advice on next purchase

[Darrell85]

I need some input form you guys since is seems like you have owned every multitool ever created. lol. I have the itch once again to purchase another tool but cant decide on the right one. My requirements are... Pocket clip and a 1/4" hex driver are a must, file, outside opening knife, not too bulky (will carry it everyday at work), replaceable cutters would be nice, or at least very good cutters (i cut 10 12 and 18 gauge copper regularly and bailing wire fairly often), I'm not into shiny flashy tools.. prefer black, tan etc, and possible to open the pliers one handed is a plus (i can do this with my signal that i am using now). I have been carrying a leatherman signal for a year ever since the second time i snapped the blade on my skeletool. The signal has had the crap beat out of it and just keeps on going but i'm board. lol. price isn't a big issue (under $150ish). Thanks in advance. Looking forward to see what you guys can come up with.

[ThePeacent]

Gerber Center Drive? 

[Douglas]

With the requirements you listed the Wave+ and the Surge both come to mind.  Neither one will hold a full 1/4 inch hex bit by them selves but add the extender and they do.  Don't discount the Leatherman "2D" bits though, they are capable of far more than I expected when I did both the Surge and Wave Challenges.  Both have the option to add a pocket clip although I will warn you for the Surge you will need realy large pockets and a good belt.  Both can be purchased in Black Oxcide.
If you're looking for a general purpose tool then the Wave+.  If you're looking for a TANK then the Surge.  Yes, G-Man I'm recomending a Leatherman product.  Only because it comes closer to the requirements.  I still prefer my Swisstool and Spirit, But the Surge and Wave are close seconds.  Now you can pick your jaw up off the floor and make your own recomendation. 
P.S. I have no experiance with it but you might consider the Gerber Center Drive.  It dose hold actual 1/4" bits and there are those here who proudly EDC it.

[Douglas]

TP you beat me to the punch.
 

[Top-Gear-24]

Gerber Center Drive? 

 

Only other option would be a Signal in another colour ... 

[ezdog]

Centerdrive has the best actual 1/4" drive option and I have tried them all a lot.

The pliers can also be used one handed and the cutters seem decent so far but I also almost always carry a dedicated Diagonal Cutter too while working.
The file seems ok too and the lack of a clip seems the only real issue from your list.

I have not used the knife but it looks great and the Centerdrive is sold in black now too.

[Darrell85]

Gerber Center Drive? 

i was really close to picking up a center drive today at walmart but no pocket clip. But i could add one like i did on my mp600

[Darrell85]

With the requirements you listed the Wave+ and the Surge both come to mind.  Neither one will hold a full 1/4 inch hex bit by them selves but add the extender and they do.  Don't discount the Leatherman "2D" bits though, they are capable of far more than I expected when I did both the Surge and Wave Challenges.  Both have the option to add a pocket clip although I will warn you for the Surge you will need realy large pockets and a good belt.  Both can be purchased in Black Oxcide.
If you're looking for a general purpose tool then the Wave+.  If you're looking for a TANK then the Surge.  Yes, G-Man I'm recomending a Leatherman product.  Only because it comes closer to the requirements.  I still prefer my Swisstool and Spirit, But the Surge and Wave are close seconds.  Now you can pick your jaw up off the floor and make your own recomendation. 
P.S. I have no experiance with it but you might consider the Gerber Center Drive.  It dose hold actual 1/4" bits and there are those here who proudly EDC it.

thanks for the reply. I use the leatherman bits in my signal, and i agree that they work well. My reasoning for the driver is i need to be able to drive 1/4 and 5/16" screws at work... Hvac.

[ThundahBeagle]

Hi Darrell,

As I read through your description,  the Signal jumped to mind. If you are bored, go to REI and get the forest green version woth the topo map on the bladr. Or Cabela's for the coyote tan.

The other option that came to mind was the Wave. The 2D bits work pretty well, but you can always get the bit extender  for real 1/4 inch bits.

Surge is a beast. It'll do anything you need, but it feels like a brick in your pocket.

Center Drive, heard good things about it but it is also a bit bulky and has no clip. It might still fit the bill.

So, if you can make the Center Drive work for you, great. If not, the ones that pop into my mind are a different color Signal, or a Wave with bit extender.

I think I'm parroting what others say, but that's only because that's what fits your description.

Hope that helps

[Darrell85]

Thanks alot for the replies guys! I was thinking the oht might fit the bill untill i realized that it is a massive beast of a tool. I think i will end up just getting another signal, carry the new one, and see what kind of modding i can come up with on the old one. Keep an eye out for the mod thread. Lol

[CallsignBadger]

 

I’m +1 for the Wave though   

[gerleatherberman]

With the requirements you listed the Wave+ and the Surge both come to mind.  Neither one will hold a full 1/4 inch hex bit by them selves but add the extender and they do.  Don't discount the Leatherman "2D" bits though, they are capable of far more than I expected when I did both the Surge and Wave Challenges.  Both have the option to add a pocket clip although I will warn you for the Surge you will need realy large pockets and a good belt.  Both can be purchased in Black Oxcide.
If you're looking for a general purpose tool then the Wave+.  If you're looking for a TANK then the Surge.  Yes, G-Man I'm recomending a Leatherman product.  Only because it comes closer to the requirements.  I still prefer my Swisstool and Spirit, But the Surge and Wave are close seconds.  Now you can pick your jaw up off the floor and make your own recomendation. 
P.S. I have no experiance with it but you might consider the Gerber Center Drive.  It dose hold actual 1/4" bits and there are those here who proudly EDC it.

