So, my wife and I moved to England about 6 months ago. We went abroad on the Queen Mary II, which by the way is a really nice way to travel. When we left, we had to go over what we could take, for weight purposes as well as what we felt was necessary. I looked down at my toolbox at around 50 - 60 lbs. And then I looked at my Leatherman Charge Ti (yes the older model) and thought to myself out loud "well I probably will not need much" .... oooops :P Hehe, I have probably used my Charge every day.

1. England does not have "air-conditioning", EVERYTHING climate wise is based upon a "boiler unit" - these are reliable but sometimes require some "prodding", Leatherman to the rescue :)

 

2. Seems like English hardware on doors, cabinets, etc. is higher quality than America, I can definitely attest that the locks, especially after becoming jammed are MUCH sturdier than equivalent American doors - Leatherman again - took entire assembly off to get out of the bedroom :P I was laughing but then realized, had I been an older person with no tools or cell phone, I really could have been stuck :(

 

3. Went river rafting and this poor lady on our trip could not get her ankle zipper on her "dry suit" fastened, pulling and pulling on this tiny little zipper thingy - Sooooo I whipped out the leatherman, grabbed the zipper and - "POP" zipper loop breaks - No problem! -> I grab the tiny zipper fob that was left and zipped it up for her. EVERYONE on that trip was instantly like "Wow, what is that and where can I get one?" so I probably made a few sales for you guys ;) All the lady said was "Don't go anywhere, I will probably need you to get this off" LOL and she was right!!

 

4. Queen Mary II - champagne on send off, some poor guy down the hall has got this little wire mesh thing all wrapped around the bottle - Leatherman again!! I said "Here dude" - literally 30 seconds and we were drinking champagne, and he is playing with my Leatherman LOL :)

 

5. Last few, wife uses scissors for Cross-stitch - (even though I gave her a Juice 10 years ago!!!), scooter and bike repair, mild dental work (please don't ask - not a good day), toilet repair, can opener at B&B, closet and basic repair on rented townhouse (owners now LOVE Americans :) lol), threw cheap included furniture store tools away and built furniture with my Leatherman, and untold others.

 

So, lesson learned, did I really need the toolbox, nope! Do I miss having certain tools??? Screw gun, torpedo level, and stud finder. That is about it!!! Last word, thanks Leatherman for making some of, if not the most useful tools on the planet!!! Although we love England, it is not "home", and I am proud to be from the finest nation in the world.

 

Lastly, PLEASE pray for the safe homecoming and VICTORY for our troops!!! Remember the ones we lost, and continually keep the ones still there in your heart!!!

 

~John B.

~Little Paxton St. Neots, UK