Multitool FAQ for December 1998
COL.Daniel A. Ness
pulling those greasy electrical connections that the SAE makes hard to get
to, that feature is invaluable.
Joe Talmadge wrote:
> Author: Joe Talmadge j...@cup.hp.com
> Last Updated: November 1, 1998
> Added: SOG Crosscut
> For more information:
> Check out http://www.equipped.com/devices2.htm, which also
> has a section on flashlights.
> Check out Knifecenter of the Internet, which has its own comparisons
> of these tools, along with pics http://www.knifecenter.com
>
> Most people post to say they love the one they have, which is a pretty
> good indication that the entire group are all top notch. The foreign
> $8 knockoffs are of considerably less quality, by all accounts. If
> you're buying this tool to use, the extra price (from $30 to $60) for
> a top quality tool is well worth it -- in this case, you *are* buying
> quality, not just a brand name.
>
> With a few exceptions, I am limiting the descriptions to tools that
> are, well, "Leathermanish". That is, they have two handles, and fold
> or otherwise hide the plier jaws. I am leaving out the more 4x4ish
> (Al Mar) tools, which typically have a single handle that has tools at
> one end, pliers at the other, and some kind of handle bar. I've also
> left out the hinged-lid type (more on this anon).
>
> Trends:
>
> Previously I pointed out the trend towards bigger tools. This trend
> seems to have stopped, and I think the vendors have come close to
> reaching the limits on how big these tools can be while still being
> useful. Instead, they are moving towards adding features to the tools
> that are already being manufactured, which I think is a good move.
> For example, Leatherman has added a tool adapter, and Gerber has added
> scissors to the Multilock (joining Leatherman, and all the keychain
> tools, which have scissors). In addition, more tools with
> exterior-accessible tools are coming out, with the Wave and Swisstool
> joining Bear and Schrade. This is a nice feature, it means you can
> access the tools without having to open the pliers up first.
>
> Following the Micra's success, keychain-sized tools are coming on
> strong. SOG's Cross-Cut came out recently, and Utica just came out
> with the Kutmaster Mini-Master. And this FAQ has ignored entirely a
> different kind of keychain tool, as exemplified by SwissTech and
> SeberTech. Late-breaking news is that Sebertech has made a tool that
> bridges the gap between their original tool and the Micra-types. I'll
> bet SwissTech can't be far behind!
>
> Another type of tool may be emerging also. This is the hinged-lid
> tool. These tools might be interesting for those who do not need
> pliers. Kutmaster has such a tool, and Gerber just came out with the
> Multi-Lite. There are many tools including scissors, and the lid has
> an LED light in it.
>
> General sizing --
>
> Keychain: Leatherman Micra, SOG Cross-Cut, Kutmaster Mini-Master,
> Buck MiniTool, SwissTech M4
> Compact: Leatherman mini-tool
> Full Size: Leatherman PST, Leatherman PST II, Gerber MPT,
> SOG Mini PowerPliers, Leatherman Sideclip
> Full Size+: Gerber Multitool, SOG Paratool, Bear Jaws
> x-tra Beefy: SOG PowerPliers, Leatherman Supertool, Buck tool,
> Schrade Tough Tool, Kershaw Tool, Victorinox Swiss Tool,
> Leatherman Wave, Super Bear Jaws
>
> The "special" features are as follows (all in the humble opinion of
> myself):
>
> Leatherman -- note the Leatherman tools now have a tool adaptor that
> can be used to drive standard 1/4" bits (hex, torx, etc.). This can
> be used with the PST, PST II, Super Tool, and Sideclip, but will not
> work on the Wave. An important note, although I claim that all
> Leatherman tools are two-hand opening only, I have been deluged by LM
> owners who tell me that as their tools loosen up a bit, they can just
> flip it open one-handed like a balisong. So for some percentage of
> people, the LMs are one-hand opening.
>
> Original Leatherman PST -- Defining feature: the lightest, most
> compact of the "full size" group. You may find this unobtrusiveness
> to be a definitive advantage -- I definitely consider it important.
> However, it is a bit less robust, and with heavy use there's been
> complaints about bending the tools. The edges of the handles will
> bite into your palms if you use the pliers hard. The needlenose
> pliers on the Leatherman line are probably the most true-to-form,
> being thinner than the needlenose pliers offered by Gerber and SOG.
> If you want a compact tools that is still big enough to be comfortably
> usable, and don't plan on using it incredibly hard, look no further.
> Two-hand opener only. All the Leatherman products are wonderfully
> finished.
>
> Leatherman PST II -- Defining feature: scissors. This is like the
> original leatherman, but has scissors in it, which is an important
> feature -- in fact, this tool has become my favorite due to the
> presence of the scissors. The file has a diamond coated knife
> sharpener with a fish-hook sharpening groove. The knife blade is
> partially-serrated and has a stronger tip. The wire-cutter has been
> beefed up to handle hard materials, such as fish hooks.
>
> Leatherman Sideclip -- Defining feature: compact size and carry clip.
