Who makes the best multitool? Gerber, Leatherman, SOG, Victorinox ranked 

Also a huge Victorinox multitool fan -- it's incredible how they're high polish seems to withstand corrosion, and those darn Swiss-made tools seem to hold up and have VERY RARE lemons... Very well-made and pairs well with my normal EDC knife blades

I’m partial to the Leatherman Surge. It’s big, but it has a really good tool set. Best part is that it can use T-Shank jigsaw blades. So you can cut wood or metal with it. Or you can get a T-Shank carbide blade and go after hardened metal or tile with it.

Bought the original wave around 20 odd years ago, it's worked flawlessly ever since. Despite kit envy and lusting after the newer, fancier stuff it's done the job admirably ever since and it's never been found wanting.

Victorinox usually has better fit and finish, and the pliers and other tools open and close a lot smoother in my experience. Leatherman has more options though. Also replaceable wire cutters, driver bits etc. I also prefer one hand opening tools. I actually like having removable bits because if I end up stripping them I don't have to just go out and buy another multi tool. Plus with a bit kit it makes it a more versatile tool. That's just personal preference though. There's pros and cons to both. I don't have much experience with Gerber or Sog. Their knives and tools have been pretty hit or miss, so I usually stick with other options.

The best multitool is the friends we made along the way.

This clip is my first visit to your channel and won’t be the last. I liked everything about it…….intro, music, inserted video clips and most of all the detailed and objective approach. So as a result I have subscribed. Best regards from 🇨🇦.

The engineering of a Victorinox multi-tool is just on another level... top notch quality and performance.

Thanks Pete, great video. This really comes down to what your use is. For my work role, the SOG Power Access Deluxe is my normal go to (also use LM Surge and Gerber Dual Force). In many ways the SOG shouldn't be the best, but it just seems to meet my particular needs.

The Spirit MX Clip is my most carried MT atm. I agree with spirit imo

Nice review🤙 Being former Federal LE, having spent 5 1/2+ years in long term/deep undercover(Group I UCO for those familiar), I've carried/used all four Multi-Tools reviewed here, in the most trying conditions possible, with three of the four having probably saved my life at least once(The Victorinox is the only one that never got me out of a probable life/death situation, though at 132yo+, ie., estab 1891, it is the oldest). That said, the one Multi-Tool that has been in my pocket the most and the longest, starting back in 1984, was the very first Leatherman Multi-Tool, the PST (Pocket Survival Tool), which was introduced the year before, in 1983. Being first, along with never sitting on their laurels, Leatherman continued to introduce next generation editions, with multiple Multi-Tools, depending on the applications needed and remained/remains the Gold Standard for Multi-Tools to this day. The second Multi-Tool in my pocket was the SOG Multi-Tool, in the late 1980's, which was actually an imported Seki Tool Clip(SOG also had a scaled down version, the Micro Tool Clip), produced by Japanese Master knife makers, the quality was over the top exquisite, although the designs were more basic than the Leatherman. In the early 1990's SOG introduced their own USA🇺🇸 produced Multi-Tool, the ParaTool, which while a well made Multi-Tool, I did not feel was the quality or finishing of their earlier Japanese produced Tool Clips. Though I've carried both the Gerber and Victorinox for work, the Gerber just is not on the level quality wise of the other three, at least the three that I've carried have not been(two broke and without getting into it, Gerber gave me a run around and would not cover repair/replacement, even though the tools that I snapped were in the course of performing the tasks for which they were designed🤷🏻‍♂️). Bottom line, 96%+ of those who carry a Multi-Tool as an EDC tool, would not put their Multi-Tool through the rigors that I did, as today I am in that 96%+, so any of these four would/will perform just fine. However, if Armageddon was on the horizon and I could only carry one Multi-Tool in my pocket??? Hands down, zero questions asked, every day all day 7/365?? The Leatherman( I rotate the Rebar, Surge & Super Tool 300). In most things in life, and I consider this to be one of those "things," you cannot beat runnin with the OG😉 Excellent review Brotha👊 Continued Success🍻 RP

I have the wave and I got my brother the spirit. We both love them.

Leatherman IMO. Maybe Victorinox if their tools werent nail breakers.

