My 40 year old Leatherman is becoming unreliable. The wire cutters are useless, the knife blade is swaybacked, the file is almost bald. I'm looking for a replacement. The Leatherman was the only choice when I got it, now there are tons of competitors.

I've narrowed it down to Victorinox and SOG, and maybe another Leatherman. Gerber is out. My wife has a 20 year old Gerber that I've never cared for, don't like the plastic slide things necessary to open it. I'm also not impressed with modern Gerber steel, their knives are junk these days AFAIC. I don't want to spend a fortune, but also plan to never buy another one.

Any opinions? Thanks.

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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
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I like my Gerber, but I agree with you concerning that dang slide thing.

Will Leatherman service your existing tool?

My dad has had the same Swiss Army knife since about 1987. Hes broken blades, and always gotten it fixed for free. He just sends it in with a letter and gets it back in a few weeks.

I've heard good things about the Leatherman warranty department maybe its worth a try.

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I'll check in to it. You're right about the Victorinox warranty. I found a nice Swiss Army in the creek one time with a broken primary blade. Sent it in and got it fixed for postage. My understanding was Leatherman's warranty is 25 years, maybe it's lifetime. I'd also kind of like some other tools, wire crimpers, a belt ripper, a 1/4 inch driver, etc. I notice the SOG is sort of modular in that respect, you can buy individual tools and swap them out in your set.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I have both. The victorinox is a much heavier tool. It's much more sturdily built.
The sog on the other hand is slightly more of a flimsy feel, but has a compound leverage plier head on it. The one I have has a cover over the tools inside of it. I find that rather annoying as it sometimes comes off in my hand. It also has spring loaded blades to make opening the knife part of it easier.
They both have their uses. The sog will squeeze with less effort. The victorinox will withstand anything within reason. I haven't had anything break on my victorinox at all and I have punished that thing brutally. I have broken the pliers on my leatherman 7 or 8 times. I have been more brutal tot he victorinox than I ever was on the leatherman, and have as of yet to break the victorinox....

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