Micra at 8 months. Update.

[Henry Beige]

I wandered into this section of the forum meaning to ask somebody "What's up with the Leatherman Micra?" I never see it in stores any more. It seems to have been replaced by something called the Style, a gaudy and inferior piece of kit, in my opinion. The Style has occupied the $20 price point as well, pushing the Micra up to the $30 range, where I am going to have a hard time buying it on impulse.

The Micra is the one tool I never go anywhere without. I have had one in my pocket for probably the last 30 years, or however long it has been since I saw my first one. My kids and stepkids have all received the Micra for Christmas, at least once. All the tools get used, but mostly the scissors. I may have two or three knives on me, or none; the Micra is always there.

As always, YMMV.

 

[Nap]

I love the Micra's design, "industrial" and all, but just use mini-pliers too much to use it over the Style PS, Gerber Dime, or even Squirt PS4. The scissors aren't even any better (IMO) than the fold-out ones of the aforementioned tools.

I'd definitely take it over one of the keychain SAKs, though, iconic though they may be. Go ahead and accuse me of heresy, but even the one-piece Style (the with the SAK blade/scissors/file/tweezers toolset, not even the PS or CS) blows them away. There are too many better options with more functionality in form factors as small or smaller.

 

[22-rimfire]

Dammit. I'm going to have to take a serious look at the Micra now. I have been just getting used to the Vic Spirit multi-tool.

Pinnah provides advice based on his experience and it seems to be earned experience.

I was never particularly partial to the Vic Classic as it was just too small for me. I think of it as a cutting tool rather than for its accessories.

Doing a quick search, the Leatherman PS4 may be more appropriate for me with the pliers.

 

[znapschatz]

I love the Micra's design, "industrial" and all, but just use mini-pliers too much to use it over the Style PS, Gerber Dime, or even Squirt PS4. The scissors aren't even any better (IMO) than the fold-out ones of the aforementioned tools.

I'd definitely take it over one of the keychain SAKs, though, iconic though they may be. Go ahead and accuse me of heresy, but even the one-piece Style (the with the SAK blade/scissors/file/tweezers toolset, not even the PS or CS) blows them away. There are too many better options with more functionality in form factors as small or smaller.

Can't agree. The dinky foldout scissors on the others are about as sharp as the small ones on the classic, but thicker, so not as capable of the precision cutting which is the only thing the smallest SAK scissors are good for. In addition, the PS4/PS scissor spring is a poor design which breaks under little or no stress. I have no experience with the Dime, so I can't comment on that. Meanwhile, the although the Micra does not cut as finely as same size Vics, I have always found them at least acceptable, and actually superior for cutting through tough materials. The CS scissors are comparable, but the Micra is much more versatile. With a Micra I never feel underscissored, as these things go.

 

[pinnah]

22-rimfire,

If you carry your Spirit on your person most days, you'll find the Micra redundant.

If you hope to replace the Spirit with a smaller, pocket carry tool, you'll find both the Micra and PS4 too little.

If you keep your Spirit nearby, say, in you EDC day pack or in your desk or in your tool kit then....

...then the Micra is a really nice way to augment your EDC knife.

Here's how I think of it... I carry a full sized MT in each of my EDC bags (e.g. laptop bag, etc). I carry my EDC knife in RFP and Micra in LFP.

99% of the time, the Micra saves me from needing to reach for my pack fetch my MT. I just don't need pliers that often.
99% of the time, the full-sized MT saves me from walking to my shop to fetch a proper tool.

The one place I carry a PS4 Squirt is backpacking. Zipper repair and pushing a needle when doing repairs.

 

[pinnah]

Can't agree. The dinky foldout scissors on the others are about as sharp as the small ones on the classic, but thicker, so not as capable of the precision cutting which is the only thing the smallest SAK scissors are good for. In addition, the PS4/PS scissor spring is a poor design which breaks under little or no stress. I have no experience with the Dime, so I can't comment on that. Meanwhile, the although the Micra does not cut as finely as same size Vics, I have always found them at least acceptable, and actually superior for cutting through tough materials. The CS scissors are comparable, but the Micra is much more versatile. With a Micra I never feel underscissored, as these things go.

Agreed.

Heavy zip ties.

 

[ThePeacent]

In my experience, they aren't incompatible at all. Give it a try, I say!

You'll be very pleased. I think they're one of the best combos out there even with the redundancy of some tools...

The Vic Spirit is my favorite BIG MT, the Micra is my favorite small MT so...why not?

 

[22-rimfire]

Pinnah, excellent post. I carry the Spirit in my field bag generally and wear it when I am doing work that might require it's use. I do tend to slip it inside my day pack on hikes and it is inside my 5.11 Messenger computer bag if I am not taking tools with me somewhere. I think the dominant use is the pliers and wire cutting which saves me a trip to the tool box. I don't like to cut wires with a regular knife. The tool box is frequently underneath other stuff in my work van, so I have to really need something inside one of those traditional tool boxes and they weight a "ton" each. My most used tool is a Sears robo-grip pliers in its various sizes. Love those things! They have all but replaced my channel locks except for the small needle nose pliers size which I use a lot.

I seldom use the scissors on multi-tools. I just never got into the habit of using them or even thinking of using them. Multi-day hiking would be a situation where the scissors might be invaluable given the right circumstances. But it's there if I need it in the Spirit. Yes, I know.... the weight thing.

 

[Hacked]

Okay so I have to admit that in a similar turn of events the Leatherman PS4 has been removed from my pocket in favor of a Victorinox Jetsetter 3. The Jetsetter has a small philps driver, scissors, and tweezers the three functions I used the PS4 for the most. I do at times miss the small pliers though the PS4 has been moved to my bag so it is usually close at hand. All this in an effort to further simplify the items in my pockets day to day.

