New Leathermans!

[Stuey]

Yeehaw!

I posted previews about the new tools over at TG, but also know that many of you are LM and multi tool fans. Summaries are below.

Leatherman Rebar multi-tool preview
Leatherman OHT preview

Rebar: consider it a "mini Supertool 300". The ST 300 isn't as classy as say, the Wave and Charge, but it's a workhorse and great for heavy duty and frequent grunt work. The Rebar should be no different, but boasts a more pocketable size. Like the ST 300, the Rebar has replaceable (sharpenable?) hard-wire cutters.

OHT: LM's first one-hand-opening pliers. All tools are lockable on the outside, and the pliers open and close with one hand. It looks like LM is going after Gerber's market share among military and LEO users.

The Rebar and OHT ETAs are April and August respectively. I <3 my ST 300 and have high hopes for the Rebar. The OHT looks great, but I won't get my hopes too high until I can check one out in person.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I am getting a Rebar when it comes out. I love my ST300 also!

 

[Quint]

Got the Blast for Christmas. Loving it so far. A little heavy, but it's a tank.

 

[american lockpicker]

Is teh Rebar the same size as a PST?

 

[Stuey]

Is teh Rebar the same size as a PST?

If anything, I would call it a super-evolved PST. There are strong resemblances, but quite a number of upgrades. That's why it's better compared to the Super Tool 300 than the PST.

Also, here's a video showing the two new tools and a strap cutter. Thanks to Maikeru for reminding me of it via a TG comment.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NcLZWdXkxdA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[M. Blue 240]

I was getting ready to go out and shop for a Gerber, but the Leatherman OHT has me rethinking that choice. I don't need a multi-tool right now, so I think I'll wait till the OHT comes out and go compare them to Gerber.

 

[vga]

I just picked up a new Wave tool last week. Its heavy but I like it. Its my 4th Leatherman tool and I still have 3. I waste so much money!!!!!AGRRRRH. I cant help it.

 

[american lockpicker]

I just picked up a new Wave tool last week. Its heavy but I like it. Its my 4th Leatherman tool and I still have 3. I waste so much money!!!!!AGRRRRH. I cant help it.

Now that you like Leatherman check out Victorinox and Wenger.

 

[Stuey]

I was getting ready to go out and shop for a Gerber, but the Leatherman OHT has me rethinking that choice. I don't need a multi-tool right now, so I think I'll wait till the OHT comes out and go compare them to Gerber.

OHT ETA is probably going to be Sept or Oct is first shipments start in Sept.

I just picked up a new Wave tool last week. Its heavy but I like it. Its my 4th Leatherman tool and I still have 3. I waste so much money!!!!!AGRRRRH. I cant help it.

I have a Wave, Charge ALX, 2 Skeletools, a Freestyle, a Wingman, a Surge and 2 Super Tool 300s. There's also a Sidekick review sample that I haven't decided the fate for yet.

Now that you like Leatherman check out Victorinox and Wenger.

I'm a fan of Victorinox. Never really gave Wenger much thought, though. Maybe someday if one of their SAKs catch my attention.

 

[zjrog]

I enjoyed the two different Gerbers before I got my ST200. And I've been using a Leatherman Charge for the last 2 years. OHT is a neat looking tool. But want to see it in my hands first.

 

[Avgas]

meh, no blades on the outside

 

[CLee0507]

meh, no blades on the outside

The OHT has blades on the outside.

I am interested in both these...but my only gripe about one handed opening pliers like the Gerber Diesel was if you were using lots of force and the jaws slipped it would pinch the **** out of my fingers/hand since it closes completely, unlike Leatherman's normal designs.

 

[ncfh]

They both look overdone and clunky, especially the Gerber fighter.

But I really haven't liked any of their new designs since the original, with the exception of maybe the Micra.

The whole point was that it was tough and pocketable. I didn't mind that it didn't have every tool and gadget under the Sun, or that the handles cut into your hand using the pliers under heavy pressure. It was just right IMO.

I went through three or four of them myself, only sent one in for replacement. And bought many others as gifts. Since it was discontinued, I don't buy because there is no suitable alternative.

I never liked any of Gerber's offerings. I did end up with a pair of them, broke the very same day as I recall. And it pinched my hand! lol.

 

[Stuey]

The OHT has blades on the outside.

I am interested in both these...but my only gripe about one handed opening pliers like the Gerber Diesel was if you were using lots of force and the jaws slipped it would pinch the **** out of my fingers/hand since it closes completely, unlike Leatherman's normal designs.

I believe he was referring to the Rebar, which does feature all-internal tools. The OHT has all-external tools as you pointed out.

From some of the other images I've seen, the OHT handles do not close all the way, leaving a small angular gap between handles. Some have complained about this on other forums, but my thoughts are that this is done to prevent the type of palm pinching that you described,

 

[american lockpicker]

My uncle had one of the original Gerbers and that was his biggest complaint.

 

[MD11]

I like my Leatherman tools! All of mine were made just 30 miles down the road in Portland! Yes, that's a Damascus Wave.. #301/1000.

Is this new one still USA Made?

 

[MD11]

They both look overdone and clunky, especially the Gerber fighter.

Gerber used to be a great name, today it's all Chicom Junk priced at US prices.

 

[american lockpicker]

Is this new one still USA Made?

USA assembled.

 

[MD11]

USA assembled.

I don't like the sound of that.... "Assembled" isn't' the same as "made"..

I'll have to take a drive down to the factory and nag some people.. Last time I was there I spent money, so I'm sure they' won't kick me out!

 

[Stuey]

USA assembled.

Are you sure about that? Last I heard, the tools were still made in the USA. Maybe the raw steel is imported?

With the OHT being obviously marketed towards LEOs and military, I can't imagine that they could get away with imported production.

 

[american lockpicker]

Yea pliers from Mexico finished here, corkscrew from France, files from Switzerland or Austria(don't remember which), bits used to be made in Taiwan now China, etc.

I still have an older multitool that says made in USA with domesic and import parts on the package also theres documents online from the court case over them falsely claiming their tools were made in USA.

 

[Stuey]

Yea pliers from Mexico finished here, corkscrew from France, files from Switzerland or Austria(don't remember which), bits used to be made in Taiwan now China, etc.

I still have an older multitool that says made in USA with domesic and import parts on the package also theres documents online from the court case over them falsely claiming their tools were made in USA.

None of this is reflective on the packaging. =(

Maybe it's only for some tools, like the Juice series.

 

[american lockpicker]

None of the newer tools say anything about COO except for where the pouches are made(Mexico.)

 

[MD11]

Made in the USA of US and Foreign Components is an interesting one.


It could be USA and Swiss/German/Japanese components, in which case, I'm game...


or it could be USA and India, Mexico, or China, in which case.... keep it!

 

[american lockpicker]

I know the pliers are from Mexico now and the bits are chinese. The other stuff was for tools that are now longer made like PST or Flair and the lawsuit was early last decade.

So your guess as to where stuff now originates is as good as mine.

 

[jmauld]

We have California to thank for this.

http://www.kattenlaw.com/made-in-th...sion-and-its-implications-on-us-marked-goods/

Manufacturer's can't risk putting the info on the packaging, due to the potential of being sued.