Multitool recommendations?

[PsychoI3oy]

I lost my Leatherman Wave a couple months ago and have yet been able to find it. I still have my original (12+ year old) Leatherman tool but a couple of the tools are broken (hint: hard drive covers can't be opened with a Leatherman canopener) and I miss the convenience of the external blades on the wave.

So, what to replace it with.

I'm partial to the pliers part, so the Victorinox Cybertool is out (besides, I have a 4" lockblade Victorinox Swiss Army Knife anyway), and while I could just get a new Wave, I've heard murmors of Mr. Leatherman being anti-gun and I'm not sure if I want to go that direction.

So, what kinda Gerber has similar tools and functinality to the Wave?

[Marlin]

I have always liked My Gerber compared to the leatherman. doesn't have the outside blade, But defineatly a better constucted and more durable tool in my opinion.

[2ndChildhood]

Gerbers have by far the most rugged plier design (except the following models: 700 urban legend, 800 legend, suspension, recoil, eclipse)
With the gerber, if you really have to bear down on the pliers, there's a decent chance it won't crumple in your hands.
http://www.gerber-tools.com/
2C

[7idl]

+3 for Gerber....specially after that antigun owner of leatherman donated funds to sKerry.

[newracer]

I have the Urban Legend 800. I have had it about 3 years now and it is still going strong. Granted I don't really abuse it but I give it a good work out now and then.

[PsychoI3oy]

Yeah, I know Leatherman's a leftie and gerbers are good.

the important question: which one is gonna suit me like the Wave did?

[Marlin]

If You can live without a blade on the outside,,, Yes. If You can't,, No.

[7idl]

I've got an all black military one (Gerber) I've had for several years.

[Colorado Osprey]

I've got a few of each.
Here's what i like and don't like about each.

Leathermans
Dislikes--can dig into hand when using pliers with force
can't open it with one hand (pliers)
Likes--better blades

Gerber
Dislikes--can pinch hand is pliers slip
metal in blades don't hold an edge
Likes-- You can open it up with one hand

I tend to take the tool depending on the job I antisipate. If I'm out mending fences there is no dispute...Gerber You can hold the wire with one hand while retrieving the tool and getting it out to be used while still holding the wire. If I think I might be cutting anything, the Gerber stays in the truck and my leatherman is with me.

I'm sure there are some other peoples opinions too.

[PsychoI3oy]

I can open my old leatherman with one hand. It's like butterfly pliers. This is what happens when you torque it a lot over the course of 12 some odd years.

[PsyKo]

i have been beating the crap out of a victorinox for about 6 years and i would not hesitate to buy another 1.

[PsychoI3oy]

Which one? I didn't realize they made plier based multitools.

If only they could put a memory stick on one of those....

[BadShot]

Good ol' Gerber has served me well for 14 plus years now. I have 3 or 4 of them running around here somewhere and always feel like I need 2 or 3 more. I've always like their knives for the price and the tool is very reasonably priced in my eyes.

Pro's: One hand open, blunt or needle nose plier models, new versions have a sort of lock on the bottom outside of the handles for the tools when extended. Decent tool selection on current models -though I prefer the older tools - also works great for food if you ain't picky about where it's been before that :) Excellent warrenty and relacement service.

Cons: Blades don't hold edges long if you use the tool as a tool, palm pinches suck and will happen if the pliers slip. The new needle nose version isn't exactly stout and will twist the frame a bit if you torque on them too hard (I mean like you would your craftsman pliers)..

All said and told I've tried leatherman, SOG and Victorinox over the years. There maybe a newer couple of models but I never worry about tool snag when I have the pliers out and I've beat the hell out of all of mine and they are still crankin..

[PsychoI3oy]

Well... while looking for my Zippo flints I found my leatherman wave.

I may still look for another multitool, but for now the hunt is off

Thanks for the info guys, i'll have to stop by the cutlery section at sportsman's warehouse and fondle some gerbers at some time.

That sounds kinda wrong....

[longhunter]

+20 on the Gerber. I can not comment on the newer ones ( I am running the orgional, without blade locks).