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Toys Hardware Hacking

The Ultimate Leatherman? 73

Posted by Cliff from the tools-for-your-belt dept.
numbski asks: "I have long been a fan of the Leatherman tool and its act-a-likes. I have never bought one, however. I keep looking for just the right one with the tools that I would actually use on a daily basis. Sure, the pliers, knives, phillips and standard screwdrivers are nice, but there's always been a few things lacking. A t-10 and t-15 torx (security torx preferred) for the Compaq systems that torment me, or how about a USB2 Flash Drive? Hex wrenches, or a socket tool that fits machine screws (in case the phillips has been stripped out)? What would you put on a Leatherman? Even better, seen anything that matches what I'm looking for?"
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The Ultimate Leatherman? More

The Ultimate Leatherman?

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  • I'd make a Leatherman without a knife, so I could have it behind the "secure" areas of an airport.

    I never use the knife off my multi-tools anyway. I keep a dedicated knife on me for cutting things.

    • Re:If it were up to me... (Score:3, Informative)

      by jnik ( 1733 )
      I'd make a Leatherman without a knife, so I could have it behind the "secure" areas of an airport.

      Tools aren't permitted through security--the list specifically states screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, but "not limited to."

      • Are they afraid you're going to dismantle the plane over Nova Scotia?
        • Even flathead screwdrivers can deliver a nasty puncture wound. One of my neighbors needed to get quite a few stitches due to an accident with one. Philips screwdrivers are even more dangerous.
        • Are they afraid you're going to dismantle the plane over Nova Scotia?

          Actually, it was the blanket prohibition of nail clippers (the ones with nail files I can see being dangerous if you get a couple of forty-ton winches and stretch the definition out of all recognizability) that seemed most ridiculous to me -- what are you going to do with a pair of nail clippers? Threaten to manicure a flight attendant to death?

    • Actually, these days you are not allowed to carry tools, like screwdrivers or pliers onboard aircraft.

      I suppose that they could be used to take something apart, or perhaps even force one's way into the pilot's compartment.

  • good... but never able to replace my toolbox (Score:3, Insightful)

    by teksno ( 838560 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @01:47PM (#12724355)
    i work comm maintence for the usaf and i use my wave letherman almost daily...

    but for what you are talking about...i have neither seen, nor heard of anything like that. i think your best bet would get a smal toolbox and go buy the tools you desire/require.

    lethermans werent made for use in specialzed areas...they are just a general purpose tool that was designed for quick fixes. it was never intended to replace the quality or flexibility of a good set of tools.

  • My Leatherman would have: (Score:3, Interesting)

    by JaF893 ( 745419 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @01:50PM (#12724374) Journal
    • Detachable knife for when I travel by plane
    • USB memory-stick
    • Two Pens
    • Mini-scissors
    • Philips screwdriver
    • Bottle opener

  • presto change-o! (Score:5, Interesting)

    by TheSHAD0W ( 258774 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @01:52PM (#12724388) Homepage
    Rather than having one "ultimate leatherman" as big and clunky as that humongous swiss army knife they make, what about a customizable one? Make it a little easier to take apart (I've had to do it, to switch out broken blades; it's annoying and it'd be a lot easier if the heads were hex or square) and then offer optional replacements and sets of replacements. That'd let people build ones that suit the jobs they need them for.

    • Hehehe...

      # modprobe screwdriver type=philips size=1/4in
    • Agreed. The Leatherman Charge Ti I have now does just about everything I want it to, sans having the T6/T8 bits I need for work. If you could buy the "bookends" of the multi-tool, then buy the different parts to slip between the bookends, that would be fantastic.

      There's no way to make the ultimate multi-tool (not leatherman, which is a brand. What about swiss army knives?) , everybody's got different requirements.

    • Rather than having one "ultimate leatherman" as big and clunky as that humongous swiss army knife they make, what about a customizable one?

      The Gerber Multiplier [worldwideknives.com] is probably the closest to this; they have one with interchangable pliers heads, another with a set of screwdriver bits. Some people have customized the tool collection, at least on older models - I just Googled for replacement tools, though, and they seem to be harder to find now.

