Clive_Rigden
Well-Known Member
Sorry if this going over old ground!
Which type and brand of multi tool do forumites think best suited to use aboard?
Which type and brand of multi tool do forumites think best suited to use aboard?
Multi tools
- Thread starter Clive_Rigden
- Start date
fluffc
Well-Known Member
None. Get a proper toolkit.
Sailing multi tool: Knife with shackle key. Actually no. Shackle key buckled under heavy use. Seperates are better.
Sailing multi tool: Knife with shackle key. Actually no. Shackle key buckled under heavy use. Seperates are better.
Malcb
Well-Known Member
I prefer the Gerber, as all the tools lock, the knife can be opened one handed, and the pliers are better than any shackle key. I've had to forcibly remove it from crew members hands, when they wouldn't give it back.
Norman_E
Well-Known Member
Multitool = Jack of all trades, master of none.
I have couple of them people have given me, neither see much use, and a decent knife, fitted with a shackle key, is a much more useful tool on a boat IMHO. A decent sized toolbox, with a good selection of tools is what a boat really needs.
I have couple of them people have given me, neither see much use, and a decent knife, fitted with a shackle key, is a much more useful tool on a boat IMHO. A decent sized toolbox, with a good selection of tools is what a boat really needs.
Gin
Well-Known Member
On a recent thread I sought advice having just lost my Leatherman Wave- it was a useful tool to have on my belt in the dinghy and anywhere where I wouldn't expect to have access to a proper toolkit(I agree there is no satisfactory substitute for proper tools).
All these multi-tools have loads of features which are largely unnecessary, in my opinion, but the knife blade(s) and the pliers are really handy and the whole thing can be carried discreetly. The downside to the Leatherman is that their pliers are two action, i.e. they do not have sprung jaws and opening and closing them two-handed each time a new grip is needed is very annoying and sometimes impossible.
First of all you must go for one of these branded top quality job as even then it is all too easy to overstrain the tools and the cheapo ones from China etc, will just be b*****ed after the first few uses.
Also the all-stainless jobs, at least the Leatherman, are very heavy for their size on your belt and again with the Leatherman the tiny attachment point for a lanyard takes the tiniest split ring I've ever used.
Having said all that I was very annoyed at losing this tool and like you needed advice particularly on the Gerber models of which I knew nothing. I was contemplating replacing with either the Leatherman Ti which has titanium handles and therefore I suppose much lighter but in my opinion these are very expensive tools and I wasn't too keen on another £80-£100 loss- or the Gerber Legend which has robust aluminium handles.
After much consideration of the input from helpful forumites I was still in a quandary- stick with what I know or try something new? and in the end a flip of the coin provided the answer.
I now have a brand new Gerber Legend, which my kids are giving me for Christmas, the knife blade opens much easier than my Leatherman and I can see that cold wet fingers won't be a problem again. Also the sprung pincer jaws work like a dream so I'm very pleased so far and I'm sure they will perform well when I need them.
So thanks to malcb and the others once again.
Oh, by the way, the gerber cost me £50 + postage, brand new, on e-bay from oxford_ac_uk
All these multi-tools have loads of features which are largely unnecessary, in my opinion, but the knife blade(s) and the pliers are really handy and the whole thing can be carried discreetly. The downside to the Leatherman is that their pliers are two action, i.e. they do not have sprung jaws and opening and closing them two-handed each time a new grip is needed is very annoying and sometimes impossible.
First of all you must go for one of these branded top quality job as even then it is all too easy to overstrain the tools and the cheapo ones from China etc, will just be b*****ed after the first few uses.
Also the all-stainless jobs, at least the Leatherman, are very heavy for their size on your belt and again with the Leatherman the tiny attachment point for a lanyard takes the tiniest split ring I've ever used.
