Little help picking a multitool please

[DwrightKM]

Hello,

New member here hoping to get some help picking a edc multitool.  Here are some specs I'm looking for.

1) light edc
2) $75.00 or under
3) 2.5"+ blade length (straight edge) with 1 hand open capability
4) Needs Blade, pliers, and bit driver
5) belt clip


At the moment I'm looking at a Leatherman Skeletool and a SOG Reactor.  Does anyone have any other suggestions I should be looking at?  Thank you.

[SteveC]

Welcome aboard , you've come to the right place.   

Let me be the first to suggest the Leatherman Wave

[Dunc]

Welcome aboard , you've come to the right place.   

Let me be the first to suggest the Leatherman Wave

I'll second that , you won't go wrong with one of them

[NKlamerus]

The skeletool fits all the bills, and is definetly a little lighter than a Wave, but the amount of accessories and tools that come with a Wave should make it an option.

[Corwyn]

Skeletool and Wave... I prefer the Skelly.. lighter a cooler, but has far less implements than the Wave...

[kirk13]

Welcome aboard , you've come to the right place.   

Let me be the first to suggest the Leatherman Wave

I'll second that , you won't go wrong with one of them

Dunc! Long time no see!


Sorry DwrightKM,hi and welcome 
Oh yeah,he might be on a winner there...Wave with a pocket clip

[Aloha]

Greeting and Welcome, you nearly described the LM Wave almost perfectly.  Yes it will be a bit "heavier" but with that weight come a bunch of utility.  The Skeletool to me is mostly a knife with a good plier and 4 driver bits which is not bad at all.

Can you handle these tools to see how they fit your hand and how they might fit in pocket?

[Dunc]

Welcome aboard , you've come to the right place.   

Let me be the first to suggest the Leatherman Wave

I'll second that , you won't go wrong with one of them

Dunc! Long time no see!


Sorry DwrightKM,hi and welcome 
Oh yeah,he might be on a winner there...Wave with a pocket clip

Hi Kirk 👍

[DwrightKM]

Thanks everyone.  I'm going to look more into the Leatherman Skeletool and Wave.  Appreciate the info so far guys, Thanks!

[jerseydevil]

Between the Skele and Wave, my choice has to be Wave. Excellent tool.  I don't get along well with the Skeletool.

[Syph007]

Wave for sure.  The skeletool's clip sucks if you actually want to rely on carrying it that way.  Also the wave has significantly more functionality.

[Humppa]

Between the Skele and Wave, my choice has to be Wave. Excellent tool.  I don't get along well with the Skeletool.

Me too... with the Wave you get much more tools, including scissors - I mean SCISSSSSORS - small they are, but great nonetheless. And a two blades. And a file and a saw... The Skeletool has much less tool and looks a little strange to my eyes. But that´s just me.

I´d recommend the Wave within a heartbeat rather than the Skeletool.

If you like the "traditional" way of LMs. Look at the Rebar. But I highly recommend the Blast - can easily be found on the secondary market.

I don´t recommend Victorinox here, most of the metric drivers don´t fit 100 % on your imperial system on the drivers. But that´s just me.

[kirk13]

Wave for sure.  The skeletool's clip sucks if you actually want to rely on carrying it that way.  Also the wave has significantly more functionality.

Yep,what Syph said!

[Poncho65]

I would probably go with the Wave over the Skeletool as well I like the Skeletool myself but the Wave is much more capable than the Skeley

[cody6268]

Skeletool has these features, and retails for under $75.  The Wave has all this and much, much more, and can occasionally be found for around $75 online, though here locally I can't find one under $100.   While I own (and like somewhat) a Skeletool, I'd prefer the Wave (which I don't have) as it features more stuff that will probably come in handy such as a saw, scissors, can opener, and file.   The one thing I have against the Skeletool myself is it just doesn't have all the stuff I need.  I still will have to carry a Swiss Army Knife to cover the stuff it doesn't have.   

[Demel]

Wave vote here. If you get the skeletool you may end up wanting more. Wave + pocket clip + bit kit and extender. You can't go wrong.

[Aloha]

Guys Waves are out there for under $75 

I have no affiliation with this seller nor can I vouch for him/her.  Just saying they are out there for less than you think brand new.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-830040-LEATHERMAN-WAVE-MULTI-TOOL-KIT-KNIFE-WITH-SHEATH-NEW-SALE-PRICE-/311534469992?hash=item4888e6c368:g:yw8AAOSwsLtVfDB5

[DwrightKM]

Again thanks everyone!

