Differences In Early Leatherman Plier Heads

MultiMat · **on:** August 02, 2008, 09:42:24 AM

One of the key pointers too spotting the Riveted PST is the plier head. It was interesting comparing the plier heads of my 2004 PST , my 1999 Flair with my newly acquired Riveted PST's plier head . Obvious differences wording/stamping on the plier face 1) Riveted PST(RPST) has just Leatherman 2)Flair has Leatherman & USA on it 3) Last model PST(PST) has Leatherman & Tool on it. http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/multimat426/multitools/8f22ea67.jpg[/img]]

The difference is obvious with the RPST next to the last PST . Unfortunately far from obvious on crappy ebay photos http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/multimat426/multitools/e77b4a04.jpg[/img]]

The Riveted PST & the Flairs plier head besides the stamping on the plier face are almost identical . The only other difference that I can see , is from the side view. The Flair's side machining is too a point & the Riveted has a blunt finish. The Flair is on the right. http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/multimat426/multitools/9c40012b.jpg[/img]]

The tricky thing as Bob points out in his posts is that there are variations with in the early PST range , so you may have one of the pointers like the large font LEATHERMAN on the handle's side but it might not be a Riveted PST .So ideally you would have the early style plier head with just Leatherman stamped on the face , the large font on the handle & just inch measurements on the ruler. Bob's work is the best reference as well as Spoony post with links to Bob's work in it here http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,5944.0.html . The early PST variations make it a very challenging hunt

MultiMat · **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2008, 09:47:59 AM

Some more pics Riveted next to last model PST. http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/multimat426/multitools/a1d39705.jpg[/img]]

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/multimat426/multitools/476e4bfc.jpg[/img]]

J-sews · **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2008, 05:04:47 PM

Great comparison pictures there Mat. They really illustrate the differences between the early PST's and those that came later.

Also, do you find the polished finish on your riveted one to be finer and brighter than the newer ones?

MultiMat · **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2008, 05:24:29 PM

Quote from: J-sews on August 03, 2008, 05:04:47 PM

Great comparison pictures there Mat. They really illustrate the differences between the early PST's and those that came later.

Also, do you find the polished finish on your riveted one to be finer and brighter than the newer ones?

Very much so Bob & one of the really interesting difference between my Riveted PST & my late model PST is that the surface inside the tool's handles on the Riveted PST is highly polished were as on the latter one it looks relatively untouched & not polished. I guess out of site ( for most normal people

) LM probably thought there was no need to finish the surface inside the handles.

J-sews · **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2008, 05:30:25 PM

Quote from: MultiMat on August 03, 2008, 05:24:29 PM

Quote from: J-sews on August 03, 2008, 05:04:47 PM
Great comparison pictures there Mat. They really illustrate the differences between the early PST's and those that came later.

Also, do you find the polished finish on your riveted one to be finer and brighter than the newer ones?
Very much so Bob & one of the really interesting difference between my Riveted PST & my late model PST is that the surface inside the tool's handles on the Riveted PST is highly polished were as on the latter one it looks relatively untouched & not polished. I guess out of site ( for most normal people ) LM probably thought there was no need to finish the surface inside the handles.

Good theory Mat. I see other cost cutting changes as well:

Compare the awl blade on your riveted PST to the others. See how the relief notch has been milled and machined into it? A time consuming process for sure. Later awl blades are simply bevel-ground along one edge.