Multi Tool Mania ( Leatherman MUT, ST 300, Charge TTI , Wave, Skeletool, Wingman, & Kick )

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
2

Leatherman WAVE (ORIGINAL)

SPECS

Tools:
420HC Stainless Steel Clip-point Knife
8 in | 20 cm Ruler
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Diamond-coated File
Extra-small Screwdriver
Hard-wire Cutters
Large Screwdriver
Medium Screwdriver
Needlenose Pliers
Phillips Screwdriver
Regular Pliers
Scissors
Small Screwdriver
Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Wood Saw
Features:
25-year Warranty
Lanyard Attachment
Leather or Nylon Sheath Available
Stainless Steel Body
Stainless Steel Handles
Measurements:
2.9 in | 7.37 cm (blade length)
4 in | 10 cm (closed)
8 oz | 224 g

PERSONAL OPINION

PROS
Excellent all around multi tool. Not overtly large. Nice size for carry. I apologize for the less than pristine pics. My wave was purchased back in 98, the first year they came out. The Wave is Leathermans most popular Multi Tool. I think this stemmed from the external knife, seat belt cutter, saw & file. Great tool for someone looking to purchase a tool for everyday use.

CONS
Being that I have had my Wave for going on 15 years with no issues. I really don’t have any cons. I guess if you wanted to nit pick. It is extremely stiff off the shelf. It will loosen with time.

Differences from Original & Second generation
You can see the size difference just looking at them…
Left original, Right Second Gen

-Removable Screwdriver bits
-All tools have locking mechanism
-Smaller scissors
-Reshaped main blade and pliers
-Little bit bigger size and few grams more weight due to all the changes.
-The Original is slimmer

Price $50-$70

Skeletool

Specs

Tools:
Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Hard-wire Cutters
420HC Combo Knife
Carabiner Clip/Bottle Opener
Large Bit Driver (I)
Features:
Replaceable Pocket Clip
Stainless Steel
25-year Warranty
One-hand Operable Features
Locking Blade
BIT KIT: Phillips #1 and #2, Screwdriver 3/16in
Measurements:
4 in | 10 cm (Closed)
5.0 oz | 142 g (Weight)
2.6 in | 6.60 cm (Blade Length)

Personal Opinion

PROS
Small & light, very neat looking. Great for someone looking for a penknife +. The carabiner is a cool addition to hook it to packs & such.

CONS
Doesn’t seem to be near as sturdy as it’s brothers. Not made for serious work. The pliers are super thin at the tip making it difficult to get a good grip. I use mine as my ‘going out’ EDC. Being a bit futuristic looking people aren’t alarmed by it as much as they are curious.

Price $40-$60

WINGMAN ( VEER’S FAULT )

Specs
Tools:
Spring-action Needlenose Pliers
Spring-action Regular Pliers
Spring-action Wire Cutters
420HC Combo Knife
Package Opener
Wood/Metal File
Spring-action Scissors
Small Screwdriver
Medium Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Ruler (1.5 in / 3.8 cm)
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Wire Stripper
Features:
Replaceable Pocket Clip
Stainless Steel
25-year Warranty
One-hand Operable Features
Outside-accessible Features
Integrated Lanyard Attachements
Measurements:
2.6 in | 6.6 cm (Blade Length)
3.8 in | 9.7 cm (Closed)
7 oz | 198.4 g (Weight)

PERSONAL OPINION

PROS
Recently received this in the mail. While not built as sturdy as the wave & TTI . It none the less is a neat pocket tool. It has external blade & scissors. The spring loaded pliers are a cool feature. Not to mention the price. Great inexpensive entry level multi tool for someone not trying to spend big $$ on one.

CONS
Apart from it’s less than tank like build. I really see no issues with the Wingman.

Price $20-$30

KICK

SPECS
Tools:
420HC Clip Point Knife
8 in | 19 cm Ruler
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Hard-wire Cutters
Large Screwdriver
Needlenose Pliers
Phillips Screwdriver
Regular Pliers
Small Screwdriver
Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Features:
25-year Warranty
Black Oxide Version Available
Lanyard Ring
Leather or Nylon Sheath
Stainless Steel Body
Stainless Steel Handles with Zytel® Comfort-grip Inserts
Measurements:
2.6 in | 6.60 cm (blade length)
4 in | 10 cm (closed)
5.2 oz | 147 g

Personal Opinion

PROS
Very lightweight, I don’t know much about these… I ordered a Oakley backpack off Ebay and found this in the side pocket… My wife carries this one in her purse. She says the blade is really sharp… LOL

Cons
It seems a bit over priced for what it is… The Wingman seems to be the better value & tool.