Having said all that I was very annoyed at losing this tool and like you needed advice particularly on the Gerber models of which I knew nothing. I was contemplating replacing with either the Leatherman Ti which has titanium handles and therefore I suppose much lighter but in my opinion these are very expensive tools and I wasn't too keen on another £80-£100 loss- or the Gerber Legend which has robust aluminium handles.
After much consideration of the input from helpful forumites I was still in a quandary- stick with what I know or try something new? and in the end a flip of the coin provided the answer.
I now have a brand new Gerber Legend, which my kids are giving me for Christmas, the knife blade opens much easier than my Leatherman and I can see that cold wet fingers won't be a problem again. Also the sprung pincer jaws work like a dream so I'm very pleased so far and I'm sure they will perform well when I need them.
So thanks to malcb and the others once again.
Oh, by the way, the gerber cost me £50 + postage, brand new, on e-bay from oxford_ac_uk
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
I have a Leatherman that was given to me on a birthday. Very pleased with it but the first thing that I did was to knot up a lanyard so that it can be attached to my wrist when used outside.
If I had to buy a multitool - as in pay-for-it-myself - I would go for a chinese copy. Multitools can't swim and I wouldn't weep for a cheapo that goes walkabout.
If I had to buy a multitool - as in pay-for-it-myself - I would go for a chinese copy. Multitools can't swim and I wouldn't weep for a cheapo that goes walkabout.
hmm
Well-Known Member
I have leatherman wave.
I have cheapo versions. - total rubbish.
Leatherman is well thought out. I hate being without it (which I never used to say when I had the cheap things)- it is so useful for so many things.
All tools lock.
Yes, heavy,
Yes, not a real tool, but it has got me out of many a sticky situation.
Got it via ebay - would hate to pay £80 for it (although still worth it)
Good luck
I have cheapo versions. - total rubbish.
Leatherman is well thought out. I hate being without it (which I never used to say when I had the cheap things)- it is so useful for so many things.
All tools lock.
Yes, heavy,
Yes, not a real tool, but it has got me out of many a sticky situation.
Got it via ebay - would hate to pay £80 for it (although still worth it)
Good luck
Clive_Rigden
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone. First of all, I do have a comprehensive toolkit - which has a habit of growing throughout the season - and carry a sailor's knife, shacle key &c. and secondly was contemplating a multi tool as an handy accessory. I'll investigate the Leatherman and tyhe Gerber Legend - and thanks for the e-bay tip.
SvenglishTommy
Well-Known Member
I have a Leatherman for use at home, because all my tools are on the boat /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Emjaytoo
Well-Known Member
I have a Leatherman Crunch - the pliers lock, Molegrip style, I believe it is the only multitool with locking pliers. I find it invaluable. Do agree with a lanyard! I also carry a Swiss Skippers Knife, with Lanyard!
doug748
Well-Known Member
A most useful piece of kit, a full set of tools tends to spoil the line of the sailing trousers. Leatherman offer a lifetime guarantee. When I mistreated my pliers and broke off the tip (they are rather hard/brittle) they replaced them, no questions asked.
gjeffery
Well-Known Member
Leatherman Crunch is not the only self locking multitool. I found a Vise Grip wrench multitool in a sheath at Robert Dyas, for around £20. Clever jaws combining flat and circular grips, and frankly much more industrial than the multitools. Jaws have a wide gape and are particularly good for opening bottles and jars. Equally good for removing the bolt through my stemhead roller. Blade selection is more limited, but does take hex blades. Knife blades are OK but no substitute for a decent riggers knife.
Objectively though, Vise Grip self locking pliers are available in sheaths at about £12, and seem much better value than multi tools - especially ifg you drop one over the side!
Objectively though, Vise Grip self locking pliers are available in sheaths at about £12, and seem much better value than multi tools - especially ifg you drop one over the side!
Emjaytoo
Well-Known Member
In my earlier dinghy sailing days I used to carry a very small MoleGrip on a lanyard. Unfortunately, the day it wasn't round my neck was the day I lost it over the side.
