LEATHERMAN tools

[kenmbz]

I must have probably 10 leatherman along with Victorinox, gerbers, SOG and many other brands.
The original Leatherman Which I still love and a sidekick I use for gardening.
I have a leatherman in my truck, It is the toughest and looks just like new, though it must be 30 years old now.

 

[bullbreaker]

When I buy my next multi tool it's gonna be a LMan , Surge/Wave or Skeletor . I have all my life have only owned Gerbers .
Which have served me beyond expectations. However my favorite plier head has always been the blunt nose as Gerber calls it.
Here is my Gerber blunt nose . I sure wish Leatherman gave one the option of the bluntnose .
Maybe they do I sure never seen one .

 

[dougtrr2]

Slight sidetrack. I was visiting my son. We were at one of his friends house putting up a rock climbing wall. I was using someone's Leatherman and broke the phillips screwdriver bit. I obviously offered to replace it. My son and I went to the local mall that had a Leatheman's store. We found the replacement, but I told my son we should check our Sears first. I found the exact model of Leatherman at Sears cheaper than at the Leatherman store. That just seemed wrong to me. But his friend was happy, and my son was happy because he took the broken one.

I know they have a warranty, but I wouldn't have felt right making the owner go through the warranty process. (I think my son did though)

Doug in SW IA

 

[buickanddeere]

I have a Folding BUCK Knife: Hunter 110 - I love it, and use it several times daily. That frequency actually surprises me.

Though I have never previously considered this, I'm now thinking that a LEATHERMAN tool might be a nice addition to my daily pocket tools. I just have no idea what kind / model of Leathernan tool I should consider ... there are SO MANY options, it could be as difficult as buying your first tractor. What are the priority features on the leatherman tool, for general purpose while working around the property ?

Thoughts appreciated.

I still have the first locking Leatherman tool model that was sold . A handy device that is used regularly .
Just treated myself to a new holster for it,
A flashlight and lighter from “ Tale of Knives “. Good prodict
But totally over
Priced to obtain a model with the latching clasp and leather loop over the multi tool .

 

[scaredychicken]

I started looking at some of the Leatherman's

I did not know this ... "as with all Leatherman multi-tools, there’s a 25-year warranty" (GREAT)

WAVE Plus $150 Cdn - considered "best investment" according to some reviews
SURGE $190 Cdn - the larger size seems to be a good choice for me (my mitts are pretty big)
Others $130+ Cdn
Skeletool $110 Cdn
Supertool $140 Cdn - also a larger size, appeals to me

I saw Gerber knives but no multi-tools today
Some Swiss Army knives also

there were some other brands that seemed good and comparatively priced, but I think the Leatherman is my preferred choice. A bit more pricey than I anticipated. So many options.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

I carry, a “Crunch” which has locking pliers like a vise grip, and some version of a Gerber, pretty much anytime I get to go play in the woods. I had custom sheaths made which go on the belt horizontally. A lot more comfortable to me.

When I first went to work for the water district, they passed them out as standard issue, in the PPE bags, in your on-boarding safety class.

That lasted about two years. They figured out that, given a tool which allows you to tweak and adjust things, many folks will. Even if they have no idea what they are doing.

 

[Wagtail]

I started looking at some of the Leatherman's

I did not know this ... "as with all Leatherman multi-tools, there’s a 25-year warranty" (GREAT)

WAVE Plus $150 Cdn - considered "best investment" according to some reviews
SURGE $190 Cdn - the larger size seems to be a good choice for me (my mitts are pretty big)
Others $130+ Cdn
Skeletool $110 Cdn
Supertool $140 Cdn - also a larger size, appeals to me

I saw Gerber knives but no multi-tools today
Some Swiss Army knives also

there were some other brands that seemed good and comparatively priced, but I think the Leatherman is my preferred choice. A bit more pricey than I anticipated. So many options.

Very slightly off the actual topic: I have worn a Leatherman carabiner watch for decades... as a retired Navy Electronics Tech it meant not accidently/forgetfully sticking it into a piece of equipment and, as a motorcycle rider, not having my gloves jam a wristwatch up my forearm.

Mine is very 'beat-up' after all this time; it's lost the compass and the map-reading magnifying flip cover, but the red LED light still works and it's kept perfect time. I think I've only had to replace the battery 3 times over the years.

