"quality wise, they are fairly similar", this statement i cant confirm, while my old wave is still somewhat fine and has nice action, my swisstool from 98 is far superior. And then i whanted to buy a new wave + 2h, did that twice, both had annoying flaws like stiff handles, wobbly handles, same with blades, sharp edges, stiff inner tools, pliers where very stiff on both. none of those were up to par and i paid 159 Euros per piece. Out of frustration i then bought a new swisstool and that thing is perfect, very precise. I really dont get the praise of leatherman tools, to me they are very crude and you have to play the quality control roulette, at least here in germany.
Interesting take. I use my Surge everyday, it's tough and it has extra gadgets than the Swisstool. I agree Leatherman handles can be very stiff to open. Some say they just need oiled or broken in. From what it sounds like your experience is Victorinox doesn't have that same issue. As far as metal durability I still feel they are fairly close in that quality. I think both are great. If Victorinox would design bit drivers for their large multitools like their cybertool that would be amazing!
@@peddypeoples941 it's my suspicion. Of course the one handed blade opening is lm's advantage over victorinox but i haven't many fans of lm outside of us. For a country that breathes nationalism i think this plays a huge part. I might be wrong
For me the Swiss tool feels of extremely high quality, comparable to using dedicated quality tools from a reputable brands, like knipex pliers or wera screwdrivers. No sharp or uncomfortable edges and really nice ergonomics. I can genuinely easily reach for it as a go to rather than as a get out of trouble. I find mine is used daily at work, the Philips on the victornox is sufficiently long to reach almost all the screws I come across an easily works on pozi. The large screwdriver is perfect for hoseclips, prising off plastic stop tap covers etc. I use the pliers least but you can get enough leverage to undo and tighten 13mm nuts on battery terminals etc at a push and easily copes with 10mm nuts. I've always caried a separate knife but can't fault the Swiss tool knife I have the standard version so also have the serated knife. My experience of the leatherman is from trying work colleagues ones and I don't find them as ergonomic.
Great vid, Ty. Agreed. Working in a warehouse I started with the Rebar. It was okay, yet, often not enough for excessive unpackaging, twisting, grabbing, and pulling. In 2016, my wonderful wife gifted me with the "new" Surge and all the whining stopped! The Surge is a warehouse mighty tool!! Its larger, tougher, size makes it perfect for the hardest big box storage, strapping, and wrapping projects. Began edc with the PST in the early 90s; moved on to the Blast (which is my fav Leatherman) but set it on the shelf after 2016 when I couldn't find another one for replacement; ending with the Rebar for edc (after it graduated from the warehouse). Guess I'm a L'm fanboy...
Excellent comparison! 👍🏻 I own both and I find the Swisstool to be much more practical as well as far more refined and much better built than the Surge. The attention to detail, smoothness, comfort of use and overall precision on the Swisstool is just second to none and unsurpassed by any other multitool I've tried so far. Absolute winner for me: the Swisstool. 🥇
@@hvacbudget8600 I don't have the Spirit. But the Swisstool is just superb. Only the safe and ultraprecise click when closing it (unlike by friction on the Leatherman Surge) tells you everything.
Having owned the Wave, Supertool, Charge and Surge as well as some SOG and Gerber I fully agree that I now wouldn't exchange my Swisstool for any of the other mentioned multitool. However I have to admit that replacable wire cutters and jig saw/file/whatever is a no question advantage. Couldn't those brands reunite the best ideas in their products and just battle with the precision, choice of steel and assembly quality?
