Another multitool question

Posted by: Ors

Another multitool question - 11/25/05 03:18 PM

For those of you that carry SOG, which one do you carry? What do you like about it? What do you not like about it?

And for those of you that have broken Leatherman tools, or several of them, in what way did they fail? Was it something covered by the warranty?

Thanks all!
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Another multitool question - 11/25/05 04:23 PM

SOG:
I dont have any and Ive only receintly handled one. Dont know which model it was but I wasnt that impressed. A friend pulled his out to do some work on a washing machine. When I used it, I found the tools easily folded back while using them. Needs a lock or higher tenssion to hold them.

LeatherMans:
I sent my first Wave (old style) back under warranty. The jaws went loose after a couple of months. It had a lot of play in them, and you couldnt cut much with the wire cutter because the jaws would move apart and just kink the wire. Fixed under warranty. They wore out fast too. My 2nd Wave (old style) has lasted a bit longer but is starting to show signs of ware.
I havent found that any of my Leathermans will hold an edge on the blade very well, so I am continually resharpening them.
My SuperTool has been fine, but is showing signs of ware. That lives in the car tool box now.
My Mini Tool doesnt get much use, so that has been fine.
My Crunch hasnt had any problems either.

Another problem I did have with the first Wave is that sometimes a bit of dirt or something would cause a bit of friction and the knife blade would sometimes open while using the pliers. I have been lucky and not cut myself, but it is quite dangerous if you dont watch for it. The second Wave didnt have that prob. Because Leatherman use a funny shaped tool to hold the pliers, I cant adjust the tension on the pivot point for the blade, so I just make sure its kept clean.

Posted by: Trusbx

Re: Another multitool question - 11/26/05 02:43 AM

Letherman Wave:
Screwdriver head bent while putting in a screw
Wire cutters wouldn't cut steel leader wire, just kept bending the darn thing.

Swisstool - no problems. Even the tiny swisschamp pliers could cut the steel leader wire... <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Posted by: bubbajoe

Re: Another multitool question - 11/26/05 09:16 PM

I've been using the leatherman charge for a few months now, I haven't had a problem with it. i own a small horse farm and use it everyday. I clean and oil mine once a week along with my pocket folder and other gadgets i walk around with. sawdust is murder on equipment! gets in every nook and cranny! i use compressed air in a can to blow all the dirt out. had other multi tools and they all failed one way or the other. leatherman holds up pretty good for me. all the blades and tools lock. knife dosen't hold an edge very good but its not bad compared to others.
Posted by: widget

Re: Another multitool question - 11/27/05 02:52 PM

Original made in USA Leatherman, plier tip broke off on second time use, while bending some home electric wire, just making a loop. Screwdriver twisted when trying to remove a screw from a wooden 2x4.
Supertool wirecutter would not cut a coat hanger, edge damaged from attempting to make that cut. Plier jaws twisted also and became loose. Cutting tools dulled easily and were soft metal.
Second Supertool was sent to a friend in the military in Iraq, sent me a letter a few weeks after recieving the ST and thanked me, said it was very handy but could I please send another because the first one broke. Unspecified breakage. I sent him a Swiss Tool, still has it today and uses it daily at oil rig job in Oklahoma.
Micro, scissors were useless after cutting some moleskin to treat a blister. Again, soft metal. Knife blade damaged while using to pop off a cheap watch back, yeah, I know not recommended!
I am sure Leatherman would have warranty repaired or replaced any of these. I never sent them in. Reason: why would I want another tool that would fail?
A warranty is great but if the tool fails you when you need it most, in an emergency, what good is a warranty? If you die because your equipment fails, a lifetime warranty just expired.
Posted by: KenK

Re: Another multitool question - 11/27/05 06:17 PM

Huh, I have a very good friend - Dan - who was a tank platoon commander in Gulf War 1, in command of four tanks that were in combat in Iraq. He said that his Leatherman - not sure which model - was his most used tool during he service (before, during, & after the war). Apparently it was used so much by the men in Dan's tank that when leaving the Army Dan gave the LM to his tank driver as a thank you gift. Luckily his lasted longer than the one's you had.
Posted by: Nicodemus

Re: Another multitool question - 11/27/05 07:31 PM

I have a Leatherman Charge Ti and for me it has been one of the best multitools I've ever owned.

Granted I've had it for a little less than a year, but I've certainly put it through the paces in that time and frankly used it in ways that were well beyond the scope for which individual tools were intended. So far it's held up superbly.

I even managed to break out the Leatherman at my sister's Thanksgiving dinner to drive the fixed screwdriver through the bottom of a cranberry can to relieve the suction... HAHAHA (The bottom of the can had no lip to use the opener on)

The one thing I'm not to happy about is the way the removeable lanyard ring and pocket clip work though. I'm constantly worried that I will lose the pocket clip when I click the lock to return the bit driver or can opener to the closed position.

