Best multitool w/ pliers and wiresnips? Bad exp. with leatherman.

M

Monolith2

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Jan 7, 2010
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Hi folks, looks like a nice community here!

I'm hoping someone can give me a recommendation for a multi-tool. My only "real" experience with a multi-tool is with a Leatherman, and I'm not too impressed. The tool I use most often on it is the combo pliers/wire-snips, and it doesn't seem to hold up to much abuse. The wiresnips have gotten nicked and dented to the point that the when I cut something with them, the friction from all the jutting, nicked metal holds the pliers shut. The metal seems incredibly soft! The pliers, too, seem to have quite a bit of "play" when trying to hold something tightly. They're not terribly solid. I realize this is mostly due to the nature of the hinged tool, but if there's something else out there that might work better, I'd like to hear about it!

One final complaint I have with the leatherman is that the hinge areas are getting slightly rusty. It's nothing serious, and the hinge mechanisms still work, but it's definitely harder to unhinge a tool than it used to be because of all the rust. I often have to use a different tool to pry up a tool on the leatherman.

Is this sort of wear and tear to be expected with any multitool, or are there multitools that are a higher quality/durability than leatherman?
 
Hmm I have never had any issues with my leatherman. Mine have been going strong for years now with no issues. I dont care too much for gerber because last I knew there steel choices were poor, thus making a bad tool. If you are trying to branch out look into SOG (never had any experience with it but hear decent things) or Swisstool by Victorinox (or something in their line).
 
It is possible that you use the tools harder or under harsher conditions than I do, but in 13+ years of Leatherman experience I have not encountered any problems with corrosion or excessive wear, nothing broke or bent (too badly:o)
There have been user reports of rust issues with Leathermen, but also some having none. This is beyond me.

Interestingly enough, the tool that might best address your need for good wire cutters might be the recently introduced Super Tool 300, which has replaceable blades made of 154CM steel.
 
For a high quality rust-free multi, you have to get one from Victorinox, either a Swisstool or a Spirit.

For serious wire cutting you need real cutters, either Klein or Knipex. No multi of any brand is in the same class.
 
If the tool you use the most is your pliers and wire cutter, then you definately need to check out a SOG. The compound leverage makes them the strongest gripping pliers out there.
 
I bought a SOG Power Assist for my girlfriend. She seems to love it. I'm working up a sheath for it to mate with a small flashlight for her to keep in her purse.
The features of the Power Assist are great for her because of her MS. She hasn't wanted to borrow my Wave in weeks!
 
I had a Power Play PT-525 multi-tool made by SOG, and returned the tool within a month because the Phillips screwdriver snapped right in half while tightening the screws holding a server into a rack, a very light pressure is needed.

It sounds like you have a lemon Leatherman tool. I would suggest that you return your tool to Leatherman for repair. I sent 4 tools into Leatherman on Dec 21, 2009 and had them back by Jan 6, 2010. All 4 tools were just replaced, and one was upgraded to a better tool. I personally own 11 Leatherman tools, and have had some problems, but the company is great about getting them fixed.

I personally carry the Leatherman Skeletool everyday and love it.
 
At the risk of being a Smart A$$ , sounds like you need a large SAK like the Vic Ranger , and a pair of Kline Journeyman grip Needlenoses .

Sad fact is that 99% of multi pliers are investment cast , with the best will in the world they won't take the guff a drop forged plier will take . They are a back up , emergency , and personal comfort and convinience tool .

They are the pocket pistols of the tool world , sounds like you need a 1911 , or an M4 .

Chris
 
Sounds like an issue I had once. There are two sets of cutters on Leatherman tools. The blade like shears primarily for soft wire. The smaller circular notch behind those is for harder, thicker wire. I made the mistake of trying to clip a fish hook but ended up notching my cutters. Next time I used the hard wire cutters and no problems:thumbup: This is actually described in the user manual for Leatherman tools. I agree though, get a pair of dedicated wire cutters and leave the multi-tool for other stuff.
 
Bill_H said:
For a high quality rust-free multi, you have to get one from Victorinox, either a Swisstool or a Spirit.
Click to expand...

I've got a couple of Victorinox Swisstools and must say that their build quality is very, very impressive.
 
Another vote here for the Vic Swiss Tool.:D:thumbup: The closet LM I have to the Swiss Tool is my 14 year old Super Tool. The LM is still going strong but the Victorinox seems to do everything with an extra bit of work to make it as near a perfect tool as possible. I wouldn't pass up a good deal on either the Vic or LM but if you asked which my favorite is I will tell you the Swiss Tool for sure. Just a personal opinion. ;)

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:)
 
yep, if your primary work involves using pliers A LOT and hard, you should be using pliers straight up...or else try out the SOG mulit; those are definitely more stout...
 
DSC07100.jpg


This pic!

Sound like you need maybe some WD 40 and possibly you are over estimating what ANY Multi- Tool is capable of and or should be used for.

Just saying


Ron LaBella
 
I use a SOG powerlock with great effect, and love the cutters, the compound leverage means that no matter whats in the jaws, if you open the handles, the jaws open. However, I also agree that if you are doing a lot of cutting, just get a small set of high quality, dedicated side cutters for the task.
 
I managed to do the same thing with a Vic Swisstool Spirit cutting a fish hook. The hard wire cutter edge deformed just a bit so that it now binds a little.

Bill_H said:
For serious wire cutting you need real cutters, either Klein or Knipex. No multi of any brand is in the same class.
Click to expand...

This.
 
In truth , multi pliers are better for grabbing than cutting . They are investment cast as opposed to forged . They should be restricted to emergency and back up roles . Even the Leatherman Supertool 300 ( 154cm cutting knives and all ) , is still only a cast head . It will not come close to handling what a forged pliers of comparable length will do .
 
I Like my Original Leatherman Multi Tool and Buck 360 for multi tool purposes but have been debating on adding a Leatherman Charge or Wave..
 
I picked up a leatherman wave at REI's scratch and dent sale for $0.83 because someone tried to cut something with the blade part of the wire cutter, versus the notch part which can handle stiffer wires, and or fence. It did the same thing as the OP mentioned, it nicked the blades and it didn't want to open. I sent it back to leatherman and it came back brand new. I really didn't realize that there are actually 2-parts to the wire cutters.
 
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