I have all the mainstream Leathermans surge,wave,mut etc. I have the Swiss tool too. Iv been enjoy using the center drive plus by Gerber. Spring loaded pliers and prybar are what I use most often. I work on tires a lot
@@hvacbudget8600 in eBay u can get a new center drive black one for around 60 bucks. It’s not the plus version the plus has scissors. If you like me I bought the normal one and ended up getting the plus later when inshould of just got the plus to begin with
I don't have a surge, but I have 3 waves, a wave plus, and a charge ti. I am on my second swisstool because I in inadvertently left my first swisstool behind in a cross country move. Honestly, I hardly ever used it, but I love it, it is a marvel of design and engineering...and beauty. I just had to have another one. I want to get a surge, but am not in a hurry. I am a golf course mechanic and wear lots of hats. I find the leatherman fuse carried in a pliers deployed state in a pliers sheath works for me...i like the lite weight. Thanks for the review
Good video, thanks! You have a '98 Swisstool...it looks really good! It has a serrated blade...the X has scissors...I like both...in a tradesman's environment, the Surge is the best...on a boat, in a dock, or around water in general, the Swisstool is best as it has a tendency not to rust...as to conditioning a leather sheath, you could start with saddle soap, then conditioning oil, mink oil & then liquid polish, if you want it uniformly black in color, with additional protection....in the case of your sheath, imho, it would need cleaning & softening, then conditioning for suppleness & protection of the leather...nothing, imho, looks better than a well used, well conditioned sheath on one's belt, that has a soft glow & is supple - along with a well- conditioned, oiled & well- sharpened multi tool in it....😊
The Swiss Tool X has also the feature to act as a 90° measurement. If you open the pliers, you'll feel that it always opens in a certain way and would also stay at a 90° angle.
@@hvacbudget8600 Yeah, me neither - I always just wondered why the one side opened more easily, you know, when you open the pliers up. Then I read a comment on the Internet somewhere that you could "measure roughly angles with it" and I was like "Yeah but then you can 'roughly' measure Angles with two pens too." - Until it dawned on me. Imagine how stupid I felt it after havin' one for nearly ten years, wondering about it for nearly ten years why it's "uneven" if you open the pliers and then finally realizing the function... ^^'"
I have both and I think those shouldn't be compared. Surge is quite obsolete if you don't bring the full accessories like bit kits, extension, saw/file and a few t shank blades (wood/metal/pvc) . Surge with full package is around 19-20oz I haven't include the ratchet. Swisstool not X but the CS work 100% without accessories. Do not depend from them. It's a tool focus on more and better blunt nose, hold better nuts thanks to the wide mouth and fine teething. It's extremely useful the quick access tools. Surge getting a tools are 3 movements. Open frame, tool off, close frame. Swisstool 1 movement. I think if you looking more for a blades, neddle plier and good cutters get the Surge plus full kit available. If looking more of a general heavy duty multitool with enought of everything, compact and lighter. Take Swisstool. I use both a lot. I have 3 surges, and 4 Swisstools
Hi, I know this is an old video, but I wanted to ask you. I have a swisstool spirit XC old version, it is more than 7 years old, there is a backlash in my pliers do you have the same situation or should I seek warranty repairs? The pliers work properly, I didn't do hard work with them, they still bite any wires well, they hold the nuts perfectly, but there is a noticeable backlash in them.
Thanks for watching! What do you mean exactly by backlash? Do they spring back? I've noticed mine can be a bit stiff to open at times. Or do the pliers bind or get stuck at times cutting?
@@hvacbudget8600 I mean that the pliers open too easily, the central pin of the pliers has become weaker to connect them, they hang out more and are not connected rigidly as before. They still cut wires well, but if you take one handle and shake it, you can hear them rattle a little.
On par with leatherman? Correction, swisstool is better than leatherman. Ive seen many broken plier heads from leatherman. Never have i seen broken plier heads from victorinox.
I bought a Surge almost 3 months ago. It has small rust spots already. I regularly use a PTFE spray on it too. I think it's more rugged than the SwissTool, and it has OHO, but I am really envious off the Vic's quality/finish.
@@hvacbudget8600 They aren't huge spots but I noticed them all the same. I'm not near the coast but it does get humid. My brother-in-law works on marinas in Sydney fixing yachts and his Surge got real rusty.
No, I have both, the Swisstools plier head comes loose even without use. The Surge is still tight! I'm not American so no brand loyalty here! Remember, I have both and the Surge is still the best!