    • the old adage - 20% effort = 80% features. You're better off getting one that mostly fits, then carrying a spare tool or two. If you make it fully interchangable with all pieces, you'll easily increase its bulk beyond what people want to be carrying anyway.

      incidentally, I still find the leatherman wave (recently tweaked) to be my perfect match - though there are two titanium models out based on its design. They have some upgraded blade specs as well, but IIRC the main cutting blade is still the same met

    • The SOG multitool is designed with this in mind, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get all the different parts. All of the blades are swappable with a regular hex wrench, and there are specialty kits available, notably lockpicks, explosive ordinance tools, and emergency rescue kits. I know a few military people who have them, but a quick google search did not find anyplace to buy them online.

      • Not sure what search engine or terms you used, but google found lots of vendors [google.com].
        Even for the EOD [onlinexpressions.com] version.

        • The EOD version is, indeed, easily available, but I've also seen blades that I was told can be bought in a kit that include lock picks with a detachable wrench as well as a kit that has a law enforcement belt cutter, and window breaker. I looked in a few of the usual retailers for these items as well as a google search, but nothing turned up. It is possible they are no longer available, or are only available from a brick and mortar specialty shop. If you ever find them, let me know and I'll get my friend

  • No Doubt About It (Score:3, Funny)

    by Servo5678 ( 468237 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @02:00PM (#12724428)
    Say what you will, but there is no changing my mind that David is the ultimate Leatherman.

    Um, what was the question?

  • Get a Micra (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Deathlizard ( 115856 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @02:13PM (#12724497) Homepage Journal
    I've had a Leatherman Micra on my keychain for almost 5 years now. It's the best thing I have on this keychain next to the keys.

    Get one of those and one of those quick release dual keyrings, remove the one ring and attach the Micra (or a Juice if you want pliers. Wish they had pliers that small when I bought mine) in its place to quick detach the tool from the ring, and it's all you'll ever need for most computers, even the compaq onen since those Compaq nuts have slots to accept a flathead screwdriver (outside of the security ones.)

    Right now, I got a Micra and a Mag-Lite Solitare flashlight on my keyring. The only thing I wish would happen is that Maglite would make an LED Flashlight that took AAAA size to be even smaller, other than that It's the most portable all purpose toolkit you can use.
    • How easy is it to find AAAA size batteries?
      I don't think I've ever seen them on sale anywhere.

      • Re:Get a Micra (Score:4, Informative)

        by PurpleFloyd ( 149812 ) <`zeno20' `at' `attbi.com'> on Saturday June 04, 2005 @05:32PM (#12725447) Homepage
        Not too hard - they're on sale almost anywhere if you know where to look: inside a 9 volt battery. Most name-brand alkaline 9V batteries consist of 6 AAAA cells in series; there are a few off-brands which aren't in that configuration, but IIRC Energizer and Duracell both use the 6xAAAA configuration. It's a fairly simple matter of levering the outer case of a 9 volt battery open and simply popping the AAAAs out.

        One caveat: they can be a bit shorter than "true" AAAA cells. This site [dansdata.com] details the trials and tribulations of finding a decent set of AAAAs in a review of a penlight using the same; it contains some nice pictures of opening a 9 volt battery case, too.

      • You can buy one at any RadioShack [radioshack.com] although I suggest looking elsewhere for a better price.
    • I totally concur! I've got a Leatherman Squirt P4 on my keyring with a quick release attachment. The quick release increases the cost by 2%, but the utility of the knife more than doubles. (Two cases: 1. Quick release before entering airport. 2. Quick release for working on something fiddly.)

    • Re:Get a Micra (Score:3, Interesting)

      by GoofyBoy ( 44399 )
      >I wish would happen is that Maglite would make an LED Flashlight that took AAAA size to be even smaller

      If you can afford it, get an Arc AAA flashlight. Batteries are easier to find and way better quality than an maglight. Downside is that its not made anymore but you can still find it on eBay.

