View Full Version : Leatherman
tommy the cat
27-09-2007, 21:39
Well with the Canadian trip pending thinking of adding a leather man to my kit.
Which one would you recommend or not bother?
Dave
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
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..:lmao: ..bitter experience...:lmao:
tommy the cat
27-09-2007, 21:52
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
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
27-09-2007, 21:59
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.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/719542006_19e079e16f.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1135/719542030_6ce14db7c4.jpg
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
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/652518360_c0dd072cd0.jpg
Red
Ogri the trog
27-09-2007, 22:36
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 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
27-09-2007, 23:20
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
27-09-2007, 23:30
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
28-09-2007, 07:52
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 :rolleyes: . i was looking at Gerber recently and they have some pretty good multitools too.
WS
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!!! :D
Michiel
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 :rolleyes: . 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!!!
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 :rolleyes: . I like the look of the leathermans but the functionality of the gerber is the decider for me.
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.
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)
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
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
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
28-09-2007, 20:23
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.
You're coming to Canada? Pop over to Vancouver Island and I'll buy you a beer.
Adam
Hello Tommy!
Okay - great suppliers in Toronto. Depends on whether you have a car, but if you are near the downtown you need to go to Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) (http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Ef older_id=2534374302881716&bmUID=1191008010844).
There are 2 camping shops across the road there so you can shop about.
Walmart will work, also CanadianTire.ca (if you are downtown, use the postal code M5V3K8 to give you proximity to shops there.
Finally, if you are driving up north from Toronto, on your way into Algonquin Park or there abouts, make sure you stop at Bass Pro Shops (http://www.basspro.com) - Select the 'Vaughan, Ontario' location - lots of items (though not as many as MEC).
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Mungo
Finally, if you are driving up north from Toronto, on your way into Algonquin Park or there abouts, make sure you stop at Bass Pro Shops (http://www.basspro.com) - Select the 'Vaughan, Ontario' location - lots of items (though not as many as MEC).
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Mungo
Tommy,
I can more than second Bass Pro, I did'nt realise they had them up in Canada. If you are over there with the other half make sure she has something to do when you visit Bass Pro.......its like Disney Land........oh, and leave all your money and credit cards in the hotel.
My first experience at Bass Pro was a combination of Disney Land, and also that vast warehouse scene at the end of the Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark movie when a worker wheels a box containing the Ark into a warehouse with enormous shelves.
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
You're probably correct there Mungo - out in the woods is where I use the multitool least of all. Here in UK it's frowned upon to go around with an array of sharps upon your person (not like Canada where people just assume you've been out in the woods!) - sad but true.. A multitool is an acceptable EDC here in the UK (less threatening) so that is what it is to me - an EDC tool - in fact, much like a watch, I feel naked without it now.
I envy your trip to Canada tommy - I have spent a fair bit of time in the Canadian Rockies - one of the last great accessible wildernesses on Earth. But wherever you go, you're never far from pristine wilderness - it's heaven!
tommy the cat
28-09-2007, 22:51
Coollll AddyB would love to but on a tight window so will probably be out in the summer and hope to see Van Island then as it has to be on anyones list!
Cheers for the links Mungo my mate's first job was at Canadian Tyre in the parts/ service dept so he can show me that (he's now moved to another company)
Incidentally I am well looking forward to it!!! Been nearly 10years since I was in Alberta tooooo long just hope the girlfriend likes it so we can emigrate!!!! She's the ticket in as she is a teacher....hell might even get married if it helps!!
Ta Dave
You're probably correct there Mungo - out in the woods is where I use the multitool least of all. Here in UK it's frowned upon to go around with an array of sharps upon your person (not like Canada where people just assume you've been out in the woods!) - sad but true.. A multitool is an acceptable EDC here in the UK (less threatening) so that is what it is to me - an EDC tool - in fact, much like a watch, I feel naked without it now.
Ah I see! Didn't know. Thanks for the information - what I'd really like is a Fallkniven F1... someday!
Cheers,
Mungo
Coollll AddyB would love to but on a tight window so will probably be out in the summer and hope to see Van Island then as it has to be on anyones list!
Cheers for the links Mungo my mate's first job was at Canadian Tyre in the parts/ service dept so he can show me that (he's now moved to another company)
Incidentally I am well looking forward to it!!! Been nearly 10years since I was in Alberta tooooo long just hope the girlfriend likes it so we can emigrate!!!! She's the ticket in as she is a teacher....hell might even get married if it helps!!
Ta Dave
Never been out to Alberta, but would love to go one day. A friend of mine worked with lumberjacks in the mountains of British Columbia and really liked it out there.
Nothing wrong with marrying the teacher, just make sure you couch the rationale in somewhat obscured phraseology e.g. "I would like you to be my wife - but not so as to significantly improve my emigration options, etc...".
