Leatherman Tool

[+PandyBat]

I've seen several people say they carry a Leatherman tool as an essential in their geocaching packs. I'll admit they are cool tools but what do you use them for while out geocaching?

[+leatherman]

Everything.

[+Lazyboy & Mitey Mite]

I don't use one, can't imagine why I'd want one. I have one, it was a gift, I'm stuck with it.

[+Red Clover]

I recently requested a Leatherman from my stepfather. He gave me a generic version that has been quite handy the few times I needed. I've used the knife to sharpen pencils. The screwdrivers for various reasons changing batteries usually (its quicker then using that stupid little ring). I consider having it w/ me as an extra safety tool. Why do I bring a first aide kit and extra water? I probably wont need them. But they sure are nice when you DO need them. I broke my ankle Sat while caching. Thankfully I did have a partner w/ me. Had he not been there I might have been trying out the saw portion to get a sturdy stick to help me walk back to the car. You never know when you might need something.

[+robert]

it's kind of one of those things that when you have it you're glad you did. the last time i used it was to use the pliers to remove a cache sheet from a micro. it was rolled and packed in there tightly and wouldn't come out.

[+briansnat]

For cutting things, screwing things in and out, cutting off the end of cigars, bending things, pulling things out.

 

I actually use my Swiss Army kinfe more often because its on my keychain, but I take the Leatherman along whenever I hike, do trailwork or backpack because it has more tools, plus a neat fork and butter knife that I use for eating sardines and smoked oysters and spreading peanut butter, or cheese on crackers.

 

Then there's that guy who used one to cut off his arm when he was pinned by a boulder and it saved his life.

Edited May 3, 2004 by briansnat

[CoyoteRed]

Cut rope, pull splinters, emergency trail maintenance, poke a new hole in my belt, open up the GPS to let it dry out,and open food items are just a few things I've used it for.

 

I have the Wave. IMHO, by far the best multi I've had the pleasure to handle, that's why I bought one. None of the others enthused me.

[+Melrose Plant]

I got one for Christmas a couple years ago. It became the kitchen drawer tool set. It's very handy, but like any multi-use tool, it's really a multi-useless tool. It just doesn't work as well as a real screwdriver, real needle-nosed pliers, or a real knife. If I start an impromptu repair project using the Leatherman because it's close, I invariably wind up going down to the basement to get real tools before it's all over. Good to have in a pinch, though. But I still carry a Swiss Army knife. It's somewhat smaller.

[thorin]

I stick by my Swiss, my brother is all about the LeatherMan and I see him use it all the time. I just don't see having that much weight on my belt all the time. My swiss fits very nicely in my back pocket with my wallet. I take it everywhere and use it all the time. Having a knife scissors, straight and robertson screwdrivers, bottle/can opener in your pocket is highly useful.

 

I may add a small'ish leatherman to my camping/hiking/geocaching kit though, I can definately think of a few times that pliers woulda been handy (though my swiss handles everything else).

 

Thorin

Edited May 3, 2004 by thorin

[+Ducky]

I've seen several people say they carry a Leatherman tool as an essential in their geocaching packs. I'll admit they are cool tools but what do you use them for while out geocaching?

I think the question should be; What don't I use a Leatherman for? That way you would get a much shorter list

 

I might start a war here but here goes. I own an original Leatherman and have used it at least 4 or 5 times a day for over ten years to do various things. I was also issued a Gerber multi-tool for going overseas and have used a SOG multi-tool as well. I would rate them this way 1st Leatherman A very close 2nd SOG and a very distant 3rd Gerber and my personal opinion of the Gerber is that is a piece o crap!

 

To say I would be lost without my Leatherman would be an understatment!

 

Leatherman

 

SOG

 

Gerber

[+Prairie Dog]

My Leatherman Wave stays in my caching pack. I think I used it once to remove a thorn from my finger. Usually I don't need it. It's a guy thing to carry a multi tool.

