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Multitool Time Line

J-sews · 126 · 81270

us Offline J-sews

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #90 on: January 09, 2013, 03:07:13 AM
I can't believe I've only just seen this after all these years   :think: can't see the sog ppp  :tu:


Gerber MPT?

As you gents have rightly pointed out, we've got a few gaping holes in our timeline. The SOG Powerplier and Pocket Powerplier, as well as the Gerber MPT, are all missing from the list for the simple reason that we don't know exactly when they were first introduced. :( We know all three came out sometime in the mid-1990's, but the exact year is uncertain. :think:


Heh heh, funny story, but last year at the Shot Show I thought we were finally going to solve one of the mysteries. I was browsing around one of the manufacturer's booths - can't recall exactly which one - alongside a gentlemen I had never met before. It was obvious that we were both interested in the new multitools, so we struck up a conversation. Turns out this was the guy - THE ACTUAL GUY! :o - who is credited with inventing the Gerber sliding pliers mechanism!
Whew what a rush! :ahhh
He only had time for a couple of stories, about the early days when it was just the old Gerber Multi-Plier going head-to-head against the Leatherman PST, and boy were they some fascinating stories! But ahh, we'll save those for another thread. ;) So anyhow, at some point I did ask him about introduction dates, which have always been a little unclear for the Gerber tools, including the MPT, but unfortunately it seems there were no good records kept of when the various Gerber tools came out. :( He remembered it was in the mid-90's for the MPT, but we already knew that. So anyhow, best I can do is keep watching for old Gerber sales brochures and literature to show up on eBay and try to gather up what data I can from them. :salute:

In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


scotland Offline Nikos

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #91 on: January 10, 2013, 02:45:59 PM
How about having a look at the wayback machine (web.archive.org)? For example, the '99 version of the MP600 page mentions it was introduced in 1997. :think:


dk Offline AHB

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #92 on: February 21, 2013, 07:09:17 AM
A timeline.?? Wonder where they got a great idea like that.. ::) :pok:
(Posted on FB)


hr Offline enki_ck

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #93 on: February 21, 2013, 07:29:29 AM
I think we even have one of those on the wiki. :think:


manchengtools

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #94 on: November 14, 2013, 03:29:59 AM
i like leatherman :climber: so much!


us Offline AdmSlc

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #95 on: November 24, 2013, 06:54:47 PM
Great threat!!


-AdmSlc


us Offline Kampfer

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #96 on: January 27, 2014, 06:44:58 PM
2013 Leatherman Surge (New)
EDC: Black Talon, Black Cat, Spirit, LD02


us Offline J-sews

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #97 on: January 27, 2014, 07:34:10 PM
Got it, thanks Lam.Kampfer! :salute:

First post has been updated to include new 2013 plier tools. Please let us know if any were missed. :)


(This is a running list, to be updated as new info is added to the thread below)

1983
Leatherman PST

1986
Leatherman Mini-Tool

1988
KutMaster MultiMaster

1991
SOG ToolClip
SOG Micro ToolClip
Gerber Multi-Plier

1992
SOG ParaTool

1994
Leatherman SuperTool

1996
Leatherman PSTII
Leatherman Micra
Bear MGC Bear Jaws
Buck BuckTool 360
Wenger SwissGrip
Swiss-Tech Micro-Tech

1997
Victorinox SwissTool
Kershaw Multi-Tool A100
Schrade Tough Tool ST1

1998
Leatherman SideClip
Leatherman Wave (original)
SOG PowerLock
Gerber Multi-Plier 600 (originally called Multi-Lock)
Gerber Multi-Lite
Buck MiniBuck 350

1999
Leatherman Flair
Leatherman Crunch
Gerber 400 Compact
Gerber 600 DET model
Victorinox AutoTool
Wenger PocketGrip
Spyderco SpydeRench
Schrade Tough Chip ST2
 
2000
Leatherman Pulse
SOG SwitchPlier
Gerber 800 Legend
Buck BuckTool 360FL and 360CL

2001
Leatherman SuperTool 200
Leatherman Juice series (C2, S2, KF4, CS4, XE6)
Gerber 600 Fisherman
Bear Locking Bear Jaws
Schrade i-Quip
Schrade NaviTool
Imperial Schrade TMT1
Meyerco Paradox
Vise-Grip 5WR Toolbox

2002
Leatherman Squirt series (P4 and S4)
Leatherman Juice Pro
Gerber 650 Evolution
Schrade Tough Grip ST6
Vise-Grip 6LC Toolbox
Imperial Schrade TMT2 snips
Buck Navigator

