New here, Why are there more swiss army users than leatherman users?

[ThisAlarm7]

I have several LM tools, and probably 20 Victorinox tools.  The LM's are heavier duty, but for most things the Victorinox tools are more useful and easier to carry. I wish the Vic tools could be adjusted or taken apart more easily, but since I was a kid well over 30 years ago I've been amazingly well-served by SAKs and they're my favorite tools.

[madwok]

I use the heck out of my “ugly” Leatherman while I mostly fidget around my Vic . However, my newly Spirit Mx has won a spot in my blue jean on weekend 👌. Love the pocket clip and one hand opening .

[rishardh]

Yes, I find plier based Multi Tools to be more useful. Tim Leatherman created one because he saw the potential on a road trip when he needed pliers to fix a car. Only downside is they are bulky to carry unlike a standard size SAK. IMO for most situations a traditional SAK is fine and that’s why they are popular I guess.


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[kkokkolis]

Leatherman tools are charming, but they break, rust and wobble.
Swiss products on the other hand are pretty as jewels and precise as watches. And they are time proven and cultural icons.
I use and carry both, until Victorinox makes something like the Juice, the Squirt or the Skeletool, as they did with the Swisstools.

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[Poncho65]

On a similar note I have had more SAKs break than LM I carry an Executive daily but have had backsprings break on one while in my pocket, plus a few more incidents and the metal is a bit softer than I like for harder work

I have never had more than surface rust on an LM that I have used and I work out in the elements daily, so it really depends on an individual and their uses more than a generalization 

[powernoodle]

I have needed pliers on my belt about twice in the past 30 years, and even then I really did not "need" it.  So on the important metric of size and weight vs. utility, the Swiss Army Knife comes out far ahead (for me).  And even some of those models give you mini pliers.

So it all boils down to weight vs. utility.  I still carry a pliers-based MT from time to time, but its just because its fun.  Need doesn't really factor into it.  That may be different depending on one's vocation.

[kkokkolis]

On a similar note I have had more SAKs break than LM I carry an Executive daily but have had backsprings break on one while in my pocket, plus a few more incidents and the metal is a bit softer than I like for harder work

I have never had more than surface rust on an LM that I have used and I work out in the elements daily, so it really depends on an individual and their uses more than a generalization 

You are right of course, I speak mainly from personal experience. Rust was always on surface and easily whipped off, but I never broke a Victorinox or Wenger and my wife broke my Charge with her delicate little hands. Go figure. I have also seen a lot of rusty and broken LM on the internet.
I didn't intend to generalize, I thought that it is clear that every such claim is subjective and empirical, since we don't have statistics and academic data on the subject.

[Poncho65]

I knew you didn't I was just making sure others weren't just taking it as such

I have seen plenty of LM broken online as well as some rusty ones but also busted SAKs

[dks]

Surprisingly, I find myself using/needing the smaller pliers on a LM Squirt rather than any full size multitool pliers, since I have several proper pliers around but none near as small as the Squirt ones

[Rich_SD]

I have seen plenty of LM broken online as well as some rusty ones but also busted SAKs

Even though my Leathermans are much more durable than my SAKs, I think I am still more likely to break them because I am using them as real tools.  SAKs are more like pocket trinkets for light duty only.

[kkokkolis]

Even though my Leathermans are much more durable than my SAKs, I think I am still more likely to break them because I am using them as real tools.  SAKs are more like pocket trinkets for light duty only.

That's also true.

[Aloha]

I went from carrying a Wave daily along with a 91mm SAK to carrying a Squirt and 58mm SAK daily.  Need for me is subjective.  I am not wanting to solve everything that comes my way when out on my off days.  At home I can get away with a Skeletool because i'm never far from my dedicated tools.  Its handy more so than anything to have pliers with me at hand.  As for SAKs, I just love the utility in such a compact package.  At home I carry a champion, Farmer, adventurer, small tinker, or Workchamp.  It just depends on how I feel.

SAKs and LMs are complimentive rather than competitive.   Its not either or for me.   

