.

[kkokkolis]

The only thing in my possession I can compare with the Swisstool Spirit, apart from its mates, the various Victorinox and Wenger SAKs, is my pair of Zeiss Binoculars. Alpha quality, perfect fit and finish and close to bicentennial evolution of patents and tools. Leatherman brought fresh air and fresh ideas but they are revolving around the Swiss sun and their industrial design hits other bells than the jewelry status of Victorinox products. But don't let them fool you. They might shine with feminine beauty but underneath they are loaded with testosterone that would kill a bull. I have most useful Leatherman tools, from Squirts to Surge, but I EDC a Swisstool Spirit, a modified Alox and a Minichamp.

[Kampfer]

To me it all comes down to carrying options and one hand accessibility.
I don't like sheath carry MT and don't normally carry a folder, so there is nothing works better for me than a Wave.

If you do carry a folder and like sheath carry MT, then Spirit is an excellent choice.

[Syph007]

Swisstool spirit x is the best MT I have ever owned.  Its missing some features though that LMs have like pocket clip and lanyard attachment point.  But if I had to pick one MT, there is no question that it would be the spirit x.  I like LMs too dont get me wrong, but I love the swisstools.

[kirk13]

For my money,the Spirit is about as good as it gets! Ergonomics are awesome,and offset the slightly odd look,never had an issue with the tools,and if you need a bit driver,the old LM Universal fits like a glove

[AimlessWanderer]

The Spirit is fantastic! The ergonomics, the quality, the finish, the corrosion resistance, the walk and talk, the function density (how many tools they actually crammed in there). It really is superb!

However.....

.... the only way to ever know if it will be a good tool FOR YOU is to get one and try it. Being excellent is no substitute for being appropriate/suitable to the person/situation. Do get one, do try it out, but despite it's brilliance in so many different ways, there's no multitool that is 100% suitable for everyone.

Don't forget the piccies and the review 

[Mextreme]

It comes down to your needs as with everything.¨
If you need the whole thing with the bits and wrench It is a thick package. The sheath becomes a brick and is only vertical carry so it pokes you..
I would advice buy one without the bit-kit and key and purchase a seperate bit-kit Vic or other and carry it elsewhere.
I need torx often and because of that i prefer to carry the Wave with it´s flat bits that fits in the sheath that I carry horizontal. Also one hand opening blade is a biggie for me since I dont carry a dedicated folder.
This is my usage and yours may be totally different.

For fit finish and as an admiring piece I find the spirit is fantastic and you will end up buying it sooner or later....

[Top-Gear-24]

The Spirit is one of the best tools ever made in my humble opinion,  awesome tool selection, great ergonomics, and fit and finish is just way beyond anything I've ever seen.  I like my Leatherman tools, but I love My Spirits and Swisstools (okay, I also love my original Supertool  ).  And yes, it looks and feels like a piece of art, but rest assured, it can take a beating, and it's a great EDC tool.

Anyway, maybe some random pics will help you decide ...

[Syph007]

Here's my spirit collection. 

[anon]

You really can't go wrong with one.

[Zed]

I really need that ratchet and bit kit and pouch 

[Top-Gear-24]

I really need that ratchet and bit kit and pouch 

Yes, yes you do ... 

 

[Zed]

I really need that ratchet and bit kit and pouch 

Yes, yes you do ... 

 

  its on my list 

[Etherealicer]

I can only agree what has been said so far.

What I would like to point out is that the Spirit is a lot thinner than a Wave/Rebar but longer.
I think that is what makes it comfortable for me to carry in my pockets, it also means that the small tools (screwdrivers / awl / chisel) are longer.

[Toolslinger]

Spirit is a great tool. I too, started as a Leatherman fan (still am). But what's on my hip most days now? My BO Spirit. Getting one in BO really tipped me over the edge to start carrying it daily.

Try one, you just might like it.

[Toolslinger]

And if you don't like it, it holds good resale/trade value.

[Ifeexpert]

Here's my spirit collection. 

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Wow  would you sell me one        lol

[Lynn LeFey]

And if you don't like it, it holds good resale/trade value.

This is absolutely true. On a good day, you can find a Wave on sale on ebay for $40. I have never seen a Spirit on sale near that price, and almost never see them at all. That says something, IMO.

[Syph007]

Every so often the spirits would go on sale on amazon for $50.  Thats the best deal Ive ever seen.

[pingu]

I like my blunter nosed Spirit a lot.  Fantastically comfortable in the hand in plier mode.  All outside tools, a derided by some short scissors that actually cuts above its calling.  There is a "but" coming though.  You might need to accept an up to 3mm "cannot be avoided" closed handle offset for your possibly over £80 and the cutters don't cut stranded copper well, but hey there is always the scissors which do.  The cutter has a soft wire notch at midpoint which compromises for length an already short (compared with Rebar) cutter.  No easy lanyard attachment as stock.  Riveted construction, maybe good maybe bad.  Tool deployment on mine is a tad stiff because I'm used to torque my own stiffness with Rebar,  and I fail to deploy the Philips without first deploying an adjacent tool.

All that said I'd goto my Spirit first for a Rebar category task, except for stranded wire which unfortunately is a frequently required task.  Of course Rebar doesn't have scissors as stock unless you have Rebar II 

A yay for me.

[firiki]

There's a special place in Hell for nay sayers, I hear

I know I'm going to Hell but at least it won't be at that place.

[Aloha]

To getting a Spirit,  I say YAY.
 

[comis]

I love it whenever people coming here to ask similar kind of questions, it's like my friends trying to go to a bar to get sober. 

You know from the start you want one, and what are you waiting for? 

[hellsing]

is that really a question? of course yay, you're on multitool forum!