To be honest I've only used the scissors to clip a nail once or twice and a hangnail on another occasion thus far, and think I only did so to make me feel like I had used them. LOL I often wonder if I could have the scissors replaced. Of course the moment I replaced them would be the moment I needed them.
Posted by: Nicodemus

Re: Another multitool question - 11/27/05 07:40 PM

To add to this topic...
At times I think that any manufactured product one buys has the potential of being a lemon no matter what company makes it or what their reputation for quality is. There have been instances where I've bought the same item from the same manufacturer and had them perform entirely differently. Quality control isn't perfect. Still, we expect a certain level of quality and are apt to get cheesed off when things don't perform as well as we expect. From there I guess it depends on what the manufacturer is willing to do to remedy the situation.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Another multitool question - 11/28/05 12:01 AM

I will agree that my Leathermans do not match the quality of my Swiss Tools. Victorinox use better steel and make them better quality.
However, my old style Wave suits my work a bit better, and is a bit more usable than either of my Swiss Tools. So my Wave gets grabbed more than the Swiss Tools for EDC. While working, I can use the pliers and blade 1 handed, the file and scissors are easier to open than the Swiss Tools, and the scissors are better than Victorinox scissors. The pliers shape is much more usable than the Swiss Tools, and gets into more places than I can using the Swiss Tool. I have 7/8 Victoinox knives and 2 Swiss Tools, and the scissors arent particulary good in any of them. Usability has to be taken into account when buying as well.
I dont know of a tool that cant be broken in some way. Leatherman are still higher quality than some of the cheaper tools out there. They may not be the best, but they are still worthy.
Posted by: Dreadnought

Re: Another multitool question - 11/28/05 03:56 AM

I have and use a SOG Powerlock. I like it very much. It can be opened with one hand. The over all quality is great. I wish I could sharpen my other carry knives as sharp as the blade that came on the powerlock. I like the the socket bit tool "thingy". I can easily attach any 1/4" socket and it holds and operates just fine. I also like the fact that the individual tools can be easily serviced, changed or removed. Lastly, the individual tools lock very well with the Powerlock feature.

I only wished that the knife blade was larger and wider but no big deal because I don't use the SOG multi-tool as my primary edged weapon/tool.

I also wish the tools were accessable without opening to the plier side of the tool like a LM Wave.

Overall I feel the the SOG Powerlock is of very high quality and I would reccomend it.

Regards to all,
DreadNought
Posted by: widget

Re: Another multitool question - 11/28/05 04:28 AM

Never had a Wave, just the ones I mentioned. Since my experience with Leatherman products has been bad, I will not bother trying a newer model. As for Victorinox, I have a SAK that I took on hundreds of outings and have had since 1970, still in great shape, all the tools work except I can no longer find a spring for the scissors, somewhere along the way. Victorinox changed the spring design slightly and the new springs won't work. I have a bunch of Victorinox products and they are a great value. I look at some of the prices on Leatherman products and I am amazed at the prices of some of their tools. Some are as much as double the price of a Swiss Tool. No way will I give Leatherman a 5th chance in my kit!
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Another multitool question - 11/28/05 04:53 AM

I would love to have a Wave made by Victorinox, using Victornox implements in the handles except for Leatherman Wave(old style) scissors. Also with the new style Wave implement locks.
I have had a very good experience with Victorinox gear over the years too. I have worn out 2 Swiss Champs in a previous job, and they lasted 3 years longer than I seem to get out of my Waves.
What spring do you need for your scissors? I have a couple of old knives I've kept for parts.
PM me with a pic and I will have a look.
Down here we pay $180 plus (Australian Dollars) for either Leatherman or Swiss Tools.
Posted by: urbansurvivalist

Re: Another multitool question - 12/05/05 12:12 AM

I've had my original leatherman wave for a few years and absolutely love it, I think it's one of the most useful tools ever created. At the same time I hate SAKs with a passion, I think they're just a notch above a paperweight in terms of usefullness.
I find it interesting that so many people hold swiss army knives in high regard. I think it's mainly because they are often the only socially acceptable knives to carry, and many people have no experience with other multitools, and perhaps a bit of boy scout nostalgia.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Another multitool question - 12/05/05 12:21 AM

Quote:
I find it interesting that so many people hold swiss army knives in high regard
I have 6 Leathermans in total, and 7/8 SAKs and 2 Swiss Tools.
I hold them all in high regard.
Unfortunately Leatherman dont build their tools as good or use as high quality materials as Victorinox.
I replaced a Swiss Champ with a Leatherman Wave for work. I get 7 years out of the Champ before it wears out, I get 2 from the Wave. Ive worn out 2 champs and 1 Wave. Same job the SAK lasts longer.
They are both good tools!
Posted by: Paul810

Re: Another multitool question - 12/05/05 03:10 AM

Actually, Leatherman is the only multi-tool maker I know of to use 154cm and titanium, and i've found the Charge and Surge to be stronger and more durable than the Swisstools.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Another multitool question - 12/05/05 03:26 AM

Quote:
Leatherman is the only multi-tool maker I know of to use 154cm and titanium
Thats one reason I am looking to replace my Wave with a Charge. Unfortunately The new screwdriver bit system they use is not very usable for my use.
Posted by: Xterior

Re: Another multitool question - 12/05/05 06:27 AM

Maybe you can grind your own bits, like Doug has done. I know I will if the bit system doesn't satisfy me.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Another multitool question - 12/05/05 11:12 PM

Quote:
Maybe you can grind your own bits, like Doug has done. I know I will if the bit system doesn't satisfy me
Actually Ive been looking at grinding a Magnetic quick change bit holder so I can use standard bits. Ive got one sitting waiting for me to get some time. Project for January sometime.