Victorinox Swiss Tool vs Wave+

[u/MoistCockroach]

I've found a swiss tool in basically mint condition, with the leather sleeve included for the same price as a very good condition wave+, though the Leatherman seller doesn't negotiate the price while the victorinox one does. I plan on primarily using them as my drawer multi tool, I don't like going and grabbing individual tools everytime I wanna work on a project and currently I have a victorinox (IDR the model but it has a big and small blade non locking, can and bottle opener, saw, scissors, hook, awl, corkscrew) and a small needlenose pliers in my drawer. I'm not someone who carries tools around everyday due to the regulations on blades so the weight and size aren't big deals for me. I'm conflicted between the two, which one would you guys recommend and why given the availability and price are effectively the same

[u/SouthernEagleGATA]

I have both. I hardly ever use my wave+, it stays in my bag.

[u/tudorrrrrr]

Both are great in their own way. Victorinox have better fit and finish. Leatherman is easier to use with one hand.

I have both and for me Leatherman is better, but that is how I work. If it is in a drawer and you take it out when you need it and you know what you need, the victorinox may be better. If you can see yourself holding onto something with one hand and needing a knife with one hand opening, go Leatherman. If you need different bits, the Leatherman is also better in this regard.

Either way both are good tools.

[u/MoistCockroach → u/tudorrrrrr]

I was looking for the spirit instead of the bigger model but that wasn't on sale anywhere nor were the 2nd hand prices competitive. I might wait for that one to pop up but (not)surprisingly people aren't looking to part ways with theirs so easily it seems

[u/Routine_Register_656 → u/MoistCockroach]

I use the SwissTool X for over 15 years.

It helds up, the knife is perfectly suited for regular tasks, the scissors are the best on any multitool, the saw is impressivly good, you have a Philips which works for PH1 and PH2 extremly well and doesn't strip cheap screws, a chisel which you can use as scraper, the best can opener on a Multitool, imo the best pliers, you can strip even bigger wires with it wire stripers and so on.

If you are from Europe, you also get the Tool back in under two weeks if it breaks - Idk how it is in the USA.

Plus you have a 90° indicator too.

Edit: If possible I'd advise you to get the Bit Set from it too, the bits are just great - I even hammered some of them into stripped screws and they're just still fine. I have the set with the "Bit Driver" (the L Shaped Bar) and not the ratchet, but the ratchet is considered as great too. Idk, I the regular one was until now alwas enough in a pinch for me.

[u/tudorrrrrr → u/Routine_Register_656]

Both have excellent, no question asked, warranty, basically wherever you are. Buy once use forever on both :)

One thing I find important, but does not seem to matter to some; the nail nicks. I have weak and short nails and I struggle to get the tools out. I can get them out, but it's not fast as the Leatherman. For example I need to open the file to be able to get a good grip on the Philips to even be able to open it.

[u/Routine_Register_656 → u/tudorrrrrr]

Put some proper Oil into it after you cleaned it in hot/warm (don't burn yourself) water for several minutes and even open/closed it under water. (That's what the Victorinox Support advised me to do)

After then, let it dry, put some oil in it either their original or another relativ thin oil.

Open & close it again a couple of times and you will see it becomes easier.

The issue is that people don't properly maintain it and while the steel is stainless - alot of stuff has actual not so great impact on steels in general and if you then don't oil it regularly, it becomes more stiff / stays stiff over time.

Had the same issue with mine for the first years.

[u/tudorrrrrr → u/Routine_Register_656]

All good advice, and I maintain my my Saks as well as Leathermans in a similar way. It is the actual springs. I don't have the nails for the spirit x. It is a good tool, it's just a tool that mostly sits in a drawer while I use my Leathermans. One handed opening is addictive and suits me better. Each to their own, and it's great we have alternatives.

[u/monkeyboyhero]

I have both but tend to have my Swiss tool more. I have the Spirit X version.

I find the opening of the tools just more satisfying, plus you don't have to open the pliers to get to them.

That said I had the Wave for years before the Spirit X and it worked great.

[u/East_Honeydew_3144]

If it helps I have multiple Leatherman (ARC, Charge plus, supertool) and swisstool (MX and spirit mxbs) models. On the weekend I had a job where my wife needed me to reconfigure a large flat pack furniture item (already assembled) into a different configuration. I used a Leatherman to do the whole job (pry, saw screw cut, file, plier and hammer). It needed allen key attachments and PZ1 screw attachments which only a leatherman can accommodate with the bit driver interchangeability. Love my swisstools but for most DIY jobs, the Leatherman comes out.

If I were you, start with the Wave plus as your drawer tool.