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Leatherman "Keychain" Multi-tools
- Thread starter Pygmalion
- Start date
Basically they're exactly the same.
I'm a fan of little Leatherman's, I've got; 2 Micras, a P4 and a PS4 with a Style CS on the way.
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- Dec 19, 2006
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Nice photos, Pygmalion!
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- Jul 4, 2009
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Excellent photos! :thumbup:
All very handy little keychain tools.
While the exterior finish is pretty good on all of them, I was a bit dissappointed in the finish on the tools, particularly the blades on the Style, Style CS, and Squirt ES4. It's not awful, but a couple of more minutes polishing would have made them look so much nicer.
The wire stripper pliers on the ES4 are really pretty nifty and actually useful.
I found the tweezers on the Style CS nearly impossible to get out without using another tool.
Overall, I still think the Micra is about the best of the keychain models. So easy to carry and so very handy....also seems to be finished a tad better. At least better than the current productions (I have had the Micra for years).
All very handy little keychain tools.
While the exterior finish is pretty good on all of them, I was a bit dissappointed in the finish on the tools, particularly the blades on the Style, Style CS, and Squirt ES4. It's not awful, but a couple of more minutes polishing would have made them look so much nicer.
The wire stripper pliers on the ES4 are really pretty nifty and actually useful.
I found the tweezers on the Style CS nearly impossible to get out without using another tool.
Overall, I still think the Micra is about the best of the keychain models. So easy to carry and so very handy....also seems to be finished a tad better. At least better than the current productions (I have had the Micra for years).
Thank you for the excellent comparison pictures! Which model, new or old is your favorite and gets the most use/pocket time?
I've got the older style Micra and often think about replacing it, not for any good reason but just a change.
powernoodle
Power Member
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- Jul 21, 2004
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- 11,974
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- Jan 24, 2005
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- 2,792
If you want a change, go for it. Since my first Micra (@1997) I have, for the same reason, acquired Squirts in S4, P4 and PS4 versions. All have their good points, but I think the Micra does most things better.
Both Squirts' pliers are too small to work well on most projects I encounter day to day, although may be useful for someone who works on small stuff. Scissors on a keychain size multitool makes more sense to me. However, although the PS4 has scissors, they are less effective than the larger ones found on the S4 and Micra.
As for the rest of the tool set, Micra screwdrivers are sharp cut and work better than the more polished, slightly rounded ones on the Squirts and also have longer shafts. Most important, the Micra bottle opener actually works okay, while the Squirts are frustrating to use, needing concentration and a delicate touch, both elements in short supply when I want my beer.
By all means, experiment, but hang on to your Micra. You might want to revisit one day.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2007
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- 988
My favorite, and the one that gets the most pocket time, is the Style CS. I use the scissors quite a bit, and the carabiner clip makes a great handle (My pinky fits along side the carabiner almost perfectly).
I keep the Style clipped to my truck key, so it is with me always, too. When I need a small blade, its a matter of which one is more readily available. Naturally, if my truck keys are not with me, then I pull the Style CS out, but if my keys are in my pocket, I usually pull them out first.
My next favorite is the Micra, then the PS4, then the ES4.
I really love them all, though!
I just got my Style CS a few days ago (Christmas to be exact) and I broadly like it.
*Scissors are good, though perhaps not any better than those on the Micra IMO
*No problem getting the tweezers out on mine and the angle cut in the tip is a nice touch.
*Nice to have the outside accessible blade but the nail-nick is just to far back IMO and I really can't see a reason as to why it's not further forward.
*Like the carabiner, makes for a good, quick attachment to keys etc. Have yet to try it as a bottle opener though.
*Good nail file and has excellent reach as a screwdriver. Does small slotted screw fine, is acceptable as a Phillips though a little too thin to inspire confidence. And here's the big drawback to the Style SC IMO; where are the rest of the screwdrivers? This tool really needs to get a larger flat driver in there somewhere. Due to that one basic lack I strongly suspect my Micra won't be going into retirement just yet.
*Scissors are good, though perhaps not any better than those on the Micra IMO
*No problem getting the tweezers out on mine and the angle cut in the tip is a nice touch.
*Nice to have the outside accessible blade but the nail-nick is just to far back IMO and I really can't see a reason as to why it's not further forward.
*Like the carabiner, makes for a good, quick attachment to keys etc. Have yet to try it as a bottle opener though.
*Good nail file and has excellent reach as a screwdriver. Does small slotted screw fine, is acceptable as a Phillips though a little too thin to inspire confidence. And here's the big drawback to the Style SC IMO; where are the rest of the screwdrivers? This tool really needs to get a larger flat driver in there somewhere. Due to that one basic lack I strongly suspect my Micra won't be going into retirement just yet.