Hi I'm the Dude. I have been addicted to multi-tools for 25 years now.

[TheDude]

The second Wave.
I had The Original Wave for 12 years. Got it for a sweet price online, and after owning 4 victorinox SAK's and receiving several cheap and nasty tools for gifts over the years, I was stoked. I am a Paramedic and I have worn and used it at work, virtually every day. To be honest, allot of the time it was when a part of our state government procured, lowest bidder Ambulance lost a piece of whatever as opposed rescuing people from a burning vehicle. Cutting open this & that, cracking open cans of 02 and picking up used sharps from God knows wear etc. Like many of you, I found the sheeps foot blade a little frustrating to sharpen, and the last couple of times I tried to cut helmet straps at a motor cycles crash, it was almost useless. With a few other issues like the scissors and file, I considered a major MOD but for the dreaded 5 bladed torx screws. Agh!
I was ready to retire the tool. Looked seriously into getting the SAK rescue tool, I nearly bought a MUT. Was looking at the OHT but saw some bad reviews. Then my wife bought me a Supertool 300 for my Birthday. I really liked it, but its not EDC in my opinion. And it is difficult to use one handed with gloves. Anyone use this as a survival tool? I think thats wear it may end up when not in the drawer for home use. I looked at the box and saw the 25 Year warranty. I figured what the heck and sent back my Wave to Leatherman, and sure enough, got a replacement. My only criticism is the finnishing was not 100% perfect. Do they use factory seconds for this? Still, pretty happy with the result. Now I am considering a Style CS for where knives are a no go or to suppliment the ST 300 with the scissors. Yes. I have a problem!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Welcome to the forum!

I think the new Leatherman Raptor is designed with paramedics and other first responders in mind, as is the Leatherman Z-Rex.

Some time ago we had a member (Where are you Scattergun?!) who commented that rescue tools were just gimmicks and that he and the other members of his force were trained to just use a decent pocket knife when cutting belts, straps and clothes as they also used those knives for other things and the theory was that muscle memory would be better in a crisis with a tool they were accustomed to using rather than a more purpose designed tool that only came out occasionally.

Keeping that in mind, the Benchmade ERT-1/Houdini Pro is a great tool and I have used it a lot to cut straps, although thankfully never in a situation where someone was killed or injured and required extrication.  It has cut well over a thousand nylon straps in one day, and was comfortable in my hand with no hot spots and no slippage, so if you want a dedicated cutter, that might be a good avenue to explore.  It's probably the nicest rescue cutter I have, and I have quite a few of them.

Of course, if you truly are a multitool nut you'll know that there's no such thing as a perfect tool so you'll have to get them all! 

Def

[Bensasupertool]

The dude abides.

[TurkTeen]

I think Rescue Tool is reliable. 

[David]

Hey Dude, Welcome to             

[JAfromMn]

Welcome
and
what's up dude

[TheDude]

Well thanks for the warm welcome dudes. Its great to be able to share talk in a supportive non-threatening environment.

[Metropolicity]

Welcome!


Surrender your wallet now!

[enki_ck]

Hi, there, Dude. Welcome to MTO.

[hennypenny]

I also work in the medical field, but would never consider using any of my own tools for work. I don't want them covered in blood and vomit. There are always dedicated tools readily available, and I never need to worry about getting them cleaned after use. Are you expected to provide your own tools for work in Australia? Perhaps you can suggest to your employer that each of you should be supplied with a Leatherman Raptor.

[Breezy12]

welcome to the forum, Dude! 

admitting you have a problem is the first step... but you're in good company here.    glad to have you!

[stealth007s]

Howdy from Texas Dude!¡! Well, with a 25 year MT addiction you won't be able to send yourself in to Leatherman for warranty  

[Jailbird]

Welcome!


Surrender your wallet now!

Metro said it best! Once you hang around for a bit, your wallet gets lighter and lighter. I know mine has!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[TheDude]

I also work in the medical field, but would never consider using any of my own tools for work. I don't want them covered in blood and vomit. There are always dedicated tools readily available, and I never need to worry about getting them cleaned after use. Are you expected to provide your own tools for work in Australia? Perhaps you can suggest to your employer that each of you should be supplied with a Leatherman Raptor.

We have everything we need. Have shears in both the wagon and medical kits. Just not the best in terms of quality. Some guys carry high end shears. The Raptor would be neat, but I'd probably lose it. By lose it I mean leave it somewhere and its gone when I get back!
Another difference in the way things work here is that the Ambulance Paramedics will often get there first. If there is a rescue to be done. And thats basically anything that requires using some physical effort and common sense, you are supposed to call for a desigated Rescue unit. The rest is a long story, and the game is about to change soon anyhow due to cut backs. In short, Firefighters are just that, some are trained in Rescue and up until very recently, few had any medical training. But I digress..... Obviously there are many things that can be achieved with a LM and you'd be an idiot not to use what you got. I generally only use my LM Wave for work and clean it before and after use if I am cutting fruit or opening a can. I used to carry a SAK for this purpose and the LM in my bag but I thought I was doubling up. Come to think of it for hygene reasons alone that wasn't such a bad idea, but should have done it the other way around.

I nearly bought a Houdini Ben, but I already keep a "resqme" in my bag but never use it. Probably should have atleast once as the blade is starting to rust now. I also have small high quality stainless steel parachute knife left over from my crazy days strapped to my safety helmet. I will post a pic of it some time.

[nervium]

do not waste money on victorinox rescue tool, it is not for us, it is for firefighters.

wait for leatherman raptor, also i used a skeletool cx and a micra for a huge field exercise, demonstrating an earthquake, both damn successful, i am writing my report about the exercise and i will write here too about these tools.

i think we do same jobs on different countries, laws and standards.

[Goatlord666]

eY dUDE!!! welcome to MTO!!! this is the place to get info on how to feed that addiction!

[nervium]

this is an addiction;

choosing to carry micra instead of a pair of scissors, 4 screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a file, a knife and a nail cleaner.

depending on a st 200 in your back pocket, instead of a 3 kgs of an imbecile tool-box.