That was a great write up Hope we get some more soon
Terrific write up and comparison. Thank you for the work you put into it.
I think if you are looking for a tie breaker the Skeletool wins on price because they were a Christmas special at Home Depot in 2016 for under $30.00, and even though they weren't available at that price for the 2017 holidays many of us did buy them when they were on sale, and there's no reason to believe they won't be a Christmas special again in the future.
Special request for a tie breaker. How about which tool has Joie de vivre?
Good addition to the argument, Trad. I'm a fan of a locking knife because it is safer than a slip joint. Now, I love me a traditional slip joint, but I always feel safer using a locking knife. Or, at least, a knife that locks securely. These comments are coming from a guy who prefers to carry a fixed blade knife (and frequently does so). No one will ever convince me that a folder is a good substitute for a fixie, but in modern societies they aren't as well accepted as they should be (according to me ). So we are left with tiny knives that fold. And here a locking knife blade is a good idea for safety and security. I agree with your assessment that the Skeletool is a knife with pliers as opposed to a pair of pliers with a knife. This is true from my perspective. But, sometimes I want a knife (the tool I use the most) and think it might be nice to have some pliers along for the ride. In this respect, the Skele and Reactor do fill a specific role or, perhaps better, a specific set of anticipated needs. In the end, I don't carry my Skele as often as I have my Charge or, now, REBAR. But I like having it as an option. In this respect I think Leatherman and SOG should continue to evaluate, improve, and produce these tools. Options is good.
I'm a fan of a locking knife because it is safer than a slip joint. Now, I love me a traditional slip joint, but I always feel safer using a locking knife. Or, at least, a knife that locks securely.
I agree with your assessment that the Skeletool is a knife with pliers as opposed to a pair of pliers with a knife. This is true from my perspective. But, sometimes I want a knife (the tool I use the most) and think it might be nice to have some pliers along for the ride. In this respect, the Skele and Reactor do fill a specific role or, perhaps better, a specific set of anticipated needs.
Options is good.
I had a couple of cuts after my Spyderco Endura's lock failed (two or three times). I was seriously annoyed and wrote to Spyderco: "your back-lock fails!". This was in 1997. They wrote back and told me I was wrong. What the smurf?!? I had the Band-Aid bill to prove it!A few years later they came out with the "Boye Detent" and I felt vindicated. Since then, though, I've never had a lock fail. And I ain't kind to my knives. So, I'm not dismissing your concerns, but I don't have the same experience that you do. I'm quite confident in most (99%) of my locking knives and far, far more confident in my locking knives than I am in my slippies. Of course, my concern about the safety of my slip joints may make me more cautious when using them, and that might be a safety advantage. (Hey, nice arguing with you, Trad!)
No arguing. Just a friendly exchange of different perspectives.
A lock doesn't prevent disaster, but it's better than no safety mechanism at all.
I find the "insight" into SOG's sudden interest in quality improvements, to be disappointingly overdue. For four (or is it five) years now, they have been cementing their position as a company who cares very little about quality. Interested in design concepts, maybe, and in profit margins, but not in refining the concepts, ensuring that concepts are properly realised in the manufacturing stages, making sure that the products are indeed of useable tool quality, or giving a crap about their reputation in the marketplace.If SOG are listening, and I hope they are, they need to understand and be prepared to accept that even if every single tool they sold from today onwards, was of the quality that they should have been for the last few years, this is going to be a slow recovery of customer trust. They have pumped many disappointing tools out for several years, and that kind of reputation damage doesn't get swept under the carpet quickly. They now need to consistently put TOOLS on the market, instead of novelty "dad gifts". Not just one or two, but the whole line, and make sure each and every current product, and every subsequent new release, can be carried and USED in real life applications with full confidence. Even then, it may take five years of high quality tools, to start undoing the damage from five years of defects, misinformation, and sloppily built overpriced gadgets. There's no quick fix, fellers - but you've only yourselves to blame. Good luck in your recovery.
Unfortunately I have to agree here. Nowdays when I see a new release by SOG, instead of getting interested, I immediately think about things like https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=40498.0.Knowing that a company can put out stuff like that for sale can really shake one's confidence in said company. Like you said, I think it would take a few years of flawless work to restore confidence, at least for me. A Seal Pup Elite is still on my bucket list though...