Full Size Tool Round-up

[prime77]

Warning: this post is pic and text heavy! I was bored tonight 

The modern full size multitool is build tough to handle big size jobs and take a beating and keep on going. Some have full size drivers, over sized knife blades, multi wire cutters and a full range tools to help anyone handle the hard tasks that might come someones way. Here is a round-up of some of the full size multitools that have come along in recent years.



From left to right: Wenger Swiss Grip, Victorinox SwissTool, Leatherman Core, Leatherman Surge, SOG PowerLock, Gerber Diesel, Leatherman Supertool 200, and Leatherman Supertool.

These tools are big and heavy. No sissy pocket clips here These tools make there home in the hip sheath when not in use.

Tool Weights:

SwissGrip - 10.63oz.
SwissTool - 9.87oz.
Core - 10.25oz.
Surge - 11.83oz.
PowerLock - 9.5oz.
Diesel - 8.6oz.
SuperTool 200 - 9.4oz.
SuperTool - 8.78oz.

Individual tool notes:

Wenger SwissGrip:



Included tools:

Blunt nose pliers
LARGE clip point blade
Wood and metal saw
Awl
File
Phillips, medium, and small drivers
Bottle opener

   - The longest of the full size tools do to the plier head not being able to fold and built in to the handle of the tool for extra strength.
   - Has the largest blade found on any tool.
   - One of the longest saws found on any tool.
   - Has innovative 1/4 bit driver built into the handle of tool.
   - Hard to find here in the North America

note: can be found with red handles and corkscrew in place of phillips driver

Victorinox SwissTool:



Included tools:

wood saw
can opener/small screwdriver
cap lifter/medium screwdriver
chisel/scraper/wire stripper
large screwdriver/crate opener
plain edge spear point knife blade
file blade
eyeglass screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
awl
fully serrated spear point knife blade

   - The SwissTool is know for it's high polished tool implements and superb fit and finish
   - As become legend for it's ability to resist rust do to the high polished finish.
   - All implements open from the outside of the handles.
   - The plier head on the has gone through a evolution throughout the years and can be seen HERE

note: The Swisstool is available in different variations with the X model replacing the serrated knife blade with a pair of scissors, while the RS version replaces both the serrated blade and the file blade with scissors and a curved, serrated belt-cutter blade.

Leatherman Core:



Included tools:

Pliers and Wire Cutters    
Medium Screwdriver
Clip Point Blade
Electrical Crimper
Small Screwdriver
Serrated Blade
Philips Screwdriver
Metal File & Saw
Awl
Wood Saw
Ruler
Bottle/Can Opener
Lanyard Attachment
Large Screwdriver

   - All the drivers found on the Core are full sized hollow ground making then fit screws better than other tools with much slipping.
   - Has zytel inserts in the handles. This can be a plus to some users has saving weight. Or a negative to others who don't think plastic belongs on a tool.
   - Has three different size wire cutters

Leatherman Surge:



Included tools:

Clip Point Knife
Sheepsfoot Serrated Knife
Needlenose Pliers with cutters
Electrical Crimper
5/16" Screwdriver
Large Bit Driver
Small Bit Driver
Scissors
Wood/Metal File
Diamond-coated File
Saw
Bottle Opener/Can Opener
Ruler
Awl

   - Features a T-Shank adapter for different jig saw blades
   - Large and small bit drivers may seem out of place on a hard working tool like the Surge
   - Features one handed opening blades on the outside of the tool
   - One of largest scissors found on any tool

SOG PowerLock:



Included tools:

Clip point blade
Wood/metal saw
Awl
Phillips/Large/medium/small drivers
Can opener
Bottle Opener
Scissors
1/4 driver adapter

   - Features SOGs patented compound leverage system which doubles the power of the pliers.
   - Features innovative 1/4 adapter to take any 1/4 socket of bit adapter
   - Highly polished fit and finish
   - Handle covers flaps added for comfort can get in the way. (like when trying to take a picture of all the tools open )
   - The ability to customize your tool with different implements available from SOG.

