A multi-tool is something all men and even women need, especially if you are into DIY projects, travelling or bushwhacking. It is incredibly useful, with the most popular ones being the Swiss army knife and the Leatherman.

Swiss Army Knife

Swiss army knives are legendary, and have been around for over 125 years. These nifty gadgets have survived for more than a century for a good reason – they are durable, functional and of a high quality. That, combined with an elegant design has made the Swiss army knife a permanent fixture for adventurer travellers.

Leatherman

The Leatherman pliers style multi-tool is the new evolution of multi-tools, and can offer as many as 20 tools packed into its compact frame. Although heavier than a Swiss army knife, it offers more tools, including its pliers nose. This main plier is usually spring loaded and can handle extremely tough jobs, while all the other tools can lock as well. If you are stuck in the wilderness, this is the tool you should have.

Swiss Army Knife versus Leatherman

So, which tool is best to use in the field and out, and which one is the most dependable, reliable and durable? Well, both the Swiss army knife and the Leatherman have its pros and cons.

The main difference between the two gadgets is that the Swiss army knife lacks some of the tools that the Leatherman features. Another downside is that only the mechanical models of the Swiss army knife features pliers. Also, the blade on the Swiss army knife is usually too small to do any real work.

A Leatherman, on the other hand, is considerably heavier than the Swiss army knife, and if you are in the field, a lighter device may be better.

So which is better?

The Leatherman definitely has some key advantages over the Swiss army knife. A Leatherman usually has a bigger blade and other tools not found on a Swiss army knife. However, it is only worth buying a Leatherman if you actually plan on using it. And even then, make sure you get one that is lightweight and made with high quality materials. It is useless spending money on a product you will hardly be using. On the other, don’t buy a cheap model and expect it to work as well as the more expensive models. If you plan on buying a Leatherman, get a good quality one that will last for years to come.

The Swiss army knife has a solid reputation and has been in the industry for decades. This is a good option if you don’t mind the lack of pliers and a few other accessories. Also, none of the tools on a Swiss army knife can lock, unlike with the Leatherman. The main selling points for the Swiss army knife are its long standing reputation for durability, reliability, and functionality.

Bottom line: A Swiss army knife is a lightweight and reliable companion for most travelling excursions. If you are doing some serious backpacking or wilderness activity, a Leatherman definitely packs a meaner punch.

Author bio

This article was written for oo.com.au and offers information on the difference between a Swiss army knife and a Leatherman.