Seems most of you guys favor the Wave.  I'm going to take the advice given and buy one.  I do have a couple more questions if you guys don't mine.

-If I buy an older used model Wave, is there anything different between that and a newer one?  If I can, would like to save a few bucks!
-What type of steel does the Wave use for their blades?

Thanks guys!

[jerseydevil]

Not sure about the blade steel, but older Waves have fixed drivers rather than the bit adapters new ones have.

[sLaughterMed]

Again thanks everyone!

Seems most of you guys favor the Wave.  I'm going to take the advice given and buy one.  I do have a couple more questions if you guys don't mine.

-If I buy an older used model Wave, is there anything different between that and a newer one?  If I can, would like to save a few bucks!
-What type of steel does the Wave use for their blades?

Thanks guys!

Leatherman uses 420hc on almost all their blades, except for the Charge and Skeletool CX models (which use either 154CM or S30V). So a standard Wave (or standard Skeletool) use 420hc

[DwrightKM]

Got it, thank you.

I bought a used, newer model Wave.  I'll post an update when it gets here.  Appreciate the help!

[Aloha]

Got it, thank you.

I bought a used, newer model Wave.  I'll post an update when it gets here.  Appreciate the help!

Keep in mind if you decide you want to add more capabilities you may want to look at the bit extender as mentioned above.  This accessory not only adds reach but accepts 1/4 in bits as well.  It really is a terrific add on. 

Congrats by the way  .  Wave is the best selling MT for LM for good reason.  Backed by a 25 year warranty regardless if you are the original owner so go ahead and use the heck out of the tool. 

By the way the 420 used on their blades can get silly sharp. 

[DwrightKM]

Just wanted to give an update, but first I want to thank you guys again for the help on picking my first multitool.  I really do appreciate it!

Just got my Wave in the mail today.  I bought it used, so it still needs a good cleaning.  Everything seems to work great on it.  Solid lockup on the outside tools.  The straight edge blade came pretty dull.  Did not take long to put a razor edge on the 420 with a ceramic rod and a leather strop.   


The pliers look great also.  Doesn't look like a lot of use on the teeth and cutters.  Opening was a little "gritty" will need to give it a good cleaning and oiling.  Anyone have any recommendations on a lubricant?  On hand I have WD40, Breakfree CLP and Olive oil. 


Overall, I really enjoy it!  I'm not used to the weight.  I normally carry 2-4oz folding knives.  Currently, I just have the pocket clip, but I been thinking about getting a belt sheath.  Then I'll be able to also carry extra bits and the extension driver. 



To my understanding the 1105 printed on the inside of the handle is the tool's born on date?  1105 would translate to Nov-2005?   

Also.. I think there is dried blood on the inside of my handles!

Thanks!

[zoidberg]

Olive oil will be fine and you are right about the date code.      

[Rossko07]

The wave is a great first multi. Can't go wrong :-)

[Aloha]

What lube huh?  Now that requires a whole new bit of reading   
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,47690.0.html

Olive will work as well as mineral oil.  Both would make good choices for tools that will see food you will consume.  I would recommend the molle sheath of this tool ( large NOT XL ).  I personally love mine vs the standard nylon one as I think it will definitely last longer YYMV. 

[DwrightKM]

Thanks guys.  Alright I'll use the Olive oil for now. 

Thanks for the sheath recomendation.  Just places an order for one!

[Aloha]

I blew thru a nylon sheath in short order. 

[DwrightKM]

I blew thru a nylon sheath in short order.

Ouch, how did that happen?  Looks like a dog got a hold of it!

Just to be clear.  This is the molle sheath your speaking of?

[Aloha]

It does look like a dog chewed it  .  It happened as a result of putting the plier in while open.

Cannot tell if that the XL or Large.  If it has side elastic then it's the XL which will be big for the Wave.  I no longer use any other LM sheaths, I've totally switched to LM Molle whether its the XL or Large.  I use the XL for my MUT, ST300, and Surge.

Followed up....... Just had a look on amazn they are calling it the Universal not "large" which will fit the Wave/Charge.  The XL tends to always say for MUT.