Which Leatherman?

[doug748]

A locking blade would be good + the spring loaded pliers. However, I have had a Leatherman for about 30 years, and am quite happy.

About 10 years in, I broke the tip of the pliers off using it, very unfairly, as a lever. Seeing they had a "lifetime" guarantee I sent them back; without much hope as the return address seemed to be a retail shop near Bowness. Lo, a brand new pair came back by return. On this basis alone I would buy again.

.

 

[TernVI]

Giftware for poseurs.

 

[Stemar]

A friend used to earn his living doing boat maintenance. Many little jobs can be done by using (abusing) a Leatherman, and his was in constant use. He reckoned they'd last him a year or two before he'd send off for a new one. Last I heard, he was on his fifth or sixth.

 

[laika]

Have a look at the Leatherman Juice CS4. It's an order smaller than most and by comparison unnoticeable in the trouser pocket.

I have a juice: similar to your experience mine was replaced (with an xe6) under the warranty (which was nice). A look at the leatherman website suggests they don't do these any more. This is a shame because my juice has one indispensable sailing tool that, for all the many tools on the wave and charge, the full-size leathermen lack: A corkscrew. Clearly this is a reflection on its american origins. Bottle opener for brewskis? Check. Corkscrew...? Not so much.

Actually the juice lacks the robustness of the wave. I have a gerber bought cheap at a show for the boat which is functional but doesn't feel as nice as the wave. All of these lack a marlin spike and a shackle key which is why my captain curry lockspike is still useful.

Perusing the sailing section of decathalon last year I liked the look of the plastimo multi-tool they have there. £23, has a spike, a shackle key, pliars and you wouldn't be too upset if you lost it overboard. If only it had a corkscrew it'd be perfect. I understand the yanks forgetting that feature but the french???
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/multi...sed-aluminium-with-safety-lock/_/R-p-X8599789

Edit (to address one of the OP's questions). Gerber is rust free after living on the boat for 10 years. Leatherman wave is "as new" after 22 years but that lives in a drawer at my parents' place and is infrequently used. Curry lockspike is 33 years old, lives on the boat and has acquired some tarnished spots. Juice is "as new" having been replaced about 10 years ago but isn't normally used on the boat and has only seen light holiday use as I haven't done any "serious" trips since buying a boat.

 

[Mistroma]

A locking blade would be good + the spring loaded pliers. However, I have had a Leatherman for about 30 years, and am quite happy.

About 10 years in, I broke the tip of the pliers off using it, very unfairly, as a lever. Seeing they had a "lifetime" guarantee I sent them back; without much hope as the return address seemed to be a retail shop near Bowness. Lo, a brand new pair came back by return. On this basis alone I would buy again.

.

I had a Wave for about 20 years and used it virtually every day. The IT guys all had one and used it for virtually everything. I always carried it with me and used it when an unexpected repair job came up whilst visiting less mechanically/electronically competent friends or relatives. I managed to break the tip of one knife blade years ago when digging out some soft wood and "discovered" a cast iron fitting inside. Not a big deal until the locking plate snapped on a blade many years later. I really couldn't use that blade safely without the locking mechanism and emailed Leatherman in USA. They gave me an address in Greece and another in UK as I said I'd be returning home in a couple of weeks. I sent the old one off to the UK address when I returned home and got a brand new one in exchange.

I did keep the original leather pouch but don't leave it on my belt anymore because of UK laws. I hide it in the boot when travelling and use it a lot at home or in Greece. The new one has shown the odd sign of rust whereas the old one never did. I rinse the new one with fresh water, dry it after use and that has stopped any rust.

I suppose it could be classed as "Giftware for poseurs" for people whose friends and family are mechanically incompetent and wouldn't know what to do with one. I find that it's the first thing I pick up for many jobs because it will be within reach and capable of doing what's required.

