Multitool Accessories Reviews

My first Nylon-Belt loop Sheath lasted 8 years of every day wear. Every Day when I dress, my Leatherman PST is placed on my belt. Every day for 8 years my previous sheath was up to the task. And even now it still works, but is begining to break down. My Leatherman is too valuable for me to take the chance, so I am finally going to get a new sheath after 8 years. You won't be disappointed. On leather the snaps usually tear at the leather, but on the nylon there is an industrial velcro clasp that never causes the nylon to tear or accidentally opens. Great sheath.

The nylon case is much better than the the leather case. Its like the case was poured onto the tool, it fits just like skin. I wish it had been an option when I bought the tool. It fits so nicely that I wont complain, and if its ever an option I will never get a leather case again with a leatherman.

Looking for a sharpener to take with you anywhere? This is it. The best procedure I have foung for using it is to take a black sharpie marker and mark the edge. This is makes it very easy to see if you have worked the whole edge. Set the knife on the edgeof a table blade up. If it is the first time a fair amount of pressure will be needed and you will see steel being removed. Scrape the edge until all the black marker is gone. If there is a small wire edge it can be removed using lighter strokes and tipping the sharpener a very little to one side then the other. After this it will be hair shaving sharp.

Perfect companion for the Gerber Evolution. The jaws are incredibly sturdy and will stand up to much heavier use than other pairs of needle nose pliers that I own. Best of all, because of the Evolution's unique quick change heads, I'm able to leave other tools at home as the knife and up to 3 heads can fit in the Gerber pouch [that comes with the knife itself.] One very interesting feature is the wire cutters located just above the pivot. Each triangle shaped blade is attached by a small screw. This enables each to be rotated [each side is fashioned as a wire cutter] and replaced as needed.

I have no complaints regarding this particular head [but had related complaints about the knife itself] However, if you own the Evolution, there is NO REASON why you should not own this head.

It's an amzing tool. It helps you every where!
MP400 is very handy and it saves you caring a bunch of tools - it' compact very, doesn't weiht at all and is one of the best presents you can make to your friends!

After you have worn out your original leatherman sheath, get this. The leather is about twice as thick, the stitching excellent. By using this stitch technique the stress is distributed all along the leather and not just at the rivet points. (Which cause the leather to tear.) Plus the addition of the basket weave on the leather means that the occasional scratch won't show as much.

The basket weave pattern does look a bit "Western", i.e. the "Gun Smoke" six gun at my side look, "Look out sheriff, I'm packing pilers!" but hey, us tool guys don't care about fashion or we wouldn't be wearing pocket pliers on our hip. And it does match the basket weave that a lot of police officer tool belts use. (Which BTW in my opinion all officers should be issued a set of leatherman tools.)

This is the perfect way to keep your Leatherman handy - that's why you have one, you never know when you'll need to "fix sumptin." It is a great companion to the black oxide finish model, they go together like biscuits and gravy. The heavy duty nylon should last almost as long as your tool. The velcro flap holds the tool securly, yet allows for easy one-handed deployment. I like a belt pouch much better than sticking it in a pocket that is already full of other essential junk. They ought to come out with a package that includes the pouch with the tool.