2003
Leatherman Squirt EL
Leatherman Juice SC2
Gerber 500 Recoil
Gerber Eclipse
Schrade Tough Tool ST5E
Kershaw National Geographic carabiner tool

2004
Leatherman Charge Ti & XTi
Leatherman Wave (New)
Leatherman Blast
Leatherman Fuse
Leatherman Kick
Gerber Solstice
Victorinox Spirit
Imperial Schrade TMT11
Swiss-Tech Micro-Pro

2005
Leatherman Core
Leatherman Surge
PowerPlay PT-510
PowerPlay PT-525
Gerber Diesel
Gerber Suspension
Gerber Shortcut
Gerber Clutch
Caspian Arms Pocketsmith

2006
Leatherman Hybrid and Vista
PowerPlay PT-540
Gerber Freehand
Buck X-Tract 730
Victorinox Spirit S
Spyderco Byrd Tool Harp
Loggerhead Immix 10X

2007
Leatherman Charge AL, ALX, and TTi
Leatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Skeletool CX
Leatherman Genus
Gerber Radius
Gerber Flik
Gerber Method, Crux, Resolve, Tread
SOG PowerLock 2.0
SOG PowerCut   
Wenger NewRanger 70, 71, 172, 73, 74, 75
Wenger Alinghi 176, 177
Spyderco SpydeRench (reissued)
Spyderco ByrdRench
CRKT Zilla-Tool
CRKT Guppie

2008
Leatherman Wave, 25th Anniversary
Leatherman Silver Charge, 25th Anniversary
CRKT Zilla-Tool Jr
CRKT Li'l Guppie
CRKT Get-A-Way Driver
CRKT Lumabiner
Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Buck X-Tract LED 731
Buck X-Tract FIN 732
Gerber Artifact
Gerber Shard
Swiss-Tech Micro-Max
Swiss-Tech Transformer
Wenger NewRanger Touring 174
Leatherman Argentum luxury models
SOG PowerAssist

2009
Leatherman Damascus Wave
Leatherman red-white-blue Micra
Leatherman Freestyle
Leatherman Freestyle CX
Wenger Evogrip NewRangers
Wenger Mike Horn Knife
Gerber Crucial
Gerber Splice
Gerber Vise
Gerber Curve
Gerber Flik Fish
CRKT Cicada
Buck Essential
Leatherman Super Tool 300
Victorinox Spirit X
ToolLogic SL Plier
AR Multitasker

2010
Leatherman MUT
Leatherman Squirt PS4
Leatherman Squirt ES4
Leatherman Style CS
CRKT Flux
Gerber Grappler
Gerber Strata
Gerber Octane
SOG Micro ToolClip

2011
Gerber Bear Grylls tools
Gerber Crucial F.A.S.T.
Gerber Fit
Gerber Balance
Gerber Cable Dawg
Leatherman Sidekick
Leatherman Wingman
Leatherman Style PS
ToolLogic Micro ToolClip

2012
Gerber Dime
Gerber MP600ST sight tool
Gerber Groundbreaker
Gerber Steady
Gerber Balance
Leatherman Rebar
Leatherman OHT
SOG PowerDuo
SOG Blacktip
CRKT Tool

2013
Leatherman NEW Surge
Leatherman Raptor
Leatherman Skeletool SX
Gerber Bullrush
Gerber MP1
In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


00 Offline cedricada

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #98 on: September 30, 2014, 06:43:28 AM
Emerson Multitasker - 2012


au Offline gregozedobe

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #99 on: September 30, 2014, 10:22:00 AM
2014
Leatherman Leap   ?   :facepalm:   ;)
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00 Offline cedricada

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #100 on: September 30, 2014, 10:32:07 AM
more like 2015 at this point I'd wager!


us Offline Demel

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #101 on: March 26, 2016, 07:40:37 PM
Can we update this list? I don't know them all, but this is what I got as of now.

