New here, Why are there more swiss army users than leatherman users?

[pcdoodle]

Obviously Leatherman is the better tool right? I mean, we got hammers and replaceable wire cutter jaws!

I'm working on a custom leatherman bit (fits in the screwdriver bit holder). Besides the Wave, Skeletool and Signal, what other popular models use it? Thanks in advance.

[BadMechanic]

Obviously everyone is different so pliers may not necessarily be a tool they need. If I didnt need a big set of pliers, Id carry SAKs more. But I love both.

[SteveC]

Welcome pcdoodle 

Plenty of Leatherman users and probably just as many as SAK users. And yes the Leatherman is the better tool IMO   

[pcdoodle]

Thanks man, Me and a buddy got the obsession about 6 months ago. I started working on a bit add on that's almost done. Can't wait to share the progress here soon!

[Aloha]

Welcome.  I do love my LM tools thats for sure.  I would not be caught without my 58mm SAK tho.  I think there are several who straddle the fence with both SAKs and LMs ( plier based ) tools. 

Looking forward to seeing what you have been up to 

[pcdoodle]

Welcome.  I do love my LM tools thats for sure.  I would not be caught without my 58mm SAK tho.  I think there are several who straddle the fence with both SAKs and LMs ( plier based ) tools. 

Looking forward to seeing what you have been up to 

Appreciate it. Being that we're computer geeks over here, it's a pretty unique "bit of tech".

[Poncho65]

Welcome to   I am more of a fan of Leatherman myself as well but usually have a smaller SAK on me always too

The MUT, Charge, Supertool 300M, Curl, Surge and a few of the older retired LM knives also have the bit driver

[pcdoodle]

Welcome to   I am more of a fan of Leatherman myself as well but usually have a smaller SAK on me always too

The MUT, Charge, Supertool 300M, Curl, Surge and a few of the older retired LM knives also have the bit driver

Thanks for the list Pancho, your avatar is hilarious!

[campussecurity]

Appreciate it. Being that we're computer geeks over here, it's a pretty unique "bit of tech".

I work in IT, What is this bit you speak of. 

[Poncho65]

Thanks for the list Pancho, your avatar is hilarious!

  the pic was of a ST300 and SteveC spiffed it up a bit it was so fitting that I made it my avatar probably more than 5 years ago

[Outback in Idaho]

  Has anyone ever done an open poll to see what brands of multitools people own or use? Know a good number of us have both Leatherman and and Victorinox (that Europeans influence...)
  Had a Gerber in my 30's till it pinched me. That was when it went airborn!   Oddly I carry Victorinox more than Leatherman  as the Spirit line has what I need in a more compact form, and is lighter in weight to carry.

[campussecurity]

I am in the Spirit fan club as well. Carried one daily for almost 4 years. Then ended up working from home, and hate sheaths on my belt not to mention wearing a belt.  The new Spirit with a pocket clip will be mine. Guaranteed. 

[Poncho65]

I can't ever seem to get along with my Spirit or Swisstool  Leatherman just seems to work better for me in most any of the older based tools

As I said above though, I always have a small SAK with me, usually a Executive  but their plier based models are always lacking for me

[hsherzfeld]

My default pocket knife is a SAK. My default multitool is a Leatherman. I usually carry both.

[Tasky]

Obviously Leatherman is the better tool right? I mean, we got hammers and replaceable wire cutter jaws!

Better for what, exactly?
How many Leathermans have a hook, or a magnifier, or a corkscrew, or a fish scaler, or a toothpick?
I personally find SAK screwdrivers fit far more screw sizes far better than LMs. Also, Leathermans tend to be very heavy and cumbersome compared to a SAK, and I'd argue that if you're using your LM so much that you need to replace worn out wire cutters, you ought to be using a more dedicated tool in the first place.

As for why there are so many more SAK users:
 - SAKs come in a lovely, friendly red colour that is easily recognisible and very unthreatening to most people.
 - SAKs had been around for many decades before Leathermans were even conceived.
 - SAKs are smaller, lighter and far more pocketable than most Leathermans, with the 58mm, 74mm and even some 84mm models being compact enough to fit in a wallet.
 - SAKs are far cheaper, even at the higher end.

But the most important reason - Leathermans usually have the locking blade(s), meaning we can't carry them here without good reason, and in many places can't carry them at all... making their ownership quite pointless for anyone who isn't housebound.

[GearedForwards]

I'll take a stab at it:

They're considerably cheaper (by and large), readily available most countries (I'd wager you'd struggle to get a Leatherman before a SAK), with a huge variety for people's needs.

You can become a SAK user for less than £20, you can't say the same for Leatherman.

[DavisNikolov]

We've got to specify something here - Do you ask for the plier based tools only or the two brands in general ?
Comparing the whole lines of the two brands I'd give the upper hand to Victorinox, there are lots of times I just need something small and lightweight - hard to beat Victorinox there. Also the 84-91 mm models are widely available, affordable and there are tons of used ones on great deals.
Talking about plier based multitools - Leatherman gets my vote. I love my Swisstool X and Spirit X but the blades on the Leathermans (especially Wave/Charge Surge) are just better for me. And the Leatherman also gets points for being more affordable in that category. 

