LEATHERMAN TOOLS VS SWISS ARMY KNIVES

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I have 2 of the Gerber MultiPliers, which have slightly different features. One has the nylon sheath with extra screwdriver heads and an adopter-which I have used exactly once.

 

[Donn]

As I've stated elsewhere in these pages, I carry a Swiss Army Evo 11 and a Leatherman Skeletool every day, because the SAK doesn't have pliers, and the Leatherman doesn't have a toothpick.

 

[SS336]

Like most people on here I have both. Have 2 Leathermans one rides in my boat bag. Don’t have a boat anymore but still have the bag for that purpose. My Wave rides in the console of my truck so it’s around for just about anything.
My Father gave me a SAK back in the 80’s. When I rode motorcycles a lot it rode in my tank bag. When I go on trips it’s always packed. It has a lot of miles on it and I find it most useful.
Here it is opening a wine bottle on our 50th anniversary cruise somewhere near Skagway, Ak. Three years ago.



I don’t carry them everyday, for that my Benchmade Mini-Griptilian gets the call.

 

[kmyers]

I am a Leatherman fan and people knowing my fondness I get them as gifts at times. I carry a Surge daily, or did before lockdowns, along with a Benchmade Skirmish, both in sheaths, Wendy also has a Leatherman Wingman that she carried daily. I did a karma a number of years ago for an extra Surge I received as a present and The Better Half here recently did a karma on another forum for a Super Tool 200 that I had been given and that one surprised the winner and recipient on how large, heavy and solidly built it is for real work, just toss into a range bag and go. I can be a gadget junkie.

 

[44wheelman]

The key chain sak is always on me, the multi-tool sits on the workbench in the garage and on my bicycle (my leatherman was stolen, now just generic equiv.), a couple of other SAKs stashed around the house in strategic places, and a Bear folder that I carry when I’ll be needing it at work.

So, yes the Leatherman tools function better, but the SAKs are a little more carry friendly.

 

[Marshwheeling]

I never used to carry a knife, but I got into the habit of stashing a SAK in the tool tray or tank bag of every motorcycle I rode anywhere out of town. Then I started using Leathermans, sometimes replacing the SAK, sometimes supplementing it. Then once in Mexico, the blade on the Leatherman let me down. I resolved that my first order of business was always to carry a good knife.

Most of the leatherboys drifted away, but most of the SAK’s are still here. I used to only like the red cellidor because of the toothpick and tweezers, but I found a better way to get plastic toothpicks, and my Leatherman Micra has tweezers, plus scissors that I prefer to the SAK variety. The only SAKs I carry are (usually) the Alox Electrician, a slim, useful 2-row knife, or the Alox Farmer, for when I go into the woods, just in case I might want the saw.
The Leatherman also suffers from the limited utility of the needle-nose pliers, so I always carry a 4” Channellock plier, which gets more use than any of my other pocket tools. There is a 4” Knipex, which is a better tool, but takes up a lot more room, so that one goes in my moto tool roll.

 

[smoothshooter]

Put me down in the SAK column.
I have carried one every day of my life since 1986. A mid-sized one called the Huntsman, and a Gerber Mini-Griptilian.
I lost the first Huntsman about 3 years ago ( A very sad day. We had been thru a lot together ). Already had an unused backup already sharpened and ready to go and switched to it. I use the scissors and screwdriver blades the most on the SAK.
I have a Gerber and a Leatherman tool, and have carried them a few times. But with all the other things I have to carry in my pockets and on my belt, I did not think I could justify the extra weight and bulk of the tool. I rarely needed the pliers anyway. MOST of the time I don’t even carry extra ammo for my CCW gun to eliminate some weight and bulk.

 

[K Harris]

Both. I have carried a SAK since the late 70's. Two in fact. I always have a Standard model (Spartan without the scale tools) in my right, front pocket and a Classic on my keyring in the left. I pretty much have all the bases covered with that combo. At least the ones that need covering with a couple of pocket knives.

I got my first Leatherman in the late 80's. The original PST is still my favorite by a wide margin. One thing I discovered is that I do not like to wear it on my belt, and It is too heavy and pokey to put in a front pocket. Being in the Army at the time, I attached it to my web gear where it often came in very handy. It now rides in a pack that goes wherever I go.

The pliers, phillips and file is where the PST shines. Everything else is better on the SAK. If I had to choose just one it would definitely be the SAK. I used to experiment with newer designs, fancier steels, but I finally gave that up. Another advantage is that other than on the airplane, no authorities, anywhere get excited about a Swiss Army Knife. At least in my experience.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

20-year old Leatherman in the fanny pack I use to carry essential items and keep handy all the time. Swiss Army knives in every vehicle and my fishing vest and tackle box.

