Help me pick a new multi-tool

In the chaos of moving I seem to have misplaced/lost my Leatherman Skeletool and its time to start looking at getting something new to replace it. I liked how small the Skeletool was but hated how I had to swap out bits every time I needed to either use the flat or phillips head bit. 

Should I buy the same thing again and suck up the fact that its a minor inconvenience to change the bit or is there a better option out there? 

My requirements are simple, it need to have pliers, a knife blade and flat head and phillips head bits and I like a small form factor. 

Any suggestions? 

I've had a Leatherman OHT for 7-8 years now.  I really love the the simplicity of it, the phillips head is a bit flattened so may not be the best for your needs. I liked the cool factor, replaceable wire cutter inserts and that most of the tools had a pocket knife style frame lock instead of the standard leatherman detent lock that requires opening another attachment to close the tool.

Thanks, I will check that one out. Having replaceable parts is a neat feature and the phillips head being flat isn't an issue for me, I just need the option to use it when I don't have a better option. 

I carry a Leatherman Wave.  I have worn it every day for about 15 years. Use it multiple times daily, but I am a sort of mechanic. In it's pouch is a flashlight, a pen, and a 3" scale in there as well.

I am the Batman.

The Skeletool is hard to beat IMO, especially if you don't want to be aware you're carrying it. Sure, having to swap the bits is a small hassle but the flip side is that if you wear out/break a bit you can replace it. You can even get a small Torx bit for them.

I just got a couple of Leatherman OHTs, but honestly, I really prefer the basic original Leatherman multitool. I find that the original pliers work best for me.

Gerber Diesel.

By far the best multitool I've ever owned. 

Toyman! said:

Gerber Diesel.

By far the best multitool I've ever owned. 

Same, that's my everyday and has been for years.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

I agree its been my favorite so far of the ones I have owned. Maybe that is my best solution. 

They also sell the SIGNAL which looks like a Skeletool with a few extra items on it.  

Toyman! said:

Gerber Diesel.

By far the best multitool I've ever owned. 

Gerber diesel.

20 + years now.

I have to clean the pocket junk outta the sliders now and then, but I don't use a holster for it.

Useful everyday for your general MacGyver  stuff that you will get into.

The Skeletool is pared down (Skeletonized, you could say) to be a bare minimum and thus very light and thin. It's got screwdrivers, pliers, bottle opener and a blade. No file, no saw, no can opener, no tiny scissors. It's not really built for the same sort of use as a Diesel. The biggest complaint I have about the Skeletool is the handle isn't the most comfortable when you're reefing on something with the pliers, but I usually take that as an indication that maybe it's time to go get the big bullnose pliers from the garage :)

In reply to Keith Tanner :

I find that I use the file on my original Leatherman (Leathermen?) as much as I use the pliers or the Phillips. 

In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :

I use the screwdrivers most of all, followed by the pliers and blade. In all my years of carrying various tools with files, I have never actually used one. Guess that's why they make different ones :)

I have two Skeletools, an original Leatherman (or two?) and a Swiss Army knife that I got in 1984 or so. The Skeletools get the most time. Plus a number of folding knives. 

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Interesting data point. It is a good thing they make a bunch of different versions.

I almost never use the screwdrivers. First for me would be pliers, followed by the wire cutters, file, and scissors. My current Diesel doesn't have a blade since I carry a separate knife. 

I think I have narrowed it down to either the Signal or another Skeletool. For me a multi-tool that does everything good is better than one that just has a good blade or a good screw driver. 

I did look at the Gerber options and I own a Gerber folding knife but I like how the Leatherman options feel in the hand over the Gerbers.

My next decision is if I want to go pocket size and give up some flexibility or if I want a full size tool.  

I don't like wearing E36 M3 on my belt, even though I have to at work. 

I like my leather man Crunch. 

In reply to No Time :

Having that mini locking plier is a neat trick. I don't think I have seen that model before. 

Is there a multi tool that has a pocket clip?  I'm a big fan of the milwaukee fastback tool that uses utility blades - always sharp and the newer ones even store extra blades.

I like the always sharp blade but could use some pliers or screwdrivers from time to time.

In reply to Kendall_Jones :

I know the Leatherman Skeletool has a pocket clip. That was one of the selling points of why I bought it the first time. 

ChrisTropea said:

In reply to No Time :

Having that mini locking plier is a neat trick. I don't think I have seen that model before. 

I carry it everywhere (or at least almost), and have for the last 15 yrs.

The locking plier works well as pliers, but stands out as a makeshift clamp during unexpected repairs (holding broken/missing battery terminals on, securing parts when a bolt vibrated out, holding wires when soldering, etc).
 

The skeletool is hard to beat for a full(er) sized MT at a low weight

I love my CX model

Im a leatherman fan. Done the factory tour, have about 50 or 55 at this point.

The wave is great, their staple model. But i dont find myself carrying it too often due to size. For me it's the skeletool and, well, one of their cheapest (at the time...man, prices jumped up!) - the Wingman.

10 years ago they were about 20 bucks around Christmas time. I got some new ones at HD on clearance for 12 or so. And I love them. They have great scissors - one tool I use more than most - and lighter weight than the Wave.

Ultimately - buy another Skeletool.

I have tried every type imaginable, and ended up on SOG, but they tear up my pockets, and I eventually went simpler. The leatherman BOND is my current favorite.

Nothing fancy, smooth and compact so I can carry it everywhere in my front pocket. Doesn't destroy pockets, and reasonably priced at $60ish.

If you are willing to holster, it opens up tremendous possibilities in size, # of tools, spring loaded, etc. YRMV, but I like the above for a good all around K.I.S.S. knife and pliers combo. 

The Bond is one I was just looking at yesterday, just because I dont have one. But then I came to my senses - it's just an Original or like the original Supertool

In reply to hybridmomentspass :

Yes and no. The BOND is hard to open, perhaps to a fault, wheras the original can be opened butterfly knife style after some use. I'm a fan of the original, but kept splitting cases using the pliers on stuff that was too big. Bonus for the original: you can replace broken parts using junk from all the broken originals you have in a drawer. The BOND just has a more quality feel to me, and is contoured just a bit more like a knife. The previous is, of course, an opinion, and as such, blah, blah, blah.