[Sos24]

One of the big reasons for me, is tool accessibility. 

Leatherman MTs require opening up the plier portion to access most of the tools.  Whereas with a SAK, even a SwissTool, I have immediate access to any tool I want. 

I think some other reasons are generally smaller, lighter, cheaper and come in more varieties to meet individual needs.

[Outback in Idaho]

  I adore my Leatherman Charge TTi, and carried it for a long time. Luv that S30V steel blade. It's tough, has gusto, and holds an edge a really long time. And like others have stated, you need to fold out an arm to get to any of the tool. If I am going out in the woods the Charge TTi is coming with me.

  At work though, the Spirit goes with me. Less of a footprint, no blades or blade access is seen. I can pull out the tool implement for whatever task I need. And if it is then pliers, all you see are pliers.

  When it comes to creature comfort. Spirit has more going for it than Leatherman in practical real use. Can opener for instance, the push-type can open any can without issues, and no metal splinters are left behind. Leatherman is stuck on the old claw can opener, and on cheaper metal cans splinters are farmed. Even the can lid's edge is left jagged and sharp with a standard claw can opener. Leave it to the Swiss to made a can opener that does not leave a jagged sharp edge, and opens a can way faster. Only wished there were the push-type can openers for keychains like the old Speaker WWII version of can openers.
  Next, that sexy Chisel. It opens, cuts through anything. Packages, tape, plastic clam shells, whatever. And the curved insulation cutters work great when I am merchandising, can cut my own finger holes in the sides of boxes lickity split.
  Flathead and especially Philips heads have a better fit with the Swiss Spirit. The phillips looks way bigger but it gets in and locks in on those teeny screws to larger screws. And the flatheads fit well, no slop like with Leatherman tools. Not exactly sure why this is.

  Leatherman has that bit exchanger, yet if you need something longer you are SOL. Spirit again wins!

  There is no perfect multitool, or we'd all have it. Leatherman can make multitools with ecxcellent stout blades from fancier steels. Swiss Tools seems to be lacking in that department. At home I reach for a SAK or Spirit when I open cans, or plastic food bags. When it comes to chopping or cutting pizza, the Mora gets used. If I am cooking steaks or fancy cuts of chicken, the Charge TTi gets dusted off as that S30V steel wins!!

[kkokkolis]

I like both, but I carry Leatherman tools occasionally, while I have never been without a Victorinox (or two) since my teens.
People already mentioned history, legacy, availability, price, tool accessibility, model and tool variety, design and aesthetics.
I would add precision (they never rattle or get loose ad LM do), quality (they never rust, like LM do), euro-centric design (tactical style suits better countries with enormous armies and fleets, where it is legal to carry guns around) , iconicity (just visit MoMA), tradition (ask a boy-scout), consumer perception (Switzerland is the No 2 more respected country after Germany, EU is 3rd, UK is 4th, Sweden is 5th and we find US in place No 10 after Canada and Japan), business model (I would work for Elsener family anytime), marketing (just look at their catalogs over the years), branding (it's difficult to find a non European brand at the level of Victorinox, Zeiss, Leica, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Saab, Ferrari, Bugatti, Officina Stellare, Christofle, Rollex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Gucci and many others), luxury (you may wear the Spirit in your neck as a pendant), psychology (people over 50 were drooling as kids over Victorinox SAKs behind showcases and shop windows during the pre-internet and pre-leatherman era and now they have the buying power to buy many SAKs) and, perhaps, other reasons as well.
On the other hand Leatherman tools are great, spherically better than the ones from other competitors like Gerber and SOG.
Leatherman has a yearly revenue of $10 - $100 million and 500 - 1,000 employees, whereas Victorinox has a yearly revenue of $100 - $500 million with just 100-500 employees. That says a lot.

[gadgetman7]

I carry both. I always carry a Manager Midnight and usually either a Charge or Signal. Sometimes I carry either a Rangergrip or 111mm Victorinox if I’m not carrying a dedicated knife.

I find the Leatherman tools to be more robust than the Swisstools but the Swisstools are more elegant. Sort of like the difference between a Rolex and a G Shock. The Rolex is more elegant and I love mechanical movements but the G Shock handles roughy treatment better. I think they both have their place.

The GOAT multitool definitely looks interesting and it may replace my pliers based tool but we’ll have to see.


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[Rich_SD]

Obviously Leatherman is the better tool right? I mean, we got hammers and replaceable wire cutter jaws!

Welcome to  !!

I agree that Leatherman tools are better than SAKs in almost every way, but SAKs are smaller (more portable) and less expensive.  That's probably what makes them so popular.... and they're pretty cool tool. 

[Alan K.]

