June 2008

Assisting the Bartender

Although a rather simple tale of a Leatherman tool's use, it was still an important use given the situation...

I was at my favorite bar enjoying a beer and watching my all-time favorite bartender hard at work. There was a retirement party going on that afternoon and the bartender was quite the popular person as he calmly and expertly scrambled about tending to the needs of his customers. Sometime into the early evening I looked up from my beer to see the bartender pounding upon something covered with a wash rag with the palm of his hand. When I stood up on my barstool, I could see he was pounding on the handle of the knife he used for slicing limes in order to cut slits into a large can of grapefruit juice. His "church key" opener apparently was not to be found and he was trying to get into the can. With the knife simply denting the top of the can, he walked over to a cabinet and retrieved a standard rotary can opener to cut the lid off. I asked him if he was trying to cut slits into the top of the can in order to pour the juice. Upon his acknowledgement, I asked him to place the can on the bar as I retrieved my Leatherman Super Tool 200 from its sheath. Deploying that standard designed can opener found on most of the Leatherman tools, I punctured two slits on opposite ends of the can's lid. Within seconds the bartender was back in business.

I've read many comments on different forums of how the good old, standard designed can opener is no longer needed and should be removed from multi-tools. I disagree. Even in today's modern world of scored, pull-tab can lids, I say the standard can opener still deserves a place of honor on any Leatherman tool. You never know when you'll need it.

William R.
San Antonio, TX