Gerber Diesel:



Included tools:

Needle nose pliers
tanto type blade
Phillips/large/medium/small driver
Wood saw
File
Can opener
Bottle opener
scissors

   - Features Gerber sliding plier heads for one handed deployment
   - Thinnest pliers in the full sized class
   -  Very thin modified phillips dirver is it's weak point

Leatherman SuperTool 200



Included Tools:
Clip-point Knife
Serrated Knife
Needlenose Pliers
Wire Cutters
Electrical Crimper
Extra-small Screwdriver
Medium Screwdriver
Large Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Wood/Metal File
Wood/Bone Saw
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
9 in | 22 cm Ruler
Awl Punch

   - Features a lever built into the handle to unlock implements when open
   - Features rolled edges of the handles for comfort when using pliers
   - Fit and Finish is great and has that old LM feel about it
   - Is retired and no longer made

Leatherman SuperTool:



Included Tools:

Clip-point Knife
Serrated Knife
Needlenose Pliers
Wire Cutters
Electric Crimper
Small Screwdriver
Medium Screwdriver
Large Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Wood/Metal File
Saw
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Ruler
Awl

   - The original ST features a blade locking system where the tool locks in place when opened and another tool must be opened part way to unlock it.
   - Features a serrated clip point blade, no sheepfoot here  
   - Another retired tool that shouldn't be over looked.

Final thoughts:

That's a look at some of the Full sized tool that are available to anyone who needs something strong to use at work, around the shop, in the house or yard. I don't want to pick a "favorite" tool of mine, just wanted to show all what was out there for the full sized tool user. Each tool has it's positives and negatives with some having more than others. You really can't go wrong with anyone of them. Of course the:
   - SwissTool is always mentioned as the best tool out there with it's great fit and finish and outside opening blades.
   - The Core as some of the longest and best drivers out there.
   - The Surge has the versatility of different saws with the T-Shank adapter. And the one handed opening blades.
   - The PowerLock as the compound leverage and ability to set your tool up with different implements available from SOG.
   - The Diesel has the ability to flip the pliers out with hand. 
   - The SuperTool and ST 200 shouldn't be overlooked for they are great tools in their own right.



 
 

 
 
 

[jzmtl]

Wow, didn't realize powerlock is even bigger than surge! 

[Gareth]

Great shots and notes.

[MultiMat]

Cool wrap up & very good photos mate. Boxes with all the tools 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great write up there mate, very well thought out

[cliosguy]

great review mate, looks like suddenly i need a supertool 200

[Benner]

A superb write up with brilliant pics! 

I enjoyed the read.

[PyroJames]

Awesome writeup Prime!  Those pictures are awesome.  I can't stop drooling over them...

[EZ822]

Outstanding write up! Thanks 

[max6166]

Great theme! Excellent execution and I like the wide variety of tools compared. Thanks! 

[Roadie]

+1 to all the above comments

[Leatherman123]

Excellent write up! I am very impressed! 

[donvito]

Enjoyed the read, thank you 

[prime77]

Thanks for the kind words guys. It was fun to put together and nice to take out the big tools and play with them. Some of them don't get much use as I tend to carry their midsized brothers more often.

[Poncho65]

I like the bigger sized MTs I have been carrying the Super Tool lately due to the fact that it is a big MT but in a slimmer size than most other MTs plus is that old school LM feel that the new ones sometimes miss

Great write up and great pics

[Mr. Whippy]

MultiTool pr0n should have NSFW in the title. 

Great pics.  Great discussion of each.  Thanks!

[J-sews]

Your best pictures ever Prime! Excellent work, very professional!

[Tarrodemierda]

j-sews took the words out of my mouth.

these reviews with comparisons to other makes and models are way informative especially to one whos havin troubles deciding what he should pick up,especially if hes on tight budget or the tool will be his first one.

it easy to check up wide range of tools this way,rather than goin back and forwards in reviews-section.


 

[Dunc]

Great write up  I enjoyed it alot .

Dunc

[WhichDawg]

wow that was good! great pics and comparisons

[AHB]

Good work, Gives a great overview. 
If only my wallet could kep up with my MT wishes... 

[Styerman]

I think the original Supertool was one of the better Leatherman tools out there .

Chris

[prime77]

I think the original Supertool was one of the better Leatherman tools out there .

Chris

The original ST seems to be a favorite among many people. It certainly is a classic LM design.

[Mr. Whippy]

I think the original Supertool was one of the better Leatherman tools out there .

Chris

The original ST seems to be a favorite among many people. It certainly is a classic LM design.

You know, my original ST was my least favorite tool.  The clumping of tools was phenomenal and the lock release was primitive.  I much preferred the original PST.  I also liked the Gerber Evo 650 better too.  I wasn't too upset when the ST was stolen. 


More importantly:

Prime, which one is best? 

[prime77]

More importantly:

Prime, which one is best?  Evil

It's really hard to pick the best tool. I like them all for different reasons and all have there cons and pros.