Jim Leatherman's Super Tool: Handy to have around (the house, office, on the belt, etc)
Written: Jan 28 '01 (Updated Jan 07 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Solid, versatile, robust, locking blades, effective saw
Cons: Heavy, handles need ergonomic work
The Bottom Line: Get one. If you work with your hands or tools, you'll appreciate the utility and convenience.
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| Gracye8's Full Review: Leatherman Sideclip |
Leatherman Super Tool: a super tool for those times when you don't have a toolbox (or when that tool box is too far away to go fetch)
This product won't quite replace your tool box, but with the Super Tool on your belt, you do come pretty close. With the combination of tools available with the Super Tool, you can accomplish most of the minor tool and maintenance needs that come up, or at least give you a lot of assistance with major projects.
I was introduced to the Leatherman line of products when I was serving in the Army. My job was to drive and repair a combat Humvee (the military's current incarnation of the venerable Jeep), and my Leatherman was the heart and soul of my 'Humvee repair kit.' When in the motor pool (our in-the-rear maintenance and repair location) repair tools would be kept in our mechanic's toolboxes (and me and my vehicle never got enough support from the maintenance staff), and when out in the field (during training exercises) the mechanics were always at other locations. With the unavailability of support by the mechanics and access to real tools, what I had available to keep my Humvee (a one-and-a-quarter ton 4x4 truck loaded for battle) running and in top condition was my Super Tool, augmented with a bit of duct tape, bailing wire and some Yankee ingenuity.
[Before my Super Tool, the Leatherman product that I was using was the Leatherman PST. After much wear and tear, I retired my PST and bought a Super Tool.]
The Super Tool is a device that will unfold, exposing the pliers and has ten separate tool blades encased by the handle.
"So tell me about the Super Tool's features."
1. Needlenose and Regular Pliers: I've used the pliers to grab and grip various nails, screws and other errant pieces of metal on my Humvee, before tugging, bending, prying or lifting (all to fix it, I swear! **grin**) I've very frequently used the regular pliers to grab on to nuts while turning the bolt-heads with a 'borrowed' Crescent wrench.
2. Wire cutters and Hard-wire cutters: Well, simply put, the wire cutters cut wires, and the hard-wire cutters cut tough, hard and thick wires. I've used the Super Tool to cut through pretty thick packing wire and banding straps with not a lot of wear and tear as a result. The hardened wire cutters are a real improvement to the product line; my old PST didn't have this feature, and a couple of times, I sure wished that it did.
3. Electrical crimper and wire stripper: Though I didn't use this feature on any blasting caps ("drats!"), I did use it on a whole bunch of electrical connectors when I was rewiring the lights on my Humvee; it worked just fine. As far as stripping wire, it does the job very easily. With a steady hand, I stripped commo wire fairly regularly (commo wire is pretty thin stuff, I think maybe 6 or 4 gauge).
4. Clip-point knife and serrated knife: I carried and use a separate pocket knife, so I haven't used these blades too extensively. The reason why I did that is because I found it very time-consuming to open and lock the knife blades, and then when done, to open, unlock and close the tool every single time I needed to cut something. That having been said, the clip-point has a sharp tip, good for use for any fine detail cutting and the blade is good for general cutting (steaks on the OPFOR BBQ, opening boxes and cartons, cutting open MREs, etc.). The serrated blade finds its niche when cutting the tougher materials (canvas and thick burlap, hemp rope, a radiator hose (yep, I've used it for that before)). Both blades come out of the box sharp and ready to go.
5. Wood / Metal file: The file on the Super Tool is the best one that I've seen so far on a multi-tool. One side is a fine file, the other side is a rough file, and on the edge is a very rough / coarse file. File something down and to the proper size with the rough and polish and smooth with the fine. If you want to try to cut through something tough (like metal), that's what the coarse file on the edge is for, you can use it like a saw (though it might take you a little while to get the job done).
6. Bone / Wood saw: I'm unable to say that I've used this to cut through any bone, and not a whole lot of wood, but I have used it on a bunch of plastic (of various densities) and particle board. The sharp jagged teeth on the saw have made short work of all the tasks that I've applied it to.
7. Flat-tip screwdrivers (S / M / L): Flat-tips of assorted sizes, pretty self-explanatory. They have come in useful several times as prybars and scrapers as well.
8. Phillips screwdriver (#1 / #2): Again, pretty self-explanatory (usually, when you need a Phillips screwdriver, you really need a Phillips screwdriver).
9. Can / bottle opener: Not exactly the prettiest can opener around, but it gets the job done but it's great for those sudden emergencies that spring up around the fishing camp (it opens bottles too). "Okay, I think they've chilled enough. I'll pull the long-necks outta the stream. You grab the bottle opener." "Bottle opener?!? I thought YOU were going to bring the bottle opener!" "No, you were supposed to bring it. That's okay though, we'll manage. Good thing I brought my Super Tool."
10. Awl / Punch: This isn't exactly very sharp and pointy, but it does get the job done. I've used it to scribe and etch in metal. I've punched holes in most soft or thin materials (cardboard, plastic, even sheet metal); I just needed to push and twist, or give it a little tap with a hammer (or a convenient rock).
