A leatheman wave in 2014 cost $60. Adjusted for inflation that should be around $80 but instead its $120. That's a lot of money for a tool not made in the U.S. These price increases are getting insane.
From what I can tell the straight blade in all of these are 7cr17mov. In order to use standard hex bits you need a 6mm x1 mm magnet. Also Klien makes a whole series of screwdrivers and bits that work with no modification. Awesome Video!
Same here. My son serves in the military. He has my Leatherman, a Gerber and SOG but prefers the Bibury. More comfortable, more functions and no drama if it's lost or broken.
Just a reminder that Leatherman really stretches that “American Made” label to its limits. It may be that some of the clone parts are made in the same factory as Leatherman parts. Just an FYI.
Sooooo glad you left that sesame street martians reference in there! Haha! Had a blast testing these tools with you! Looks like a lot of folks resonate with these as well!
I think for $25 you can throw one Bibury in the car,have one at home,keep one in your bag,edc another one on your belt and you have another $25 left in case you got to replace any of them,if you compare it to the $125 Leatherman. It's a no brainer for me...
As your brother in law said he, “didn’t buy a Leatherman because of how expensive they are.” Leatherman was reasonably priced when they first hit the market. I wouldn’t own a Chinese multitool. I have a preference toward Leatherman and own several, but I won’t buy another because I think they’re way overpriced. The Arc is a prime example. Innovation led the way, greed got in the way.
a few years ago I took a Chinese copy of Wave, it had several flaws: the multitool didn't work well out of the box(I had to adjust it), the finish was not good and the blade was too soft. I did all the worst jobs with that multitool that I wouldn't have dared with my Latherman, and to this day that multitool still works. This made me buy a copy of the latherman Surge (diaclamping DL30) a couple of months ago, all the flaws and complaints I had with the first multitool were corrected and I am very satisfied and I recommend everyone to try this multitool!
I have 3 Leatherman Waves and 3 Charges. I bought 2 of the charges for $60 a piece. They were a discontinued color way(154cm blade). I know they aren’t cheap but they just work. I keep one in every car and 72 hour bag.
I have a swiss tech wave clone i lost my wave but leatherman are now at the price point its ridiculous i couldnt justify spending the money. For everything people say abour the quality and Leatherman will last a life time i am in the military and absolutely beat the shit out of the swiss tech for over a year amd it has held up just as good as a Leatherman. I still have a Supertool 300 and squirt and love them but I'll never buy Leatherman again
I have one of every type and brand of multi-tool and appreciate them all. But frankly my favorite multi-tool of late is the Milwaukee 6 in 1 fastback. Cutting stuff up and driving screws is pretty much 90% of the stuff I want a multi-tool for. Shout out goes to the Leatherman crunch because the locking pliers on that have saved my ass so many times.
The patent's are up on the Wave, Surge, and Charge. I got a Bibury Surge clone for $34 and for the value and quality you can't beat it compared to $150 for a Surge.
@@danjones7 Well I bought it from Amazon and it shipped from a local Amazon warehouse so I was supporting an American company and American employees while buying a Chinese product, like is the case with most consumer goods in the states.
In 2012 I bought a Leatherman Wingman multitool from Amazon. Today the price for the same multitool is three times (3X) what I paid. If I had to replace my Wingman I wouldn’t buy a Leatherman.
The ROXON Flex That We All Juggle Knives channel reviewed will change the world. That is the multitool that has finally brought me over to the multitool world. Option to change out every tool and switch them around for your taste is awesome !! Amd it's gonna be a great price , coming soon .
I have gifted several of these multi-tools to guys who keep them in their cars. They are reliable enough to work when people need them away from home but cheap enough to have an extra in the glovebox.
I have a simple philosophy when it comes to buying most stuff (with some exceptions). For something to cost 10 times more, it has to be 10 times better or last 10 times longer, or a mix of the two. If I have to pay 100$ for a multitool or get 4 multitools for 25$ each, that 100$ tool better be damn good, otherwise I'm gonna get 4 of the cheaper ones. I got one of those cheap Chinese multitool for 17€. I'm still using it 5 years later. (also, leatherman is even more expensive here in the EU)
👍👍👍 15-odd years back my daughter bought me a 'cheap' Leatherman knockoff for my birthday .. based on the original. As a then-student, it was expensive for her. It sits in my bedroom 'man drawer' .. close by and I use it regularly. It has assembled much 'flat pack' office furniture and performed many other 'odd job' tasks around the home. It still assembles, cuts stuff and saws wood. The only modification that I have made, is reinforcing the nylon tool pouch which in my opinion, was a bit flimsy. Leatherman:"What price is the Market prepared to Tolerate?" .. "OK, go for it."
