Leatherman

[tommy the cat]

Well with the Canadian trip pending thinking of adding a leather man to my kit.
Which one would you recommend or not bother?
Dave

 

[Nat]

Leatherman Wave. Had mine for about years and it's never bent, buckled or broke and i've given it some ragging from opening tins of paint to screwing doors to frames

 

[falcon]

Bought the basic one when I visited the States just about 10 years ago and it's been a fantastic asset. If buying another I'd probably get one of the models which locks the tools and stops you skinning your fingers.. ..bitter experience...

 

[tommy the cat]

Got a leather man copy which is pants but has still been useful (especially when I was a handyman in France)
Meant to be loads cheaper in Canada. D

 

[oilyrag]

I had a Juice that has basically crumbled to pieces, all of the supports that are opposite a main tool have perished/corroded and fallen out. It was a leaving present from a former employer and was only used twice. It has a lifetime guarantee so see if they'll honour it. It was kept in the bathroom cabinet, would the steam from the shower etc corrode it?

 

[British Red]

I really like my Leatherman Charge Xti. Its a good lightweight tool although the Ti provides a scissor option instead of the serrated gut hook. I carry a micra on my key ring to provide scissors.

The great thing with the Xti is the case - it has double elasticated sides and an elasticated inside pocket. In one side pocket I carry a Fenix 1W LED torch, in the other a length of 6mm ferrocium rod and a space pen. In the rear pocket I have a Silva mini compass. They all stow neatly- the closed pouch just looks like a mobile phone.

Its neither the biggest tool or the heaviest - but the kit is small enough that I'm happy to carry it every day and in places where a larger tools set wouldn't be on my person.

BB prefers Secateurs to pliers (and very handy they are for Bushcrafting). Its certainly an option worth considering - Wilkinson Sword do a cheaper version or theres the Leatherman Vista

Red

 

[Ogri the trog]

Got a Supertool,
and a Surge, and a SwisstoolX and a Gerber Archer and a Ledgend800; theres a review of them all on the edged tools section somewhere.
One thing I'd definately reccommend is buy the model that fits your hand. Too big or too small and it just won't feel right, which means you won't use it as much and you'll end up thinking its was not worth the money.

ATB

Ogri the trog

Edit, found it - http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23921&highlight=finally

 

[David.s]

i have the Charge ALX, same as Red's on but black anodisedalumium. very good tool. only downside my guthook is blunt, and i dunno how to sharpen it.

 

[British Red]

i have the Charge ALX, same as Red's on but black anodisedalumium. very good tool. only downside my guthook is blunt, and i dunno how to sharpen it.

Wet and dry paper wrapped round a round kewer works for me

 

[John Fenna]

I have tried most models and normally carry the Wave.
Tim Leatherman himself gave it to me and I still rate it as best of the lot for my needs.

 

[w00dsmoke]

I was given a basic leatherman in the early 94 and it's still going good, only the pouchwhich is made o fleather, fell to bits. I was given a leatherman wave as a wedding present and it's awesome however, the small screwdriver that reverses, snapped . i was looking at Gerber recently and they have some pretty good multitools too.

WS

 

[michiel]

I've got a charge Ti. I like it more than the XTi, because I don't have any use for a guthook and I simply prefer scissors. It's got a good case (i got the nylon one) wich holds everything nicely in place.
PS: don't try to convex the blade. It's a PITA!!!

Michiel

 

[Nat]

I was given a basic leatherman in the early 94 and it's still going good, only the pouchwhich is made o fleather, fell to bits. I was given a leatherman wave as a wedding present and it's awesome however, the small screwdriver that reverses, snapped . i was looking at Gerber recently and they have some pretty good multitools too.

WS

If it snapped chap you could of sent it to leatherman for a replacement! I've used mine for really tough jobs and it's never broke nor bent. Admittedly i oil it up once a week as i use it that often, but they shouldn't snap.

The wife has a leatherman juice Xe-6 because she saw how much use i got out of mine. Shame as she only uses it to cut price tags off!!!

 

[dwardo]

Gerber for me, had one for near 10 years and has never let me down. I think the massive benifit over the leatherman is the one handed quick opening for when one hand is full and you need to move a hot grill with the other . I like the look of the leathermans but the functionality of the gerber is the decider for me.

 

[Tourist]

Tommy the Cat, wait till you get to Canada and buy loads of them. The Supertool costs $55.00 in the USA and the micra's about $12.00 they should be just as cheap in canada.

I go to WalMart for bits and bobs like leathermans and LED torches, check out where you are going and pop in:

http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/index.jsp

.
.
.
Nat is right about sending back Leathermans, they guarantee them for life. A friend went to an outdoor trade show and leatherman was there, he showed them his broken leatherman, they took it from him and gave him a new one off the display. Leatherman are a bit like the old Rolls Royce cliche, "Rolls Royces never break down" - that way people will buy them even with all the competition in the marketplace.

 

[tecNik]

I'm on about by fourth wave now (not because they break, because if you leave them out of sight for a moment they go missing) and I'd recommend them to anyone. Not a replacement for a good sheath knife but always handy to have on your person. The holster you get with them is much better than the old one you used to get; leather with handy stretchy sides just the right size to hold a fire steal in one side and a mini AAA maglite in the other. There is also space in the back for a little knife sharpener.
I'll post pictures of if filled with goodies tomorrow as I don't finish work till 11pm and its Friday so I going straight to the pub.
So in answer to your question: Yes! and I prefer the wave to the charge. (yes I do have both)

 

[Mungo]

I have not yet been convinced by anyone as to the necessity of carrying a multi-tool on a camping trip - I have never said to myself 'wish I had one' during a trip... perhaps it is one of those pieces of kit that once you get it, you wished you'd always had it...

Please someone tell me convincingly how it would benefit me!

Cheers,

Mungo

 

[David.s]

Wet and dry paper wrapped round a round kewer works for me

Hmm interesting, shall give that a go.


Mungo, main reason i have one, is iv always wanted onecos im a gadget freak. but it does come in useful, i prefer it to my SAK. so have everything you need. knife, saw, file, guthook etc. i jusdt like to have it on me lol

 

[Fin]

Got a Supertool,
and a Surge, and a SwisstoolX and a Gerber Archer and a Ledgend800; theres a review of them all on the edged tools section somewhere.
One thing I'd definately reccommend is buy the model that fits your hand. Too big or too small and it just won't feel right, which means you won't use it as much and you'll end up thinking its was not worth the money.

ATB

Ogri the trog

Edit, found it - http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23921&highlight=finally

I agree about the fit.

My Gerber was recently confiscated at JFK - I'd forgotten it was in a side pouch of my small rucksack, which was cabin luggage. Holding my temper with JFK security was a supreme test of will power which I passed - just!

So the first top tip, Dave, is your new multitool gets packed in the hold luggage - and pack it first - it's small enough to forget about!

On shopping for the Gerber's replacement, I decided to shop test all the multitools I could find. I decided on the Swisstool Spirit - mainly because, as Ogri said - it "fit" my hand, plus I liked it's chromed steel, quality construction. Add the choice of leather or neoprene pouch (leather please!) and I was sold!

 

[tommy the cat]

Thanks for the replies guys, you have been a great help and have just about convinced its a necessity!!!!
Mungo not sure how necessary they are on a camping trip but you know you want one!!!
I guess you wont notice the weight in your canoe will you?!?!
Thinking it may be a useful addition to the tool kit for my motorbike as some trips will be pending in the new year.......Norway.....come onnnnn!!!!
Dave
Mungo any recommendations for out door suppliers in Toronto?Wallmart obviously as mentioned.