Super Tool/Super Tool 200: The Missing Link

J-sews · **on:** August 29, 2011, 04:50:47 AM

After a rather roundabout journey, this unusual tool showed up in my mailbox recently:

At first glance it appears to be an ordinary Super Tool 200, but upon further investigation there is something missing...

What happened to the lock release levers???

Every other Super Tool 200 trait is in place, including the lock lever springs (shown above) and the rolled handle edges and hidden lanyard ring (shown below)

But no lock levers

Below is a picture of it alongside a standard ST200:

The only other slightly odd thing is the dull/matte metal finish on the handles, instead of the brushed/polished finish usually found on Leathermans.

Front and back pics below. You can see that the metal finish is like a first-generation Leatherman SideClip

Guess I'll fire off a message to the folks at Leatherman and see what they can tell us about this odd duck.

captain spaulding · **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2011, 05:27:24 AM

I would love to hear more about this odd duckling.

Please keep us informed.

WH867 · **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2011, 06:01:52 AM

A bit strange that it has a head marked tool instead of USA

. I would think a early/prototype would have the earlier head

captain spaulding · **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2011, 06:03:30 AM

Quote from: WH867 on August 29, 2011, 06:01:52 AM

A bit strange that it has a head marked tool instead of USA . I would think a early/prototype would have the earlier head

Very true. I did not even think of it but it makes perfect sense.

Chako · **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2011, 06:17:05 AM

Yes, that is a real puzzler Bob.

David · **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2011, 06:28:57 AM

Reckon that`s a unique piece there Bob!

dks · **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:03:08 PM

Mutant

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:08:35 PM

How did you locate that Bob? Did someone else notice the differences or did you spot it first?

Zed · **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:14:47 PM

Quote from: dks on August 29, 2011, 01:03:08 PM

Mutant

that is one strange LM bob i look forward to more info on it

J-sews · **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2011, 01:57:59 AM

Hmmmm, the plot thickens. In addition to what Dennis pointed out about the TOOL cast on the plier head, the date codes on the odd duckling are 0802/0902

...which is more recent than my standard Super Tool 200, with date codes of 0701/0901

That means this tool wasn't an earlier step in the evolution of the ST200 like I'd first thought.

Hmmm, furthermore, I found out this tool originally was owned by a former Leatherman employee

Therefore, I'm guessing it was some sort of "special request" tool made up for one of the guys after everyone else had left for the evening.

turnsouth · **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:20:00 AM

Quote from: J-sews on August 30, 2011, 01:57:59 AM

Therefore, I'm guessing it was some sort of "special request" tool made up for one of the guys after everyone else had left for the evening.

That does make sense. Sort of like: "Those lock releases really cut into my hand, can you make me a quick one that unlocks like the original?"

enki_ck · **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:22:59 AM

That one IS special, one for the top secret high security vault.

J-sews · **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:26:22 AM

Quote from: turnsouth on August 30, 2011, 02:20:00 AM

Quote from: J-sews on August 30, 2011, 01:57:59 AM

Therefore, I'm guessing it was some sort of "special request" tool made up for one of the guys after everyone else had left for the evening.

That does make sense. Sort of like: "Those lock releases really cut into my hand, can you make me a quick one that unlocks like the original?"

That's what I'm thinking.

Quote from: enki_ck on August 30, 2011, 02:22:59 AM

That one IS special, one for the top secret high security vault.

That's also what I'm thinking!!

Mercury · **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:38:35 AM

Man, am I the only one who REALLY wants one of those?!

captain spaulding · **Reply #14 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:54:06 AM

Quote from: Mercury on August 30, 2011, 03:38:35 AM

Man, am I the only one who REALLY wants one of those?!

No I would love to have one but i'm thinking your looking at the only one on earth.

Mercury · **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:58:39 AM

I guess you could make one by drilling out the rivets on the locking mechanisms on a normal ST200, but I don't know if I could bring myself to do it. I don't mind those rockers on the Pulse, but on the ST they dig in deep and I hate them.

J-sews · **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:03:34 AM

The rolled edges on both tools were a welcome improvement over the original PST and Super Tool, but those big rattly rocker switches...!

turnsouth · **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:09:05 AM

Wasn't there a post some years ago where someone took a Dremel and very carefully formed the lock levers to the shape of the handles?

zoidberg · **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2011, 08:35:30 AM

This one?

Was going to copy however the rockers never bothered me so they have stayed. Looks good though.

Gareth · **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:19:18 PM

i can only think that it's very likely totally unique. I'm green with envy Bob.

turnsouth · **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:32:25 AM

Quote from: zoidberg on August 30, 2011, 08:35:30 AM

This one? Was going to copy however the rockers never bothered me so they have stayed. Looks good though.

That's the one, it does look nice.

nuphoria · **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2011, 01:34:04 AM

I like it... great find Bob

Poncho65 · **Reply #22 on:** August 31, 2011, 02:55:07 AM

I like it Bob

I don't mind the lock release but the 1 you have would have probably been more practical and possibly more favored than the regular ST200

All the good of the ST with the perks of the ST200

The comfort of the ST300 in a smaller package

Thanks for sharing Bob

parnass · **Reply #23 on:** August 31, 2011, 03:03:17 AM

Bob,

Does your missing link tool have a hard wire cutters inside the pliers? I couldn't tell from the photos.

J-sews · **Reply #24 on:** August 31, 2011, 03:20:12 AM

Quote from: parnass on August 31, 2011, 03:03:17 AM

Bob,

Does your missing link tool have a hard wire cutters inside the pliers? I couldn't tell from the photos.

Yep, the plier seems to be identical in all ways to that of a regular ST200.

As a matter of fact, other than the obvious missing lock levers, holes, and fittings, and the bead blast finish on the handles, there doesn't appear to be any other differences.

AHB · **Reply #25 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:06:32 AM

Quote from: Gareth on August 30, 2011, 11:19:18 PM

i can only think that it's very likely totally unique. I'm green with envy Bob.

+10.000

Mercury · **Reply #26 on:** August 31, 2011, 02:28:31 PM

Quote from: AHB on August 31, 2011, 07:06:32 AM

Quote from: Gareth on August 30, 2011, 11:19:18 PM
i can only think that it's very likely totally unique. I'm green with envy Bob.
+10.000

As opposed to 9.999?

Threeme2189 · **Reply #27 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:04:53 PM

I too think this was made by an employee as a special request.
And it's not a bad idea if you like the original ST.

MultiMat · **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:20:37 PM

I wonder how you go about ordering a 'midnight special' LM

.

Nice factory Hot Rod MT Bob

AHB · **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:12:52 PM

Quote from: Mercury on August 31, 2011, 02:28:31 PM

Quote from: AHB on August 31, 2011, 07:06:32 AM
Quote from: Gareth on August 30, 2011, 11:19:18 PM
i can only think that it's very likely totally unique. I'm green with envy Bob.
+10.000

As opposed to 9.999?

As in: I'll give my left arm (almost) for one of those..

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Super Tool/Super Tool 200: The Missing Link

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