View Full Version : reasonable multi-tool
I saw the benefit of a pair of pliers at the last meet.
I'm not after some Swiss Army pliers, but I do see the benefit of a pliers based multi-tool.
Any recommendation for one that does not cost a fortune?
woodstock
23-03-2009, 01:28
Try one of these and they dont break the bank
http://www.legear.com.au/Schrade-Tough-Tool-p/schrade-st1n.htm
forestwalker
23-03-2009, 04:22
Small vise-grips
sandbender
23-03-2009, 07:36
I was going to suggest that you try eBay but then realized that multi-tools are included in their UK knife ban...
UK eBay Leatherman search (http://sports.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/Camping__leatherman_W0QQ_catre fZ1QQ_sacatZ16034QQ_trksidZp39 13Q2ec0Q2em24)
International eBay Leatherman search (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m37.l1313&satitle=leatherman&category0=)
Which, quite frankly, is just silly.
:(
Keep an eye out at the petrol station. They quite often have promotions on with car-related bits and pieces. I've noticed Morrisons do that quite a lot (but that's only because it's the nearest petrol station to me. I'm sure others do as well).That's where I got mine - it's nothing really special, just a pair of pliers and a few other odds and ends on it, but it only cost £2.99. You could also try Wilkinsons. Or Maybe Lidl or Aldi?
forestwalker
23-03-2009, 13:26
Addendum my vise-grips suggestion.
They are both a plier and a small vise, very handy for repairing stuff. I carry the smallest size I could find. Not as multifunctional as the SwissTool I normally carry at home, but actually dies a better job of the "pliers" bit.
Tescos did a steel multi tool based around pliers for under a tenner. Seems pretty well made. Anyone had a bad experience with one of these?
bushcraft_lad
23-03-2009, 14:39
i just got one of these multi tools from tescos fairley good but also try thebcb one they come in three sizes
regards, jordan
I've a Leatherman, Gerber and a couple of cheapo ones, but the blade on the Leatherman is first rate, very sharp. If I'm camping without a fire the only blade I take is on my Leatherman. Any of these tools is worth carrying.
Blacks do a nice set-up for sensible money (£19.99), together with a set of driver bits. The blades are non-locking as well, which means they are not up to much but will not cause you UK knife law problems
http://www.blacks.co.uk/walking/walking-essentials/knives-and-tools/product/115252.html
I would recomend the leatherman aswell I carry one with me when going out.
Be carefull with the cheap ones as some fall apart.
Ogri the trog
23-03-2009, 20:27
Have a good long think about the use that you'll put the tool to,
If you are just going to lift the occasional pot off a fire and not much else - then go for a cheapy. However, if you want to use it for rough and tough jobs, go for the best you can afford and find one that will fit your hand.
ATB
Ogri the trog
catman61
23-03-2009, 20:36
second nonsuch blacks are good, also look in homebase £13 with locks under 3" so legal.Had mine nearly 15 years (not bad for a cheapy!)
I recently bought the Bahco one from work. Have been looking at it for a while, seems like a good bit of it for under £10. Probably wouldn't have bought it without the name on it -- have wasted money in the past on garbage but figured if it's Bahco...
squantrill
23-03-2009, 22:00
I have had a leatherman PSTII for years its great this weekend I noticed it had a diamond:1244: knife sharpner on it to!! hahaha never new it was there!
Simon
traderran
24-03-2009, 01:35
Get you one of the original leatherman . now called a classic
scrogger
24-03-2009, 08:33
If all you want is pliers but the back up of a blade is also an advantage try a skeletool (made by leatherman) excellent blade (this does lock though) also has a couple of screwdriver bits. On a plus point its lighter than the leatherman standard but you lose the file, saw, scissors etc.
I have both the classic and the Skeletool and I always take to Skele now.
Hope this helps.
Andy
Try these http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/multi-tools/bcb-hunters-multi-tool.htm
I have a "true" which is a fairly good tool, these can be found at very reasonable cost and also have a cheapo from a supermarket.....both are decent tools but the quality is generaly relfected in the price!
Smoggy
Chinkapin
25-03-2009, 03:57
Leatherman or one of the clones makes a version with vise-grip jaws. I have seen them in the past but not recently. They would be my choice.
helixpteron
25-03-2009, 04:27
When you need to rely on a tool, ensure that you have a tool that you can rely on!
This is the reason that I use the Leatherman Super Tool, Crunch and Micra (SAK Swiss Champ too) if you use a tool, the consequences of the tool failing may be incomplete repairs, and damage or injury sustained during sudden tool failure.
Leatherman Tools are inexpensive, given their quality and warranty, however, if funds cannot stretch, there are full size multi-tools from recognized manufacturers for as little as £2:99, the simple fact is that a £3 tool cannot be produced and sold with the same quality as a Leatherman, Gerber or Swiss Tool.
Best prices for Leatherman, Gerber and Victorinox multi-tools is this
this (http://www.minitools.co.uk/) company, whom I've bought from with very good service.
Chinkapin
26-03-2009, 02:20
Thanks helixpteron, I looked at the company you suggested, and sure enough, there it was, the Leatherman, Crunch. It is the one with the vise-grip jaws, that I was referring to in my post above. Apparently, you have one, so give us your opinion of the Crunch. I been thinking about getting one even though I have a new Gerber.
helixpteron
12-04-2009, 23:58
Having wanted a Crunch for a number of years, I was delighted to finally buy one, and to be honest, I'm extremely impressed.
The design, materials and construction are superb, its a masterpiece of functionality and strength.
To have engineered the amount and type of tools in addition to the locking grips into such a small and light package is remarkable.
Given the service use my original PST gave me, and the high demands fulfilled by my Supertool, which replaced the PST (which I gave away when I got the Supertool) I don't doubt that the Crunch will meet and exceed the 25 year warranty without missing a beat.