The weatherman Surge is my most feature rich multi tool .I bought the extra bits and ratcheting driver. I used to have a Gerber but lost it when I was a firefighter. I liked how the pliers would flip out quickly as that was the tool I needed most at work. I bought the centerline for my gal's get home bag as she can operate it fairly easily compared to other tools. My most used multi-tools, the weatherman Wingman, the tool to open plastic blister packs is brilliant. Then the Skeletool, it's handy. I haven't bought a Victorinox multi-tool other than the knives. Im not opposed to buying one it's just that the Leatherman products have done the job for me.

No mention of the “Leatherman Pinch”, and the countless times you send it flying across the room after it bites you...or is that just me. Lol

I just gotva GOAT multitool, and it seems pretty good, though I haven't played with it much yet. It let's you swap tools out, as well as their location, without taking screws out. They also offer an S35VN knife you can swap in.

Wingman turned out to be my favorite overall. Spring action needle nose pliers, Excellent(the best) scissors, very handy finger and toenail cutter, combo edge blade, the basic flat and star drives(2D), file and finally, a pocket clip🥳 oh….and the trusty ol can opener

Thanks for sharing that great overview. A bit too late for me, unfortunately, as I already have a Leatherman Wave+, and no need for another multi-tool. But I'm happy with it, and I'm glad it impressed you.👏

Good review! I would think that for the tasks you do, the Surge would be your main tool (incl. possibly a bit kit, bit extender & Bosch jig saw blades for metal,wood & other materials)with the others as supplementary tools for specific tasks...of course, personal choice & cost has to do with it and I know my comment is indirectly related to your topic today...thanks!

Since getting the Gerber dual force I haven't carried anything else, my next favorite Is the surge then the Mr crunch, all great but having an adjustable pliers without the wire cutter in the way has so many uses to me, plus it has the center drive driver, you should definitely try it out Pete!

Spirit for me too, while I am happy when carrying my Charge, I do prefer that all tools are outside accessible on the Spirit.

I do have a Charge AL too, but mine's way older, and so it doesn't have replacable cutters in the pliers. But it has 2 bit holders an no scissors. I really like the bitholders and bought the ratchet extension. This makes the Leatherman in *some* instances faster or better to use than a real screwdriver. (never would have expected that). And i do need torx and hex bits often and the ones i need most were included in the original little bitset that came with the Charge. So i can store the multitool+bitset+ratchet in it's original leather sheath and that is quite handy. I also have a swisstool (in the car) and it came with a bitholder that looks a bit like an allen key with a bitholder at each end. And it takes normal bits! So every bit you have at home in the workshop works with it, no special bits needed. The bitholder and a sortiment of bits also fit in the original sheath. And now for the most shocking part: each of them i bought 7-9 years ago, and they were cheaper back then and where i bought them than the cheapest tool you showed in the video is currently for you. (iirc i paid 160€ for the Charge and 120€ for the Vic as it was on a special sale) Also i have to say quality-feeling wise, the Victorinox wins easily for me. The Leatherman didn't run smooth when new. Needed lubrication and time and use to get somewhat close to what the Vic was from the beginning.

Just my 2 cents. Here in Europe, it's mostly torx heads , Philips head and flat head are out, so a multi tool that can't handle torx is more or less irrelevant as a "fix it all emergency tool" 👍

Love reviewers that actually share an opinion instead of (IRL being a sales arm for the brands) taking a flaccid "what ever is right for you" stance. THANK YOU. Well done

Thanks for making this video on multitools! I was actually looking to get a multitool recently and this helps! Also learned so much about and got into EDC folding knives from your videos. Keep it up!

The replaceable wire cutters on the Leatherman tools are a clear winner if you want to cut hard steel like bike gear and brake cables. I have dedicated cable cutters, but it's nice to have a multitool with that capability too. Also, not all Leatherman tools use the flat bit driver - the Rebar has a fully 3D Phillips bit which can also take a bit holder to use any standard 1/4" screwdriver bits.

My EDC is an old style TTI with a custom made CPM Magnacut blade. I stopped carrying a knife and a Multitool when i got the blade. Best of both worlds for me.

Actually, I like smaller ones like the SOG Power Pint. But above all, the old Leatherman Juice series. Until they shortened the blade!

I love my old Surge but don't carry it much since getting the P4 a few years ago. At first, I didn't think the P4 was as sturdy but I haven't been able to ruin it, so it's definitely better than I first thought. I usually carry a 4" or 5" knipex water pump pliers too or just with a Tinker.

My go to for the past few years has been the leatherman rebar. Not perfect but it's small enough and light enough to just toss it into a pocket.

