Full Size Tools

Leatherman Wave
Leatherman Sideclip
Leatherman Flair
SOG Power Plier
Schrade Tough Tool
BuckTool
Kershaw Multitool
Gerber Multi-Plier
The Game Tracker Multi-tool

Full Size Tool Feature Matrix

Mini Tools

Leatherman Wave

The Wave is Jim's personal favorite. He thought it offered the best selection of tools and features. Upon initial inspection, it becomes obvious that Leatherman selected the tools carefully for the Wave, avoiding the urge to pack it with a bunch of extras that look cool but never get used. Tool placement is also well thought out. For example, the Wave's can opener is located close to the edge that ends up being nearest the can, making it ergonomic for right-handed users. While this may seem unimportant, some tools have their can opener on the opposite edge rendering it virtually useless for opening cans unless one is a southpaw.

Initially, the Wave was stiff, making it difficult to open with one hand. But after a break-in period, it opened in a butterfly manner with a simple flick of the wrist. One-handed knife operation is another popular feature on the Wave. In fact, Jim rates one-handed pliers and knife operation as a must, one reason he ranks the Wave high. He also appreciated how the main knife blade could be accessed without fully opening up the tool.

One also must consider comfort when applying a lot of force to the pliers, and the rounded edges of the Wave's handles make using the pliers much more comfortable on the hands than former Leatherman models.

Leatherman Sideclip

The Leatherman Sideclip is a smaller version of the Wave and is ideal for those who seek a smaller profile or for when weight is a concern. The Sideclip utilizes an older Leatherman style with implements accessible only after the tool is opened. This design also tends to dig into the hand when the pliers are used. For the minimalist who stills wants a full-size tool, however, the Sideclip is a good option.

Leatherman Flair

A brand new tool from Leatherman, the Flair was a great conversation piece among the engineers. It is designed for amore cosmopolitan user, and its sophistication might be lost on the guy who uses his Leatherman tool to fix a lawn mower, clean fish or dress-out an elk. However, if you want to impress friends by using your Leatherman to spread caviar or pop the cork on a bottle of fine wine, this is the tool for you.

Obviously, the Flair will appeal more to urban hikers, upscale picnickers and backpackers, or climbers who like to tote along gourmet foods and vino. Like the Sideclip, the Flair utilizes an old-style design with implements accessible only when the tool is open. 800.847.8665

SOG Power Plier

This is a serious tool for the serious user. Of all the tools reviewed, the SOG Power Plier was voted as the most heavy duty. It has a standard complement of implements with the addition of a square drive. The actual pliers portion of the tool is unique in that it uses gear reduction on the pliers motion to give a mechanical advantage in squeeze force. No other tool in the review offered this.

One drawback to the Power Plier is it requires the tool be opened to access all of the implements. An implement cover (a piece that folds over the tools and covers the edges) reduces the discomfort when applying force to the pliers. However, the cover makes it even more difficult to access the implements.

There was one other problem with the SOG design that we found annoying. The can opener does not work for a right-handed person opening a can in the clockwise direction. The can opener is located on the edge opposite the can. Because of this, the tool interferes with the engagement of the opener. The interference is so bad our right-handed reviewers could not open a can in the clockwise direction. Some may argue that you could open the can in a counterclockwise direction, however, the opener has a beveled edge, intended to facilitate a clockwise opening direction. 888.405.6433

Schrade Tough Tool

Schrade attempted to disprove the old adage that you can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time. This tool has the largest array of implements of any tool reviewed, almost to the point of excess. One advantage the Tough Tool has over some of the others is that the implements are all accessible without opening the pliers.

Unlike the Wave, the knife blade cannot be opened with one hand. Again, this may be a matter of preference, but we believe that for most tool users, the knife blade will be the most commonly used implement. The pliers themselves can be opened with one hand via a butterfly action--a motion that is always impressive to the unexpecting customer. However, the Schrade did develop a problem after repeated butterfly openings. The implements began to loosen to the point that on one side of the tool all of the implements would fall out during a butterfly opening motion. The implements themselves are riveted in place, so tightening them is not an option.

Another downfall expressed by many testers was the bulky size of the tool. Few reviewers were willing to carry it around on their hip. We concluded that the old adage still stands--you can't please all of the people all of the time. Nevertheless, the Schrade Tough Tool still rates high. 800.272.4723

BuckTool

The BuckTool is a study in ingenuity in terms of the way the pliers open. However, it is not conducive to one-handed operation. Buck's designers obviously have never been precariously perched in the rafters holding on with one hand while attempting to open pliers with the other. Each tool user will have to decide how important this capability is for them. Fishermen, hunters and climbers may very well need one-handed operation, while hikers or backpackers may not.

The BuckTool had several problems that reduced its rating in our review. The can opener suffers from the same dysfunction as the SOG--it is not very conducive to clockwise operation. The knife blades have a spring-loaded closure, which we found potentially unsafe. One of the reviewers cut his finger when the sheep's foot blade suddenly sprang over his finger while closing it. We also discovered that the pliers' handles can come completely together under sufficient applied load. This means that when you are clamping down hard on something and the pliers slip off you will likely pinch your hand in between the handles. Ouch.

Opening the implements can also be a painful task. The initial movement of the implements is very stiff and requires a lot of force, which can only be applied with the tip of a thumbnail. Suddenly the implement reaches a detent and springs, snapping the implement against the thumb, which also lead to injuries among the review team. Several testers expressed their past positive experiences with the quality of Buck knives. However, the BuckTool didn't live up to the legendary quality of the knives, and received lower ratings against the other tools. 800.326.2825

Kershaw Multitool

This tool was undoubtedly the most unique of the bunch, and is designed for a highly specialized user. If you are a metal worker this is the tool for you. Kershaw's tool comes with locking pliers and a hacksaw blade. Locking the implements in place is accomplished by closing the handles together, which is unique to Kershaw. The implements and blade are very high quality. The knife blade is accessible with one hand. The pliers do not stow on this tool so one-handed pliers operation is a given. Because the pliers do not stow internally, the tool is much longer than all the other tools in the stowed position. The locking-pliers mechanism prohibits the addition of many implements common to the other tools reviewed. Also, frequent use of Kershaw's hacksaw quickly wears out the blade. 800.325.2891

Gerber Multi-Plier

The Multi-Plier features a one-handed pliers design, which at one time was state-of-the-art. However, the latest crazes among multi-tools are single-handed knife operation and the ability to access the most used implements without opening the tool. The Multi-Plier scored low in both these areas. Another serious problem with the Gerber is that the pliers' handles come completely together when the pliers are in the closed position. One reviewer complained of a pinched hand when the pliers slipped off under full load.

On the bright side, the Multi-Plier is constructed with the finest of materials. 800.950.6161

The Game Tracker Multi-tool

This tool is in a genre all its own. It is designed specifically for the serious fisherman. It sports various implements including coarse and fine pliers, forceps, a hook remover and a hook sharpener. The Game Tracker has two knife blades. One is rigid and has a serrated edge. The second knife is a long fillet blade. Unfortunately, we found metal spurs along the sharpened edge.

The overall size of the Game Tracker is larger than any of the other tools we reviewed. Because of its specialized design, it would be ideal for the avid fisherman, but impractical for the more general user.

Darren Scruggs is a contributing editor at GearReview.com