Excellent recommendations, Douglas.
The Wave+(or Charge+) BO w/ clip and 21pc bit-set[42 drivers] is pretty close to what Darrell is looking for by the list. 
There aren't many clipped 1/4" integrated bit-drive MTs out there that I know of(the 1/4" holder inherently makes the tool bulky, isn't integrated well, or takes up too many tool slots). Center-drive is too bulky for a clip. The MP1 has a 1/4" holder built in(no clip though) but a low tool count.
I also thought the LM flattened bits would be inferior. I was wrong. They are fantastic.
The SOG PowerAccess(medium), PowerPint(small), PowerLitre(small), SOG Reactor(small) have 1/4" bit holders in the back of the pliers and a pocket clip, but it takes a bit of getting used to and isn't very robust. You have to squeeze the handles while using the bit holder. Kind of awkward, but usable.

[Douglas]

After growing up with a DAD in the HVAC industry and being in the field (in a manor of speeking [long story]) myself for the better part of 20 years,  If I were going to put together a MT kit around the most common HVAC fasteners Add these three to the Wave and your driver concerns are gone.  The Malco reversable driver is probably the best HVAC tool to come down the line in decades.

[McStitchy]

After growing up with a DAD in the HVAC industry and being in the field (in a manor of speeking [long story]) myself for the better part of 20 years,  If I were going to put together a MT kit around the most common HVAC fasteners Add these three to the Wave and your driver concerns are gone.  The Malco reversable driver is probably the best HVAC tool to come down the line in decades.
(Image removed from quote.)
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This.... with a Wave +  ... that's what I would suggest based on your requirements 

[Darrell85]

With the requirements you listed the Wave+ and the Surge both come to mind.  Neither one will hold a full 1/4 inch hex bit by them selves but add the extender and they do.  Don't discount the Leatherman "2D" bits though, they are capable of far more than I expected when I did both the Surge and Wave Challenges.  Both have the option to add a pocket clip although I will warn you for the Surge you will need realy large pockets and a good belt.  Both can be purchased in Black Oxcide.
If you're looking for a general purpose tool then the Wave+.  If you're looking for a TANK then the Surge.  Yes, G-Man I'm recomending a Leatherman product.  Only because it comes closer to the requirements.  I still prefer my Swisstool and Spirit, But the Surge and Wave are close seconds.  Now you can pick your jaw up off the floor and make your own recomendation. 
P.S. I have no experiance with it but you might consider the Gerber Center Drive.  It dose hold actual 1/4" bits and there are those here who proudly EDC it.

Excellent recommendations, Douglas.
The Wave+(or Charge+) BO w/ clip and 21pc bit-set[42 drivers] is pretty close to what Darrell is looking for by the list. 
There aren't many clipped 1/4" integrated bit-drive MTs out there that I know of(the 1/4" holder inherently makes the tool bulky, isn't integrated well, or takes up too many tool slots). Center-drive is too bulky for a clip. The MP1 has a 1/4" holder built in(no clip though) but a low tool count.
I also thought the LM flattened bits would be inferior. I was wrong. They are fantastic.
The SOG PowerAccess(medium), PowerPint(small), PowerLitre(small), SOG Reactor(small) have 1/4" bit holders in the back of the pliers and a pocket clip, but it takes a bit of getting used to and isn't very robust. You have to squeeze the handles while using the bit holder. Kind of awkward, but usable.

thanks for the input. I was looking at sog and my concerns were exactly what you just pointed out and was also concerned about the smaller plier heads holding up to tough tasks.

[Darrell85]

After growing up with a DAD in the HVAC industry and being in the field (in a manor of speeking [long story]) myself for the better part of 20 years,  If I were going to put together a MT kit around the most common HVAC fasteners Add these three to the Wave and your driver concerns are gone.  The Malco reversable driver is probably the best HVAC tool to come down the line in decades.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

I actually switched from carrying 2 drivers to the malco combo you shared about a month ago.  I love it! I just got the extender about a week ago also! I wish i could just buy one of each tool to try out. Lol

[gerleatherberman]

 

[ToolJoe]

I have a friend who works in the trades and switched from an OG LM Supertool to a Surge and I haven't heard any complaints from him about it.

[Douglas]

Here is a link closely related to this but more apropriate for the Hand Tool Sub Forum.
Hope some one finds it usefull.
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,80120.new.html#new