Mp600 first impressions by a leatherman/Swiss user.

Romanoat · **on:** February 19, 2014, 10:59:07 PM

My BO mp600 blunt nose came today. I picked it up on my lunch break, and immediately put it to work running a post wire in an apartment.

My first impressions are simple: it's gritty, clunky, and a complete tank.

The drivers are ridiculously short, but other than that, it's a total beast. I'm a little bit upset that the pliers don't really lock closed the way they lock open, and I'm sure a few minutes with a round rat tail file could fix it, but its not so big a problem that i have to modify the handles. I'll keep you posted as I beat the smurf out of it for a few weeks. I can't say it'll replace my swisstool or ST300, but its definitely usable.

colt 1911 · **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2014, 12:43:19 AM

If you lock it closed you lose the funniest part. The all mighty flick open.

Swiss Army knives .

Gareth · **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2014, 12:51:43 AM

I've always maintained that the drivers are no shorter than Leatherman's bit holder, but if you are used to the ST300 and a Swisstool I can totally see where you are coming from.

As Colt says though; you can't possibly want the pliers to lock away, you'd never be able to flick them open.

Romanoat · **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2014, 04:01:30 AM

I guess thats true, but ive been holding the buttons and dropping the tool out the bottom to slide it open. haven't actually done a true flick yet

Romanoat · **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2014, 04:02:52 AM

it also didnt see much work after that post wire. tomorrow will be a full day. ill post some pics of it in action while I try to break it

Romanoat · **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2014, 03:56:57 PM

A little black today... Should have lots of work for the gerber. I'll post some action shots later.

ducttapetech · **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2014, 04:22:42 PM

Sweet looking pic. Love the M-16.

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jerseydevil · **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2014, 04:18:38 AM

How'd it go with the 600 for you today? My Pro Scout got a nice workout again today during the ongoing store renovation. Even the can opener got some use as a scraper to remove some old tape off a post.

Romanoat · **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2014, 05:25:53 AM

Just a light day. Stripped some cat3 with the wharny blade, cut some coax, and used the Phillips driver once. It'll eventually get a workout. I only carried the 600, a champ plus and a small folder, but I had my swisstool in my backpack in the truck just in case. Still finding out if the 600 will be a normal rotation thing. I'm definitely liking it so far, but it hasn't seen real abuse just yet.

Romanoat · **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2014, 11:32:37 PM

Ok so the 600 definitely has better wire cutters than my swisstool. Not so much because of the replaceable blades, more because its has a larger cutting area. And the shorter drivers aren't bothering me as much as I expected. Solid tool for sure.

Gareth · **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2014, 09:30:15 AM

Quote from: Romanoat on February 23, 2014, 11:32:37 PM

Ok so the 600 definitely has better wire cutters than my swisstool. Not so much because of the replaceable blades, more because its has a larger cutting area. And the shorter drivers aren't bothering me as much as I expected. Solid tool for sure.

Good to hear you're getting along with it.

Romanoat · **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2014, 06:57:18 PM

Thanks Gareth. Another day with only the 600 and a champ plus. I was even able to find a smaller cable prepper and a smaller compression tool. Now I work almost exclusively out of my pockets lol

Romanoat · **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2014, 03:20:53 PM

Heavy pockets today. Checked my route, looks like a completely full day. A bunch of coax work and the rest is all phone wiring. Definitely going to need my trusty ES4, and I figured I'd throw in the wenger. I love cutting phone wire with SAK, and the serrated wenger scissors do it so well.

I may end up buying the bit kit for the 600, mostly just for the extension factor, but again, the drivers are bothering me much less than I expected. I think it's all in my head, to be honest.

WWW · **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2014, 02:59:22 AM

Quote from: Romanoat on February 25, 2014, 03:20:53 PM

Heavy pockets today. Checked my route, looks like a completely full day. A bunch of coax work and the rest is all phone wiring. Definitely going to need my trusty ES4, and I figured I'd throw in the wenger. I love cutting phone wire with SAK, and the serrated wenger scissors do it so well.

I may end up buying the bit kit for the 600, mostly just for the extension factor, but again, the drivers are bothering me much less than I expected. I think it's all in my head, to be honest.

That is a really nice pic!! I'm glad to hear that the MP600 is doing good for you, it just makes me like Gerber more and more!!

jerseydevil · **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2014, 04:14:07 AM

Nice to see the 600 in your regular rotation.

We got you and Dale sucked into our little Gerber ~~cult~~ club, who's next?

Romanoat · **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2014, 04:37:12 PM

You definitely did. I'm already planning on ordering a bigger gerber this weekend. Flik, diesel, something along those lines. I read the bad reviews but I'm so tempted anyway...

sawman · **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2014, 04:43:12 PM

Quote from: Romanoat on February 28, 2014, 04:37:12 PM

You definitely did. I'm already planning on ordering a bigger gerber this weekend. Flik, diesel, something along those lines. I read the bad reviews but I'm so tempted anyway...

If you think your MP600 has short drivers, you're going to HATE the Flik. I can recommend the Diesel though - it's a great tool!

Romanoat · **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2014, 04:55:09 PM

The issue with ordering a new gerber is this: my beloved BO powerlock has run away and I'm really thinking of replacing it first, then ordering new stuff. It'll be a coin flip to see what ends up in my amazon cart tonight.

I've also decided to stop buying SS tools now. BO is just so much cooler lol.

sawman · **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2014, 04:58:10 PM

Quote from: Romanoat on February 28, 2014, 04:55:09 PM

The issue with ordering a new gerber is this: my beloved BO powerlock has run away and I'm really thinking of replacing it first, then ordering new stuff. It'll be a coin flip to see what ends up in my amazon cart tonight.

I've also decided to stop buying SS tools now. BO is just so much cooler lol.

For me, it depends on the tool. I actually like both BO and stainless, but did not feel up to paying the premium markup for a BO wave, so my wave is plain...

Romanoat · **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:05:23 PM

Leatherman BO seems a little overpriced compared to the SS variant. However, gerber and sog both are similarly priced between the two finishes. Good with me...

derekmac · **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:25:52 PM

I think anything I get from now on, I'll try and get in BO. I think it give the tools a certain "tough" look.

Romanoat · **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:47:08 PM

I agree. They look 'tougher', and they're less slippery when wet, which is also a plus. They also look better when broken in nicely, the BO gets better with use, IMO.

ducttapetech · **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:50:19 PM

Yes it does. BO rules!!
We are taking black oxide right?

that's us mobile

derekmac · **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2014, 06:42:12 PM

Quote from: ducttapetech on February 28, 2014, 05:50:19 PM

Yes it does. BO rules!!
We are taking black oxide right?

that's us mobile

LOL, yep!! Unless you have a body odor fetish.

ducttapetech · **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2014, 06:59:16 PM

Quote from: derekmac on February 28, 2014, 06:42:12 PM

Quote from: ducttapetech on February 28, 2014, 05:50:19 PM
Yes it does. BO rules!!
We are taking black oxide right?

that's us mobile
LOL, yep!! Unless you have a body odor fetish.

Lol!

that's us mobile

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Mp600 first impressions by a leatherman/Swiss user.

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