PRICE $30-$50

3

MUT added :bigsmile:

4

Nice, keep em coming!

I agree completely - this place needs more MT reviews and discussions, so BLF’ers and other people who look for decent MT’s could make up their mind and buy best bang for their buck :D!

5

Bump 4 ST 300

6

Need instant gratification?

7

Or a go to h*ll, either will work… LOL

8

Hi Dale, I am very interested in MTs.

I have a Leatherman Squirt P4, Victorinox Camper, Victorinox Climber, Victorinox Champ and Victorinox Pocket. The Squirt and the Pocket get the most use, the others hardly ever but I try to keep them in good nick all the same.

I also have a couple of no-brand MTs which I use the most for odd jobs round the house. One of them has a hammer head which gets a surprising amount of use. The blades on them are nothing to write home about.

I’ve been dithering about getting a Ganzo G301 - not that expensive when compared to Leatherman or Victorinox but not really sure about quality. I can’t honestly say I need one (also true for my torches!) but it does look cool.

9

Feel free to review any of the Victorinox here if you wish…. Just trying to give the good folks something to go on….

10

Dale, this is sub-forum not related to lights, so dont expect miracles and hordes of posters appearing :D!

Its located too far away from all the main forums here, so it might take a while.

11

Good job on the review. Love the pics.

Do you have any China made MTs that you can compare them to? I've had a Ganzo 301 break on me but I'm pretty rough with my tools.

12

I have a Gerber which I swear by.
Nothing against Leatherman, it was just what fitted the price range when I found it.
Similar (but not same) to this Gerber Grappler Multitool 31-000333 30-000333
I find it really easy to use (locking and slide in / out) and it has lasted 10 odd years without any issues except the pouch split on the side where the stitching was too close to the edge.
Damn, now you’ve piqued my interest in MT’s, I already have too many torches, I don’t need another obsession :smiley:

13

That Ganzo does look cool, and cheap.
http://www.fasttech.com/product/1198502-ganzo-g301-multi-tool
If you do buy one, make sure to leave a review as I’d be interested in that one, would consider it for a present for my father if it’s any good.

14

Hey Dale, I have a supertool (smart ass wife just chimed in that there is nothing super about my tool) that my shop forman from VA gave me for x-mas one year.That thing has saved my A$$ so many times that I won’t travel anywhere w/out it.These MT tools are like microwave ovens were in the late 70’s.You didn’t need one until you got one, then you could never live w/out it!-Rick

15

Big wood… Good job on the review. Love the pics.

Do you have any China made MTs that you can compare them to? I’ve had a Ganzo 301 break on me but I’m pretty rough with my tools.

Sorry , dont have any…

RAW74… Hey Dale, I have a supertool (smart ass wife just chimed in that there is nothing super about my tool) that my shop forman from VA gave me for x-mas one year.That thing has saved my A$$ so many times that I won’t travel anywhere w/out it.These MT tools are like microwave ovens were in the late 70’s.You didn’t need one until you got one, then you could never live w/out it!-Rick

I got hooked a long time ago… I am into them as much as my lights…

16

Danke’ Veer

17

I have owned a Charge TTI for some years and it is VERY prone to corrosion.

Definitely something to be aware of. If you are using it in very wet or humid environments you will 100% need to lube it in order to protect from the elements.

18

I’m awestruck! That’s a beauty.

19

Got caught out in a rain storm & had to use Brasso on it…

20

Anyone with ST300 can report on quality of its screwdrivers?

I tested mine last night and it looks like on the smallest one I managed to bend its corners when trying to screw in phillips screw into an old digital decoders case, I used the smallest flat tip screwdriver. I tried to re-straighten them with IDL T10 pliers, it partly worked.
ST300’s phillips screwdriver fared excellently - no damage to it even when excessive force applied on the same screw.
But it looks like its made out of different material, it has different color, its more dark-gray than silver-gray like other tools.

Im not sure whether I applied excessive force or not, but I expected it to fare better?

Any other reports regarding LM’s strenght/weaknesses in this department?

How are their bits? I have removable bit adapter kit coming my way.

21

I bought a LM Wingman at Lowes on sale for $15.

Its pretty nice, especially for the price. I wish it had a wood saw on it, but other than that its nice. Kind of heavy though and it looks like its made folded and stamped so kind of cheap construction, but it is their cheapest MT I think.

Im carrying it around in my cargo shorts to see how I like it. Ive already used it a few times. For 15$ it was a no-brainer to buy one.

I dont think I would be interested in a more expensive model buy to not using it that much…