Leatherman Rebar: the Eagle has landed.

[powerring]

Here's a picture showing the relative sizes of the Leatherman Wave, Wingman, Blast, Rebar, and Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X side by side.

[powerring]

And here's another photo showing the relative thickness of each tool.  Top to bottom, it's the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X, the Leatherman Rebar, Blast, Wingman and Wave.

[Mercury]

Nice shots!

[genevabuck]

And here's another photo showing the relative thickness of each tool.  Top to bottom, it's the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X, the Leatherman Rebar, Blast, Wingman and Wave.

Nice pics.  The Rebar is basically the same size as the Pulse. 

[J-sews]

Great comparison shots there powerring!

[powerring]

Thanks!  I actually took all five tools out the other day to compare functions and overall feel so I thought I would take a few pix.  The Rebar compares very favorably to the others on the size/weight, function, strength and price scales.  Another consideration I always look at with a multitool is ease of access, especially to the interior tools.  I find it pretty easy to get to all the tools on the Rebar.  I do wish it had scissors, as I use those frequently, but it's otherwise a real challenger to the rest for daily carry.  Like the Highlander, there can be only one.   

[AHB]

Yeah, thanks for the pics Powerring.. 

[1jump2many]

I do wish it had scissors, as I use those frequently,

I agree, I would like to see Leatherman produce a Rebar "S" version with scissors replacing either the saw or file.  Most likely the scissors would be the same type on the Charge and Wave.  Otherwise I like the Rebar.  I like how they seem to be getting back to the stainless steel look.

[mtool78]

Looking those comparison shots gives me a feeling that finally Vic Spirit will have a quite decent challenger... 

[powerring]

Looking those comparison shots gives me a feeling that finally Vic Spirit will have a quite decent challenger... 

The Spirit will always be the Prom Queen/Valedictorian/All Star Athlete of her high school class.    

[mtool78]

The Spirit will always be the Prom Queen/Valedictorian/All Star Athlete of her high school class.   

...or C-3PO when Rebar would be T-800. Would it be possible to have pics of these two mt's together with tools open?

[AimlessWanderer]

Looking those comparison shots gives me a feeling that finally Vic Spirit will have a quite decent challenger... 

That's a VERY ambitious statement. Now, I'll be the first to admit that even the Spirit isn't the panacea to all ills, but no scissors, no dedicated pry tool, no chisels and scrapers on the Rebar, THAT can opener on the Vic, THAT file on the Vic, all inboard tools instead of the superlative outboard on the Spirit, the ergos, the precision, the fit and finish, I will confess the Spirit isn't the best tool for ALL scenarios, but pitching the Rebar as a direct competitor .....I'll put my money on the Spirit without ever seeing the Rebar ... and regardless of the outcome in your opinion, I'll argue I've won 

[powerring]

...or C-3PO when Rebar would be T-800. Would it be possible to have pics of these two mt's together with tools open?
[/quote]

Will do.

[powerring]

Here are the Spirit X (top) and the Rebar with pliers open.

[mtool78]

...but pitching the Rebar as a direct competitor

...are we speaking of that same Spirit, the one that was ranked second in this classic super-reliable multitool test? I've never been holding Spirit in my own hands but if it got beaten by Suspension - oh dear...it must be something awful.   

[AimlessWanderer]

 

I'll have a pint of whatever they're drinking 

[Mercury]

...but pitching the Rebar as a direct competitor

...are we speaking of that same Spirit, the one that was ranked second in this classic super-reliable multitool test? I've never been holding Spirit in my own hands but if it got beaten by Suspension - oh dear...it must be something awful.   

Whoever ranked the suspension above the spirit, or any other tool for that matter, is a bloody moron.  The suspension is hands down the worst tool I've handled, at least from the big 4.  The spirit is a work of art, and it seriously holds it's own doing anything a leatherman can do.  I love the spirit, and I will never own another suspension.

[Syph007]

...but pitching the Rebar as a direct competitor

...are we speaking of that same Spirit, the one that was ranked second in this classic super-reliable multitool test? I've never been holding Spirit in my own hands but if it got beaten by Suspension - oh dear...it must be something awful.   

