Leatherman vs Victorinox SwissTool

radu191289 said:
Swiss tool more expensive than leatherman? Here (estern europe) the vicetorinox tools are way cheaper than Leathermans, here are some prices:
Victorinox: Camper (20$), Climber (24$), Picniker, Huntsman (28$), Rucksack, Explorer (33$) and the outrider (45$) or more expensive: champ (65$), cybertool 41 (90$)
Leatherman: Sidekick (70$), Skeletool (90$), Wave (130$), surge (above 150$)

What I want to say here is that the place you live matters, here is easier to find a victorinox, and it's also cheaper, while leathermans are rare and expensive and I am thinking how will they take care of the warranty from this corner of the world.
Click to expand...

:eek: Here you can find the Sidekick for $20 if you shop around. Skeletool $40, Wave $60 and Surge $65-$75.
 
But when you compare the plier tools, you get the huge difference. my Rebar was 50, my SwissTool was around 180
 
I got the multi position swivel leather sheath for my swiss tool and it is well worth the extra few bucks. I seem to recall my tool was in the $60 range, so they must have gone up.
 
jimwalter said:
victorinox swisstool is my regular carry
leatherman surge is in my toolbelt
leatherman wave is in my finishing belt

the victorinox has the best fit and finish of the 3 and is just a pleasure to use.
the leathermans have one handed opening which is needed on the job (wearing gloves etc), they also have a killer warranty.

I got all of them for about 35ish$ on fleabay.

I also have a victorinox spirit... meh, too small for my needs, perhaps city carry?

Leatherman also has different bits, which may be nice.

TLDR?
They are all good depending on what you need.
Click to expand...

1. Do you mean "$35-ish" for each or all?
2. TLDR?
 
Yeah, seems like pricing varies quite a bit, but here in the US, Leatherman Tools are cheaper because they are made here.
 
I have a first generation Leatherman Wave that I purchased used a while back and it has served me very well. I handled the Swisstool in the store and appreciate the build quality but always went back to the Wave. It has remained tight through the years and I have used all of the tools at one time or another without any issues. Having the ability to access main blades without completely opening the tool is a definite plus. I thought it was well finished, although perhaps not the level of Swisstool. Before the Wave, I was given a Gerber tool (the one with the rubber inlays) and I was never very satisfied with it. It is not in the same league as the Leatherman or Swisstool and the spring loaded blunt nosed pliers are not to my liking.
 
My vote is Leatherman or SOG. I have multi-tools from both companies and have yet to be disappointed. I have a Leatherman PST that I purchased in 1996 that is still in service.
 
My girlfriend has an older full sized SwissTool, and I have a Leatherman MUT that stays on my MOLLE on my patrol pack. I would say that Leatherman has greatly improved in ergonomic quality over time, with fewer uncomfortable edges. The intent by both companies, however, is clearly very different. Leatherman designs tools for working class people in the US, and therefore designs for fast opening and simple rugged use. The SwissTool is designed by engineers who are passionate about beauty and simplicity and quality. I love Victorinox, but when I help my dad, or when I'm on patrol or other military training, I use Leatherman (though I always have at least one SAK on me!)
 
Mmmm I'll give you that. I use my Leatherman to service my weapons (since that is the purpose the model is designed for) and therefore it isn't an issue with mine because it is always lightly coated in RemOil
 
My first ever MT was the Leatherman PST. When it was stolen, I got a Wave, then another Wave (because I had to have the tacticool black one too:rolleyes:). When both of those were either lost, or rendered inoperable by prolonged saltwater exposure, I got a Vic Spirit. 10 years later, and it's still on my belt. I even got it's big brother, the Swisstool X, for the improved scissors and the ruler mainly. But it's just too darn big to lug around, so I keep it in the car kit. IMO, if the Spirit came with the larger-style Vic scissors, I would have the perfect MT. OHO doesn't matter to me, I'm always flush with blades.
 
I carried a Leatherman Wave for 4-5 years (and before that, a SuperTool, PST, and various others), and I liked them just fine....

But 2-3 years ago, I decided to get a SwissTool Spirit X because of a YouTube review I saw. I figured, what the heck - let's try something new. Well, long-story-short, I haven't carried a Leatherman since. The fit and finish and overall quality of the SwissTool far exceeds that of any of the Leathermans I have owned. Also, the ergonomics of the tool - especially the pliers - are much better IMHO. All my Leathermans have been relegated to back-up positions (bug-out bags, vehicle console, briefcase, etc.).

I have also converted a couple buddies of mine who were die-hard Leatherman fans by letting them carry one of my extra SwissTools for a few days (yes, I like them enough to own three of 'em)... works every time!
 
But OP is asking about comparison with the SwissTool... Have you experience with one of those?

Charlie-Echo-Kilo said:
My vote is Leatherman or SOG. I have multi-tools from both companies and have yet to be disappointed. I have a Leatherman PST that I purchased in 1996 that is still in service.
Click to expand...
 
link2derek said:
But OP is asking about comparison with the SwissTool... Have you experience with one of those?
Click to expand...

The OP also understands that everyone has an opinion or preference. I just stated my own personal choice based on 18 years reliability from my PST. But to answer your question, I did have the opportunity to handle a SwissTool and sad to say, the experience was not enough for me to dump my Leatherman or SOG and go rush out to buy a new multi-tool. Sorry. Maybe if I had buddy that would let me borrow his for a day, I would reconsider. :)
 
Last edited:
numberthree said:
I recently bought a new Leatherman Wave to compare to my Victorinox Spirit and Swisstool X. I really want to like the Leatherman; the bit driver is excellent and Leatherman seems to be a great domestic company. However, the overall build quality is really not even close to what the Victorinox tools have. After a month of exclusive use of the Wave, it's back in the drawer and the Vic Spirit is back on my belt. For the size of the Wave, I kept feeling like it didn't really have many tools on it. I missed the awl several times, and I felt that having 2 knife blades on the tool was a waste of space. There was no beefy straightedge screwdriver to double as a light prying tool. On the Spirit, the bottle opener/big screwdriver is fairly long and significantly thicker than the other tools and designed specifically for light prying. Being a lefty, the one hand opening was totally wasted on me, and how they had to design the tool to accommodate one-hand access compromised other functions, in my opinion. The handles are also quite uncomfortable under heavy use compared to the Vic Spirit. I think overall, it's a pretty good multitool, but again it just lacks that finely made class and the carefully chosen tools that are Victorinox hallmarks.
Click to expand...

Thats what I think too. +1
 
Charlie-Echo-Kilo said:
... I did have the opportunity to handle a SwissTool and sad to say, the experience was not enough for me to dump my Leatherman or SOG and go rush out to buy a new multi-tool. Sorry. Maybe if I had buddy that would let me borrow his for a day, I would reconsider. :)
Click to expand...

Well if you're ever in my neck of the woods (SE Michigan), get ahold of me (email is best), and I'll let you borrow one of my SwissTool Spirits for a week (I have 4 of 'em). And I'll bet you $20 you'll be a convert withing a week. No joke.

Cheers,

Derek...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top