> This tool is slightly smaller than the Leatherman PST (3 tools in each
> handle rather than 4), and so is smaller and lighter than the PST. It
> is light enough to carry outside a sheath, and thus the Sideclip comes
> with a metal clip along one handle, so the user can carry it clipped
> to his pocket or waistband.
>
> Super Leatherman -- Defining feature: locking tools. A superb
> feature! But be careful: if you don't *need* locking tools, then
> having to unlock the tools becomes a pain, especially in the case of
> the Super Leatherman with its somewhat-cumbersome unlocking mechanism.
> The "palm biting" feature of the regular leatherman has been fixed
> somewhat by using thicker steel and laying out the tools so that they
> support your palm when closed. Very robust, with lots of tools, and
> Leatherman's typical exceptional finish. Two-hand opener only. This
> is one of the larger tools, and some may find it too big, though it is
> also more robust than most.
>
> Leatherman Wave -- Defining feature: some exterior-accessible locking
> tools. Leatherman's newest, it has four tools that are accessible
> while the tool is closed, the regular blade, serrated blade, saw, and
> file. In addition, all those tools lock, and the knife blades are
> openable one-handed. Combined with the good quality on the knife
> blades, this tool is almost a hybrid of a one-handed folder with a
> multitool. It also has scissors, and to my knowledge is the first
> tool to have both scissors and a saw, a great combination in my
> opinion. The tools on the inside, such as the scissors, bottle
> opener, and screwdrivers, do not lock. However, the phillips has been
> redesigned so that it is offset from the pivot towards the outside of
> the handle, so pressure on the screwdriver tip wants to keep the
> screwdriver open rather than closed.
>
> Leatherman Minitool (compact) -- The Minitool is extremely compact,
> about half the size of the PST. Handle extensions fold out to provide
> better leverage when using the pliers, though this is not required to
> operate the pliers. The small size of course limits the number of
> tools. This is the smallest multitool, and the most limited, but may
> fit your needs if size is your most important factor.
>
> Leatherman Micra (compact) -- The Micra is a very small tool with the
> pliers replaced by scissors. The Micra has all the tools I use most
> often -- scissors, regular screwdriver & two-prong Phillips
> screwdriver, and a small knife blade (in addition to a nail file &
> tweezers). The scissors work well. Small and limited, but it's
> keychain size, and the scissors have made it a very useful
> around-the-house tool.
>
> Victorinox SwissTool -- Defining feature: exterior-accessible,
> non-clumping, locking tools. Victorinox's first multitool, and it's
> very well done. Like the Schrade Tough Tool, all its tools are
> accessible while the tool is closed, which is very convenient if you
> use the tools often. In addition, all the tools lock, and unlocking
> is easy. But the great innovation here is that when one tool is
> brought out, there is no "clumping" -- that is, if you bring out one
> tool, the surrounding ones don't come out with it. The pliers on this
> are ostensibly needle-nose, but actually much too thick to function as
> needlenose pliers, think of this as more of a bullnose/needlenose
> hybrid.
>
> Schrade Tough Tool -- Defining features: exterior-accessible tools,
> some locking. This big tool is nicely done, with good finish on the
> tools, and very comfortable contoured handles. All tools are
> accessible while the tool is closed, a feature I've come to love.
> The main screwdrivers and the knife blades lock, and unlocking is very
> easy, due to the very clever unlocking system. A nice touch is that
> the locking screwdrivers are relatively long compared to most
> multitools, which is great considering that a problem sometimes
> encountered with multitool screwdrivers is that they don't reach where
> they need to go. The phillips screwdriver has two prongs that are
> slightly shorter, they theoretically could slip out under hard use
> (haven't seen this happen yet). The pliers are hard to describe, kind of
> a bull nose with a needle nose sticking out. The tool feels very
> robust overall, but this is a big wide tool. Two hand opening.
>
> SOG Paratool -- Defining feature: robust and well made, with no
> stand-out features. The one-hand-opening mechanism is cumbersome for
> even two hands. I've heard the mechanism gets better as it works in,
> but it remains cumbersome; in its defense, this "feature" doesn't seem
> to bother many Paratool owners. When using the pliers, the system
> might close by itself if you twist it.
>
> SOG PowerPliers -- Defining feature(s): compound leverage for the
> pliers, and resulting superb one-hand-opening feature. The compound
> leverage is what SOG is selling, and by all accounts it works well,
> though "plain old" leverage has always been good enough for me for my
> applications. But an artifact of the gears means that the PP can be
> easily opened with one hand. Very robust. One-hand opener. This is
> a large tool.
>
> SOG Mini PowerPliers -- This is a smaller version of the (pretty
> large) PowerPliers, and is more like the size of the Gerber. If you
> like the compound leverage but don't want to carry a really big tool,
> this could be a nice option.
>
> SOG Crosscut -- a scissors-based tool that competes with the
> Leatherman Micra. It has SOG's compound leverage gears on the
> scissors. The SOG is slightly heavier than the other keychain tools
> and the scissors work the best of the bunch, but it also lacks a
> Phillips screwdriver, so there's a trade-off. It is slightly bigger
> than the other keychaintools, and with its pouch the footprint becomes
> bigger still.
