Searching for a cheap and reliable multitool

[Luc Lessard]

Hello everybody,

I'm looking for a multitool.

I understood that Leatherman seems to be the brand to own, it's reliable and sturdy however where I live they are pretty expensive.

Do you have advices on something less expensive but still reliable ?

The tools I would need :

Pliers, saw, scissor, screwdrivers, bottle opener and a knife.

Thanks for your help!

[Vidar]

There is a subforum a bit further down, "cheap and cheerful", where there many threads about off-brand multi-tools.

What kind of size are you looking for? Key chain, pocket, belt carry? Then there is your hand size and what grip you prefer.

[Luc Lessard]

There is a subforum a bit further down, "cheap and cheerful", where there many threads about off-brand multi-tools.

What kind of size are you looking for? Key chain, pocket, belt carry? Then there is your hand size and what grip you prefer.

Thanks for helping, I will take a look at this subforum, sorry I hadn't seen it before posting.

Regarding the size, I think I need something close to the Leatherman Sidekick size which I saw irl, and it looked the perfect size for me

[Mechanickal]

Gerber Suspension
Gerber Suspension NXT

Not the same quality as a LM, but decent enough for everyday urban adventures.
Just don't expect them to last a lifetime.

[gerleatherberman]

Gerber Suspension
Gerber Suspension NXT

Not the same quality as a LM, but decent enough for everyday urban adventures.
Just don't expect them to last a lifetime.

And just to add on, the Gerber has a lifetime warranty, granted the cost of shipping it to Gerber is lower than the cost of a new tool.

[Luc Lessard]

Thanks I will check this out

[Vidar]

sorry I hadn't seen it before posting.

Nothing to be sorry about. I just meant it as somewhere you might want to look. 

[Alan K.]

The Gerber MP-400 is another nice size tool for urban carry.

[ezdog]

Hello everybody,

I'm looking for a multitool.

I understood that Leatherman seems to be the brand to own, it's reliable and sturdy however where I live they are pretty expensive.

Do you have advices on something less expensive but still reliable ?

The tools I would need :

Pliers, saw, scissor, screwdrivers, bottle opener and a knife.

Thanks for your help!

And where is it that you live?

Also I have broken a few Leatherman but no Gerbers so far.
So I would not be too quick to assume that one os better than another just from popularity?
We are here to essentially share experience so we have more data to work with about what we feel is the best tool for the price.

[cody6268]

I would go with anything from Leatherman, Gerber, SOG, or Victorinox.  For the most part, the cheap off-brands are far from "reliable" and will fail miserably with hard use, and even if it's a well-made tool, the companies don't often have good customer support, or even much of a warranty.  And compared to the 25 years to lifetime warranties, those off brand warranties cover little, are very short term (30-90 days) or are non-existent.

I have dealt with the Leatherman, Gerber, and Victorinox warranties regularly. I have sent them damaged (and in most cases obviously abused/mistreated) tools often, and got the tools repaired or replaced; at little cost to me other than shipping.

[Vjeko Posavac]

I hear people saying "I have broken 2-3 Leatherman but non of cheap ones." And than you look how they use MT. With cheap one they clean finger nails (not to brake them) and with LM they try to open a tank with can opener (LM is indestructible) 

[Luc Lessard]

I live in south of France.

A SAK is also an option, the life warranty is a strong advantage and the build quality, however the pliers are clearly a weak point. I guess I need to try them to have an idea.

I have to define better my needs, I have a tool box with everything needed at home so this multitool I will buy is only for outside.

From my understanding (Im quite new in this universe), a SAK is better suited for the outdoor and a multitool is better suited for tickering so the multitool seems better for me, can you fix for example a car problem with a SAK?

A SAK seems great if I get lost in the forrest when a multitool seems better to fix mechanical things and can perfectly save my life also if I have to spend nights in the nature

[gerleatherberman]

It gets very subjective in that respect. Personally, I feel like pliers are very important outdoors. I carry an MT and SAK combo everyday, and find that I use both of them. Having pliers is amazing, but if you need to hold a nut and tighten a screw at the same time, then having both an MT and SAK is a must. 

[Huntsman]

We love our brands at MTo of course - But you could try an off brand!
Some are extermely dodgy - But I reckon some would be OK for infrequent use?  ........ I may be  kicked out of MTo for saying that   
You can get a cheap off brand multitool at many garages or hardware shops.
If you can get your hands on one before buying (eg not clam-packages) you could check blade sharpness, overall tightness etc etc - You could probably tell pretty quickly if it is OK or not!!

Maybe try one of those for starters?

Also did you also consider second hand? Not sure what sites are available in France - But I am sure ebay is there

Bienvenue et Bonne chance - Mon ami

[magentus]

Welcome to the forum Luc 

I think by Victorinox cody was probably meaning the Swiss Tool or Spirit - two of the best plier based multi's out there. You could put a 'wanted' add in the Tools Needed sub forum and buy second hand.

I'd echo cody in that you can't go wrong with Vic, Leatherman or Gerber (especially MP400 or 600).

