Thread: New Leatherman tool gripe

I have used a Leatherman Wave for about ten years and find it a great tool. I agree that it is almost too expensive but it is issued as standard gear to our bomb squad and has never failed. I find the folding mechanism a bit too tight and have "loosened" it a bit to make it a bit easier to use. Other than that, the Wave is a really great tool and used every day.

The original Leatherman was also a fine piece of gear but was replaced by the Wave when new gear was ordered. I'm not familiar with some of these other tools.

I have the black oxide surge and LOVE IT!!! Took a bit to get all the loose dust off of it, but now I use it around the shop and house all the time. Most people think its too big, but I like the size of it.

I think they are still a good tool but the quality of my core dosn't seem to be as good as my 10+ year old super tool. The manufacturing seems to have gone to cheeper meathods. One example is the teeth of the pliers on the super tool were machined and the new tool seems to have the teeth embossed or stamped. The file on the old tool was sharp and cut like a file. The core seems to just be an knurled steel blade it is rough but wont cut like a file. I think I will try the SOG brand next. I dont look for the Core to last as long as the super tool did.

Don

After looking at the leatherman website, I'm hoping I don't have to replace my old school multi-tool any time soon.

The surge looks decent enough, and some of the large size tools do as well. Some of their knives are really neat though, especially since I use the screwdriver all the time.

The skeletool is way too large though, they're over-proud of that carabiner clip/bottle opener. I learned the "use a ring as a bottle opener" trick a long time ago, and haven't needed one since.

I've still got my original Leathermans (regular and super), but the SwissTool is what I have on my belt. I do prefer the file on my old Leatherman super, and the wire crimper was nice too, but the Victorinox is just all around better for me. I also occasionally use the sides of the SwissTool as a mirror in tight spots, something none of my other multi-ools (Leatherman or Gerber) can do. A good multi-tool has saved me many a trip up and down a ladder.


Wayne

As for bottle openers I rarly need one anymore I need a corkscrew more often than a bottle opener.

Don

I have a leatherman Charge with the titanium handles. It is a fairly solid tool but I will give these gripes of my own. There are a lot of little accessories that are very easy to lose. I have pinched my hand more times than I can count while trying to grip something with the pliers. Take it for what it's worth, could be because I have pudgy fingers but it never happened with previous leatherman multi tools that I have owned.

I also have one of the SOG multi tools. Overall my favorite. Good quality and does a very nice job but my critique here is the metal covers that they put on the tool slides off at the most inopportune times. Maybe it would be better if I took them off all together but then it looks incomplete.

Hope my 2 cents helped.

It amazes me just how hard it is to find a good multi-tool. I keep a mini multi-tool on my keychain, mostly for the knife and pliers. As with their larger brethren, it seems like the manufacturers either add in tools you don't need or give crappy quality tools. Maybe it's time for a new tool company!

SOG seems to let you customize the blades. The website looks like you can order the blades individualy and put in what you want. I like the idea of not sending the tool back just because the screwdriver is worn a little.

Don

can you post a link to the sog site?