Birthday Loot
Quiet night at home with the family, with a few of my favorite things: sushi, bourbon, apple pie. I got some coffee mugs with the kids’ pics on them.
Also, I got a Leatherman Skeletool. I had an old Gerber Multi-Tool that a friend got me. I’ve had that thing for 18 years as of yesterday. I got to the beach and needed pliers only to discover that the Gerber tool would no longer open. Looks like a bolt/rivet in the pliers themselves came loose and, as such, the pliers won’t come out the top. That pretty much renders it useless. Still, it was a good tool and I recommend it.
But the Skeletool is a bit better, I think. First, it is much lighter due to all the holes drilled in it. Second, it’s smaller too. Due to that, I can carry it in my pocket, unlike the Gerber which I kept in my truck console. Also, the Skeletool’s knife blade can be opened with one hand, unlike the Gerber. And there are a variety of bits available for the Skeletool and they are easier to change than trying to change bits on a Gerber, which involves taking it apart.
A couple of cons on the Skeletool though: there is no serrated saw blade, like the Gerber had. There is also no file. I never used the latter but the former came in handy quite a bit.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Leatherman is great for their customer service. I broke one of the plier “Arms” while doing something stupid. Sent a email to them asking it it could be fixed. They said send it along and 2 weeks later a BRAND NEW leatherman of the same model was at my door no questions asked even though I broke the original one through unauthorized use and admitted to it.
disclaimer I do not work for leatherman or any other knife company
October 30th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I read that the Leatherman inventor is a anti-gun pro-Obama guy – but whether he owns the company anymore or profits by it is anyone’s guess.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I’m working on my second Leatherman Wave – which has the saw you’re looking for. The first one is a bit loose in the pliers pivot but still usable, I keep it on the boat. A bit large for pockets, tho.
I had a Gerber – but the pliers part rusted up when I was on the boat (salt water), so I gave it the heave-ho – the Leatherman has no sign of corrosion.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I second Hartly on the Wave recommendation. I’ve had one for several years now and I love it. It comes with a holster that can go on a belt, but it probably wouldn’t be great for pocket carry.
My wave model also has the ability to switch the screwdriver bit if you purchase the bit-kit accessory. I can safely say that these two items are some of the most valuable things I own.
No, i don’t work for leatherman 😉
October 30th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I don’t work for them either but about 15 years ago a co-worker got an original by sending in about 3,000 empty cigarette packs and promptly sold it to me for $15.00, it still functions. I also now have the wave in my truck and it seems to be the best tool.
October 30th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Bourbon, huh? Dude; you should try some good tequila. No, I mean the REALLY good stuff. You’d totally love it 😉
Don’t you know? Real men wear their Leatherman tools on their belts.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Family Tradition. When each of the boys went into the service they got a leatherman and the combat knife of their choice. The jarhead chose an SOG Government and the doggie got a Gerber MK III. My Dad gave me his KaBar when I went in.
I’ve used the Gerber MultiTool for over 10 years, since my leatherman crapped out.
October 31st, 2008 at 5:48 am
The Skeletool CX version has a combination knife blade, half serrated and half regular.