Is it almost time for a super tool 400?

[Romanoat]

And what changes could possibly be made to improve the 300? Discuss 

[tosh]

B L U N T    N O S E

 

[captain spaulding]

I agree with adding blunt nose pliers. Drop the can opener and possibly one of the flat drivers and add scissors.

[parnass]

And what changes could possibly be made to improve the 300? Discuss 

Move all the inside tools to outside the handles, similar to the Swisstool.  Lose the serrated blade and add a scissors.

[zoidberg]

I'll take one of these...



...and swap the serrated blade for the t-shank holder from the ST300 EOD so I can have a diamond file and hacksaw.

[tosh]

Hey zoidberg

That looks a really useful tool, love the plier head.
Does it close easy or do you have to fiddle? I only ask as I got a wave with snub nosed rebar head in a swap here - its an absolute pig to close up!

[JBW1]

Different size Phillips drivers instead of so many straight
And getting rid of the old style screws on the hinges, would be nice.

[zoidberg]

Hey zoidberg

That looks a really useful tool, love the plier head.
Does it close easy or do you have to fiddle? I only ask as I got a wave with snub nosed rebar head in a swap here - its an absolute pig to close up!

Zero hassle factor.
Doesn't matter what tool is deployed there is no jamming or special technique required when closing the pliers.
It makes a great work tool, simple, functional and easy to clean etc.

[AimlessWanderer]

Outboard
Scissors
Non-splayed handles
Slimmer awl
Diamond file

[babola]

"Is it almost time for a super tool 400?"

Hmm, no, not IMO.

There isn't much that can be changed to the existing Super Tool 300 to 'modernize' it. I agree about the blunt-nose pliers as a possible option, but horses for courses.

If one looks at ST product line more carefully, he or she will notice the tool hasn't really changed much in it's 20 year history. It bulked up, yes, but as far as the tool load and features it stayed true to its roots.

And that's how I'd prefer it going forward 

[Top-Gear-24]

"Is it almost time for a super tool 400?"

Hmm, no, not IMO.

There isn't much that can be changed to the existing Super Tool 300 to 'modernize' it. I agree about the blunt-nose pliers as a possible option, but horses for courses.

If one looks at ST product line more carefully, he or she will notice the tool hasn't really changed much in it's 20 year history. It bulked up, yes, but as far as the tool load and features it stayed true to its roots.

And that's how I'd prefer it going forward 

+1

The last 15 minutes or so I've been thinking about what I would like to see them change on the ST300, and the only things I could come up with were maybe they could make one side of the file diamond coated, and maybe copy the locks from the Rebar.  On the Rebar the piece of metal spring on the locks is wider at the bottom, so there's less chance of it breaking after a lot of use (hope this makes sense ...).  That's all I could think of.

For me, the ST300 is just about perfect, I always team it up with a SAK, so no need for scissors, and I'm not a fan of the Leatherman bit drivers, the old style screwdrivers on the ST300 are one of the reasons why I like it so much.

[powernoodle]

Drop the can opener and possibly one of the flat drivers and add scissors.

Yeah, this.  100%. 

But were it up to me, the Supertool 400 would have outside-accessible tools, with the added benefit of having a smooth grip when using the pliers.  I would advocate more precise design and engineering - like the Swisstool - but I'm living in a dreamworld. 

[Kampfer]

too soon, work on 3rd generation Wave first please.

[eddie1115]

too soon, work on 3rd generation Wave first please.

+1

They've got to be ready to put a Rebar head into the Wave by now.

[pfrsantos]

B L U N T    N O S E

 

Yup, banging your face on the wall would give you a blunt nose. Don't!

[ducttapetech]

Updating the Wave would be sweet.

[Top-Gear-24]

B L U N T    N O S E

 

Yup, banging your face on the wall would give you a blunt nose. Don't!

 

[Monrogue]

I only have the original Supertool, but the only changes I know of are that they've become bulkier (probably due to the locking mechanism).  I would think changing it up too much would make it seem like it wasn't a Supertool in a sense, which would make it seem somewhat unnecessary to have a 400 at this point. 

Although I do agree with having a diamond file on one side, and maybe the bluntnose pliers as some like those.  I do like the idea of outside accessible tools, and would be interested in seeing LM's version of such a tool.  I also do like the classic LM design though, so either way works for me. 

[enki_ck]

Blunt nose for sure. I'm ok with needle nose pliers on 4" tools, but how much precision work do you do with the beasts like the Surge or ST series? I'd make them all blunt nose.

Toolwise, I'm not sure that a ST needs scissors.


Yeah, I know, I should run now. 





But I can't remember ever needing those tiny scissors when using the ST300. But the serrated blade did come in handy lots of times. For instance I needed to cut a reinforced hose a few weeks back. The serrated blade did it in a split second.

