Need a new Multitool, leatherman or gerber?

[d0pe]

Hi Guys

I need a new multitool, nothing too fancy just a general tool to keep with me at all times for emergencies.

Should i buy a leatherman or gerber and why?

Regards
D

[zoidberg]

Welcome.    What was your old multitool?

[d0pe]

Welcome.    What was your old multitool?

A cheap Chinese thing i got in a lucky packet

[Corwyn]

Welcome to MTO.
Fit and finish top MTs would be Victorinox.
Widest range and tons of implements would be Leatherman.

Either would make a good choice, depending on what you need.
You could go to http://www.multitool.org/ and see some reviews.

For general use you'll find here many fans of the Victorinox Spirit, the Leatherman Wave and maybe of the Gerber MP600.

[lowtech]

Welcome!
While the general consensus here seems to read along the lines of "buy both", I am sure we will be able to confuse you further help you find the right tool, if you give us some details of the expected use. While all MTs are compromises, one might shine in a task where others are of little help.
And legislatipon may be of concern (One hand opening blades, blades over a certian length...)

[zoidberg]

What is available to you, will you be walking into a shop or buying online?

What is important to you, knife, pliers, wire cutters, scissors, screwdrivers etc?

Do you have big or small hands?

[d0pe]

I need the best brand. I heard gerber is pretty good but Bear Grills uses them so surely they only good for things like cleaning finger nails or cutting ribbons and stuff?

[AimlessWanderer]

Don't rely on any one brand giving you the best tool. Not everything made by any one company will be perfect. Different brands have different strengths on different tool types 

For starters though, I would check out the following:
Victorinox Spirit X
Leatherman Wave
Gerber MP600

If you have specific features or functions that the tool set absolutely must have, then we can guide you further. Otherwise, any one of these three would be good for general purpose multitool use 

..... and welcome to the forum

[d0pe]

Thanks so much for the input, ill watch some reviews on those MT's

[Corwyn]

I need the best brand. I heard gerber is pretty good but Bear Grills uses them so surely they only good for things like cleaning finger nails or cutting ribbons and stuff?

 

This is wrong on so many levels:
1. Best brand is definately not Gerber (sorry Gerber fans but it's true). They make some a few nice models but also lots of junk.
2. Bear Grylls does not use them. He gets paid to let them use his name. He usually uses custom tools and rarely Gerber, for promotional purposes.
3. A Vic Classic can do that.. many GB stuff cannot 

[dks]

If Bear Grylls puts you off, then, you need to buy a Camillus multitool, as favoured by  Les Stroud   

They are bound to be fantastic. 

You need to decide what requirements you have, like size, weight, number/size of blades, tools, budget, colour etc.

Most of the proper, non-trendy, multitools from all major makers should be OK.

[Mextreme]

Depending on budget and of course use. You say emergency and that could be anything from opening a beer to bulding a shelter. Also size is a consideration. Do you plan to carry it in your pocket, in a belt-sheath or on your key chain?

Here are some medium to large no-nonsense tools at different price levels.
These you will most likely need a belt sheath, the first option has a pocket clip,  but they are by no means very heavy.

Around
35$ Leatherman Wingman
50$ range I would buy a Leatherman Rebar.
70$ I would buy a Leatherman Wave.
+90$ Victorinox Spirit

[Gareth]

Welcome to the forum. If you've not seen it already do have a look at our review site: www.multitool.org

In my opinion good general purpose multitools are:

Leatherman Wave
Leatherman Rebar
Victorinox Spirit (or Spirit X)
Gerber MP600 (there are a few versions of this)
Gerber MP400 or MP450

Hope that helps.

[Etherealicer]

Depending on whether you need pliers and what size you like SAKs are great too...

Vic Farmer or Climber come to mind, or a CyberTool

[Lynn LeFey]

I think Mextreme and Gareth both pretty well nailed it for new MTs.

Leatherman Wingman ($28 on Amazon). One of the few 'budget tools' that are pretty solid. Selling points: One hand open blade, pocket clip, sprung pliers, fairly lightweight. Downside: inside tools don't lock, wide handle splay in pliar configuration.

Gerber MP400 ($27 on Amazon). Good competitor to the Wingman. Selling points: very solid build, good scissors. Downside: Rattly, all inside access tools.

Leatherman Rebar ($49 on Amazon). A great all-around tool, only missing a pocket clip to be excellent. Selling Points: probably most tools for weight, lightweight, replaceable wire cutters. Downside: all inside access tools.

Leatherman Wave ($79 on Amazon). One of the best selling, and long lasting offerings from Leatherman for a reason. Selling Points: 4 outside access tools, including 2 one-hand opening blades. wide variety of tools, a few great optional add-ons. Downside: a little heavier, and can have poor ergonomics for prolonged use when not in pliar configuration. My personal favorite full-size MT.

Victorinox Spirit X ($90 on Amazon). The real contender for best MT against the Wave, IMO. Selling Points: all outside access tools, wide tool selection, flawless construction. Downside: no one-hand open blade, can be slippery when wet.