:-)
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
Few main reasons,
First is PLIERS they are loads stronger than my hands and they dont burn as easily :rolleyes:
Second is wire cutters for old bits of fence etc
Third is scissors.
Never really used the knife or the other bits but if i HAD to choose between my bushy knife or my 10 year old gerber the gerber would win every time ;)
Finally got remembered to take photos.. Even though this thread is probably finished. Ah well. I'll post them anyways.
Leatherman wave and goodies packed up:
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/gallery/data/500/WavePacked.jpg
Leatherman wave unpacked with goodies (Knife sharpener, Firesteal & AAA Mini-maglite):
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/gallery/data/500/WaveUnpacked.jpg
william#
03-10-2007, 18:53
its heavy doesnt have scissors on it never actually used mine sits in a box at home
bottom line they are an 80 quid pair of pliers
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/652518360_c0dd072cd0.jpg
Red
Now that Leatherman vista looks good. First time I've seen secateurs on a leatherman. Can anyone say how good these are in the woods? Robust? Handy? What are the other bits on them?
Cheers,
Pablo.
william#
03-10-2007, 21:17
i have never seen or used that one - i use a mora and a folding saw why would you need the secs? why not just by secs from b and q?
i have never seen or used that one - i use a mora and a folding saw why would you need the secs? why not just by secs from b and q?
I see your point. But if your *were* buying a multi tool for the trip, would this be better in the field than a standard leatherman.
Pablo.
john scrivy
03-10-2007, 22:23
it appears to me to look a nice bit of usefull kitt pablo--if some nice person would like to loan me one I will gladley feild test it
Graham_S
03-10-2007, 22:55
I like my gerber scout tool. I have a leatherman wave, but I'm not a fan of the grind on the screwdrivers. the one handed opening knife blades are nice though.
given the choice I'd take a gerber tool. the flick 'o the wrist plier opening is the deciding factor for me.
Wait till you get there. I bought a leatherman in Banff, for half the price they are in the UK.
[BTW, Canada is bar none the best country Ive ever visited. Amazing scenery and people.]
British Red
03-10-2007, 23:38
Now that Leatherman vista looks good. First time I've seen secateurs on a leatherman. Can anyone say how good these are in the woods? Robust? Handy? What are the other bits on them?
Cheers,
Pablo.
Pablo,
They are an excellent bit of kit in their way. The secateurs are first rate and really very useful for cutting thatch, bedding etc. The saw blade is first rate and the screwdrivers are....screwdrivers.
The knife blade is small and semi serrated (which is damned handy for cutting rope but less so for wood). The odd shaped thing is a choke key for your shottie ;) .
They were designed for hunters building hides so are a corking pocket tool for shelter building etc. (and very handy as a pocket gardening / farm tool too). They are though an "as well as knife" rather than "instead of knife" tool (hunters are pretty certain to carry a knife so they are built with that in mind).
Bushbaby usually carries these when we are out and about with a small fixed blade knife. There isn't much she can't achieve with them both.
Red
I got a Leatherman Surge. I never leave home without it (in the city). When I go to the woods, I replace it with a Victorinox Hunter.
Surge hasn't failed me yet. And I (ab)use it a lot. :)
I love it, and would recomend it to everyone. Some say it's too heavy. But that's a man's tool. ;)
Thanks Red. An interesting option.
Pablo.
tommy the cat
04-10-2007, 18:06
Dave, Banff a good spot as a base mate I was there snowboarding Norquay Lake L. Goats Eye etc.
Love the place would like to be there with less snow as well(32 ft) in the summer around Lake Louise beautiful. Going back there 2009.
Looking forward to Toronto though even not being the city type.
Dave
north star
04-10-2007, 19:26
Hi,carried my Ps11 for around five years now it has never let me down.
Dave, Banff a good spot as a base mate I was there snowboarding Norquay Lake L. Goats Eye etc.
Love the place would like to be there with less snow as well(32 ft) in the summer around Lake Louise beautiful. Going back there 2009.
Looking forward to Toronto though even not being the city type.
Dave
Went boarding there a few years ago with some of 'the lads' Absolutely best holiday ever! :)
Travelled to a place called Golden in BC, to an old hunting lodge and spent the day on snow mobiles going through the forest, up to kicking horse falls. Finding Wolverine tracks.
[And boarding at Lake louise, Sunshine village Norquay, etc.meeting nice canadian girls:eek: ]
Unfortunatly 'the lads' have a hard time getting a pass out now. All married with kids.
Id like to go back sometime, on a bushcrafty expedition, see some of the real wilderness!
tommy the cat
04-10-2007, 21:36
Dave me toooooo!!! Want to ride in Kicking Horse tried to get there and ended up in Heavenly Cal!!!
Love the place....Canada girls....hmmnnn my mate with a few piercings was asked if he belonged to a tribe.........fetch the (down) coats! D