Leatherman vs Victorinox outside the US

[u/_Dios_Del_Perreo_]

Hi everyone, I currently own various SAKS and I am looking for my first plier-based multitool and based on my research my question is this: Is Leatherman worth the price outside of the US vs Victorinox?

Everywhere I've read that Vic has a better quality, and LT has a better functionality

But in my country the Swisstool Spirit X ($140) is $10 USD cheaper than the Wave+($150) on Amazon, the exactly same case with the Swisstool X ($190) and the Surge ($200)

But I've read that in the US the Wave+ is around $120, the Surge $150, and my biggest shock is the Arc at only $230, $100 lower than my country, where it costs $335

So in these price ranges is Leatherman still worth it or should I buy Victorinox without a doubt?

[u/NecessaryAssumption4]

If you can buy victorinox quality cheaper than a leatherman then it is a no brainer which to buy.

[u/PotentateOcato]

I love my wave + but if you want more tools with great quality there's no reason to not get the victorinox.

[u/buemba]

In my country Victorinox has a way better warranty with several support offices and a local repair center while I can't really tell how Leatherman's warranty works here (which isn't a good sign) so I bought the Spirit MX even though it was a little bit more expensive than the Wave+.

[u/ColdBeerPirate → u/buemba]

Leatherman's warranty is 25 years just so they can comply with German Laws. Otherwise, I have heard that they would have offered a Lifetime Warranty to everyone.

[u/Sarcasticallysaid → u/buemba]

I have used the Leatherman warranty a few times. Just send them the broken tool, and they send a replacement. They aren't supposed to replace the screw driver bits, but they have sent me new ones with the new tool each time.

[u/AllTheWayToParis]

If you live in EU, then the price + warranty makes SwissTool the best option. If you live in US, then Leatherman is the best option for the same reason, IMHO.

They are close, but price and warranty depending on you location is pretty different.

Just bought the Spirit X Plus (with the wrench and bits) with and the leather sheath for my son’s Christmas present. Thought about the Leatherman Skeletool, but with only €25 difference in price, the choice was simple. (€135 vs €110).

[u/buckGR]

110% swisstool unless you REALLY like the one hand blade access.

[u/Few-Storage-8029 → u/buckGR]

Mx for one handed blade access on a swisstool

[u/sleepdog-c]

The spirit makes a lot more sense outside the US. Compared to a wave it's better in most ways. The knife is less good. But overall it's a very good choice

The swisstool x and surge are also equivalents.

Outside the US the warranty is also better, you can still get repairs while leatherman is repair only.

[u/Papacrunchie]

I have owned a few different Leatherman over the years, but since i bought a Vic Spirit X, that lives on the belt of my work trousers. Better action, better fit and finish easier on the hands without wearing gloves. I do a lot of work around boats too and Victorinox are renowned for their superior rust resistance, whereas i have seen leatherman rusted up.

[u/8111913]

outside the US

LM quality has dropped. If you can be sure you can conveniently send it for warranty exchange, then its good.

[u/ancientweasel]

They are both great. For that price get the Vic if you are OK buying swiss products.

[u/Efficient-Celery2319]

If you might be using the tool for any kind of wood/stick work like bushcrafting, the Vic will be way better in your hands. I cannot tell you how painful a Wave/Surge are for this kind of usage with so many hot spots in the palm.

[u/Suitable_Library3662]

I actually use mine. It isn't a fashion statement. Swiss doesn't punch our bite your hands when using them.

[u/snowfox_my]

It depends.

Daily driver

For me. LM wave is my beater tool, one which is always at hands reach for minor repairs. Note LM Wave pinch is dumber, delay work progress especially when it is an urgent task.

Victorinox Swisstool is in my Emergency Bag. Oiled and environmentally protected, for that faith moment that I need the item. Love the quality and design of the various instruments.

Quality

LM Wave is on the rougher side, as compared with the SwissTool. Swisstool can really takes a beating.

Modifications

Some models of LM can be modified by users, whereas yet to learn of any whom modify a Swisstool significantly.

Seem a few LM wVe modified to have their scissor shifted to one of the four readily access positions.

Warranty

LM warranty is legendary, so is Victorinox. Question now, which is more accessible in your situation.

[u/jhauger → u/snowfox_my]

That daily driver description says a lot. My Wave rides in my glove compartment, while the Swisstool stays in the laptop bag.

