Observations on EDCing the Core

[turnsouth]

Well it's been a little over a week with the Core, and I thought I would post the observations I have so far. This week was a little slow, so not many of the tool's functions got used. I didn't want to create situations in which to use the tools, because if I did that, the whole thing would end up being just another review, and Lord knows there are plenty of those out there. (not that there is anything wrong with reviews, I like to read/watch all I can before I buy something) But with this series of posts, I want to cover the tool in normal EDC use.

This week's observations:

• Form factor:
  
  The more I handle the Core, the more I like how it feels in my hand. I'm a big guy, with large hands, and the width of the Core is just about right for me. With the other MTs I've used, I always seemed to have had to find just the right grip with them, in order for them to be comfortable. Not so with the Core, when I grab it, for either the pliers or using one of fold out tools, it seems to fall just into the right place in my hand. Handling really feels great when using the fold out tools, the lack of jagged thumb lock releases (as in the ST 200) which were replaced by the low profile releases, give the option of getting a comfortable grip on the tool in just about any position. And with the thumb/finger recesses in the lock releases, it gives a lot more control of the position of the tool during fine work.
  
  
• The pliers:
  
  My first use of the pliers was what could be considered somewhat of a "let down". Here I was with a set of pliers, having one of the strongest heads ever made for a MT, and all I needed to do was pull a small stuck screw out of some plastic. Nevertheless the needle nose performed the task flawlessly. With the fine tip to grab delicately, and yet the pulling power that comes with a full size MT, it turns out to be an excellent combination. When I did get a chance to use the regular pliers (on a 9/16” wide, 3/8” nut) they too were up to the task. They grabbed the nut firmly, with out slipping, and with plenty of torque to spare.
  
  - I have to say that it wasn't until I used the regular pliers, that I found this is where the Zytel begins to “shine” in it's purpose. In all the other MTs with pliers that I've used for grabbing large fasteners, there has always been the feeling of “metal on metal”. The best way I can think to describe it, is as if you were using a hammer and anvil, but the hammer was one piece iron with no shock absorber like a wood, or spring handle. Of course it is to a much lesser degree with a MT, but the principal is the same. With the liner in the Core, the feeling becomes more like using an expensive pair of Snap-On pliers with rubber coated handles. I can see where, with a lot of use, this could lead to much less fatigue in the hand.
  
  
• The Philips screwdriver.
  
  This is the best Philips screwdriver I have ever used in a MT. Having carried the Wave for so long, I got to the point where if I needed to use the Philips bit I would look at the screw and decide if it was going to be too tough, and whether or not I should go an get a real screwdriver to do the job. Not any more, with the design of the head of the driver, combined with the grip of the closed Core, I would have to say that it is a delight to use.
  
  - One caveat is with the other purpose of the Philips bit, and that is to keep the pliers head centered when the tool is closed. With the Philips deployed it allows more movement of the pliers inside the tool. It doesn't seem to effect the use, but when pushing down on the tool to get torque, one side of it will shift slightly, due to the fact that the pliers head is what keeps the tool centered when closed. I can't say if this add to or takes away form the use of the screwdriver, I will have to give it a couple of weeks use to see for sure, but it is disconcerting the first time it happens.
  
  
• Straight edged knife blade.
  
  I've only used the blade a few times for when I needed something with a little more torque than my folder. It was more than up to the task. With the bevel being 90% of the blade surface, combined with the clip point, it all makes for cutting thicker material a breeze. The only thing I'm not decided about is the micro serrations it comes with from the factory. While they do increase the “utility” of the blade, allowing to cut through fibrous materiel easier, “scalpel” cuts need a smother finish on the edge. Also it will eventually become dull and need sharpening. When I do have to take it to a stone, the micro serrations will go away, so it's just a matter of deciding “now or then”.
  
  

Well that's all the functions I've used so far, as the weeks come I'll be posting how it does with more uses, along with how it carries in the different sheaths.

Speaking of Sheaths, I went ahead and did the snap mod to the nylon sheath,  I'll be putting a detailed post in the “Mod Squad” forum, later today.