I believe that S&W make a carabiner watch too.

 

[scaredychicken]

lots of cool stuff

 

[Tractorman46]

I have 2 Leatherman Waves, one is very slighly fatter than the other and that is on my work belt. The other is on my everyday belt. Just doesn't feel right not being able to reach to my belt and grab the Leatherman. Just two things that irritate me though: 1. It's easy to pinch your hand in the handle of the pliers - OK I just have to be careful and 2. Every time I undress or go to the lavatory the bloody holster and leatherman slips off the belt onto the floor. Years ago I suggested they devised a clip. But if that's the price I have to pay then the Leatherman is worth it.

 

[Doughknob]

Leatherman used to have a "lifetime" warranty. But as with all good things, abusers got that canned for us.......

 

[Doughknob]

2. Every time I undress or go to the lavatory the bloody holster and leatherman slips off the belt onto the floor. Years ago I suggested they devised a clip.

I tried the case-on-the-belt thing and found the same issues. I went to a pocket clip and it is GREAT!

 

[rbstern]

Leatherman used to have a "lifetime" warranty. But as with all good things, abusers got that canned for us.......

I remember it being 25 years back in the 1990s.

 

[scaredychicken]

from what I read the other day, the Leatherman's have a 25 yr warranty.

(in other circles, that is a Life sentence, so close enough to life-time, I guess)

 

[Doughknob]

I remember it being 25 years back in the 1990s.

I had one of the originals. Can't remember if it was the 70s or 80s.

 

[rbstern]

I had one of the originals. Can't remember if it was the 70s or 80s.

Founded in 1983.

 

[kenmbz]

I think the first one I got was in 88 or 89.
They had been around for a while at that point.

 

[scaredychicken]

Let the Voting Begin ... there are a lot of good multi-tools out there, and I've watched a few dozen videos. For me it is a matter of practical daily use around the hobby farm property and for fishing. Leatherman still in the lead, several models.
1) Leatherman SURGE
2) Leatherman FREE 4
3) Leatherman WAVE Plus

I like that they are domestic (USA), and I can find the models locally, so there is that service ability etc if there are questions.
The larger size is a plus for me, and it will be on my belt, easy to access for regular use.
I may buy an additional cheaper multi-tool for occasional use, leave it in the truck, tackle box, etc. To that end, I saw a couple of nice cheap multi-tools (rather watched the videos) ... available at Costco (1.5 hrs away) and a second one available at Walmart (local). I think it was Black Force. Canadian Tire (local) has a limited selection, mostly the cheaper brands.

That is my conclusion

 

[The Deerslayer]

Your level of research on such a purchase is commendable (reminds me of someone else I know quite well )

IMHO, I do not think you can go wrong with any of the three you listed. I would personally lean toward the Wave or the Surge.
Your plan to have a primary unit and secondary one for other use is something I have done as well. However, be wary of the cheaper models. I had one years ago I received as a gift and the handle was relatively uncomfortable to use and the blade would not keep an edge.

I recently received several used Gerber units that my brother owned. They have proven to be excellent for leaving in the truck, hunting pak, and other locations when needed. My Leatherman remains on my belt and receives the most use by far.

Look forward to hearing about your purchase as well as seeing a pic of your selection!

 

[bullbreaker]

Anybody own a " Skeletol " some reviews of broken needle nose when pressured by a gorilla . lol
Just from viewing them they seem like for the white water rafting guides or something with that clip on attachment they have on them . I'am I correct to assume they dont come with a pouch for belt carry ?
Also from pics it appears they don't have many tool features on them .

​

 

[fidowanttobe]

I wear my Surge in my right front pants pocket with the clip every day. Feel naked without it, once you get used to it, you will too.
Everyone knows I have it and always ask to use it in a pinch.
I have dealt with the warranty on older models and was very pleased with the process and speed.
I highly suggest a model that you don't need to "open" to get to the knife, the Surge is just a thumb flip.
My older models are now in consoles of vehicles but never get used as I always have the Surge on me.
Saved my butt countless times and I love it. Definitely the tool that gets used the most.
VERY strong tool.
Buy once, cry once.