A new appreciation of the PST

[appletree_man]

A few weeks back thanks to Leatherman123 I became the owner of that old favourite, the Leatherman PST.

I must admit although I thought it was a nice little tool, it looked a bit plain and didn't give it much attention before I put it away in my little collection chest.
How wrong I was. tonight i've been examining it more closely and i've came to the conclusion it's a little beauty.

Really slim and sturdy, no moulded words or tacked on bits, all business.
The tools are (almost) perfect, a straight blade, file, three flatheads, a Phillps (which for a change isn't bad on pozidrive), an awl, and the usual can/bottle opener, as well as the pliers head of course, what more do you need ?   Ok a saw & scissors would be handy, but not essential for me.
The sheet metal sides aren't a big concern, I can't imagine i'm going to do really heavy work with it, but in any case they don't feel bad at all.

So, i'm going to EDC this for a while 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Glad your getting on with it mate, I think it's a shame when some of the older tools get overlooked, as the PST is a good city edc option here in the UK

[Benner]

The PST was my first MT and I would still happily carry it.  Although it is dated, it is still a slim and good tool to EDC.  Especially in the UK.

[ringzero]

The PST was my first MT and I would still happily carry it.  Although it is dated, it is still a slim and good tool to EDC.  Especially in the UK.

Dated?  Still offers more functionality than just about any other tool of its weight.

Lightweight and very compact, but has all the really essential implements.

I like the fact that it doesn't have woodsaw and scissors, but does have a decent file and awl.

.
 

[Benner]

It may offer a lot, but there is no denying that it is a dated tool.  Every part of it from the uncomfortable handles to the tool clumping is out of date in compared to the new tools on the market, but I like its lack of ergonomics.    That's why I am such a big fan of the Supertool.

[Smitty44]

My PST is 25 yrs old this year,and I'm still using it.

[Benner]

My PST is 25 yrs old this year,and I'm still using it.

That's good to hear.    Would love to see some pictures.

[ringzero]

It may offer a lot, but there is no denying that it is a dated tool.  Every part of it from the uncomfortable handles to the tool clumping is out of date in compared to the new tools on the market, but I like its lack of ergonomics.    That's why I am such a big fan of the Supertool.

Ergonomics wise - it has always sucked.

Convenience wise - it has always been lame.

But, in terms of no-nonsense reliability and functionality/ounce - its still hard to beat.

Maybe the SOG Pocket Power Plier equals or beats it.

.

[ringzero]

My PST is 25 yrs old this year,and I'm still using it.

Mine is also about that age.

It's been used a LOT and is still going strong.

.

[appletree_man]

Is there anyway to figure out the age of mine ?

[Benner]

Is there anyway to figure out the age of mine ?

Unless it's a real old one (which would probably be riveted) there will be a date code in both the handles.

[appletree_man]

Ah, whereabouts on the handles ? 

EDIT, oh wait, got it. 0601

[Benner]

Open all the tools and then look inside the handle.  You should see a 4 digit code which is the month and the year of manufacture.

[appletree_man]

So that's June 2001, cheers 

[ducktapehero]

I think of the PST as an old Jeep or old 4x4 pickup. It's not anywhere near as comfortable as the new ones but all the things that make it more "ergonomic" also add weight and size. The PST is slimmer than the LM Kick but has more tools on it. Yeah it's a little uncomfortable when you're really cranking on something with the pliers but compromises have to be made.

I love the new tools but as far as I'm concerned they're not obsolete. People just wanted more "comfortable" tools. But the new tools can't touch the old tools "tools vs weight" ratio.

[scrappy]

I love the old super tool and because I am use to it I like the clumping.

[J-sews]

Clumping was always an overrated evil in my opinion. What's so bad about unfolding the whole clump of blades, then putting the ones back that you don't need?

[I'm Still Bison]

I never thought clumping was an evil.If you're a large man with big hands like I am,clumping is a benefit.

[appletree_man]

Clumping was always an overrated evil in my opinion. What's so bad about unfolding the whole clump of blades, then putting the ones back that you don't need?

Couldn't agree more.

[J-sews]

Funny we seem to agree on that point. Look at all the clever engineering and expense that the big manufacturers went through to come up with blades that don't clump:

Victorinox...........individual backspring fingers for each blade
Gerber...............little tabbed washers between each blade
Leatherman........pivot pins with flats on them that engage flattened crossholes in the handles

Maybe somebody should have told them all that clumping isn't a bad thing. New multitools might be a lot cheaper today!

[appletree_man]

TBH I like clumping on the PST, otherwise I would have to try and dig the screwdriver bits out with my nail.
With clumping I just lift the blade, or file and hey presto the whole lot comes up nice and easy and I select what I want 

[Poncho65]

Yeah tool clumping isn't that bad but on my PST I can pull file and knife blade all the way out and nothing else comes out if I want to get to smaller tools I have to pull one out on that side of handle.  Probably because it is a little older and not as tight as it once was.  My PST is almost 14 years old.  Was my grandpas and he used it quite a bit.  Just holding a PST feels good they seem very well balanced to me, even more so than some of the newer MTs. A great all around tool.

[Leatherman123]

The PST is a great tool! I like the newer plier head ones better..

[ringzero]

I think of the PST as an old Jeep or old 4x4 pickup. It's not anywhere near as comfortable as the new ones but all the things that make it more "ergonomic" also add weight and size.

Great analogy, ducktapehero.

PST does remind me of an old Jeep with bone-jarring suspension, leaky rag top, stiff-as-hell steering, and a balky, noisy manual tranny.

The newer, fancier LM models are more like an Eddie Bauer Explorer with power steering, automatic tranny, air conditioning, etc.

Both will take you from here to there, but the journey may be more pleasant in the newer vehicle.

The PST is slimmer than the LM Kick but has more tools on it. Yeah it's a little uncomfortable when you're really cranking on something with the pliers but compromises have to be made.

When I need to crank down on something really hard I usually put on gloves.  If I don't have gloves, I'll wrap the handles with cloth for padding.  Where there's a will there's usually a way.

.

[Benner]

I don't mind clumping either.  Like it has already been pointed out, clumping just makes all the tools easier to access in my mind.  But maybe I just think that way because I started with a PST. 

[Poncho65]

Yeah my opinion is biased as well 1st reg sized MT was PST as well

[J-sews]

Another nice thing about the PST was the "stainless steel box" effect. When it is folded up there are no exposed blades or openings for crud to get into. A very important consideration for pocket carry.

On modern tools I do like the outside-opening knife blades, but they are more likely to get dirt and pocket lint into the blade mechanism.

[Poncho65]

My first PST related thread (Maybe )

[powernoodle]

The only thing I would change on the PST is the sharp handle edges when gripping the pliers.  But any attempt to remedy those edges would probably result in a thicker MT.  I'd still accept a very slightly thicker PST (ergonomic zytel insert like the Kick) in order to get a plier grip that did not make my eyes water.

[Poncho65]

The only thing I would change on the PST is the sharp handle edges when gripping the pliers.  But any attempt to remedy those edges would probably result in a thicker MT.  I'd still accept a very slightly thicker PST (ergonomic zytel insert like the Kick) in order to get a plier grip that did not make my eyes water.

That is why I would love a Pulse sized tool with push tab type locks it has the beauty of the old school line and the comfort with those rolled edges without being much thicker