>
> SOG Cross Grip -- a pliers-based tool, built on the same tool as the
> Crosscut. See comments above.
>
> Gerbers -- note that the Gerber Multitool and Multilock products have
> a tool adaptor that slips over the Phillips screwdriver. It allows
> the user to use standard bits (hex, torx, etc.) with their tools.
>
> Gerber Multitool -- Defining feature: one-hand-opening. I've found
> one-hand-opening to be an incredibly wonderful feature. If you use
> the pliers heavily, you'll end up agreeing. The tool is robust, and
> the handles won't bite you. Most of us on rec.knives have models
> which can badly pinch your skin if the pliers slip off the work, as
> the plier handles close too closely. Others of us (like myself) have
> models which do not exhibit this problem. The tools are not as
> squared -- certainly not up to the standards of the nicely-squared
> Leatherman -- and as a result the tools can slip out of the work.
> Comes with either needlenose or bullnose pliers.
>
> Gerber Multilock & offshoots -- Defining Feature: Locking tools and
> one-hand opening. Like Gerber's tool above, this new version has
> plier heads that slide out the front for easy one-hand opening. In
> addition, the tools lock, and a zytel slide on each side of the handle
> makes for easy, hassle-free unlocking of tools. This tool corrects
> many of Gerber's mistakes with the multitool, such as a better finish
> on the tools, and making sure the handles close far enough apart that
> they don't pinch. This tool is also larger than the multitool. The
> screwdrivers are a bit short. The version of this tool with scissors
> (and you know how I love tools with scissors) is called the Scout. A
> Horseman's version, with hoof cleaner, is out as well.
>
> Gerber MPT -- Looks just like a leatherman, and opens the same way.
> Made for the military, and supposedly this tool is the current
> contract. The quality of this tool is the lowest of all
> tools included in this list. However, the quality appears to above
> the foreign knockoffs. This is the least expensive of the full size
> tools.
>
> Buck Tool -- Defining feature: locking tools. The tools on the Buck
> lock open, just like the Supertool. The unlocking mechanism (a push
> button on the handle) works really well, and is much more convenient
> than the Supertool's. The handles are contoured for comfort, and the
> nail nicks have been replaced by easier-to-use tabs. Some tools, like
> the screwdrivers, are a bit on the small side. The Phillips
> screwdriver has one prong missing to save space, but as a result is a
> bit more tricky to use. The opening mechanism is similar to the SOG
> Paratool's -- only with pivots going in opposite directions. Although
> one-hand opening isn't possible, two-hand opening is extremely easy --
> just swivel one handle all the way around. Some versions come with a
> clip.
>
> Buck Mini Tool -- Slightly bigger than keychain size, the Buck
> Minitool is based around pliers but includes scissors like all the
> Micra-sized tools. The action is based on the full size tool (above),
> with contoured handles, although the tools do not lock. The
> screwdrivers are small, not full-size, inhibiting their usefulness.
>
> SeberTech: SeberTech's original keychain tools, the M2 and M3, didn't
> make it onto the FAQ. These tools were based around pliers and also
> had a regular and phillips screwdrivers. In the M3, the tools include
> x-small phillips and regular screwdrivers as well.
>
> SeberTech M4 -- SeberTech's keychain tool is built around small
> pliers. It includes a recurved plain blade -- a first for these
> tools! The recurve should help the little blade slice a bit better.
> Phillips head and regular screwdriver, eyeglass screwdriver, file,
> bottle opener, and tweezers complete the set.
>
> Bear Jaws -- Defining feature: exterior-accessible tools. While the
> pliers tool is "closed", you can fold out all the other tools. When
> you open the tool, the pliers head fits through a slot in the handle,
> so you end up having hand protection when using the pliers (i.e., like
> the Gerber, it won't hurt your hand to use pressure on the pliers).
> Fit and finish are reported to be nice.
>
> Super Bear Jaws: Like the original Bear Jaws, this tool has the great
> exterior-accessible tools feature. This tool is bigger and beefier
> than the original Bear Jaws, and has a few more tools.
>
> Kershaw Tool: Defining feature: locking pliers. If you need locking
> pliers, this is your only choice. However, unlike all the other
> tools, the pliers on this tool do not fold back into the body, and the
> Kershaw is definitely the biggest of the group. The knife blade is
> openable one-handed from the handles, and locks in place. All other
> tools are accessible with the handles open, though it should be noted
> that there are less tools on the Kershaw than most tools. The knife
> blade locks through a tang-block type system, all other tools lock
> through an ingenious latching system. The size and weight of this
> system make it less attractive for belt carry than most multitools,
> but conversely its size and strength make it more attractive as an
> extremely hard use tool.
>
> Kutmaster Mini-Master -- This works a bit different than the other
> keychain tools, having a hinged lid that must be opened to take out
> the tools. This provides some advantages, such as a wider cap-lifter
> and a locking mechanism (close the lid and the tools lock). This tool
> includes scissors (though the worst performing scissors of the bunch)
> and a Phillips-head screwdriver. It is the smallest of the bunch
> also, always a plus for keychain carry.