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Help me decide.

Poll

What to buy as new pocket EDC.

Leatherman T4
2 (9.5%)
Victorinox Pioneer X
19 (90.5%)

Total Members Voted: 21

Voting closed: January 24, 2020, 10:12:58 PM

gb Offline badwolf

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Help me decide.
on: January 21, 2020, 10:12:58 PM
Looking to downsize my pocket carry from a Leatherman P2.

Whittled my list down to the Leatherman T4 and Victorinox Pioneer X  :ahhh

Not both, just one, before anyone says it  :tu:

 :popcorn:
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #1 on: January 21, 2020, 10:16:13 PM
PST   :whistle:


za Offline Max Stone

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #2 on: January 21, 2020, 10:49:07 PM
PX, no contest...  :salute:
Education is a journey that starts when you realize that knowing a little about something opens the door to the universe.


it Offline SirVicaLot

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #3 on: January 21, 2020, 10:50:16 PM
Considering your location and the local knife laws, and the fact that you wanna downsize: The Pioneer X.

Proven time and time again  :tu:



us Offline Aloha

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #4 on: January 21, 2020, 11:04:52 PM
Squirt  :whistle: ok ok PX  :tu:
Esse Quam Videri


wales Offline magentus

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #5 on: January 21, 2020, 11:19:52 PM
Pioneer X all the way. Perfect in every way and legal too.

You can win one from hiraethus in his 7000 post thread in the Break Room  :pok: its orange  :ahhh
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us Offline cody6268

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #6 on: January 21, 2020, 11:21:23 PM
The Pioneer for sure is going to be a quality piece, and a little cheaper than the LM. Plus, 100% Swiss, not "assembled in USA" of parts from wherever.


gb Offline Craig

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #7 on: January 21, 2020, 11:57:01 PM
I'd go for the Pioneer X . UK legal for EDC and all the tools I use most.
Prone to daydreaming.


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #8 on: January 22, 2020, 02:19:14 AM
The Pioneer X  :cheers:


us Offline parnass

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #9 on: January 22, 2020, 02:36:20 AM
The Pioneer for sure is going to be a quality piece, and a little cheaper than the LM. Plus, 100% Swiss, not "assembled in USA" of parts from wherever.

Do you own a Free T4?  The T4 I bought was "Made in USA" according to the box.  It also says "designed & manufactured in Portland, Oregon."   Nowhere does it mention or imply foreign parts.
Retired engineer, author.

A man with one multitool always knows exactly which to use. A man with many multitools is never quite sure. - parnass


us Offline cody6268

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #10 on: January 22, 2020, 02:51:43 AM
Do you own a Free T4?  The T4 I bought was "Made in USA" according to the box.  It also says "designed & manufactured in Portland, Oregon."   Nowhere does it mention or imply foreign parts.

I knew the P-Series had to have at least enough parts in them for LM to be able to mark the pliers as "MADE IN USA", but not the T-Series. That actually brings the whole line up a few marks for me.


us Offline parnass

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #11 on: January 22, 2020, 02:57:25 AM
I bought the Pioneer X in May 2016 and Free T4 three years later.

Both are well built and have an impressive finish, but I prefer the Free T4 for a few reasons.  The T4 tools meet my needs better, specifically the Phillips screwdriver and file, which are missing from the Pioneer X.  I have no need for a can opener.  Your needs may be different.

Too, all the Free T4 implements lock very firmly.  I have had non locking screwdriver blades collapse under pressure while trying to drive screws into my barn's wooden walls and that was annoying.

The Free T4's large slotted screwdriver blade is thicker and better suited for prying than the thinner Pioneer X's blade.

The T4's pocket clip is an advantage to some owners, though I removed the clip because I prefer to carry my tools in a belt holster.  Good luck with whichever you choose.  They are good looking, well constructed tools.

« Last Edit: January 22, 2020, 03:17:56 AM by parnass »
Retired engineer, author.

A man with one multitool always knows exactly which to use. A man with many multitools is never quite sure. - parnass


00 Offline Dutch_Tooler

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #12 on: January 22, 2020, 08:20:56 AM
@ UK members,
Is it the OHO, or the lock on the main blade, or both, (or any other feature - blade length?) that makes the Free T4 illegal as EDC (out on the streets)?

Here's a frivolous thought: assuming it's only the lock, modding it to render it street legal might just be as simple as grinding off the locking surface on the main blade's tang/pivot area. Having said that, during any search on your person you would still have to explain this...  :think:
Cheers!
Dutch_Tooler

Location: Southern Germany, most of the time


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #13 on: January 22, 2020, 02:44:23 PM
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #14 on: January 22, 2020, 02:47:22 PM
Pioneer X all the way. Perfect in every way and legal too.

You can win one from hiraethus in his 7000 post thread in the Break Room  :pok: its orange  :ahhh
Thanks, I'll give it a go  :tu:
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #15 on: January 22, 2020, 03:01:56 PM
I bought the Pioneer X in May 2016 and Free T4 three years later.

Both are well built and have an impressive finish, but I prefer the Free T4 for a few reasons.  The T4 tools meet my needs better, specifically the Phillips screwdriver and file, which are missing from the Pioneer X.  I have no need for a can opener.  Your needs may be different.

Too, all the Free T4 implements lock very firmly.  I have had non locking screwdriver blades collapse under pressure while trying to drive screws into my barn's wooden walls and that was annoying.

The Free T4's large slotted screwdriver blade is thicker and better suited for prying than the thinner Pioneer X's blade.

