2023 Top 5 Heavy Duty Multi-Tools!

Leatherman Surge - amzn.to/3zRAULd
Victorinox Swisstool - amzn.to/41kHiWY
Gerber CenterDrive - amzn.to/41qQgSs
Gerber Dualforce - www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop...
Sog POwerAccess Assist - amzn.to/3GFtBtA
Leatherman Supertool 300 - amzn.to/3MDkKfW
Nextool Adjustable Wrench - amzn.to/3mxX16j
Amazon affiliate links help support this channel.
Amazon Store - www.amazon.com/shop/hvacbudget

[@anthonyolivares4608]

I used my dual force all day today. Every single tool . ( Gas technician ). It brought a tear to my eye

[@hvacbudget8600]

It's a great tool!

[@blade9292]

Yeah I'm considering getting one :)

[@Knifeandkompass77]

Only a real man cries when using a multitool

[@mackjones7688]

Tears of joy for men are just lubricant from a lack of blinking. Pure focus on being productive. 😂

[@jimbeaux89]

I’m a commercial HVAC technician, and my surge is my best friend when up on rooftops, working on package units. I’ve tried a few Gerbers and SOG’,s, but none do the job quite like my surge. I’d take power access assist afterwards. Great tool

[@RandoPandaSmiles]

Great vid. The Swiss Tool is a total beast. Daily use for 10+ years and zero issues.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Amazing!

[@Bombastic_Spastic]

I'm a Carpenter. Tried a Surge out for a couple of months, didn't like it. Sold it and bought a SuperTool 300, I wouldn't be without it, opens up like a balisong and never fails to do what I need.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Very cool!

[@jared8530]

Upgrade the centerdrives cutters to hardened steel inserts and in my opinion it's the most useful for work....

[@shanegaming2446]

I like the slip joint pilers & center drive pilers I never had any with a slide lock pilers.

[@Chaumyk]

Surge and PowerAccess Assist/Deluxe are my go to.

[@maxlvledc]

I've never seen a sog compound leverage multitool survive a full year of daily use..it's a cool system. But simply far far too soft on the steel that makes up the gears. I need to try that nextool.. The ST300 should have been top 5 easily..and the surge frankly is useless without bits being available..it's gotten so bad trying to find replacements I've nearly given up on their bit system entirely. LOVE the Surge..but imo the bit driver drags it down a lot.

[@joblessalex]

That surge mod is genius. Would've never thought about that! I still just use my knife and roll around. Lol

[@hvacbudget8600]

Thanks!

[@wallywo7392]

Thanks for your hard work with these videos, after owninga supercool for 25 years, leatherman replaced it this year and I gave to my son. I now have the surge and PowerPoint access assist, surge is superior but the power in the sog pliers is great, all accessories on the outside for me which is a real priority, solid driver on the sog too, downfall is you have to open the pliers wide compared to surge, still I thinks it's a solid tool as a backup and alternative to surge.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@jeremyhack7217]

I use the Leatherman 300M and enjoy that one a lot. I have a Sog, and a Victorinox that I have to use with it sometimes also. Just around the house I carry the Leatherman Rebar.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Sounds good!

[@richardsullivan1776]

I'm a HUGE fan of the regular Super Tool 300. I really think the 300M with scissors would be the perfect tool. The tool itself has very nice, smooth and comfortable handles!

[@hvacbudget8600]

@@richardsullivan1776 I think next month the Leatherman 300M might be on my shopping list! I like the 300 EOD as well. Hard choices!

[@jimmypennell8831]

Damn that modified wire stripper for the surge is genius 😅. Would definitely like to see how you did it

[@hvacbudget8600]

Thanks! I have a video talking about it a bit more.

[@peddypeoples941]

The design of the Swisstool has not changed that much since 97, they had it right in the first place. Imho the best multitool. Had a Surge but did not like it as much.

[@unfi6798]

Another great vid on comparison of multitool. We would select the SOG but replace the micro with a laser pointer, great for class & great for suvival/rescue. All our multitool are base on outdoors activities. Which is why we mod them to specification & requirement. All the top end multitool tends to get very expensive whenever they come to Australia so generics & Asian made will have to do and it works wonders. It's tough, durable & it looks "cool" man. Non has bend or broken, just wear & tear from usage. We feel that all/any multotool is good, something that we have on us & use it on the fly. A tool box in the hand, would you agree? We do get people telling us that Leatherman is this & that, SAK is the best, SOG is up there etc but do those people really use their multitools. We do.! Thanks for the great vid. We're always get entertain when watching you do your magic. Cheers mate.

[@hvacbudget8600]

That laser pointer sounds like an interesting idea!

[@globetrotter7778]

To me the T-shank blade holder on the Surge is absolutely brilliant: - The included saw and file can easily be swapped out once they are worn out, which isn't possible with (to my knowledge) any other multi-tool; - The user can equip their Surge with any aftermarket T-shank blade, which includes blades meant to cut wood, PVC and metals, among others; - The file can be detached and in a pinch, its diamond-coated side can be used to sharpen the Surge's own blade. Not the greatest sharpener, but better than no sharpener at all.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Definitely!

