Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife?

znapschatz · **Reply #30 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:56:04 AM

Quote from: CQC-7 on August 19, 2007, 04:37:04 PM

I say swisstool as well. I have leatherman tools but I have to admit that I like the Swisstool better.

There seems to be a different design philosophy between the two makes.
For occasional use, both are good, but Vic’s rounded corners and smooth surfaces is generally easier on the hand and pocket, also less prone to corrosion (sometimes commented about on these forums but in ten years never experienced with any of my Leathermen). However, as something that will be used often in the course of a day’s work, I believe the Leatherman Core a superior tool.

Swisstool fit and finish are great, but the comparable Core is well made, and most of its implements are better tools than the slippy Vic drivers, further compromised by multiple use configurations. A Swisstool combination screwdriver and cap lifter, for example, will not reach as far into a countersunk screw hole as the Core's dedicated one. That became an issue the very first time I put my then new Swisstool to work.

Also, twice right off, the pliers jaws did not open wide enough. Once was an attempt to grab something wedged into a tight space and the other to loosen a stuck fuel filler cap on a camp stove. Later, I tried the same cap with a Core, and it worked fine. My personal preference in a multi-tool is for a needle nose pliers, so I can’t actually consider it a deficiency that the Swisstool is half-assed blunt, but that’s how I feel.

What really closes the deal for me is how the tools behave in use. Despite the outside opening advantage of the Swisstool implements, I find it easier to access those on the Core. The handles open part way with no resistance and likewise the blades and tools, which can then be plucked out by thumb and forefinger, even with gloves on, fast and easy. Swisstool handles and blades are under spring tension from the start and require sturdy fingernails without gloves to pull them out. After several hours of working with a Swisstool, I find my thumb a little numb and the thumbnail ragged, no such with a Core.

Because of these considerations, whenever I pack along a multi-tool somewhere “just in case,” I might take one or the other, depending on whim. When I expect to do some actual work, it’s definitely Core. Actually, I like each for its own virtues and consider myself fortunate to have both.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #31 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:06:51 AM

Very well said, and a perfect illustration of why there will always be a great debate over "which one should I get?"

Def

665ae · **Reply #32 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:17:17 AM

Which is why most of us live by the MT.O motto... "When in doubt, buy both!"

znapschatz · **Reply #33 on:** August 20, 2007, 06:01:03 PM

Quote from: 665ae on August 20, 2007, 02:17:17 AM

Which is why most of us live by the MT.O motto... "When in doubt, buy both!"

Words to live by.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #34 on:** August 20, 2007, 06:44:06 PM

I am so glad to find people as loyal and crazy as I am!

Def

zackhugh · **Reply #35 on:** August 20, 2007, 09:26:16 PM

Actually, I think that's the motto on most forums I've either joined or been to. An expensive proposition depending on your hobby. One could always sell the multi he/she liked less if money were tight. Then go to McDonalds with the proceeds. ;D

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #36 on:** August 21, 2007, 01:33:17 AM

This is why I don't spend much time on the watch forum. I have six or seven watches now and I only wear two or three of them! Plus, at the cost of them, especially the ones I like... eeeeeeeep!

Def

J-sews · **Reply #37 on:** August 21, 2007, 03:08:59 AM

Quote from: dunc5 on August 19, 2007, 09:14:11 PM

Americans do tend to like everything big , like aircraft carriers , cars , burgers , pizzas , hats , buildings... the list goes on ;)Plus what would people say if you were seen at the mall with a blade under 18inchs

As for Australians , well they need a big knife to wrestle and kill all them crocs ;D
So us guys from Europe prefer our whimpy blades so we can sharpen our quills , remove excess wax from candles , remove stones from horses hooves ( and car tires when we eventually get cars ) , cut string and open letters

(Image removed from quote.)

Dunc

OT here, but I just gotta jump in and congratulate Dunc on a great post! Heee-hee!

hassium270 · **Reply #38 on:** August 21, 2007, 05:24:57 AM

Quote from: J-sews on August 21, 2007, 03:08:59 AM

Quote from: dunc5 on August 19, 2007, 09:14:11 PM
Americans do tend to like everything big , like aircraft carriers , cars , burgers , pizzas , hats , buildings... the list goes on ;)Plus what would people say if you were seen at the mall with a blade under 18inchs

As for Australians , well they need a big knife to wrestle and kill all them crocs ;D
So us guys from Europe prefer our whimpy blades so we can sharpen our quills , remove excess wax from candles , remove stones from horses hooves ( and car tires when we eventually get cars ) , cut string and open letters

(Image removed from quote.)

Dunc

OT here, but I just gotta jump in and congratulate Dunc on a great post! Heee-hee!

