Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Swiss Army Knights Forum => Topic started by: Leatherman123 on October 02, 2007, 03:15:45 AM
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First, I will start this as I am a police officer. I use multitools everyday and I prefer the one handed opening over the nail nick on the swisstool or the 30 second process on my powerlock! But today I tried my Swisstool and I am not impressed. I was in my police car driving on a main road and I saw a dog trapped under a fence. So today I brought my new swisstool rs to try it out. I tried to use the swisstool wirecutters to cut the fence and it was unable to cut it. So I always keep a leatherman surge in my duty bag so I ran to the car and used the stranded wire cutters to cut the fence with ease.
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So the Surge was able to cut through it with ease, but not the SwissTool....what kind of a fence was it exactly?
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If you didn't have the Surge on you, do you think you could have used the Swiss Tool file to cut the fence enough to snap it with the wire cutters?
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First, I will start this as I am a police officer. I use multitools everyday and I prefer the one handed opening over the nail nick on the swisstool or the 30 second process on my powerlock! But today I tried my Swisstool and I am not impressed. I was in my police car driving on a main road and I saw a dog trapped under a fence. So today I brought my new swisstool rs to try it out. I tried to use the swisstool wirecutters to cut the fence and it was unable to cut it. So I always keep a leatherman surge in my duty bag so I ran to the car and used the stranded wire cutters to cut the fence with ease.
I,m very suprised the Swisstool let you down,what sort of gauge fence was it?
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It would have had to have been some serious fencing, a friend of mine and I faced off a long time ago with a race between a ST and a Powerlock to see who could cut through the steel the quickest. The diameter I am not sure exactly, but it was chain link fence easily if not thicker. The Powerlock did it with ease but the swisstool did not fail either, he had to squeeze a heck of alot more but the ST showed no signs of damage.
David
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It would have had to have been some serious fencing, a friend of mine and I faced off a long time ago with a race between a ST and a Powerlock to see who could cut through the steel the quickest. The diameter I am not sure exactly, but it was chain link fence easily if not thicker. The Powerlock did it with ease but the swisstool did not fail either, he had to squeeze a heck of alot more but the ST showed no signs of damage.
David
That's been the case in my experience too, sure a powerlock would have choped through the wire with less user fatigue, but the Swisstool would have managed it too, even at the cost of a few more calories ;D
I can't see how a Surge would have been able to do the task where the Swisstool could not ???
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Leatherman123,
It's a good thing you had a backup multitool. Hope the dog survived the ordeal.
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I would love to hear more of this fence as I have just went out back and removed a small section of my fence just for research purposes with no problems cutting a single strand granted the ST would not cut the sections that had three strands twisted together I resorted to the hacksaw!
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I indeed could have used the file but that would have taken a long time. I would say like 15 gauge possibly. Im sure I could have eventually got throw it with the swisstool but the stranded wire cutters I believe work better on high strength material such as fencing. And the dog was a pit-bull which i wasnt to comfortable getting close too and it had some gashes on its back but the owners that live close were looking for there dog and they were very happy for me basically saving the dogs life. The dog did go to the vet and the family called me earlier and said that '' tiger'' had to get one of those head basket things and a few stitches but for the most part the pitbull is in good shape
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Well I'm glad the doggie was ok :)
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First of all let me thank you for the good action not all the Police officers will take the time to save a dog, at least not here in Miami, thanks for the good action.
I never had a problem with my Swisstool cutting any type of wire even double barb wire was cuted without a problem but you have to make sure that the swisstool is not damaged. In the other hand you just open my eyes I only carry a Swisstool in my car and I don't have a back up multitool so tonight when I get home I will put my Surge on the car, thanks and congrats.
:multi:
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Thanks, now to mention it the wirecutters on my swisstool are not very impressive. The struggle cutting the thick coat hangers. Possibly my tool is damaged. But that could also be because the swisstool wirecutters dont cut clean they bend and then cut
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Thanks, now to mention it the wirecutters on my swisstool are not very impressive. The struggle cutting the thick coat hangers. Possibly my tool is damaged. But that could also be because the swisstool wirecutters dont cut clean they bend and then cut
It does sound that way, maybe you should try and compare them to another swisstool, failing that let Victorinox's warrenty department take a look, you might be the one in 2 million that got a bit of a rogue :-\
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I done a video a while back showing a swisstool cutting a coat hanger to bits , its in the multi media section on here . As for using the file to cut the fence ? you cant as the RS hasnt got one ;)
Dunc
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I done a video a while back showing a swisstool cutting a coat hanger to bits , its in the multi media section on here . As for using the file to cut the fence ? you cant as the RS hasnt got one ;)
Dunc
That was a pukka video mate, especially the satisfying sniping noise ;D
So are you back for good?