 

[roaringgirl]

I have used Leathermans on a daily basis for years, I think I'm on my third, because of losing/theft. After a year living on board sailing from the Canaries to NZ, mine was a bit worse for wear, I took it to a shop that sold them in Auckland and Leatherman sent me a new one FOC. Currently living on board in the Caribbean and have 2 in case I lose one. I use it multiple times a day. I also have a very well-stocked workshop on board, but the Leatherman is by far and away the most frequently used tool on board. The model I have on my belt is a 'Titanium Charge'.

 

[penberth3]

I never owned one, so I've no idea how wide is the current and past range or which is best.......

I never much liked Swiss Army knives which tried to include too many functions without doing any of them half so well as a dedicated tool...

...but I'm tired of finding I've left pliers, shackle key, knife and flat/Philips screwdrivers at home or in the car when I'm at the boat.....

I might be in the minority but I wouldn't bother. You said it yourself, Swiss army knife, Leatherman, multitool, whatever - none of them are as good as a proper tool. I got a Leatherman as a present and I never found it useful. Four or five proper small-ish tools in a pouch is easy enough to carry around and will do will do everything better.

 

[alahol2]

Leatherman wave, requested as a retirement present. I could never bring myself to spend that amount. Very handy despite having a full tool kit aboard. Used frequently, no signs of corrosion, small wrist cord attached which has saved it a couple of times. I've had several cheaper multitools but none ever got used anywhere near as often, not sure why.

 

[penberth3]

Leatherman wave, requested as a retirement present. I could never bring myself to spend that amount. Very handy despite having a full tool kit aboard. Used frequently, no signs of corrosion, small wrist cord attached which has saved it a couple of times. I've had several cheaper multitools but none ever got used anywhere near as often, not sure why.

What have you used it for? I'm interested, because I haven't even touched my Leatherman for about twenty years.

 

[mullet]

A friend used to earn his living doing boat maintenance. Many little jobs can be done by using (abusing) a Leatherman, and his was in constant use. He reckoned they'd last him a year or two before he'd send off for a new one. Last I heard, he was on his fifth or sixth.

I did a stint as crew on a sailing superyacht and the Leatherman Wave was viewed as essential deckhand kit. I bought mine on US eBay and it was <1/2 the UK cost (although the exchange rate was more favourable then) and below the threshold for UK duty/VAT. Worth a look.

Echo other comments on warranty. Mine suffered after a stint in the drink (stainless not stainproof etc) and after I (chemically) cleaned off the rust it was all a bit loose. Sent it to the UK address and they didn’t hesitate from replacing it. The leather sheath is a bit useless though (the popper stuck after the first time it got salt water on it and the backer pulled through the leather) so I stitched some Velcro on instead.

 

[Greenheart]

Thank you for so many full and detailed answers and links, gentlemen. I have a pleasant weekend of looking at the options, ahead.

Various points come to mind...first among them, perhaps we should all keep a stamped, self-addressed jiffy-bag in our travelbags/cases, into which we can put overlooked items that are forbidden on planes. I know there's a mailbox by the 'departures' gate at Southampton, and it would be gutting to have to give up one of these tools. Just as bad, must be to lose one overboard...can there be any reason for the designers not to include a lanyard eye on every design?

My boat is very small and I can't make anything secure onboard, so even a small carefully selected toolbox isn't an option except during planned days of maintenance. Those occasions are not why I asked about multitool products.

I recognise the compromised ability and lesser ergonomics of compact foldaway tools, but I cannot understand the rejection of them as 'giftware for poseurs' - were you joking, Tern? When a job needs doing immediately, any tool at hand is 100% better than a whole workshop that isn't within reach. The right multitool is a boon, just by its portability, I'm sure.

Thanks again, all.

 

[Carib]

I did similar research recently - my conclusion was the Leatherman Wave +, after going through various options. Both straight and serrated locking blades was a big selling point. By the way, it has a hidden lanyard attachment which I suspect many owners don't realise!

 

[alahol2]

What have you used it for? I'm interested, because I haven't even touched my Leatherman for about twenty years.

