Favorite Multi-tool Brand

[visigoth]

I love my leatherman, just watch your fingers as the blade does not have a locking device,ouch!

[gafftapegreenia]

You must have an old skool Leatherman then.

[Kelite]

I was gifted a new Leatherman recently and was surprised at the locking feature.

(Has it been THAT long since my last one?)

[Ross]

My preference is Schrade. They went under in 2004, but you can still find their products pretty easily. The blades are quality (which is to be expected since schrade primarily made knives) and I really like having the tools on the outside of the handle, but on the wider side of the tool so they dont dig into your fingers when you're using the pliers.

[LekoBoy]

i love my Leatherman and wouldn't trade for anything.

[summerstagetech]

i have read other posts about what brand multi-tool but i want advice on witch type i should buy. i go to a theater tech program at upper darby preforming arts center summer stage. i work in all departments but i try to do more in lighting and carpentry. i have used leathermans and gerbers but i don't know what type i should get. thank you for your help.

[quarterfront]

I know I'm bucking the trend here, and probably a bit of a wet blanket, but....
Okay, I've been doing this for 24 years now and I gotta' say....
Electrician: [strike]Kline[/strike] Klein 8" C-wrench on your choice of lanyard and for the bonus round, one of those screwdrivers that you can flip this way and that way to get either Phillips or flathead.[strike]Kline[/strike] Klein makes a nice "10-in-1".
Carpenter: Shop should have the tools you need. Bonus round: bring your own tape measure, pencil. Super bonus round: bring your own screw-shooter.
After hours bonus round: bottle opener on your keychain.

[cdub260]

Right now I'm using a Leatherman Wave that I bought maybe 10 years ago. The first time it went missing I bought a Gerber to replace it. Then I found my Leatherman right where I remembered loosing it 6 months later. I went back to the Leatherman and kept the Gerber as a spare. So whenever my leatherman would go off on vacation for a while and forget to invite me, the Gerber would come out to play. Of course right now the Gerber's on vacation somewhere, and just like that traitorous Leatherman it didn't invite me. What is it with these multi-tools running off and leaving their owners behind?

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by quarterfront

I know I'm bucking the trend here, and probably a bit of a wet blanket, but....
Okay, I've been doing this for 24 years now and I gotta' say....
Electrician: Kline 8" C-wrench on your choice of lanyard and for the bonus round, one of those screwdrivers that you can flip this way and that way to get either phillips or flathead. Kline makes a nice "10-in-1".
Carpenter: Shop should have the tools you need. Bonus round: bring your own tape measure, pencil. Super bonus round: bring your own screwshooter.
Afterhours bonus round: bottle opener on your keychain.

I have 3 of those Klein 10 in 1 screwdrivers. I buy a new one every year because they have nasty habit of growing legs and walking away. I'm pretty sure our audio guy has at least 2 of my missing screwdrivers. Of course, I could just be getting paranoid.

As for which multi-tool to buy, I've had good luck with both Leatherman and Gerber. Just get the most versatile tool you can find, and steer clear of the $10 knockoffs. They break way to easily.

[LightStud]

quarterfront, with what do you cut tie-line? cdub260: I too have found it difficult to retain the Klein 10-in-1 screwdriver, and have switched to the house brand 4-in-1 at <Home Improvement Center of your choosing>, especially when lending. Likewise with my adjustable wrench. I use a Cooper Tools brand, but have at least one DollarStore variety for those attempting to avoid work by saying "I forgot my wrench," (who usually won't get called back).

Read a Followspot Operator the riot act once, when I gave him a sheet of gel and said "Cut this into four pieces and give one to each to tape on the front," and he said "Aren't you going to cut it for me? I don't have a knife. I didn't bring tools for a show call." He also was not included on the next party's guest list.