December 2009

The right tool for the job

As a radio Technician in the Marines, I constantly had to lug around a tool kit that weighed over fifty pounds in the field during training exercises and typically only used a handful of the tools available. After months of hearing me complain my wife went out and purchased my first Leatherman. It was not fancy, just a pair of pliers with a couple of screw drivers, a knife, and little more. To be honest I did not think much of it but after one trip to Twenty-Nine Palms I was hooked! Finally I was able to make repairs to detrimental communications gear in the field without the fifty pounds of dead weight!

After several years of good use, I retired that tool and upgraded to the Super Tool 200 when I got out of the Marines. After 9-11 I was called back to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and ,later on stayed for Iraqi Freedom, and I am proud to say that that was the tool I carried and it never let me down.

Now I am back in the civilian sector where I work as a maintenance technician on chemical and gas equipment. After years of use from my Super Tool 200 I damaged the pliers. I know Leatherman has a warranty that is second to none but I figured I had gotten more than my fair share of use out of the tool. Besides, it looks good in the tackle box next to the 4 0 treble hooks with its battle scars. So I went online to buy another 200 but was disappointed to find my beloved tool had been retired. When plan "A" does not work, as the saying goes, "Improvise, adapt, and overcome." Not being a man who accepts change very well I reluctantly upgraded. I now own a Surge with the bit extender and use it daily. Like the other two it continues to impress me with its versatility and durability and it seems that everyone who borrows it has one just like it the next day.

I have had people in the past try to convert me to the Gerber brand for whatever reason. My answer is always "Gerber! I thought those guys made baby food?" I say this because time after time my Leatherman has outperformed your compitition in real world applications. Now, as I sit here surfing the web I see you have brought my beloved 200 back with upgrades and a new name. Looks like I will be getting upgrade as well for Christmas! Thanks for the outstanding products and best wishes to you and your team in the future.

Sincerely, Britt L.
Bells, TX