Nite Ize started out as a company that specilized in accessories for the Mini Maglite, and since I myself own several such lights which Nite Ize products have imrpoved and customized to whatever I may use them for. Their LED adapter alone could bring an old Mag back to life or retrofit an economic flashlight for enhanced performance. But one part of Nite Ize I never went near was their extensive line of hosters for phones and tools, and lights of course. These have a large following in the outdoors and hunting public. I already had a holster for every little tool I have, so I felt that kind of thing was overkill. But when my newly beloved Leatherman Wave's case proved to be a complete joke, I needed something to protect it. This is when I fell in love with this particular multi-holster, which soon replaced close to four individual clips and sheaths, and bought me quite a bit of pocket space for only fifteen bucks.
For starters, don't follow the box's picture to a science. They say to keep the phone or whatever you use in the main section, under the flap with all the other tools. I have a flip phone, which is small enough that it can fit in the little front pocket they slapped on for earpieces, and thanks to the double-velco snap I can choose to cover it with the flap or have it exposed for quick-draws, all while the tools are tucked out of sight. Better than the (Somehow...extremely expensive) plastic clip I got from the phone supplier. Funny thing, this case was shown on the package holding my exact tools. A Mini Mag, and a Leatherman, even though you could easily fit any type of tool or light within reason. It fits my Wave perfectly, and even has a slot for the bit-kit many Leatherman-owners insist on toting with their knives. The flashlight band fits the Mag very well, with the lid cut away on that side for easy access. Inside, in a series of easy-access but hidden pockets inside the sheath. There is a thin interior sleeve you could keep cards, cash, bandaids, tylenol, anything with a thin profile in the back of the case. There is also thinner band designed for a pen or PDA stylus, but it fits a pen-sized micro-light I carry just as well. The main compartment, if you don't have a flip phone that goes in the front pocket, can fit any handheld device from GPS trackers to walkie talkies. Although any type or size of cell phone will also fit. If you felt the need, you could put your spare keys, credit cards, maybe even cash and ID in this thing instead of a wallet, but mine is more tool-based. Currently, it contained an accessory-covered Mini Mag, a set of filters and a larnyard for the light, a micro-light, bandaids and two tylenol in the back sleeve, my Leatherman Wave, its Bit Kit, a spare set of keys and since my phone is in the 'earpiece' pocket I can fit my leather-coccooned iPod Nano with headphones in the main sheath where it will be most protected.
I've worn the case with a belt, clipped into beltless jeans and khakis, hooked on a backpack waist-belt, and I've even hooked it onto the accessory slots of my Tamrac camera bags on photo trips, this thing can go wherever there's something to clip. The easy-on clip STAYS on, but you can get it off easily if you twist it off instead of pulling. I haven't tried any other Nite Ize cases, I've heard they hold considerably more gadgets. But for an urban living/outdoors loving keyboard surfer like myself, it's truly ideal. Only flaw? It only comes in black. All of the other Nite Ize cases come in at least four colors, and often different shades of camoflauge for hunters. I'd buy the black model even if they did offer all that, but not everyone is like me. Pick one up, and put whatever the heck you want in it, let this compact yet bottomless holster grow into your personality.

The pliers part is made of softer metal. I've tried once to cut thin steel wire with my SideClip and quickly ruined the pliers, so it became very hard to open and close ever since :( The rest of the tools seem fine.

I love this tool! I've owned many different multi-tools, and while some offer features this little leatherman doesn't have, the Sideclip offers all I really need: a good knife blade, a couple of screwdriver tips, and needle-nose pliers with wire cutters. Most usefull, though, is its handiness; relatively compact and light, I clip it in a pocket in the morning and forget it is there until I need it. Like all Leatherman products the Sideclip is solid and well made, plus it is cheap at thirty bucks. Great tool.

I've had my sideclip for over 5 years now, and it's just getting better with time. Smooth action, all the tools you need on the job but not too many. I'm a stage rigger, so the sideclip attaches right to my fall protection harness. It works great since I can't always bring the right tool for the job 120 feet in the air. All leatherman products I have used have surpassed my expectations, which are high as I own a Wave, a PST, and now two sideclips. A sturdy tool, I've alrady bought another one and keep it in storage just in case this one breaks and they stop making them.

This is a good multitool except for one thing. It does not have a regular knife blade! I was shocked when I received it and could not find a regular pointed knife blade. There is a serated knife blade. But it is rounded at the end.

This is a high quality tool. The fit, finish and action are very impressive. It would be perfect for the handyman, tradesman or anyone that doesn't care about bulk or weight. I especially like the locking feature for the tools. Because it's such a nice tool, I plan on keeping it. It will likely last for many years with minimal care. Having said that, it's probably not for the backpackers out there. The pictures don't capture how large and heavy this tool is relative to most other multi-tools and most swiss army knives. So if you're a backpacker who watches every ounce, there are better alternatives.

I've been on a quest for the best multi-tool for years. Over the last twenty I've had leathermen, SOGs, Schrades, Gerbers, swiss army knives and more. In this review I will put the Spirit up against the Leatherman Charge Ti and the Gerber Legend 800 - what I consider the primary competitors for best multi-tool on the planet at the moment. I owned the Gerber Legend 800 from 2002-2004 - and lost it when the cheesy nylon case broke. I owned the Charge Ti from 2005-2006 and recently had it stolen or lost in my living room by either my kids or a houseguest when I left it out over a vacation week. I got the Victorinox Spirit to tide me over until I found the Charge Ti. As the months pass I'm pretty happy with the Victorinox and can live with the fact this might be a permanent arrangement. I've had it for 3 months now and it has answered every call.

As way of background I'll share that I'm a computer guy and medium-duty handyman. I use multitools to repair electronics, gutters, minor carpentry & electrical; around the house and work stuff mostly. (Work has been a museum construction site for years).

