Not a Bad B-Movie -- a Great Little All-in-One Tool
Written: Feb 20 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Handy all-in-one convenience with a nice set of tools. Very sharp knife.
Cons: Very sharp knife (I’ve cut myself). The handle could be improved.
The Bottom Line: Provides a nice range of tools for unexpected moments minus bulk. The important tools: knife, pliers and can opener all work very well. A great gift for someone (like yourself).
|
|
|
| bczernik's Full Review: Leatherman PST II |
[ history ]
I was given the Leatherman PST II as a gift a year ago. I have since repeated the “favor” by giving one of these to my brother (albeit a more souped-up version). This version has all the features I would want without extra bulk, so it has worked out well for me.
The story goes that in 1975, Tim Leatherman was on a "low-budget" trip through Europe. He got fed up with his standard "scouter's knife." It supposedly wasn't much help on old hotel plumbing and his unreliable car. He felt he needed a compact pocket knife with full-size pliers, but no such tool existed. Tim spent the next eight years using his engineering background to design such a tool. In 1983, after working with hundreds of prototypes, he and Steve Berliner founded Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Thus the Leatherman products.
[ observations ]
Loaded with a set of various set of tools, the Leatherman is a Swiss Army knife only larger, with larger and different tools. As is expected I find myself using the excellent knife blade, although it is so sharp I have cut myself pretty good TWICE without much effort (be careful). The blade is part serrated so it can handle a range of tasks. I surprisingly find myself using the excellent pliers a lot as well. This unit is in the middle of the range of Leatherman products in terms of the number of tools included. All the tools are attached and maintain connected to the collapsible handle.
Overall the product is well design and the items are easy to take out/put away. Once in a while the fold out design adds an extra step in using the tool, but that 1/2 second is a pretty short time. None of the tools have a “true” lock, but they all seem to maintain the open position well. At around 5 oz., it is small and light enough to carry around on your belt (it comes with a decent holster with belt loop). Its stainless steel construction seems a good choice in terms of longevity and quality. It will need the occasional maintenance (see below).
The relatively small size does not impact the performance (4"/10 cm closed; 6-1/4"/16 cm open). This product feels substantial and worth the price (around $50) -- although I have never used it in “challenging” situation, such as in the woods fishing or hunting. For light work I’m sure it will excel. For heavy-duty applications, individual tools may be better. But for someone like me with limited applications, it is extremely handy. I usually keep this in my backpack which I carry around almost everywhere. It has come in handy a number of times at work and during my travels. I don’t know how it compares to comparable products.
[ product details ]
The following are the tools and my short comments:
o Needlenose Pliers: excellent and very useful;
o Regular Pliers: very good;
o Wire Cutters: works fine;
o Hard-Wire Cutters: works fine;
o Straight/Serrated Knife: the best blade I’ve used
o Diamond-Coated File: extremely durable;
o Cross-Cut File: works well;
o Sharpening Groove: very useful;
o 8 inch/20 cm Ruler: nice feature but only partially usable;
o Can/Bottle Opener: very good and useful;
o Extra Small Screwdriver: very handy;
o Medium Screwdriver: works well and sturdy;
o Large Screwdriver: works well and sturdy;
o Phillips Screwdriver: good quality;
o Scissors: semi-useful, only for limited use.
[ support & care ]
The Leatherman PSTII includes instructions on how to care for the tool. The web site (www.leatherman.com) also includes a care section that is basic but helpful. The product comes with a 25-year warranty. Given the tools collapse into the handle it is not the easiest product to clean (I’ve done it twice), but it is manageable.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
bczernik
|
|
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Wanna-be poet and troubadour, typically working as an Internet Strategist.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.