Which Leatherman Multitool?

[tris]

I hit the big 60 later this year, and am coming under pressure for birthday present ideas

Thought one is a Leatherman multi tool, but which one, there seems to be hundreds of versions?

Which one does the wisdom of the Wildguzzi recommend

Cheers

[Kev m]

When Jenn and I got married uh carry the one, maybe uh don't tell her I'm not sure, about 17 years ago, I bought my groomsmen Leatherman Juices. And of course got myself one too. Carry it most places.

Not sure if that's the current one I'd pick as I think the models have changed a little, but door me it's the right combination of size and tools. I can slip it in the little extra pocket in jeans.


Hnmm just checked, they don't sell it anymore. Looks similar to the Juice XE6 that is also retired.

Maybe the Wave+ is the closest current model.

[Ncdan]

I’ve been carrying the original leatherman tool for 40 years and has been rebuilt by the company twice. The last time I sent it off, around years ago, I was told by the company that mine was no longer in production. I requested that they replace the worn out parts with used parts in good working order, which they honored my request and advised it would be the last time mine would be able to be fixed.
All that said my advice is simple. Get one that is small enough to be carried in ones pocket as any other “pocket knife “ as most folks does not want to strap a case to their belt all the time and a knife lying on your dresser when you are out somewhere and need it, is no good to you and believe me you’ll need it most every day.
If I’ve got my pants on, my leatherman is in my pocket.   

[AJ Huff]

I have a Wave. It works for me.

-AJ

[wrbix]

I, too, like the Wave......enough so that I have two of them: doing something stupid I snapped a blade off my first (broke at thumb opening notch) and bought another, having forgotten about the lifetime warranty. When the new one arrived with warranty explanation, I sent the broken one in and it was repaired free of charge.  Will continue to support Leatherman.

(an interesting side note: when I mentioned to the lady at the UPS store while shipping it out that it was a Leatherman multi tool, she told me she had a number of them at home- her husband got a new one from Army Reserve with each deployment)

[Ncdan]

I looked at the wave on utube and it’s mighty stylish however, where’s the needle nose players, Wire cutters, fine and corse file, can opener, bottle opener, leather awl,wire cutter, Phillips screwdriver, three size flat head screwdriver and Knife blade, all in a tool the size of that pocket knife?
Up to the individual however what they carry. My thoughts are if you are Going to kill a bear, kill a Griz:)👍

[Kev m]

I looked at the wave on utube and it’s mighty stylish however, where’s the needle nose players, Wire cutters, fine and corse file, can opener, bottle opener, leather awl,wire cutter, Phillips screwdriver, three size flat head screwdriver and Knife blade, all in a tool the size of that pocket knife?
Up to the individual however what they carry. My thoughts are if you are Going to kill a bear, kill a Griz:)👍

The Wave+ has most of those.

My Juice whatever it is does too. I especially like the three flathead drivers on mine and would miss that on some of the newer ones.

I really do have to send mine out to them. The pliers slip out of alignment now. Mine I'll buy a new one to hold me over when I send this one out.

[wrbix]

I looked at the wave on utube and it’s mighty stylish however, where’s the needle nose players, Wire cutters, fine and corse file, can opener, bottle opener, leather awl,wire cutter, Phillips screwdriver, three size flat head screwdriver and Knife blade, all in a tool the size of that pocket knife?
Up to the individual however what they carry. My thoughts are if you are Going to kill a bear, kill a Griz:)👍

Don’t know if the above is a real question, but except for leather awl and only having two flat blades screwdrivers, Wave has all of those plus TWO, count ‘em, two full sized blades - smooth and serrated.....allows me to keep the smooth sharp while using serrated for rough work.

[Scott of the Sahara]

I have used and have Leatherman, Gerber and even SOG. I break them and wear them out using them for work.
I like the Gerber. My all time favorite was the Multi _plier with blunt nosed pliers.
I have a smaller Leatherman that I hate. It kept coming apart and it would pinch me.
I have had some lesser Gerber tools that have fallen apart.

[s1120]

You guys are digging up the memory's today!! I have one from the 80's laying around somewhere. I used to work at a fast oil change place back in the mid 80's. Having a leathermans tool made my life so much better! I used it ALL THE TIME!  I carryed it for a bit, but the wirecutter part got bent, or a nick or something, and it now sticks when you open/close it. I sould dig it out and fix that one day. I really like the old ones. Just basic, and simple. No frills.