Leatherman died for me, the day I tried the Victorinox Spirit X. Never going back to junk, I'm sorry, but that's how the Spirit X makes my Leaqthermans feel.
As long as you realize you're paying over $120 for a multi-tool using 420 stainless, the same steel they use on their $20 SAKs. They are such a stubborn company, all they got to do is upgrade their steel and it would be pretty hard to resist their products
I wouldn't call these knock offs. Even if they appear quite similar. I had one of the first generation Waves and was looking to replace it. But found that Leatherman had changed enough features for their offerings to be less appealing or useful to me, and factoring in the cost. Ended up getting a similar Surge inspired tool, its really great, and it suits my needs better. For me Leatherman isn't listening to the wants of their consumers in relation to the toolsets they provide, unless its puerly profit driven, which is kinda annoying. Also their costs outside the US is a large chunk more, usually about 40%, making other options in the high end, like Victorinox, more attractive.
Hey Aaron, got a video suggestion for you, but first this. I owned an original Leatherman Surge (the one with the microscrewdriver) and I loved it. Carried it with me everyday. Then I lost it. I wanted to replace it, but they jacked the prices so high I opted to carry SAKs instead, which are still great. I wandered into Walmart and found the Ozark Trail Multiforce, and it's held up pretty well, Imo. It even comes with a bit extender and a decent pouch. Also, the main tools are reversed, reducing a pinching hazard when using the pliers. My request to you is to put the above two and the Multiforce through the same paces as you would a Leatherman in a real bugout situation. Many believe the Leatherman would do the best, but it would be enlightening to see how close these clones get. Thanks, keep up the great reviews...
I have the Ozark Trail Multiforce because of the warranty.. I bought a Klein 11-1 screwdriver and some Torx replacement bits. I'm very pleased with it.l
Nice review ! I grabbed a bibury months ago on Dominic's recommendation and am not disappointed. Concerning the Rocktol, I believe the notch on the pliers cutting edge can also be used as a wire stripper.
I love my Surge and Rebar and Raptor shears and will next be getting a Charge Ti. Yes they are expensive, but just like a Patek Philippe you are merely the custodian looking after it until you hand it over to the next generation!
I do have a lot of Leatherman tools but also SOG, Gerber, etc. I bought one from China that doesn't even have a brand name but has more tools (not a clone) and is very sturdy for some 20 dollars. I was impressed with it's performance. Very recently I go back to this Chinese website and I see the black version of the same tool for some 25 dollars and the metal ones on sale for 7 dollars. I couldn't believe it but just tried and bought two of them. The exact same tool and free delivery to my house. Maybe they made a mistake in their pricing because they usually are 25 dollars but they did deliver for the price on the website. 7 dollars each. So now I have one for in the house, one in the go bag and one in my check-in luggage on travels. If customs in for instance Thailand confiscate your 150 dollar Leatherman it's kinda a bad start of your vacation. If they confiscate your 7 dollar Chinese tool you laugh and walk away.
It’s all about what you’re into. If brand doesn’t matter and you don’t use it much… go with the knock offs. I like carrying and using my gear so I feel having something better quality is worth the price. I recently bought a letaherman p4 and a super tool 300m but keep looking what one to get next 😂 thanks for the review. I’d like to hear what your favorite letaherman is and why !
I’ve bought 5 leathermans in my life loved them all gave 4 of them away to family as I upgraded can’t go Chinese clone even if they were close in quality though I doubt that’s the case.
these clones are getting pretty close in quality and durability. And they use standard 1/4 bits which is a huge step up. I love my Surge and Crunch, but if Leatherman doesn't change, they could become like snap-on and their customers will find less expensive options
Reading through the other comments, it's DISTURBING how many Americans/traitors have just given up and surrendered like spray cheese eating marxist surrender monkeys to communist china. Harsh,....but true.