2014
Leatherman Leap
Leatherman By The Number
Gerber Bladeless MP600

2015
Leatherman Signal
Leatherman Tread
SOG Switchplier
Gerber MP1- AR & MRO
Gerber Dime Travel

2016
Leatherman Knifeless Rebar
Sog Reactor
Sog Powerplay
CRKT Bivy

If I got any wrong, please feel free to change it. We must keep the timeline going  :viking: :viking: :viking: :viking:
"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." -John Wooden


us Offline Demel

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #102 on: March 26, 2016, 07:47:26 PM
2015
Leatherman Rev
"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." -John Wooden


us Offline sLaughterMed

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #103 on: March 27, 2016, 01:50:07 AM
To be nitpicky,  SOG came out with the SwitchPlier 2.0 in 2015. The original is a bit older.
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us Offline Demel

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #104 on: March 27, 2016, 04:16:53 AM
To be nitpicky,  SOG came out with the SwitchPlier 2.0 in 2015. The original is a bit older.
Good catch. That is an important distinction. :tu:
"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." -John Wooden


nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #105 on: March 30, 2016, 07:45:21 AM
Any others before I update the list?   :think:


us Offline rishardh

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #106 on: April 04, 2016, 10:11:58 PM

2016
Leatherman Skeletool RX


us Offline rishardh

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #107 on: April 04, 2016, 10:22:58 PM
If Pocket Tools can be added to the list...

2012
Leatherman Brewzer
Leatherman Piranha
Leatherman Mako Ti
Leatherman Z-Rex

2013
Leatherman Croc
Leatherman Cam
Leatherman Pump
Leatherman Rail
Leatherman Thruster
Leatherman Shooter
Leatherman Hail
Leatherman Rime
Leatherman Grind
Leatherman Jam
Leatherman Carabiner

2014
Leatherman Piranha II





us Offline sLaughterMed

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #108 on: April 07, 2016, 02:41:08 PM
If Pocket Tools can be added to the list...

2012
Leatherman Brewzer
Leatherman Piranha
Leatherman Mako Ti
Leatherman Z-Rex

2013
Leatherman Croc
Leatherman Cam
Leatherman Pump
Leatherman Rail
Leatherman Thruster
Leatherman Shooter
Leatherman Hail
Leatherman Rime
Leatherman Grind
Leatherman Jam
Leatherman Carabiner

2014
Leatherman Piranha II
Not a bad idea. It would be a shame to lose that information before it fades from memory....
Laughter is the best Medicine
Slaughter is just Laughter with an "S"

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us Offline sLaughterMed

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #109 on: April 08, 2016, 09:11:51 PM
Updated Multi-Tool Encyclopedia Timeline:

http://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Multitool+Timeline

Did I screw anything up here?
Laughter is the best Medicine
Slaughter is just Laughter with an "S"

We are looking for Multitool Encyclopedia Editors! If you are interested, please give me a PM!

The Multitool Encyclopedia Editing for Dummies Page: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,65751.0.html
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us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #110 on: April 28, 2016, 10:48:26 PM
Updated Multi-Tool Encyclopedia Timeline:

http://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Multitool+Timeline

Did I screw anything up here?

Looks good to me  :D Now if all of those tools just had a page :sa: :doh: :D


ca Offline Chako

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #111 on: May 27, 2016, 04:51:32 AM
I received some SOG Information from:

LOUIS CHAN / Marketing Coordinator
SOG SPECIALTY KNIVES & TOOLS

"When did each model come to market?
·         PowerLock – 1998
·         PowerLock Traveler – 2015
·         PowerLock w/ V-Cutter – 2007
·         PowerLock EOD - 2002
·         PowerAssist – 2008
·         CrossCut 2.0 – 2010
·         CrossCut - 2000
·         PowerPlay – 2016
·         Reactor – 2016
·         Pocket PowerPlier – 1998
·         MacV Tool – 2016
·         SwitchPlier 2.0 – 2015
·         SwitchPlier - 2001
·         ParaTool – 1993
·         PowerDuo – 2012
·         ToolClip - 1990
·         Micro ToolClip - ~1992-93 (est.)
·         CrossGrip - 2000
·         Power Plier – 1994-99 (est.)
·         Vino - 2001
Some of these are estimated. I’m basing a lot of the pre-1999 dates off catalogs and we didn’t do catalogs every year."

A little Leatherman information.

Leatherman series articles


es Offline ThePeacent

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #112 on: May 28, 2017, 05:09:56 PM
I received some SOG Information from:

LOUIS CHAN / Marketing Coordinator
SOG SPECIALTY KNIVES & TOOLS

"When did each model come to market?
·         PowerLock – 1998
·         PowerLock Traveler – 2015
·         PowerLock w/ V-Cutter – 2007
·         PowerLock EOD - 2002
·         PowerAssist – 2008
·         CrossCut 2.0 – 2010
·         CrossCut - 2000
·         PowerPlay – 2016
·         Reactor – 2016
·         Pocket PowerPlier – 1998
·         MacV Tool – 2016
·         SwitchPlier 2.0 – 2015
·         SwitchPlier - 2001
·         ParaTool – 1993
·         PowerDuo – 2012
·         ToolClip - 1990
·         Micro ToolClip - ~1992-93 (est.)
·         CrossGrip - 2000
·         Power Plier – 1994-99 (est.)
·         Vino - 2001
Some of these are estimated. I’m basing a lot of the pre-1999 dates off catalogs and we didn’t do catalogs every year."