If, as I do, you need a belt worn tool which has locking grip capability, built to a standard which you'd trust your safety to, the Leatherman Crunch is unrivalled! http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/helixpteron/happy0034.gif
forestwalker
13-04-2009, 05:04
If, as I do, you need a belt worn tool which has locking grip capability, built to a standard which you'd trust your safety to, the Leatherman Crunch is unrivalled!
Serrated blade (fixable, but still a minus IMNSHO) and no can opener, other than that it looks like a good basic tool.
helixpteron
13-04-2009, 16:51
Serrated blade (fixable, but still a minus IMNSHO) and no can opener, other than that it looks like a good basic tool.
The Crunch is designed to fulfill a specific role, one which utilizes four screwdrivers, two cutters, two files, wire stripper, hex bit driver, serrated knife, bottle opener, ruler, and the locking grip pliers. Its got a lanyard ring too.
It does not appear to be aimed at the buyer whom would expect to open cans with it, Leatherman market other multi-tools which have that capacity.
Basic is not a term which I would apply to a tool with the capability of the Crunch.
forestwalker
13-04-2009, 18:47
The Crunch is designed to fulfill a specific role, one which utilizes four screwdrivers, two cutters, two files, wire stripper, hex bit driver, serrated knife, bottle opener, ruler, and the locking grip pliers. Its got a lanyard ring too.
What is the specific role that is so special that alternate knife-blades are totally out of the question?
Personally I would love a lanyard ring if I was clambering around in the rigging of a sailboat, but not while out in the bush, but to each his own. The vice-grip pliers are a great addition to the multitool ecosystem, and the way to tuck away the bit holder is rather clever (even if it presumably disables the pliers a bit when you use it). But if I look at the tools on my multitool (SwissTool), the ones I use most are the knife, various screwdrivers, can opener, saw, awl, file. In that order. So I find it a perfectly valid critizism to note the lack of can opener and the (for fine cutting) inferior blade design. Others use their tools in diifferent ways, and I have no problem with that, one ofmthe great things about free markets is that customers often have the option of more than one product.
As an aside, I've spent some time thinking about pocket tools (multitools, SAKs, etc) and what I actually find usefull in them. I actually suspect that for me the ideal combination would be one of the locking SAKs, a small vice-grip and the bit-set from a SwissTool. Maybe I'll make a belt-case for that combo and see how it compares to the SwissTool.
It does not appear to be aimed at the buyer whom would expect to open cans with it, Leatherman market other multi-tools which have that capacity.
Basic is not a term which I would apply to a tool with the capability of the Crunch.
Actually I would. Not basic as in "costs UKP 2.99 at Lidl this week", but basic as in "no frills, not a huge selection of tools". Saw? Scissors? Awl?
Hi Smavell,
Dont know if your still looking for a multi-tool but this weeks Auto Express car mag have just done a review of about 12. Might be worth visiting your local WHSmiths for a quickie read up?
ATB, Jon.
I probably currently own 20 or more multitools including the first leatherman, but the only one I carry EDC is the Victorinox Spirit, and I've carried it now for nearly 4 years. Great blend of size, weight, ergonomics, and functionality. I'd buy a better one if it was out there but I haven't found it. At least, better for me. ;)
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images12/spirit2b.jpg
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images12/spirit3b.jpg
Might be illegal over there cuz all the tools lock, including the knife blade.
I saw the benefit of a pair of pliers at the last meet.
I'm not after some Swiss Army pliers, but I do see the benefit of a pliers based multi-tool.
Any recommendation for one that does not cost a fortune?
Having used the original Leatherman for years I highly recommend them.
Here's a great deal I found on a used PST ,now discontinued by Leatherman I believe.
http://www.swissknifeandtool.co.uk/product.php?productid=16627&cat=530&page=1
No connection with the company , just a happy customer.
Pete.
Jay.in.the.woods
16-04-2009, 20:11
Don't go too cheap as i've snapped two multitools now using them. i've now got a leatherman wave and i love it it's got good blades and very strong
Chinkapin
21-04-2009, 03:49
A cautionary tale: Early this winter, the temperature was extremely cold, it was snowing and I decided that I needed to put my Toyota Tacoma pickup into 4-wheel drive. It has the old school, you-get-out-and-turn-the-front-hubs-yourself setup. Since there was ice coating the hubs, I got out with my Gerber multitool (a very early one). It was very well made, and very tough looking. Although, I had had it for many years, it looked almost new. I put the pliers on the icy hub and attempted to turn it. It didn't want to turn. I used a bit more pressure - - but nothing excessive, and one of the jaws of the pliers snapped completely in two.
I still do not understand how this happened. Gerber replaced them at no charge to me with what appears to be an even bettered engineered pair. I like them a lot, but every time I use them, I wonder . . . .
A cautionary tale: Early this winter, the temperature was extremely cold, it was snowing and I decided that I needed to put my Toyota Tacoma pickup into 4-wheel drive. It has the old school, you-get-out-and-turn-the-front-hubs-yourself setup. Since there was ice coating the hubs, I got out with my Gerber multitool (a very early one). It was very well made, and very tough looking. Although, I had had it for many years, it looked almost new. I put the pliers on the icy hub and attempted to turn it. It didn't want to turn. I used a bit more pressure - - but nothing excessive, and one of the jaws of the pliers snapped completely in two.
I still do not understand how this happened. Gerber replaced them at no charge to me with what appears to be an even bettered engineered pair. I like them a lot, but every time I use them, I wonder . . . .
That's not the first Gerber I've heard that did that. In fact, I've heard many similar stories and seen it a time or two myself. I'm not a Gerber multitool fan and never have been. SOG, Leatherman, and Victorinox I generally trust.