I have a feeling that most of the customers for these knockoffs are going to be people who already own at least 1 leatherman. Im one of them, I have my leatherman that I take with me, and a couple of these knockoffs spesifically to leave in the car, under the seat of a motorcycle, in a toolkit etc. And with the 25 year warranty, its not like existing LM customers really need to buy new ones very often either. Some do, but I think thats mostly out of wants, not needs, and those guys will absolutely not settle for anything else. I think their patent on the wave/surge platform expiring will make a noticable difference to them, but I dont think its going to affect them as much as we seem to think.
I recently bought a Rocktol for $42 as a special offer. This tool came with screwdriver bits and some extra saws too. it also came with pouch to hold all these tools in one place. I'm happy with it. The problem with the Leatherman nowadays is that it's coming out of the factory with defects, so it's not as premium anymore except for the price and steel.
1. great presentation. 2. in accord with the evaluations. 3. over the years, I have been gifting out my leatherman models other than the wave. most of my relatives now have leartherman tools as a result or I would buy these less expensive alternatives as gifts.
The original Leatherman Wave plus is still my go to. The Surge is more job specific for me. I was gifted a Ozark Trail Multiforce 4-5 years ago and have been surprised at how good of a tool it is. I would think the better Chinese brands would make great backup or kit tools...
I bought a wave+ under half price because it had a lazer engraving on it. Then I bought a like-new wave+ frame from another seller for around 10 bucks. Swapped the unmarked frame onto the tools and tossed the engraved one. 😂
God is sad I love myself a Leatherman. But I know for a lot of people it’ll be hard to justify dropping $100 or more on a tool when they can get one that performs very similarly for a third the cost.
@@isildurelendurion1822 some of these brands are producing pretty high quality tools. And they're using similar quality steel. But the use of standard 1/4 bits is a huge selling point, I don't understand why Leatherman sticks to their flat bits
I own 4 Leatherman and 2 Gerbers. All of them bought on sale when newer models came out. I see them as backup tools that are easy to pocket carry when I don't know what I might be getting into. The one exception is the Leatherman Micra. It goes everywhere with me. The scissors are fantastic for trimming my nails, same for the file. The knife acts like a scalpel for fine detail and the bits have bailed me out countless times. As a backup tool, a Leatherman has saved my butt multiple times so I figure I owe them some loyalty.
They have gotten crazy expensive for what they are , brought one when the 1st model came out and 10yrs after that a second hand Mirca and thats IT , would never think of spending the money they want for them now , not remotely worth IT .
Can’t really beat the under $30 one now that leathermans pricing is outrageous and their quality has took a dive in the last decade as well. I agree if you’re not a tradesmen using it 20x a day and need the warranty. Save the money
My main issue with the Leatherman is that I am paying premium pricing for crap steel. Sorry, but as a knife maker who pays attention to steel properties, the 420 series these are made out of is NOT worth the price Leatherman charges for them. They have a premium line that employs better steel but, frankly, the base models should be equipped with it for the ridiculous prices they are charging.
You nailed it on the head with your closing statements Car, bike, tacklebox, rucksack - bilbury Work/edc - leatherman, but I'd prefer the Arc However price is a big factor, even for work/edc bilbury is a close second because multitools are one of those items that get swiped on a regular basis
I use a Leatherman Wave at work as a pro handyman. Only by watching this video i would go with the B/Bury over the Wave. The value for the money is insane !
I own both clones. I had no issues with either model but I still have several Leathermans . The biggest value the clones provide me is should they get damaged or stolen they don’t cost an arm and leg to replace. My leathermans are kept in good working condition.
I own a few multitools. Two Bibury, three Gerber, a Flissa and one Leatherman (Wingman). Leatherman is virtually a scam at this point. $120 for a wave which should cost $70 or 80 at best. And the bit drivers suck! They are so slim. My Wingman came with the wire cutter not touching and i thought that is just how they were made... horrible.