[u/jakesully2023]

I tried both and prefer the Leatherman wave

[u/Antman013 → u/jakesully2023]

Exact opposite here. I gifted my Wave+ a few months after getting the Spirit X.

[u/Double-Requirement69]

I have 3 Leatherman they all have some defaults, they are still good but the tools are generally better on the Victorinox and the quality control is impeccable. Leatherman : knife bits cutter Victorinox : Everything else

[u/The_Inflicted]

I certainly wouldn't be able to justify buying the lesser-quality tool (Leatherman) if the prices were somehow higher.

[u/Realistic-Okra7383]

If your out side the US is say go for the Victorinox Spirit and get the one that comes with the ratchet kit that adds so much more versatility and makes it equal to the wave with the exchangeable bit driver. If you like pocket carry get the pocket clip and keep the ratchet and bits in a bag or backpack that you carry.

Edit I have both of the tools you’re looking at both are great but the spirit is better for pocket carry in my experience

[u/ColdBeerPirate]

I have both of these.

I love the quality and feel of the Victorinox but the Leatherman is so much easier to carry around in your pocket. I often default to Leatherman while I'm away. But around the home, I use the Victorinox.

[u/reddit_ron1]

I want to love leatherman, but wish they were better quality that I’d pay more for. Victorinox is boring but I can’t get over how refined the Swiss tool is. Just a classy, quality, functional product.

[u/YeOldeRubberDucky]

I use the spirit everyday. I'd take it over the Leatherman every single time.

[u/_The_Eclectic_One_]

I own multiple from both companies and if I had to choose one it would be the Victorinox every single day of the week. Pair it with the ratchet set and it is even better. *

[u/MelodicTonight9766]

If you’re at all concerned about comfort when using the pliers, then the Vic is the way to go. The curved handles are more comfortable than any others.

[u/MultiToolDad]

Leatherman’s quality control has gone to absolute crap. I’d go with Victorinox all day every day

[u/Electronic-Paper5672]

This is one of those questions where the answer will depend on who you ask. I think the Leatherman Wave is always a great choice. I personally prefer the Rebar, but many love the Wave. You will rarely, if ever, hear anyone say they regret owning a Wave +.

[u/Obbmundson → u/Electronic-Paper5672]

I regretted my wave and sold it to buy a spirit x and now I'm happy. The thing with the wave was that it pinched my palm every time I used it without gloves and it was unbearable

[u/Inevitable_Aide_7145 → u/Electronic-Paper5672]

Rebar with added scissors is my favorite leatherman.

[u/maxwolfie → u/Electronic-Paper5672]

To be honest, I regretted owning 3 Waves (returned twice then gave up)

Every one I got had an issue where when you try to fold it away, the end of the pliers rubbed against the bit or bit driver. This made is much harder to close and made pretty serious gouges

[u/Free-Oven3787 → u/maxwolfie]

That happened on my surge too

[u/freedoomed]

Swisstool 100%. It just feels like a better tool.

[u/bluntkillaman]

If using for backpacking I say wave for weight purposes, otherwise the surge is bigger and has a much more sturdy feel to it.

[u/Awkward-Regret5409]

I still have my original Leatherman “Blast” from 20+ years ago. I love it and I’m convinced I could build a house with it.

[u/south-shore0]

Avid outdoorsman/tradesman here. I’ve been using a wave for almost 20 years, I feel naked if I leave the house without it. I’m on my second one, only because I lost my first one in a lake.

[u/qwerty930148572]

That is my picture, and i prefer the wave. Why? - replaceable wire cutter - ruler - one handed outside tools - micro bit screwdrivers - changeable large bits - better scissors - better file

The spirit is by no means a bad mt, but it's less fun to use and carry around for me

[u/Craigo258]

I would always say leatherman although because I live in uk i tend to stick to 91/93mm victorinox

[u/BackgroundRecipe3164]

As I’ve seen elsewhere, many compare the leatherman to a tool you’d find on a workbench with a lot of character. Victorinox feels more well engineered, a precision tool that gets oiled once a night.

[u/brohymn1416]

All I know is Surge is king

[u/rockviper]

I have had a Wave for like 20 years! Defiantly the best multitool I have ever owned! I dropped it off a roof onto a concrete sidewalk that destroyed the lock on the screwdriver and Leatherman repaired it with no hassle.