Anybody customize their multitools?

[ilikegunspdx]

Looking for opinions and options on customizations you can do for multitools. I'm presently in the leatherman camp but ideas from any type of multi tool are welcome. Just ordered a hammer/prybar/1/4" bit holder for a skeletool. Adds a tiny amount of weight but no loss of function for existing tools.

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[Joe13]

I've had a Leatherman Wave for at least 28 years.

I used the pliers as a pry bar maybe 5 years ago and made the function wonky. Took it to the airport office and dropped it off.

The turn around was longer then normal but I think I got it in the mail 2 weeks later with the blades sharpened and it worked better then new (since I had loosened it thru use so it would flick open).

It's the only one I've ever needed.

I've ordered ones from Gerber and other companies and all of them have been sent back because they just were not as nice.


I did order a cheap ($25??) work source or some Chinese version because of price and to put in a bag that has a high. Probably of being in the car an taken but the quality isn't even worth comparing but I don't want to loose that wave.




I'm leather man for life.

(Co-worker had a $250 snap on and it was no better)

 

[thorborg]

I had a nice gerber that was near perfect for me, the tip of the blade got messed when I dropped point down on a bolder. I sent it in for repair got fast service, but instead they sent me a new one. Some like that I guess, but the blade now was half serrated which I don't like, the Philips point was so chunky It was useless for screws i need it for, wouldnt even fit a drywall screw, and the large flat blade so thick it would not fit any slot screws. the small flat so narrow it would only be good for your eyeglasses. I asked for my old one back but was not to happen. Had I known, I'd rather reground the tip a little shorter and left it at that. I use another now.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I had a nice gerber that was near perfect for me, the tip of the blade got messed when I dropped point down on a bolder. I sent it in for repair got fast service, but instead they sent me a new one. Some like that I guess, but the blade now was half serrated which I don't like, the Philips point was so chunky It was useless for screws i need it for, wouldnt even fit a drywall screw, and the large flat blade so thick it would not fit any slot screws. the small flat so narrow it would only be good for your eyeglasses. I asked for my old one back but was not to happen. Had I known, I'd rather reground the tip a little shorter and left it at that. I use another now.

Wow almost the exact same experience with my gerber of old. Knife blade snapped in half. Seemed to be made of a powdered MIM like metal. Same experience exactly with Phillips and flat head screwdrivers.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I bought one of these holsters to hold bits and multi tool and knew within minutes of trying it it was a mistake. WAY too wide and snags on everything and makes sitting uncomfortable. Carrying my sig p220 or any really large gun in IWB is 10 times better than carrying this holster. Couldn't stand it and returned it.

 

[kmk1012]

I used to daily carry the Gerber 600 multi tool for work. The fast action was more useful than strength for me, yes, occasionally they would break but lifetime warranty. I think I have at least 8 of these tools. One in every car, boat, rv trailer, work, home, shop. Dang, counting the extras I have it may be closer to 12 of them. The Leatherman tool is stronger but with spares on hand everywhere that's not a big deal. I just drop one in the mail if service is needed.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

First use of the leatherman bit kit today. Torx and use as a punch mainly. Was able to replace stock on a USW Glock chassis with a brace and install rail for red dot with just the bit kit. The extension (for 1/4" bits or letterman bits) in pics is cheapo from Amazon which is convenient but not needed.

 

[osprey]

Lets see? I have tweeked the pliers so the surfaces didn't meet up, made the file and knife blades into stubbies, made the wire cutter into a wire masher, accidentally used a couple for sinkers while on a boat, and many other crimes against leathermen. Does that count?

 

[Joe13]

Lets see? I have tweeked the pliers so the surfaces didn't meet up, made the file and knife blades into stubbies, made the wire cutter into a wire masher, accidentally used a couple for sinkers while on a boat, and many other crimes against leathermen. Does that count?

Take it back and they will give you a new one. Or send it back.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Got a red skeletool cuz I want to try the serrated blade. Also like that it has a glass breaker bit. If I like the serrated blade I'll swap it and the bit over to the black one. Black one wire cutters don't work anymore so might as well swap the pliers over also. Black one weighs 4.9 oz without pocket clip and red one weighs 5.1 oz without clip.

The 154 cm blade on black one is good but suffered from original angle of grind. Took forever to reprofile it to 30 degrees + 40 degree on edge but made a night and day difference and was worth the time. I read that the original grind angle was 54 degrees.

 

[oremike]

Gerbers aren't Mikey tough, I was able to squeeze the handles hard enough to get them to touch. Sprung tools don't work. Leathermans are good to go in my world. I do have a Victronox in my desk drawer here for fix it here at the desk tasks and it works good as well.

 

[Mark W.]

I bought special aftermarket scales for my Victoriox Explorer swiss army knife that adds a ball point pen and straight pin to the list of tools. Does that count?

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I bought special aftermarket scales for my Victoriox Explorer swiss army knife that adds a ball point pen and straight pin to the list of tools. Does that count?

That's a slick idea. Instead of replacing existing tools add them onto the scales. Ingenious.

 

[Mark W.]

That's a slick idea. Instead of replacing existing tools add them onto the scales. Ingenious.

I would just replace the knife but the new version has a plastic magnifying lens and mine is glass. And I use it a lot to read sizes on small drill bits.

 

[L84Cabo]

If space is an absolute premium and there is no other choice but a multi tool...so be it.

But these things are the most bada** little pair of pliers that money can buy. They're miles more capable than a multitool plier. And they're just adorable! Comes in a 5 inch version too.

Amazon.com