I often carry a Leathernan Skeletool. Smaller, thinner, and lighter than many models. Perfect for most of my needs. I also carry a Leatherman Juice (now discontinued) when I feel I need something more SAK sized. My SAK stays in my desk drawer.
LEATHERMAN TOOLS VS SWISS ARMY KNIVES
- Thread starter chief38
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gwpercle
Member
I guess I'm Bi-Tool ... as I sit typing this , on my desk just below the screen , I keep the "tools" I use most ... always need to open pesky package , trim something ...you know the zillion and one things that require a knife/tool .
On the right is Leatherman in a pouch , with a pair of plairs and ten other tools neatly packed away ... and on my left is a Swiss Army Knife , model is Super Tinker ... knife blades , scissors , tweezers , tooth pick , leather punch , awl , 3 screwdriver blades , bottle and can opener , wire stripper ... all neat stuff .
I need both ... one wont do ... so I'm just call me ... Bi-Tool !
Gary
Bi does still mean two ...right .. like bi-annual means twice a year ?
I don't want to get in trouble with the Language Police !
On the right is Leatherman in a pouch , with a pair of plairs and ten other tools neatly packed away ... and on my left is a Swiss Army Knife , model is Super Tinker ... knife blades , scissors , tweezers , tooth pick , leather punch , awl , 3 screwdriver blades , bottle and can opener , wire stripper ... all neat stuff .
I need both ... one wont do ... so I'm just call me ... Bi-Tool !
Gary
Bi does still mean two ...right .. like bi-annual means twice a year ?
I don't want to get in trouble with the Language Police !
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Big time Gerber fan here. In my working days one was always on my belt. A SAK doesn't do anything well. Well maybe the tooth pick
gwpercle
Member
I use those tweezers a lot ... and when you need tweeszers , like that tooth pick .... Nothing and I mean Nothing else will do !
Gary
I have an SAK that has come in handy too many times to count. To be honest, I probably have a "multi-tool". If yes, I surely have no clue when last used.
DGNY
Member
Great topic. It boils down to horses for courses.
Always in my pocket, SAK Spartan. In console or cubby in car, a medium size Leatherman. (Also tool box in trunk.)
Always in my pocket, SAK Spartan. In console or cubby in car, a medium size Leatherman. (Also tool box in trunk.)
BLACKHAWKNJ
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In the course of my usually white collar day I find the parts of my Leatherman I use most often are the file-for my nails-and the screw driver blades.
I've never owned a SAK, so I can't compare usefulness, but the 1st Leatherman type tool I bought, I used the blade most often. It was made by a popular adjustable wrench company so I thought it would be good. I was cutting a rope or something and the doo-hickey thing that keeps the blade secure when it's open broke and the blade tried to do bad things to the web of my thumb & fore finger, but I only got a mere flesh wound. I have a bunch of this type tool; all come in a nylon belt case, but I just could not use one enough to justify carrying one. Kept one in my emergency call-out tool bag in my car, but still only used the blade part. To each his/her own. I only carry a belt-clip spring-assist knife, as I just hate stuff in my pocket except wallet, gun, keys, and paper money in front right pocket (I hate big bulging wallets; only needed for IDs and necessary cards)
I've had two leatherman tools since the early 90's. Rarely use them, maybe half a dozen times over the years. I carry a bag of just in case tools in my truck and I have a well equipped shop so I usually have the right tool for the job handy.
I carried a SAK camper model for several years, a gift from my son and daughter. I used the heck out of the tweezers pulling splinters and the saw for various things. When the scales started coming loose I retired it. Now I just carry my Benchmade mini-griptilian.
I carried a SAK camper model for several years, a gift from my son and daughter. I used the heck out of the tweezers pulling splinters and the saw for various things. When the scales started coming loose I retired it. Now I just carry my Benchmade mini-griptilian.
I have given up carrying a SAK since I first got a Leatherman. With the old Super Leatherman I have split the brisket of an elk and cut enough branches for a small fire, I did have a problem breaking the large screwdriver blade off but I might own 8 and I use them hard.
Jack Flash
Member
My wife and I took a european vacation some time ago. She was fascinated by my SAK. We couldn't afford to eat at restaurants for every meal, so the corkscrew to open a wine bottle and the knife blade to slice a block of cheese were invaluable. She had to have one of her own when we got back.
More recently I bought a Leatherman Surge for belt carry out in the field, in the boonies camping etc. It came highly recommended by some guys on another website. Man is that thing big and heavy! After a couple of years I bought a Wave, and it is a lot more comfortable on my belt. So the Surge rides around in the truck.
To me, no multitool, no matter how great, is as good as a box of tools, so I would never keep one in a drawer in the house. That's why I have tool boxes in the basement, garage, sheds, etc. A multitool is on your belt when you're up on a ladder, out in the boonies around the campfire, etc, and going to get the toolbox is extremely inconvenient or downright impossible.
