Leatherman Multi-Tools

[Tac]

I'm trying to find a relatively inexpensive leatherman type multi tool.

Ive browsed dozens of stores that carry them and many other brands but none have a safety lock to prevent the knives from swinging back down and chopping your important appendages off.

Only one Ive found with such a lock is a $77 leatherman ...but thats freakin expensive considering I only need the basic tools: knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, serrated blade , wire cutter and a ruler. Almost all carry this but no safety lock.

Any suggestions?

[morfiend]

 Did you try Cabela's?  They carry an assortment of those type of tools,Bass pro might also.


  I found a cheap knockoff in an auto parts store,didnt do everything a leatherman does but it only cost 20 bucks.     Very handy to have in tackelbox!






   

[Spikes]

Tons of knock offs, Leatherman is a great brand...I have 3 of them, worth the money.

[Tac]

K but.. safety lock?

The half dozen tools (including leatherman) I handled in various stores here did not have it.

I'm looking through cabelas now thanks

[saggs]

www.multitool.org   <--- Go here, all the multi-tool reviews and knowledgeable forums you could ask for.  I'm a member there and I'm sure they could help you find the perfect multitool to fit your needs.

FWIW, I'm a Swiss Army Knife collector so I'm partial to the Swisstool line of plier tools of plier tools.  I have a Spirit X, I also have a Gerber and a Sog plier tool, all of the tools lock on both the Gerber and the Spirit X.

I would ask myself if you really need the pliers.  Multi tools without pliers are much more ergonomic and much less money then plier based tools.   I rarely carry plier based tools, usually I carry a 91mm Victorinox (I have quite a selection) If I want a lockblade I also have several 111mm Victorinox slidelocks.  I just don't find I need pliers very often.

[Babalonian]

I'm trying to find a relatively inexpensive leatherman type multi tool.

Ive browsed dozens of stores that carry them and many other brands but none have a safety lock to prevent the knives from swinging back down and chopping your important appendages off.

Only one Ive found with such a lock is a $77 leatherman ...but thats freakin expensive considering I only need the basic tools: knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, serrated blade , wire cutter and a ruler. Almost all carry this but no safety lock.

Any suggestions?

Having been in this situation (when I was younger and a grunt hand in professional pyrotechinc shows and indi movie sound production) - keep the/a leatherman (of a large extremely useful/versatile vareity) in your tool bag/box (and out of sight too, people LOVE to "borrow" them, and then forget to have that paperweight in their pocket before going home).  Get a good, sturdy, gerber (or prefered brand) pocket knife with a good general puprose utility blade.... don't get anything intimidating, or militaristic or "super-cool" looking (as most people working around you will not want to see you wielding a dangerous "toy" on teh jobsite).  It can look cool/clean/good, but it's purpose should clearly be (upon observation and in acutal use) a very sturdy, solid utility knife.

Here in CA there are general limitations on types (butterfly, switch, etc..) and often sizes if consealed (general rule of thumb is the blade length not be wider than the width of your open palm).

The knifes on leathermans are of good quality... but the handle and locking mechanism has always been sub-par (and secondary) for a true, light, simple and sturdy pocket/utility knife.

[Tac]

Thanks. I think I found it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DRLK8K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

SOG

Its sad to see how a company has to resort to marketing tools as if it were made for Rambo but it does have the one thing that is really important: their locking system. I don't want to chop my finger off.

This is for my archaeology field school and we've been told to get one of these tools (leatherman type multitool) because we'll be using them daily.

The black finish is nice too. I hate silver tools..they always manage to flash the sun right into my retina.

[Dragon]

I have this one and use it at least once a week.  10+ years old now and still like new.

SOG is a good name and should fit your needs.

Nice knife!

[HL117]

Get the GERBER with the bull nose Plyers! most excellent!

HL

[spammer]

I agree go Gerber!

[68valu]

I've had about 8 different leatherman tools and still have them all. The original "Supertool" has locking blades and all the other tolls lock as well as the knife blades. They are somewhat expensive though, but no pinched fingers.

                                                                                             68valu

[Jayhawk]

I really haven't had much luck finding a knife on a multi-tool that I'm real fond of.  Just a suggestion, but you could always get a basic mutli-tool and a basic pocket knife.  I have a Leatherman kick and a SOG Powerlock as multi-tools and a lot of pocket knives.

Or try this, Leatherman Wingman:  http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-831426-Wingman-Multi-Tool/dp/B005DI0XM4/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1334983108&sr=8-11

$27 with an external knife that appears to lock up.  It really depends how much you're going to be working it.  I'm just a fan of a separate knife.

[Jebus]

Thanks. I think I found it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DRLK8K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

SOG

Its sad to see how a company has to resort to marketing tools as if it were made for Rambo but it does have the one thing that is really important: their locking system. I don't want to chop my finger off.

This is for my archaeology field school and we've been told to get one of these tools (leatherman type multitool) because we'll be using them daily.

The black finish is nice too. I hate silver tools..they always manage to flash the sun right into my retina.

I have the SOG you showed.  I use it on my gear at the fire house.  Honest opinion your either going to love it or HATE it.  I like it for its purpose a good set of heavy duty pliers and the spring assisted knives.  Those are the two I use the most, but getting the tools out just utterly SUCKS!

For Hiking I have the Leatherman Charge TTi.  expensive but good.

For everything else use i have the Swisstool RS.  I have only had it for a month but by far my favorite multi tool.

My everyday carry I have the Leatherman Juice S2.  Nice little compact multi tool you can fit in the pocket and has just right enough stuff on it to make it very useful.

[68ZooM]

i've always have used a Leatherman and never have had it come unlocked as a matter of fact the only way to release the blade is to lift up on another tool to unlock the one that's being used.

[Jayhawk]

I have the SOG you showed.  I use it on my gear at the fire house.  Honest opinion your either going to love it or HATE it.  I like it for its purpose a good set of heavy duty pliers and the spring assisted knives.  Those are the two I use the most, but getting the tools out just utterly SUCKS!

For Hiking I have the Leatherman Charge TTi.  expensive but good.

For everything else use i have the Swisstool RS.  I have only had it for a month but by far my favorite multi tool.

My everyday carry I have the Leatherman Juice S2.  Nice little compact multi tool you can fit in the pocket and has just right enough stuff on it to make it very useful.

I'm so-so on my SOG multi-tool.  It's a great set of heavy duty pliers, no doubt.  But it can be a pain to carry around on your belt all day.  Tools are not easy to get out, and the lock-up can be tricky.  I grab em when I know I'll need a heavier duty pair of pliers, but my smaller Leatherman usually works just find for what I need.