Describe your perfect multi!

[doinitall89]

I'd like to know what everyone's perfect multi would be like.  Describe every aspect of it if you could please.  I'm just interested in what people come up with.

[kodiak5]

My Moddified Charge. But with a reamer/awl added. A picture is worth.... well you know.

[Leatherman123]

The perfect MT IMO is the SURGE. I like all the features on it! The big blades and scissors are a huge plus! Another advantage is the blade exchanger. If you use the saw/file a lot you can just replace it! You can even touch up the PE blade with the diamond coated file! I also like the size, it feels perfect in my hands.. One more thing, with the SURGE you don't lose a tool.. What do I mean by that? With almost all MTs there are compromises to make.. Like with the Swisstools you have to choose between a file or a belt cutter or a serrated knife or scissors... Even with the LM Charge tools you need to decide if you want a gut hook, scissors, and the amount of bit drivers.. IMO, the SURGE is the tool that has the lowest amount of compromises You have an awl, scissors, saw, woodsaw, serrated knife, and even an eyeglass screwdriver! The SURGE is a hell of a tool! 

[doinitall89]

So you both are saying that the perfect multi already exists? That if you had the chance of a custom mt being made just for you, you wouldn't take it because you already have EVERYTHING you want in a multi tool

[Leatherman123]

The SURGE has everything I want.. I would want a premium SURGE though.. ( Like the Charge to the Wave) One with titanium handle scales, s30v blade, and a gut hook on the serrated blade. I think it's only a matter of time before the premium SURGE comes out! 

[kodiak5]

My post said my Charge but with an awl added. You must have not read it right. :O)

[PyroJames]

Perfect multi-tool?  Hmm...

My dream multi-tool must have:

-Compound leverage pliers like a SOG
-Outside opening blades like a Leatherman Wave/Charge
-Interchangeable parts like a SOG
-Smooth, one-handed opening
-Lots of different components that I can buy
-Ergonomic grips (holding it in my hands must feel so perfect that I never want to set it down)
-Rust and scratch proof
-Titanium, G10 and carbon fiber must be incorporated in to it somehow
-Multiple blades of the highest quality steel
-Be light as a feather but cut through metal like a hot knife through butter

[Sea Monster]

My perfect multi would have one of these:

First Tool Selection:

I'm a Less is More multi guy. I only own a few, and I assume opinion around here is not based so much on observational intelligence, but number of multis possessed, so take what I say with as much salt (or MSG) as you wish.


For me the Soldier (even though I don't use it) is a damn near ideal multi because I have more or less frequent uses for all of its functions (including the Can opener, but not necessarily any wire stripping powers it may claim to possess)

Same with my Classic, if I wasn't already carrying a multi with a coupla knives and screwdrivers, I would be using my classic in a variety of ways several times a day.

Moving up to my PST - The file on this isn't all that impressive, but I probably have a use for a file at least once a week, but might as well make it a diamondy one.


I don't have a use for that many slot head driver, especially since they don't actually work.
The phillips I like - it's still a common enough screw that I can justify it's presence (keeping in mind at this point that I'm merely addressing a function's existence on the multi. I would of course have one of Leatherman's newer, less thread-strippy phillips on my ideal tool)

Scissors - Multi scissors look a bit suss to me (so my Classic ones see some use), but since this is my ideal tool, I'm sure I can have scissors that please me, and they definitely would see use, so I guess they're in.


Saw - I'd like to pretend I'm the great bushman, but it doesn't come up that much, and I reckon the saw on a multi would be too small to not piss me off if a log fell across my path, so no Saw for me.

Wire Strippers/Multipurpose hooks/micro screwdrivers/rulers etc- Sure, if you can whack em on inoffensively with no downside, go for it, but I don't use these frequently enough to want them in my way when using my regular tools (I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again - my Rules cost about $1 per centimeter, I don't frick around with the wildly approximate measures got from the side of fish-scalers or Surge handles)


Oh, I have no beef with Leatherman's 4 function Hard Wire/Soft Wire/Plier/Long nose configuration, so that can stay.
A stranded wire cutter that actually works would be a welcome addition.


Finally - the knife blade.

Leatherman's regular shape blade (found on Fuse's, Core's etc) suits me just fine, as does Victorinox's blade, or a sheepsfoot style.
Blade steel might as well be something decent - good enough to hold an edge, but sharpenable by an amateur with a whetstone (whatever my kitchen knives are made out of would probably work)

I enjoy locking, simply for safety. I see the sense in One-Handed-Opening, but have yet to find a knife that does it in a way I like, so we'll stick with two handed for the moment.

Outside access for speed, or inside handle for extra safety is either way for me, I have not developed strong opinions on this matter.

Ergonomics (and size)

The PST is a great size for me, and, as discussed in my opinions about the LM Kick - also a great size for my various trousers, as it seems to fit in pockets no larger multi will. I see no reason to go larger, other than to accommodate the previously mentioned Locks, and the about-to-be-mentioned comforts.

I wouldn't mind comfy handles, perhaps the easiest way to do this is with some Charge-esque scales on the handles. (ooh, Alox Pulse w/Awl.   )


I remain interested in something that locks the handles in place when opened, for reasons I myself don't fully understand.

Another I like about the PST, but which confounds me with the Surge and Juice tools is I only have two possible locations for the tools  - one handle, or the other.

With tools coming out of all ends, sides, and corners, I just get frustrated trying to remember where the medium slot head is.

[Mr. Whippy]

This is my perfect Multi:



Ducati Multi(strada) in touring trim. 

[PyroJames]

My perfect multi would have one of these:
(Image removed from quote.)