Trying to remember...
Stripping aerial wire on deck before refitting into plug. (Proper wire stripper in toolkit under berth below).
Cutting cable ties.
Cutting heavy mooring warps on friends boat prior to splicing (No knife capable on friends boat).
Tightening screw on a hinge fitting. (Proper screwdriver in toolkit under berth).
Pulling clevis pin out of hole when fingers failed.
Squeezing and pulling split pins in rigging screw to adjust it.
Scraping dirt out of the drain hole in the anchor locker.
Cutting dynema to make and tidy soft shackles sat in front of the computer screen at home.
etc. etc.

I've got tools which would do all these jobs but they weren't in my pocket.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

By the way, it has a hidden lanyard attachment which I suspect many owners don't realise!

As does the Juice, but I didn't think I was that stupid.

Now, however...

 

[Carib]

Just don't do too much internet research on this, or you'll end up at some US knives forum where members discuss the best 'EDC' (Everyday Carry - i.e. the knife you generally have on you, from the broad choice of multiple sharp-bladed objects you own and proudly list under your signature). Ask me how I know... Almost as disturbing as some of the users of YBW (I jest of course).

 

[Neil_Y]

Gerber seem better than Victorinox. Years ago I had to choose what to stock in a retail chain and Gerber came out on top for us.

 

[Dipper]

I have a Leatherman Pulse with pliers and a Leatherman Crunch with locking pliers (mole grip type). I use the Crunch locking pliers far more than any other tool. It's useful for squashing split pins flat for example (prior to removal) and allows me to hold items firmly without having to maintain pressure with my hand.

 

[Kelpie]

I was given an original Leatherman by the in laws nearly 20yrs ago. It's very basic but that little tool has got me out of trouble so many times. It's small enough to be completely unnoticeable in shed, and a car, the pocket. Biggest problem is remembering which pair of trousers it's in.

Obviously it's not as good as a proper tool, but there's no reason not to carry it. And as I currently still have two yachts, plus a house, a shed, and a car, chances are the 'proper' tool is not in the right place.

 

[ashtead]

I like the leatherman in its black case with brass popper as it can go in a small bag which can with last boat along with spare boat keys and is always there for small jobs also when travelling to boat or elsewhere. The screwdriver bit is most useful but also use the file for cleaning log ( crustean removal) or filing other things on board. As a slight thread drift I would love to find a source for cases for leather men but also for the shackle setts -does anyone sell rigging set cases in summary? I did have a super sharp locking knife I used to keep in my wash bag I would like to replace after an over zealous airport security system found it when I was flying once. Had a nice wooden brown handle in flat knife blade but if I could find one again for cutting found it easier than bulk of leatherman. If I knew make the 4in blade might be my second choice.

 

[Mistroma]

Thank you for so many full and detailed answers and links, gentlemen. I have a pleasant weekend of looking at the options, ahead.

Various points come to mind...first among them, perhaps we should all keep a stamped, self-addressed jiffy-bag in our travelbags/cases, into which we can put overlooked items that are forbidden on planes. I know there's a mailbox by the 'departures' gate at Southampton, and it would be gutting to have to give up one of these tools. Just as bad, must be to lose one overboard...can there be any reason for the designers not to include a lanyard eye on every design?

My boat is very small and I can't make anything secure onboard, so even a small carefully selected toolbox isn't an option except during planned days of maintenance. Those occasions are not why I asked about multitool products.

I recognise the compromised ability and lesser ergonomics of compact foldaway tools, but I cannot understand the rejection of them as 'giftware for poseurs' - were you joking, Tern? When a job needs doing immediately, any tool at hand is 100% better than a whole workshop that isn't within reach. The right multitool is a boon, just by its portability, I'm sure.

Thanks again, all.

The Leatherman Wave still has a lanyard eye. Not as obvious as my old one but it is there and slides out of sight if you don't want to use it. I didn't realise it was there when it first arrived and moaned about the fact it had been left out. I discovered it a couple of days later along with the not very obvious wire stripper near the root of the can opener blade.

I've never tried the crimping tool on the Wave because I've always planned that work and had proper crimpers to hand. I must try it sometime to see if it would be OK if I was stuck somewhere without crimpers.