Pick on your favorite tool.

NeitherExtreme · **on:** March 14, 2009, 01:18:41 PM

So there's a lot of us who really like one tool or another (or a few tools), and we end up praising that tool to no end. So let's switch things up by giving us your complaints about your own favorite tool...

My #1 tool is the KF4... My biggest complaints about it are that the pliers aren't full strength. I also don't really like the chisel grind on the flat drivers or the dullness (?) of the awl. And, every once in a blue moon, I miss a bottle opener or can opener.

Swiss Man · **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2009, 01:39:07 PM

I have went thru many an MT and I have always found that the Swiss Tool was my default (or should I say the one I always compared the others to).

Schrade, Leatherman, Kershaw, Buck, SOG, Bear none of them compared to the ST until I meet it's little sister (the Spirit).

Now heavy boy (ST) is basically retired and Lil Sis rides with me.

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2009, 06:09:11 PM

Quote from: Swiss Man on March 14, 2009, 01:39:07 PM

I have went thru many an MT and I have always found that the Swiss Tool was my default (or should I say the one I always compared the others to).

Schrade, Leatherman, Kershaw, Buck, SOG, Bear none of them compared to the ST until I meet it's little sister (the Spirit).

Now heavy boy (ST) is basically retired and Lil Sis rides with me.

He said pick on your favorite not say why its better than the rest.

Mike · **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2009, 06:15:27 PM

My favorite tool is my brain, though I tend to leave it behind and not have it available when needed most.

Mike

DaveK · **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2009, 06:22:51 PM

I sometimes worry that my Charge TTi is little bit too cool and good.

nuphoria · **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2009, 06:39:08 PM

Charge Ti, but due to the locking blades it's not often carried... sadly

Nikos · **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2009, 07:29:19 PM

#1 tool: the almighty Spirit!

When I first got it I wished it had an OH PE blade, a pocket clip and a ruler. With time I started to disapprove of pocket clips, so I no longer consider that an issue. Furthermore, I've recently acquired a Spirit with a PE blade, so that bit is taken care of (although the butter-knife blade has grown on me and I do miss it from time to time), and I've got used to opening it two-handed, so another cons down. I still miss the ruler though... $:-\$

Dunc · **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2009, 07:53:52 PM

As much as I love the Swisstool at the moment I have to say the Spirit and I would miss the ruler although it wouldn't look right on a Spirit .

dunc

Nikos · **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:01:04 PM

They could at least have etched a couple of lines on one of the longer implements... Anyway, this just gives you reason enough to pair it up with something that does have a ruler...

Leatherman123 · **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:05:07 PM

The SURGE, although it's perfect; it does have a few shortcomings.. The older SURGE's rattle, the blade exchanger edge is quite sharp, and it's pretty heavy.. Other than that, it's triumphant in the MT world..

nuphoria · **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:23:00 PM

As regards to the lack of ruler thing, I carry a folded up paper 1m rule (from Ikea or other places) in my wallet. Most useful, free and expendable.

american lockpicker · **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:36:48 PM

My Wave isn't entirely made in the USA.

Dunc · **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:39:40 PM

Quote from: nuphoria on March 14, 2009, 08:23:00 PM

As regards to the lack of ruler thing, I carry a folded up paper 1m rule (from Ikea or other places) in my wallet. Most useful, free and expendable.

What a good Idea

Ok so the Spirits perfect again

dunc

Nikos · **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:43:15 PM

Quote from: nuphoria on March 14, 2009, 08:23:00 PM

As regards to the lack of ruler thing, I carry a folded up paper 1m rule (from Ikea or other places) in my wallet. Most useful, free and expendable.

Funny you said that. I've come up with exactly the same solution for this "issue".

Craig · **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2009, 08:57:58 PM

I've got to go with the Swisschamp

Of my pliers based tools the PST is the one I have the most affection for, despite having tools that are better equipped and more comfortable to hold, I just like its elegance and simplicity.

Benner · **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2009, 10:04:32 PM

Ok my favourites are the Swisstool X and the Original Leatherman Supertool.

Shortcomings of the ST-X: The play in the plier head and most of the tools, the fact that some of the tools are a PITA to get out, the poo philips driver.

The Supertool: Edges can dig in your hands when really clamping down on the pliers, Awl is as blunt as a banjo.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #16 on:** March 14, 2009, 10:13:46 PM

I wish the Farmer held it's edge a little longer $:-\$

NeitherExtreme · **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2009, 12:28:56 AM

Quote from: Benner on March 14, 2009, 10:04:32 PM

Awl is as blunt as a banjo.

That bad, huh.

Benner · **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2009, 12:30:03 AM

Quote from: NeitherExtreme on March 15, 2009, 12:28:56 AM

Quote from: Benner on March 14, 2009, 10:04:32 PM
Awl is as blunt as a banjo.
That bad, huh.

It may just be mine, but I think I could do more damage with my finger.

Nikos · **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2009, 01:15:00 AM

Quote from: Benner on March 15, 2009, 12:30:03 AM

Quote from: NeitherExtreme on March 15, 2009, 12:28:56 AM
Quote from: Benner on March 14, 2009, 10:04:32 PM
Awl is as blunt as a banjo.
That bad, huh.

It may just be mine, but I think I could do more damage with my finger.

