1st Impressions: Leatherman SuperTool 200

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komondor

Joined
Jul 2, 2001
Messages
4,264
This is my first multi-tool, so I have nothing to compare it to.
I like the fit and finish; overall that area is good. I love the selection of tools, also.

The down side is the action. It is too stiff, with tools clumping. I had heard this before I bought it, and overall this is not much of a problem, especially since they may break themselves in over time. What I don't like is trying to close the friggin tools when you are done using it. I had a hard time closing the serrated blade and saw blade without cutting my fingers off. Even while disengaging the locking lever, this is more of a chore than it should be. I suspect it will break in and get smoother with use. Anyone else out there have these problems with this particular tool? What is the best material to lube this unit?

Overall, I like it. It is a good, hefty 9 oz and appears well made. I do have my doubts, however, on the necessity of locks on a multi-tool. Are they necessary?

I have already used the tiny screwdriver and pliers to take off the clip of my beloved Al Mar Sere 2000 to straighten it out after it got snagged on a doorway.
 
I've had 2 leatherman waves and 1 PST.
never complain about stiffness or anything like that until you've broken it in, it takes a good month or so of reasonable usage and then the tool feels perfect.
I use WD-40 on mine, wash em off then coat em with the stuff. Then I wipe it off of the individual tools.
As to locking, the wave tools are designed so the only things that need to lock, lock. The screwdrivers naturally push themselves into the open position with use. my PSTII however, is not designed like that and is pretty dangerous.

Adam
 
komondor be patient with the 200. I'm a huge fan of the old supertool and found
that I always had to "break it in" with use to get the smoothness I liked. Carry the
200 as much as possiable (I'm seldom without mine) and just use the dickins out
of it. Before you know it it will be you very best friend. I've owned ALL of the
other multi tools out there at one time or the other and NONE can compare to
the Leatherman Supertool for real work. To speed things along apply just a
drop of 3 in 1 oil and work the action. I find that it works better that
WD-40 to start out with. Just take your time and be comfortable in the
knowledge that your first choice was the best choice you could have made
for a multi tool. ENJOY!!! Ya' did good!!!
 
Originally posted by Tightwad
Before you know it it will be you very best friend. I've owned ALL of the
other multi tools out there at one time or the other and NONE can compare to
the Leatherman Supertool for real work.
Click to expand...
No doubt! The one thing I don't like about the ST1 are the uncomfortable handles. I carry a Pulse for light duty and really like the handle and lock design. Just can't wait to get the ST200! Seems to be built like a tank.:)
 
Uranium,

Thanks for the advice. Do I wash the multi-tool first? With what? Or should I just spray the dickens out of it with WD40 and wipe it off?

Tightwad,

I was playing with the ST200 today and I think it is just superb. I think I made the right choice. The tools snap loudly into place and are rock solid. You could cut down a redwood with that saw. I was a little tough on my assessment yesterday. This thing will be going every where with me. It was actually YOUR statement in other threads that made me change my mind from going with a Swiss Tool. I originally wanted one of those, but it sounded like you had experience with both, claiming the Swiss Tool's screwdrivers were too soft. I could see how this could be a problem, if they were made with the same heat treat as their Swiss Army Knives. Thanks for telling it like it is.

Gatekeeper,

Go for it. You'll love it. It is BUILT.
 
I carry my (original) Supertool all the time, and never worried about how stiff it was. But lately, I loosened it up pretty well.

I don't know how much help WD-40 would be; that just cleans the gunk out, so it's a good first step. Any oil or White Lightning or Tuff-Glide should do fine, but you really have to be thorough, lubing each tool and cycling it. I just did mine again with Chris Reeve's fluorinated grease.

Now I can spin it open almost like a balisong, and a snap of the wrist pops the tools out of the handle I'm not holding.
 
komondor,, it is my pleasure to help. I can't tell you how disappointed I was
in the Swisstool after carrying Sak"s for decades. I orginally dis-counted the
Leatherman PST due the the uncomfortable handles. Shortly after I got my
Swisstool I had to help my son move to a new home. In the process I had to
remove several garage wall racks each containing several screws. I was unable to
remove a single screw before the screw driver edges either bent or rounded off!!!
Talk about peeved!! We had to leave them in place because the tool box was already
in another state!! That's when I bought a Gerber,Sog ,Leatherman,Buck to find another tool.
I tried each for a month finding the original Supertool to be vastly superior the ALL
of the competion for real world WORK. The others all have fans and they may fit
the needs of each owner, but for my money the original supertool is simply unbeatable
as a multi tool. I tried the 200 recently and due simply to pesronal preferance I didn't
care for the handle set up. It works ok on my smaller Pulse but not so good for me
on the 200. I guess I'm spoiled by the my old pal supertool. In a e-mail I sent to Leatherman
I found out that Leatherman redesigned the 200 with the EMT"s in mind and for that I think
they'll love it during a trauma situation where one hand is all you have to close the tools.
For myself I bought another original Supertool to back up my pal supertool. If I can't do
it with the old supertool I go get the tool box. I think in time your 200 will serve you just
just as well. Enjoy..............
 
I am a BIG fan of locking screwdrivers.

The Wave's offset feature is pretty good. In over 2 years of use, it only folded up on me once. Still, that once resulted in blood loss and left em longing for locking drivers.

I got locking drivers on my Swisstool... BUT they didn't help. The high chrome on the tools seemed to make them want to slide off most screws. Not a big problem with the phillips, but the flatheads -- look out. Roughed them up with a file, which helped, but then chrome chipped off constantly and it started to rust in there.

So I went back to the Leatherman for better screwdrivers and a good true needlenose pliers. Replaced my Wave with a Pulse. Liked the Pulse, but not the smallish scissors. Gave the Pulse to a friend for her birthday. Got a Juice. Great little tool, but I want more. So, now I think I will go back to a Pulse or ST200. Would prefer both, but finances will dictate only one right now.

In short, you can't go wrong with LEATHERMAN!
 
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