11. Ruler (9 in / 22 cm): The outside of the handles is stamped with tick marks making an impromptu ruler. Not necessarily the most accurate, but it gets the job done. I've used it to determine the size of nuts and bolts, and to figure if my 'big catch' is below the legal limit,
"Wow, tell me more."
The blades on the Super Tool lock. Once in the fully open position, the blades are locked into position, and the tool will not more or shift while you're trying to use it (like it did on my PST). To unlock the blade, you separate the handles and open one of the other tools to a 90-degree angle. This will cause a cam to lift the locking bar and release the locked tool. The tools lock open very solidly and is one of the best features about the Super Tool.
It comes with a lanyard eyelet. And it's darn handy too. I've had my sheath (it was a horizontal belt sheath) open somehow and my Super Tool fell out. I bought another one the next day, and swore that it'd never happen again. The instruction sheet in the box tells you to use a #4 split ring (found in bait & tackle shops); I recommend that you use two. The weight of the Super Tool is enough to bend one split ring out of shape; never had a problem when I doubled them up though.
[My lanyard trick: One thing I did was to make my lanyard a quick-release one. I bought a key retractor, a quick release device, and a quick link. With everything attached to my Leatherman, I could work with my Super Tool, DROP it from my hand, then quickly find it again, hanging from my belt and waiting for me (I wore the retractor on the front side of my hip, so it was easy to reach for). This was really handy when I was doing things in the dark or at night; at night in the field, if I set anything down somewhere, I might never see it again (literally). And when someone wanted to borrow it, or the cord was too annoying, well that's where the quick-release comes in handy. I haven't lost my Super Tool yet.]
Nylon sheath included in the box, though I think you can also get a leather case if you want that instead. The sheath is vertical, so you don't have to worry about it falling out like mine did. The reason I switched to another sheath is because with the vertical one, my LBE (equipment harness) kept getting snagged and hung up on it, very uncomfortable.
It comes with a 25-year guarantee. The Super Tool is made of 100% stainless steel, and is warranted against "any defect in material or workmanship." There are a couple of epinions in this section that have personal stories about the Leatherman warranty in action. Basically, if you can break it, they'll replace it.
"That's great; is there anything bad about the Super Tool?"
It's heavy. The Super Tool weighs nine ounces. It took me a couple of tries to find a key retractor with enough 'spring' to support the weight. And a little too large (closed, about 4-1/2" by 1-1/4" by 5/8") to carry comfortable in the pocket, for me anyway. That's probably why they included a belt sheath with it; so that you can keep it handy with you regardless.
The combination Phillips screwdriver doesn't always work. Leatherman gave you a compromise screwdriver, Phillips, kinda straddling the line between two sizes, the #1 and #2 Phillips. About 95% of the time, it works great and gets the job done. But there have also been times when trying to turn a #1 screw, the tool will slip and end up damaging the screw head. There have also been instances with #2 screws, where the tool fit loosely, and with a little torque, would slip from the screw head. The Super Tool doesn't fit all the appropriate screwheads properly. Moral of the story: you sometimes need to get a REAL screwdriver.
The pliers are sometimes painful to use, especially when squeezing down hard on something (such as a rounded nut). After the Super Tool is opened up and the pliers are exposed, the handle that you'll be squeezing down on has metal corners. While the corners aren't sharp, they aren't necessarily rounded either, and the pressure of squeezing hard on them can hurt sometimes. My solution is to either: 1) wrap the Super Tool in a thick rag; or 2) put on a glove, before bearing down hard.
The pliers aren't as quick as the competitor's. The main feature of one of the competitor's products is the a quick one-handed deployment. This has the advantage of speed when getting the pliers out and ready for use, as well as stowing them when you're done using them. Personally, I think that this feature is more trouble than it's worth. Between the strengths and weaknesses of each multi-tool, I'll stick with the Leatherman. Besides, I'm able to open and then stow my Super Tool just fine with one hand. (Note: I do own a copy of the competition. I just don't use it; that's what the Super Tool is around for. **grin**)
The Super Tool won't do everything. There are some tasks that the Super Tool just isn't up to; for those times you really do need to get the appropriate tool. For example, the Super Tool really isn't up to cutting it's way through a triple-strand concertina wire fence (though I won't say that I haven't tried to do this before), and like I described with the Phillips screwdriver. The Super Tool is a great thing, but like I said before, you gotta know when you can use it, and when need to go diggin' in the tool box.
"So, do you think I should get one?"
Definitely!! I can think of a bunch of people who would find having a Leatherman handy. Soldiers and military guys like me. Campers and travelers, to mend those little things that break during the trip. Fishermen, to measure the catch, crimp on led sinkers, cut fishing line. Repairmen and technicians, hey it's pretty darn convenient to have some basic tools always at hand, versus digging in that tool bag that you're lugging around. Think of all the times, in the past week you've said, "Drats! If only I had a (screwdriver, knife, pliers, file, saw, etc.), I could fix this thing right now." Having one with you (or in the desk drawer, purse, glove compartment, or someplace handy) just makes your life easier and a little more comfortable.
Think the SuperTool is too large? Consider the smaller Leatherman PST, another great Leatherman product.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Gracye8
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Location: California, USA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 16 members
About Me:
Sometimes a teacher, sometimes an epinionator, but always a student.
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