I like both.  I EDC a SAK and a Spirit, but carry various Leatherman tools as circumstances dictate.  For example, when I'm under a storm warning or there's any sort of civil strife in the vicinity I tend to strap on my Super Tool 300.  The capability of the ST300 comforts me like a Teddy bear.  Sometimes I carry a Crunch because there's no substitute for locking pliers when you need them. A Skeletool when I'm traveling light.  To further confuse things I also have a full compliment of Gerber and SOG tools which are equally useful and serve their purposes.  Have you tried any of the 3 sizes of Victorinox Cybertool which are said to be tailor made for tech use?  By the way, the generally avowed motto of MTO is "All of them."  So, anytime you ask, "which should I get?" that will be the preferred answer.

[MadPlumbarian]

Welcome aboard,,

My first knife/tool was a sak, I’ve always liked them but working in field a multitool was a little better being more industrial, so that was my edc, my only thing was if you really needed a set of pliers go get the real thing.. since then I really don’t need anything plier base and I never step foot out of the house without a knife so I went back to sak, I learned about the alox style and fell in love, a little more heavy duty and didn’t have all the extras, but you had the blade with a few things that came in handy, in my case a FarmerX, so the openers, the saw and scissors, I mean I could actually cut back on the saw since I really don’t need it but I like it, and that’s all I’ll ever really ever need..
JR

[Outback in Idaho]

   Would of carried the Signal at work if it had a standard file. Lots of times the carts have protrusions from weld repairs, or knife-sharp edges on the metal. Then too, scissors helps cut zip ties and plastic price holders that people mysteriously break/tear up - leaving jagged edges to cut/poke. Leatherman Signal would of been perfect if it had the standard file and on-board scissors, but then too am also partial to push-type can openers.

  Problem with Leatherman is they half think or half-develop things. They really need someone down there that can steer them to a better multitool design. But... they make money selling more multitools rather than just one that has all the good onboard. I so would LOVE to see & own a Leatherman Legendary Champion - all the tools in one!!

[DavisNikolov]

I like both.  I EDC a SAK and a Spirit, but carry various Leatherman tools as circumstances dictate.  For example, when I'm under a storm warning or there's any sort of civil strife in the vicinity I tend to strap on my Super Tool 300.  The capability of the ST300 comforts me like a Teddy bear.  Sometimes I carry a Crunch because there's no substitute for locking pliers when you need them. A Skeletool when I'm traveling light.  To further confuse things I also have a full compliment of Gerber and SOG tools which are equally useful and serve their purposes.  Have you tried any of the 3 sizes of Victorinox Cybertool which are said to be tailor made for tech use?  By the way, the generally avowed motto of MTO is "All of them."  So, anytime you ask, "which should I get?" that will be the preferred answer.

That's interesting coincidence. So I've owned few Leathermans for several years, carried and enjoyed them here and there, but remained primarily a folding knife guy. Beginning of the virus situation here, emergency state has been declared after one confirmed case and the people are going bananas. Talk about TP shortages, food stocking and mile long lines at the supermarket cashiers. And everyone acting just a bit off, or better said off-er than usual, obviously nervous. Which was making me nervous. Not sure how I came to that conclusion but then is when I started carrying my ST300 around, it gave me a little comfort, knowing that at least tool-wise I'm ready to face the world. And have been carrying a multi tool of some sort ever since. I might also have a knife, but that's the "plus one" to the MT 

[Zephon]

I think there are more SAK users simple because there are more SAK models and they are available at more price points.

If you have USD100, you’ll have the luxury of choosing whatever model of LM or SAK your heart wants.

Now let’s drop it by half - What kind of brand new LM off the store shelf can you get for USD50?  A Wingman/Rev/Sidekick/Boster? A Squirt? A Micra? At that price point, those tools aren’t exactly LM’s ‘best foot’ (except the Micra, but it isn’t plier-based).  For SAKs you can get a Climber, Pioneer, or even a Rambler.  Not everyone is doing to need pliers. IMO,more people would rather get a knife, a pair of scissors, or even a pen for their daily needs. 

For an everyman, a SAK is also less complicated than a plier-based MT.  When my kids were in 3rd grade (boy scouts) they’d have trouble deploying implements in the Rebar or even in a 91mm SAK, so I trained them with using 58mm SAK.  They must have lost a couple of Classic SD’s each!  Now imagine if that was a T2 or T4!

On the other end of the discussion, what I like about LM is that it created a bit-driver system that will handle hex and torx bits, plus that ratcheting bit driver.  Whenever faced with say, IKEA furniture, best to have those 4mm H bit ready.

[dks]

LM are just not as widely known or available, worldwide.

There are way more people in the world (outside of possibly the USA) that are aware of the Swiss (Army) knife, than they are of the LM.

Many more shops carrying them, outside of the USA.

Cheaper starting price, more variety, better supply, better service too in some countries (I can get some work done on a Victorinox at the local dealer, whereas for a LM it has to be sent abroad, at cost).

As for which is better, it depends on what you like. I have and use both (including a few ST300s and Swisstools) and I think the OP should compare the pliers models of both companies, as well as those offered by Gerber and the many Chinese brands (that dominate the low cost market) before declaring which is best.

[gregpost]

I love Leatherman and SAKS about equally.

[Barry Rowland]