[Wayne Orwig]

LEATHERMAN - Squirt ES4 Keychain Multitool with Wire Strippers

I'm always needing a wire stripper, and this one is compact enough to always carry without being annoying.

[Ncdan]

My apologies to those with the Wave tool as the video I saw was a wave knife that catches your pocket and comes out open. I see the one y’all were referring to has SOME of the features of my old out of date leatherman but.....the leatherman is better..... just funning😂😂
I must admit I don’t like the newer version of the tool as my old one because it is significantly bigger and fills my pocket too much.
Let me say that the wire cutting feature on my old leatherman tool was instrumental in saving one of my horses one time that had gotten tangled up in barb wire when I was miles from home, I guess that sold me on that little pocket tool chest.
Great thread👍

[RinkRat II]

     Until I retired a few years ago, I carried an original Leatherman PST everyday for 35 years. I recieved another PST as a supplier presentation gift about a year later than the first and it's still in the box, engraved and unused. A nice sentimental piece from a great supplier. This thread got me thinking about all the new styles so I went on Leatherman's website and boy have I been out of the loop! 37 different models and  counting, however they offer the original PST commemorative model with paperwork etc., for an outstanding $275.00!  I guess mine have become a little more valuable

       Paul B

[AJ Huff]

I have a Gerber somewhere around here also. To me they are equal but ONE thing. I do like that the Gerber has the tools on the "inside" giving you a smooth grip surface when using the pliers. It's a minor niggle but it does feel slightly better in my hand.

-AJ

[Ncdan]

     Until I retired a few years ago, I carried an original Leatherman PST everyday for 35 years. I recieved another PST as a supplier presentation gift about a year later than the first and it's still in the box, engraved and unused. A nice sentimental piece from a great supplier. This thread got me thinking about all the new styles so I went on Leatherman's website and boy have I been out of the loop! 37 different models and  counting, however they offer the original PST commemorative model with paperwork etc., for an outstanding $275.00!  I guess mine have become a little more valuable

       Paul B

Great to hear as I always have kept a spare. The last time I had mine repaired with used parts I ask the service rep,”who made the idiot decision to discontinue the original model that made the name famous, “
is he stupid or something” sometimes the appropriate question must be ask for the good of all investment.

[Ncdan]

I have a Gerber somewhere around here also. To me they are equal but ONE thing. I do like that the Gerber has the tools on the "inside" giving you a smooth grip surface when using the pliers. It's a minor niggle but it does feel slightly better in my hand.

-AJ

Ok and do you put it in your pocket every time you put your pants on?? If not you may have picked the wrong tool.

[Bobic69]

My fave is the Skeletool. Light weight with pliers, knife, screwdrivers and bottle opener. I've had the ones with all the bells and whistles but never used half of the gadgets.

[Ncdan]

My fave is the Skeletool. Light weight with pliers, knife, screwdrivers and bottle opener. I've had the ones with all the bells and whistles but never used half of the gadgets.

Picture please

[Lumpy Idle]

I’ve been carrying the original leatherman tool for 40 years and has been rebuilt by the company twice. The last time I sent it off, around years ago, I was told by the company that mine was no longer in production. I requested that they replace the worn out parts with used parts in good working order, which they honored my request and advised it would be the last time mine would be able to be fixed.
All that said my advice is simple. Get one that is small enough to be carried in ones pocket as any other “pocket knife “ as most folks does not want to strap a case to their belt all the time and a knife lying on your dresser when you are out somewhere and need it, is no good to you and believe me you’ll need it most every day.
If I’ve got my pants on, my leatherman is in my pocket.

i started out  pretty early on with them and have tried a number of variations on the theme. in the end i went back to the original leatherman and then the PS2 as my faves. i am left handed and the skeletool is really uncomfortable for lefties. the wave is too bulky and the needle nose pliers on both the wave and the skeletool is too short and boxy.  it has taken me years to figure it out but my fave is the original leatherman tool and the PS2. they keep making them bigger and bulkier but they have become ungainly and cumbersome in the process. i still have two of the original leather cases and although well worked they are still holding up. can't say the same for the nylon case that came with the wave. it consumed itself and unraveled in the first year. yeah, this seems like one of those rare instances where old school is better.

[mobiker]

I've accumulated several over the years, including an original PST. The first thing to determine is what size? Then pick from the available options. The three I carry the most are the Micra, Juice CS4 and the Rebar.