It all depends on your fingernails... I know of a couple of animal species that fall in that group... For example, polar bears...

Poncho65 · **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2009, 01:24:51 AM

I think I will go with the SuperTool as well, I love it but I really wish it had locks similar to the Core but without adding it's bulk

Also

I think Benner's awl must be dull cause mine although not as sharp as a Vic awl or the newer LM awls still gets the jobs done I ask it to do

rockyman500 · **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2009, 01:29:00 AM

The SURGE is probably my favorite...but I haven't handled too many MTs to really know, but as of now, it's the SURGE...

Fishnuts2 · **Reply #22 on:** March 15, 2009, 03:27:23 AM

Great topic! I have only one big gripe with my favorite Spirit. That being that the wire cutter is so shallow or short. The test for my use is to cut a RG-6
coaxial cable with one snip. Only the Paladin 525 and the Gerber Diesel make this easy. The Spirit is the worst of the lot, even a LM Squirt P4 cuts coax easier.
My 2 cents.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2009, 03:36:47 AM

Hmmm...

Got a few favorites:

Wave: It's got everything I want in a MT, but damn it's heavy!
Wenger S557: Very pocketable. I wish the pliers were beefier, but got wire cutters! It would be nice if it had a file.
Cybertool 41: Needs a 5 mm Allen bit. Kinda big for such small pliers.

MultiMat · **Reply #24 on:** March 15, 2009, 04:27:37 AM

Surge it is a little heavy
Pulse no awl

SteveRacer · **Reply #25 on:** March 15, 2009, 09:40:59 AM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on March 14, 2009, 08:05:07 PM

The SURGE, although it's perfect; it does have a few shortcomings.. The older SURGE's rattle, the blade exchanger edge is quite sharp, and it's pretty heavy.. Other than that, it's triumphant in the MT world..

I agree. Except you forgot:

1. The Surge jams up at times. The plier nose can catch on the smaller tools in the handle (like the phillips bit in the exchanger) and hang up -- if you don't fold the legs in evenly. I can make anybody's do this, but some are more prone than others.

2. The main blade, although sharp, isn't very fancy steel. Other LM tools get nicer blade steels.

3. I don't like the raw cast finish on the end caps.

4. It's heavy.

5. There's a pin that prevents blade opening with pliers deployed. This can end up chipping the main blade edge near the hilt. Mine came chipped right out of the package. It doesn't matter to me, because my main blade was removed and another blade exchanger added. I EDC a Benchmade folder and a Boker Wharcom besides so I don't miss the main blade.

6. Security Torx sex bolts. Seems silly. What is LM trying to prevent? I don't see a need for the security stud, which require you to have TWO T-6 security tools just to adjust pivot tension.

7. Blade exchanger is a bit tedious to operate, and there's really only a very few tools that fit. Some jigsaw blades have the right shank, but are too thin to be secure. Seems LM is missing an aftermarket upsell by not offering a range of implements for specialized needs.

8. The melted-on plastic thumb tab on the scissor is cheesy and not keeping in quality with the rest of the tool, IMO. Should be swaged aluminum, or titanium, irridonmonicum, solid gold, or something enabling bragging rights. In fairness it hasn't come off or broken, nor have I heard of one that has, but still . . .

Quote from: MultiMat on March 15, 2009, 04:27:37 AM

Surge it is a little heavy
Pulse no awl

Huh? Mine does. Or at least I think it does. It has a "poker" . . .

Mine has a very pointy 1.5 inch blade, with a sewing hole, and some sort of sharp ridge on one side of it that I never understood what for. Reaming? Maybe that's a reamer, not an awl. But I think it does "awing" [is that a word?] duties just fine.

Anyhow, Surge is clearly far in away my all-time favorite. My last favorite was a Gerber Nautilus, which you could fill volumes with a list of complaint missives. But it had a really cool integrated flashlight, with one "bulb" that shined directly on the work under the deployed tool.

I'm waiting for the "Surge II" ... at which point I can die happy.

-steve

On edit: Wait, that said "Pulse no awl", not "Plus no awl". Sorry. Rotten Jack Daniels.

Magic Bus · **Reply #26 on:** March 15, 2009, 02:50:41 PM

The Swisstools are my favourite by a country mile, but like others the wibbly wobbly plier pivots do annoy me. But hey, nothing in life is perfect and they're still the best tool for me.

zepla · **Reply #27 on:** March 15, 2009, 03:57:40 PM

I wish they would make a smaller, juice size, version of the new wave. Mine is perfect, just a bit to big/heavy for my taste. That's what I don't like about my favorite tool.

Benner · **Reply #28 on:** March 15, 2009, 04:25:25 PM

Quote from: rockyman500 on March 15, 2009, 01:29:00 AM

The SURGE is probably my favorite...but I haven't handled too many MTs to really know, but as of now, it's the SURGE...

So what is it that you dislike about it then?

Nikos · **Reply #29 on:** March 15, 2009, 05:10:01 PM

Quote from: Benner on March 15, 2009, 04:25:25 PM

Quote from: rockyman500 on March 15, 2009, 01:29:00 AM
The SURGE is probably my favorite...but I haven't handled too many MTs to really know, but as of now, it's the SURGE...

So what is it that you dislike about it then?

Probably the fact that it's the SURGE that is his favorite, while he'd prefer it to be another tool?

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