Swiss Army Knife V. Leatherman. Which Do I go With?

I carried a Swiss Army knife for years. High quality blade that keeps an edge, and excellent ergonomics of all of the tools. But it always felt like I had a rock in my pocket, and the blade is too small.

I carried a WalMart cheap rip off of the Gerber for a while doing theatrical work- loved the layout and the pliers, but the steel quality was crap, and could hold an edge for no more than 15 minutes. But it made me appreciate the value of keeping a multi-tool on my hip.

If your primary need is pliers, look at Gerber. They WAAY surpass Leatherman as pliers, BUT the blade (on most models) is small and awkward.

I now carry a Leatherman Wave. But I gotta disagree with anyone that says they are "as good as" dedicated tools. They kinda suck at all things equally. But they will get you by in a pinch for 90% of the time. That's all a multi-tool is supposed to do.

The Wave's blade is adequate length to be useful, good enough quality steel to hold an edge, and the blade can be opened quickly with one hand, as can the serrated blade. The pliers are a bit of a contortion to open, but simple enough to do quickly without looking. Screwdrivers, allen wrench, can opener all suck. Occasionally, I actually have use for the scissors. All of the smaller tools are annoying to actually open.

I don't carry it in my pocket- too big. I wear it on my hip, in a supplied belt loop that enables stowing the tool in it's folded position (knife), or unfolded (pliers). I always have it- I'm not dressed without it (don't try to picture it).

I use it every day, but only because every single day I am in situations where I need to solve a problem quickly without making the trip to the truck to get the "right" tool. But don't kid yourself- it doesn't do anything as well as a dedicated tool.

When I am in my shop, I NEVER use it, even though it is still attached to my hip. I always take the time to find the "right" tool.

This. If I can't open it with one hand, it's useless.

I’m hoping the TSA guy at DFW checks in to let everyone know how he likes my Skeleton-Mini.

In reply to SVreX:

It's not the best tool for any particular job but it's always handy for a quick task. I keep a couple real tools in my backpack and a few Harbor Freight wrenches and screwdrivers hidden around our truck.

curtis73 wrote: I have a Gerber Suspension that I absolutely love. I use it in theater tech work. It came with a belt holster that is very effective (although the velcro is wearing out). I also do a lot of camping, and it works brilliantly for that as well. My *only* complaint is that the pliers are not very good for heavier twisting. They are great for cutting, tightening, and other pinching, but if you (for instance) try to use it to radially twist a coat hanger the jaws aren't very strong at staying in line with each other. But, in theater and camping you never really need that. Not sure if it would work for you, but it is fantastic for theater tech and camping.

I just came here to recommend this one. I bought it for one specific reason: Nearly every other multi-tool requires you to flip it open to access any of the tools - you can access every tool except the pliers on this one without needing to flip it open.

petegossett wrote: I just came here to recommend this one. I bought it for one specific reason: Nearly every other multi-tool requires you to flip it open to access *any* of the tools - you can access every tool except the pliers on this one without needing to flip it open.

Gerber is good like that. The Strata I have is exactly the same.

slantvaliant wrote: Sexy as a new set of overalls.

?

I have a Leatherman Wave that I carry when in uniform. Being in IT I like that the Wave has a bit driver, even though the bits are proprietary. You can open the knife with out opening the thing up and when you use the pliers it does not cut into your hand.

It is not as good as dedicated tools but can get the job done without lugging a bunch of tools around.

Keep in mind that when you are using the pliers, you are putting force against the handles. With many designs, you are gripping the back edge of the knife blades and it is pretty uncomfortable!

I love my Leatherman Wave:

Everything you need, nothing to lose, and the grips are designed to be comfortable when using the pliers. It also has a belt clip, so you don't need a pouch. There are many versions of the Wave now, but I like mine because the lanyard is integral, the phillips is fixed and the knifes and saws are accessible without opening the unit.

I also have a Leatherman Skeletool that I use for everyday carry.
Just the basics, but it is light and versatile. The screwdriver has 2 straight and 2 phillips bits, and they stick in a little holder really well. On Xmas morning, this thing is a lifesaver for opening packages and unscrewing battery compartments.

mad_machine wrote:

petegossett wrote: I just came here to recommend this one. I bought it for one specific reason: Nearly every other multi-tool requires you to flip it open to access *any* of the tools - you can access every tool except the pliers on this one without needing to flip it open.

