Well thanks to Supratentorial, I am now the proud owner of a LM Sideclip. I haven't had any time to take pics, but i figured i'd give it a quick rundown.
The first thing that struck me when I pulled this tool out of its box is "Man, I wish LM still made 'em like this". Checking the internals of the handles shows that this tool was constructed (or at least fabricated) in January of 1998. Keep in mind in 1998 I was 17 years old (EDIT: Actually, in JANUARY of '98 I was still a lad of 16

My birthday is in February

). I didn't even buy my first quality multi-tool until March of 2000. That said, besides a little bit of surface marring, this tool was for all practical purposes...perfect.
Some rough eyeball specs on the tool compared to my EDC Fuse: It's right at standard LM 4" like the Fuse. Weight wise, they are dang close. The SC might even weigh a bit more due to it's all steel design and slightly more robust build. Thickness: I would say that the SC is about an 1/8" thinner than the Fuse. However, to be fair, the Fuse houses more tools.
Tool selection, well this is where the "price point" comes in. You basically get your standard pliers with wire/hard wire cutters, side ruler, a short clip point knife blade, a can/bottle opener, a philips driver, a flat head, a flat head, and a flat head...I didn't stutter. The SC has three flatheads of various size. Now, this is a bit of a relic of a tool. Multiple flat head drivers were pretty normal back in the day. To be honest, i found myself in a bind the other day where a not too big and not too small driver would have been very useful for taking out a recessed and very soft screw.
This is a minimalist pocket tool, not a Power Lock or Surge.
Now, lets get to the part that blows the current LM tools out of the water: Fit and Finish. Keep in mind, this was the LOW end LM of the time. Couple of tools, no sheath, etc. Unlike the old PST and ST200 that had highly polished bodies and jaws, the SC is a matte satin finish. The inner tools are all highly polished just like any other LM of its day. This is a non-locking tool. The only way to keep the tools from folding on you when you bear down is to engage the "posi-lock"...that's marketing lingo for closing the rest of the tool up so that it only fails to a 15 degree angle

Old school, but effective. They still have this "lock" system on the Kick. The tools are all very tight, but not jammed in their. Keep in mind, this tool is probably pretty thirsty for some oil. It's been living in a box for 11 years. The jaws are even, the tools well done, and their isn't a sharp edge to be found on this little beaut other than where you grip it in pliers mode. That's to be expected, though. It's no worse than a PST.
In short: The Sideclip is a winning design even 11 years later. While it does not have the tool selection, the locking blades, or the stupid yet comfy zytel inserts of my Fuse, I see it replacing it as my current light duty EDC. The amazing little details like how the pocket clip has a recessed stop so that it can't work loose or how there is a cutout in the handle for the old LM adapter is not lost on me. As a guy that truly uses and appreciates his multi-tools, the Sideclip is a great design. Maybe a bit ahead of its time. Maybe a little light on function. However, the grand daddy of the Skeletool is a winner.
I plan on packing this little darling as my sole tool/knife while my wife and I travel Ireland with her family next month. Functional enough to do anything I might need, yet the blade is small and non-locking as to not offend any sheeple.
Thank you so much for the contest, supratentorial:thumbup: I'm a very grateful winner and have found a wonderful new fifth pocket EDC tool