The Micra is tiny and fits in a watch pocket. Rather than pliers it has a very good pair of scissors. Great for cutting things like zip ties.

The Juice CS4 is the one I carry and use the most. Great selection of tools and still very pocketable. Its a small to medium sized tool. Unfortunately Leatherman has discontinued the Juice series. I think they can still be found, but it may take some searching. I'm not sure what Leatherman replaced it with.

The large Leatherman I like the best, of the ones I've used, is the Rebar. Good sized set of pliers with replaceable cutters, decent knife, serrated knife, file, saw, Phillips, awl, couple of slotted (flat) screwdrivers. I find it very handy to have around the place without being overly large to carry around.

Forgot to mention that one of the things I like about the CS4 is that it has a cork screw. Cork screws are handy for things besides opening wine, like picking at knots, but the thing I like is that Victorinox (the Swiss Army knife people) make an eyeglass screwdriver that threads into the corkscrew. As an eyeglass wearer, it can be very handy to have a tiny screwdriver. For example when you're in McDonald's parking lot, putting on your helmet, and one of the lenses falls out of your glasses. It can be repaired with a pocket knife, but a teeny tiny screwdriver makes things easier 

[Ncdan]

I've accumulated several over the years, including an original PST. The first thing to determine is what size? Then pick from the available options. The three I carry the most are the Micra, Juice CS4 and the Rebar.

The Micra is tiny and fits in a watch pocket. Rather than pliers it has a very good pair of scissors. Great for cutting things like zip ties.

The Juice CS4 is the one I carry and use the most. Great selection of tools and still very pocketable. Its a small to medium sized tool. Unfortunately Leatherman has discontinued the Juice series. I think they can still be found, but it may take some searching. I'm not sure what Leatherman replaced it with.

The large Leatherman I like the best, of the ones I've used, is the Rebar. Good sized set of pliers with replaceable cutters, decent knife, serrated knife, file, saw, Phillips, awl, couple of slotted (flat) screwdrivers. I find it very handy to have around the place without being overly large to carry around.

Forgot to mention that one of the things I like about the CS4 is that it has a cork screw. Cork screws are handy for things besides opening wine, like picking at knots, but the thing I like is that Victorinox (the Swiss Army knife people) make an eyeglass screwdriver that threads into the corkscrew. As an eyeglass wearer, it can be very handy to have a tiny screwdriver. For example when you're in McDonald's parking lot, putting on your helmet, and one of the lenses falls out of your glasses. It can be repaired with a pocket knife, but a teeny tiny screwdriver makes things easier 

The eye glass screwdriver is one of the prized possessions on my original leatherman series.

[Kev m]

Yeah, the Juice CS4 is the one I have.

But I need to send send it for a repair as the pliers are misaligned now.

I really think that Wave+ with the bit driver and the set of bits and extension might be a nice second one to carry maybe for trips.

[mobiker]

Yeah, the Juice CS4 is the one I have.

But I need to send send it for a repair as the pliers are misaligned now.

I really think that Wave+ with the bit driver and the set of bits and extension might be a nice second one to carry maybe for trips.

Leatherman's removable bit driver fits the square shank Phillips on the SC4 and the Rebar allowing the use of standard bits. Makes for a versatile, compact tool kit.

[et18]

I have a couple of different models but the Micra is the one I carry most often. The scissors are really more useful than you might think and you can carry it almost anywhere.

[zebraranger]

Im another one who likes the wave, mine's about 16 years old.

[Bobic69]

Picture please

I'd second that the leather pouches are better than nylon. The push stud on the leather is way better than the Velcro closure on the nylon.

[tris]

Cheers everyone 
I'd like a Wave+ following your advice, but because it has a locking blade it's a bit marginal legally over here in the UK
I might have to go to one of the smaller models with a friction locked blade

[fossil]

+1 for the Gerber multiplier blunt nose. For the reasons already mentioned (grip especially).

[cee2cee]

My fave is the Skeletool. Light weight with pliers, knife, screwdrivers and bottle opener. I've had the ones with all the bells and whistles but never used half of the gadgets.

   That's what I carry

[hzbloke]

     they offer the original PST commemorative model with paperwork etc., for an outstanding $275.00!  I guess mine have become a little more valuable

       Paul B

I had my original (30 yo) Leatherman PST taken off me by security at a Chinese railway station. Even though it was in my luggage not in my backpack or pocket. Now I wonder if they they knew more about its value than I did. Replaced it with a Wave+ and very happy with it.