Gerber is good like that. The Strata I have is exactly the same.

My SOG is like that.

Oh, and Swiss Army knifes are for cleaning fingernails and opening envelopes. I used to always carry one, but I threw too many away at the TSA line. They say that the Letterman PS is TSA approved for carryon, I will have to test that theory.

I have an older Leatherman Juice multitool that my wife got me as a gift years ago. I find it to be of very nice quality and I use it often. Compact and easy to carry.

Wall-e wrote: In reply to SVreX: It's not the best tool for any particular job but it's always handy for a quick task. I keep a couple real tools in my backpack and a few Harbor Freight wrenches and screwdrivers hidden around our truck.

so you carry lots of hammers?

If I went the Gerber route, I'd probably go with a Gerber MP600 bladeless model since I already have a standalone blade that I carry.

I'd love an original Wave that has the actual drivers instead of the new one with the bit .

I had a Skeletool and it wasn't very comfortable in the hand.

I carry a little kit of actual tools in my car (vise grips, electricians scissors, klein 6 in 1 screwdriver and a utility knife) so I need it in case a multi tool doesn't cut it so I might just go with a Swiss Army Knife since it is easier to carry in my pocket and the ergonomics are better when using the tools.

I've carried a Gerber Flik for years, I wear out the holsters (no warranty on them) pretty regularly every three years or so but unless I do something boneheaded like using it to hold something I'm grinding and grinding the tip off the pliers(last week arggh) they last a Long time.

curtis73 wrote: I have a Gerber Suspension that I absolutely love. I use it in theater tech work. It came with a belt holster that is very effective (although the velcro is wearing out). I also do a lot of camping, and it works brilliantly for that as well. My *only* complaint is that the pliers are not very good for heavier twisting. They are great for cutting, tightening, and other pinching, but if you (for instance) try to use it to radially twist a coat hanger the jaws aren't very strong at staying in line with each other. But, in theater and camping you never really need that. Not sure if it would work for you, but it is fantastic for theater tech and camping.

I have the same tool, and wore out the sheath as well. Had a leather working friend make me a replacement:

I love it!

+1 on the SOG. A multi tool is something I use maybe 50+ times in a day. Really. I have tried many styles and brands. I break them, and it is handy to have my own SOG junkyard at home o bolt on whatever I broke through the latest improper, desperate, last ditch effort at a fix.

I carry a Gerber Diesel. The best features are 1. The pliers slide out letting you deploy one handed. 2. Locking tools which are pretty hard to find on cheap knockoffs. 3. The scissors are pretty useful. 4. The phillips looks odd as its kinda flat sided but it seems to fit lots of sizes of screws. 5.The tools are to the inside so they don't cut into your hand when using the pliers.
The bads: the pliers are are little wobbly and may not stand up to heavy use and it would be nice if the pliers were spring loaded to help open. But overall it's been very useful.

I often also have a cheap simple thumb assist single blade knife just because its quicker to use.

how about a skeletool groupon?

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-leatherman-skeletool-6

I've had the basic Gerber whatever for the last 25 years. Holy crap I'm old. I haven't carried it on me for quite a while, it lives in the truck and gets used a couple of times a year. I very very seldom need anything more than a small blade and tweezers so all of my sets of keys have either a small swiss army knife or a small leatherman of some sort.

I have a small single blade pocket knife all the time for opening things, cutting loose threads, eating ice cream, ect. The multitool gets bigger jobs like cutting seatbelts, tightening mirrors and body panels, and other small repairs.

At this point, I am leaning towards getting a Gerber MP600 bladeless model. I don't have any use for more blades and the replaceable parts (cutters, saw blade) are appealing.

I received one of these as a gift for being a groomsman in the late 90's. I have used it ever since for a variety of things and always keep it handy. Still use the can opener over an electrical one sometimes its just so good at it, so my vote is for something like it:

pinchvalve wrote: Oh, and Swiss Army knifes are for cleaning fingernails and opening envelopes. I used to always carry one, but I threw too many away at the TSA line. They say that the Letterman PS is TSA approved for carryon, I will have to test that theory.

I've had mine inspected by agents without issue. Scissors are legal up to four inches.