Old school Leatherman

E

ElCuchillo

BANNED
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
713
Hey guys, I have been dying to get a Leatherman Sideclip for ever, and I finally got one on Ebay. However, I haven't gotten it yet, as I just won it yesterday, so I'm waiting. In the meantime, anyone have any personal reviews on it? I know alot of people talk about how the old style leatherman multis had a lot of issues, such as the handle biting into your hands, clumping, and the like. However, I haven't heard too many people complain about the older Leatherman breaking on them. I HAVE heard of that problem with the newer models, both on this forum as well as on others. Are the older ones made better? Is the Sideclip a reliable multi? I know it doesn;t have alot of tools on it, but how is it as far as an EDC goes? Anybody?
Anyone?
 
ElCuchillo said:
Hey guys, I have been dying to get a Leatherman Sideclip for ever, and I finally got one on Ebay. However, I haven't gotten it yet, as I just won it yesterday, so I'm waiting. In the meantime, anyone have any personal reviews on it? I know alot of people talk about how the old style leatherman multis had a lot of issues, such as the handle biting into your hands, clumping, and the like. However, I haven't heard too many people complain about the older Leatherman breaking on them. I HAVE heard of that problem with the newer models, both on this forum as well as on others. Are the older ones made better? Is the Sideclip a reliable multi? I know it doesn;t have alot of tools on it, but how is it as far as an EDC goes? Anybody?
Anyone?
Click to expand...

So far, I have had good luck with older style Leathermen, including the PST, Super Tool, ST 200 and Micra. They have all been tough enough and useful for all reasonable (and sometimes extreme) purposes. The Sideclip is simple, much like a PST with a pocket clip, and should be reliable. Don't expect it to perform heavy duty like the Super Tool, though. Crank it down too hard, it will bend. The laws of physics are always strictly enforced. :)

With the newer Leatherman offerings I have had mixed results. A Juice CS4 had to go in for warranty repair after an attempt to use the corkscrew assist sprung the tool. It was fixed promptly with no problem since. A Squirt S4 is in their hands now because the rivet fasteners aren't flush, exposing sharp edges (the same fastening on a P4 are perfect). And both blades on a Charge Ti folded on me in use. I sent it to Leatherman, which returned it unfixed, claiming everything was in spec. So I sold it off (for more than I paid!) and don't plan to get another.

I'm not sure why the problems with newer models, but maybe increased complexity has something to do with it. Earlier Leathermen were simpler in design and execution, so the tradeoff was convenience for reliability. Given that choice, I'll stay with the tried and true, for now.
 
The Sideclip is my favorite Leatherman. I've carried one daily for the past few years and it's never let me down. It doesn't see much heavy use though, mostly working on computers.
 
It seems the current Kick, with the additional clip, would be the equivalent of the Sideclip. Anyone compare the two? I have a Kick, with which I am quite satisfied, and have considered getting a clip for it.
 
The SideClip is pretty sweet. The clip makes carry very convenient, but at a price: one less implement per handle. I almost bought one when it first came out, but felt like it might be a step backward in utility, so I kept my original PST for a few more years, until the original Wave came out.

I think the older Leatherman models are seriously underrated. The newer tools are flashier, sturdier, and pack more implements, but they're big 'n' heavy. I find myself packing either my old Wave or a PST-II rather than my Charge Ti, because they offer enough utility, and save space/weight. Especially the PST-II, it feels like it's half the size and weight as the Charge in it's sheath!
 
znapschatz said:
So far, I have had good luck with older style Leathermen, including the PST, Super Tool, ST 200 and Micra. They have all been tough enough and useful for all reasonable (and sometimes extreme) purposes. The Sideclip is simple, much like a PST with a pocket clip, and should be reliable. Don't expect it to perform heavy duty like the Super Tool, though. Crank it down too hard, it will bend. The laws of physics are always strictly enforced. :)

With the newer Leatherman offerings I have had mixed results. A Juice CS4 had to go in for warranty repair after an attempt to use the corkscrew assist sprung the tool. It was fixed promptly with no problem since. A Squirt S4 is in their hands now because the rivet fasteners aren't flush, exposing sharp edges (the same fastening on a P4 are perfect). And both blades on a Charge Ti folded on me in use. I sent it to Leatherman, which returned it unfixed, claiming everything was in spec. So I sold it off (for more than I paid!) and don't plan to get another.