[@gregtomamichel973]

Great video, thanks. My EDC choice is SOG Power Access Deluxe, but I also have Gerber Dual Force and LM Surge. All great tools, but like you said, it comes down to what suits your own individual needs.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Definitely!

[@Spike_-rx7bx]

Sog, noone talks about the handle to plier ratio. You have to open the handle wide just to get the pliers to open which you lose grip strength. Omce they fix that ima get a sog

[@gmoore9179]

The modified wire stripper on the surge is great. I need to do that

[@hvacbudget8600]

Thanks!

[@em4me-Dan]

The Gerber "Dual Force" and "Center Drive" have worked flawlessly every time at least for me. It is a few of the Gerber lines that I have come to admire. Own one SOG and a few Leatherman a must have for those looking for high-quality multi-tools. Thank you so much for sharing 👍. Kudos from NYC 🗽.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Thanks!

[@cincy333]

I own or have owned 4 Leathermen, 4 gerbers, 2 SOG’s and a bunch of no name multi tools. Leathermen is king, SOG Power Access Assist and Power Pint are two of my favorite tools. All 4 of my gerbers broke within a year.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Glad the leatherman and SOG's held up well!

[@tombeckett2442]

I say the Leatherman Supertool 300 is underrated. I can access most of the tools using one hand, and it's the same size as the Leatherman Surge but $70 cheaper.

[@hvacbudget8600]

You make a great point about the price!

[@tombeckett2442]

@@hvacbudget8600 The price difference is one of the biggest reasons why I chose the Leatherman Supertool 300 over the Leatherman Surge when I was looking for a heavy duty Leatherman.

[@justyou9314]

Glad i've purchased a Surge recently, mate. Along with a bitkit set, ratchet adaptor n spare serrated blade 😎😁

[@hvacbudget8600]

Very nice!

[@justyou9314]

@@hvacbudget8600 thankyou, mate. Cheerish the tools we have 😎😁😇

[@ActionBastard666]

Great video my friend! Love all of those multi tools, my favorite would be the super tool though. Sure, it does not have one hand opening but every implement is so stout/long and reliable. Whenever I use it, it doesn’t feel like it will break. Unfortunately my awl and even a small part of the pry tool on my centerdrive have chipped off from regular use. I have owned a swisstool and really loved the easy accessible tools but I really was not a big fan of the pliers. I still want a duel force and I do not own a surge because I have my super tool. Yes yes, I still recognize surge as king haha but I love the throwback of the SuperTool as an ode to the original PST 😁

[@hvacbudget8600]

The Supertool is a great tool!!

[@stephenbayley1441]

I'm holding out for the Leatherman Arc.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Good choice!

[@richardsullivan1776]

The Super Tool 300 and Surge are my favorite out of the "heavy duty" multitool offered by Leatherman. The original Super Tool was introduced in 1994 and the Surge in 2005. I'm not saying the other tools are bad but the newer Gerber Dual Force hasn't been around yet for an extended period of time, its not really time tested.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Excellent point! I would love to see a Supertool 300 , P4 hybrid tool. A lot of potential if you could use the P series smooth action and get the Supertool's heavy duty toolset.

[@arncj18]

just say no to cheap china steel from gerber

[@agyemanboaten4385]

Good and seemingly honest review.. There are other countries in the world that make good things. Some things from outside US can even be better.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@SpacecityEDC]

Good comparison,👍 I usually carry the Surge but I also have the Centerdrive my only issue with the Centerdrive was I didn't care much for the interior tool set. I have a large collection of multitools like Leatherman and Gerber. I have a nice collection of Victorinox pocket knives but haven't bought one of their multitools yet...😮 But it's tempting 😅 I love the Rebar and ST300 they are tanks but like you, in my trade as an aircraft mechanic I often find myself in precarious positions in tight spaces or up in position where I may only have one hand to access my multitools so for me the one handed accessable tools are almost a must. The only Sogs I have are the Powerpint and MacV but those assisted opening outside blades are interesting too. 🤔 Anyway, great video always enjoy your content have a great day!

[@hvacbudget8600]

Thanks! It definitely is nice to have quick access on tools.

[@edgaraquino2324]

You might consider purchasing a Swiss Tool X....😊

[@dobie-at-home]

One day, I’m gonna talk you out of that Surge with wire stripper mod! 😆 I’d do it myself, but I’m lazy! … one day I’ll try it.

[@hvacbudget8600]

LoL! Someone added the Squirt ES4 wire strippers to a 300 Supertool. That looked sharp!

[@dobie-at-home]

@@hvacbudget8600 😳 I gotta see that!

