Best Multi-tool?

[Java]

I've had an original Leatherman Wave http://www.smartknives.com/Leatherma...-Orig-Vars.htm since 1998 that I just love, and I almost always have it with me. I'm putting together a emergency kit for my wife's Xterra that will include one, and I want to make a good choice, I may upgrade me and put the Wave in her kit. I put one of these in for now because I had it http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Scr...titool+locking which is actually pretty good for little things like tire plugging and disconnecting a battery (our old Forester would light up the dash and go into limp mode on high mtn passes, had to disconnect the battery to reset it), but not versatile enough for hiking, skiing, other activities.

What do you recommend?

[Bob]

I like the Wave too because I can open and close it with one hand, and various tools are easier to open and close than the original. What I don't like about it is that the stainless knife doesn't hold an edge very well. Mine is fairly old, so the new ones may be better.

[Bob]

I like the Wave too because I can open and close it with one hand, and various tools are easier to open and close than the original. What I don't like about it is that the stainless knife doesn't hold an edge very well. Mine is fairly old, so the new ones may be better.

[fredrok]

Ditto on the Wave. I've had one on my side since a student gave me it as a gift in 2000. Couldn't believe I ever lived without one prior and I've used the hell out of it; still works perfect.

[SubAlpine]

I had a wave that was great. Lost it. Got some gerber crap, and it is ok. Its no leatherman

[Java]

I've been looking at gerber and Stanley ones on amazon, some of them look pretty good but I'm hesitant to experiment. Would you recommend the Gerber?

[Bob]

Suggest you try them in person and try them out to see what you like. Larger sporting or outdoor shops will
have them. Might even have the more
popular ones at Walmart.

[Java]

Chicken dinner? http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-3098-Su...J8MW12CPJP53VF

looks good enough, good reviews.

[FINOCJ]

Never held a Gerber tool (have had one of their diving knives for my whitewater set-up for 20+ years and its great). I still have an original leatherman in my jeep emergency kit - think its from 1998 or so - also works great but a bit tougher to open (two hands often needed). I also have a SOG multi-tool from 1994 (one day I'll get new stuff) and its awesome for being a bit smaller, lighter and can open with one hand (think it was a bit of the inspiration for the next generation of mult-tools).

My take home points as I do think about replacing them or adding them to various car kits: 1) I like if the tools can lock in place when extended for use. 2) although not quite as critical, its nice if you can open and use some of the tools with one hand. The rest I think is personal preference for aesthetics and form. Guessing they are all made to pretty decent quality standards.