Is that a lightsaber?

[Sea Monster]

It's the Arm R2D2 uses to open all the doors he ever comes across.

Also good for shutting down garbage compactors.

[doinitall89]

It's the Arm R2D2 uses to open all the doors he ever comes across.

Also good for shutting down garbage compactors.

Ooooooooo!!!!  Any chance any of the big MT manufacturers gettin their hands on it anytime soon!? lol And that's also a very gruesome picture, where's the R2D2 that was attached to it at one point!? 
  Makes me sad thinking about how it could have become detached . . .

[Poncho65]

That's what I thought it was Cool pic Nomad

[ecfiffer]

Perfect multi-tool?  Hmm...

My dream multi-tool must have:

-Compound leverage pliers like a SOG
-Outside opening blades like a Leatherman Wave/Charge
-Interchangeable parts like a SOG
-Smooth, one-handed opening
-Lots of different components that I can buy
-Ergonomic grips (holding it in my hands must feel so perfect that I never want to set it down)
-Rust and scratch proof
-Titanium, G10 and carbon fiber must be incorporated in to it somehow
-Multiple blades of the highest quality steel
-Be light as a feather but cut through metal like a hot knife through butter

i agree totally with ya.  maybe have an LED light some how added into the mix
but then again that would only be good for those that have to work in dim/low light areas, or on computers that are hiding under some users desk that they have too much crap on to move!

[EZ822]

For me the perfect multi would have the drivers of the LM Core pliers of the SOG Powerlocck diamond file and outside blade access.

[Anthony]

A Powerlock with one handed, outside opening blades much like the Wave. 

And it would have a larger nut gripping area in the plier head than the Powerlock currently has.

[rockyman500]

A Powerlock with one handed, outside opening blades much like the Wave. 

And it would have a larger nut gripping area in the plier head than the Powerlock currently has.

are the knife blades shorter on the sogs than most because of the compound leverage?

[hawkchucker]

No He just would like what sog cant do yet wich is outside opening blades.

[glorn]

Take a Surge, remove both of the bit adapters (I like them, but this is a dream tool, right?) and replace them with the Phil and small flat from a Core. Add the Gerber carbide rotatable/replaceable cutters.

Now comes the tricky part... I want the file in there and the saw, all the time. So... we can either put a blade adapter inside the tool as well as outside, or we can find a way to get nice big scissors (the Diesel scissors are excellent BTW) inside it and have the 2 adapters outside. I don't care either way. I guess if pressed I'd say an adapter inside would be keen.

Now it just needs a few more things...

Magnifier and corkscrew ala SAK. And plus scales.

Oh, and it can't be any bigger or heavier than a Surge, so... find a way.


That would be the only thing I would carry. I would go to bed with it at night and kiss it good morning when the sun comes up. I would buy it a beer on Fridays. I would write it poetry.   

[Sean]

Let me say first off with each new tool I purchase it seems to have something about it that shines one over the other. 
I know that one day we'll be surprised by a company that will truly come out with the "near perfect" tool that will bring multi-tools up to a new level.

My perfect tool?  well hopefully I can describe it.

 A plier head and the cutters of the Sog Powerlock.  It would have the tool variety of some of the finest equip't Leathermans, and would have the quality finish, non clumping, smoothness of the Victorinox Spirit tool. 
All tools would open from the outside and would make for that quick and easy deployment. 
Open up the pliers and you would have that smooth oval handle greeting the palm.
 
If I was going to suggest a tool they might want to add it would be a couple of Robertson heads.  How many times have I needed a Robertson and had to run to the toolbox to retrieve one!

We don't want the added hassle of a bit caddy so the bits can get lost, or an extra ratchet to tote along to do the job.  I'll take along my toolbox instead thanks! 

I want it compact and with a full complement of what we now consider as standard tools.   And we would need  this in pretty much 10-oz or less!  It has to be a light and comfortable carry.

If I was a betting man, I would put my money on Leatherman or perhaps secondly on Victorinox to get this accomplished.  Leatherman has the budget, designers, equip, etc to get this done.
 
This tool would come with a kydex shealth that would fit the tool like a glove, and would swivel-lock in any position.

How does that sound?

[Styerman]

A Spirit with a one handable spearpoint blade , scissors and a pocketclip . I would also like the scales/handlehalves beadblasted .

Chris

[Gadget Guy]

A solid titanium Micra & Surge would do it for me!     

[Benner]

A solid titanium Micra & Surge would do it for me!     

...which was hand made by CRK. 

[glorn]

A solid titanium Micra & Surge would do it for me!     

Yeah, or that... 


I could go for a solid titanium Core/Micra combo if the Core had a diamond file.. and they came with a nice leather sheath that held them both. A small pocket on the front for the Micra. 

[Gadget Guy]

A solid titanium Micra & Surge would do it for me!     

Yeah, or that... 


I could go for a solid titanium Core/Micra combo if the Core had a diamond file.. and they came with a nice leather sheath that held them both. A small pocket on the front for the Micra. 

Man I love the Leatherman diamond file. I think they should add it to every tool they make. 

[Craig]

I'd like one with parallel jaw pliers so I could use it on small fasteners.

[hawkchucker]

Parallel jaws were brought up here before. And I for one would certainly welcome one! Sog could put one into the Powerlock frame with very little tinkering.

[Craig]

And   already wanted a powerlock. Wonder if I could modify one myself - probably a bit ambitious.

[max6166]

One of the things I would love to see is essentially a LM Charge combined with the inside handle tools of the Spirit. I think that would combine the strengths of both brands into one amazing MT!