Whoever ranked the suspension above the spirit, or any other tool for that matter, is a bloody moron.  The suspension is hands down the worst tool I've handled, at least from the big 4.  The spirit is a work of art, and it seriously holds it's own doing anything a leatherman can do.  I love the spirit, and I will never own another suspension.

I never saw that 'ranking' before.   

Gerber might make some tools that do some things, but they aren't anywhere close to being in the same class as ANY vic product.  Not in a million billion years.

[genevabuck]

I know that I have been drinking, but is this the Leatherman or Gerber page?

[RayzBladz]

Methinks someone in Finland has been to one too many "coffee shops" in Amsterdam.

[powerring]

I got a Suspension at Target for something like $15 a few years ago.  I would say in a theoretical scenario where both Ibach, Switzerland or Portland, Oregon ceased to exist, it might do.      For the price and at that time, I certainly didn't hate it.  It's like watching a pee-wee baseball team vs. a major league team.  It didn't knock the ball out of the park but it had a base hit.

In the real world where you can now buy a Wingman for $23-25, it's harder to justify even the $15 I paid for the Suspension. 

[Mercury]

I don't hold the Wingman in much higher regard. 

IMO, if you are willing to spend $20 to $30 on a multi here in the states, you can go on Ebay and pick up a Blast/fuse or a juice and be much better off.

[powerring]

I don't hold the Wingman in much higher regard. 

IMO, if you are willing to spend $20 to $30 on a multi here in the states, you can go on Ebay and pick up a Blast/fuse or a juice and be much better off.

Agreed in part.  The Blast is a great multitool and, if the price of a used one is comparable, It's a more robust and full featured tool than the Wingman.  It's basically a Wave with interior tools and is my preferred BOB tool.  I see a lot of the same goodness in the Rebar which is why I like it too.  I also have a Juice S2 (in glorious orange) and am very pleased with it especially from a weight/ability ratio. 

All in all though, I really like the Wingman.  It has the things I use most (knife, scissors, and pliers), easily accessible interior tools,  and is very low cost.  I like the package opener too.  I'm not going to cry  if I beat it up because I can buy several for the price of a Spirit.  There's a place for value tools and it's a fine one IMHO.  I'd pick it over a Suspension any day.

[Mercury]

I am a little harsh on the wingman, but it's mainly due to the springloaded pliers and anvil wirecutters.  I just can't abide either.  The rest of the tool is pretty good for what you pay, and I do like it's compact size. 

I have bought several Blasts and Fuses on Ebay for less than $40.  You just have to be patient!!  There is always some moron with a New blast listed for $65 or something.

[powerring]

I am a little harsh on the wingman, but it's mainly due to the springloaded pliers and anvil wirecutters.  I just can't abide either.

Springloaded pliers are definitely a show stopper for a lot of folks.  I don't mind them but I know many people who loathe them.  I actually prefer the action on the Spirit to any other pliers.   I haven't put the Rebar's wire cutters to the test yet but they look top notch.

[Mercury]

As far as I can tell, the Rebar has excellent cutters.  I cut a housekey blank in half with them the first night I had the tool.

[powerring]

As far as I can tell, the Rebar has excellent cutters.  I cut a housekey blank in half with them the first night I had the tool.

That's awesome!   

[Mercury]

As far as I can tell, the Rebar has excellent cutters.  I cut a housekey blank in half with them the first night I had the tool.

That's awesome!   

It didn't even leave a mark either.  Very confident in the cutters.

[sergemaster]

Amici,
Does anyone have a source for the Rebar? So far, all I have been able to find are pre-orders with the earliest shipping out at the end of May.

Cheers,
Serge

[1jump2many]

Amici,
Does anyone have a source for the Rebar? So far, all I have been able to find are pre-orders with the earliest shipping out at the end of May.

Cheers,
Serge

I bought mine at The Swiss Knife Shop.  Their web site still shows that they are in stock, but I would call them first just to make sure.