leatherman?
 

Thinking of buying one. Are they worth it, or am I better off with a Swiss army knife and a set of pliers?

Elefantman

Bought a leatherman sideclip three years ago and I wouldn't drive past the end of my street without it. The pointy nose pliers set it streets ahead of any other multi tool. Along with my bikes standard toolkit it does everything I will ever need. I can't recommend them highly enough.

only when I'm sleeping I don't carry my Leatherman Wave.

Let me know what price your quoted as have a good contact who does the leatherman with a mag lite cheaper than anyone I know.

J

I've never left mine behind since 1991! It has done everything from fix fuel systems, gut fish, cut razor wire and fix glasses frames! I've tried other brands (Gerber etc) but keep coming back to the basic Leatherman.

Ditch the pouch and carry it in your pocket (much easier).

Mine is rather worn now, but a few drops of loc-tite on the bolts works wonders.

Hey Elefantman!

A little late on this one, but I just HAD to say that I like the Victorinox swiss tool by far better than the standard Leatherman or Supertool. You can open all your blades without unfolding the pliars.
But anyway, I carry a small swiss army knife in my pocket while riding, those big metal things are just too bulky for the pockets.

Greetings, Patrick www.transasia.at

You can open the blades from a leatherman Wave without opening the pliars.

Freek (Netherlands)

Just bought a Gerber and need to find out if it is worth the money (900 ZAR).

cheers Derek-Jan, the netherlands
(just back from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa)

Forget all that Leatherman stuff, the only one to buy is a Schrade Multi Tool. They're tough as hell, won't rust, keep an edge for ever and even have an optional welding component! (OK I lied about that bit!) Compare the price, leatherman are way too expensive.
Cheers.

I have a Gerber Multitool which I like quite a bit. Realy any of the multi tools are a hell of a lot more useful then a swiss army knife. The thinks I like about the gerer tool is that it can easily be opened one handed. All of the tools lock open, but easily unlock when you need to close them. It has a comfortable handle. has a serated blade, and a straight blade along with screw drivers can open, pliers and wire cutter etc.

It cost about $40 USD

Let's not criticize the Swiss Army knife too much...

I fell off a Z750 a few years ago with one in my pocket - the brass rivets were ground to the base of the knife because of the spill - but it still works and I didn't need a skin graft.

I like to think it protected my skin from a nasty scrape - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

I also love my swiss army multi multi multi knive.
You should not compare it with a leatherman tool, they are two completely different things. When I'm on vacation it's alway's hanging on my belt. 5 X 2 X 1 cm, containing about 50 function's.
If you treat it well, it will help you out almost every time.

Maarten


------------------
- www.maartensworld.tmfweb.nl -

leatherman(or leatherMEN??)theres lots of styles to choose from, and lots of other brands too.which one is best for a biker to carry?
i would like to walk into a hardware shop and be able to choose between needlnose and bullnose pliers, and then choose which tools you want on it.that way you can customise it to your needs because there is always something you will never use.
it cant be that hard to do,or is it? am i being stupid?
and while they are at it why not make shears and crimp pliers aswell? (yes, i do know they make little baby shears!)


since writing this message ive swapped my old original for a shiny new "wave", and its superior in every way.in britain DONT pay full price(up to £100 some places, EEK!!) have a look on Ebay theres a guy doing them for £49 and he throws in a maglite torch for free.

------------------
dave

[This message has been edited by DAVSATO (edited 11 February 2003).]

My Leatherman (or is that Leatherperson to be politically correct these days) are now only seperated when we part company as I'm packing for the plane.

I've ditched the pouch (like Alex) and keep it in my pocket, although sometimes it's a little bit uncomfortable. The pouch rivets all pulled away.

The only damage to the 'straight' blade is the tip broke off (like other owners I've traded notes with), just keep the WD40 up to it and a diamond blade sharpener on the blades and 'she'll be sweet' for years to come...mmmmm...something unlike the opposite sex maybe. OUCH! that hurt Lynda (my gang of one).

------------------
Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

I've just been given a cash gift as a leaving present from my colleagues at work - and have decided to splash out on a leatherman. Any suggestions as to which model to get?

------------------
Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)