More recently I bought a Leatherman Surge for belt carry out in the field, in the boonies camping etc. It came highly recommended by some guys on another website. Man is that thing big and heavy! After a couple of years I bought a Wave, and it is a lot more comfortable on my belt. So the Surge rides around in the truck.
To me, no multitool, no matter how great, is as good as a box of tools, so I would never keep one in a drawer in the house. That's why I have tool boxes in the basement, garage, sheds, etc. A multitool is on your belt when you're up on a ladder, out in the boonies around the campfire, etc, and going to get the toolbox is extremely inconvenient or downright impossible.
I guess I'm the odd man out. I keep my tools in toolboxes. Always handy. I keep a very sharp two blade knife in my pocket. Always. Never been much of a gadget guy.
minconrevo
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I usually have tools handy too, for the "real" jobs. Tool boxes in the garage, vehicle and tool drawer in the house. Sometimes though the job is so little and the Leatherman so near that it gets the call to duty.
terry_tr6
Member
At the airport on the way home from my father's funeral, i happened to have a small SAK of his in my toiletry zip lock bag. The TSA goon spotted it and grinned like he had just discovered a Swahili battle spear. But he didn't notice there was also a nice switch blade in there too...
i also have a nice leatherman that the company bought me when i was sent to Louisiana for hurricane relief, but to be honest, i never got into the habit of threading it onto my belt and it lives in a drawer with my spare knives.
i also have a nice leatherman that the company bought me when i was sent to Louisiana for hurricane relief, but to be honest, i never got into the habit of threading it onto my belt and it lives in a drawer with my spare knives.
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Apples and oranges. I like 'em both. I have a Leatherman Wave, but very rarely carry it. Mostly it's in a toolbox in the garage or in a kitchen drawer. Since I have better tools for specific tasks in my toolbox, I don't use it much. I find it too heavy for pocket carry, so use the nylon belt sheath on the rare occasion that I carry it.
At the moment I have three SAKs: A Champ, which is fun with all sorts of gizmos in it but way too thick and heavy to carry around. A Camper, which is small enough for pocket carry and has the most used SAK tools. And a Waiter.
Actually, at the moment, two Waiters as I gave one to my son last Christmas. I keep one in my pocket most days, and the other, new in a box, as back up, in my toolbox. I keep the backup(s) since I surrendered one to TSA a few years ago.
Thing is, at $17 last I looked, this little knife is a helluva deal. It's so light you don't know it's there. The blade is big enough to be useful in, for example, cutting a deli sandwich in two. The can opener/bottle cap remover excels at neither task but works for either. I use the toothpick after meals, and the tweezers remove the occasional splinter. The corkscrew gets use when I'm not in my kitchen but encounter a bottle of wine. E.g., in the backyard, on the road or at a picnic. And the little screwdriver that fits into the corkscrew — I bought several of these separately for $5 or whatever delivered — is just the right size to tighten up my glasses.
As I've posted before, I think the Waiter is one of the best deals going.
At the moment I have three SAKs: A Champ, which is fun with all sorts of gizmos in it but way too thick and heavy to carry around. A Camper, which is small enough for pocket carry and has the most used SAK tools. And a Waiter.
Actually, at the moment, two Waiters as I gave one to my son last Christmas. I keep one in my pocket most days, and the other, new in a box, as back up, in my toolbox. I keep the backup(s) since I surrendered one to TSA a few years ago.
Thing is, at $17 last I looked, this little knife is a helluva deal. It's so light you don't know it's there. The blade is big enough to be useful in, for example, cutting a deli sandwich in two. The can opener/bottle cap remover excels at neither task but works for either. I use the toothpick after meals, and the tweezers remove the occasional splinter. The corkscrew gets use when I'm not in my kitchen but encounter a bottle of wine. E.g., in the backyard, on the road or at a picnic. And the little screwdriver that fits into the corkscrew — I bought several of these separately for $5 or whatever delivered — is just the right size to tighten up my glasses.
As I've posted before, I think the Waiter is one of the best deals going.
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outta_ammo
Member
Victorinox Swiss Champ and Leatherman Wave here. Acquired in that order several years apart. Both are bulky but useful. The Leatherman effectively replaced the SAK, but is rarely used now, and the SAK is kept as a novelty.
When I worked at the Rubbermaid Commercial Products factory as a maintenance tech, I carried a Leatherman Wave, a small flashlight, a 6" Crescent wrench and an Allen pack. With these I could fix most anything.
For many years, my Leatherman went with me everywhere I went. When people found out that I maintained, repaired and set up factory equipment they'd usually find something for me to fix for them.
For many years, my Leatherman went with me everywhere I went. When people found out that I maintained, repaired and set up factory equipment they'd usually find something for me to fix for them.
The checkered aluminum handle models are stronger with heavier blades.
I like the virtually identical Pioneer and Soldier, which was allegedly the actual Swiss issue before the current knife.
PS: I flat grind the large screwdriver blade and cut the width to fit Colt .45 auto grip screws.
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