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It seems hard to fathom, but with all the multitools in the hands of service members, no one designed one specifically for the rifleman. Gerber, SOG, Leatherman... each sailed along passing right by this huge gap in the market.
Upstart company Multitasker Tools presaged the category and brought the original gun multitool to market in 2009. The AR Multiasker was a hit in the black gun community. It gained a cult following and, predictably, attracted the attention of the multitool establishment.
Predictably, the category has begun to grow with the release of the Leatherman's MUT. In stores this month, the tool has features like a bolt override tool, bronze carbon scraper, and a pin punch. These features put it in the arena with Multitasker's gun tool lineup which includes their full size AR Multitasker, the smaller Ultralight and their previously reviewed Tube.
Both being tools based around the gun toting end user, it's easy to mistake the tools for competitors. But, looking closely at each brings an obvious distinction. The AR Multitasker Series 2 is a great tool for the "gun guy" while the MUT strikes the perfect balance between field and weapon maintenance tool for battlefield service.
As Leatherman was working on it's MUT, Multitasker Tools was perfecting the design of it's updated AR Multitasker, the Series 2. GearScout has had a chance to use and pass around prototypes of both brand new tools for the past few months. Both tools were abused by 0311 and 11 bravos in Afghanistan. Combining downrange insight with our own use and observation, we bring you the tale of two tools; The AR Multitasker Series 2 vs. the Leatherman M.U.T..
Read on...
JAWS:
The heart of the tools are the jaws. When it all goes wrong, for better or worse, you're going to end up yarding on something with the pliers 'till your stuff works or it deadlines.
You'll notice there's no jaw cutout for grabbing bolt heads on the MTs2. This was a calculated decision to retain uncompromised jaw strength. The only other inclusion is offset wire cutters like you'd find on a set of hardware store needlenose pliers. Thanks to the D2 steel, these cut through nails, barbed wire and c-wire.
MATERIAL:
The MTs2's jaws are billet cut D2 tool steel. Without going into a huge steel primer, just know that D2 is the stuff anvils are made from. It's one of the toughest steels out there. It's not stainless, so it is susceptible to corrosion. But, it's not going to bend or break under the most blatant forms of tool abuse. To prevent corrosion, MT is using a chemical process called Tufftride that looks like a standard black oxide treatment but is much stronger. I thought Tufftride might have been BS. But I was convinced when I put the jaws of the MTs2 in the jaws of the MUT and squeezed, twisted and scraped them for a good 5 minutes in a failed attempt to scratch the surface coating.
Tools:
The MTs2's body tool set is focused on weapon specific tasks. A castle nut wrench for gas tube work, onboard 3/8" wrench for LaRue mounts, Otis compatible threaded post for the included dental pick and a sight adjustment tool are all unique to the Multitasker s2. There is a small tanto-tipped knife and a file for more general use.
CARRY:
If the tool isn't easily accessible, it's not worth much. The MUT has a few carry options thanks to it's pocket clip. The Leatherman's uniquely shaped, removable pocket clip will snap onto PALS webbing or a gun belt pretty securely thanks to it's shape and titanium construction. Titanium means the clip won't bend out of shape. Going sheathless could be a problem if the tool didn't have a clasp to keep it from flopping open, shown above.
Both tools are heavy for multitools: The MUT weighs in at 10 7/8 oz. (tool only, 14 3/8 oz with sheath & wrench), while the MTs2 hits 11oz. (tool only, 14 3/4 with case, bits).
USE:
Conclusion:
The MUT prototype was used for 6 weeks by a group of Marines, Soldiers and Corpsmen in Afghanistan. It was used to maintain M4s, M16s, M2s, M240s and M249s. Everyone loved the shape of the bronze carbon scraper. the punch came in handy as did the shroud cutter. One of the first guys to use the tool was a Chief corpsman that used the shroud cutter to expose a wounded Marines's leg after an IED strike.
Soldiers commented that the tool had the tools they most used on their Gerbers while adding useful weapon maintenance tools. Another plus is the ability to replace worn cutter blades and the bronze scraper on the spot.
The made in America MUT- Military Utility Tool - is just that, a military tool. Sure, it's a gun tool, too. But, it's got some serious field utility built in. It's highly polished and useful tool that can adapt to nearly any task with the proper accessory bits. You should see the MUT in AAFES for $120-130.
[Update 7/2014- In long term use, the Leatherman MUT suffered a crack that caused the handle to flop around. This appears to be a common problem and one that was addressed in later production runs.]
On the flipside, the Multitasker Series 2 is an awesome range and armory companion. Multitasker stands its ground as the go-to tool for the gun guy. It gives up no ground to implements that can't be used to service a rifle. It's a unique tool that'll probably outlast all of your guns thanks to it's burly construction. It's not a cool looking tool, but it's offshore manufacture translates into a good value. You should be able to find it for $90. A soldier that used the tool commented that it felt and performed like a champ even though it he thought it looked like a $5 hadji-shop multitool.
SWAT officers that borrowed the MTs2 commented on its usefulness in the team room after training. They told us the MTs2 saved time because they didn't have to fish tools out of their bag or borrow them from teammates. They could tear down and clean their carbines with just one tool... which was great so long as their teammates would stop asking to borrowing it.
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