I have Leatherman Super Tool 300 as well as copies of Leatherman Wawe and Surge Daicamping DL1 and DL30 and I can say that I am satisfied with their quality and the price of 40 € in a set with bits and spare teeth for cutting wire. Very close to the Letherman original
I have a Gerber multitool and it's sitting in a drawer currently i just don't use it like i did before i actually now carry a Victorinox multi tool and it's lighter and i put it in my pocket and i honestly forgot about it a couple of times and it went through the washer i just figured multitools are nice just the price and the amount of times you actually end up really using it don't really justify it
Once these clones start coming with better steel blades ( 14C28N, S35VN, S90V and up as example) and at much lower prices, Letterman is going to have serious problems . Right now they are getting by on the name, warranty, and slightly better quality but in time if they don't innovate they are going to be left in the dust. Same goes for Gerber USA made multi-tools. The switch to Magnacut could have been great, but they hamstrung themselves by not doing a proper heat treat on it and keeping it soft as rubber. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable.
when I bought the Dl30 multitool ...a copy of the Latherman Surge I thought exactly this. a few years ago I bought a copy of Latherman Wave and it was not a multitool that I would recommend, although it still serves me today... I don't think I will ever buy a Latherman multitool again because it is sitting in my house and I carry a dl30 with me
The deep well in the bit holder is no problem for me as I use a rotating bit extender. Back in the day, I even bought the leatherman bit extender with the little slot. 😬
Everything was spot on Aaron! Cheap but not $10 clam shell garbage cheap that gets loose as a goose after one use! I myself only use a Supertool 300 cause it has never let me down! If anyone wants something damn close without the price tag, total winner! Great video! 😎👍
I get where you’re coming from and any tool can fail, the expensive and the inexpensive. But when the chips are down and you really need it, which is more likely to fail? That’s the difference in price.
I'm sorry guys, but I will always buy Leatherman or Victorinox . The bottom line is, the steel that these Chinese copies are made from is completely inferior. You cannot make a decent tool from poor quality steel.
So many people (not referring to you, I don't know your opinions) complain about how everything breaks easily, no warranty, why America lost companies, jobs, etc., but yet are so quick to throw away their supposed virtue by exemplifying exactly why all those problems exist just to save a few bucks.
@@gideonstactical Yeah I was targeting certain folks in the comments section that I've also seen on other channels. Constantly complain about overpriced American products while screaming "MURRRRICA" LOL. I mean, I'm one of those "merica first" rednecks, I'm just not cheap or broke.
I collect knives and multitools and I have a bunch of these Leatherman inspired tools! Most are like the Wave, but there are a few newer ones that are like the Surge, and I just got one that is similar to a Charge. I keep an Ozark Trail Multiforce on my belt every day at work. All of these tools are very good quality and great values for the dollar! None of the ones I own are a clone of the Leatherman's, but there are more similarities than differences! All offer something a little bit different, but I would not be surprised if they all came from the same factory. Is this the end for Leatherman? I do not think so even though they are not helping themselves with their pricing. These Chinese tools have not stopped me from buying Leathermans. A year or so I bought a Free P4, T2, T4, Wave+, an orange Charge, Free K2, and my first Juice! My next one will be a Free K4. I will not buy an Arc as I think they are overpriced, but who knows. I did not think the Free P4 was worth 150 but I bought one anyway! 😆
Considering where it’s made, it’s materials, and its warranty Leatherman is certainly worth it. Knowing that it’ll be an heirloom for one of my grandchildren, it’s not even a question. These Chinese knockoffs couldn’t say the same.
Fair warning, if you don’t see “USA Made” stamped into the plier head, it’s made with enough foreign produced parts (most likely Chinese) and then assembled in the US. They by law can’t state “American Made” unless a percentage threshold of its parts are truly produced in the US. Most recent models such as the Arc and Free series have this designation. That does not discount QC and warranty however.
I'm hard on a multi tool with the kind of work I do. I have some tweeks on the wave plus. I don't know if a cheap knock off will hold up. Ive put a slight bend or twist on half the gadgets on it 😅
you may also want to look at what roxon multitool is doing as well as the walther gmt150 if you haven't seen these already. changing the game@@gideonstactical
These clones are literally giving Leatherman a run for their money with the $30ish price point clones vs $100ish of a similar model Leatherman….yeah I’ve picked up a few clones, and I own many premium Leatherman models like the Arc, Charge TTI, Crunch, Wave+, and the clones actually perform very well. The blades on the clones dont hold an edge even close to the Arc Magnacut or TTI s30v, but putting a good edge on the chinesium blades is super easy and if it breaks or gets lost I’ll just get another out of the drawer and keep on fixing. Great video!
