Okay, I got it. I just received it by mail today. Bought it used from DanyZRC from that forum.
No pics yet (it's 10:45pm), but I just wanted to tell you my first impressions about that knife, and may be help someone to decide to go (I hope), or not go with that tool (or brand).
First of all, I wanted a MT because... well, I dunno but I just wanted one. The idea of having a plier "in my pocket" was an idea I found funny. (And I still think it's cool.)
This said, I had to choose between all these brands. leatherman came first, of course, because "everybody has one". That is definitely not, for me, a selling point. And I really don't need scissors.
Gerber looked a little bit as a toy. Sorry to say so, Gerber lovers. I have a Gerber Mark I dagger which is just fine and perfect, but for MTs... well, to many negatives points for me.
Then I went to saw SOG. The look is cool, it looks rough, tough, and aggressive. Some will probably say this is bad for them, and I agree Leatherman look is smother. Gerber, definitely urban.
So was SOG the solution ? My way of thinking drives me to think that way : don't be stuck with something. Take something tought enought to last. Be as versatile as you can, without being ridiculous (that's were the scissors, for me, just don't fit. indeed, If I have a knife, why would I need scissors ?).
A saw was a must, as well as a file and a punch. Can opener is a nice to have, because if I don't have my USMC kabar to open a can... well, this will be fine. (I'll comment on the current open topic later...) Then screwdrivers, because... we always have something to screw, or unscrew
Honestly, with a MT, who really need a bottle opener ? I mean, you probably are able to open a bottle in the street, without any tool, just using a metal corner of anything available in the street. But it seems for manufacturers that a bottle opener has to be there...
Most of all, SOG claims on their site that military forces choose SOG. A serious search on military forums proved me that Leatherman is more well known than SOG.
I was talking about something tough enought to last a couple of lines above. The idea of that cover on the handle is my idea of that toughness. Simple design, simple solution, easy to replace. And having the opportunity to customize (or change, replace a tool) the MT is another bright idea.
Regarding my needs, SOG was the winner.
So I began to look to buy one, but... well, the price for a new one was really not for me. So I dig a little bit here, I saw a powerlock stainless for sell. A kind of hybrid between a 2.0 (the jaws), and the "oldest" version. I mean, I have the 2.0 jaws, but no piano lock. Just the regular one. I think this is even better. Less parts, means less opportunities to fail. And no "gear protection". Even better for the look, another personal point of view.
I tried to post a request for a BO, but... nothing for sale so I decided to go with the stainless.
So well I bought it, waited, waited, and finally received it.
A brown leather sheath. Heavy duty leather, thick. Some say it is high when you wear it. I'm tall, so that's not an issue for me. But indeed an horizontal way to wear it could be a good idea. I'm happy with the sheath.
The MT itself.
The weight is okay. Not too heavy, not too light. It could have been heavier, though, for me and still be okay.
The one hand opening. Another reason to buy it. This is so nice to open it one hand. A wrist rotation, and here is the plier ready. It is not too big in my hand, and not too small. It doesn't look like a toy, even if it is pretty "slim". I mean the jaws are not huge, nor giant. More that some electronic round type pliers.
The covers. I surprised myself trying to open then the wrong way. I don't know why. Having the tool opened, a "logical" way to open these cover was the opposite, to me. Anyway, I like to open these covers. Again, this is a simple technical solution that works fine. The "clumbing" (is it the way you name that ?), is fun, too. Even if I'm quickly used to remember where the tools are.
The saw looks deadly sharpen, and I'm just trying to find a thing I could saw. It's late for that kind of exercice, but anyway. it looks solid. Same thing for the file.
Regarding the can opener, I have to try that that w.e., as a topic is opened regarding this issue. I'll manage to find something to screw and unscrew, too. To have an idea of how the screw is held during the process, if it is not scraped by the screwdrivers head, etc.
The 1/4 adapter. Hum, well, I have a small problem with that one, as the metal part around it is missing. You know, the stuff to hold the drive. BTW, if someone has a spare one...
Or else... thanks to the removable tool solution, I will buy one on SOG's website. Or try to get that "spring" free from them
The lock / unlock process is good, and secure enough. Not too many strengh is required to close a tool.
The V-cutter is pretty sharp, too. This is of course the kind of tool I will probably never use. But it's a nice add-on.
Then there is a flat screwdriver. Here the shape presents a strange little "tit" I really don't know what it is. A wire stripper ? I don't thing so. Well, you should better understand what I mean with the pictures.
The awl is well sharp, and once again, I wonder what I could punch to test it. It's almost midnight, now, and I think tomorrow will be a "punch and saw and screw everything" day.
Then the bottle opener. No comment.
Then the blade. A semi serrated one. This is the only deceptive point. The blade is sharp, but too thin. I will even not try to carve hard wood with it. It bends too much. It is just done for light knife work. Don't thing you gonna have something has strong as a Buck 110, you're far from it. Even my Opinel #6 is stronger than that blade. But, well, as I always have my Opinel with me, or a Laguiole, this is not an issue for me. Just remember that this kind of MT requires you to have a real knife with you, because this one will not do the job.
Overall ? I'm pretty happy with it. Once this metal clip around the 1/4 drive problem solved (BTW, this tool has 2 locking position, which makes it even more usefull. Well, some will anyway argue that you need bits to go with, and when you buy bits, you have the drive coming with, and something to hold all this in a box so why do you need a MT to do that when anyway, you have to carry the bits in the box with all the stuff ? Honestly I really don't know
) So once this problem solved, everything will be okay.
Oh ! I didn't mention the crimpers. Well, it has two crimpers. One for EOD stuff I don't remember the name (oh yeah ! blast cap... something I will probably never see in real life except on pics), and the other one I'll try monday.
So overall this tool was not a requirement in my day to day life, but just something I wanted to have to be able to help in case of something going wrong somewhere (read my current working place, with water leak from the roof, the hot tank, the bathroom, just to mention the minimum). I'm a quality manager, and really have nothing to do with heavy duty or special need. That explains, too, the idea I was developping in the begining regarding the price. At 80-90$, I will not buy that kind of stuff. But I got a pretty good used one, in mint condition.
Well. That's it for today. Thank for reading.
Bye4now
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