[DaveK]

What a great write up! It's great to hear of people using this tool the way it was intended, and finding it to be as good as I'm always blabbering on about!

For me, the most interesting point in there is about the drivers, specifically the phillips, which I agree, is the best on any multi I've come across yet. It's often stated on here that a multi's drivers can't perform as well as a dedicated screwdriver, well I disagree! It completely depends on which multitool driver we're talking about. I would even go as far as to say that the bulk of the handles when using a Core driver makes it superior to a dedicated screwdriver as you can get a lot more leverage for really tight screws.

I have quite a few multitools I can call on for heavy jobs, and it's no coincidence that it's the Core I always reach for.

That said, I am now starting to try the ST300 out a bit more, but let's face it, the ST300 is simply a Core with enhancements!

[turnsouth]

I just realized after reading Dave's post that I never thanked everyone for the favorable comments.

Thanks! 

[gafftapegreenia]

I've been EDCing my Core for over a year now. I've used it on countless tasks every day and it has never failed me or flexed like any other tool I own.

From EDCing the Core, I have found only major negatives.

When the tool is completely open, and I then choose to deploy the medium driver, and then close the tool, sometimes the pliers head gets stuck between the large driver and the awl. This has been my ONLY problem with the tool.

But the positives make this tool shine.

The phillips driver is the simply the best. It fits electrical connector screws as best as my Klein drivers.
.
I love the big, BEEFY large slotted driver and the super long reach of all the drivers.

The small gauge aircraft cable cutter has been useful in tight jams.

But perhaps what keeps me with Leatherman the most is their wire cutters. Between the large amount of cutting area, the hard wire notch, and how clean and close the cutters are, Leatherman really understands what I want.

And so on, I could go on for every other implement, but I see no need to be redundant. The Core is my daily tool and something of a "beater" now, while I don't hold back on it, it hasn't failed yet. Anyone have a laser engraver so I can add the word "HARD" before the word CORE?

[turnsouth]

Here is the post on the mod:

Replacing the Velcro with Snaps On a Nylon Sheath

[DaveK]

Let's have a Core pic



or two....

[turnsouth]

One short of a six pack



The one on the right was the used one I first purchased. From the outside it looks like it spent a couple of years at the bottom of a tool box. But when I opened it up, except for a little wood dust in the file, everything was in unused condition. 

[AHB]

Core Freaks.... 

Great writeup, turnsouth 
and I'm still drooling over the pictures from both of you. 

[turnsouth]

Observations on two more of the Core's tools that I've used:

First was the Can Opener:

In my experience there is a balance that needs to be met when selecting a can opener, strength versus thickness/size. For example with a P-38, you have a small thin compact tool that does the job well, but it does take 38 movements to open a 2 inch can, and with it's small size it can be tiring on your fingers. On the other hand you could have a long thick opener, that opens a can quickly, and easily, but tends to distort/bend the can lid as it cuts through. This bending doesn't matter too much for the first half of the lid, but when it begins to push the lid into the contents of the can on the second half, it ends up being a mess (not to mention the small cuts that can come from trying to get the bent lid out of the can).

With the Core being such a large tool one would think that the opener would tend to be on the burly side, but Leatherman seems to have taken these issues, I mentioned, into consideration. The blade on the opener is 16mm long, and the tool itself is one of the thinnest of the fold out tools at about 1.5mm. It's beveled from the tip to 3mm past the blade. All this lends itself to a very good combination that cuts through a large amount of metal with each swing, and yet it cuts most of the can open before it starts to move the lid.

Something I was concerned about with the opener, is it's position in the tool itself. With lever type openers there is a need to to have the opener perpendicular to the can, and room to swing it in order for it to function. With the Core there were two considerations, first is the thickness of the tool as a whole, second is a design element of all MTs with fold out tools that open from the interior, and that is that the working end of the tool does not point to the outside of the MT's body. But there were no problems using it at all, I continue to be impressed by the research, development,and design of this tool.








