Original LM Super Tool

tardis

tardis

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
190
I went to a huge flea market at the weekend and couldn't believe my luck on finding a second hand original Leatherman Super tool. I've been looking for one for a while now, to use as a 'beater' multi-tool for around the house and to carry in the glove box of my car for emergencies etc

Seemed great value to me at only $20.00 !! It has been well used in the past. The blades are not sharp at all, very scratched and the drivers slightly outta shape but apart from that it looks good. Some TLC and re-shaping should sort the main probs out. It butterflies beautifully too...unlike my Wave !!

Whilst cleaning inside the handles I noticed what could be a manufacturing date. It says "1195". Is that November 1995 ?? If so, it's in pretty good shape. Can anyone confirm that this is indeed the manufacture date ? It would make sense as LM will need this info for warranty work etc.

So how many other people are still using these work horses?

Oh and is it possible to tighten the pivot points yourself or would you just send it back to LM for an overhaul and service ?

Overall, very pleased and quite a good find I reckon. A better option than buying a new Super Tool 200...maybe you think otherwise ?
Cheers and beers

Tardis :)
 
Yes, November '95. I issue multi-tools to my maintenance crew. The older Super Tool is their first choice. They probably still have 10 in service now.
 
I also find the "original" Supertool to be first
choice. The "200" just adds bells and stuff I
don't need or like so I bought 3 new Originals
before they vanished.

There is an interesting point here......
Leatherman dropped the Original Super when they
introduced the 200. They left all the other old & new tools in the line up. Why?

My guess is just what is being recorded here. To
many buyers prefered the Original over the gadgety
200 and they wouldn't sell any!!:eek:

For myself I think they made a BAD marketing choice
Big time. The PST still is a great much loved tool.
So will be the Original supertool.

Leatherman are you listening??:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
I'll take a SOG PowerLock over a LM Supertool anytime, but for $20, you just can't go wrong with the Supertool.
 
Nice find. It should serve you well in that role.

Off topic, but did you move? I thought I recalled you were from SE Asia somewhere.
 
Originally posted by tarsier
Nice find. It should serve you well in that role.

Off topic, but did you move? I thought I recalled you were from SE Asia somewhere.
Click to expand...

Very observant Tarsier !

Actually, you are correct. My family home is in Manchester but I was living in Bangkok with my wife. We tend to move back and forth a little :)

Tightwad...I think there IS something in what you said about the Supertool. Why would they keep the PST after introducing the PST II ??? Why keep the Micra after introducing the Squirt ??? Therefore, why get rid of the Original Supertool (it still is popular). I don't understand either. It's hardly an obsolete tool is it ?

glockman99, what features of the SOG are better than the ST ??

Thanks for your comments guys.
 
I just got a Powerlock which I've been carrying. It replaced my Leatherman Pulse which replaced my original Supertool.

The Supertool is great but, no scissors, and the lock is clumsy. The Pulse is much lighter, but it's missing the saw I like to have around. The Powerlock seems OK, but it is much too heavy and the saw and file could be a little longer.

Nothing's perfect. When the weather warms up and I get out into the woods again, I will be carrying the Supertool. I'll probably switch back to the Pulse, which is a neat little package, for daily carry, but I'm sure I'll keep the Powerlock. It's fun to play with, and much sturdier than I thought it would be.
 
Originally posted by Frank
Yes, November '95. I issue multi-tools to my maintenance crew. The older Super Tool is their first choice. They probably still have 10 in service now.
Click to expand...


Just wondering, if they only have ten left in service, what happened to the others? Did they break? Crack? Wear out? What kind of use have they seen?
 
Originally posted by one45auto
Just wondering, if they only have ten left in service, what happened to the others? Did they break? Crack? Wear out? What kind of use have they seen?
Click to expand...
Broke, worn out, bent files and saw blades. Mostly abuse. Several were not collected when the employees were terminated or transferred to other departments. Two were returned because the handles would swing open but the jaws would stick. One guy used the plain blade to scrape adhesive off of several hundred ceramic tiles. I figure we probably issued 13-15 STs at the beginning of the program. When I started issuing them, I bought mostly STs but also some Waves and Gerbers. I looked in my stock recently and I have two old STs. One has stuck jaws and the other has the jaw tips burned off and reground, probably from holding a small piece of metal while welding. All of the returned tools come from the same 2,3, or 4 individuals. Most of the guys take good care of their tools but there are alwys a couple...
 
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