Which Leatherman?

[Topcat47]

I have one, given as a present. The knife blades are very good but the pliers are pretty useless as is the "screwdriver bit". On board I have a cheapo Draper toolbox, containing 3/8" square drive sockets and a set of open ended metric spanners. There were a load of other carp small tools, BA spanners, screwdrivers etc, but they didn't last. I also have a rip off pattern "Mole" Wrench, a set of six screwdrivers (3 flat , 3 cross head) and a couple of adjustable spanners. If I'm working "at home" or Ashore at the club, I carry my "propper" toolkit from home, but the Drapper on-board kit is fine for most stuff. The on-board kit cost less than £30.00, including extras. I also carry a Capt Curry Riggers kit (the pliers on that are carp too).

 

[jwfrary]

I carry a surge + having had a wave + before hand I find though it’s larger it’s a more useful size for getting things done especially the grip provided by the pliers

 

[Dysan]

I’ve a Leatherman Wave and have had it about 15 years. To put it bluntly it has not had an easy life and it may soon be replaced with another, but it gets shown no mercy with me. It’s not a toolkit but damn handy to have on your belt. Seems expensive at first but you soon realise you pay for quality kit.

 

[William_H]

I have a Leatherman given to me a while back as a gift. It is so beautiful that there is no way I will take it near the boat. So in fact it gets no use at all. On the boat I have a knife, separate phillips head and straight screw drivers but most used and loved is a pair of slip jaw pliers. Now modified to not slip. They are tough with long handles. Very rusty but the rust does not matter. They are so rough looking they flatly refuse to be dropped over board and like a grown child will not leave home after 30 years. even if they did get lost they were very cheap. So no I would never spend up big on a leatherman. However I did pick up somwe time back at a motor spares shop a smaller leatherman style for 1 squid. Stays in the car. ol'will

 

[MonniotC]

A few years ago Sailing Today (when it wasn't a lifestyle magazine for the Chelsea set) did a comparative test of multitools, on the basis of which I bought the surprise top-equal winner, a Victorinox Skipper knife. The pliers are a bit of a joke, though occasionally useful, and the shackle key / spike is a little small, but the knife is superb.

I see they have since brought out a Skipper Pro, which has a nice looking marline spike instead of the pliers and a loop to make opening the knife easier - I may upgrade this year. I have an inherited Leatherman on board, but very rarely use it because the Victorinox has a better knife and my toolbox has a better everything else.

Thinks: Somewhere I have another inherited Leatherman, this time with a Mole style locking plier built in. Must remember to put it on For Sale.

 

[MonniotC]

I have one of those Victorinox Skipper knives that I bought something like 20-25 years ago. As you say, the knife is second to none. The marlin spike got me out of trouble on a trip to the Scillies donkeys ago. I put huge twisting pressure on it and expected it to break, but it didn't. Since then I bought a couple of solid stainless marlin spike/ shackle keys that hang just inside the companionway. The Victorinox is a great bit of kit, but as people say, nothing replaces a properly stocked toolbox. But this knife/multitool is a great thing to have in your pocket. Just remember to leave it behind before you you go ashore/into the pub. (Done that before ?)

Actually mine does not have the pliers or the corkscrew. Otherwise the same. Must be a 1st Mate, not a Skipper.

 

[Turbonic]

I don't think that mine has been mentioned but I have a Roxon Storm. It is every-bit as good as a leatherman, and better finished than a Gerber.

It also has a cork screw, bottle opener, a large sized scissors and a glass breaker.

ROXON S801S Updated Version Strom Multitool Pliers-Pocket Multi Tool, Multitool with Bits Group and Nylon Case. Multi Tool for Camping, and Hiking: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

I have no vested interest in promoting the above other than I use it and have found it useful.

 

[davidpbo]

Four or five proper small-ish tools in a pouch is easy enough to carry around and will do will do everything better.

And then you need a sixth to do something you hadn't thought of and that is where a Leatherman or similar can be useful.

 

[colind3782]

I have a Leatherman Wave, a Stanley "Leatherman" and a Swiss Army Champ on the boat along with a full set of tools. I also have a couple of Lidl multitools and another Swiss Champ at home. Of them all, the Swiss Army knife gets used most, daily really, but the Wave is the most useful around the boat. The Brit engineer that does stuff that I either can't or I'm not allowed to by the yard, uses his Wave for everything.

 

[Greenheart]

Four or five proper small-ish tools in a pouch is easy enough to carry around...

Easy enough when you can foresee needing them; a real pain in the pocket if you were to constantly lug them about, just in case.

I don't think anyone says dedicated tools aren't better if they're available. When they're not, the multi is invaluable.

So says me, who hasn't bought one yet.

 

[michael_w]

Leatherman Super tool 200. Years old, used daily. Has the advantage that the tools lock. When the sheath wore out I had one made by a saddlery and bridle expert.

 

[Kukri]

Leatherman Super tool 200. Years old, used daily. Has the advantage that the tools lock. When the sheath wore out I had one made by a saddlery and bridle expert.

It must be what - thirty years old? OK, I now hate you. Mine was carelessly worn after checking in at Heathrow...?

 

[ashtead]

Just referred to my leatherman super tool user guide and seems to date from 1999. One guide in pristine condition but does refer to guarantee I see of 25 years and return instructions plus how to fit the lanyard a number 5 ring from your fishing supplies store

 

[Bouba]

Alright guys, you’ve got to stop these kind of threads. I’ve just ordered a SOG PowerLitre PL1001.
It’s small with two essential tools, corkscrew and scissors. The pliers have some sort of gearing to increase grip and there’s some kind of magnetic screwdriver bits (not included). €67 delivered
PowerLitre

 

[CFG98]

I have an old Wave. I think the newer ones are longer. I bought a Wave with titanium handles for a relative. It is lighter. They hardly use it. If buying again I would go titanium Wave or the next model up (is that the Charge?) I use it so often. From many times a day to just once a day. I love it. Have a solid leather sheath and a few extra bits for it too.

 

[Bouba]

My new SOG arrives tomorrow ?

 

[Bouba]

This my new SOG PowerLitre, just arrived. It’s a beauty so tiny but such an incredibly smooth action!
I am showing it next my Gerber which I’ve had for over twenty years and carried all over Africa. It got me out of a few scrapes and made me feel braver when things got intimidating.

 

[mullet]

That looks good. And it makes me notice the absence of a corkscrew on the Wave, and leads me to question whether Leatherman fully understand the average mariner's priorities...?

 

[Bouba]

That looks good. And it makes me notice the absence of a corkscrew on the Wave, and leads me to question whether Leatherman fully understand the average mariner's priorities...?

It doesn’t just have a corkscrew, it also has a little metal part that goes on the rim of the bottle so you can lever the cork out (no more pulling). Perhaps your modern boater buys screw top wine?‍

 

[Tony W]

leatherman provided the best service I’ve ever experienced! About 5years ago my 10 year old tool broke around the pivot. I went straight on the internet to buy another, that’s what it meant to me. I saw on the leatherman site references to a 25year guarantee so I called them to enquire. Within 10 minutes I’d explained the problem and sent a picture, I was told it was a old model but send it to them and they‘d call me with a solution. I sent it that day, the next morning I got a call, it had arrived, they were most apologetic for the inconvenience, and explained that the latest new model had just been despatched. I informed the agent of my delight and praised them for the manner in which they conduct their business and that this story would stay with me and it would be shared. It arrived the next day!