    • I've had a Leatherman Micra on my keychain for almost 5 years now. It's the best thing I have on this keychain next to the keys. [...] Get one of those and one of those quick release dual keyrings, remove the one ring and attach the Micra (or a Juice if you want pliers. [...] Right now, I got a Micra and a Mag-Lite Solitare flashlight on my keyring.

      I second this. I have had a similar combination for slightly over four years and can only recommend it. The Micra's scissors are strong and much more useful

  • Thinkgeek to the rescue. (Score:4, Informative)

    by ComputerSlicer23 ( 516509 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @02:17PM (#12724512)
    Here is a leatherman adaptor kit [thinkgeek.com] with most of what you want.

    Think Geek's Tool page [thinkgeek.com] has most of the things you want on a swiss army knife, or a leatherman tool. You just have to go look for it.

    Kirby

  • The ultimate Leatherman has been discontinued (Score:4, Informative)

    by Spock the Baptist ( 455355 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @02:24PM (#12724552) Journal
    The Mini-Tool is the ultimate Leatherman:

    http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/retired-t ools/mini-tool/default.asp [leatherman.com]

    Very compact when completely closed, yet you get a full sized pair of needlenose pliers when open. The size of the needlenose is perfect for most electronic applications.

    I've been raiding various local independent tackle stores, bait houses, and gun shops and buying all that the have in stock.

    So far I've got a dozen pair of Mini-Tools.

    Now when you combine the Mini-Tool with a VICTORINOX WorkChamp you've got a lot of 'firepower' in just a couple of tools. I don't leave home without them.
  • Swiss now makes an Army Knife with a USB Drive on it. I'm not sure if they have one with the exact features you're looking for, but you still can't go wrong with a Swiss army knife.

  • Cybertool (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Bri3D ( 584578 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @03:07PM (#12724773) Journal
    One word, and that is Cybertool, the greatest Swiss Army knife ever made. T10, T15, phillips, flat, knives, saws, pin, toothpick, pen, there's nothing it doesn't have, besides a magnifying glass(they have one on the Camper but not the Cybertool where I'd think it would be more useful) and a USB drive.
    • FYI, the magnifying glass on the camper is there for two main purposes; one common, the other still practical.
      1. To find splinters.
      2. To use to start a fire.
      Thank goodness, I've never had to use one to start a fire.
      • How often does anyone use it for either purpose? I find its splinter-finding capacities would be limited by that you can't then pull the splinter out because you have a huge knife in your hand. Of course for splinters not in your hand it would work, but those sure aren't common. And the magnifing glass seems mighty small for fire-starting....I still think it would have been more useful on cybertool...
        • I assure you, the magnifying glass on my SAK is plenty for starting fires...
        • I have nothing to say about the topic other than I used to be a stage electrician and I loved my SOG tool, even though I used pretty much nothing but the knife on it.

          The collest ting about it iwas A) It was a lot cheaper than a leatherman, and B) the pliers had this cool geared slight force multiplier on it.

          In reality, when youre in the field, nothing compared to a full set of tools.

          (i guess i DID have a piece to say)

          HOWEVER...

          Your link in your sig is fucking PRICELESS.
  • At some point, if you find yourself regularly working on things, you should just get a real toolkit.
  • how about a girlfriend
  • The best "Leatherman" ever made:
    SwissTool Plus [victorinox.com] made by Victorinox. Look for the "3.0337.L". Made of Inox Steel, more durable than a Leatherman and every function you need.
    • Inox steel huh? Fancy way of saying "Stainless Steel". Which is generally weaker than carbon steel. Anyways, for $100 no thanks. For $100 I'd rather have my gerber multi-tool, benchmade griptilian, and streamlight nightfighter. All of which i'm sure i'll misplace before they ever break.
      • Carbon steel rusts more easily than INOX...
        • Yes it does. My point is that resistance to corrosion is not your primary concern when making tools. This is a marketing ploy. This is why many tools are made from tool steel ( http://www.engineersedge.com/tool_steel.htm [engineersedge.com]). You'll notice that some of these are very common knife steels (among custom knifemakers). 304 is not. Didn't stop the military from using carbon steel for the venerable Ka-bar knife. You can blue carbon steel also. And let's stop calling it INOX, because it's pretty ovbious they call it t
    • As a man who literally works metal........