[kc2ixe]

My pack as an "original" leatherman, and I don't use it that often - but then again, I carry a "squirt" (the strange one from Radio shack - the only one with strippers) on my keys, and a "real" knife on my belt. The ONLY reason the leatherman stays in the pack is that between the PDA, the knife, and a HT (2 way radio) the belt really doesn't have the space to spare

[+tirediron]

Cutting, screwing (or un-screwing), plier-ing, tweezing, sawing.... don't need it too often, but when you do...

 

Edit: Monay morning fat-fingered typo!

Edited May 3, 2004 by tirediron

[+timberlane74 & pumpkin]

FYI...I forgot that my leatherman had a knife and had it in my pack travelling...it CANNOT be taken aboard airplanes...put it in checked baggage or do not bring...they confiscated mine!

[+protocoldroid]

i've got a gerber multi-tool, and it tags along if i've got cargo pants on. otherwise, i stick with the swiss army card, slips in the wallet, and has the bare essentials (scissors, small blade, nail file, tweasers, ballpoint pen, pin, toothpick).

 

also... don't get on a plane with a swiss army card either. even though you'd have trouble hurting an insect with the thing... they'll nab it.

[+TotemLake]

....must ....keep .... remembering ....this .....is ....family ....oriented....

[+rusty_tlc]

I carry a leatherman in my day pack although it is rarely used. My leatherman micra on the otherhand is always in the watch pocket of my jeans and is used daily. I have changed a hard drive with it, not a pleasent experience but doable. It also has a screwdrive small enough to tighten my eyeglass hinge screws.

[+Nazgul]

I carry mine with me just about everywhere. I don't use it as much as I used to but it's great when you do need it. Mine's been used for just about any task you can imagine needing a knife, screwdriver, bottle opener, file, and pliers/wire cutter for. The ruler has also come in handy and about 10 years ago I even used it as an emergency hammer for a motorcycle repair. Despite all of that it's still in fantastic shape, except that the original leather pouch is pretty beat up.

[+pecka]

I used to have Gerber multi tool, but as Team Oddball said it really sucks. I broke the axle in the pliers while cutting copper wire, than I bought my Wave and it rests in my daypack since. I don't use it that much often, but sometimes I'm really glad it's there. Actualy, I think that Leatherman should put me on the payroll as I have "infected" my family and also few guys at work... my girlfriend wanted the Juice as soon as she saw it.

[+PandyBat]

Hmmm....sounds like I should get one of these. Never know when it might come in handy. I just couldn't figure out what you would need one for when geocaching, but I guess you never know what could happen when out and about. Thanks for the input!

[+Rainwater]

I have had 4 lether mans...

 

The first 3 I wore out or broke somehow...but since they have a 25 year warranty you can get them replaced for free...

 

The one I use daily now is the leatherman wave...like another poster said..its the best one IMHO so far. I feel lost when I leave it at home...I carry mine in my pocket and once I got use to the size/weight..I dont notice it anymore...except when I leave it at home I notice its not there...

[+leatherman]

I can certainly feel the love in this thread.

[+RichardMoore]

I have an original Leatherman. And I always have it on my belt. Granted, there are times when I'll go for two or three weeks without using it, but when I need it it's there. It is a multi-purpose tool, so it is not as good as a single purpose one, but it's a lot easier to carry than a whole toolbox.

It has ceased to surprise me when people that I am talking to suddenly ask if I have "that knife thing" with me and can fix/loosen/tighten something.

The weight of the original Leatherman seems to be a lot less than the weight of some of the newer ones and I don't even notice it on my belt.

[+Nazgul]

Just a few hours after my post above, I found a local cache that unexpectedly required a phillips screwdriver to open. Leatherman saves the day again!

[+NightPilot]

I had a Leatherman for years, and it was OK, but using the pliers was painful because of the way it's designed. It grew legs and walked off, and I replaced it with a Gerber, which I like much better. Multitools do almost everything, but nothing really well, just like a Swiss Army knife. But it's a lot easier to carry than a complete toolkit. I carry mine on my belt at work, and use it for preflighting my helicopter, which requires opening lots of dzus fasteners. The screwdrivers aren't perfect, but a real screwdriver is hard to carry around, and the Gerber works well enough. I seldom use the knife, because I always have a pocket knife, but the other tools all get an occasional workout. The saw even works.

