- Joined
- Jul 13, 2011
- Messages
- 2,090
So Ive been pocket-carrying a multitool forever. Ive always carried one of the Leatherman keychain models due to the small size and weight (primarily the Style PS and Squirt PS4). They also have the most important tools for me: the pliers and the scissors. But there is a major problem with them, and theres no good way to say this, so Ill just say it: the construction is quality wanting, to put it mildly.
Im pretty sure that all of the Leatherman keychain models are made in China, and it shows. They rust easily and the construction *feels* shoddy, but the real deal breaker for me is the scissors: without fail, the scissor spring will fail (no pun intended). Ive owned 5 (count em 5) Style PSs and 2 Squirt PS4s. The scissor spring failed on all of them within one month. As much as I love these little tools (because they actually are a good design--in theory--if the construction quality was up to snuff), I cant accept the quality shortcomings anymore.
Ive thought of replacing the Leathermans with a SAK model for the longest time, but Ive never seen a SAK model that suited my needs: namely minimal tools, primarily those uber-high-quality SAK pliers and scissors (and theres no way in heck Im going to carry a DeluxeTinker or a SwissChamp might as well carry a full-sized Leatherman at that point). So I just resigned myself to the Leathermans. That is until a few weeks ago when I spotted a thread in JKs custom knife forum and saw the custom SAK work done by Syph007. I put an order in as soon as I decided what configuration I wanted, and it has arrived!
Here it is, my own custom SAK by Syph007. Notice that there is no blade. I didnt want one; I want to be able to carry this anywhere knives arent allowed, and I always have an EDC knife on me anyway, so it would be redundant. I only wanted what I chose for this SAK, and let me say, I am absolutely thrilled with this. The construction quality is beyond top-notch. The HAI-III handles are gorgeous, the fit and finish are perfect, and all the tools are pure SAK quality. Take a look! (Note: the Titanium McGizmo clip does not come with it; I bought that separately.) The tools I chose are: scissors, pliers, Phillips head screwdriver, cap-lifter, can-opener.
Here is a size comparison with a Victorinox SuperTinker and a Wenger Soldier:
Here is a size comparison with a Leatherman Style PS and Squirt PS4:
Here is a scissor comparison with a Leatherman Style PS and Squirt PS4:
Here is a close-up of the Leatherman scissors. Notice the broken springs:
And finally, here is a pliers comparison with a Leatherman Style PS and Squirt PS4:
As you can see, the scissors are bigger, nicer, and have that classic, time-tested spring design that is not going to fail. The pliers design is superior, as well, and has the same fantastic spring as the scissors. Compared to the Leatherman offerings, the profile of the head on the SAK pliers makes it much easier to reach into smaller spaces, and the gripping on the jaws is finer and more defined.
This is also one hefty mofo, which I guess I can say is a minor drawback. It tips the scale at a full 4 oz. By comparison, the similarly-sized SuperTinker with cellidor scales weighs only 3.05 oz. The Wenger Soldier weighs 2.45 oz. But on a P7 Tek Clip, it rides in the pocket without being bulky or heavy. I do not notice it in the pocket any more than I did the tiny Leatherman offerings, although its probably pushing the limits of what I wont notice. But I dont notice it.
In conclusion, this is fantastic. Kudos to Syph007 for the fantastic craftsmanship.
Cheers,
Mag
Im pretty sure that all of the Leatherman keychain models are made in China, and it shows. They rust easily and the construction *feels* shoddy, but the real deal breaker for me is the scissors: without fail, the scissor spring will fail (no pun intended). Ive owned 5 (count em 5) Style PSs and 2 Squirt PS4s. The scissor spring failed on all of them within one month. As much as I love these little tools (because they actually are a good design--in theory--if the construction quality was up to snuff), I cant accept the quality shortcomings anymore.
Ive thought of replacing the Leathermans with a SAK model for the longest time, but Ive never seen a SAK model that suited my needs: namely minimal tools, primarily those uber-high-quality SAK pliers and scissors (and theres no way in heck Im going to carry a DeluxeTinker or a SwissChamp might as well carry a full-sized Leatherman at that point). So I just resigned myself to the Leathermans. That is until a few weeks ago when I spotted a thread in JKs custom knife forum and saw the custom SAK work done by Syph007. I put an order in as soon as I decided what configuration I wanted, and it has arrived!
Here it is, my own custom SAK by Syph007. Notice that there is no blade. I didnt want one; I want to be able to carry this anywhere knives arent allowed, and I always have an EDC knife on me anyway, so it would be redundant. I only wanted what I chose for this SAK, and let me say, I am absolutely thrilled with this. The construction quality is beyond top-notch. The HAI-III handles are gorgeous, the fit and finish are perfect, and all the tools are pure SAK quality. Take a look! (Note: the Titanium McGizmo clip does not come with it; I bought that separately.) The tools I chose are: scissors, pliers, Phillips head screwdriver, cap-lifter, can-opener.
Here is a size comparison with a Victorinox SuperTinker and a Wenger Soldier:
Here is a size comparison with a Leatherman Style PS and Squirt PS4:
Here is a scissor comparison with a Leatherman Style PS and Squirt PS4:
Here is a close-up of the Leatherman scissors. Notice the broken springs:
And finally, here is a pliers comparison with a Leatherman Style PS and Squirt PS4:
As you can see, the scissors are bigger, nicer, and have that classic, time-tested spring design that is not going to fail. The pliers design is superior, as well, and has the same fantastic spring as the scissors. Compared to the Leatherman offerings, the profile of the head on the SAK pliers makes it much easier to reach into smaller spaces, and the gripping on the jaws is finer and more defined.
This is also one hefty mofo, which I guess I can say is a minor drawback. It tips the scale at a full 4 oz. By comparison, the similarly-sized SuperTinker with cellidor scales weighs only 3.05 oz. The Wenger Soldier weighs 2.45 oz. But on a P7 Tek Clip, it rides in the pocket without being bulky or heavy. I do not notice it in the pocket any more than I did the tiny Leatherman offerings, although its probably pushing the limits of what I wont notice. But I dont notice it.
In conclusion, this is fantastic. Kudos to Syph007 for the fantastic craftsmanship.
Cheers,
Mag
