The focus of the Buck X-Tract is very much optimum usability: from the ergonomically molded body that enables the tool to be used with one hand, to the fact that no space on the X-Tract is wasted with substandard or useless tools. The X-Tract features a pair of pliers, Phillips-head and flat-head screwdrivers, a locking hunting-knife blade and a can opener. One problem identified by the Seattle Times when they reviewed the X-Tract in 2007 was the lack of a file for sharpening or cleaning metal objects. However, the overall review was a glowing one and the Seattle Times declared X-Tract "the best multitool we've tested" thanks to its durable tools and lightweight design; the X-Tract weighs in at just 6 ounces.
The Spirit does not have the molded body of the X-Tract; instead its manufacturers have opted for a tough, folding stainless steel body. The tools on the Spirit are arranged in the two arms of the body, which fold out to make up the two arms of a set of pliers. In addition to this, the Spirit is equipped with 2mm, 3mm and 6mm screwdrivers, a wire cutter, bottle opener, crate opener, combi-edge blade, scissors, metal saw, wood saw, reamer, Phillips-head screwdriver, chisel-scraper, isolation length cutter, wire bender, wire stripper, wire scraper, multi-purpose hook, can opener and hard wire cutter. Victorinox has been able to cram all this kit into a 6-inch device weighing only 7.2 ounces (although a press release from Victorinox claims that the multitool weighs only 5.75 ounces).
The Charge Ti incorporates the same double-armed design as the SwissTool Spirit, folding out to reveal a similar pair of needle-nose pliers. Other tools featured on the Charge Ti are regular pliers, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, a Leatherman patented S30V Clip-point knife, a saw, a serrated blade, two files, scissors, two screwdrivers, nine double-end bits, an 8-inch ruler, a bottle and can openers and a wire stripper. The Ti gains the latter part of its name from the engineered titanium handles that allow maximum durability at a minimum weight. Despite this lightweight design, the Charge Ti is the heaviest of the three multi-tools thus far, tipping the scales at 8.4 ounces.
The diesel looks similar in design to the Charge and Spirit devices, with the two arms that fold outward to reveal the head of the pliers. However, on the Diesel the pliers head is accessed differently. It slides out with a gravity-fed release, which means you do not have to completely open up the multitool to use the pliers. This is an effective time-saving device, but there are fears that the mechanism in place to allow this to happen has tipped the weight of the Diesel over the edge; this tool is the heaviest of these four devices at 8.6 ounces. The Diesel boasts an impressive array of durable tools; it is equipped with regular pliers as well as the needle-nose ones, a wire cutter, scissors, saw, bottle opener, three flat-head screwdrivers, can opener, crimper, file, Phillips-head screwdriver and partially serrated knife blade.