Second was the Ruler:

The ruler is convenient and accurate for quick measurements. The only caveat that I have is that I wish they would have marked out at least 1 inch with 1/16 inch marks. Sometimes you just need to know the length of something down to the 1/16. But for fine measurements, the millimeter ruler serves the purpose, and the lack of the 1/16 marks becomes more of inconvenience than a hindrance.


Sheath Report:

Overall my impressions of the nylon sheath were mostly unchanged. There were just two new things that I wanted to mention, as the sheath broke in it became even more comfortable to wear, and the other was how much I loved having snaps on it, instead of Velcro.

One of the main things that led me to do the mod, was when I was in the hardware store. I had recently purchased a replica wood ammo box to keep my MTs and knives in, and I was looking for hooks that I could screw into the wood. But I needed a specific length of thread on the screw end, and I thought “I can just use my Core ruler”. When I opened my sheath in the tall isle with the tile floors, it was like a Velcro megaphone. What was worse was when, after I was done using the ruler, I had to open the Velcro again with no tool in it, and it was twice as loud with the empty sheath.

After replacing the Velcro with the snaps, it became a pleasure to open the sheath. As a matter of fact, I was enjoying it so much, I was hesitant to make the switch to the leather sheath. But I decided to make the switch anyway, so I could give the leather sheath a fair try also.

The leather sheath:

• It rides higher than the nylon - It's not uncomfortable, but I did notice it more.
  
  
• Has quick access - Just one snap.
  
  
• The traditional Leatherman look - Gives an everyday working man appearance, instead of a “tactical” look.
  
  
• Sheath shape - I carry my Core over my right pocket, and with the nylon sheath and its tapered edges, it never got in the way of reaching into my pocket. But with the leather sheath and its squared corners, it does keep me from sliding my hand right into my pocket. It isn't always a problem, but if the sheath is in a certain place, I have to reach around, or move it to get into my pocket.
  
  
• With the design of the nylon sheath the tool is gripped tighter and requires a little consecration to get it back into the sheath. But with the leather sheath, and its preformed shape, the Core goes in and out of the sheath quickly. I found it easier to use when I was doing something that required focused attention. Although there was one small inconvenience. With the shape of the Core, and it not being tapered at the pliers end, when the sheath was new the tool would catch on the brass rivets at the bottom of the sheath as it was inserted. But this went away after a few days as the brass wore slightly and became less sharp on the end.
  
  
• Real leather - gets scratches, dents and dings. Gives it some personality.
  
  
• One thing that have found with leather sheaths, and using them in EDC with a tool that is used often, is that they “break-in” like all leather items, they will become soft and supple. Whether this is a good thing, for the most part, is just a matter of personal preference. Some like the new looking firm leather, others like when the leather softens, and the edges loose their finish giving it the “well used” look. I have found in the past, (with my ST200) that when the leather does soften, the snap becomes stronger than the leather. Not that it cannot be opened, but that the closure flap feels like it's stretching when it's pulled on to open the tool. Like I said it's more a matter of personal preference.
  
  

The Core in it's all leather outfit:

[Smitty44]

Thanks for all the updates,really liked the snaps on the nylon sheath,and the screwdrivers on the Core are some of the best I've used,this week I'm carrying my Supertool in a Surge leather sheath,with ceramic rod and black fisher space pen.
 &

[specgrade]

 Sure glad everyone likes the Core. Mine has a snapped off jaw just from trying to bend a finish nail. I know I know...send it back to Leatherman. Someday I will. What's the point though? I don't think I can trust the jaws after this. I wish my Core had strong jaws like the ones you guys say you have.  

[Gareth]

Ouch, that sucks.   That sounds like a flaw to me though, rather than something that's common to the whole of the Core line.

[django.cj]

Yeah send it back bit was probably a bad cast. I beat the crap out of my multis and I've never damaged the jaws, even on my skeletool.

[specgrade]

Ouch, that sucks.   That sounds like a flaw to me though, rather than something that's common to the whole of the Core line.