This along with a Saddleback card slip (wallet), and Nexus 6 (because I'm one of few humans left who doesn't like Apple), and a tube of lip balm is all that I carry I'm my pockets.

 

[pinnah]

22RF, I regularly cut wire, flashing and large zip ties with my Micra. Closer to shop shears.

Note: I buy mine bulk and used and in bad shape. I've learned to repeen the center pivot, carefully straighten the blades and to sharpen the blade (DMT credit card stones are ideal for this). I can usually return them to pis cutting wrapping paper and cutting dangling thread.

This gives me the recklessness to abuse my Micra with impunity. And that is when it starts to impress me.

If you're doing a lot that demands small pliers, the PS4 works just fine.

 

[Nap]

Can't agree. The dinky foldout scissors on the others are about as sharp as the small ones on the classic, but thicker, so not as capable of the precision cutting which is the only thing the smallest SAK scissors are good for. In addition, the PS4/PS scissor spring is a poor design which breaks under little or no stress. I have no experience with the Dime, so I can't comment on that. Meanwhile, the although the Micra does not cut as finely as same size Vics, I have always found them at least acceptable, and actually superior for cutting through tough materials. The CS scissors are comparable, but the Micra is much more versatile. With a Micra I never feel underscissored, as these things go.

They're heavier duty, I'll grant that, and would probably be much better on thick leather, though I've used my Style PS (not CS) on both leather and webbing with no problems. Usually, though, I only find myself needing scissors for fine-edge things, and I've found that the Micra just folds delicate things like cloth. (In fairness, it might have just been my friend's Micra.) For things like heavy-duty zip ties (as pinnah mentioned), I always use a knife or the cutters on the mini-pliers anyway. YMMV.

 

[znapschatz]

They're heavier duty, I'll grant that, and would probably be much better on thick leather, though I've used my Style PS (not CS) on both leather and webbing with no problems. Usually, though, I only find myself needing scissors for fine-edge things, and I've found that the Micra just folds delicate things like cloth. (In fairness, it might have just been my friend's Micra.) For things like heavy-duty zip ties (as pinnah mentioned), I always use a knife or the cutters on the mini-pliers anyway. YMMV.

There could be differences among different Micra scissors. Mine does well on cloth, even tissue paper, but maybe I have been lucky. I don't get the same results with my wife's Squirt S4, but she likes it for her toenails, so everybody's happy.

 

[LoopCutter]

As result of reviewing this thread, I placed an order for Micra this weekend. Wife needed an item and for free shipping used the Micra to give me the 35$ total.
It will replace the SOG Micron II.

 

[brvheart]

Hey there - I am rather a noob to the passion of knives and tools - I have collected for years in ignorance and not know specifics on steel and such..

How did you get the micra black oxide? Did you do that yourself? I have always wanted that and could never find it.

 

[ThePeacent]

Sorry to inform you it isn't a blackout version.
Maybe the picture has weird angle or light, but it is a normal, silver Micra.
I never heard of a blackout Micra, BTW! Have seen blackout Swisstool Spirit, but Micra?!

 

[brvheart]

Dang it! I was hoping you had found the unicorn!!

 

[jackknife]

After a tumultuous two months, I am now in Texas.

Getting the house in Maryland ready for sale, painting and doing small repairs, the micra was shoved aside a bit by the squirt. Taking plastic molly bolts out of walls, spackling holes, and taking stuff apart for packing the small pliers were like a third hand. They were big enough for small hex nuts, and the outside screw drivers were handy. On the road, the squirt was in pocket while herding a lumbering yellow Penkse rental truck down the road. On arriving in Texas, we just unloaded the truck in a storage unit and we're living with Karens sister in her place here in Georgetown while we house hunt.

Now, being stable for a while, the micra is back in pocket, but I find that I miss the idea of having the small pliers right in pocket. During the upheaval of the move, I really did find use for the little pliers every day, sometimes a couple times a day. Now, maybe not so much, but it was a little habit forming. I still like the tool set on the mcra for the better screw drivers, and slightly more compact size.

So, while immersed in the chaos of moving, the squirt seemed a better edc, but now in Texas, the micra as snuck back in the pocket. We feel slightly schizophrenic on the issue!

 

[LoopCutter]

I wandered into this section of the forum meaning to ask somebody "What's up with the Leatherman Micra?" I never see it in stores any more. It seems to have been replaced by something called the Style, a gaudy and inferior piece of kit, in my opinion. The Style has occupied the $20 price point as well, pushing the Micra up to the $30 range, where I am going to have a hard time buying it on impulse.

I never saw in the stores either, the one in the midwest, starts with "M" and is a family name dropped the Leatherman line, but not before I bought a couple extra Craters for work backups.

Then this past weekend, a farm store new near my home, that is a King in their field, had Leathermans on the knife display including the MICRA for under 2, 10s..

To bad this store dropped the buck line.

 

[LoopCutter]

As result of reviewing this thread, I placed an order for Micra this weekend. .

I have been carrying my new MICRA for the past few weeks. The small screw driver tools, are the most handy, and the scissors are heavier duty than my classic SAK.

The blade is a bit awkward, but sharp enough for arm hair shaving.

So far I am pleased with this tool, complementing my pocket knife for daily carry.

 

[znapschatz]

I never saw in the stores either, the one in the midwest, starts with "M" and is a family name dropped the Leatherman line, but not before I bought a couple extra Craters for work backups.

Then this past weekend, a farm store new near my home, that is a King in their field, had Leathermans on the knife display including the MICRA for under 2, 10s..

To bad this store dropped the buck line.

Apologies for the off topic, but I notice your location as NE Indiana, while the Micra's price you quoted seems to be in pounds and shillings. Or have I misunderstood something?