Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: pitman]
#389867
02/10/10 10:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 747
skorpyd
Scrapper
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Scrapper
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 747 |
Just bought an SOG powerlock at Lowes, for 49$, on clearance, I like it a lot better than my old leatherman.
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: MustardMan]
#389868
02/10/10 10:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,285
tripton
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,285 |
I have a broken Schrade Tough Tool upstairs that lasted about a week when I got it. I consider them to be absolute junk as well.
Hm <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I bought mine well over a decade ago - it seems most multi tools were built better back then <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> How long ago did you get yours? If the newer ones are crap, I've gotta stop suggesting them. I've rarely heard a bad word about the swisstools though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> They aren't the most innovative or sexy design, but they sure seem like a solid workhorse. About 10 years ago. The main blade bent backwards when cutting, pretty much making that whole side useless. All the tools just flop around with no tension or locking mechanism. wouldnt be a big deal but it is riveted together instead of bolted, so it doesnt come apart. I was always going to send it in under warranty...then I didnt...then Schrade died. So it goes. The Swisstool is vastly superior anyway.
JYD #103
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: tripton]
#389869
02/10/10 11:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,574
james_bond
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,574 |
I am a big fan of my old-school Leatherman SupperTool, I have had it for 12+ years and have EDC'd it everyday for the last 3 years. I had the small flat blade screwdriver chip once (my fault) but I grinded it back. I really have been pleased with this tool. I would love a SuperTool 300 but can't justify it as my old one works soo well. I vote if you need a "hard use" tool go with the bigger tools they generly use thicker peices of steel for construction.
JYD #25
Clinging to my Guns, Religion, and Scrapyards.
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: james_bond]
#389870
02/11/10 12:11 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,861
J33psr0ck
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,861 |
I was converted to the Swiss Tool a few years ago. I have a Leatherman Super Tool, a Leatherman Juice and a Swiss Tool Spirit. I always grab this one first.
JYD # 19
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: tripton]
#389871
02/11/10 12:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,379
Steel Fan
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,379 |
Hi Chris, For tools needed in the field I don't find any wire cutters on the multi tools work. You need more leverage than they supply and a much harder tool steel edge.For wire cutting look only to a good solid make of proper tools if your brother finds the military issue too big and clumsy. I have some old ones made by Stanley of Sheffield... they work really well but Stanley have since outsourced abroad and I doubt they are as good. If Snap On or some other make that professionals use is available I would get him some with at least 6-8 inch grips. It depends on what your brother needs in terms of wire cutting. Electrical wire I do with the scissors on my SAK ... but I have need of wire cutters than can double as heavy secateurs for limbing off branches which interfere with a field of view/bullet path ... also need them to do with razor wire and fence wire and in an emergency as a Method of Entry set of bolt cutters for the smaller cheaper type padlocks you get in the third world. Mine are very similar to these ones from Germany in that they have telescopic handles to increase the mechanical leverage if needed. These ones I found have an overall smallest size of about 14 inches so are not small but will go through 1 inch cable... so my needs may be different ...but this type of tool works really well. ![[Linked Image from i343.photobucket.com]](http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o445/SteelFan-Infi/K1051a.jpg) If your brother is a weapons technician on small arms check out a company called "The Chapman MFG Company" based at 471 New Haven Rd, Durham CT 06422 ( tel 860 349-9228 ) they do an excellent minature screw driver and ratchet socket set for gunsmithing ....absolutely brilliant ... I carry mine in my Bergan everywhere. Also look at the folding type of allen keys by a good maker such as Redding who make the re-loading equipment ...there are others just as good ...check out Sinclair International for their accessories. Another good accessory is the pocket torque wrench for action screws done by Anschutz. Excellent portability and accuracy. When it comes to cutting wire or stripping rifles multi tools just don't work IMHO and you need small compact good "tools". As a general multi tool for personal admin etc I have carried a Swiss Army knife for years... they work brilliantly ...here is mine ... not sure of the name though ..."Champ" rings a bell ...it's been everywhere... it's over 20 years old! ![[Linked Image from i343.photobucket.com]](http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o445/SteelFan-Infi/100_0021.jpg)
Last edited by Steel Fan; 02/11/10 12:55 AM.
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: Steel Fan]
#389872
02/11/10 12:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,177
Tikigod
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,177 |
I have the Swisstool and am a big fan of it.
JYD #80
[i]Live like you mean it.
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: Tikigod]
#389873
02/11/10 02:07 AM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,267
Jim
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,267 |
I've got a Swisstool Spirit and am happy with it. It was larger than I expected (Amazon's measurements were off by an inch) so I was disappointed initially. However, I decided that anything smaller wouldn't have been useful as pliers. They're well made and I recommend them, but the pliers will only perform the same sort of tasks as a pair of standard long-nose pliers -- if for no other reason than 4-1/4 inch handles only provide so much leverage. The Swisstool Spirit has a lot of tools, they lock, and the price is good for a multitool with a lifetime warranty. I paid $58.20 for my Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit Multi-tool Plus Free Pocket Knife when they were on sale last November; they're currently $71, but you may find a better price if you shop around and/or can wait for another sale. I carry mine in my right front pocket rather than in the belt case it comes with; it's a little larger than I wanted for pocket carry, bit not hugely so. I also like the little Rally knife that comes in that combo; it's on my keyring.