 Do me a favor and get a nail to replace a cotter pin on a hand truck. Take your Core and bend the nail. That's all I did.

 I can't tell if there is a flaw or not. Maybe I used the tool too hard and payed the price  

[Gareth]

Ouch, that sucks.   That sounds like a flaw to me though, rather than something that's common to the whole of the Core line.

 Do me a favor and get a nail to replace a cotter pin on a hand truck. Take your Core and bend the nail. That's all I did.

 I can't tell if there is a flaw or not. Maybe I used the tool too hard and payed the price  

I really don't think so, either a) you should be able to bend the nail without breaking the jaw, or b) the nail is too tough and won't bend, but you still shouldn't be able to break the jaw.

The only multitool jaw I ever broke was on my Supertool and I was really stupid.  I tried to prise something free by sticking the tip of the jaw into a hole and then put a good amount of pressure on it.  Oddly enough it snapped.

[Poncho65]

That is 1 thing on the Core that never failed me I even put a 16dd nail in it just to see if it would cut it and sure enough it snapped the nail into but I had to use my foot to have enough pressure cut the nail It had to have been a defect in the plier head I am sure if you tried the same thing with many other Core plier heads that it would have bent the nail and kept on truckin but it is a tough thing to have a tool fail on you Best of luck with whatever you decide to do with it man

[DaveK]

Ouch, that sucks.   That sounds like a flaw to me though, rather than something that's common to the whole of the Core line.

 Do me a favor and get a nail to replace a cotter pin on a hand truck. Take your Core and bend the nail. That's all I did.

 I can't tell if there is a flaw or not. Maybe I used the tool too hard and payed the price  

That's a flaw! Probably a bad casting as the guys have said. I've put my entire body weight on a Core's jaws many times and lifted myself off the ground!

[Benner]

But Dave that means nothing as you are a midget. 

[DaveK]

A fat midget though - be fair 

[Benner]

Ah, good point that 

[Poncho65]

A fat midget though - be fair 

 

[django.cj]

Definitely a manufacturing flaw, as I bent a ton of nails and hooks, not to mention cutting them, with my core just recently and the jaws never snapped. Just send it back and get one that isn't flawed.

All manufacturers have some bad units, no matter how good they are. Most Toyotas are reliable and bulletproof, but occasionally a bad one gets through. It's how the manufacturer deals with the problem that really counts.

[specgrade]

 Thanks Guys.
 I guess what gets my goat is that I just can't get in my car and go to Sears and grab a new one and be done with it! Does Craftsman make a lifetime guarantee multitool?? 

 Anyway, it's been over a year since I broke my Core and making my way to the UPS center is not a priority right now. I did buy Blast and it works for now.

 Sorry to hijack the thread....carry on.

[django.cj]

They're very quick about getting your stuff back to you. I sent in my skeletool last week and got it back in less than 7 days. I just sent it in via usps.

[Poncho65]

I would definitely send it in man like is said above the turn around time is very quick and doesn't cost that much to send and you have a new or like new tool again

[Philabuster]

I would probably like the 200 more if didnt have the thumb locks and used the original locking system. Guess with would only be an original with curved grips then though.

I liked the original SuperTool, but hated the sharp handles.  I loved the radiused handles of the ST200, but hated the thumb locks.  I ground off the thumb locks flush so it functions the same as the original.  I also modified the screwdriver bits to give me a little more reach and ground an angle on the sharp edge towards the bottom.  I have carried the ST200 in my pocket next to my Nokia phone for years.  I always check before leaving the house to make sure I have both!

If I do buy the ST300, I will likely modify it to suit as well.  

EDIT:  I forgot to set the date on the camera.  Pics are from today.

[David]

Thats a pretty slick mod on the ST200 locks.

[Gareth]

That's a very neat job.

[Benner]

Great work on the locks.    I bloody hated them on the Pulse I had. 

[Gareth]

Great work on the locks.    I bloody hated them on the Pulse I had. 

"Horses for courses" as they say, I love them on my Pulse.   I have heard that the ST200's locks are a good bit stiffer though.