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Dunc you are totally right! I totally forgot it had the scissors and belt cutter.
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Here is Dunc's video of a coat hanger being destroyed. I can't imagine it being done any better.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/ebbingtide/th_S5030243.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/ebbingtide/?action=view¤t=S5030243.flv)
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Great video but I think that fences are thicker than hangers.
I will try today.
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Don't re-enact it too closely- not all fences with pitbulls on the other side are as positive as LM123's! :D
Def
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That's a very impressive video.
I've struggled to cut wire that thick with some side cutters!
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I needed to break and bend a coathanger a few days ago and my PowerLock ate through it like a Fiskars through paper 8)
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I done a video a while back showing a swisstool cutting a coat hanger to bits , its in the multi media section on here . As for using the file to cut the fence ? you cant as the RS hasnt got one ;)
Dunc
Dunc,
Is this a good test? Just now I finished cutting up the thickest coathanger in the house with a Juice. It took more force than with something larger, but quite doable, no damage to the wire cutter. How thick was your hanger?
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With all new tools coming into the house they get "tested" against the Swisstool (even the Spirit) I tried the coat hanger test with the SOG Powerlock and the Swisstool, I will admit the SOG was an easier cut but the Swiss wasn't shabby at all.
Bottom line the difference wasn't enough to make the SOG my number 1.
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I used my swisstool spirit once to cut swingset chain that was attached to my boat with a rusted shut master lock. It worked very very well. I am suprised that the swisstool did not cut the fencing easily.
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I EDC a SwissTool and have used it on many types and gauges of wire. I've never had a problem. The first time I tried it on chainlink fencing I was surprised how easily it cut the wire.
I guess that is one of the things that makes MultiTool.org such a special place. We all have the opportunity to share our experiences and learn from one another.
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I have not used leatherman surge before. I once tried to cut a wood screw using Charge Ti. It did cut the screw tip, but also damaged its piler tooth, the alignment is change and even hard to close the plier. I tried Swisstool RS, it cut the wood screw with ease, even the diameter of screw is bigger.
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I have not used leatherman surge before. I once tried to cut a wood screw using Charge Ti. It did cut the screw tip, but also damaged its piler tooth, the alignment is change and even hard to close the plier. I tried Swisstool RS, it cut the wood screw with ease, even the diameter of screw is bigger.
That's pretty impressive cutting performance mate :) :)
Was there any damage to the wire cutter at all ??? ???
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No, my RS still looks like new. By the way, it took a lot of time to open and close to re-align my Ti's plier tooth. I won't try hard stuff using my Ti any more. One more word, I really like Ti's big knife with the function of one-hand-open. Hope Swisstool could adopt this advantage later.
I have not used leatherman surge before. I once tried to cut a wood screw using Charge Ti. It did cut the screw tip, but also damaged its piler tooth, the alignment is change and even hard to close the plier. I tried Swisstool RS, it cut the wood screw with ease, even the diameter of screw is bigger.
That's pretty impressive cutting performance mate :) :)
Was there any damage to the wire cutter at all ??? ???
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One more word, I really like Ti's big knife with the function of one-hand-open. Hope Swisstool could adopt this advantage later.
[/quote]You never know it could happen, there must be a new swisstool waiting in the wings :)
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I'm really impressed by the video of the Swisstool cutting that coat hanger so easily. I once cut a coat hanger with a Leatherman Supertool (old model), and it was able to accomplish the task but it was very difficult and doing so damaged the wire cutters. I also have a Leatherman Charge XTi which is said to have 'hard wire cutters', but because of my previous experience with the Supertool I am hesitant to try this test. Here is a picture of the damage the 'supertool' sustained after cutting through a coat hanger. Notice the denting in the wire cutters.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/IeraseU/Leatherman%20Review/wirecutter.jpg)
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The hard wire cutters are the half round shapes at the very base of the cutter section...coathanger cutters!
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Yes, the Leatherman Xti does have hard wire cutters at the base, but not the Supertool. The recessed area you see at the bottom is the result of damage taken while cutting the coat hanger.
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Yes, the Leatherman Xti does have hard wire cutters at the base, but not the Supertool. The recessed area you see at the bottom is the result of damage taken while cutting the coat hanger.
Ouch. I wonder if Leatherman would sort that out for you under warranty??
Welcome btw. :)
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Yes the Swisstool didnt have any trouble with the coathanger . I will try and think of another test to video , a wire fence maybe . I'll see what I can do .