@@billybunter3753 have both as well and the surge is way to heavy compared to the Swisstool and the refinement is way above the surge. As far as the pillars coming loose have not experienced that so not taking that away from your position.
You’re using multi tool screwdrivers on regular basis? I find it impossible to constantly use them instead if regular screwdrivers. Very uncomfortable.
I think the flat bits are a downgrade for the Surge. This bits fits perfect to the Wave, but for a full sized multitool, I don't know... If you but it in your Hand it is havy and says use me but with this bits you cant put force on it. So for heavy worke it is useless. They should use a regular bitdriver, throw the canopener out and it would be a great multitool.
I own both and I carry the Surge way more. Also as a technician, one should be using the proper tool for the job. Yes, a MT can be used, but it should not be the main tool.
The surge is definitely king, but I admire Victorinox for their thinking. It doesn’t matter who was king, the one that pulled the sword from the stone, was the first one to implement replaceable wire cutters. 😀
I’ve had the Swiss tool for over 10 years, love it, BUT, if you don’t have fingernails, getting tools out easily and quickly is more difficult. This is one thing I can’t stand about the Swisstool
Leatherman Surge is still better because it has extra features plus stronger tools for someone in the Contstruction or Repair Industry. The Victorinox is a great all around tool if you do not need the extras the Surge offers.
I find the phillips driver on my swisstool absolutely useless as it doesn't grip any screw well and cams our. Also the steel is too soft. I bought it when they first came out so I don't know if the new ones are better. My wave and charge tti are way better design, smaller footprint yet larger blades, one hand opening, no brainer in my eyes.
Mine is a newer Swiss tool and I find the Philips easily copes with standard pozi in work situations with almost no cam out and sufficiently long to reach most screws. To my mind I rate the screwdriver farr superior to work colleagues leatherman.
Please, please, consider using a soft desk pad/mouse pad for videos. The constant loud banging and gouging noises are really triggering for some viewers ☹️
The only company in the world that can produce high-quality pliers for multi-tools is Leatherman! Period! The rest is deeply secondary. Единственная компания в мире, которая умеет делать качественные пассатижи для мультитулов, это компания Leatherman ! Точка! Остальное глубоко вторично.
I've had them all since this whole mess started with multi tools...the SwissTool has been the best over the last 20 plus years I've had it....
It is a really cool tool!
"quality wise, they are fairly similar", this statement i cant confirm, while my old wave is still somewhat fine and has nice action, my swisstool from 98 is far superior. And then i whanted to buy a new wave + 2h, did that twice, both had annoying flaws like stiff handles, wobbly handles, same with blades, sharp edges, stiff inner tools, pliers where very stiff on both. none of those were up to par and i paid 159 Euros per piece. Out of frustration i then bought a new swisstool and that thing is perfect, very precise. I really dont get the praise of leatherman tools, to me they are very crude and you have to play the quality control roulette, at least here in germany.
Interesting take. I use my Surge everyday, it's tough and it has extra gadgets than the Swisstool. I agree Leatherman handles can be very stiff to open. Some say they just need oiled or broken in. From what it sounds like your experience is Victorinox doesn't have that same issue. As far as metal durability I still feel they are fairly close in that quality. I think both are great. If Victorinox would design bit drivers for their large multitools like their cybertool that would be amazing!
they're us made and that part is more than 50% of their value to most american reviewers.
@@dariusus9870 thats quite a bias then:/
@@peddypeoples941 it's my suspicion. Of course the one handed blade opening is lm's advantage over victorinox but i haven't many fans of lm outside of us. For a country that breathes nationalism i think this plays a huge part. I might be wrong
For me the Swiss tool feels of extremely high quality, comparable to using dedicated quality tools from a reputable brands, like knipex pliers or wera screwdrivers.
No sharp or uncomfortable edges and really nice ergonomics. I can genuinely easily reach for it as a go to rather than as a get out of trouble.
I find mine is used daily at work, the Philips on the victornox is sufficiently long to reach almost all the screws I come across an easily works on pozi. The large screwdriver is perfect for hoseclips, prising off plastic stop tap covers etc. I use the pliers least but you can get enough leverage to undo and tighten 13mm nuts on battery terminals etc at a push and easily copes with 10mm nuts.