 

[GearedForwards]

I went from carrying a Wave daily along with a 91mm SAK to carrying a Squirt and 58mm SAK daily.  Need for me is subjective.  I am not wanting to solve everything that comes my way when out on my off days.  At home I can get away with a Skeletool because i'm never far from my dedicated tools.  Its handy more so than anything to have pliers with me at hand.  As for SAKs, I just love the utility in such a compact package.  At home I carry a champion, Farmer, adventurer, small tinker, or Workchamp.  It just depends on how I feel.

SAKs and LMs are complimentive rather than competitive.   Its not either or for me.   

This says it pretty well, I'll normally carry both. They're entirely different categories of multitool that don't compete against each other.

When I actually left the house to go to work I would have a Wave (w/ bit card and extension) in my bag and a Skeletool in my pocket, a full size Leatherman can be a bit much for what you might actually use it for on a daily basis.

[Farmer X]

This has been an interesting read, and I agree with many points given.

I don't believe there is any tool that is truly unbreakable. Any tool has the potential to break if misused or abused. I am pretty sure I've messed up the wire cutters on a PB multi, and I know for sure I've broken at least one SAK. I've seen broken examples of both offered for sale, too. That said, I do feel a PB multi, generally speaking, will be a little bit more heavy duty. A heavy-duty tool can be used for lighter work and hold up perfectly fine. The opposite isn't always true.

MacGyver also played some part in the SAK's popularity. When that show was filmed, Leatherman was only recently established, and I don't believe anyone else was making PB multis. Would the eponymous character have carried a Leatherman? That could make an interesting discussion.

Aloha hit the nail on the head. Paraphrasing slightly: SAKs and PB multis work with, not against, each other.

I could go on, but I think that's enough for now.

[afishhunter]

I carry both. The task determines which I use.
My current EDC is a SAK Mini Champ, Evo Grip 14, and a LM Charge+TTI, joined by a Buck 301 stockman (sometimes a blade with no belly and a strong tip is needed) and a Buck 110. (I've carried a 110 or Old Timer 7OT/6OT pretty much every day since 1968. I "feel naked" without one.)

[Steelej1976]

A lot of good answers here.  For me I carry my Rebar for work along with a Case Mini Cooper lock and for after work I carry a SAK Tinker or Cadet and a CRKT Piet. 

I love both pretty equally so it is hard to choose.  If I had to pick just one it would be the Rebar because it ultimately can do more because of the pliers but I think the SAK ounce for ounce is the winner without question.

I think the best answer is GET BOTH USE BOTH

   

[comis]

I might be late to this, but to OP's original question, I think it all boils down to price/needs/weight/sentiment. 

I think some of the reasons why there are more SAK users than LM could be:

1) Longer SAK company history, 125+ years vs 39 years.

2) Knife law, SAK non-locking sub 3" blade fits more regional law around the world

3) Price/avialability/distribution, if you think of what a 91mm SAK can do vs its price worldwide(vs premium knife enthusiat brand folding knife), it's really quite a steal.  However, Leatherman sold in non-US locations often are prohibitingly expensive.


Having said all that,  though I am more skewed towards SAK camp, I totally agree with what everyone said, it's just healthy competition and they could be good compliment to each other.

[Poncho65]

Great to see you, comis

[SteveC]

 

[Happy Gilmore]

When I first started my journey into Multitools I probably would have said the same thing..But the more I use them, the more I research, the more I appreciate the incredible efficiency and quality offered by Vic...if anything I am going more toward a Vic now then ever.

[Farmer X]

I'm doing the opposite: moving from SAKs to PB multis. I've come to really appreciate having a full-sized set of pliers. SAKs will awlways have a place in my life, but henceforth I'll be sticking with Alox models and those that have my most used tools. I may also see how I get on with a SwissTool.

[powernoodle]

Another factor may be that Knipex or similar pliers (though Knipex really has no competition) are "better" in many respects at doing plier stuff than MT pliers.  And you can pick the Knipex size and style (Pliers wrench or Cobra models) to pair nicely with a SAK.  The slight problem I have with carry a SAK plus an MT is the redundancy of tools which I don't really want or need.  And I am always going to have an Explorer Plus (or similar) in my pocket, which makes the MT largely redundant (except for pliers).  So my default is either a SAK alone, or a SAK plus Knipex, though I still have good vibes for my MTs.