I have seldom used the knife blades of these tools, but the other various options see frequent uses. Also carry a nice slender and lightweight Gerber liner-lock daily, and added a Boker 'Magnum' automatic about 3 years ago.

I have carried a pocket knife since Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the Oval Office. Can't leave home without a good knife, wallet, and keys.

 

[DWalt]

I do not carry either a SAK or a Leatherman. But for many years I have kept a Leatherman clone in my range box, mainly for using its larger knife blade and the pliers. I don't use the screwdrivers in the Leatherman much, as I also keep several types and sizes of purpose-made screwdrivers in my range box. I worked on an Air Force base for many years, and most of the base maintenance personnel kept Leatherman-type tools in leather pouches on their belts.

 

[garddogg56]

LM wave BUT Victornaux by SAK will give Leatherman a run for the money.

 

[mikeruns]

I have and collected maybe 200-300 folding knives…traditional pocketknives, the victorinox steel is excellent compared to any cutlery maker for sharpness and edge holding. I carry two, one is the small classic on my key ring, the other is the standard 6 tool with tweezers and toothpick carried in my back pack…I also carry a leather man wave in the pack and it too, is excellent for sharpness and rigidity and the tools are sometimes useful to me although I carry a huge amount of hand tools in my work truck, sometimes walking down to a piece of machinery to check on, I’ll throw the leather man in pocket(I hate sheaths generally unless deer hunting)….always in my pocket is a 2 or 3 blade medium size case jack or stockman knife and on my right pocket, a clip retained protec knife which sees most duties as it is a one hand affair deal…

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I have several Leatherman tools (all Leatherman brand) stashed in strategic locations and tool kits. My daily use doesn't require a heavy-duty tool to be on my person, and I've come to appreciate SAKs for daily carry. I like the Spartan model with black scales. Problem is I keep giving them away. I'm without one right now b/c youngest daughter had lost the one I gave her, so I handed her mine. I will probably get another one. My only complaint for my use is the blade is a little short for an "eating" knife.

 

[eb07]

Living in the desert, my SAK tweezers have pulled more cholla spine and other assorted cactus gifts out of my legs, behind, hands, etc than anything else. That knife has been a godsend. Replaced the toothpick with a firefly firestarter and its the knife I carry every day regardless of what other knife I carry.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I also have the Gerber Multipliers, somewhat larger and more heavy duty than the Leathermans, one came with a set of screwdriver blades and an adapter to fit them on the Phillips head on the tool.

 

[Grayfox]

Being a retired mechanic, I'm a big believer in keeping tools handy. My professional tool box is now retired to my garage. But I also have tool boxes in the house, my truck and my car with enough tools to handle any emergency. So to me, my pocket knife is just a simple tool. Rarely need more than a good cutting edge.
However, in the past I have experimented with and used various SAKs and multi-tools.
Never been much of a fan of SAKs. Too bulky and have too many barely serviceable tools that I never use. The only ones I ever liked were the small ones with just a blade, scissors and tweezers. Like others have said, the tweezers are handy for picking stuff out of my hands. I have one of these in most of the tool boxes.
I really discovered the multi-tools years ago when I was a Boy Scout leader. Now that's a handy item to have on your belt in a campsite. Especially when my truck may be parked some distance away. I like the Gerber tool best. Its easy to flick open one handed and has held up very well. Mine is also the one with the extra screwdriver bits which make it much more versatile. I still put it on my belt when I go camping or hiking. Now days it lives in my emergency bag and I'm glad its there.
SAKs and multi-tools do have their purposes. But for me, a simple pocket knife serves my everyday needs.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I have had both and ironically have never carried either of them. A friend passed away and his daughter gave me several multi tools. I sold or gave away most and kept one. This thread led me to dig out my two Swiss Army Knives. One I found in a driveway a few years ago and the other one, much bigger, I either purchased or was given as a present. I cleaned both of them up and inspected them for condition. It also led me to research them and value. I have used them both but do not generally carry them because I have so many other choices. Thanks for the thread, it was very interesting.

 

[Marshal Tom]

So, while we are on this subject, what multi tool do you like best and why?

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I have 2 older-20+ years- 2 Leathermans, 2 Gerber Multipliers in slightly different combinations, and a 20+ year old SOG awaiting a new sheath-probably make it myself. The Leathermans and SOGs look good in both business dress and casual clothes, if I was more of a blue collar or outdoors type, I'd carry the Gerbers.

 

[bbqncigars]

My multitool of choice started with the basic Leatherman when it first came out, then the Super Leatherman and finally settled on the Victorinox Swisstool. The last one due to its employment as a mirror to see equipment tags in the field.