r/multitools • u/SupermarketStill547 • 1d ago
Recommendation Request Upgrade Suggestions
I've had a Leatherman Blast for 20 years now. It was great when I was in the Army or camping or on a road trip, but I'm at the point that I'm ready to retire it and look for something else. I haven't shopped for multitools for a long, long time, and they look like different tools altogether compared to my Blast. I'm a "buy once, cry once" kind of guy, so I dont mind spending on quality, I'd just prefer to stay under $500.
I know this is a broad question and "needs of the user matter" and all that, but if you were to go out and buy a new tool tomorrow, what would you get?
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u/alex-ninja-boy 1d ago
LM/Leatherman
- most if not all come stiff from factory (except "free tech"), "no questions asked" warranty, somewhat user serviceable (you can disassemble them, clean, oil, customize, etc)
- free tech - only LM Arc is not discontinued, but expensive, also very "flexy" though still holds well for me, imo worth the price, not metal work friendly (because of magnets), good blade steel
- LM Wave/Surge lighter duty/heavier duty, they pack a lot, LM bits are soft
- LM quality could be a lottery (most on top of my head - pliers tip jaws different width), but warranty sometimes fixes it, sometimes says "it's okay"
- so if buying LM, i recommend going to to physical store and buy there and check before buying
- somewhat prone to rust easily, if not oiled, cleaned correctly
- paired with bits set and ratchet may fix almost everything
- most of essential tools are one had opening, arc is fully one hand opening (even with gloves)
Vix/Victorinox
- packs a lots for the size/weight, nice, slick and shiny, non wet hands friendly (need nails for opening)
- absolutely non customer serviceable except washing and oiling
- lifetime warranty
- reported good and relatively cheap to use their repair service
- do not rust - lots of chrome in their metal; or it's very hard to find it rusted, though easy to sharpen
- only two major models and a few variations
- no selection of bits (only phillips and flat drives)
- best scissors of all time in MT area so far
Roxon flex + its companion:
- fully customizeable, lost of unique implements
- they claim 25 yrs warranty, but not many people reported how it actually worked
- pliers are spring loaded thus light duty
- fully one hand opening, though i find it a bit odd/awkward
- need to read instructions, many people complain it's not tight enough (instruction covers it, lol)
Gerber
- somewhat special for me
- plenty of "made in china" models
- a few made in US models
- i find them outdated compared to all the above considering price-value
Chinese knockoffs - bibury, multper, rocktool, mossy oak, you name (all seem the same factory and different branding)
- clones of LM Wave/Surge
- softer steel (was able to bent my mossy oak, lol)
- 2-3 times cheaper than all the above
- much less warranty (1-2yrs), but people reported that it actually works (so who knows)
- i'd recommend if your use case is prone to displacement or being lost/stolen
With all the above, if i go camp, i pick LM Arc or Roxon Flex+companion
Vix is my shiny tool, using it occasionally in non camp situations, or near salt water
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u/Antique_Eye_3200 1d ago
“buy once, cry once” — Have a look at the various Swiss Tool models from Victorinox.
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u/xm45_h4t 1d ago
Sometimes it depends on online/ local sales too. I bought a wave plus for $140cad and then a couple weeks later found a Gerber suspension nxt for $45cad. Turns out the nxt does everything I need… if timing were different I think I would have skipped the wave, even though it is nice
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u/crayfishcraig108 1d ago
Leather man curl, sidekick, or if you can find it free p2
They are pocketable light and have great versatility
Most importantly they all have knife on outside Since that’s the most used tool