I loved my Leatherman and used it nearly every day, but after less than a year one of the clips that lock the tools into the “open” position broke off. It just wasn’t built that well. I took the thing back to REI a few months ago and exchanged it for a slightly more expensive Victorinox SwissTool Spirit ($85 list, now about $49). Leatherman may have invented the multitool, but Victorinox–the company that makes Swiss Army knives–makes a much better one. It’s sturdily made, good looking, comfortable to hold, and not too big. Best of all it’s constructed so you can fold out the smaller tools without opening the plier handles. Annoyingly, and like most multitools, it’s missing one of the most essential tools: a corkscrew. But I still use it almost every day. Sorry, Tim Leatherman, the Swiss have you beat on this one.
victorinox swisstool
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Hi Dylan, I also own Victorinox Swisstool Spirit and I use it almost every day.
I have it since spring of 2005. My problem is because of intense use(fixing mountain gear) 2 of the screwdrivers “got screw”: the 2mm screwdriver and the Phillips screwdriver. Still I can use them, but both are visible “crooked”.
How is yours? Do you know if this is cover by the warranty? Thanks, bye, Catalin.
But is has no pointy ended knife! My trusty SOG is getting a little long in the tooth, but I need a pointy knife for digging out splinters. Sorry Victorinox.
PS: If you need a corkscrew, then I guess you need the SwissTool Spirit Plus Ratchet, as seen here http://www.swissknifeshop.com/prodinfo.asp?number=5SPIRITPR
Instead of the knife, you can use the pointy ended (and very sharp)
reaming tool for digging out splinters. It would work just as well.
PPS: This should be my last comment. Honest. Seems that the Spirit S replaces the scissors with a pointy blade. I think I would rather have the scissors and lose one of the saws, but I could do without. However, the blued steel version is cool. See them all here: http://www.swissarmy.com/multitools/Category.htm?category=swisstool&