[+JeepCachr]

Just a few hours after my post above, I found a local cache that unexpectedly required a phillips screwdriver to open. Leatherman saves the day again!

A cache should never require tools to open.

[+Nazgul]

A cache should never require tools to open.

You might get some disagreement about that, including from me. After all, "special equipment" can be part of a difficulty rating, no?

 

I recall one cache description that indicated that something extra may be required to get it, and sure enough I needed to use a twig from a nearby bush to carefully coax it out of its hiding spot. Another I haven't found indicates that you'll need something to fish the logsheet out of the cache container opening.

 

I think that required tools are OK, but I also think it's appropriate to give some sort of notice in the description.

 

[End off-topic response]

[+crzycrzy]

This for the lexiconally challenged like me...

 

 

'Av a good day mate !

 

[+robert]

I had a Leatherman for years, and it was OK, but using the pliers was painful because of the way it's designed.

I have the "Pulse" and the edges are rounded to keep from cutting into your hands. Also all the tools "lock" in place.

[AC Student]

My Leatherman Wave has come in very handy on a few occasions but I must admit that I carry it more frequently than I'm every likely to need it. It is partly "being prepared" but it has more to do with the fact that I just like cool gadgets.

[+leatherman]

Leatherman Pulse(My Favorite)

Leatherman Original(2)

Leatherman Crunch

Leatherman Supertool

Leatherman Wave(I lost this one, didn't like it much anyway)

 

I have one of those survival stories. Like the advertisements Leatherman had.

My story, not that much life saving. My father, uncle, niece and I traveled to a gathering in Arizona. We were in two cars. On our return trip one of the cars blew the transmission. We left that car at a friends in Colorado. We piled everything we could into one car and headed home via Montana. We arrived in Missoula and before we could even stop for something to eat, the other car sputtered to a stop.

We noticed that nothing electrical was working. We checked the battery. No juice. We were running down on money so a tow truck was not much of an option. We looked through everything in the car. It seems that we removed the tool kit to make room for our junk.

Well I, of course, had my trusty Leatherman in my pocket. I disconnected the battery and my father took a taxi to Sears. He used his trusty Sears card for another battery. We were back on the road. At least headed for something to eat.

 

:oops

Edited May 4, 2004 by leatherman

[+Prairie Dog]

My Leatherman Wave has come in very handy on a few occasions but I must admit that I carry it more frequently than I'm every likely to need it. It is partly "being prepared" but it has more to do with the fact that I just like cool gadgets.

I agree with that. The Boy Scout in me reigns free!

I almost never use mine, but I like being prepared and having cool gadgets.

Now my Surefire Z2 I use almost everyday.

[RedHillian]

I carry my Gerber everywhere with me - caching or not.

 

It get used constantly at work - it's my main tool there and I'm never without it. I keep the thing in a 'NiteIze pockits' belt pouch with a mini-maglite, pair of specialised screwdrivers, pen, marker and spare batteries.

 

I personally prefer the Greber over the Leathermans, as I can deploy and use the Gerber with a single hand - a real benefit at work where there's a very good chance I'm up a ladder / down a hole / only have 1 hand free, but I know some peopel just don't like them.

 

I've never had a problem with the Gerber, save snapping one attachment through mis-use, but it's replaceable.

 

For me, it's always on my belt, the one and only time I had to fly anywhere recently I felt lost without it for the whole journey and the few time's I've taken it off to go out for an evening I've found something I wanted it for.

 

As for 'caching, well of course it'll be with me!

[+GEO*Trailblazer 1]

Mine is a Winchester and it comes in Handy when I do cache maintenance on the Pierce City cache.

In CERT the multi tool is handy,Never know when you (might) have to cut something off to get un hung from a boulder or something like that.

I fixed a Tractor stalled in the Highway the other day with it.

With No teeth now it helps to peel them apples,cut jerkey finer,there is 1001 uses for it.

I don't leave home without it.

[Swagger]

I've been wearing my Leatherman just about every day for over ten years. It's indespensible. I don't use it often while caching, but when I need it, there it is!