I'm not sure why the problems with newer models, but maybe increased complexity has something to do with it. Earlier Leathermen were simpler in design and execution, so the tradeoff was convenience for reliability. Given that choice, I'll stay with the tried and true, for now.
Click to expand...


Yeah, tell me about it. The first leatherman I ever got was the new Wave. I loved it, until I kept getting my fingers pinched by the handles on the pliers, since the bigger knife blades stick out too far. I then got a Blast, which fit my bill perfectly, since it was old-school style yet light as anything. However, it never really felt like a sturdy, tough tool. The sideclip I got a few days ago feels like a tank. A little one, sure, but it feels really really well made, you know? No wobble, no loose parts, just good old-fashioned craftsmanship. And yes, it is a very simply made tool, so maybe that's why. Don't know, but it's a cool tool.
 
The first one is the original SideClip, with bead blast matte finish. The second picture is of a later SideClip, with a shiny brushed finish.

LeathermanSideClipbeadblastfinish.jpg

LeathermanSideClippolishedfinish.jpg


Other than the surface finish, the main difference is in the plier head. Notice the original is narrower around the pivot, while the later model has a stronger, second generation plier head.

~Bob
 
Do any of you guys know about type of torx driver used to open a leatherman up. I want to clean the inside of it best i can. their website syas they use power tools in their shop to maintan them. also anybody have any stories about their original leatherman wave, i got mine ten years ago and it still rocks. but i broke both lock off the blades.
 
I still rotate my old-style Wave with my Surge for EDC. But for sheer use, length of service and over-all 'cool' factor, I still like the wave. No broken parts yet, although I did replace my nylon sheath with a new one.

Btw, nice pics of the Sideclips Bob. You must do some photography work for catalogues or something 'cause your pics look very professional.
 
sparkee said:
Btw, nice pics of the Sideclips Bob. You must do some photography work for catalogues or something 'cause your pics look very professional.
Click to expand...

Thanks! (I'm actually a very bad photographer, but these new digital cameras make me look good. I take lots and lots of photos, then delete all but the best one!)
 
buckmaster360 said:
Do any of you guys know about type of torx driver used to open a leatherman up. I want to clean the inside of it best i can. their website syas they use power tools in their shop to maintan them. also anybody have any stories about their original leatherman wave, i got mine ten years ago and it still rocks. but i broke both lock off the blades.
Click to expand...

I see this same question is being pursued HERE
 
shecky said:
It seems the current Kick, with the additional clip, would be the equivalent of the Sideclip. Anyone compare the two? I have a Kick, with which I am quite satisfied, and have considered getting a clip for it.
Click to expand...


The clip on the Kick attaches to the wrong end and the tool will open up in your pocket.

I just got a sideclip and my first impression was how thin it was comapred to the Kick. Quality is a whole lot better IMO. It is my daily carry multi since i received it.
 
colubrid said:
The clip on the Kick attaches to the wrong end and the tool will open up in your pocket.

I just got a sideclip and my first impression was how thin it was comapred to the Kick. Quality is a whole lot better IMO. It is my daily carry multi since i received it.
Click to expand...

According to these photos, the clip attaches the same way on each. Am I missing something?

JOOLIESEWS said:
The first one is the original SideClip, with bead blast matte finish. The second picture is of a later SideClip, with a shiny brushed finish.

LeathermanSideClipbeadblastfinish.jpg

LeathermanSideClippolishedfinish.jpg


Other than the surface finish, the main difference is in the plier head. Notice the original is narrower around the pivot, while the later model has a stronger, second generation plier head.

~Bob
Click to expand...
 
Yes, both of the tools pictured are the sideclip. The Kick (not pictured) doesn't have the clip up by the pliers. The clip on the Kick goes on down by the pull-out tools.
 
I was a traditional slipjoint guy until I bought an older mint wave for "$10.00" at my local flea market. I use it everyday and feel naked without it.:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top