I've always caried a separate knife but can't fault the Swiss tool knife I have the standard version so also have the serated knife.
My experience of the leatherman is from trying work colleagues ones and I don't find them as ergonomic.
Great vid, Ty. Agreed. Working in a warehouse I started with the Rebar. It was okay, yet, often not enough for excessive unpackaging, twisting, grabbing, and pulling. In 2016, my wonderful wife gifted me with the "new" Surge and all the whining stopped! The Surge is a warehouse mighty tool!! Its larger, tougher, size makes it perfect for the hardest big box storage, strapping, and wrapping projects. Began edc with the PST in the early 90s; moved on to the Blast (which is my fav Leatherman) but set it on the shelf after 2016 when I couldn't find another one for replacement; ending with the Rebar for edc (after it graduated from the warehouse). Guess I'm a L'm fanboy...
Swisstool is better
I fully agree
Once you use a Swisstool it makes the Surge feel cheap
I have both. The swisstool plier head comes loose. The Surge hasn't so I can't help but disagree!
@@billybunter3753 sure with your experience totally understand.
I appreciate your content conciseness. Currently youtube videos are getting so long and mumbly.
Thank you!
The Saw on the SwissTool is awesome...
I had the exact same experience with the Awl on my Victorinox.
The Leatherman is designed for primary use pliers & cutting tools...
Excellent comparison! 👍🏻
I own both and I find the Swisstool to be much more practical as well as far more refined and much better built than the Surge.
The attention to detail, smoothness, comfort of use and overall precision on the Swisstool is just second to none and unsurpassed by any other multitool I've tried so far.
Absolute winner for me: the Swisstool. 🥇
Very nice. I really want to get the Spirit I've heard great things about it as well
@@hvacbudget8600
I don't have the Spirit. But the Swisstool is just superb. Only the safe and ultraprecise click when closing it (unlike by friction on the Leatherman Surge) tells you everything.
Agree, the ergonomics are comparable to using dedicated reputable brand tools like wera, knipex etc. For me the Swiss tool is a better product.
GARBAGE 😂
Having owned the Wave, Supertool, Charge and Surge as well as some SOG and Gerber I fully agree that I now wouldn't exchange my Swisstool for any of the other mentioned multitool. However I have to admit that replacable wire cutters and jig saw/file/whatever is a no question advantage. Couldn't those brands reunite the best ideas in their products and just battle with the precision, choice of steel and assembly quality?
I have all the mainstream Leathermans surge,wave,mut etc. I have the Swiss tool too. Iv been enjoy using the center drive plus by Gerber. Spring loaded pliers and prybar are what I use most often. I work on tires a lot
I am looking to add the center drive soon to my collection. I like the bit driver and prybar option!
@@hvacbudget8600 in eBay u can get a new center drive black one for around 60 bucks. It’s not the plus version the plus has scissors. If you like me I bought the normal one and ended up getting the plus later when inshould of just got the plus to begin with
I don't have a surge, but I have 3 waves, a wave plus, and a charge ti. I am on my second swisstool because I in inadvertently left my first swisstool behind in a cross country move. Honestly, I hardly ever used it, but I love it, it is a marvel of design and engineering...and beauty. I just had to have another one. I want to get a surge, but am not in a hurry. I am a golf course mechanic and wear lots of hats. I find the leatherman fuse carried in a pliers deployed state in a pliers sheath works for me...i like the lite weight. Thanks for the review
@@stevedriscoll2539 Sounds like you have some great multitools!
@@xlilnetx Good advice. I will keep a lookout for the Gerber Centerdrive Plus.