LOL..its great to find a site where so many are on a similar wave length re humour ;D

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #39 on:** August 21, 2007, 12:18:02 PM

Yup- we are all warped in the same direction!

Def

Roadie · **Reply #40 on:** August 21, 2007, 12:44:57 PM

Quote from: Defender on August 21, 2007, 12:18:02 PM

Yup- we are all warped in the same direction!

Def

i wonder if we were warped enough we could make a white hole that gave out exclusively multitools.....

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #41 on:** August 21, 2007, 12:50:07 PM

That's not a bad idea... ;D

Def

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #42 on:** August 21, 2007, 08:43:28 PM

I'll start the daemonic incantation's then

So what multi are we gona sacrifice to make it happen ;D

Roadie · **Reply #43 on:** August 21, 2007, 11:24:53 PM

Well if we can get away with using a cheap knockoff then i think that would be best but if thats gonna make the whitehole chuck out loads of crap multitools then we may have to move up to a named brand, maybe a micra, they're nice and cheap but work well.......why am i even thinking about this.....ah good the nurse with the pills has arrived

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #44 on:** August 21, 2007, 11:29:09 PM

Quote from: Roadie on August 21, 2007, 11:24:53 PM

.......why am i even thinking about this.....ah good the nurse with the pills has arrived

If the nurse is half way good looking, do me a favour and point her in the direction of my ward

trickknife · **Reply #45 on:** August 22, 2007, 12:34:35 AM

Remember Cain and Able? Cain sacrificed at Chinese knock off tool to God and Able sacrificed the best of his multitools....The Charge. Needless to say, Cain killed Able

....you know the rest...Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the Forum of Good and Evil and got black listed for life...etc.

CQC-7 · **Reply #46 on:** August 22, 2007, 04:54:30 AM

Then how did Cain Kill Abel? It sure was not with a chineese multitool, the blade would break.

And besides, God would have struck both of them down. Cain for attempted murder and Abel for allowing himself the dishonor of being stabbed with a cheap knockoff.

J-sews · **Reply #47 on:** August 23, 2007, 02:45:42 AM

Hmmm.....
Interesting how threads that start off discussing Swiss -vs- Leatherman products always seem to stray into discussions of right -vs- wrong and then eventually God and religion come into the picture.....

665ae · **Reply #48 on:** August 23, 2007, 06:51:05 AM

Isn't the SwissTool vs. Leatherman debate about Good vs. Evil ?

Dunc · **Reply #49 on:** August 23, 2007, 10:22:02 AM

As long as we dont start talking politics everything should be fine .Although I dont really see the battle between Vic and Leatherman as a battle between good and evil .
But I know you ment it tongue in cheek

Dunc

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #50 on:** August 23, 2007, 01:58:04 PM

What Would Jesus Do? More importantly, what multitool would He carry?

Heck, even the Dalai Lama has a SAK!

Def

665ae · **Reply #51 on:** August 23, 2007, 04:50:24 PM

Wouldn't you think Jesus would want to STAY AWAY from anything that has to do with a cross?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #52 on:** August 23, 2007, 09:19:38 PM

Why? Was Jesus a vampire?

Def

Leatherman123 · **Reply #53 on:** August 23, 2007, 09:29:26 PM

Well in this case i would suggest a Leatherman Blast. Great tool selection and it is only like 6 ounces.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #54 on:** August 24, 2007, 02:07:01 AM

And because you just happen to have one available?

Seriously, the Blast itself is under 7 ounces, and just over 8 with the sheath:

http://www.multitool.org/news/latest/comparative-multitool-weights.html

Def

CQC-7 · **Reply #55 on:** August 24, 2007, 03:13:53 AM

I think that Jesus would have carried a SAK. Non locking blades and all seems to be no threat to others.

Then again, I think that he would have tried to convert all of us to SAKs. A special one with a fold out cop of the TORAH.

J-sews · **Reply #56 on:** August 24, 2007, 03:44:26 AM

I think it is quite obvious that the Supreme Being would carry a Wenger Giant Knife.

Anything less would be distinctly un-supreme of him.

CQC-7 · **Reply #57 on:** August 24, 2007, 05:51:33 PM

I dont think that Jesus carried a backpack and believe me he'd need one for that. That Wenger looks more like a musical instrument than a SAK. It even has a whistle.

NeitherExtreme · **Reply #58 on:** August 24, 2007, 06:26:57 PM

Seeing as He was a carpenter, I'd guess something tough with a good saw and file. Maybe a surge with extra blades, would be my guess

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #59 on:** August 24, 2007, 06:31:33 PM

Jesus was also Jewish, so maybe a cigar cutter may have been important?

Def

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