The T4's pocket clip is an advantage to some owners, though I removed the clip because I prefer to carry my tools in a belt holster.  Good luck with whichever you choose.  They are good looking, well constructed tools.

(Image removed from quote.)
Great info :tu:

I have the P2, I really like the tools and have used them way more than any other MT, just not using the pliers much, hence the downsizing.

I modified the knife to make it more UK friendly and would probably do something similar to the T4 but I look at the PX and think 'wow that's darn nice' and probably be just the ticket.

Anymore comparison pics of the two side by side, width etc  :pok:
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #16 on: January 22, 2020, 03:10:27 PM
@ UK members,
Is it the OHO, or the lock on the main blade, or both, (or any other feature - blade length?) that makes the Free T4 illegal as EDC (out on the streets)?

Here's a frivolous thought: assuming it's only the lock, modding it to render it street legal might just be as simple as grinding off the locking surface on the main blade's tang/pivot area. Having said that, during any search on your person you would still have to explain this...  :think:
Howdy, it's the locks and length that UK law currently recognise as non legal.

In the case of the T4 it's the lock, blade, length ok.

I have thought about modifying it, either by tinkering with the locking mechanism and back of blade notch. Or making the blade into a cutting hook like I did on my P2.
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


us Offline parnass

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #17 on: January 22, 2020, 04:45:52 PM
Great info :tu: ...

Anymore comparison pics of the two side by side, width etc  :pok:

Here is another photo which compares the largest slotted screwdrivers.

Retired engineer, author.

A man with one multitool always knows exactly which to use. A man with many multitools is never quite sure. - parnass


us Offline BadMechanic

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #18 on: January 22, 2020, 05:21:27 PM
I like leatherman but my vote goes to pioneer  :tu:


us Offline nate j

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #19 on: January 22, 2020, 10:32:03 PM
Pioneer X awl the way!!!!


gb Offline Craig

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #20 on: January 22, 2020, 11:11:30 PM
Pioneer X awl the way!!!!

 :iagree:
That awl is brilliant  :tu:
Prone to daydreaming.


us Offline Wessaen

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #21 on: January 23, 2020, 02:48:46 AM
Both are great, I alternate between the T4 and Pioneer X on weekends/after work. I mix in the S18 when I think I need a small saw (yard work, hiking, etc.).

I do think the T4 has tougher tools as the stock is thicker and having a dedicated 2.5D Philips driver has been very nice.

Honestly, I know you will be happy either way you go.

-Wes.
Work EDC: LM Raptor/Bladeless Pioneer X Mod

Weekend EDC: LM Free P2 or Vic Pioneer X/Vic Rambler/Olight I1R EOS Pro Ti/ Atwood R37Pry

These days I focus on collecting oddball Pharmacy/Medical Advert Victorinox Classics.


us Offline BClogic

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #22 on: January 23, 2020, 04:09:27 AM
I just bit the bullet and ordered a Pioneer X. So I guess that's which Candidate I'm backing :rofl: :tu:
Awlways know if the juice is worth the squeeze.


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #23 on: January 23, 2020, 04:10:32 AM
 :rofl: :rofl:


us Offline ElevenBlade

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #24 on: January 24, 2020, 03:09:21 AM
Parnass makes a pretty good case for the LM, and I think the most useful difference in favor of the LM is the thickness of the tools. 

I would want to know that the thicker screwdriver is actually thin enough to fit into most screws.  One of my LM tools... Wave iirc, has a screwdriver that is sometimes too thick to for some screws... I don't hear anyone else complaining about this, so maybe it's just me. 

If you ask me though - Pioneer X

Can opener makes a decent Philips. 
93mm SAKs have a stronger backspring (than 91mm) so tools stay where you want them. 
You won't be bothered by the authorities with the easily recognizable blade, no need to explain to them that it's non-locking
The awl is going to be your best friend
Narrower overall form factor




us Offline smiller43147

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #25 on: January 24, 2020, 05:46:27 PM
Pioneer X.  You can see my comparison between the two (and a Super Tinker) here:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,83591.0.html
- Steve


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #26 on: January 24, 2020, 08:37:06 PM
Here is another photo which compares the largest slotted screwdrivers.

(Image removed from quote.)
Thank you, surprisingly similar in size  :tu:
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #27 on: January 24, 2020, 08:45:11 PM
Parnass makes a pretty good case for the LM, and I think the most useful difference in favor of the LM is the thickness of the tools. 

I would want to know that the thicker screwdriver is actually thin enough to fit into most screws.  One of my LM tools... Wave iirc, has a screwdriver that is sometimes too thick to for some screws... I don't hear anyone else complaining about this, so maybe it's just me. 

If you ask me though - Pioneer X

Can opener makes a decent Philips. 
93mm SAKs have a stronger backspring (than 91mm) so tools stay where you want them. 
You won't be bothered by the authorities with the easily recognizable blade, no need to explain to them that it's non-locking
The awl is going to be your best friend
Narrower overall form factor
You make some very good points. I never realized the can opener made pretty darn good Phillips driver until someone here pointed it out.

Thanks for your input  :tu:
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #28 on: January 24, 2020, 09:00:08 PM
Pioneer X.  You can see my comparison between the two (and a Super Tinker) here:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,83591.0.html
Thanks for the link :tu:
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


gb Offline badwolf

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Re: Help me decide.
Reply #29 on: January 24, 2020, 11:30:51 PM
Pioneer X it is then but what colour :ahhh

Thanks MTO for all your input  :tu:
"I like me, my wife likes me"

JC PT&A


 

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