Good video, thanks! You have a '98 Swisstool...it looks really good! It has a serrated blade...the X has scissors...I like both...in a tradesman's environment, the Surge is the best...on a boat, in a dock, or around water in general, the Swisstool is best as it has a tendency not to rust...as to conditioning a leather sheath, you could start with saddle soap, then conditioning oil, mink oil & then liquid polish, if you want it uniformly black in color, with additional protection....in the case of your sheath, imho, it would need cleaning & softening, then conditioning for suppleness & protection of the leather...nothing, imho, looks better than a well used, well conditioned sheath on one's belt, that has a soft glow & is supple - along with a well- conditioned, oiled & well- sharpened multi tool in it....😊
Sounds good! Thanks for the great info!
@@hvacbudget8600 you are most welcome!
The Swiss Tool X has also the feature to act as a 90° measurement. If you open the pliers, you'll feel that it always opens in a certain way and would also stay at a 90° angle.
That's cool! I didn't know that.
@@hvacbudget8600 Yeah, me neither - I always just wondered why the one side opened more easily, you know, when you open the pliers up.
Then I read a comment on the Internet somewhere that you could "measure roughly angles with it" and I was like "Yeah but then you can 'roughly' measure Angles with two pens too." - Until it dawned on me.
Imagine how stupid I felt it after havin' one for nearly ten years, wondering about it for nearly ten years why it's "uneven" if you open the pliers and then finally realizing the function... ^^'"
It's not perfectly square, so no, it's not 90 degrees. In other words, it's either square or it's not, and it's not.
@@billybunter3753 Then most squares ain't squares.
@@DaroriDerEinzige You make zero sense. When building, it's either square or it's not!
I have both and I think those shouldn't be compared.
Surge is quite obsolete if you don't bring the full accessories like bit kits, extension, saw/file and a few t shank blades (wood/metal/pvc) . Surge with full package is around 19-20oz I haven't include the ratchet.
Swisstool not X but the CS work 100% without accessories. Do not depend from them. It's a tool focus on more and better blunt nose, hold better nuts thanks to the wide mouth and fine teething. It's extremely useful the quick access tools.
Surge getting a tools are 3 movements. Open frame, tool off, close frame. Swisstool 1 movement.
I think if you looking more for a blades, neddle plier and good cutters get the Surge plus full kit available.
If looking more of a general heavy duty multitool with enought of everything, compact and lighter. Take Swisstool.
I use both a lot. I have 3 surges, and 4 Swisstools
sorry what does the CS stand for in the Swiss?
Swisstool is a shiny toy the surge is a blue collar tool
Hi, I know this is an old video, but I wanted to ask you. I have a swisstool spirit XC old version, it is more than 7 years old, there is a backlash in my pliers do you have the same situation or should I seek warranty repairs? The pliers work properly, I didn't do hard work with them, they still bite any wires well, they hold the nuts perfectly, but there is a noticeable backlash in them.
Thanks for watching! What do you mean exactly by backlash? Do they spring back? I've noticed mine can be a bit stiff to open at times. Or do the pliers bind or get stuck at times cutting?
@@hvacbudget8600 I mean that the pliers open too easily, the central pin of the pliers has become weaker to connect them, they hang out more and are not connected rigidly as before. They still cut wires well, but if you take one handle and shake it, you can hear them rattle a little.
@@komradsar8755 I would send it to be fixed. You’ve got the warranty so it should be free or cheap.
Which one is more tightly put together? As in, if I'm using the screw drivers, which one flexes less?
I'll have to check into that.
I never know which one is the best, mate. Cos i just put my Surge on the shelf n adore it 😍
There you go! LoL.
@@hvacbudget8600 dude, u dont wanna know what i've been through to get this Surge 🤣
Swiss tool is the old versin in comparison...?
On par with leatherman? Correction, swisstool is better than leatherman. Ive seen many broken plier heads from leatherman. Never have i seen broken plier heads from victorinox.
Just bought a leatherman surge for $60. Can’t wait to use and abuse it
What an amazing deal! Good job!
@@hvacbudget8600 I got a black surge I use in my truck. This one didn’t come with a sheath or file. I’ll survive. Basically new
@@appleztooranges Still a great deal!
В России цена на него 180$ и даже доходит до 270$😢
I bought a Surge almost 3 months ago. It has small rust spots already. I regularly use a PTFE spray on it too. I think it's more rugged than the SwissTool, and it has OHO, but I am really envious off the Vic's quality/finish.
