December 2007
Coincidence
I’m 50 years old and have carried a knife of some kind on my belt or in my pants pockets since I was about 8 or 9 years old. I’m in the constructions business, enjoy hunting, fishing and like to consider myself as being self reliant. IN the mid 90’s I started noticing multi tools when I went to stores that sold them. I decided that I would get one. I value good quality and will happily pay just about any asking price when it comes to outdoor clothing, tools or any implement that I know I might use on a regular basis. I wasn’t in a hurry to buy a multi tool and over about a two or three month period during the fall I looked a multi tools from various manufactures, comparing the engineering, machining and general design.
If you pay attention, you can tell. Some are sloppy in the hinge; some don’t have the wire cutter edges that match, etc. I noticed that the Leatherman Tool had far better machining and ergonomics than any other top brand multi tool. I decided that at some point I would get a Leatherman Super Tool and was comfortable paying the asking price because it appeared to be the best made tool that I had seen. My brother lives in Florida. I live in Minnesota. I got a package in the mail from my brother as a Christmas gift, opened, it and there was my Super Tool. He had no way of knowing that I was just about to buy one. I have had one on my belt ever since and use it just about every day.
I also always have a Micra Tool in my pants pocket. Too often, and when you don’t plan on it, you or someone near you needs a screwdriver, had to grab or bend something, or cut something. I can’s count the times I’ve saved trips and time chasing down a tool to do a job or solve a problem while I’ve had my Leatherman on my belt or in my pocket. To this day when I see multi tools from other manufacturers, even though I’ve never used theirs, I feel comfortable knowing that I have the best made tool on the market.
The Leatherman is extremely durable if you use them within reason. You can put a pretty serious load on the screwdriver. I’ve never broken one, but know when it’s time to back off when the screw doesn’t start moving. The saw blade is excellent for cutting holes in drywall for outlet boxes, etc. I have two Super Tools, one with a broken blade, which someone else used to pry with. I bought the second one with the intention of getting the first one fixed because I wouldn’t be without one, even for a couple of weeks. Someone else thought it would be a good idea to use the file as a pry bar after I told them not to and broke it. That’s the one I still have in my original holster today.
By the way, the holsters are extremely durable, too. I’ve carried the same holster for the last 15 years or so and it’s well worn and nothing broken on it. If I leave home without my Leatherman on my belt, it’s like going onto the ice without a hockey stick. I fell like I’m vulnerable and like something’s missing when I have to put on fancy clothes for a wedding or something. Even then, I still have my Micra Tool in my pocket. The Leatherman’s value is worth far more than its price. It’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made. They’re made in the USA and I hope Leatherman never compromises their quality for price. I would rather see the price go up than the quality go down. Thanks, Leatherman, for a useful, excellent quality tool.
Scott N.
Duluth, MN
OK, you voyeur, you. Enough of reading other people's stories. It's time you told your own tale of gripping heroism or even just neat DIY'ism. We know there's a Shakespeare in you somewhere. Don't make us use the Steens to find it.