My Favorite Multi Tool

[mr.72]

10 or so years ago, I bought a Gerber Scout. Back in the day, the Scout could be had in a couple of configurations. My Scout had a partially-serrated blade, needlenose pliers, and a file, along with the usual host of tools common on most of them. I thought this was the perfect multi-tool, and I carried it all the time, used it more than any other single tool I own (and that's a LOT of tools). OK, so this was the perfect multi-tool for me.

Then after spending a few months building a recording studio a couple of years ago, my Scout got lost in the mess of tools that wound up being used on the project. I had been carrying it in my tool belt and when I collected all of my tools when the buildout was complete, the Scout was gone.

So I bought a Gerber "Suspension" tool to replace it. This was a big mistake. What a hunk of junk. Heavy, no one-hand opening, the knife blade is a piece of junk. Worthless. I stuck that multi-tool in my guitar case and hoped to never need to use it.

Then someone got me an Academy gift card, and I used it to buy another replacement for my Scout. I bought a Gerber Compact Sport. This is basically a smaller, lighter version of the Scout, but missing a crucial blade for me: the file. Also, it doesn't have the wire crimp tool that the Scout has. I didn't realize just how much I'd miss that. So the Compact Sport was a move in the right direction, but it was not the Scout. Also the main knife blade on the Scout was not sharpened well from the factory (assymetric edge bevel), but I fixed that with my rod guide hones. My original Scout had a perfectly-sharpened blade from the factory that held a very good edge for a long, long time. In the end I am glad for the Compact Sport, it's a good tool to have but it's not an adequate replacement for the Scout.

Finally I broke down and bought another 600 Scout. Just got it two days ago. All is well now :) I don't know whether this is the best tool Gerber makes but it sure beats the others I tried.

I found it was funny just how much I would miss this one little thing, and just how irreplaceable it turned out to be. I also find it funny how inconsistent the quality is of tools from Gerber. I have a Paraframe knife that is my second Paraframe, after the first one got lost and it turned out to be irreplaceable like the Scout. It's a great tool. I also have an Evo Jr. knife, and it is a really, really great knife and it gets used every single day as well. If I lost it I would buy another one immediately. But the Suspension multi tool was junk and the knife blade was beyond worthless. The carrying sheath broke before I ever even strapped it to a belt! So you know, the brand name doesn't mean much.

What multi-tools do you guys like? I noticed that you have Leatherman people and Gerber people and that's like Ford vs. Chevy or 1911s vs. Glocks. :) Maybe you just can't switch once you go with one or the other.

[Keith B]

I like the BuckTool but think is has been replaced by the X-Tract. I am not familiar with it. The Leatherman is top notch too. There are a lot of clones out there. The features vary, but bottom line is you get what you pay for on them quality-wise.

[joe817]

I have the original Leatherman Tool, the PST. I've had it since, gosh, 1986 or so. That particular model has since been retired, but it has served me well, and continues to do so. Keith's right. On these multi-tools you get what you pay for.

[USA1]

here's mine . it was a Winchester gift set from Lowes a few years back . i bought a bunch of them for Christmas gifts .
its surprisingly well made . it was only $ 10 or $ 20 dollars . i can't remember which .

[joe817]

Oh that's nice! Real wood handles too.