r/multitools • u/theflinchburger • 2d ago
State of the Collection Behold... My stuff!
No-one asked, but, I started collecting about a year ago. I had knockoff multitools and SAKs as a kid but never any real deal stuff. I found the little no-name tool in the middle of my pic in my trunk last year and that kicked off my journey into the multitool and EDC world. My partner got me my Bibury surge clone and it was off to the races. If I could only keep one, it would be my Leatherman Surge. I tend to rotate which one I carry based on where I'm at. Work and EDC usually goes to the Surge or Workpro, and if I go on the river or into the woods I typically have my Suspension or Rebar. If I'm dressed up and want something slim, I grab my Swisstool or a SAK. Carrying some kind of multitool is as second nature as phone, keys, wallet for me now. The feeling of being prepared or helping someone else can't be beat!
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u/Bernard_PT 1d ago
That grand harvest looks interesting, does it have the free opening tech from the Arc?
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u/theflinchburger 1d ago
It does not. The tolerances and locks are just like any other garden variety multitool, but it does benefit from having all outside opening tools. The pliers are spring loaded too!
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u/Swoop03 2d ago
Nice collection! Right now my most carried is a rebar and the workpro because I found out that I dislike bit drivers, especially leathermans. The dedicated phillips works way better for my uses. I got a Skeletool CX that sees the occasional carry and a similar Bibury in my car. Swisstool Spirit MX clip is next on my list for sure.
The spirit is so shiny and sleek looking, has all the tools of the rebar plus more. Plus I love swiss army knives. Really seems like a no trainer to get one next tool purchase. Though the Cybertool M has been on my shortlist for a long time.
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u/theflinchburger 2d ago
Thank you! I've also wanted a cybertool for a while. I both agree and disagree about bit drivers. With my Surge being my primary EDC, I like having the extra bits especially because I pouch carry it, so they aren't in the way until I need them. If I'm carrying something else though, I prefer to just grab and go, all in one package.
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u/Swoop03 2d ago
When it came to the extra bits I found I only ever used the phillips or flat drivers. When I need a hex or torx I'm at work in reach of my toolbox already, or I'm planning on doing a job and grabbed proper tools to begin with. It does suck being a minority in opinion there, so many tools I'd love but I know theres a few things about each and I'd just go back to the Rebar. I need to grab phillips recessed in plastic housings often enough in repairing stuff on the fly that the leatherman bits dont work and I feel if I have to carry extra things to make my tool work then its not the right one for the job. For EDC carrying that is, if my goal is a one size fits all type of solution. I prefer dedicated screwdrivers all around but I do have a few nice bit sets. They for my tool boxes though, not the pockets. Cybertool does contradict my carry philosophy but that things just so cool. Especially since the bits are in the tool itself, smaller in diameter too which may still work for me.
I do belt carry my rebar and did the bibury for some time too, and I do recognize the useful nature of the bit cards. I did use the one hex on occasion for baby furniture assembly but its not something I miss or need enough now to carry extra parts with me all the time. A goal of mine is to get a wave alpha and mod the driver out of it in favor of the rebars phillips. That would be a near perfect tool for me, even would replace a premium pocket knife I like to carry for most tasks.
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u/Ok_Frame_3873 1d ago
I guess Victorinox tools are the best on the market but I haven't owned any of their multitools. Please share your opinion on them. Have you used them for some serious stuff? I'm really interested.
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u/Swoop03 1d ago
I've only had their swiss army knife tools, not the pliers used multitools so I can't give you a first hand opinion. I have read people's thoughts on them after using them for a decade or more and the "it'll last you a lifetime" sentiment seems to hold for them as well. My only concern is the wire cutters, I use leathermans a lot at the machine shop for cutting stringy stainless chips that wrap around the cutter at times. They're replaceable and fairly hard, victorinox are not. Seen some accounts where they get damaged if youre not cutting softer things like electrical wire or plastic ties. I'm also not sure on their warranty policy and procedure over damaged tools. For me it'll be more of a nice edc tool and one for the collection, not one I really put to work.
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u/theflinchburger 1d ago
At least in my experience the wire cutters are great, but since the plier pivot is designed to have no tension, there's by nature a tiny bit of play, so you might have difficulty with tiny gauge material. Also, while they aren't invincible, the integrated wire cutters are stronger than LMs replaceable ones, and the one piece design makes the plier head stronger as well.
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u/Swoop03 1d ago
I've heard that about them, it seems like maybe LM gets the point when it comes to precision and cutting performance with their pliers due to the tightness of the joint, but victorinox takes the cake in strength. I can't recall seeing really any posts about them breaking. I get why LM put the cutters in there and they work fantastic for me but I have always wondered why they're designed as such. Especially on the smaller rebar/wave heads. The cutters cut the thickness in half and take up a quarter of the gripping area. Could have come up with a second smaller insert for the smaller pliers heads and left these ones for the Supertool sizes. Might mitigate some of the warranties.
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u/Ok_Frame_3873 1d ago
Thanks a lot. Fixed cutters along with slippery handles are the main deal-breakers for me. At least for now.
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u/Ok_Frame_3873 2d ago
Nice collection!
As for me, I irreversibly switched to US-made Gerbers about three years ago cause my Leatherman Charge turned out to be very flimsy when I really needed it. It survived but I decided not to risk any more.
Nevertheless I completely agree with you on Rebar for the woods. It's a very practical multitool in my opinion.