[@lawrencehubbard2985]

I have to say that after watching this video that I have to admit I was wrong. The Leatherman Multi Tool is itself 83% made in the USA. The pliers are made in Mexico, the cork screw & file Europe and some fasteners are made overseas. All their sheaths are made overseas the Berry Compliant Sheath for Gerber 100% made in the USA. Leatherman does make and sells multi tools to the US military Surge and MUT. Almost all of their accessories are made overseas not a deal breaker. They also offer a 30% coupon code for military members, veterans, first responders and other government employees. The coupon is good for three in one purchase once a year. It renews on December 31 each year. They didn’t lose the lawsuit bought against them about being Made in America. They took it off the pliers because they aren’t made in the USA. The two Gerber products the Dual Force is made overseas Taiwan or PRC the Center Drive is 100% made in the USA. The weird part some of sheaths are made in the USA Berry Compliant Sheath and some are made in Taiwan or PRC. All SOG are made in China. Swiss multi tool Switzerland. Gerber makes 336 different products split evenly between the USA and overseas. I will now apologize for my ignorance. If you are a military member, veteran, first responder or government employee both Leatherman and Gerber offer us discounts.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Thanks for the great info!

[@nunyafuckinbizniz]

St300 beats the $HIT out of any SOG.

[@mattg8787]

#HvacBudget where do you get the wire stripers for the Leatherman Surge

[@hvacbudget8600]

I modded it from this tool. www.ebay.com/b/Commercial-Electric-Industrial-Electrical-Tool-Kits/42889/bn_17654581

[@marcinos303]

Nice comparison. SOG multitools are produced in Taiwan and are better and more carefully made than the old SOGs produced in the USA. They are also more carefully crafted than any Leatherman model. The best old SOGs are the versions for Palladin Tools, especially the great PT 540. The Black Tip was also nice, unfortunately these two large, durable models are no longer produced. I would also add the Chinese Roxon and Daicamping to the list, which are copies of Leatherman, for 1/3 of the price.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Those older Sogs are great!

[@Dwizzlejay]

Top notch as usual...I own the Leatherman p4, powerpint and the assist, Vnox swisstool mbxs and spirit x, the multiforce, the flagship pro and Charge clone....let's get this out the way Leatherman is a company that got complacent, the surge is there flagship but for it price we should get a lot more from Leatherman. Give us a redesign please, all tools outside better bits something. My p4 is coo,l but it's inner tools are wack 😒 meaning the smaller tool I don't like and believe you said in a past video the price wasn't right and i agree...rant over. Poweraccess assist and the swisstool mbxs that's my pick

[@hvacbudget8600]

I love the Surge but like you said I wish it would be upgraded!

[@herbcanter2114]

@@hvacbudget8600 Surge is perfect the way it is .

[@techfournine2730]

Plz make a video of how to add the strippers and parts used

[@hvacbudget8600]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIrMdXubZs6YfJY Hope this video on the mod helps.

[@techfournine2730]

@@hvacbudget8600 whoohoo

[@blade9292]

To be honest I tend to avoid Multitools without the bit drivers, many of my tools do have a 1/4 inch drive. And I do have a lot of chinese tools with pliers and the bit driver, however I started to get scissors based ones with the bit driver because of the lack of insulated pliers. Also this makes tools like the dual force or the crunch a bit more interesting because they do have different pliers. Or even doing an insulated multitool for electric jobs...

[@hvacbudget8600]

An insulated multitool sounds great!

[@blade9292]

@@hvacbudget8600 yeah and when I did some research all I found was an advertisement for one which was never released. Because all the actual multitools do have electrician tools, but no plier based multitools with insulation. The best stuff I find is actual pliers, mini tools or bit drivers. Which those actually takes some space. Even if it's quite compact. I have a 145mm insulated pliers and a pocket max. These two are my insulated tools for electric EDC. An insulated multitool might take some space but it's probably more efficient than separated tools when it comes to carrying efficiency... Although some tools are properly insulated, but don't have the VDE certification because it can use for exemple regular bits...

[@hvacbudget8600]

@@blade9292 I've seen the insulated multi tool. Too bad it's not available.

[@blade9292]

@@hvacbudget8600 hehe I guess we searched for something like this. I think multitool manufacturers should look at this kind of tools regarding specialities. One thing to consider it's oftem MTs do have minimal approaches or are a great addition to a mini tool set. So getting specialized multitool I think might make a nice mini tool set if their roles don't overlap too much.

[@freddy2141]

🇺🇸LEATHERMAN SUPER TOOL 300 🇺🇸💪🏼 IS A WORK BEAST 💪🏼

[@luismedina8502]

The Center line will not cut or strip any type of wire. I returned mine, junk.

[@arncj18]

you must be kidding, if a life depended on it, i would never choose a LM over a Victorinox, sure it is more exciting design, but reliability wise, QA wise build quality the victor is second to none. there is a reason why it's lifetime vs 25 years. if Lm used harder steel and wouldn't wobble, and was made in USA not just the Free series then maybe...qa in mexico is terrible. there shouldn't be broken plier pictures of surges on reddit.

[@gigilaco]

In my opinion, Victorinox are great MTs but they’re becoming increasingly outdated. 15 years ago it would’ve been the best, if not the best, but Leatherman is now the leader in innovation. SOG and Gerber are also becoming more innovative but both brands seem to focus only on 1 or 2 MT features and then give up on the rest of the tool.

[@hvacbudget8600]

That's a good analysis!