What is the best all-around Leatherman multi-tool- Wave, Crunch, Super Tool, etc...?

IMHO the best are LM Wave, LM Super Tool, LM Charge TI and SOG PowerLoc.k As far as which is the best among those... it's a tuff call. The SOG is nice because it's user-configurable and edditional tools can be substituted for existing tools by the user. I am also very impressed with the compound leverage on the SOG. That being said, I currently carry a Wave (newer version). I think the new LM Surge and Core show much promise. If they turn out to be too big for EDC I still think they may prove perfect for use in large kits.

I edc a Leatherman Charge TI, I love it, it's fairly compact and i don't think it's that heavy, that's pretty much up to what you think is heavy. It has the tools i use regularly and the handy feature of the bit set that stores nicely in the sheath

Better than a leatherman...the Victorinox Swisstool.


Robert

It all depends on what tools substitutes you are in need....

For more than 10 years, I EDC on my belt an old PST II, and that makes me a happy taxpayer ... no ... user... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
The tools I often need are present on this model.
And just recently, I added in my daypack a tool adaptater and some bits I also use, but less frequently.

My only regret : the poor quality of the blade ..

But then, if I need a blade, I have Doug's RSK in my pant's back pocket.

I'd have to agree with Robert. The SwissTool is a fine piece of gear.

When using the bladed tools hard on a Leatherman and many other multitools, I find the handles slip against each other under torq. That drives me nuts. I've not experienced that issue with my SwissTool X or my SwissTool Spirits...

M

Charge Ti, I use that instead of my original Wave and Swiss tool

I have stopped carrying my BM AFCK and now carry a Leatherman Charge Ti with the pocket clip. Way more useful then the AFCK and it’s not heavy or in the way. The new Wave would be just as good. Get the pocket clip and you are good to go. You carry and use it just like a one-handed pocket knife. When you need something else it is right there when you need it. Carry a Mora in your pack or CamelBack and you have all the knife you need.

I have a Wave, a PST, a Crunch and recently gave a Blast as a gift. IMHO, I think the Wave is tops for the money. If money is not object, any of the Ti models would surely serve you well. The original PST does not have locking blades and does not have as tight a feel as later models. The Crunch is great but very limited in the number of tools it offers (toss in a Micra for the scissors if you go that route). The Blast is a bit large but offers locking blades, tons of tools and a fairly comfortable grip, all for about $50.

Sgt Mike is right about swiss tool but no scissors or one handed opening for the blade. I have wave for EDC and SwissTool for work.

I'd have to throw in another vote for the Wave, although in all fairness I've never used either of the Charge models.

Pluses of the Wave:

One-handed blade opening without having to open the whole tool - VERY useful!!. The Charges use a better grade of steel for the blades, but hey, I'll take what I can get (especially since I value my money).

Locking primary blades - very important!

Crosscut file, diamond file, a decent saw (great for relatively small branches and yes, PVC), good scissors - all very useful tools.

The pliers on my Wave (the old one) are much beefier than on the original Leatherman PST or any of the other "original" series, and the new Wave is better yet.

Frankly, now that I own a Wave, I'd never want to go back to using *any* multitool that does not have one-handed opening of at least the primary blades, and I'd never use a non-locking blade for anything but the most trivial task.

I also carry a Micra - I find the scissors a little more "balanced" in the hand, and it's more PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER.-friendly. It looks more like a novelty than a "weapon" in their eyes, so when I'm in mixed company I'll go to that first.

I carry a Flair sometimes, mainly for the corkscrew.

Another vote for the victorinox swisstool <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think that after few posts you realized that main advantage of Wave and TI series is one hand blade opening. If you carry no backup blade or if multi tool will be your primary "toy" than one handed blade opening can't be beaten. I don't need one handed opening on diamond file or wood saw but blade is extremly important. I think this is where leatherman comes up better than swisstool. Everything else is just minor and consists of little differences.

The fact that the Leatherman Wave and Charge can utilize a pocket clip seems like a plus to me also. I say "seems" because I still haven't received mine yet due to shipping issues beyond my control. Hopefully I will get it this week and can see if it makes pocket carry easier.

That's exactly it - the one-handed blade opening trumps all else.

I didn't fully realize it until I "inherited" the Flair from a friend of mine - the Wave was my first Leatherman (before that was all SAKs).

For such a simple modification, putting the blades so they come out on the outside, the advantages are manyfold. One-handed blade opening, locking blades (although some of the new Leathermans have all locking blades on the inside as well), the handles are more comfortable because when you use the pliers you're pressing down on the rounded blade covers and not the metal edge, and as an undocumented feature, when the pliers are open you can use the space between the file and the serrated blade as an impromptu crimper (or nutcracker, I suppose).

Frankly, I'm shocked that anybody still makes multi-tools, other than the tiny ones, in the "old" way.

I also can't understand the fascination with putting a zillion screwdrivers on these tools. Anyone who has serious need for screwdrivers will buy the tool adapter. The blades included on the tool are next to useless because they are off-center and at least to my clumsy hands, the blade keeps sliding out of the slot because I'm driving off-center. It doesn't help that they're polished either. And the space used for the screwdrivers could go toward much more useful tools - I'd love to see a Leatherman with an awl. A corkscrew would be nice too, or a mini-fork or butter knife (these are the tools found on the Flair, and nowhere else, and if I think I'm going to use any of those, I carry the Flair). Another possibility would be a strikable flint for firestarting.