So, there you are. No tool is perfect. Everyone here is going to have their favorites, so you're never going to get a solid 100% agreement, but generally, there's a consensus.

As for the 'Bear Grylls' tools, the multitool that comes in the Bear Grylls Survival Tool Pack is pretty good, actually.

The statement that dks made about getting the Les Stroud MT, was intended as humor. It is a complete POS.

And as has been mentioned earlier, if you're not in great need of pliers, Victorinox Swiss Army Knives are excellent, and can really shave the weight off your carry load. They pack loads of function in very small packages.

As a final note, I posted prices from Amazon, just to give a sort of apples-to-apples comparison of relative prices. I would actually highly recommend checking auction sites like ebay (if you have access to it) for tools. You can get some of the listed tools for half price or less in really good condition.

[Gerber Suspension]

Get a Gerber suspension (sarcasm)

You should definitely try a Leatherman Sidekick, Rebar, or Wave. Also if you would like a light multitool to keep with you at all times you might find the Sog Switchplier 2.0, will fit your needs very well. 

[rdub934]

Not a lot of SOG talk, but they offer several good tools depending on your needs. Plus they are readily customised without voiding the SOG lifetime warranty. The Pocket Power Plier is a really slim and light tool that is still up for heavy duty tasks. The new Switch Plier, as mentioned earlier, is a good tool that works as well in a pocket as in a sheath. The Powerlock is a power house - their probably isn't a more heavy-duty pair of pliers available in MT form. The PowerAssist offers PL pliers but with OHO blades.

[anditsgone]

If you just want to have one tool that can do it all: Victorinox Spirit X.

Not too expensive, excellent tools, awesome fit and finish and lifetime warranty.

[PPCAPache]

I would recommend the Leatherman Skeletool CX

Sent from my HUAWEI GRA-L09 using Tapatalk

[tattoosteve99]

Gerber. The pliers are easy open with a flick and will open if locked on a piece of wire. Mp400 or mp600 series

[BASguy]

Gerber. The pliers are easy open with a flick and will open if locked on a piece of wire. Mp400 or mp600 series

+1 on the MP400/600
Gerber's get a lot of flack that I just don't understand.  They are excellent heavy duty tools, kinda like an old truck.  Rattly, built like a tank, you can use em hard and not be afraid to muck em up because they ain't pretty anyway.  They get the job done every time and can be easily customized.  The replaceable cutters suck, but that's the only negative I can think of.....


Sent from 9 miles from the face of the sun

[Monrogue]

I think all has been said at this point, but I do recommend the big 3:  the LM Wave, Vic Spirit and Gerber MP600 (the Pro Scout is my favorite).  All three are rather different, but excellent examples of multitool greatness in their own way

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk

[sawman]

There's LOTS to choose from....

In no particular order:

Gerber MP600 - My favorite all-purpose multitool. Best pliers and best deployment of such (IMO)

SOG Powerlock or PPP or Paratool - You'll hear varying views but I love these tools. It's great to be able to order/replace the individual items.

Leatherman Wave - Another favorite of mine (but arguably one of the most expensive money can buy).

Victorinox Spirit/X - I've owned both types of Spirit before and can vouch for their superb quality.

It just depends on your preferences and how much money you're willing to spend. Although I've been known to splurge from time to time, money is tight for me so I generally go with the best cost-effective tools and knives.

[Multi-tool-fool]

Depends on where you live you might have access to a large sporting goods store like Bass Pro Shops or Dicks. They usually have a display case and allow to you see and handle all the Multi-tools.  See which ones you like and offer the best quality.  Then go online and find the best deal you can get for the tool you want.

[Sea Monster]

I still always get upset when I see this

70$ I would buy a Leatherman Wave LM Wave retails at 180 dollarydoos. Anyway, my "daily carry" if you will, is a LM Wave. is it my favourite? No Have I broken it? Yes Does it have all the tools I need? No is it, all things being weighed and measured, the most convenient and all-rounder tool in my collection? Yes. Some design changes aside, the LM Wave is old enough to have completed High School, and has proven itself popular and reliable, and with LM's warranty covers you if get a lemon, and (for me? other countries may vary) the brand is supported in most stores, so getting it repaired or replaced isn't a stuff around or email-tennis risk. I have other tools I like from various brands, but for someone with no specified limits or intent, a LM Wave (Or rebar?) should cover you until you decide you need something more tailored.

[Yadda]

  The answer is simple.... Yes!

[strmliner]

Wow...a lot of good and interesting information.  I'd pay attention to Lynn and Mextreme's messages...good info!

Determine what's important to you:

• Do you want belt/sheath or pocket carry (size and weight)
• What's your budget
• What do you really want to do with the tool; camping, prying and driving screws at work, etc.
• How important is the "cool" factor

Welcome aboard and Good luck!  I have and carry, on an as-needed basis, either a Leatherman (Juice XE6 or S2) or a Gerber (Strata) MT.  I typically EDC some type of 84mm or 91mm SAK and the MT I carry compliments the SAK.  My emergency bags in my vehicles have either a Gerber Strata or a Leatherman Sidekick.