Thanks Ben, spending like there's no tomorrow, just picked up 2 for Christmas gifts. However, reading the reviews, someone got it for $7.52 at Home Depot, so I guess they clear these out every so often.
I'm not a huge fan of the skeletool, vs the others in the leatherman lineup, but even the cheap leathermans are solid, well built multi-tools. If you need one, this isn't a bad price.
I have a $40 Leatherman multi-tool and a $4 Ozark Trail model from and have used both extensively. The $40 Leatherman one is no better than the Ozark Trail one. Of course, any heavy-duty job is going to be addressed by a tool from the toolbox or tool chest...these multi-tools are just a portable, point-of-use convenience. Therefore, why pay three or four times more for a tool than is necessary?!?
^ They're not the same quality, especially the pliers, knife blade, and frame which are the 3 things that would impact my use the most. If paying more for that isn't a good value to you, then don't. I too, seldom use one these days, think I left my Leatherman in my truck glovebox but I want the max usefulness I can get out of it if I need it.
Even with limited use, I wouldn't advise skimping too much on something with basic tool functionality (opposed to a specialty tool), something that may last more than one lifetime.
$30 is not much to spend on a knife, let alone one that does all that other stuff too.
^ They're not the same quality, especially the pliers, knife blade, and frame which are the 3 things that would impact my use the most. If paying more for that isn't a good value to you, then don't. I too, seldom use one these days, think I left my Leatherman in my truck glovebox but I want the max usefulness I can get out of it if I need it.
Even with limited use, I wouldn't advise skimping too much on something with basic tool functionality (opposed to a specialty tool), something that may last more than one lifetime.
$30 is not much to spend on a knife, let alone one that does all that other stuff too.
Disagree. And I've done the hard-core testing side-by-side.
^ I have several similar generic multitools, if not made in the same factory. People give me stuff like this thinking I'd like and use it, which I would if it were all I had, but since I already have better I politely accept the gift since it's rude to refuse one. Heh, this Christmas I even got one that has a thick adjustable wrench on the end and the thing must weigh close to a pound! http://www.tesco.com/direct/rolson-adjustable-wrench-multi-tool/551-2959.prd
Ask in a Knife Forum. You'll get the same answers over and over among those who collect them, that they deem Ozark Trail to be the one you'd use if it were all you had and the two top/better brands are Leatherman and Gerber.
They are not the same quality. If nothing else it is obvious enough by carrying one around in your pocket and noticing the Chinese buttermetal gets scratched much worse because it's not as hard, and doesn't hold an edge as well, isn't machined as well, crude looking rivets that look like they were beaten on by hand, other rough edges due to lack of finishing.
Hinges that won't take as much stress, less leverage possible on the pliers, thinner/weaker knife blade, weaker low carbon Philips screwdriver tip, and really, just about every area of the knife. Ironically one area where it's finished more than it ought to be is the edge of the regular/flat screwdriver blade so it slips out of screw heads, but then that may save the tool because the frame and rivets can't stand as much torque trying to use it. It'll start to get bent up and the rivets get loose, even if you don't mind sharpening everything more often due to the low grade stainless.
It all comes back to my prior statement. Some people don't use a multi-tool much so to them it may not be worth paying for a decent tool, but this is the same situation as buying any quality knife versus the cheapest chinese generics on the market... I wouldn't EDC a generic Chinese (single blade) knife either.
For many people who just want a 'muilt' type tool in the glove box the tool is most likely fine. If however like me carry a tool such as this when back country skiing then perhaps a high quality tool would be best.
Not a fan of the skeletool - the wingman is a great entry level leatherman, however, and is also a bargain. That ozark multitool is a joke - the blades don't hold an edge as well, they dig into your hands when actually exerting force on the pliers... the pliers are not sprung, the frame flexes, the tool motion isn't as smooth... But then again if you're a shopper, you can convince yourself of ANYTHING, really, in terms of cost vs quality. I like how the other people giving solid advice as to how and why ozark and leatherman aren't in the same category get downvoted. I will also, most likely - but seriously, this false equivalency mindset "made in the same factory" BS has got to stop. If that ozark is good for you, then that's fine, but don't force your lower standards on people who give a **** about their tools... Even a low end leatherman like the wingman outclasses the ozark in every possible category.
This is my EDC Multitool, I picked it up at a yardsale a couple of years ago and started to EDC over a year ago. While still I'm not that keen on its aesthetics, it has won me over in functionality. I thought the Carabiner was useless at first, then I found I could hang it with gloved hands faster and more reliably then putting it back in my front pocket during cold, wet and/or muddy outdoor jobs, especially when I don't want to touch my pants with the gloves during messy work.
It hasn't gotten loose like all the China made knives and multitools I've owned. Actually one joint got loose but I had the correct micro Torx to tighten it up, that was months ago and it's still good. might carry the best cheap multitool, but it's still a cheap multitool. This is the real deal.
^ They're not the same quality, especially the pliers, knife blade, and frame which are the 3 things that would impact my use the most. If paying more for that isn't a good value to you, then don't. I too, seldom use one these days, think I left my Leatherman in my truck glovebox but I want the max usefulness I can get out of it if I need it.
Disagree. And I've done the hard-core testing side-by-side.
Comments & Reviews (13)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-14-In-1-Multi-Tool/52598299
Even with limited use, I wouldn't advise skimping too much on something with basic tool functionality (opposed to a specialty tool), something that may last more than one lifetime.
$30 is not much to spend on a knife, let alone one that does all that other stuff too.
Disagree. And I've done the hard-core testing side-by-side.
http://www.tesco.com/direct/rolson-adjustable-wrench-multi-tool/551-2959.prd
Ask in a Knife Forum. You'll get the same answers over and over among those who collect them, that they deem Ozark Trail to be the one you'd use if it were all you had and the two top/better brands are Leatherman and Gerber.
They are not the same quality. If nothing else it is obvious enough by carrying one around in your pocket and noticing the Chinese buttermetal gets scratched much worse because it's not as hard, and doesn't hold an edge as well, isn't machined as well, crude looking rivets that look like they were beaten on by hand, other rough edges due to lack of finishing.
Hinges that won't take as much stress, less leverage possible on the pliers, thinner/weaker knife blade, weaker low carbon Philips screwdriver tip, and really, just about every area of the knife. Ironically one area where it's finished more than it ought to be is the edge of the regular/flat screwdriver blade so it slips out of screw heads, but then that may save the tool because the frame and rivets can't stand as much torque trying to use it. It'll start to get bent up and the rivets get loose, even if you don't mind sharpening everything more often due to the low grade stainless.
It all comes back to my prior statement. Some people don't use a multi-tool much so to them it may not be worth paying for a decent tool, but this is the same situation as buying any quality knife versus the cheapest chinese generics on the market... I wouldn't EDC a generic Chinese (single blade) knife either.
It hasn't gotten loose like all the China made knives and multitools I've owned. Actually one joint got loose but I had the correct micro Torx to tighten it up, that was months ago and it's still good. might carry the best cheap multitool, but it's still a cheap multitool. This is the real deal.
HARD CORE TESTING
Thank you!