JYD #60
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: Private Klink]
#389874
02/11/10 03:47 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,141
imaginefj
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,141 |
I have the Swisstool, Leatherman super-tool and the Schrade tool. I personally think the Swisstool and Schrade are both tougher than the leatherman. I only have one Swisstool but I have an extra Schrade. If you wish, I will be happy to send it to you to give to your brother. Send me a pm if you are interested Chris. Kirk, that is a great offer - you are a 1st Class Dog of the highest order! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> +1
Join the NRA
JYD #69 If a 6 turned out to be 9
Join the NRA
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: Steel Fan]
#389875
02/11/10 03:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,141
imaginefj
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,141 |
Hi Chris, For tools needed in the field I don't find any wire cutters on the multi tools work. You need more leverage than they supply and a much harder tool steel edge.For wire cutting look only to a good solid make of proper tools if your brother finds the military issue too big and clumsy. I have some old ones made by Stanley of Sheffield... they work really well but Stanley have since outsourced abroad and I doubt they are as good. If Snap On or some other make that professionals use is available I would get him some with at least 6-8 inch grips. It depends on what your brother needs in terms of wire cutting. Electrical wire I do with the scissors on my SAK ... but I have need of wire cutters than can double as heavy secateurs for limbing off branches which interfere with a field of view/bullet path ... also need them to do with razor wire and fence wire and in an emergency as a Method of Entry set of bolt cutters for the smaller cheaper type padlocks you get in the third world. Mine are very similar to these ones from Germany in that they have telescopic handles to increase the mechanical leverage if needed. These ones I found have an overall smallest size of about 14 inches so are not small but will go through 1 inch cable... so my needs may be different ...but this type of tool works really well. ![[Linked Image from i343.photobucket.com]](http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o445/SteelFan-Infi/K1051a.jpg) If your brother is a weapons technician on small arms check out a company called "The Chapman MFG Company" based at 471 New Haven Rd, Durham CT 06422 ( tel 860 349-9228 ) they do an excellent minature screw driver and ratchet socket set for gunsmithing ....absolutely brilliant ... I carry mine in my Bergan everywhere. Also look at the folding type of allen keys by a good maker such as Redding who make the re-loading equipment ...there are others just as good ...check out Sinclair International for their accessories. Another good accessory is the pocket torque wrench for action screws done by Anschutz. Excellent portability and accuracy. When it comes to cutting wire or stripping rifles multi tools just don't work IMHO and you need small compact good "tools". As a general multi tool for personal admin etc I have carried a Swiss Army knife for years... they work brilliantly ...here is mine ... not sure of the name though ..."Champ" rings a bell ...it's been everywhere... it's over 20 years old! A basic SAK and a small pair of quality plyers in a little kydex rig would rock. Maybe some MATCO would be good. I even know some good kydex benders.
Join the NRA
JYD #69 If a 6 turned out to be 9
Join the NRA
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: imaginefj]
#389876
02/11/10 02:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 470
rackemup
Mongrel
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Mongrel
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 470 |
I have gotten great use out of my SwissTool X for a couple years. It's a rugged stainless steel piece of work. I'd love to have the black oxidized version too.
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: imaginefj]
#389877
02/11/10 05:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,297
Rainwalker
Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,297 |
I have the Swisstool, Leatherman super-tool and the Schrade tool. I personally think the Swisstool and Schrade are both tougher than the leatherman. I only have one Swisstool but I have an extra Schrade. If you wish, I will be happy to send it to you to give to your brother. Send me a pm if you are interested Chris. Kirk, that is a great offer - you are a 1st Class Dog of the highest order! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> +1 A big Plus Two!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Kirk, you da man!!! I've used Leatherman tools on almost a daily basis for just about as long as they've been around, I even have my first Leatherman at work, it's over 25 now and still going strong, although I'm glad that newer models have locking blades, I always hated that on the older models, but other than that they've always served me well. I use a Old Retired model Mini-Tool and a S4 Squirt daily in my sheath work and they've always done what I expected of them without fail. I EDC a Surge and have for several years, It too has always done it's job when needed. I do know that anything is gunna have it's limitations, and I try to take care of my stuff, so if I'm in any doubt that it can perform the task at hand, then I get a more suitable tool, if ones available. I really like the Victorinox Swiss tools too, they just have less options than the Surge and the TI which are my favorite Leatherman's. I also EDC a Spyderco Spyderwrench (Original USA run), and it's handy too, but it doesn't take the place of my Surge. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
JYD#35 Dog Walkin in the Rain
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Re: Multitool advice from those I trust
[Re: sumoj275]
#389878
02/11/10 11:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 70
speedsix
Pooch
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Pooch
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 70 |
I have owned several Leathermens SOG Powerlock, and several Gerbersbut not the Swisstool. I hear that one is the best.
To be completely honest, I was not happy with any of them. I like the Gerber because you can open it in 1/4 of a second and use it one handed. It is my favorite when I don't need a really high quality tool. Generally when I am using a multi tool, I don't expect it to be high quality.
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