Cheap Multi-Tools: Worth Their Weight?

There's no debate over who makes the best quality MT (Leatherman), but do the other, mainly off-brand, multi-tools have a place in your home and in your system? In this philosophical vid, I talk about why cheap multi-tools can be a benefit to you and your loved ones, and why you should consider buying them as emergency-use-only tools. If you can find some for the price I paid, get them, and stash them in the places you're most likely to need them, because it's better to have a cheap MT that will get used (and used up) in an emergency, than no MT at all.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• multi
• tool
• multi-tool
• multitool
• leatherman
• stanley
• ozark
• trail
• emergency
• kit
• 72
• hour
• bug
• out
• bag
• car
• camping
• wave
• juice
• s2
• squirt
• s4

[pontfire78]

Are you a fan of the SOG multi tools? In my opinion they're better and the fact they have compound leverage is a very nice feature.

[TheLateBoyScout]

@pontfire78 Compound leverage is a nice feature on those SOG's, true.

[suicidewafflez]

127 hours comes into mind. You'll get what I'm taking about if you watched the movie.

[TheLateBoyScout]

@suicidewafflez I did. Loved it.

[unclemevin]

I have the Stanley multi tool and this guy doesn't know what he's talking about, as far as durability is concerned. It's a very heavy duty tool, much better than the walmart brand. Is it a Leatherman? No, but it's also about a 5th of the cost. Some of the smaller tools are difficult to get at on the Stanley, so it's probably not something you'd carry everyday. But no way in hell is it an emergency only piece of equipment. Go to a hardware store and check it out for yourself.

[TheLateBoyScout]

@unclemevin All I'm "talking about" is my own experience. While assembling a small desk with that Stanley, I had the philips head fold back on me several times - just a little bit of torque and downward pressure and it folded, messing up the finish of the desk. The tools don't lock open - they don't even retain open very well. I stand by what I said - it's an emergency-only tool. I'd recommend even the cheapest L-man (check out the Kick @ $20) over that Stanley. Glad you're happy with it though.

[Lolztobehad]

I have one of the cheap multi-tools and I use it pretty often. I've had it for 3 years and it still works great. I think you're just a little bias cause you like leatherman so much...

[hypersonicdragon]

"Something" is still better than Nothing!

[8048838]

I have a cheap one, today took it out of my pocket, half of the "functions" just dropped on the floor, it became loose.

Don't think twice before getting good stuff, don't get those cheap shit.

[ShoeManShoe68]

Gerber has a lifetime warranty! They cost less than half than the cheaper leatherman tool. I understand that leatherman has an amazing product. I think gerber does too. The only tool that works is the one you have. If you don't have anything u have nothing.

[joebob4501]

@kneebush The only thing I like from Gerber is the pocket sharpener.

[kneebush]

Leatherman? Pfft, give me a Gerber anyday.

[SchleyFam1]

i had a cheap one for a couple years. it was fine for every day little stuff. than i tried to use the pliers for some real work and bent the handles till it was useless. i say dont bother with the expensive tools.

[groov14]

ive used the cheap ozark trail.and ran it through its paces.it really served me well,i bought it for its saw mainly didnt have money at the time for good multi. just recieved a gerber as a gift, cant wait to try it out.

[timolgreek]

ok ok ok right, but everyday use you need real tools, not a multytool.

[journeyquest1]

Have an old(original) Leatherman. Still kicking ass. Problem: when i cut an orange the juice drys on the blade and makes the blades hard to open. Needs cleaning regularly.

[jmi52887]

an emergency is the last time I would want to have to use a cheap tool

[MilSimAirsoft1]

That Stanley multi-tool is basically a knock-off of the Gerber Suspension...check it out to see what I mean...