I work at a wastewater plant and am afraid to drop my expensive tool lose it forever. The b/bury is at a price point that i won't mind as much to replace. And to be honest it's a tough tool, just as tough as most of my +100 dollar tools.
1/4inch drive bit's is defiantly a winner BUT bulky to carry a "Bit Kit", I've had "other" multi tool's and in the environment I used them they rusted in no time when the Leatherman's didn't + a 25 year warrantee is hard to beat. Yes I agree that Leatherman are expensive but I've edc a Wave then a Surge virtually every day for 7 year's and there's no going back, I have a Gerber from 20 year's ago that live's in a fishing bag it's just not the quality I expected, I've heard good hands on reports about Victorinox but don't own the Leatherman equivalent from them. There are any number of cheap competitors on the marker and there has been for as long as I can remember but Leatherman are still here and are still setting the standard.
This is food for thought. I keep hearing so much about how LM quality control has declined that I would be afraid to shell out all that cash on something that isnt built properly. Sounds like they dont live up to their own name anymore and to be honest, whenever I inspect one in store, I cant see what all the fuss is about...they dont feel like top quality
My experience with clones. Microtech's are kinda pricey. Ive got a single edge Ultratech. I wanted a double edge. I was at a local gun store and saw what i thought at first was a Microtech, but, wasn't. Satin double edge blade, black handle. Steel is D-2. $140. I thought, what a bargin. ONE week. Thats how long it lasted. The mechanism simply fell apart. The old saying "buy once, cry once" is an old saying for a reason. I'll stick with my Leatherman, thank you.( i do regularly use mine at work)
I think the clones are great for occassional users and backups, but where I really think they shine is with kids. All my kids have one for their daily use, but they have a real one in their zombie bag.
So a great American company , Leatherman. Develop's an awesome tool that has stood the test of time . Eats the cost of research and development and inovations . Then these Chinese tools come along riding on the backs of all that , and makes damn near exact copies. With inferior steel , using slave labor and no warenty . Offer no pride in ownership. And y'all are gonna get on here and promote this as if it's a good thing . No thanks , bro .
@@gideonstactical Thanks. Wow, I did not realize Costco carried any Orvis. I’ll have to check out Kuhl’s shirts. Keep up the fantastic content, you have been very helpful in guiding my purchases over the years.
I followed your lead once again and ordered a Bibury on Amazon. Here are 2 knives I own that I haven't seen you use. The APO 1T from survival Lilly and the Mikov UTON 007. A fix blade with a saw and file in the sheath.
First off, I am a huge fan. I have watched hundreds of your videos and will watch a hundred more, BUT.....this video totally missed the mark. I can't even say: "It was good, but....." Your viewers expected 2 things from this video: #1 Your informed opinion of the knockoffs. #2. A comparison to the Leatherman. For point # 1, Instead of your opinon, we got your brother in laws. I'm sure he's a great guy, but I'm here because I know you and respect your opinon. For #2, we got a comparison of one knockoff vs another knockoff. That makes you O for 2. Sorry, Charlie.
The guys at Hangzou Great Star Industrial Co., Ltd approve of this review. Just kidding, anyway I have a few Leathermans and SOG. I also have the Mossy Oak 19 in 1 outdoor multitool. It works good but is not the tool quality of the Leatherman.
In your review you state the price of the BIBURY 19 in 1 Multitool is $25.00 but the link provided takes you to Amazon where the price is $39.00. Where is this tool available for $25.00???
Im the world's most unhandy man so I've never really gotten a multi-tool. Im the guy that thinks he fixed the sink in the bathroom and the lights downstairs turn on. Lol
Clones are good if not better than leatherman being 10 times cheaper with all the functionality so it's a no brainer to buy leatherman after you can get better Chinese tools better in every way America made are overpriced performance is way below the clones even
You guys want to carry cheap junk, rip-off multi-tools; hey it's a free country. (At least it's supposed to be.) I'll stick with my genuine Leatherman tools that I know won't let me down no matter what.