Short and sweet - the Victorinox is smaller and more dainty - yet stands with the big boys in performance. Smaller and lighter than the others, the Spirit is superbly laid out and moves with solidity beyond its size and a fascinating precisions that is ... well... Swiss. Each tool is easily accessible to the thumbnail and comes out smoothly BY ITSELF. Each tool locks with an individual springlock (the spring lock back looks like the musical part of wind-up music box). Lock release is via an intuitive pull latch. Everything is a chromed glossy mirror finish except the pliers head - which is nice unit. Here's the lowdown on the matchup:

Pliers: Winner - Gerber Legend 800. Gerber has spring-loaded pliers that open themselves up. They also have replaceable interchangeable wire cutter blades. These two features are unique and are great. The downside for Gerber is that the pliers don't open quite as far as the other two - limiting their utility for plumbing. Victorinox and Leatherman have similar pliers - but on the Victorinox the jaws are a little stubbier, and the jaws only touch at the tip when closed (they become totally parallel when the jaw are open 2mm) as opposed to most others where the pliers jaws are totally parallel at the point of closure. In practice none of this made a bit of difference. The most controverial part of the Spirit is the curved handle which gives the pliers grip a short finger throw. This is a nice refinement - they make an elegant pair of pliers - but at the cost of the ruler markings on the grip. In the end I prefer the older swisstool style on this score. Put Victorinox #2. The final issue the the grip. The Gerber has all the tools inside, so the pliers grip is wide smooth metal all the way but theres a seam. The Leatherman charge - like the Wave, has the small tools recessed out on the grip side - so your hand grips the smooth back of the 4 long tools (knives, saws, and files). This makes the grip wider than the old-style leathermen, where you gripped only the metal edge, but narrower than the other two offerings. The Victorinox has all the tools inside the grip - and your hand mostly bears down on the smooth spring lock mechanism.

Knives: Winner: Leatherman Charge Ti. The Charge Ti has two knives, a superb smooth bladed clip point in a special hard alloy, and a nice serrated. Both can be opened with one hand without opening the tool. The Spirit has a single blade - a razor shaped aggressively serrated blade that must be opened with two hands. It's wickedly sharp, but serrated blades are harder to resharpen and the razor shape lacks a point. I find I use the awl when I want a knive point. I guess Victorinox figures the serrated blade will stay sharp. We'll see. The Gerber has a single clip point blade with a smooth front half and serrated back half. This sounds like a bad thing - but it actually worked well. It's openable by one hand.

Saw: Winner: Tie Victorinox & Leatherman. Both are wickedly sharp dual action teeth and are the same thickness. The Victorinox has a lower profile, but the Leatherman has teeth all the way to the tip - call it a tie. The Gerber has a cool mechanism that accepts jigsaw blades, allowing you to choose your own and replace as needed. Great concept - but trouble is that there aren't any great jigsaw blades made - nothing comes close the quality of the saws on these other two.

File: Winner Tie for Victorinox and Leatherman. Very close all around. They all give good files. The Victoriox is the sharpest, but the Leatherman is almost as sharp and gives you a bit more surface area.

Philips Screwdriver: Victorinox - for having the longest (gets in the most crannies). Leatherman Charge and Gerber both have interchangeable bits associated witht he philips screwdriver. The Leatherman Charge has the much better interchangeable bit scenario with cool low profile bits that store in the belt case and have a great selection. Gerber takes regular size bits - which is a plus, but the bit holding adapter doesn't mate totally securely with the screwdriver head and must be carried in a separate case. Victorinox also has a bit arrangement - with a cool little rotary ratchet - but its a completely freestanding separtate arrangment. This is bound to get lost.

Scissors: Winner: Victorinox hands down. Like a swiss army knife scissors, but with an upgraded beefy spring that's gonna last and which also holds the scissors closed enough that the blades are just crossed - so you can breeze through paper. The old Leatherman wave had a great scissors, but they upgraded for the new wave and Charge series. The new leatherman scissor is smaller and wimpier and opens too far to cut when the hand is relaxed. Gerber's is too skinny with too tough a spring (hurts to use it) - but compensates by being the only one openable with one hand.

