Leatherman Skeletool CX
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SOG PowerAccess Deluxe
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Gerber Dime
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Leatherman Free P2
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MY BEST MULTITOOLS REVIEWS
LEATHERMAN SKELETOOL CX REVIEW
See on: Amazon.com
The Leatherman Skeletool CX multitool is distinguished by its lightness and slimness which allows them to be carried discreetly in your jeans pocket.
On the blade side, this multitool has a blade that can be easily unlocked with one hand and is made of 145CM steel. In addition, it is recognized for its ability to stay sharp longer than most similar plier blades.
It can also be worn, either by using the pocket clip (which is at the same time a bottle opener) or by using the hook. So having a holster on your belt is not necessary for this clip.
Since it has an asymmetrical handle, this clamp is comfortable to hold and you can deploy it easily.
SOG POWERACCESS DELUXE REVIEW
See on: Amazon.com
If you are looking for multitools with pliers and a powerful wire cutter, I recommend the SOG PowerAccess Deluxe. With its serrated mechanism at the center, these pliers use that double power to cut wires and pinch anything you want, efficiently and with ease.
Aside from that power, with this pliers you have the ability to fit standard 1-inch screwdriver bits. For this, it comes with a kit of reversible tips.
While the previous pliers have only one blade, the SOG PowerAccess Deluxe has two sharp blades.
For me, the major drawback of this clip is its bulk and the lack of a hook to attach it to your belt or pocket.
GERBER DIME REVIEW
See on: Amazon.com
The Gerber Dime is a keychain type multitools, which is smaller than a BIC lighter. So you can tie it to your keyring and stop worrying about not having your tools with you.
Even though it’s this size, it comes with useful tools like a chisel, pliers, bottle opener, knife, two screwdrivers, and a packaging opener.
But some tools, like the sharp blade and the pliers become less practical or require more effort, due to their small size.
On the other hand, the fact that the blade does not lock (which is typical with this type of pliers), makes its use a little dangerous, so be very careful.
What is very interesting about this clamp is its price which is around $29.
LEATHERMAN FREE P2 REVIEW
See on: Amazon.com
If you are looking for a smooth and comfortable multi-tool while deploying, closing tools and using, the Leatherman Free P2 is for you.
It uses a new technique in the field, based on magnetism, to allow you to deploy tools and pliers with one hand.
Once you get used to this new magnetic architecture, using pliers without this technique will quickly become tedious.
With its ease of use, the Leatherman Free P2 has around 19 tools, including a parcel opener, can opener, awl, file, scraper, etc.
But even with these tools, these pliers are still relatively light compared to pliers with the same tools.
With all of these advantages, one of its disadvantages is that the non-serrated sharp blade is not available along the entire length.
In the end, I mean with this clip you have the option of carrying it around by putting it in its case or by using the pocket clip.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR MULTIFUNCTION PLIERS
DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS
There is no such thing as the “best multitool” because each use has its own needs. The best multitool for a hiker may not work for a cyclist.
Therefore, determining your needs is the first step in finding the best multitool for you.
Here are some questions that will help you determine your needs:
- When are you going to use your multi-tool?
- Which tools are most important to you?
- Are you going to use it frequently or occasionally?
- Are you going to wear them frequently?
TYPES OF MULTI-TOOLS
There are three types of multitools, the standard, the mini, and the keyring.
STANDARD MULTI-TOOL
It is the complete multitools, with about 20 tools, designed with high-quality steel alloy to have a long service life for heavy-duty work.
It can be stored in a case to attach to your belt.
See on: Amazon.com
MINI MULTITOOL
This type of clip is a simplified version that is easier to wear. It has fewer tools to make room for essential tools only.
See on: Amazon.com
KEYCHAIN MULTI-TOOL
This category is the very minimal version of a multi-tool; personally I see them more as a key ring with additional functionality than a real multi-tool.
They are easier to wear than really useful.
See on: Amazon.com
By determining your needs, you can easily find out which type of pliers is best for you.
CHOICE CHARACTERISTICS
MATERIALS
Stainless steel is the material often used in multi-tool because it is very durable.
If you are going to use your pliers for professional tasks, I recommend the Leatherman Skeletool pliers, as it has a high-quality 154CM steel blade, which is known to maintain a sharp edge longer than most blades in other multi-purpose pliers.
There are several types of steels, but what I know is that 410HC steel is considered acceptable steel, although it remains below 154CM, the latter having about two to three times the retention of 410HC.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-sharpen blade, the 410HC is the right steel, but beware, easy sharpening means a shorter life.
WEIGHT
Most of the time, heavier weight means better quality steel.
But beware, sometimes (for a hiker for example), a lightweight is more important than a higher quality material.
So if you are going to wear it on your body most of the time, I recommend that you consider lightness more than durability.
BRANDS
There are several brands of multi-purpose multi-tool. Some are known for their premium products like Leatherman, Victorinox, SOG, and Gerber.
Even the economical range of these brands is respected when it comes to multi-purpose pliers.
As for the Leatherman brand, it is a brand invented by Tim Leatherman, in a company based in Oregon, USA.
This brand is known for its 25-year warranty and diverse catalog. They have a special clamp for soldiers, one for electricians, mechanics, cyclists, etc.
The Victorinox brand is known for its Swiss Army Knives.
While Leatherman offers a 25 year warranty, Victorinox offers a lifetime warranty.
A multitool from a high-end brand does not always mean increased utility. For this reason, if you are not going to use it for heavy repair work, I see no problem with going for a cheap one from a less known brand.
COMPACT DESIGN
The more compact the clip, the easier it becomes to carry.
There are compact multitools like Crankbrothers M19 for example, which is specially designed for cyclists.
Many cyclists prefer it for its lightness, as it is covered with lightweight aluminum, so you can have a lot of use without adding a lot of weight.
NUMBER OF TOOLS
An important thing about the number of tools is that each company counts the number of tools in a different way.
Personally, the number of tools is not what I consider the most important. Because two products, the first with 18 tools and a second with only 12 can almost have the same number of tools.
In addition, I may prefer the second with few tools because it is more ergonomic. Indeed, brands sometimes add certain unnecessary tools in order to use them in their sales techniques.
Updated on January 23, 2021 by Ben
My name is Ben, a passionate hiker, I created this blog to share with you my hiking experiences. I also want to help you make your adventure dreams come true.
