|
I bought this one for my son. I like the way that the you can access the tools without opening it all the way up. I've had one for my own use for 10 years and love it. We camp a lot and never leave with out it.
I recently bought it at Amazon.Pouch is made in Mexico and it is smaller than needed,I had to fix the button --it wouldn't close.Tool is good and pouch should be made where tool is made.
When I thought I lost this knife about two years ago I bought a Swiss Tool Spirit model and the blades are much easier to open and close with that model but it is not as hefty or manly as the original. I bought this knife about six years ago for around $50 at Lowe's and i mostly love it. It is a beautiful knife but if you really want a tool with some heft and the ability to do some serious work get the Swiss Tool. Not coincidentally, my wife prefers the Spirit. It's very handy and tough. The only drawback, and not one I consider serious enough to take away a star, is how tight some of the tools are.
If you don't know what I mean try to imagine grasping a smooth metal rod with your Multi tool and having the pliers bite in enough, and hold, to actually turn it against a lot of tension. the wire cutters. Anyway, I am in the military and use multi tools on a daily basis, (cleaning weapons, fixing equipment, putting equipment together, vehicle maintenance and a host of other situations including using it as a hammer on more occasions than I can count). The handles are rounded and don't ever cut into your hand (original Leatherman, some SOG tools) or pinch your hands (most Gerbers) and are very easy to use one handed once you get used to them. then aain I havent seen any multi tool that can do this without damage to the multi tool wire cutters. I really like the pliers for this tool, they are big enough to handle most jobs and they can literally take a pounding (think rusted nut and a hammer to provide that extra leverage) unlike most of the Gerber pliers of which I have broken 2. Its very easy to use the pliers as a kind of ratchet once you have gotten the technique down, the pliers are very smooth to operate. I have had to use CLP (Cleaner, Lubricant and Protectant) a couple of times to relube and clean the the hinges().
Cons:I have wished for a very long time for this multi tool to have a set of scissors, a GOOD pair of scissors unlike the leatherman Micro which is currently on my keychain. I apologize in advance for the lengthy reveiw.I purchased the original Victorinox SwissTool back in 2003. The straight blade takes a very good edge and the rest of the tools are incredibly durable (except maybe the wire cutters, read in the cons for further detail). but otherwise haven't done anything anything else to maintain it.I still haven't seen a hint of rust or corrosion on this multi tool.The only reason I am going to be getting the "X" version is because the pouch has finally broken (has a couple of wear holes at the bottom, the clasp(). This tool ahs been with me through countless field exercises, 2 deployments and many more countless "MOPO mondays"This multi tool (the original) has virtually every tool you could wish for with a couple of exceptions which I will get into at the end. Everything else has stood the test of time and is still in perfect working order. I have actualy broken the smallest flat head screw driver when I used it to pry something open, but was able to refurbish it using someone else's Gerber multi-tool file (it kind of ruined their file though.). I'm not positive about the exact date.
I found this out on more than one occasion, and the concertina wire actually dented(). I wish this tool had a one handed opening blade.All in all I recommend this tool to anyone that asks. I rarely ever use the serrated blade, although the serrated blade on the RS does look more useful, I like the file more. finally broke)., the serrated blade (for me) is rarely ever used and is a pain in the butt to sharpen, the file is getting worn down (especially the bottom of the file), the smallest screwdriver has finally become a loss (its too thick at the bottom to use as a tiny screw driver) and the new one has scissors. The file has been VERY useful, both the wood and metal side of it.
I do like the potential of some of the SOG tools, but I dont like that little flap you have to open first to get to the tools. Which brings me to another point I really wish the file was detachable, as more often than not, I have needed a file to fix something I screwed up on the multi-tool itself. This is a tool that will last as many years as you need it to. I was able to fix this with someone elses file. I originaly had a Super Leatherman, the one with the open handles that bit into your hand, but purchased this when it became available.
The wire cutters can't cut through concertina wire. The woodsaw is still one of the best ones I have seen on a multi tool, the one on the Gerber with spring handles just gets bogged down too much and the one on my super leatherman took way too long. (anecdote: I have used the pliers many times to turn a cleaning rod with chamber brush attachment whilst cleaning the "star chamber". I have broken the leather punch by also using it as a pry bar, but couldnt really figure out how to fix it, but still use the sharp edge to scrape carbon off of metal componants (bolt extractor on M4).
You don't have to worry when you crank down on the handles with all the strength in your hand. I've run this tool over, thrown it, smashed it, and used it for many purposes for which it was not intended, and it's still in perfect shape. I would definitely recommend this to a friend or family member. It's expensive, but well worth it due to it's toughness and durability. the hinges have no slop, and the finish barely shows any wear. Unlike many other multi-tools, the pliers here have some real power behind them.
|
