Which Multi-Tools are ABSOLUTE GARBAGE???

B

blastjv

Joined
Feb 23, 2003
Messages
512
We've all read way too many threads on "what's the best multi-tool?" and even more on "which multi-tool do you carry?"
(I'm not criticizing these threads, I'm usually one of the first to reply to them :) )

Usually, while I have a strong preference for my Victorinox SwissTool X and would (and do) recommend it to anyone, I usually also say that MOST Multi-Tools on the market are very good and that choosing one is mainly a matter of personal preference and suiting the tool to the expected tasks.

So, that being said, there must be SOME that really are WORSE THAN WORTHLESS!!!
(especially when they break and injure your hand...)

With the obvious exceptions of the cheap imported ones you buy at a Flea Market for $5 or that come for 'free' with a flashlight (which is typically ALSO garbage), I have not found ANY from one of the Name Brand Companies that was Trash. There are some I like better than others and there are some that are better at certain things, but I haven't found any that I would tell someone NEVER to buy.

Also, just because something breaks does not mean that they are all garbage. My Dad broke a SOG Power Plier and injured his hand, but it was replaced and he's been VERY happy with it ever since. I DON'T think this means that SOG tools are garbage.


SO, what tools would you warn someone to STAY AWAY from at all costs?


Thanks,

-John
 
I have always said that it isn't the tool, it's the person using it. I was tempted to mention the Chinese multi's (that have loose implements) as being garbage, however, one of those got me out of a mess years ago. I don't know that any tool could be considered absolute garbage unless it is capable of doing absolutely nothing. :confused:
It would be nice to be able to have a universal classification for the less than perfect cheap multi's out there ;)
 
I think my Leatherman Flair is worthless.

Yeah, I know my choice is probably going to be controversial, if only because I’m saying something bad about a Leatherman tool.

I bought a Leatherman Flair as soon as they came out. I wanted something with a corkscrew, scissors, and knifeblade, to replace the Swiss Army Knife I carry when I travel. I thought a multi-tool would offer more features than the SAK.

As soon as I got the Flair home, I tried to open a bottle of wine with it. I promptly shredded two corks without getting either of them open. I was really annoyed; because I don’t think a corkscrew should be that hard to design.

I e-mailed the company with my complaints about the design of the tool. I did get an e-mail back. I think the guy who wrote me back was offended that I criticized the spreader blade and the little fork along with the ineffective corkscrew. He said in the e-mail that they were redesigning the corkscrew and he would contact me about modifying my Flair later. That never happened.

Basically, it’s a multi-tool that didn’t work as expected and the customer service was worthless. I haven’t thrown it away, yet. It’s been lying in a box in my closet for the last three years. Every time I think about buying another multi-tool, I look away from the Leatherman selection. I’m still packing the SAK every time I get my suitcase out.

Jim
 
The thing about multitools is that you can give five people the same tool and find that some like it, and some don't. If you can be comfortable with a SAK, that's really all that matters. By the way, I can't open a corked bottle using anything :D
 
I broke my SOG Power Plier too. One of the plier jaws literally broke in half under light pressure. I still think the Power Plier is a great tool, but mine didn't have locking tools so I moved on after that one broke. I defintely prefer the swisstool X as well....
 
numberthree said:
I broke my SOG Power Plier too. One of the plier jaws literally broke in half under light pressure.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's what happened to my Dad's.

(two cases is no epidemic, but it does start to make on wonder...)


-John
 
i have an old standard leatherman tool knock off by ohio forge that i think is the same as the old generic colemans (are they still the same? i don't know), and while the real LM puts it to shame, it's still been a faithful tool, though the steel is just not up to my standards (i think i dinged up the wire clippers by, uh, clipping a wire).
 
I had a SOG Toolclip (sideclip?) come apart on me the very first time I used it. The plier jaws snapped right off. At the time , (1992) SOG refused to warrantee the thing, so it ate the garbage can. I replaced it with the original Gerber multi tool, and it served me well for several years. I also have had a Leatherman WAVE's pliers break on me; to Leathermans credit, they replaced the pliers, and I promptly traded it off as soon as it came back. That tool was just too light duty for me.

I've had friends that complained to me about their cheap chinese made multi tools breaking on them, and either causing them injury, or lost time as they try to find another tool to finish the job. None of my current carry tools (Gerber and SOG PowerLock) have failed me, and I have put them through things that would have destroyed a lesser tool. Granted, there may be circumstances that the name brand tools will fail, but more times than not, they will serve you well.

I know cost is a factor for most these days, and the allure of a $9.95 tool that looks just like the original is overwhelming, but you have to look at it from a quality standpoint. Buy the very best you can the first time, and it will reward you with a tool that can get the job done, without breaking, or causing you injury or lost time.
 
My wife bought me a SOG Power plier about 8 years ago. I was looking at the Gerber model (You flicked it and the jaws shot out) The guy took one look at me and said no, this isn't for you (prob thinking I was military) He suggested the SOG as a much stronger tool. At that time locking blades were no too common and despite the so called mechanical advantage of the SOG I wasnt too impressed with it. I also ruined a screw driver, it just twisted like a piece of annealed can, useless, while the file was pretty good. I traded up for a LM Wave years later and havent looked back.

