THE KNIFECENTER PRESENTS A COMPARISON PAGE
THREE SCISSORS BASED MICRO-MULTI-TOOLS
Impressions and Comparison Page
Please note: The following is a simple comparison of these products by an individual at the KnifeCenter. The KnifeCenter receives no funds or other benefits from any of the companies involved for this comparison page nor do we trade advertising space or endorsements for any benefits from the companies. We present this for our customers' information only so that they may make informed purchasing decisions. All of these products are high quality and fully warranteed by the manufacturers.
Three great small tools at comparable prices and with similar features vie for your holiday gift dollar. We have them all available at the KnifeCenter and we want you to be able to judge for yourself which one to buy. They are all well made in the USA of stainless steel and the companies which produce them offer limited lifetime or 25 year warranties.
The Micra is made by Leatherman (the originator of the Leatherman Tool and the whole genre). It has been out for a year and has been a big hit with KnifeCenter customers around the world. It is based on a scissors and is compact and light enough to be carried on a key ring.
Sog has produced some of the finest multi-tools for years including the Power Pliers and Paratool. They have just introduced the new Cross-Cut and the similarities to the Micra are striking. Both are based on a scissors (as opposed to a pliers as the larger multi-tools are) and their size is almost identical.
Kutmaster , the maker of the Multi-Master full size tool (a great and innovative choice) has brought out a different minitool with most of the tools of the others and some other features besides.
These entries don't make a shopper's decision easy, but we will try to do some direct comparisons.
SIZE
Closed, the three are remarkable close in dimensions. (see image at bottom of page). The Mini-Master is the shortest and about1/8" shorter than the other two but they are all between 2-1/4"to 2-1/2". The SOG and Micra are about 3/4" wide and the MiniMaster is 1/2". All three are about 1/4" deep. The SOG is the largest of the bunch and the Mini-Master the smallest.
FEATURES IN COMMON
The three contenders have very similar features: especially the SOG and Micra.
The bottle lifters are similarly shaped on the SOG and Micra and each has a tiny screwdriver on the end which may fit eyeglasses, but the Mini-Master has a bottle cap lifter built in to its body (the locking lid) and an additional tiny screw driver which folds out with the other tools.
Each has a nail file with a hook end for cleaning. Each has a standard screwdriver. Each has a similar clip-point knife blades. The Micra and Mini-Master have very thin tweezers and the SOG has one which is much wider.
The sixth fold-out tool differs. The Leatherman Micra has another screwdriver blade which is flat but narrows to a small flat tip and this is labeled as a Phillips screwdriver. The Mini-Master has a similar tool which actually is three dimensional ( with a third tooth for Phillips head screws although this third tooth is only slightly raised). The SOG has a fold out plastic toothpick.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
The stand out feature for the SOG is the compound leverage of the scissors. Also, the performance of the scissors seems superior (discussed below).
The Mini-Master has three openings in the lid to use as a box-wrench for 3/8", 11/32" and 5/16". Also, this tool's lid is actually a locking device and, when closed while one of the fold out tools is extended, that tool is locked open. The SOG and Micra do not lock.
The SOG is put together with hex bolts and can be adjusted and customized to some extent by the owner. The Micra has knurled fasteners so that, we assume, the hinged areas are adjustable. The Mini-Master is all riveted and so we can see no easy possibility of customization or adjustment.
PERFORMANCE
The various fold out tools seem very similar and we would not expect a lot of variation in their performance. The scissors is a different matter. The Leatherman will cut about 3/4" per slice while the SOG cuts a full 1-1/4". The Mini Master cuts a mere1/2". This is quite a difference and, if a large cutting job was required, this difference would be pronounced.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
The SOG CrossCut is the slickest of the bunch with an overall feel of high quality and a scissors that is most likely very usable and not just a back-up emergency device. Its finish is shiny and the overall feel is more solid than the others. The compound leverage requires gears to protrude from one end and so these tools come with a plastic slip pouch. Without the pouch these may be uncomfortable to carry. Even with the pouch they may be on the heavy side for some. Also, the lack of any type of Phillips Head Screw driver may be a shortcoming. This is the most expensive tool of the bunch.
The Leatherman Micra is just about everything the SOG is with the addition of the flat Phillips head screw driver. It is also lighter than the SOG and can be carried easily on a key ring, although many people will balk at carrying this tool as well because of its size. The scissors is smaller and probably less usable than the SOG's. The overall feel is very nice and solid with springy hinges
The Kutmaster Mini-Master is the smallest and least expensive of them all, but really has the most features. It starts out a smaller package on the key ring and then has the best variety of tools. The locking feature is really a plus. This is a great emergency tool. It has the crudest finish and is the least slick in appearance and overall feel. The scissors is also the smallest of the three.
CONCLUSION
We want you to have the best tool for the job. And so, the goal is to decide what that job is.
If you use a scissors regularly or would like to, and don't mind a fairly large tool on your key ring (in its pouch this tool measures3" x 1-1/4" x 1/2") then this is the tool for you. It makes a very nice polished appearance and so would make a great gift.
The Leatherman is just enough smaller and less jagged in its exterior, that it may be easier to carry on a key ring. The appearance is slightly less polished (a nice satin finish) and the scissors a bit less usable, but this is a very attractive and well made item which is nice to carry or give away. The price is considerably lower than the SOG.
The Mini-Master may be the best emergency and handy-tool of the three. It is very small and can hide nicely among the plethora of keys most folks carry these days. It also can be stashed in all the various places one might need a tool in a pinch like a glove or tackle box. We give it high marks on usefulness and design and of all the credit-card type or other emergency tools around, this one is about the most useful. The finish is more crude than the others but it is well made. This is the "utilitarian" choice. The price is right too and these may be perfect to pick up as stocking stuffers during the holidays.
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