Knipex.

[Rich_SD]

Another factor may be that Knipex or similar pliers (though Knipex really has no competition) are "better" in many respects at doing plier stuff than MT pliers.  And you can pick the Knipex size and style (Pliers wrench or Cobra models) to pair nicely with a SAK.  The slight problem I have with carry a SAK plus an MT is the redundancy of tools which I don't really want or need.  And I am always going to have an Explorer Plus (or similar) in my pocket, which makes the MT largely redundant (except for pliers).  So my default is either a SAK alone, or a SAK plus Knipex, though I still have good vibes for my MTs.

After the January Toolbox Challenge, the though of carrying a Knipex and multiple tools makes me queasy. 

[Valkie]

My day to day carry is a SAK soldier or Farmer depending on what Im doing.
A work its always a leatherman wave or sidekick.

But on my keys there is a sak mini.

and yes, I use them all.

[Nix]

My day to day carry is a SAK soldier or Farmer depending on what Im doing.
A work its always a leatherman wave or sidekick.

But on my keys there is a sak mini.

and yes, I use them all.

 

SAK is for every day carry/use. Leatherman (or other pliers-based tool) gets carried for specific events or anticipated tasks.

[comis]

Great to see you, comis

Another factor may be that Knipex or similar pliers (though Knipex really has no competition) are "better" in many respects at doing plier stuff than MT pliers.  And you can pick the Knipex size and style (Pliers wrench or Cobra models) to pair nicely with a SAK.  The slight problem I have with carry a SAK plus an MT is the redundancy of tools which I don't really want or need.  And I am always going to have an Explorer Plus (or similar) in my pocket, which makes the MT largely redundant (except for pliers).  So my default is either a SAK alone, or a SAK plus Knipex, though I still have good vibes for my MTs.

(Image removed from quote.)
Knipex.

PN, great set of tools.  I always think the Kabar Dozier is one of the most underated gem and Knipex is surely one of the best companion to a SAK.

SAK is for every day carry/use. Leatherman (or other pliers-based tool) gets carried for specific events or anticipated tasks.

That's my sentiment exactly.

[Adam5]

After the January Toolbox Challenge, the though of carrying a Knipex and multiple tools makes me queasy. 

 

[hsherzfeld]

SAK is for every day carry/use. Leatherman (or other pliers-based tool) gets carried for specific events or anticipated tasks.

That’s the direction that I’m moving as well. Now that I’m working in an office again, I rarely carry a Leatherman on my person. Not because the environment is restrictive or anti-knife, but because I’m not likely to encounter anything larger than paper clips or staples to use pliers for. A Victorinox Explorer takes care of all my knife/tool needs at the office, and then some. When I’m at home, I’ll often wear my Curl or original Wave on my belt, especially if I’m gardening or building something.

[cnlson]

in high school I carried a tinker that I still have. I like it but having the blade fold up on you once is enough to convert me to a locking blade tool. In fact, an evil girlfriend was using it for something and nearly cut her finger off (that SAK knew better than me) She ended up having to have tendon surgery due to how sharp the blade was.

I like the look of the multitool swiss army tool  but I have never found a good enough deal on one to motivate me to buy one. I did buy a mini champ to combine a tool and pen on the keychain for our miata but there is always a leatherman (wave) in the glovebox and another on my hip, usually a charge+, tti or AL. I started carrying a Leatherman when I went to the gulf war in 91. Last thing I bought before we left. Like the Swiss army knives, the blades on the pst dull quickly and I was not that great at sharpening it. But now, with s30v and 154cm (my personal fav) I can last a long time before I have to sharpen.

so for me the score is SAK 2 Leatherman 50

I carry a charge+, have a micra one one keyring, a minichamp on the other. All 3 cars have either a wave or wave+ in them. The only time I can think of in the past 4 years I have been without them is when flying. the year before I had jury duty, so that was about a week of having to leave them in the glovebox outside court.

If non locking blades were a virtue, like in the UK. I'm sure I'd own more SAK, but I live in the land of the somewhat free.