Thanks Chako! Nice info to have. One question though,
anybody knows when did the Blacktip and PowerPlier come out?

Thx
My toys:

MTs: Surge (2x), Skeletool CX, Rebar, Blast, Fuse, Micra, Squirt (3x), Wave, Crunch, Mini, Spirit (2x), Pro Scout, MP700 (2x), Diesel, Powerlock, PowerPlier (2x), PocketPowerPlier, Blacktip , ST6 (2x), 5WR, A100

SAKs: Bantam, Executive, Ambassador, Minichamp, Classic Alox, Champion, Farmer, Explorer, Swisschamp, Golf Tool, Wenger Champ, EVO 52, Pocket Tool Chest


us Offline JustinCase

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #113 on: July 31, 2017, 07:48:43 AM
Don't see the years of the Camo's?..Was wondering what year does the Bass Pro and Cabela's Leatherman Charge Camouflage Edition first came out? Are there different models for different years?
“It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I try a little longer to solve the problem"


au Offline gregozedobe

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #114 on: July 31, 2017, 12:20:30 PM
Thanks Chako! Nice info to have. One question though,
anybody knows when did the Blacktip and PowerPlier come out?

Late response (but better late than never, right ? )  ....

The earliest mention I can find for the West Marine Blacktip multitool was a review/promo video by West Marine for the first (recalled) version with carbide wire cutters, it was dated April 2010.
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us Offline ChopperCharles

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #115 on: July 23, 2018, 10:39:38 PM
While the wayback machine can help greatly, early 90s is a difficult time because few pages were archived and nobody had a big internet presence. One thing that really helps is to do a Trademark search on the name of the tool. I come up with 5/30/1995 as the first use of the MPT trademark. I found this out using trademarkia.com. Here's the link: https://www.trademarkia.com/mpt-74641492.html

First I searched by Gerber. Fiskars owns Gerber. So I searched the trademarks that Fiskars owns or has owned. And MPT came up. You an also just do a search for MPT, and then weed through the results. (It's near the end of the list).

It's not the best search engine, but it works well enough to find out useful information on our beloved tools.

Charles.


us Offline ChopperCharles

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #116 on: July 31, 2018, 11:13:48 PM
I have detailed information on Coast fixed-plier multi tools that I'll be posting in its own thread, with descriptions and how to determine the year of the tool, changes made, etc. I've only completed the original plier tool, the newer version with the different plier I am still researching, but I have basic info on that as well. Would you want to add the basic release information for this tools to to this timeline?

Charles.


nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #117 on: July 31, 2018, 11:28:08 PM
I have detailed information on Coast fixed-plier multi tools that I'll be posting in its own thread, with descriptions and how to determine the year of the tool, changes made, etc. I've only completed the original plier tool, the newer version with the different plier I am still researching, but I have basic info on that as well. Would you want to add the basic release information for this tools to to this timeline?

Charles.

Yeah sure.   :tu:


us Offline ChopperCharles

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #118 on: August 01, 2018, 01:06:25 AM
I'm going to split this up by the plier types, because it can get very confusing otherwise. Coast re-used the names and model numbers of the early pliers when they made the 2nd generation (what I call type-2) pliers.


Here's the 1st gen:

1993 Coast Pocket Mechanic released. Similar to SOG ToolClip. Two piece jaw, comfortable plastic scales, and more tools than the SOG. (blade, saw, serrated blade/file/driver, bottle opener/driver, backspring phillips)
1995 Coast Sport Mechanic released.  (New needle-nosed jaw with larger cutters. Tools are different: added scissors and fish scaler, removed bottle opener and saw)
1996 "Sharper Image" branded Pro Pocket Mechanic release by Coast. (Same as the Pocket Mechanic, but adding scissors)
1997 All Pocket Mechanic and Sport Mechanic tools get spring-action pliers
(??) Coast makes a scissor-less Sport Mechanic for K-Mart, branded "SwissGear". It has Spring-action pliers, so it's post-1997.
2002 (early) Last year for Pocket and Sport Mechanic tools with this original design.

