Strongest Multitools

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EDCanAdamas

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Sep 8, 2013
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There have been hundreds of threads discussing which folders are for "hard use", and which folders are "tanks". So which multitool(s) would you choose to put next to your "hard use" folder?

Things to consider could be plier strength, how the tools/blades lock up, which screw drivers stand up to the most torque, etc. I have been looking at the Leatherman Rebar and 300 Super Tool as "hard use" multitools due to their thick pliers.

Anyone else have any opinions on this? Recommendations?
 
EDCanAdamas said:
There have been hundreds of threads discussing which folders are for "hard use", and which folders are "tanks". So which multitool(s) would you choose to put next to your "hard use" folder?

Things to consider could be plier strength, how the tools/blades lock up, which screw drivers stand up to the most torque, etc. I have been looking at the Leatherman Rebar and 300 Super Tool as "hard use" multitools due to their thick pliers.

Anyone else have any opinions on this? Recommendations?
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I consider the Super Tool 300 and Swisstool to be "hard use" multitools, and their smaller counterparts, Rebar and Spirit, less so. In my experience with all those, there were some jobs just at or beyond the capability of the juniors that the larger ones easily accomplished. Bigger is better except for carrying the things, which is where the others come in. A smaller multi-tool with you when you need it is better than the big one left at home, and most of the time will get'er done. It's a matter of size and what you can tolerate for an EDC. If you can live with them, you are better prepared with the larger versions, either one.
 
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The Leatherman SuperTool 300 is a great choice. If you can stand the 12 ounces plus, I would recommend the Leatherman Surge (New 2013 Style).
 
My vote is for the Surge as well .
I've owned one for years and its a fantastic heavy duty tool . I carry it everyday at work and it gets used hard in a harsh ,tough environment . If all you do is open cardboard boxes and sharpen pencils there are plenty of smaller , lighter options , but if you work miles from the nearest road like I do then its a great friend to have along for the ride .

Ken
 
the swisstools can take some major abuse. I would also throw SOG in that category, my powerlock is a tank. There is one caveat that I have to add there though, I don't know how the QC is since the buy-out. I haven't handled any new ones, and mine had a couple flaws.
 
I agree with you guys about the Surge and ST300. One thing to think about is just because the new style pliers on the Surge and ST300 are bigger than before does not necessarily make them stronger than there older style head counterparts. The reason I say this is because of the new wire cutter design. They had to remove a lot of material to get the replaceable wire cutters in there making the plier head weak. That is why you see the extra material added to the outside of the plier head on the newer models. Could technically make it stronger, weaker, or about the same.

I did notice no one mentioned the SOG Blacktip. The Blacktip makes the ST300 look like a weak little brother. I own one, but never use it so I don't know if it has the strength to go with the size.
 
The Gerber MP600 has been the mainstay for the Army for a LONG time,and I can tell you by seeing the ones as a local surplus store that they buy off the return soldiers, the go through a ton of abuse while still working.
If you can find one, the Gerber Diesel is a beast, but a bit heavy.
The MUT from Leatherman is the meaning of tough, and then some, but at a price.
The SOG Powerlockis a beast too.
 
Of the multitools that I've handled thus far, I find the SwissTool is the one for hard use.
 
Leatherman, and not just the big tools. Probably the best feature over other brands is interchangeable 2D bits, bits break, chip, and wear, as do files and saw blades, especially if you cut metal with them, no big deal if you can swap another one in, basically ruins the tool if you can't. My surge has held up to everything I can throw at it, still works like new, however I have a skeletool CX that I constantly beat on, and even though it is a smaller tool it doesn't flex and bend up like every other mini multi-tool I've tried. I've used both with the extension and even a socket adapter without issue, cut hard steel wire without a problem(old jaw on my surge), and even the bits have held up fine.
 
Well, I ended up purchasing a Leatherman Rebar. The Rebar was the best budget-friendly option that was compact yet strong. I also really like the replaceable wire cutters, and I wish all of the Leatherman's had those. Perhaps when I am able to save more spending money, I'll get a Surge or Supertool.
 
EDCanAdamas said:
Well, I ended up purchasing a Leatherman Rebar. The Rebar was the best budget-friendly option that was compact yet strong. I also really like the replaceable wire cutters, and I wish all of the Leatherman's had those. Perhaps when I am able to save more spending money, I'll get a Surge or Supertool.
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Good pickup on the Rebar. I dont think I have heard anyone who doesn't like the Rebar yet. Its perfect size in my opinion. A lot of tools in a surprisingly small package. Let us know what you think. :thumbup:
 
I have carried a Gerber for years and it has been my go to when I have needed dependability for anything that came down the road.!** Can't be beat and you save money at the same time.^^
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
Good pickup on the Rebar. I dont think I have heard anyone who doesn't like the Rebar yet. Its perfect size in my opinion. A lot of tools in a surprisingly small package. Let us know what you think. :thumbup:
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I consider the Rebar to be what I wished the PST had been. My first Leatherman almost 20 years ago was a PST, and although I liked the idea, there were things about it that needed improvement. Frankly, I was wasn't enough impressed, wound up giving it to my son. In his hands, I must say, it held up well, despite him beating the crap out of it (Sonny Boy tends to be murder on his stuff.) The Rebar addressed every issue I had with the PST; locking implements, rounded handle edges, serrated blade, saw, replaceable wire cutters and although somewhat larger, still in a compact size. Allowing for inflation, it cost about the same as the PST did then. That makes it the biggest bargain in multi-tools, IMHO.
 
Had a Leatherman wave that rocked. I used it daily while living in south america until it got stolen. I replaced it with a SOG PowerAssist and I still have it. It is a piece of junk. The pliers are great on the SOG tools, they can cut pennies in half with their wire cutters all day, but the assisted opening on the PowerAssist is a gimmick and I've broken mine twice. After that and a couple other bad experiences with SOG knives I avoid them now. Looks like I need to check out the Rebar as its replacement.
 
The origional Schrade Tough Tool was a BEAST. Good thing it came with a heavy duty leather sheath and tight belt loop. My dad always called it the Schrade Tough To Open Tool (because it was).
 
I have a Leatherman Ti Charge and it is a well-made multitool. It's very precise, S30V bladed and very comfortable.
 
For a folding pocket tool, the Leatherman MUT is robust. When I was shopping for one, I just thought it was a high dollar Skeletool. However, it's a CHUNK. It weighs more than my ST300, I think. Very stout, very handy, and even the gun-related tools are easily pressed into every day jobs.

I love it.
 
I just picked up a Vic SpiritX and like it a lot. It certainly seems to be stronger than the Gerbers I have. I have a SOG Powerlock that is very good, but not the power assist version. This one is a few years old and about the same size as the SpiritX.

I was never a multi-tool carrier, but I have actually been carrying the Vic Spirit and like having it on me handy. My regular SAK does the majority of the little tasks, but the Spirit provides a lot more strength and flexibility.

I have to admit that I resist buying a multi-tool that exceeds $100 no matter how "good" it might be.
 
I can't imagine a MT tougher than the 2013 Surge. My Charge tti feels significantly lighter duty in comparison.
 
I just got a Leatherman Charge Ti and it's really heavy duty for multitools I've owned. Plus it has a 25 year warranty. The tools and knives are easy to use and good quality. I recommend this model.
 
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