New Leatherman

[Stuey]

Posted my Leatherman Rebar review on TG over the weekend.

Here are a couple of summarizing points:

• knife blades not accessible without opening tool
• wire cutters can cut hard wire as well, and are user replaceable/removeable
• 4" size
• slim no-frills sheath (a pro and con depending on POV)
• "real" Phillips screwdriver, or as real as they get
• squarish appearance makes it look more rugged and industrial

The Rebar isn't a brand new flagship multi-tool, but it's a solid design that a lot of traditional multi-tool and Super Tool 300 users will go for.

 

[waterboy12]

Love my supertool 300. Carry it everyday at work. Saved my *** a few times.

 

[GTO]

Looks a little more beefy than the Wave that I have.
Carry and use mine everyday. I have sent it in twice for warranty issues,both times recieved new tool.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have been wanting to pick one up. I like my ST300 but it is a bit bulky.

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

Unless this is priced significantly lower than the Wave I don't see this as an appealing offer. I think the Wave is probably the best design around. The Charge is superficially better at much higher price point. The new Sidekick/Wingman have great designs, but the construction is not comparable to Wave/Charge, too bad.

 

[Syndicate]

Had my Wave for several years knock on wood it has not failed yet. And for the price is a better buy.

 

[Stuey]

Unless this is priced significantly lower than the Wave I don't see this as an appealing offer. I think the Wave is probably the best design around. The Charge is superficially better at much higher price point. The new Sidekick/Wingman have great designs, but the construction is not comparable to Wave/Charge, too bad.

Had my Wave for several years knock on wood it has not failed yet. And for the price is a better buy.

Apples vs. Oranges.

The Wave, also my favorite multi-tool, is really a different animal.

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

Agreed, it's the knife tool vs pliers tool thing, and I cut more often than squeeze...

Apples vs. Oranges.

The Wave, also my favorite multi-tool, is really a different animal.

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

I use a Wave all of the time, and often, one handed to open the knife blade. Not being able to do that would ****, IMHO.

 

[IndyGarage]

The problem with that one and the Supertool 300 is that you have to have it opened up to get to the blades.

The wave is much better because the knife blades open while it's folded.

 

[Stuey]

The problem with that one and the Supertool 300 is that you have to have it opened up to get to the blades.

The wave is much better because the knife blades open while it's folded.

Just because it's different doesn't mean it's worse.

Personally, I do prefer outside-opening blades, but sometimes prefer to carry a SAK or inside-opening multi-tool because they draw fewer stares.

Some users really don't care for outside-opening blades at all. If they want an easy-access knife, they carry an additional folder.

 

[JDS968]

Leatherman multitools are nice. I have a Kick that I'm very happy with, and carry when pocket space is extremely limited and/or I need something very small and light.

But for a real multitool, I just don't think Leatherman can compare to SOG. Would take my PowerAssist over that one, any day.

 

[Stuey]

Leatherman multitools are nice. I have a Kick that I'm very happy with, and carry when pocket space is extremely limited and/or I need something very small and light.

But for a real multitool, I just don't think Leatherman can compare to SOG. Would take my PowerAssist over that one, any day.

I have a SOG but will never again buy anything from them due to poor customer service.

In a nutshell, they flat out ignored my emails and when I called up they spun around the truth and were rudely hasty. What if I emailed in about a part request or warranty need? LM and even Gerber respond lickity split.

It's a shame, b/c I do like the Sog tool I have. I just won't give any more $$ to a company that treats me like ****. Maybe at the 5-year mark I'll reconsider.

 

[magova1104]

I have a SOG but will never again buy anything from them due to poor customer service.

In a nutshell, they flat out ignored my emails and when I called up they spun around the truth and were rudely hasty. What if I emailed in about a part request or warranty need? LM and even Gerber respond lickity split.

It's a shame, b/c I do like the Sog tool I have. I just won't give any more $$ to a company that treats me like ****. Maybe at the 5-year mark I'll reconsider.

My experience with SOG was good but was 5 years ago. They replaced the locking tab in my Powerlock and they sharpened and oiled for free, I got it back in 10 days. Maybe now they are not good enough.

I have several multitools from LM, Gerber,SOG, Buck and others. Here is a few:

 

[garboui]

As many have said, their wave has done them well; and have has mine. All i can say is that my main straight blade tip chipped off, and was warrantied with a brand new tool within a week. no questions asked.

 

[rslaback]

Just curious; am I the only person who prefers the slide out pliers of the old Gerbers? I have mine in my pocket most days (wearing it on my belt is frowned upon at work) and the Gerber doesn't flop open like the other style does.

btw does Gerber even offer a slider anymore? Most of what I see from them now is a flop open as well.

 

[2manytoyz]

Jeez, it looks like the "old original" Leatherman. I still have one, but it was put in a drawer since I got a Leatherman Wave a decade ago.

As mentioned, you don't need to open it to access the blades, which is what I use most of the time.

rslaback, I had a Gerber Multi-tool. Everyone in my shop got one. Two major issues with it. First, the handles are parallel when the jaws of the pliers close. Had the pliers slip while clamping down, and the plier handles end up pinching the skin on the palm. Nice blood blister. The Leatherman handles don't close completely, prevents pinching of the hands.

Also, about half of us ended up breaking the pliers on the Gerbers. Looked like they were made out of cast metal (pot metal). Very porous inside. Broke it while squeezing with one hand. Maybe they're better now, again, that was a decade ago.

My Wave is used daily at work. Great knife. Wouldn't own the one from the OP due to the blade being inside the handle... PITA.