I don't think Surge is a good choice for outdoors cause it's very very bulky and heavy and overloaded with unnecessary tools, so I carry Gerber MP or MP400 in the woods along with 111-mm VIctorinox Outrider and a Japan-made folding saw.
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u/theflinchburger 2d ago
Thank you! I am missing an OTF Gerber from the lineup. Would love to get my hands on an older MP600 or if I could spare the $$$ a centerdrive. While I think the Surge would do anything I asked of it in the great outdoors, I agree that it's a lot of dead weight the way I carry it. Won't be encountering many bolts and screws on the river. Plus you have to swap in the saw, unlike the Rebar. I've wanted a Silky Pocket boy for a bit now, and that will probably be my next gear purchase.
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u/Ok_Frame_3873 1d ago
Multitool choice is just a matter of personal taste I think. :) I like Gerber OTFs but just adore SuperTool and Rebar as well. I owned a lot of Leathermans, some SOGs, some decent Chinese models and so on. My friend owns a collection of rare multitools and I was really impressed by Craftsmans and SOG S44. The S44 is really cool.
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u/theflinchburger 1d ago
Did some looking at used US made Gerbers last night and I'm really liking the older Diesel model. Do you have any experience or opinions on it?
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u/Ok_Frame_3873 1d ago edited 14h ago
I haven't seen Diesel IRL but have some guesses based on my experience with other Gerbers.
Pros:
- Nice set of tools. In my opinion it's the best toolset I've seen in multitools ever.
- Sturdy construction and good size for working tool.
- Spring-loaded pliers. That's very useful.
- I see torx screws there so you wouldn't need a dedicated tool for disassembly.
Cons:
- No replaceable carbide wire cutters as in modern Gerbers.
- Since Gerber produces their frames from thick steel, probably DIesel's a bit heavy for EDC.
- As I can see, the Phillips screwdriver is made out of a flat plate. It's more compact than a full-thick Phillips but I think that hardened screws may kill the screwdriver quickly.
- I'm not sure that such a can opener can open a tin can with minimal effort. All my Gerbers feature Victorinox/ SOG - style openers that work very well.
- The Fiskars scissors are okay. Not excellent like SAK's but okay.
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u/theflinchburger 1d ago
I really appreciate this because I never noticed the spring loaded pliers or the torx screws until you said so! Badass. I do tend to see the permanent wire cutters as a pro, in my experience. Thank you for your input! I decided to order a used one in silver. Will post when I get a chance to mess with it a bit!
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u/Ok_Frame_3873 1d ago
As for Gerver Centerdrive. It's really sturdy and not so heavy as it seems at first glance. The only thing I couldn't find any use is the serrated blade so I'd prefer a saw blade instead. I work at office but I use the Centerdrive pretty regularly and always carry it in my backpack.
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u/Ok_Frame_3873 1d ago
I was thinking about Silky but it seemed some sort of overpriced for me. I used Bahco Laplander saw for about three or four years but then gave a chance to a 25-bucks Samurai/ Kanzawa MP-210 folding saw. The Samurai's overall quality is not so good but the saw is very solid and reliable and I was really impressed by its cutting speed so I bought a smaller version later.
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u/JKBFree 2d ago
How’s the power pint hold up to others?
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u/theflinchburger 2d ago
I can't compare it to others in its segment like the Micra or mini sailor since I've never used them, but I can say it's held up well to any work I've put it through. The can opener was useless out of the package and I had to sharpen it, and the scissors are not great, but they work. Otherwise no complaints. Super compact, great pliers and bit driver, and most of the tools are decent enough.
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u/Solo_Camping_Girl Leatherman 1d ago
OP, how does the Swisstool Spirit MX Clip compare to other Leatherman tools?
I've been eyeing one for years.
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u/theflinchburger 1d ago
I can't recommend it enough! The only place Leatherman has it beat is the ability to mod/replace parts. You could argue the Leatherman bit drivers are an advantage but that's up to preference. I believe the MX Clip has superior steel quality. It's slim but has enough brute to do hard work, it imo has a pretty much perfect tool set, and the ergonomics and fit/finish are unmatched. As no-accessory multitools go, this is the best on the market, full stop.
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u/SVLibertine 1d ago
Surge Tribe, holla!
Great little collection. But I’d argue SAKs are the OG mainstream multitool.
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u/Capable_Tomatillo_38 1d ago
If you could only choose one, which one would it be?
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u/theflinchburger 1d ago
My Leatherman Surge. It gets the most use, has the most functions, and is arguably the most durable
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u/Impossible-Ad60 1d ago
How is the Workpro 18-in-1? I have no need for it as I already have several Leatherman, Gerbers and Swisstools but mordid curiosity has me interested
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u/BTWMWTB 19h ago
I loveeeee my workpro, it's like a Leatherman but cheaper, and likely heavier, I Carry mine with me everywhere I go, I took the clip off of it so it's more sleek. Every tool that thing has is top tier, I've never owned a Leatherman to really really compare them properly but Im not in any rush to get one.👍 No complaints, my girlfriend takes it from me in the car sometimes to use the file on her nails😂
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u/theflinchburger 18h ago
I also use it for my nails 😅 I think if you're really into multitools a Leatherman is worth trying especially if you can get a good discount or a used one, but the workpro is the most bang for buck I've seen yet. Got mine on sale for $17!
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u/Apprehensive_Match51 16h ago
Me encanta la spirit MX, es muy práctica y útil. Pronto me la compraré..
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u/7usbergus7 2d ago
I love the labels on the pic, very helpful!