Spirit - curved handles more ergo when using tools?

carl · **on:** February 27, 2008, 10:34:55 PM

The forum consensus seems to be that the curved handles are more ergonomic when using the pliers (as compared to the Swisstool) but are the curved handles more ergonomic when using the individual tools? Do the curves help by keeping the hands from sliding forward? thanks

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2008, 10:39:39 PM

I find it does, it certainly it feels a lot less boxy in the hand

NutSAK · **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2008, 10:49:49 PM

Agreed. I find them much more comfortable and I can get a better grip out toward the ends of the handles than I can with the straight handles. It brings them a bit closer together.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2008, 11:37:20 PM

Make that three. The SwissTool isn't uncomfortable, but the Spirit certainly feels better.

Def

WhichDawg · **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2008, 12:18:31 AM

+4, the spirits design and feel is like butta!

CQC-7 · **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2008, 03:43:26 AM

I agree. Just grab a spirit and turn a few screws and the do the same with a SOG powerlock and you quickly agree with me. Which leads me to another thought. Ergonomics aside, highly polished tools like the Swisstools seem to have a better comfort level to them.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2008, 08:47:30 AM

Yep your right, there are no hot spots on any of the swisstool's

, I can't say the same of any other manufactures tools I own

Sea Monster · **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2008, 09:00:57 AM

Oh, but you get such a manly feeling when you use the PST for heavy duty work.

It's like rubber grips on pliers.

You might as well go shoe shopping and have a latte right then and there, you big pansy.

Benner · **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2008, 12:29:35 PM

Quote from: CQC-7 on February 28, 2008, 03:43:26 AM

I agree. Just grab a spirit and turn a few screws and the do the same with a SOG powerlock and you quickly agree with me. Which leads me to another thought. Ergonomics aside, highly polished tools like the Swisstools seem to have a better comfort level to them.

I agree, they are more comfortable, buy not always the best for gripping. The highly polished surface can make it a little slippery at times. Especially if you are like me and get really sweaty hands after you have been working for a while.

Splat · **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2008, 04:08:19 PM

I loved the feel of my Spirit's handles. Very comfortable in the hand. My LM Core's handles are squarish and a lot bigger and I wish they were like the Spirit's.

carl · **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2008, 07:56:03 PM

Thanks for all your replies - it sure helps in making my decision the right one for me.

carl · **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2008, 10:15:16 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on February 27, 2008, 10:49:49 PM

Agreed. I find them much more comfortable and I can get a better grip out toward the ends of the handles than I can with the straight handles. It brings them a bit closer together.

Are you referring to using the Spirit in "plier mode" or when using the other tools?

NutSAK · **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2008, 11:31:33 PM

Quote from: carl on February 28, 2008, 10:15:16 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on February 27, 2008, 10:49:49 PM
Agreed. I find them much more comfortable and I can get a better grip out toward the ends of the handles than I can with the straight handles. It brings them a bit closer together.
Are you referring to using the Spirit in "plier mode" or when using the other tools?

In plier mode. The curve brings the ends of the handles closer together in that mode more than a straight-handled model would. I don't really notice the curve at all when using the other tools, since the tools fold out from the curved end. Your hand is positioned on the straight part of the handle when in that mode.

carl · **Reply #13 on:** February 29, 2008, 12:55:06 AM

NutSAK,
thanks for the info. it seems like the Spirit is, generally, favored over the Swisstool here on this forum. good to hear.

NutSAK · **Reply #14 on:** February 29, 2008, 01:17:56 AM

I would say that's true, but I don't think that most consider the Spirit a "better" tool. The Spirit is a great all-around tool, because it has all its tools in common with the Swisstool, in a more portable, comfortable package. I think most still consider the Swisstool the "heavier duty" tool of the two.

CQC-7 · **Reply #15 on:** February 29, 2008, 02:03:27 AM

Quote from: NutSAK on February 29, 2008, 01:17:56 AM

I would say that's true, but I don't think that most consider the Spirit a "better" tool. The Spirit is a great all-around tool, because it has all its tools in common with the Swisstool, in a more portable, comfortable package. I think most still consider the Swisstool the "heavier duty" tool of the two.

I dont know about you guys but I would think that the spirit might suprise you in the strength category. I have noticed that slimmer handles allow me to feel as if my grip may be more strong. You would have to have some sort of technosorcerormeasuring equipment to measure this but I think that if I am gripping a fat handle I am not exerting enough force. I used to have a pretty strong grip a few years ago (I could bend a penny over in half with my hands, I have also broken several sets of cheap knockoff pliers) so squeezing a pair of pliers was not a problem for me but I seemed to notice the difference between fat and slim handles.

NutSAK · **Reply #16 on:** February 29, 2008, 03:21:53 AM

I use a Spirit every day, so its strength doesn't really surprise me. I agree with the theory that you can apply more force in a closed hand the closer your fingers are to your palm. I also think the Swisstool has the advantage of leverage, at times, due to having longer handles than the Spirit. When I stated the Swisstool was heavier duty, I was referring more to the fact that some of its tools and parts are thicker and may take more abuse over the life of the tool. I certainly didn't mean to imply that the Spirit wasn't a heavy duty tool.

parnass · **Reply #17 on:** February 29, 2008, 04:27:27 AM

SwissTool vs. Spirit? The individual tools are larger on the SwissTool.

Roadie · **Reply #18 on:** February 29, 2008, 10:06:41 AM

Quote from: CQC-7 on February 29, 2008, 02:03:27 AM

You would have to have some sort of technosorcerormeasuring equipment to measure this

You could use a couple of these (see pic) luggage scales, anchor one either side of the plier jaws and put each side of the plier through one hook and squeeze. The weight that the scales show should be roughly equal to the force you can apply. Should work in theory (if it makes sense to any one but me!)

Sea Monster · **Reply #19 on:** February 29, 2008, 09:30:18 PM

Why wouldn't you strap one jaw down, and then use the scale on just one jaw?

Roadie · **Reply #20 on:** February 29, 2008, 09:42:39 PM

Quote from: Nomad on February 29, 2008, 09:30:18 PM

Why wouldn't you strap one jaw down, and then use the scale on just one jaw?

Because i didn't think of that, thats why!!

Leatherman123 · **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2008, 02:38:30 AM

Nomad, that was very clever!

Dunc · **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2008, 11:39:57 AM

Quote from: carl on February 29, 2008, 12:55:06 AM

NutSAK,
thanks for the info. it seems like the Spirit is, generally, favored over the Swisstool here on this forum. good to hear.

Thats not strickly true

Both tools are held with the highest regard . Just depends if you want a large heavy tool or a lighter smaller tool thats easier to pocket carry .
I sold my Spirit because I never carried it because I favoured the Swisstool over it .Also I much prefer the knife blades on the Swisstool .

Dunc

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Spirit - curved handles more ergo when using tools?

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