That seems unusual for rust spots to quickly form like that. I have heard of that on the 300 and the SOG. The Swisstool is really nice though.
@@hvacbudget8600
They aren't huge spots but I noticed them all the same. I'm not near the coast but it does get humid. My brother-in-law works on marinas in Sydney fixing yachts and his Surge got real rusty.
@@codpieceofjustice4595 Interesting to know. I guess that's something to watch out for.
What does OHO stand for? :)
@@ollymcgill6595 One Hand Opening I think.
I bought the pocket clip for my Surge. I prefer it.
Nice!
Good video but quality is not the same and not the same league. Swiss makes leatherman feel like chinese.
No, I have both, the Swisstools plier head comes loose even without use. The Surge is still tight! I'm not American so no brand loyalty here! Remember, I have both and the Surge is still the best!
@@billybunter3753 have both as well and the surge is way to heavy compared to the Swisstool and the refinement is way above the surge. As far as the pillars coming loose have not experienced that so not taking that away from your position.
You’re using multi tool screwdrivers on regular basis? I find it impossible to constantly use them instead if regular screwdrivers. Very uncomfortable.
They can be but I prefer the full 1/4" drivers on my multi tools which work much better.
@@hvacbudget8600 true but handling is still terrible. The best one for me so far was powerpint but I still struggle tbh
I think the flat bits are a downgrade for the Surge. This bits fits perfect to the Wave, but for a full sized multitool, I don't know... If you but it in your Hand it is havy and says use me but with this bits you cant put force on it. So for heavy worke it is useless.
They should use a regular bitdriver, throw the canopener out and it would be a great multitool.
I like that idea!
Are you forgetting that you can use full size bits with the extension bar?
I own both and I carry the Surge way more. Also as a technician, one should be using the proper tool for the job. Yes, a MT can be used, but it should not be the main tool.
True. I have a really nice pair of Klein wire strippers I use each day. I like multitools for quick easy tasks.
The surge is definitely king, but I admire Victorinox for their thinking. It doesn’t matter who was king, the one that pulled the sword from the stone, was the first one to implement replaceable wire cutters. 😀
I like that lol!
Put the Leatherman and Victorinox into salt wather 4 1 week...aaand U will see the difference then..🤣🤣
I’ve had the Swiss tool for over 10 years, love it, BUT, if you don’t have fingernails, getting tools out easily and quickly is more difficult. This is one thing I can’t stand about the Swisstool
Good to hear long term experience with a tool. That is a good point about the ease of access to the tools.
So what do you really think about those multi tools?
Leatherman Surge is still better because it has extra features plus stronger tools for someone in the Contstruction or Repair Industry.
The Victorinox is a great all around tool if you do not need the extras the Surge offers.
I find the phillips driver on my swisstool absolutely useless as it doesn't grip any screw well and cams our. Also the steel is too soft. I bought it when they first came out so I don't know if the new ones are better. My wave and charge tti are way better design, smaller footprint yet larger blades, one hand opening, no brainer in my eyes.
I tend to find the Leathermans better for actual work as well.
Mine is a newer Swiss tool and I find the Philips easily copes with standard pozi in work situations with almost no cam out and sufficiently long to reach most screws.
To my mind I rate the screwdriver farr superior to work colleagues leatherman.
Victorinox 🥊
Both are autdated something newe . Victorinox have same tool like 50 are go and I'm not yoking
Please, please, consider using a soft desk pad/mouse pad for videos. The constant loud banging and gouging noises are really triggering for some viewers ☹️
surge is in the drawer, enough said. lol
Surge is King.
I agree!
The only company in the world that can produce high-quality pliers for multi-tools is Leatherman! Period! The rest is deeply secondary. Единственная компания в мире, которая умеет делать качественные пассатижи для мультитулов, это компания Leatherman ! Точка! Остальное глубоко вторично.
It sounds like you never tried a Swisstool, then you might change your mind..