I've carried a charge tti for, well must be nigh on 20years, only real fault is the pinchyness when using the pliers. Scissors have cut kilometers of label tape and are my go to for many jobs. The can opener does have a place - the amount of use it gets is quite surprising - probably the 3rd of 4th most used tool in the unit. Knife as you say gets all the dirty jobs! The original sheath was great but finally wore through a couple of years back. I've tried a few other multitools but keep coming back to my trusty charge.

Ooo hot topic! I’m a Leatherman fan, but been looking at some Gerber lately. Still want the Free P4 though. Love your videos dude!

The main thing for me with the Victorinox is that you can get the Plus version which has a separate ratchet in the kit, which enables you to get have more options.

Some models of the Leatherman Charge+ are selling for €249 here. That’s a crazy AUD 420!

Nice to see a different kind of comparison. I keep a Leatherman surge, Victorinox champ and Victorinox rescue tool with a Knipex bolt cutter made for fencing and one Knipex adjustable jaw.

I’ve actually been using the he toxin phantom, I love the full size scissors and having replaceable blades and being able to use any type of blade I want is awesome!

In my opinion ,unless the pliers are a top priority , a swiss army knife is the better option . If pliers are a must then an often over looked consideration is the handle comfort . Here is where the Victorinox wins hands down.

Great review. I must add though, that I find having a can opener tool on my multi tool quite useful and have actually used it on many occasions. It's a lot easier than packing a dedicated can opener that only does one thing. I may be the only person in the world that feels this way :-).

The 3d driver is why i carry a Rebar over the wave. Its a mini supertool 300 and is pretty close to the original leatherman pocket tool. Classic design that just works. Probably get the Swisstool next for a larger tool. Ive never had an issue with any Victorinox product, nor have I even heard of a problem with any of their products. Crazy how consistent that company is for the price.

I use a Flissa Wave clone with 1/4 in driver. I carry expensive knives so the tools on the cheap multitool works fine for what I use it for.

Good overview. Can't argue with the conclusions. IIRC Felix Immler said much the same. My biggest problem with multitools is how uncomfortable they are in the hand, but I don't see an easy way that can be resolved.

Great review! Have you thought about a Super Tool 300 or Surge for your work around the house/yard? That may suit you better as its more heavy duty.

Thing is with leatherman , if don’t want to spend the money on the normal bit kit they offer (like the ratcheting one), it takes about 5 minutes on a grinder to make your own. Which I did.

The more I use tools around the house the more I notice that don’t like multi tool pliers, I’d prefer a wrench. Ordered a knipex xs, and if I like it a lot ill get a dedicated bit driver and just have the tools separate from each other, especially since I always have a knife on me anyway.

Good video! The newer Chinese wave copies, since the patent is up, are quite good. So many of them have normal driver sockets!

LM plier heads twist way to easily. Vic does not twist at all, much stronger. The Vic can opener also opens #2 Robertson screws. The OG Spirit had an amazing single serrated blade. That had been my main carry. The implements just work better than LM’s. I use the LM Crunch next most. I haven’t used my Charge in some time.

Leatherman Wave is still my go to, it was given after a year of service in the coast guard 15 years ago and has been on me most the time since. Also 200$+ for a leatherman there? Thats crazy.... its like 80$-120$ depending for a good leatherman in the US.

Leatherman Charge tti in conjuction with ratchet driver and Milwaukee shockwave long bits. One Hand opening and closing. S30V or m390 aliexpress blade. Or with alis t118 saw blade retainer like in the surge

I’ve owned both a SOG, Gerber and Leatherman. I’ve truly enjoyed all three, but I prefer Leatherman overall. The quality is just second to none. 1. Leatherman 2. SOG 3. Gerber I would like to get me the Swiss tool here soon, though.

I guess im the only one that thinks the can opener is highly valuable 😅 I almost never pack a can opener and always have a multi tool for space savings, Victorinox it is!

Thanks mate. I believe this is a highly subjective topic. Me personally I think Victorinox is a clear winner when it comes to quality (better fit and finish of the individual components, apparently less cases of tools or plier heads breaking) while leatherman is certainly more innovative (replaceable cutters, options of premium steel blades, bit driver - even though I dislike these 2.5 dimensional bits on my Wave). Be it as it may you are likely not doing anything wrong if you chose either one. Rock on and cheers from Germany!