Dunc
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I've used my SwissTool to cut all sorts of wire. Wire hangers are no problem. I've even used them on the plastic coated ones.
As for fencing, we just had a chain link fence installed at home. I used some leftover wire to hang "Beware of Dog" signs by the gates. The SwissTool cut it reliably. I've cut chain link in the past to make various small wire items and have never ad a problem.
One of the main reasons I put away a Leatherman Super Tool when the SwissTool came out, was cutting wire. I cut some 14 gauge steel wire with the LM and it never worked right again. I've never had that complaint with the SwissTool.
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Ouch. I wonder if Leatherman would sort that out for you under warranty??
Welcome btw. :)
Thank you for the welcome. The Supertool is an old model (I've had it for over 10 years) and is now semi-retired (typically just sits in the center console of my car). For this reason I have not attempted to seek warranty service. I admit, I was so shocked by how well the Swisstool cut that coat hanger that I became a member of this forum just to respond and research Swisstool a bit. It's possible that the new Charge XTi that comes equipped with a hard wire cutter will do better, but since I had that one bad experience with the Supertool, I have not had the confidence to risk it. I do have to say that this was not the 'flimsy' and easily bendable type of coat hanger, but a slightly more rigid variety. Still I do not think it was as tough as say a chain link fence, so I have to put most of the blame on the wire cutters.
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Ouch. I wonder if Leatherman would sort that out for you under warranty??
Welcome btw. :)
Thank you for the welcome. The Supertool is an old model (I've had it for over 10 years) and is now semi-retired (typically just sits in the center console of my car). For this reason I have not attempted to seek warranty service. I admit, I was so shocked by how well the Swisstool cut that coat hanger that I became a member of this forum just to respond and research Swisstool a bit. It's possible that the new Charge XTi that comes equipped with a hard wire cutter will do better, but since I had that one bad experience with the Supertool, I have not had the confidence to risk it. I do have to say that this was not the 'flimsy' and easily bendable type of coat hanger, but a slightly more rigid variety. Still I do not think it was as tough as say a chain link fence, so I have to put most of the blame on the wire cutters.
Welcome ieraseu :)
Even though the Supertool is over 10 years old I believe its still in warranty as LM carry a 25yr warranty. I have cut pretty thick coat hanger wire with a charge and it handled it quite well. I had to use a bit more pressure than other tools but it went through without any problems. If you're a bit hesistant (which I can fully understand) just try some thinner wire and move up. You'll soon get a good sense of how much more to push it.
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Any Leatherman you have is under warranty. Even the very first ones are covered, at least until next year!
Def
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Any Leatherman you have is under warranty. Even the very first ones are covered, at least until next year!
Def
Welcome to the forum mate, and we can always use another Swisstool fan :)
That is pretty savage damage to that Supertool though ::)
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yes, you used the reg. wire cutters to cut HARD WIRE! That is what the hard wirecutters are for!
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yes, you used the reg. wire cutters to cut HARD WIRE! That is what the hard wirecutters are for!
Yep your quite right .The wire wasnt placed in the hard wire cutter that I have ringed in red and was cut with the std wire cutters which resulted in damage that I have ringed in blue .
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/ebbingtide/wirecutter.jpg)
I bet ieraseu wont do that again .
Heres a picture of an undamaged Leatherman plier head I borrowed from http://www.smartknives.com/Leatherman-Tools/Leatherman-Pliers-Wire.htm
You can clearly see the hard wire cutters at the bottom .
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/ebbingtide/Leatherman-Pliers-Cutters.gif)
Dunc
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I'm glad this has been posted. I thought they did have hard wire cutters.
The cutters are easy to damage though. I had the same on my PST.
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Yep your quite right .The wire wasnt placed in the hard wire cutter that I have ringed in red and was cut with the std wire cutters which resulted in damage that I have ringed in blue .
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/ebbingtide/wirecutter.jpg)
Unfortunately, my original Leatherman SuperTool (date codes 0495/0595) does not have a hard wire cutter like the later versions do.
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Thanks parnass I didnt know that :)
Dunc
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My Supertool did not have hard wire cutters. It's possible that it was later added to newer revisions of the Supertool, but my over 10 year old version predates hard wire cutters. Here is a picture of the box and UPC of my Supertool and also the box from the new Charge XTi box which I purchased to replaced it . Original purchase date is roughly '94 or '95 while I was stationed at Camp Pendleton as a Marine.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/IeraseU/Leatherman%20Review/Boxes.jpg)