I had a Gerber for many years but sadly it now resides at the bottom of Jean Lake. I’m looking for a replacement. Let’s hear some suggestions.

I picked up a Leatherman Surge last year. I added a bit kit, and mollie pack sheath so I could attach it to my day pack. I used to be a mechanic so I like a lot of tools at hand. It’s about the biggest one made, and heavier than most. It has two replaceable carbide cutting cutters. It also has a holder for blades like you would use in a saber saw. Just swap out blades and you can cut wood, cut metal or use of a file. The part that sold me was the 2 blades, scissors, and tool holder on the outside of the tool. So you don’t need to open it up like others to use the knife. The pliers is also very well made. It comes in at around $109.00, but you can find them on sale. Here is the Leatherman Surge

Can't fault my Gerber MP600. I use pliers over 80% and this has the choice of needle and blunt, one hand opening and use. The screw drivers make up for 15% usage, the file predominates the last 5%.
If I loose this one it will be replaced with a MP 600 Bladeless.

butthead

Savage Voyageur: "I picked up a Leatherman Surge last year. "

+1 on Leatherman. I've had the Leatherman Blast for over a decade and it won't quit.

I have a leatherman Wave and love it. Had it probably 5 years and no issues use it all the time. I added the pocket clip vs. using the holster and like it even more. With the one hand open knifes I don't carry a separate pocket knife. That said I don't think you can go wrong with any or the big names on the market. I do like the one hand opening of the Gerber pliers

For camping, I use a leatherman juice. It’s pretty small and so fits in my pocket well but has legitimate pliers plus a a decent number of screwdrivers and a blade. I have a bigger leatherman too but don’t need something that heavy for camping. I think there are a few choices in the juice line depending on what features you want.

I use a plain old pliers for moving hot stuff etc. I bring my cheap leatherman but it hardly every comes out....

dr bob

Just got a Leatherman Skeletool. It's bare bones, but light weight and has the essentials. I really like it.

The best multitool I've ever owned (after having a Gerber and a Leatherman before that) is my Victorinox Spirit. I'm never looking back. Victorinox is a whole new level.

Excellent topic! I lost my Leatherman Wingman to TSA and am going to replace it this week. My essentials are a pliers, blade and scissors. Gotta have all three or it's a deal-breaker for me, but I also don't want a heavy, bulky tool. The Wingman fits the criteria. I also love the Squirt - it's handy and small and perfect in a kayak or canoe.

Leather man wave for me and Gerber 600 for my wife, we like both. She also has a dime for the tiny pocket situations.

Leatherman Wave. Have mine with me pretty much all the time either on my belt, in my briefcase, or in my daypack -- whichever is right for conditions. It's not light, but it has held up for years and years.

I've used a Leatherman Skeletool CX for several years. It is bare bones, but I've never found myself wanting a tool that it doesn't come with. The 'CX' version of the Skeletool has an upgraded 154cm steel blade (that's the type of steel, not the length, obviously). It holds an edge for a very long time. What I really like about it is it's very lightweight, and the builtin carabiner is handy for hanging it from a belt-loop, making it quickly deployable.

butthead: "Can't fault my Gerber MP600. I use pliers over 80% and this has the choice of needle and blunt, one hand opening and use. The screw drivers make up for 15% usage, the file predominates the last 5%.
If I loose this one it will be replaced with a MP 600 Bladeless.


butthead"

+1, I'm a Gerber guy and have a MP 600 as my latest tool. I like it.

user0317: "I've used a Leatherman Skeletool CX for several years. It is bare bones, but I've never found myself wanting a tool that it doesn't come with. The 'CX' version of the Skeletool has an upgraded 154cm steel blade (that's the type of steel, not the length, obviously). It holds an edge for a very long time. What I really like about it is it's very lightweight, and the builtin carabiner is handy for hanging it from a belt-loop, making it quickly deployable. "

It is a nice tool and I like the clip on it but I found it lacking a can opener when I car camped one time. Thankfully I had a Leatherman Wave in the car so I was able to resolve the issue.

I'm a Gerber guy, too. I'm pretty sure the one I have is the MP800. I remember it costing around $80. The thing I like about it is the two tools that get used the most - pliers and knife - are accessible immediately without having to open the entire thing.

First you have to define your philosophy of use.... how, when and what for are you using it.

I have a Leatherman Wave that I take camping but I carry a Leatherman squirt PS4 every day.

bdkdvm: "Excellent topic! I lost my Leatherman Wingman to TSA and am going to replace it this week. My essentials are a pliers, blade and scissors. Gotta have all three or it's a deal-breaker for me, but I also don't want a heavy, bulky tool. The Wingman fits the criteria. I also love the Squirt - it's handy and small and perfect in a kayak or canoe."

I have the Wingman as well. Love the pliers and the scissors. It makes for a nice piece of fishing kit.

Well, it looks like I still have a lot of shopping to do!! Lots of good options out there. I think I would like the Surge with the bits. I also think it will stay in the sheath and I'll tote a pliers for fishing use rather than drop another $100 in the lake! :)

i had aleatherman wave and just got rid of it. it was just to heavy.

i do like my sog power pliers and a gerber someone gave me.

scramble4a5: "

bdkdvm: "Excellent topic! I lost my Leatherman Wingman to TSA and am going to replace it this week. My essentials are a pliers, blade and scissors. Gotta have all three or it's a deal-breaker for me, but I also don't want a heavy, bulky tool. The Wingman fits the criteria. I also love the Squirt - it's handy and small and perfect in a kayak or canoe."

I have the Wingman as well. Love the pliers and the scissors. It makes for a nice piece of fishing kit."

I have the wingman, too, and would get it again.

I gave up on the multi-tools a few years ago. Sub-par knives, and sub-par pliers, both of which being less convenient to use than a good knife and good pliers separately. Lately I've carried a Benchmade/Doug Ritter knife and 7" Van Staal pliers. The pliers are especially handy fishing when you have only one hand available being they're spring-loaded open, in an open sheath/pouch, and attached by lanyard to same.

I don't leave home without my SURGE on the "Bat Belt".. Its came in handy many times...

I have a ordinal leatherman from the early 80's.

I now carry a Leatherman kick as the priers get used more then anything I like my multitools simple and light.

The kick is a nicer tool as they have plastic liners that do not cut into your hand when using the. priers.

if you can get an older leatherman wave off craigslist or ebay I would but if youre buying brand new id recommend the leatherman rebar