EDC tool for me Leatherman but tbh the gerber center drive is amazing little dude and lives in my tool bag and is used constantly with helping me with diy projects

I had 2 Gerber multitools and both of them explosively failed on me... literally the head on the main pivot exploded off when I was trying to nip a paperclip in half with the first one and the second one blew up when I was trying to clip a tiny little finishing tack head off. I then got my Swiss Spirit and never looked back. This thing has been with me for 8 years now and I have 0 complaints.

Bought the Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit+ back in 2012. It's had a rough life but still as strong, sharp and snappy as the day it arrived. Although I did remove the locking blade for legal carry reasons. Recently bought a Leatherman Wave (2004 version) as a backup but I don't think I'll ever need it.

I’ve used the leatherman super tool for 30 years. Nothing could ever make me switch

Vic Spirit and Gerber MP600 pro scout are my favorites. Not a fan of the Wave style leathermans due to them pinching my hands when using the pliers.

Coming up on 3 years carrying a charge, 2 years with normal 1 year with the titanium charge. 100% happy with it.

Thank you for making this video. I have been debating on which multitool to choose, and I value the opinion of a fellow knife guy/nerd.

I'm collecting and using knives for 25 years and 2 weeks ago was the first time I've actually used the can opener to take the top of a soda can. Let's see what I'll use it for 25 years from now.

Another useful review. Having had a few different Leatherman and Gerber multi-tools over the years I lean towards Leatherman. They just seem to be better built than the Gerbers and for my purposes have the right suite of tools. My Leatherman Rebar lives in my day to day kit. At least you can carry a multi-tool around and be half confident of staying on the right side of the law, unlike even the most basic folding knife these days. Now, the key question is - when are we going to see your review on the new Victorinox Venture line up of fixed blades?

Really a great review video! I love my Leatherman multitools even more now.

The Victorinox Spirit XC has a very nice sheepsfoot serrated blade, which is the only difference between it and the Spirit X. It has scissors. There is the Spirit MXBS which IIRC was originally made for the Australian army or something, that has both a plain and a serrated rescue style blade with tabs for one hand opening, and I think it loses the saw.

There is a USA maker of speed steel cutters...I'll find the link for you.

Loving this channel. There are many, many great knife & EDC content creators on RU-vid & I follow a lot of them. I find yours one of the most accessible, great depth but pitched just right for a smart but not specialist insider/expert audience. Great charisma & humour, keep up the superb work & thanks. As for multitools, I really want to like several non-Leatherman brands but nothing has surpassed my 20+ year experience with the Charge. I even bought a second one because I wanted the black oxide version. Blade steels are rubbish on multitools, as you point out. SOG & Gerber make knives with better steels. Victorinox has never really strayed outside of low end stainless but, like Leatherman, is large enough to invest in the equipment required to heat treat & machine better materials. Seems like an obvious product differentiator.

I have used MT:s since the early 90:s and the ”winner” by far is Victorinox 😳 due to better quality in the tools…

I find that all these tools have an individual desirable feature. I wish I could get them all on one tool. I have used various Leatherman and Gerbers in demanding situations. Quick deploy single handed pliers have been soo handy, as has being able to deploy the knife single handly. I now take whichever tool seems to fit the situation and possibly another in a grab bag. The Swiss Champ is ideal for going into domestic situations, tweezers, magnifier, tooth pick etc?

If you want something solid you go Leatherman. I own a leatherman wave with more than 20 years and it's still good to go. I like the other brands too but this is for the apocalypse :)

Thanks for the very helpful video! Which Victorinox Spirit model do you recommend, MX or X. And what's the different between the Spirit and Victorinox Swiss Tool? (We've been a Leatherman multitool household, though have smaller Victorinox multitools).

2:12 is the best part of the video

Oof, been pondering whether to shell out on a new multi tool (I have a noughties L’man Wave) and this has convinced me to spend that money on other knives instead. Thanks for helping me to prioritise, buddy!

I agree that the Victorinox is the best. If you've never tried it, you really should!

Great review! I just wanted to let you know that the Center Drive also has a ruler on the inside edge of one of the handles. Why they did it that way, I don’t know. It’s quite awkward, and I wish it was on the outside

Since most of us carry separate knives, are there any multi tool options with no knife?

I have all of these also. I use my leatherman tools the most. They seem the most practical for real world use. Just imo.

Hi Pete, I'm intersted in hearing your take. Probably going to buy the SOG Power Pint if anyone has experience with it, I'd welcome your views.