[+Milbank]

I carry a leatherman micra and a leatherman super tool 200.

 

Between fishing and work I use the two of them daily.

 

I just started caching, but I'm sure they will come in handy at times for caching too.

[+john_underwood@charter.net]

I have the leatherman WAVE. The only single item I use more is my eyeglasses, which of course go on when I wake and come off when I lay down.

[+SixDogTeam]

Cutting the heads off poisoness snakes.

[+The Cache Raiders]

A good swiss army knife is where its at!

[+JoesBar]

I have several multi-tools. My favorite and most used is a Victornox Swiss Army knife. (Wenger is good also) It has features I us most and is always in my pocket. (Except when I am at work) I am a firefighter and I carry a Leatherman Original on my belt. Can't lose it that way and I don't need a corkscrew at the station. Finally I have a Gerber tool I carry in a pack while caching or cycling. If you are planning on buying any type of multi tool, take some time and check the manufactures web sites. There are MANY styles! Deceide what tools you want before you buy and you'll save yourself money by buying multiple muti-tools.

[+Lone Duck]

I've had the origional version of the Leatherman for more than 15 years now, still the same one that I got back then. It has been valuable for me for daily use at work, and I've used it out in the boonies for anything you can imagine. It has been the only knife I have taken on week long canoe trips and was a godsend when we needed it to fix stuff.

[+Team Shibby]

I have had an original Leatherman for a long time now. I originally purchased one when I was a computer service tech, and it was like my toolbox on my belt. Aside from needing a few special tools for proprietary computers, it served me very well. I admit I do not use it as much as I once did, but it is always with me when I cache. Scouts Motto: Be Prepared!! You never know when you might need it

 

Kar of TS!!

[CoinHunter]

I spent $85 on a Gerber multi tool, it had everything...even a hacksaw, scissors, and a nice little fillet knife. I almost forgot I owned it till I seen this post. I think Ive used it one time. I bought it becuase....well Im not sure why I bought it. Its in my Jeep someplace.

 

 

Tony .....

[+greengolftee87]

I have a Juice and a micra which i use all the time.

I usually pull one of them out while caching

[Team Itchymax]

First time I've posted a response to anything...so bear with me.

 

I personally coveted my first multi use tool and hae been glad to have it on many occaisions...It's a Gerber brand tool and I recommend it HIGHLY over Leatherman simply because Gerber's have a locking mechanism which leatherman's don't...those leaving them open to finger pinching which can REALLY put a hurtin' on ya...especially if it's cold out.

 

So there, I recommend the Gerber multi-use tool and rate it right up there with the GPS for important tools to have when you're out and about.

 

--Mrs. Itchymax

[+leatherman]

because Gerber's have a locking mechanism which leatherman's don't...those leaving them open to finger pinching which can REALLY put a hurtin' on ya...especially if it's cold out.

Excuse me. There are several models of Leatherman with tool locking mechanisms.

The Supertool has had it for a long time. The Pulse, and the new Supertool has the Pulse lock. The Wave.

Get your facts straight next time.

[Ferreter5]

When I was looking for comments on multi-tools I received many great replies in this thread.

Edited May 13, 2004 by Ferreter5

[+robert]

because Gerber's have a locking mechanism which leatherman's don't...those leaving them open to finger pinching which can REALLY put a hurtin' on ya...especially if it's cold out.

Excuse me. There are several models of Leatherman with tool locking mechanisms.

The Supertool has had it for a long time. The Pulse, and the new Supertool has the Pulse lock. The Wave.

Get your facts straight next time.

EASY there, buddy.

[+leatherman]

because Gerber's have a locking mechanism which leatherman's don't...those leaving them open to finger pinching which can REALLY put a hurtin' on ya...especially if it's cold out.

Excuse me. There are several models of Leatherman with tool locking mechanisms.

The Supertool has had it for a long time. The Pulse, and the new Supertool has the Pulse lock. The Wave.

Get your facts straight next time.

EASY there, buddy.

I'll be ok. Thanks.

[Team Itchymax]

well certainly pardon me. All I know is I've never come across a locking leatherman and I had a serious hurtin' put on me by one once upon a time.