And here's the 2nd gen:

1996 Coast builds new type of blunt-nosed fixed plier tool for the Nature Company (Model 771139). Tool has thin plastic scales with red buttons holding them on instead of screws. Still made in Taiwan.

1997 Coast makes a Chrysler-branded version of what will eventually be called the "Pro Pocket Mechanic" for the 1997 Chrysler Master Tech Gold Tool Award, given by Chrysler to techs who completed all the required training courses in 1997. This tool has LED scales.

1998 Needle-nosed "Pro Pocket Mechanic" with LED scales. First direct evidence of "Pro Pocket Mechanic" branding since the Sharper Image tool. (Even though the tool obviously existed in 1997, I do not believe it was called the Pro Pocket Mechanic until 1998). Has a coast-branded ballistic nylon sheath.

2002 "Sport Mechanic" branding re-purposed for a needle-nosed type-2 plier without LED scales. Model SM8001

2002 "Pocket Mechanic" branding re-purposed for a blunt-nosed tool. Model PM2001

2002 "Pro Pocket Mechanic" model PMG2500CP. Blunt nosed with gator grip and oversized sheath. This version was definitely made in China. It is the only version of the type 2 pliers I have found that has either Coast branding or country of origin etched on the blades. Quality has received a large bump with this version. Some of these are sold with a sheath with "Endeavor" stitched in red, some with "Coast Pro Pocket Mechanic" stitched in red.

2003 Needle-nosed "Pro Pocket Mechanic"  now has a part number: PPM2500. Still has LED scales and a coast-branded sheath.

2003 Coast makes an "Endeavor"-branded version of the Pro Pocket Mechanic. Rubberized scales (no LED), blunt-nosed plier head. Model ETC-400, sold with a "Gator Grip" socket and sheath by the Endeavor Tool Company. Was sold through 2011, after which it was a special-order item (you had to call a phone number) I am unsure when they stopped selling it special order. The page existed until early 2017, after which it was removed from the Endeavor website. However, I do not believe it was linked to by the endeavor website for that entire time.

2005 was the last year for all of the pocket and sport mechanic tools. In 2006 they are no longer listed on the Coast Cutlery website. The only tool that remains is the ETC-400 sold by the Endeavor Company.

NOTE: Early images on the Coast website show drawings of the Pro Pocket Mechanic with a can opener and red-buttoned (LED-less) scales, but I have yet to encounter one of these in the wild.

NOTE2: There were two Brookstone-branded versions of the Type 2 Pocket Mechanic. I am unsure what years they were sold. They are springless and have a differently-shaped plier jaw. One has black plastic scales (no LED) and one has metal scales.

NOTE3: There is a miniature Pocket Mechanic made by Barlow. It looks like a type 1 pocket mechanic, but has the type 2 LED scale and is the size of a Micro ToolClip. Coast and Barlow have a history of working together, so this may be a licensed product.

NOTE4: There is also a minature Brookstone tool that looks like the larger Brookstone pliers, but is also the size of a Micro ToolClip.

NOTE5: To my knowledge, there was never a Coast-branded type 1 "Pro Pocket Mechanic". Only the Sharper Image got that designation. Coast used the "Pro" designation for the new plier head, and sold the old Pocket Mechanic and Sport Mechanic along side the new needle-nosed Pro Pocket Mechanic for some time.

That's what I've got. I'm a very confident of the type 1 plier history. The type 2 is a little shakier. The dates for the type 2 should be fairly close, but I believe there may be missing off-brands for the type 2 pliers, and I'm not entirely sure when production was moved from Taiwan to China.

I've based my research on the wayback machine (archive.org), trademark history, magazine articles, google image search, and archived newspapers (specifically the advertisements), as well as actual eBay purchases and the eBay completed items history.

Charles.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2018, 01:11:07 AM by ChopperCharles »


us Offline ChopperCharles

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Re: Multitool Time Line
Reply #119 on: August 01, 2018, 09:02:31 AM
I should probably have made an addendum. In 1993 the Pocket Mechanic was marked "Patent Pending" on the main blade. The patent was either denied, or it was abandoned by Coast. Subsequent models have a pattern number on the blade, "PAT.39994". This is a proprietary number and David C. Brands (the inventor) said he couldn't tell me what it meant, as it was Coast's confidential information. The 1993 model also had problems with the backspring phillips driver being extremely difficult to extend, and then rounding off and no longer staying in the closed position. It was fixed very quickly. There are other identifying marks and information from year to year, but I will post all of that separately in a (very large) separate post.

Charles.


 

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