The nice thing today is so many choices. All the choices are a curse too. I can only speak to my experience with Leatherman and Gerber. I’ve spent a lot of money on Leather only to have them end up in a drawer while I grab a Gerber. For me the Gerbers just work and have tools I use.

STANDARD POODLE! Distraction aside, could you use lathe inserts (Stainless, high speed, carbide, etc.) in the gerber? Got a roxon phantom for the blade exchanger and the lovely scissors (Can opener, strap cutter thingy) so could go out and about with it on my hip withouth having to worry about confiscation by stroppy cops when popping round the shops Also looking into modding a Daicamping DL30 (Surge for a quarter of the price (Surge $275 at total tools DL30 $61.76 AUD)) to replace the knives with hobby and/or utility blade holders.

I’m a fan of the PowerAccess Deluxe, which addresses some of the issues of the PowerAccess. I agree that there is redundancy.

I have around 25 Leatherman multitools, one Victorinox, and one Gerber. I use my 20 year old Leatherman Wave at work nearly every day, still going strong. I love my Leatherman tools, but frankly I'm torn between whaich is better Leatherman and Victorinox, I like them nearly equally, I feel like Victorinox is a little better quality overall, but Leatherman has so many different options, I have to love them for that.

Had a wave. Bought a charge. Pulled the charge apart and put the blades in the wave

Bloody ripper Pete. What is the best type of reach around out there on y'all station?

I have broken 2 leatherman tools now doing what I thought was a low stress task( cutting a clothes hanger and another mild steel wire) both spectacular catastrophic failures. Have since moved to a victorinox spirit x, so far so good and the tools seem to be of a much higher quality.

Leatherman surge is the best all around. Carried mine for 5 years. Love it

I have always just bought a new multi tool, instead of sending it to Leatherman, when Something broke, because I cannot be away from my multi tool for a day, let alone for a trip to Leatherman and back. Fortunately, for me, the thing that has always failed me the most is the cutting blades on the pliers. Now I have a Surge, and I bought four sets of extra blades. I use my multi tool all day, every day, and I don't give a rat's behind about a few bucks Leatherman "should" be spending to keep my tool in proper working order. Life's too short for that crap. The money I refuse to dole out, is for things like $5. coffees, drive throughs, and the latest and greatest cell phone. I guess it's a matter of priorities.

I like having a pocket clip option.

I am getting a Spirit in 3 days ,the wave will be a back up or I'll give it away ,don't like being pinched,when I pull a tool I don't like them all coming out. I like the small tools on the out side. Swiss for me and will not look back

Victorinox the original huntsman knife is my go to tool .

How does the cybertool compare to these? Is that just living in your drawer now?

Simply the best knife channel on the Internet.

My charge tti file fine side is diamond and works fantastic freshening up a knife blade.

I'd be interested to see how the Surge would fare in this comparison.

Ive tryed all brands and at the end .victornox still wins for me imo😁

No kidding, I've carried multitools for over 20ys, never have I intentionally test any of them, And yesterday is the Very First time I actually use a Saw to acquire a strip of wood (1.7*27cm compressed woods) to fix a table in the office, at the time I was carrying a Vic Outrider, well... it got the job done, but my god, if this is the very best multitool saw everyone was hyped about, I can't even imagine using a lesser saw from any other brand. the whole experience was tiresome. (so, I salute you victorinox, for given the world the least awkward wood cutting device that can be fit into the pocket of a skinny person)

I bought the original Swiss Tool by Victorinox about 20 years ago. It has the weight and ergonomics of a brick. 😂

I hate to make everyone cry but, in 2014, I bought 2 new "Leatherman Wingmans" for $9 US each at Menard's as a closeout for the brand they carry.

Different strokes I guess. I use can openers and bottle openers a lot, I never use scissors or plane edge knife blades on multi tools. I hate outside opening tools, and also Gerber's inside opening tools. I don't like bit drivers on multi tools, as I pocket carry. So for me, the best I have found is the Leatherman Rebar. I have tried the Wave and Wave+, but to me they just seem inadequate (and also overpriced).

Спасибо. Чётко и очень понятно. На профессиональном уровне.

Yeah, I'll probably end up getting the MX clip version of the spirit at some point 😅

Can't believe there's no mention 9f the Gerber dual force in the comments, it improves on every implement on the center drive with the addition of adjustable plier head, for certain trades it just can't be beat

Which brand has the most solid locking device where there is no play in the blades at all ?

Brilliant comparison, much appreciated. :)