      Inox Steel refers to some 8 different steels. All with more than %12 chromium. Otherwise known as Stainless. Many of which are used by other multi-tool manufacturers.

      If you were to say, 430 Stainless instead, it would actually mean something.
  • When is the Leatherman going to include a fleshlight [fleshlight.com]?

    Might look funny strapped to your waist, though.
  • Here's one [sears.com], albeit a bit on the heavy side. Oh, and you might have trouble pocketing it. Didn't see a belt clip option either.
  • to a Leatherman was the new Charge that came out about 8 months ago. You can get the Compaq bits, it has a nice quality knife blade and even a pocket clip. I got the one with the scissors instead of the second bit driver. It has been very handy.

    Oh and for the USB drive, the mini Swiss-Army knife with the swissbit key is the way to go. Light, knife, file, memory. That stays on my keychain all the time.

  • Useful web page.. (Score:3, Informative)

    by biglig2 ( 89374 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @05:22PM (#12725418) Homepage Journal
    http://www.equipped.org/ [equipped.org] has lots of detailed reviews of thiss sort of tool.

  • It's gotta have... (Score:3, Funny)

    by j-turkey ( 187775 ) on Saturday June 04, 2005 @06:41PM (#12725813) Homepage

    A stiletto switchblade.

    Every time I unpack boxes, I wish that I had a stiletto switchblade. To have one on a Leatherman tool that can do everything else I need would just kick ass.

    • Every time I unpack boxes, I wish that I had a stiletto switchblade.

      Isn't that a bit overkill? (Not to mention very likely to be illegal in many localities.)

      Personally, I can generally draw and get the blade of my Charge XTi out quickly enough to cause some real consternation.

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • The ultimate Leatherman would be the Gerber Multi-Plier. I've had mine for 15 years. It's a true tool, not some flashy gadget that you don't actually use. Leatherman is like McDonalds and Multi-Plier is like steak grilled in your backyard.

    • Re:Gerber (Score:2, Informative)

      by NRP128 ( 710672 )
      I use the Sport 400 Multi-Plier daily. It's smaller and lighter than the original tool. I'm working outside during the summers between school and its invaluable for day to day work, i couldn't go without mine. I have the full-size version on my bunker gear (i'm a volunteer firefighter) and its easy enough to operate even with gloves on. Just my $0.02.
  • here ya go torx-pen- whatever... it's here

    http://www.victorinox.com/newsite/images/news/swis schamp_1_6795_xxlt.pdf [victorinox.com]
  • I would most definitely not want a USB drive on a leatherman tool. Leatherman tools are designed to be robust, and most USB drives certainly are not -- what would you do if the drive broke? You'd be left with a crippled tool.

  • ChargeXTI (Score:3, Informative)

    by SamHill ( 9044 ) on Sunday June 05, 2005 @10:54AM (#12729127)

    Leatherman's ChargeXTi [leatherman.com] includes many of the OP's wants. There's also a bit kit [leatherman.com] available that adds a bunch of additional screwdriver bits, including more Torx drivers.

    I spent a long time looking at all the options that were available (looking especially hard at the Gerber and Swisstool), and ended up with the ChargeXTi. It does what I need it to do, and is great for quick fixes where I don't want to bother getting my real tools.

    That said, real tools are a must -- removing or installing more than a half-dozen screws with the Leatherman gets annoying pretty quickly, not to mention its bulk being a issue with any screws that are accessed via a tunnel or with bits of bracing in the way.

  • I know you Yankees like slipping and slicing when you drive screws, but some smaller markets are more enlightened: I refuse to buy a multitool until I can get one with a built in Robertson #2 driver, because that's what all the screws are up here.
    • I know you Yankees like slipping and slicing when you drive screws, but some smaller markets are more enlightened: I refuse to buy a multitool until I can get one with a built in Robertson #2 driver, because that's what all the screws are up here.

      ... or you can look at it another way: having a Phillips head available available should that accursed fastener happen to show up for some reason. As much as I applaud the adoption of Robertson screws (in Canada anyways), I still have way more Phillips screwdriv

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