Flat head screwdrivers: Winner Victorinox (but special honor for Charge Ti for glasses screwdriver/tiny philips). Like a swiss army knife, the Spirit has the excellent can opener combo with small screwdriver head, a beefy big screwdriver with wirebending notch, and now a cool sharp small-mid sized flat screwdriver head with a long narrow shaft - great for computers with serial ports. The Charge Ti has the interchangeable bits - which are great but have a very short shaft, a glasses screwdriver as a full tool which you can pull out and reverse to get a tiny precision philips head screwdriver (unique and totally awesome - great for watches and model trains and glasses), and a medium sized stand along screwdriver that is OK, but not particularly well shaped or long or distinguished in any way. The Gerber has the interchangeable bits and three decent built-in flat head screwdrivers.

Can Opener/Bottle Opener: Winner Victorinox - has good toold for both functions - just like the Swiss Army Knife. The Charge has a combo can/bottle opener that just barely tolerable. The Gerber lacks these tools.

Awl: Victorinox is the only one - and a great awl it is. Good for belts and for cutting nylon cable ties. Makes a great and safer box opener too.

Ruler: The Charge Ti is the only one of these three to include this important feature.

Chisel/Wire scraper - Victorinox - unique and great tool. You can always use the wire cutter to strip and scrape wire. The Victorinox has about a half dozen ways - but thise chisel/scraper tool is a really great wire stripper as well a solid chisel for detail work. For model building this is a big plus.

Handle grip: Winner: Charge Ti - the titanium textured grips are totally awesome. The Gerber has big aluminum grips with inset rubber panels. The rubber comes out after a year. The alumninum is light but bulky. The curve is kinda cool - but also kinda dorky. The Victorinox has a super shiny polished grip that looks like it's going to be slippery. In practice the grip is fine (I haven't used it in muddy or oily situations - but that would be bad for any multitool).

Case: Winner Charge Ti - available leather case with snap closure. Snap is more durable than velco. The bad thing about the Charge's case is the stretchy side panels. I wonder about their durability. The Victorinox has solid leather case - very nice - but velcro closure. After the velcro stops working I'll take it to a leather shop to have a snap closure put in. The Gerber only has a nylon case with velcro closure.

Cost - the Victorinox is half the cost of the Charge - but lacks the bits. The Gerber slots between the two. The Victorinox at $50 isn't dirt cheap - but is pretty good value for the money.

Size - the Victorinox is the smallest and lightest by a wide margin.

Fit and finish: The Victorinox is the slickest with the tightest tolerances and smoothest most polished motions. As someone else points out - however, it has dead pins, preventing you from replacing tools down the road. The Charge is a close second and has torx pin closure. The Gerber must be singled out for scorn on the design front. A number of tools cannot be taken out without removing the adjacent tool and the scissors opens and closes in such a manner that you risk a cut each time.

Overall winner depends on your list of priorities. I'd say the Charge Ti is the best overall - most useful in the widest range of situations. Ultimately, any of these tools will serve you well. The Victorinox Spirit with its high utility, great refinement, light weight and low price is real nice pick - expecially well suited to the well dressed, ladies, and anyone who appreciates a nice unit.

This reviewer Evan Jansen from Bend, OR USA said

I hope I'm not breaking any rules here but I just think everyone should know you can get this same tool much cheaper at www.YourBestDeals.net

This guy is dead wrong, its much much higher for wave tool that doesn't even come with a leather pouch and couple bucks higher for the tool adapter.

Personally, I wouldn't go the route of this tool as the wave does everything I need it to do in data networks and minor repair uses. My boss and I use our wave pretty much daily and I recommend it to all my cisco classmates.

This Tool Adapter for the Leatherman Wave comes with 6 hex tips and a black plastic case, 2 5/8x2 1/4x3/4 inches in size with a belt clip on the back, in which the adapter and tips fit snugly. The case is no bigger -and may indeed be smaller- than a screwdriver-type handle or ratchet wrench and tips. So if you already carry a Wave, the adapter might be the practical way to go if you use hex tips. It will accomodate all standard 1/4 inch hex tips.

The tool adapter fits onto the top of the Wave when it is closed. The tip has 3 positions to choose from: straight, a 45 degree angle to the Wave, and a 90 degree angle (perpendicular) to the Wave. The adapter works fine for light work. I would hesitate to use it for a job that requires a lot of torque because the adapter is not super-secure in attaching to the Wave. On these occasions, I would use the adapter without attaching it to the Wave. In fact, the adapter can easily be used on its own, and that is actually preferable in many instances. If you need to get into a small space or have trouble reaching, attach it to the Wave.

Of course you need Leatherman Wave or smth. complaiant, but still great. I even used it as it is - like single tool :))