[David]

B L U N T    N O S E

 

Yup, banging your face on the wall would give you a blunt nose. Don't!

                



Blunt nose option would be nice. No scissors on the ST!

[babola]

No scissors and OHO tools, Surge has already addressed those.

And I don't believe LM would have two heavy-duty models of similar functions in their lineup.

Blunt nose pliers is an acquired taste and a requirement of not so many. I certainly don't need it, although I like my BN Gerbers.

That said, BN as an model option along the mainstream needlenose pliers model, would be nice, like Gerber did it with their MP600.   

[Aloha]

After getting a ST300 and bringing it work with me I am now a regular user of this tool.  I think the current tool selection is very good but with all things some improvements can be made. 

I am in total agreement with adding a diamond side to the file and I believe ditching the lanyard ring and possibly one flat driver in place of a Surge size scissors would be a nice improvement. I would also agree with a bluntish plier tip as well.

I have often thought about the ability to use sockets on these larger tools would be neat.  LM socket adapter and small ratcheting extender would be neat.

 

[mr626]

My ST300 is probably my most used multi tool. I've used it for some many different tasks (even had to use it as a makeshift hammer on one occasion!) and it is still going strong.

That said, a few improvements / changes I'd like:

-SV30 main blade
-changing to a Surge-style t-shank blade/saw/file holder
-an additional, smaller philips head driver

I know that having a swapout blade/saw holder goes a little against the 'fixed tool' ethos of the ST range, but to me it makes sense. I see the ST300 as a workhorse tool, and I know mine gets a lot more 'heavy' usage with the saw / file and knife blade. I'd like to be able to replace the components that wear the most- the replaceable plier cutters are great, replaceable saw/file/blade would be awesome.

It would also free up more room inside the tool for things like the extra philips head.

I don't think it would add to the overall bulk of the tool either- even in the standard leather 'box' sheath of the ST300 you could easily fit the Surge style plastic blade holder with a few blades in there.

A ST400 with t-shank file/hacksaw/saw blades would be a potent combo, yet still less bulky than a Surge + bit kit + bit driver extender + spare blades.

Oh, and SV30 just because I wish all leatherman blades were SV30 

[Romanoat]

I agree with the saw blade exchanger. My saw blade is completely worn out from accidently catching a metal wire behind a Sheetrock wall and not really caring much.... Oh well, still cuts drywall well enough. But being able to replace it without having to take it apart and find a donor tool is great.

[Romanoat]

I'll take one of these...



...and swap the serrated blade for the t-shank holder from the ST300 EOD so I can have a diamond file and hacksaw.

What did it take to fit the surge scissors in there? I have a donor surge and I've been considering going bladeless since my PE is almost not worth repairing anymore, and I always have a Vic electrician and a higonokami 7 at work.

Might be my project for tomorrow...

[zoidberg]

I'll take one of these...



...and swap the serrated blade for the t-shank holder from the ST300 EOD so I can have a diamond file and hacksaw.

What did it take to fit the surge scissors in there? I have a donor surge and I've been considering going bladeless since my PE is almost not worth repairing anymore, and I always have a Vic electrician and a higonokami 7 at work.

Might be my project for tomorrow...

Reshape the ends and cut in notches for the locking tab.



I thinned the main arm by the nail nick but probably didn't need too.



Go slow and check often.

Remember the spring has to lock before the main arm so mark where to notch with the scissors open.

Let us know how you get on.

[babola]

I'll take one of these...



...and swap the serrated blade for the t-shank holder from the ST300 EOD so I can have a diamond file and hacksaw.

What did it take to fit the surge scissors in there? I have a donor surge and I've been considering going bladeless since my PE is almost not worth repairing anymore, and I always have a Vic electrician and a higonokami 7 at work.

Might be my project for tomorrow...

Reshape the ends and cut in notches for the locking tab.



I thinned the main arm by the nail nick but probably didn't need too.



Go slow and check often.

Remember the spring has to lock before the main arm so mark where to notch with the scissors open.

Let us know how you get on.

Nice work, mate. 

[zoidberg]

Thanks. 

[ironraven]

Blunt nose as an OPTION, make it in two flavors, pointy and blunt.
Tshank holder

And those are really the only two options I can think of short of reinventing the old bit holder for the PST and origional ST and adding it right in the package. But odds are they'll make it fatter, and they'll raise the price. Still don't understand why there is a 20+ dollar difference between a Rebar and an ST300.

[babola]

Still don't understand why there is a 20+ dollar difference between a Rebar and an ST300.

I though the same myself, until I finally got both.

Rebar is close, it's true, but no cigar