For the MultiTool Connoisseur
The $150 SwissTool Spirit MX Clip I ordered from SMKW arrived lightning fast with free FedEx shipping, and it is a beauty.
Been carrying Leatherman multitools since I was 10, 43 now. Still a fan, but in comparison this one is just a level up on elegance, ergonomics, and precision engineering. (And price!)
The one-hand opening blade operation is smooth and satisfying as things click into place, and all 10 tools are individually accessible from the outside, with individual tiny locking springs, from the folded position.
(Means you don't ever have to unfold the whole thing to get to your screwdrivers or scissors or saws, and don't have to open all five tools on a side and put four back each time. )
The pliers are accessible in a pinch with one hand tied up--flared shape lets you begin to unfold them w/one hand and then fully open against your leg or a nearby object.
Wire-cutters are excellent but not replaceable, so maybe not a good choice if you routinely need your multitool for electrical work; pliers are slightly less needle-nosy than Leatherman pliers--not the same near-tweezer-precision.
Main knife blade is quite small, similar to but even a bit smaller than your standard 91mm Swiss Army Knife--worth being aware of before investing. If being able to slice an apple in half without cutting around in a circle is important you're going to need a bigger knife!
The blade is extremely paper-slicing sharp out of the package, but also made of classic Victorinox high-Cr steel with all the same pros and cons: Virtually corrosion/rust-proof, relatively soft, hard to chip or snap, easy to dull, and easy to sharpen.
Toolset is incredibly complete and versatile compared to anything else I'm aware of in such a compact design. Pocket clip makes it a comfortable EDC. . . the clip seems to me to be installed on the wrong side for a right-handed person from the factory, but can be easily switched in
Evan A.