Any Suggestions for a USA Made Multi-Tool?

J

jcnaz

Joined
Aug 22, 2012
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I need a new multi-tool to use at work.
I have been carrying a Gerber "Crucial" for about a year and I don't like it.
I carried the original Leatherman for 20 years and was satisfied with everything except the lack of a comfortable grip in plier mode.
I have read the forums and the manufacturer websites, and I am still somewhat confused about where the current product lines from Leatherman and SOG are produced (not just assembled ).
I would prefer to buy a domestically produced tool if possible.
Thanks, -JC
 
I can't say that i can recommend this ( just because i don't have one) but Bear and Son makes a few different model multitools. All knives are designed and handmade in Alabama. I have 2 of their butterfly knives and i enjoy them. I will link you to their website. Also, have you tried victorinox or wenger? if not, i suggest trying them first because the Bear and Son multitools look kind of steep, plus all Swiss army knives are great value and quality. I own 5 of them. The classic vic, the hiker vic, the vic bantam, wenger evo grip 11, and wenger evo grip 18, all of which i have thoroughly enjoyed. http://www.bearandsoncutlery.com/in...=directory&view=Products&category=MULTI-TOOLS
 
I've often wondered the same thing...I don't think either of them mark their stuff as made in the U.S.A. anymore. I know Leatherman claims the lack of markings are from a California lawsuit resulting from the fact the Leatherman has a certain percentage of parts made outside of the country. My SOG is marked U.S.A., but I bought it about 10 years ago. I don't see the marking on their current models, which makes me wonder if they are in the same boat as Leatherman. I agree with the above...if I were going to buy a new multitool today, I'd go Swiss. That way you at least know where it is made, and that you are getting a top-notch product.
 
I think that SOG is 100% offshore at the moment (they were bought by a brand management company a couple years back, not sure what all is going on with them now) Honestly you can't go wrong with Leatherman, SOGs seem to be very hit or miss, it doesn't help that SOG has made many changes over the years without changing model names or SKUs so you never really know which version you are getting. (or at least that's how I understand it)
I don't think you'll find a 100% made in USA tool. Sad, but its the way of things.
As for grip comfort, it is always a trade off. Having outside access tools does help, but then you have a poorer grip feel for the tools. I had a SOG with the tool covers, those stuck around for about 30 seconds before I pulled them off. Very annoying, for minimal benefit, if I need real pliers, I'll get real pliers. But your milage may vary
 
From all I can gather, Leatherman tools are about as USA made as most consumer products can claim these days. There are some industrial components simply not made here anymore. That's why domestic content legislation makes allowances for some percentages of offshored parts so that manufacturers can still claim "made in USA" even if "mostly made in USA" would be more like it. That would apply to Leatherman. I know nothing about the practices of SOG, Gerber or other US companies in the knife/multi-tool business, but my guess is that they are all subject to the same economic pressures and will eventually outsource all their production if they haven't done so already.

Yeah, sad. :(
 
Leatherman is the most US made you will find. I cant 100% remember but I THINK their plier heads are made in mexico, but this is because the US plant that was making them, moved to mexico. I think alos their files are made elsewhere, buy I cant remember where. Leatherman quality beats the pants off of gerber so it would be a big upgrade from a crucial.
 
I own a Leatherman skeletool and a skeletool cx and also a Leatherman micra all three are good tools.
 
Thank You for the replies!
I looked at the Bear and Son website and I am very interested. Nice stuff and the prices seem in line if the quality is there.
I own more SAKs than I care to admit and usually cary one or another every day.
The multi-tool is more about quick access to pliers and a wire cutter.-JC
 
It's pretty easy to find older Leatherman models in unused and good condition on that big auction site.
 
Shame youmwant to limit your search to US-only made tools, because that eliminates the inimitable Swiss Tool and ST Spirit, put out by Victorinox.

Leatherman makes a number of first rate tools, my favorites being the Charge TTi and Supertool 300, followed closely by the Rebar. As previously mentioned, I believe some of their components are fabricated outside the US, and assembled in Oregon.

I have a SOG Powerlock that is one of my favorites. It is large and heavy, but operate like a dream. Tool load outs are customizable, too. A quick look at their website shows "Assembled in the US"', indicating outsourced pieces, as well.

LM and SOG may outsource some production, but are still companies that provide domectic jobs, and are worth supporting.
 
jcnaz said:
I looked at the Bear and Son website and ... the prices seem in line if the quality is there.
Click to expand...

That's a mighty big if. Looking forward to your take on Bear after receiving one.
 
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I have had a couple Bear multitools. The quality was OK, IMO not quite as good as Swisstool or Leatherman, but way better than the typical "made in China" generic multitool. The real problem for me were the lock release levers. I found them uncomfortable in the hand when gripping the tool and too easy to release when I did not intend to. YMMV
 
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