Need help with Leatherman

[BrokeEF]

OK guys, I am getting married soon, and need to get some groomsman gifts. Since I want to get them something usable, I decided on getting them leathermans. My question is, where is the best place to buy from? Is there anyone on the board who sells them? I need 4 Wave, and 1 Blast, so a total of 5 tools. Any help you guys could give me is appreciated.


Thanks,
Sean

 

[jeffk14]

If you don't want to go to a whole lot of trouble searching and don't want to wait for a sale, Amazon is pretty hard to beat. They've got the Wave for $60.59 with free shipping and no tax.

 

[Travis E.]

Thats what I did for my groomsmen. I also had them engraved with their initials. They all loved them and said it's actually something they will use.

 

[hammlm]

I've been the recipient of *many* groomsman gifts. Yes, multi tools, yes pocket knives, pewter tankards, flasks, an altimeter watch and who knows what all else. The best, though was about three years ago, 10 years after "the wedding days"...one of my good buds got married a little later and got all us men, 3-D cell LED maglights with some AWESOME engraving work on the tube. Your men will appreciate the thought and practicality of the gifts.

 

[BrokeEF]

I've been the recipient of *many* groomsman gifts. Yes, multi tools, yes pocket knives, pewter tankards, flasks, an altimeter watch and who knows what all else. The best, though was about three years ago, 10 years after "the wedding days"...one of my good buds got married a little later and got all us men, 3-D cell LED maglights with some AWESOME engraving work on the tube. Your men will appreciate the thought and practicality of the gifts.

That idea was thought of, but I know for a fact that all of them already have at least that flashlight. Most of them have a lot of lights. Some of them have single blade knives, but only one has a knock off leatherman. They can all use a good leatherman (one will use it a little less). But 3 of the 5 work in the trades and can use one almost daily. I thought for a long time about what I could get (for a reasonable price) that they can and will use. The best man is also getting a locking flex head 1/4 drive Snap-On ratchet to complete his collection. I know he wants it, but doesn't want to spend the money on it.

Sean

 

[wchamberlain]

OK guys, I am getting married soon, and need to get some groomsman gifts. Since I want to get them something usable, I decided on getting them leathermans. My question is, where is the best place to buy from? Is there anyone on the board who sells them? I need 4 Wave, and 1 Blast, so a total of 5 tools. Any help you guys could give me is appreciated.


Thanks,
Sean

Sean,

Not to brag, but I can probably get them the cheapest through the Military Clothing Sales Store..............No tax, shipping wouldn't be that bad from Korea, most Leatherman's here run about $40-50.

I'll stop by there today and look to confirm, I can actually take a pic for you and give you some different ideas.

William

 

[jhelrey]

I was a Groomsman and I was given sunglasses and cufflinks... I don't wear suits or tuxes.

 

[bradweingartner]

WTF. You're the one getting married and you have to give THEM gifts? No wonder I'm not married, that whole process is a sham.

 

[strnjss]

Another vote for Amazon. I have bought just about every Leatherman multitool I own from them (i sort of collect them). They always seem to have the best price.

 

[BrokeEF]

I was a Groomsman and I was given sunglasses and cufflinks... I don't wear suits or tuxes.

I was given a baseball hat, and cufflinks once. I was the best man, so I got a more expensive baseball hat ($25 vs $20)

Sean

 

[Kirbot]

Are you set on Leatherman?

Gerber makes some nice ones....

I have a leatherman, but the knife blade is terrible.
It apparently is made out of warm butter.

 

[pault28]

For my groomsmen I gave them custom engraved ones too. I have nothing but praise and good things to say about my ordering experience from nalpak.com. They have the waves for 59 something with the engraving. They were great to deal with and the guys loved them.

 

[strnjss]

Are you set on Leatherman?

Gerber makes some nice ones....

I have a leatherman, but the knife blade is terrible.
It apparently is made out of warm butter.

I've actually had the opposite experience with Leatherman. I've always found their blades to be excellent. However they do use different steel depending on what model you buy. For example, the Charge series uses better quality steel than the Wave.

While I don't own one, I've heard nothing but bad things about Gerber and the quality of steel they use. Those cool deploying pliers look kind of fun though.

OP
I believe the Wave is Leatherman's best selling multitool, and it is pretty nice. I've beat mine like crazy and it's still going (it is semi-retired though since I got my SwissTool RS). So far, despite all I've done to my Wave, I've only had to send it in once for repair, and they repaired it free under warranty even though it was my fault (standing on the handles with all your weight to cut through a big screw is not a good idea haha.)

The company is great and truly stands behind it's products.

In terms of design, the Wave is very well thought out. The blades are one-hand accessible, and are well made. I also love the interchangeable screwdriver bits (I bought the whole set of bits for it).

On to the Blast. While I don't own one, I'm not too big of a fan of it's design. It's blade opens "inside-out" in a way that is very awkward to use.

I own a Kick, which has the same handles as the Blast does, and I can't stand the plastic 'Zytel' lining. It's harsh on your hands, and just makes the tool seem very cheap.

One other thing you should know about Leatheman, is when you first get them, they are terribly tight. I had to loosen the screws on my Wave just to be able to open it. But once broken in, they perform really well.

 

[Kirbot]

I've used the Wave, and the Skelatool.

Blades seemed about the same

 

[Tatsuya]

I have a Skeletool and love it, use it damn near everyday. I find uses for the knife, screwdriver bits and pliers even at work in a small restaurant (no, I won't prep your food with my pocket knife). Having the knife on the outside makes the tool, if it were on the inside like every other Leatherman, you might as well opt for a more expensive one.

Kirbot may or may not be right, it depends on how you use it. It's light duty and perfect for simple tasks. The pliers have relatively thin jaws, which has its advantages. My brother broke the pliers on his Skeletool wrenching on something...then again he works in a shipyard, that's his fault. I wouldn't carry it if I needed it for a skilled trade, I'd get the Wave or an older Super Tool. I remember my dad had a Super Tool that was broken in well and would open like a butterfly knife, it was awesome.

 

[scott4]

I have a Skeletool and love it.

Same.