Leatherman multitool

[rusty max]

Hi everyone,

Looking into getting one of these on board. There are a few different versions available.
Anyone can give some advice, much appreciated.

Cheers

RM

[Gipper]

Hi Rusty,

Everyone on here has their own ideas on what is important in a multi tool for THEM.......so compare the manufacturers specs too and use the differing opinions here to make a decision, there is no point having the most expensive, biggest tool if you only ever use half of the features on it.

Theres lots of good tools out there, and Ive used most of the Leatherman range, Gerbers and a few others over the years.

For ME, the Leatherman 'Charge' is the best tool, why ?

compact, light, strong, good selection of usefool tools, 2 different size interchangeable driver bits, quality knife blades (the serrated blade has even cut Dyneema sythetic winch rope, which is very hard to cut) an excellent 2 sided file, great saw that works, great scissors, wire cutters and crimpers (only on Titanium model) and good needle nose pliers which work well for motorcycle maintenance.

Ive got 2 'Charge' tools, one Titanium original and a regular one, the Titanium one is a lovely tool with better blades, but the regular Charge AL is the one that I use the most and gets heavily abused sometimes.

Hope that helps!

[stephen.stallebrass]

I got one from Screwfix, a Stanley Multi-Tool, it's pretty good and cheaper than a Leatherman. I keepmine in my tank bag, its a useful little thing that I'll grab to do little things when I don't want to pull out my proper toolkit.

[oldbmw]

Get one with a good scissors, you will be surprised how often you will use it.
When riding I do not wear it as it would be like landing on a small rock in the event of a fall. I used to have a little one which had a diamond file which was very useful. I sacrificed that to have two blades in my (Correction, NOT wave bur Surge) which is heavy and bulky to wear, but also has a good saw as well. Is good to have in your luggage.

[rusty max]

Thanks for your advice,all of you.
I will straight go on to fleebay and hopefully find one.

Cheers
RM

[mcgiggle]

I have 2 the Surge and Crunch. The Crunch is great, like a small Mole/Vice grip

[noel di pietro]

Hi Rusty,

Whatever you buy, don't buy the chinese crap or the cheap Coleman stuff. What you need is a good quality but more importantly a SAFE multi tool. After almost amputating my thumb (the bloody thing folded on me while applying pressure prying a hole) I immediately threw it away and I went to the tool shop and bought a Leatherman Wave, after the bleeding stopped, that is!

From safety point of view you only want a unit which has locked tools when in use so you have to push a latch to fold them back.

My thumb cured again but it was close to gone!

I like the Wave because a normal and a serated knife, a file and a saw are on the outside, you don't have to open it to use the knives.

Cheers,
Noel

[brclarke]

I've had the same Leatherman PST for at least a dozen years. I always keep it in my motorcycle jacket pocket, which is rather funny, as I almost never need it for the motorcycle, but rather around the house or while travelling but off the bike. I don't need it often, but when I do it's invaluable.

[stuxtttr]

scissors definately

[oldbmw]

Originally Posted by brclarke

I've had the same Leatherman PST for at least a dozen years. I always keep it in my motorcycle jacket pocket, which is rather funny, as I almost never need it for the motorcycle, but rather around the house or while travelling but off the bike. I don't need it often, but when I do it's invaluable.

I don't carry anything hard in any pockets when riding, as it would be like landing on a stone if you come off.

[sherifsalem]

Leatherman Wave is a fine choice for me, i dont regret getting one...i have it in my pocket right now!!!

Did the job perfectly.

[reggie3cl]

I have the Leatherman Super tool which is one of the biggest they do. Use and abuse it all the time- 15 years or more- and it's still in great shape. Quality remains long after the price is forgotton...

[Gipper]

Originally Posted by reggie3cl

Quality remains long after the price is forgotton...

Well said Reggie.....you only need to buy quality gear once.

[Alexlebrit]

Something to bear in mind about Leatherman tools. A lot of them have a locking blade which is a good thing if you value your fingers but, in some countries at least, a bad thing if you value your liberty.

In the UK a locking blade is considered a de facto fixed blade and as such should not be carried in public without good reason. It should be noted that as far as the law is concerned the locked glove compartment of your locked car is still considered to be "in public" unless it's parked on private property, so a copper with a bee in his bonnet would almost certainly consider a locked pannier or under seat compartment to be in public (UK law being often set by precedent there is no specific mention of motorcycle storage) unless tucked snugly up in your garage.

Should you be stopped and searched it will be up to you to show good reason, not up to the police that you are carrying with malicious intent. Again there appears to be no case law concerning locking blades on multi-tools, so it could be up to the owner to take it to magistrates court to seek clarification at the risk of prosecution should the magistrate find against.

This isn't meant to be a judgement on multi-tools, those who carry them, nor the state of British knife laws, just a point to consider before buying.

[Mermaid]

I may be out of touch but I thought the UK law applied to fixed/locking blades over 3" long????