Regarding LM Support, I send an idea to them over a year agoabout putting some king of knurling or whatever on the serrated balce so you could identify it without having to look. They wrote back the next day and said they had actually put a 'Sheeps foot' or scalloping onto the next batch. If I wanted I could send in my old Wave and get a brand new one for making the suggestion. I sent it off and when the new one came it was stiff. My old one was well used, smooth and better (I didnt like the changes they made) I wrote back to say that I want being an ingrate but could I have my old tool back but with the new serrated blade. No problem sir! was the reply. a few days later my baby was back. I also wrote to them about replacing the diamond file as I had used it so much it was worn out at the edges. I was told it was covered by the 25yr warranty and that if I sent it in they would replace it!!!!! :eek:
 
while i really can't really think of them being real 'garbage', i wouldn't buy the following tools:

-Bucktool
-Buck Navigator
-SwissTech Micro+
-Kershaws
-Kutmasters
-Winchesters
-Gerber Eclipse
-Joy APM
-Gerber Recoil
-SOG Switchplier
-SOG Crossgrip
-United Cutlery's
-Xikars

by the way, about that corkscrew-thing: the chances of me having to open a corked bottle are slim, but if i have to i usually just cut of the protruding part of the cork and push the rest of cork IN the bottle........ :cool: , who needs a corkscrew anyway?
 
I don't know of any multi-tool that I would call garbage, but I know the OLD Gerber multi-tools had a problem that gave them a bad reputation: the plier handles could touch together and pinch the palm of your hand causing a blood blister.

Gerber has fixed this problem a long time ago but you still hear folks mention it as a reason not to buy a Gerber.

Allen.
 
While not "garbage" by any means, unless they have changed, it's pretty tough to take apart a Leatherman to clean or replace individual tools without a sledge-hammer and steel band-saw...The SOG's, however, come apart easily without any special tools needed. And, while I might be an exception, I've never had ANY of MY SOG multi-tools break, and I HAVE used some of 'em pretty hard.
 
Hi. While I wouldn't call it garbage I must admit to a huge disappointment with the Gerber Evolution. I really liked the idea that you can change out the plier heads - needlenose, blunt nose, wire cutter & that you can use standard jig saw blades for your saw. So I got one with the extra long needle nose pliers (technician). Thing is the Evolution has two springs, one on each handle, look like "J"s with the long end pinned into the inside of the handles. I guess the purpose is so that the handles will spring back after you release your grip on the pliers. Makes it real hard to feel the amount of "grip" you have to use to hold something without clamping down with a "death" grip. Also because the springs take up so much room in the handles the other tools, screwdrivers etc., are small and don't look like they'll take much abuse. Lastly the tool doesn't fold up and its the size of a regular pair of pliers. No way it will replace the LM Wave/Supertool as my edc
 
Gerber MPT (Military Provisional Tool)-basically the same tools and size as a LM PST. Got one on sale years ago, while working construction, and broke it almost immediately. I threw it in the trash where it belonged, having no desire for a replacement.
Bought a PST, and still have it, though it's very worn, and I've gone from Wave to ST200 since.
 
Of the name brand tools the worst one that I have is the SOG Switchplier. I got it as a Christman present and immediately bent the can opener/Phillips screwdriver by tightening a screw. I know it said light duty but it should a least function. But my SOG Powrlock is fine. I've had all of the Leatherman models except the Flair. I have only managed to break one. The can opener on a Juice Xe bent. I sent it back to Leatherman and got a replacement with an improved opener within two weeks.

I agree with most everyone else. If you get a Gerber, Leatherman, SOG or Victorinox multi tool you're pretty much going to be okay.
 
OwenM said:
Gerber MPT (Military Provisional Tool)-basically the same tools and size as a LM PST. Got one on sale years ago, while working construction, and broke it almost immediately. I threw it in the trash where it belonged, having no desire for a replacement.
Bought a PST, and still have it, though it's very worn, and I've gone from Wave to ST200 since.
Click to expand...
I forgot about the MPT. It was a blatant PST knockoff except it was a piece of crap. Somebody gave one to me and I turned around and gave it away immediately.
 
i started off with a leatherman pst and after a few months the pliers became loose and wouldnt cut wire anymore so i thought i would upgrade to something a bit bigger , so i bought a gerber scout which was fairly new out at the time and had locking tools , but within a week the screws or bolts in the handles kept working loose , it was so bad that i had to carry my victorinox sak with me to keep them tight .then the awl broke under very little pressure while making a small hole in a bit of plastic , i know they offer a lifetime backup but i was so angry i vowed to never buy another gerber item again .I then looked at my trusty victorinox sak which i had owned at the time for about 10 years and still own today and thought this hasnt ever let me down in anyway , so maybe there multitools are just as good . off down to my local store to check them out , i liked what i saw and bought one . That was over four years ago and i have carried just about everyday since and it hasnt let me down once .i know the swiss tool is heavy but thats where its strengths lie. I would like to hear from anyone that has broken a swiss tool
 
I haven't handled one since they first came out, and maybe they're better now (which would explain why no one else has mentioned them) but I was thoroughly underwhelmed by Schrade's multi-tool. I recall the pliers were weak and springy, the grips were uncomfortable and the tools didn't seem to be logically arranged.

I expected about the same from Victorinox when they first offered one. I thought they were just jumping on the bandwagon to try to win back some of their market. I was impressed by how well designed their version was. I still haven't bought one, though.

I'm on my second Gerber, and third or fourth Leatherman- only becasue I've replaced lost tools, never broke any.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top