Hey everybody, I'm in the market for a decent quality multi-tool preferable under $20. I've always been carrying a Leatherman Micra and Swisstech tool on my keychain, not wanting anything too bulky. But being in college now, I carry a backpack everywhere, and can justify purchasing a multitool.
Would this Mammut be the one to get? (Any cheaper sites? From a US seller?)
Any other recommendations? I would love one with locking tools though.
Thanks!
EDIT: I ordered it 10/27 and received it 11/19. Tool came packaged a little envelope in it's nylon case. Case is really thin and very very cheap feeling. The tool came with a couple of scratches and dents in it, would have been nice if seller used some bubble wrap around it. Mine was sterile, in that there was no logo or markings on it. :] Pliers work very well and comfortable to hold. They don't close correctly, meaning that the pliers have to bend the internal tools apart in order for the tool to close. For the 4 outer knives, you have to open it pretty forcefully or the liner lock wont engage. It's very stiff to open, and the 2 without the stud are annoying to open. The internal tools are also very hard to get out. Unfortunately, I think it is defected too. I cut with it, but the blades don't open up when I open it. It's very annoying. Also, the scissor seems cut wrong that it forces the shell of the tool to bend when the scissor is out, making it hard to fold it out. See last pictures.
The tool is very very hard to open and close and to take the tools out. I just hope that with frequent use it might loosen. I will also try oiling with WD40 and see it works better. All in all, it's definitely still useable, but I don't feel happy with it, even though it was $12.
Hows the quality (no need to be perfect for 12$...).
My last Leatherman Wave (got replacement for warranty) was quite terrible. Other side of pliers was far more rigid than other when opened. Knife had terrible finish on blade, like you had grinded only from one side and just let "the eftovers" stay in the supposed-to-be-sharp edge. I don´t know the right word for that excess metall hanging around on sharp edge. Terrible.
Not a critical faults, I know but if you pay well over 100$ for it, you are expecting things. At least I am.
My 8$ SRM´s are like from a different planet knife-wise...
The pliers are OK and the 4 outer tools also, but the internal tools are a bit fiddly to use. Well worth the money, but don't expect too much from the build quality. In this thread the Mammut multi-tool is mentioned several times... stay away from that Gerber-fake at all costs. I decided that I need locking tools and ordered the Ganzo G301.
I paid 29.99+3.75(flatrate shipping to Germany) = $33.74. I will post my first impressions, as soon as the tool arrives. The new Leathermans seem to be nice and reasonably priced, but are missing the sheath,bitset and have no locking internal tools. (hilarious video though ;-) ) I already own a Leatherman Juice S2 and the Mammut. Jekostas warned me a bit of the overall Ganzo quality, but I saw various people seemed happy with this specific model.
Ganzo is a lot bigger due to curved handles. I can post comparison pics tommorrow if wanted. I received my G301 today... what a beast. ;-) Humongously huge with the sheath + bits.
Leatherman Kicks are plentiful on Ebay, used and new. They can be purchased for $10-15 shipped, if patient. They are almost full-size, rather basic, good quality tools. Mine sits in the kitchen drawer and gets a lot of use.