Good luck - I hope you stick around and let us know what you decide 

[Luc Lessard]

Thanks all for your kindness!

Im very happy to have found this forum

[Syncop8r]

Leatherman (and Gerber?) are probably much more expensive in France than they are in the US... would Victorinox be a better bang for buck in this case? 

[Vjeko Posavac]

Leatherman (and Gerber?) are probably much more expensive in France than they are in the US... would Victorinox be a better bang for buck in this case? 

You would think so, but no. Vic and LM are more expensive. It is very hard to find new SwissTool for under 100€. Gerber is more affordable.

[Luc Lessard]

Ok finally I just ordered a SAK Ranger, for some reason I could not resist to get one, it's quite cheap and has plenty of tools (except the pliers )

I will buy a multitool later, and I think I will go with a Leatherman Sidekick

Like this I will have the best of both world

[AndyTiedye]

I often pair a Swiss Army knife with a Leatherman Skeletool.
The Skeletool for the pliers, the bit driver and the bottle opener.
The SAK for the blade, the saw, and whatever else.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

[ToolJoe]

If you keep an eye out on here, sometimes a Vic Spirit goes up for grabs at a good price. I've had a Vic Spirit for about two years and I find it to be the ideal MT for me..

[Huntsman]

Ok finally I just ordered a SAK Ranger, for some reason I could not resist to get one, it's quite cheap and has plenty of tools (except the pliers )

I will buy a multitool later, and I think I will go with a Leatherman Sidekick

Like this I will have the best of both world

Excellent plan - The Ranger is fab - covers so many bases - although quite wide for posh trousers

Please let us know how you get on and future plans
Lots of good ideas in this thread

A bientot 😁

[Sea Monster]

I post this only as an example - it is an australian one, but there is likely something similar under a local brand near you -

https://www.kincrome.com.au/pocket-tool-kit-18function


Basically a made-in-china knockoff of a Supertool, branded for a local tool company - The quality is "okay" - in that, it will do the job quite acceptably, and due the branding, it is covered by that company's warranty (kincrome is lifetime) (rather than probably identical tool bought from no-name place, or online)


The take away from this is - have a look at your "local" tools and hardware brands, even if they are not necessarily "multitool" companies, and see if they have any Multitools in their range - they may not be made in the same factories as their "core" line of tools for their business, but they should still be covered by their QC and warranty.

(The Kincrome tool linked to is about 1/6th the price of an equivalent LM at the time)

[Radrler]

The Leatherman Blast has all the tools you want and can probably be had for cheap. Well, used anyway. It’d be near perfect, if the tools opened from the outside... I carried a similar (but much less handy) Fuse for a while and have nothing but praise for the design.

Personally, I’d bet on quality over price. This way, you won’t have to replace your tool when it breaks...

[munecito]

You could try a Victorinox SAK tinkerer. It comes with some smallish pliers.



Also, pay a visit to pawn shops. I have found bargains to be has in those places.

[Happy Gilmore]

How cheep we talking? eBay is your friend. I get Leatherman blasts for $30, rebars for $40ish, and kicks for under $20. A good tool is just as good used IMO. SAK and Leathermans are wonderful to get used, and it's a more responsible way to shop.

Cheers

Ok finally I just ordered a SAK Ranger, for some reason I could not resist to get one, it's quite cheap and has plenty of tools (except the pliers )

I will buy a multitool later, and I think I will go with a Leatherman Sidekick

Like this I will have the best of both world

Don't get the sidekick until u give a hard look at the Leap. Yes...I'm serious.

[munecito]

 

I love my leap

[Luc Lessard]

Hello guys,

Thanks for your answers. I had received my SAK Ranger, but I was very surprised to see that the knife was scratched at the top. I was disappointed because I ordered it directly from Victorinox and expected great swiss quality and great quality control.

I did not think it was a big deal then and contacted the customer service to find a solution but did not get any answer. After a few days, I sent 2 other mail but no one was answering ! I thought "F*** off, I paid extra money to get good quality directly from the maker, I let them chances to correct it and no one answered, I send it back!" so thats what Ive done, and they refunded me yesterday.

So I'm still looking for a good mutitool. I have defined well my needs and my budget is about 100 euros.

I want a multitool with

- Pliers
- 2 types of screwdrivers
- A metal file, I need to be able to saw into a screw for example
- A wood saw
- A knife that can be opened with one hand

Thanks a lot for helping me with my search, hopefully you will find me the perfect multitool for my needs.

[Dutch_Tooler]

Hmmm. Leatherman Wave (or the bigger but more expensive Surge) spring to mind, for that budget. OHO knife blades and pliers combined tend to point in this direction

[Old Boy]

If you can afford to be patient I would suggest to buy whatever tool you like eg Leatherman or Gerber but just wait for the sales. Usually during the holidays like the upcoming Father’s Day in the US. For sure there will be a lot during the rest of this year.

Or buy used especially on tools with strong warranties. The forums here have plenty.

When I was shopping for emergency supplies I was able to buy duplicates of knives and MTs by waiting for the sales. Plus it gave me time to save up for it.
Good luck!!!