What do you like in a tool?

[Grant Lamontagne]

For me, I like a few things- a good blade, wood and metal saws and a decent array of screwdrivers.  Also, the pliers have to be decent (not a connaiseur of pliers, but you can always tell a crappy pair the second you use them!) and the whole thing has to be well balanced- no one tool being any better than the rest. 
What does everyone else look for?
Def

[Fred]

For me a multitool has to have scissors.I hate not having scissors cause I use them so much.I also carry a Micra everywhere just to make sure I have one.

[NutSAK]

I basically want the closest thing I can get to a SAK toolset with a great, tough set of pliars.

The Swisstool Spirit does it for me, but I need to pick up a larger Swisstool for heavy-duty use.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I basically want the closest thing I can get to a SAK toolset with a great, tough set of pliars.

But which SAK?  What SAK tools do you prefer?
Def

[Kapt Kopter]

Well for me it has to be comfortable in the hand, have scissors,file,good blade,awl,bottle/can opener.corkscrew,.........geeezz no wonder I own so many Leathermans and Saks.............

Kap ;D

[Grant Lamontagne]

You too huh?
Of course, if you need a corkscrew, that really shortens the list.  Not many multis have the corkscrew, and of the ones that do, many of them are not permanent fixtures.  I have the corkscrew attachment for the SwissTool and Spirit, but I actually prefer the corkscrew on the LM Juice, plus the Juice holds the Victorinox mini screwdriver better than the removeable Vic multitool corkscrew does.
Def

[felinevet]

I agree that scissors is a must.

[Fred]

Confortable handles!Doesn't matter how good the rest of the tool is if you can't use the darned thing!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Very good point.  I couldn't agree more- I swear I have permanent marks in my hands from the old Leatherman tools!
Def

[NutSAK]

I basically want the closest thing I can get to a SAK toolset with a great, tough set of pliars.

But which SAK?  What SAK tools do you prefer?
Def

These tools are a must:

Large blade
Phillips screwdriver
Scissors <--------------- I LOVE the tough scissors on the Spirit.
Wood saw
Metal saw/file
Screwdrivers/openers
Awl/reamer

I must add that, though they aren't a must, I find the Electrician's blade on the SAK Electrician/Sprit very useful.

So, I guess the Spirit has everything I need, and the chisels which I rarely use.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have often thought that the Spirit is the (almost) perfect multitool.  There are a few simple changes I'd make to put it over the top if it were up to me though.

1.  One handed opening blade.
2.  Diamond file like on the Wave and the PST II

I'd also like to see a snap in kydex type sheath similar to the one for the LM Juice models, only better.

These things would make the Spirit perfect IMHO.
Def

[Fred]

that sounds pretty sweet.Anyone try moding a multitool yet?

[felinevet]

I have often thought that the Spirit is the (almost) perfect multitool.  There are a few simple changes I'd make to put it over the top if it were up to me though.

1.  One handed opening blade.
2.  Diamond file like on the Wave and the PST II

I'd also like to see a snap in kydex type sheath similar to the one for the LM Juice models, only better.

These things would make the Spirit perfect IMHO.
Def

;D Absolutely, U R right on brother!

[Sea Monster]

I like a tool to do what it advertises.

If a feature is half-assed or doesn't work, why put it on?

[DaveK]

I like a tool to do what it advertises.

If a feature is half-assed or doesn't work, why put it on?

That's my thoughts too. I can pretty much live with any feature set, as long as they perform like they should.

I have long since come to the conclusion that I will never find the perfect multitool, as the perfect tool will be different from job to job.

I've found that I fetch specific tools or combinations of tools almost without thinking about it now:

Fixing the kids bikes: Crunch / Charge.
Working in the garden: Core / Micra
EDC (Bag): Charge / Micra
EDC (Suit Pocket): Cadet
Lunch: GAK
etc....

In summary, what I like most in a tool is confidence that it'll do the job.

EDIT:
Sawing knots off Christmas trees so they'll fit in the stand: Core / Hammer

[Mr. Whippy]

Lots of good points here.

1. Agree that if a tool doesn't work well, or doesn't work because of its position in the tool, why have it?  Put something else on or fix the problem.

2.  If it hurts my hand or is uncomfortable to use, its gonna be religated to the back of the drawer.

3. Also agree that ideal tool depends on the job.

As for tools I look for in EDC:

Pliers
Knife blade that can be sharpened by mere mortals
At least phillips and standard screw driver
wire cutter/stripper

After those basics, my favorites to add are:
Scissors
bottle opener
bit driver with torx/allen bits
file
saw

Anything over that is just icing on the cake 

[Dtrain]

As Much as they can cram in the handles and still be considered useful, My opinion at least on a Multi-Tool.

Dtrain

[DoughDTD]

I have often thought that the Spirit is the (almost) perfect multitool.  There are a few simple changes I'd make to put it over the top if it were up to me though.

1.  One handed opening blade.
2.  Diamond file like on the Wave and the PST II

I'd also like to see a snap in kydex type sheath similar to the one for the LM Juice models, only better.

These things would make the Spirit perfect IMHO.
Def

and a pocketclip 

-Dough

[daveim21]

scissors, powerful pliers, removable implements (hex bolt construction), wood saw

[Poncho65]

scissors, powerful pliers, removable implements (hex bolt construction), wood saw

Sounds like you might want a SOG