March 2011

A Changed Mind...

When multi-tools first came out, I thought they were a nifty idea until I got a hold of one. The first two that I got a hold of were a cheapy from Coast to Coast hardware and a slightly better one from Sheffield Cutlery. Both of them were relatively functional as pliers, but the rest of the tools were mostly useless. Seeing as how Leatherman were significantly more money, I decided to stick with my plain pocket knives and "real" tools.

Boy was I wrong about the utility of having a GOOD multi-tool. When I started in apartment maintenance, I noticed that everybody I worked with had one of one brand or another. Eventually I got my grubby hands on a Leatherman first generation WAVE. The only complaint that I ever had about it was the dicey locks on the tools. (Not the blades.) After using it for everything from stripping wire and taking things apart to occasional duty as a doorstop, I finally changed my mind about multi-tools in general and Leatherman in particular. Well, the ones with the blades on the outside of the handles anyway :) They've saved my many trips off of roofs and to the shop to get tools, even when I didn't think they were big enough to do what I needed. Keep it up Leatherman. Multi-tools like these will always have a spot on my belt, unlike the cheapies that collect dust on "split shot" duty in the tackle box.

Paul S.

Lakewood, CO