Help! Can't decide on new LM to replace retired PST

[woofer]

I've been lurking around these forums for a bit, but haven't had much reason to post til now. I've been trying to figure out which LM I want to get to replace an old PST I've been using. At least, I think it's a PST, from what I can tell based on the LM site. It's stamped 0294 and 0394 on the inside of the handles, and has a Marlboro country store logo stamped on the outside of one handle. Received it as a gift a LONG time ago (btw, does anyone know what the market value for such an LM would be? Just curious...)

Anyhow, that LM has been my random-errand-around-the-house-and-car tool for far too long, and it's starting to fall short of my needs. It's a literal pain to use (plier arms cut into my hands), and tires them out (it can't possibly weigh only 5 ounces...). Can anyone help me figure out which new LM to buy? Here's a short list of the ones I've been looking at:

1) New Wave, w/a set of bit drivers. Seems like it might be a bit overkill for my needs, but it would definitely cover all the bases. Less aesthetically pleasing than the other LMs I've contemplated, but then again I've been staring at a plain Jane PST for the last 13 (14?) years.
2) Juice CS4. Compact and functional, but the excess flatheads and lack of hex torx and other bits hurts a lot.
3) Skeletool, w/a set of bit drivers. Losing the scissors is a real pain, but I might be able to manage.

I am deathly afraid of having a blade on the outside of the tool when folded, but it seems that's the direction LM is going in. When I read people lauding the easy-open one-handed knife blade, I think to myself that I'll just end up sliding my hand in my pocket to pull the tool out and end up slicing through my fingers. Thus,  I fear the Juice and Skeletool, but if anyone can attest to the fact that they do indeed lock securely, I may give them more weight.
I've used SAKs in the past, but I must have pliers and the Swisstool is simply too much of a beast for me to use easily.
Probably the most important factor of all is that I'd like to have a tool that I can use and abuse for another 15 years. The PST will likely end up going into a glovebox since it has yet to have acquired any damage that requires warranty work. I'll probably also end up grabbing a Squirt S4 and throwing it on my already overloaded keychain.

Oh, and if I've managed to post this in the entirely wrong part of the forum, please move it, mods.

[Hoghead]

My favorite multitools are the Wave, Charge, Spirit and Spirit S. I would say just pick the model you like with the tools you need. I think you would be happy with any of these multitools.

I prefer the BO Charge Ti because it has the tools I need and I like black oxide and the pocket clip. I could be happy with the Wave too.

If the BO Spirit S had a black pocket clip, it might work it's way into my EDC.

It's all a compromise. Another factor is how are you going to carry it, holster or pocket clip.

[DaveK]

Welcome woofer!

First things first - don't worry about the blades opening in your pockets, that's not going to happen with any of the models you listed there. The Juice models have backsprings (so work in the same way as an SAK), the Wave and Skeletool are very secure too.

I think the main thing is not to compromise on the tool selection, because as Hoghead says - none of them is going to let you down - they're all high quality tools.

From your description a Juice sounds like a good fit and you can buy the removable bit driver to use your torx bits.

Check out the Multitool Encyclopedia here for more info on the Juice series. That should answer any questions you've got!

[Tarrodemierda]

dont believe a word they whisper you,as you will eventually start to think about CORE and SURGE models at some point .

[J-sews]

Howdy Woofer!

You really can't go wrong with any of the models you've listed. Have no fear, its not likely any of those with outside opening blades will open unintentionally. However, if you want a multitool that is similar to the PST you have now, the closest one might be the Kick.

Kick review = http://www.multitool.org/leatherman-tool-group/medium-tools/leatherman-kick.html

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Welcome to the forum mate

It's a shame you don't like the Swisstool, have you considered the Spirit

On the LM front maybe a Fuse or Blast might suit your needs

[woofer]

You know, it's really hard to write a reply when new posts keep popping up...  ... anyhows...

Thanks to you all. I've been reading through the various reviews and wiki pages on the tools, but it's one thing to research for information and entirely another to ask about real world usage. I'm sure that compared to the original PST, any and all of the tools created in, oh, say, the last 26 years or so, should be a remarkable improvement to what I've been making do with. Whatever mt I get will probably remain in a sheath of some sort and then either get shoved in a pocket or into a bag, probably not on my belt though.

I had considered getting the removable driver, but it seems like pairing the Juice and the bitdriver carrier would look rather odd paired together. The Juice also has that excess of flatheads that puzzles me on my PST, which is why I looked at built-in interchangeable bits like on the Skeletool Wave and Surge. I should probably revise my list to say XE6 instead of CS4, come to think of it, since the files are an absolute necessity. Probably don't need scissors since a knife will usually do the job and I'll grab a Squirt S4 or Micra for the rest.

The Kick is similar to the PST, but I think I'd like to use a tool that's more fully fleshed out. The Fuse lacks any kind of file at all, and I do really need to go back and think about the Blast some more. The Spirit covers a number of my needs, but the lack of a full length plain edge knife sinks the entire tool for me.

As for the Swisstool, Core and the Surge, well, they fall into the category of "If I were to get stranded on a desert island, I would want this with me, but it's not reasonable for the average bear."

[J-sews]

......As for the Swisstool, Core and the Surge, well, they fall into the category of "If I were to get stranded on a desert island, I would want this with me, but it's not reasonable for the average bear."

Ahh, but you see, all of us here are smarter than the average bear. 

[Hoghead]

The Spirit covers a number of my needs, but the lack of a full length plain edge knife sinks the entire tool for me.

The Spirit S has the same serrated blade as the origional plus it has a plain edge knife with a point instead of sissors. The Spirit S is available in black oxide too.

Check the weight of the XE6. I carried one for about a year and it did every thing I asked of it, but I moved on to other tools after a screwdriver folded up while in use. It's a good tool, but it weighs about the same as some larger tools. I felt that I was overworking it a few times.

Another thing I recommend is the diamond file on some Leatherman tools.

[Poncho65]

Welcome to the forum woofer

You will find yourself wanting to buy more than just 1 to replace your old PST when you get through here But I have a Blast for my day to day grunt work and it does me fine, but i also have the New Wave with bit kit which I really like as well You might just decide to get a couple when your done reading all these posts But don't say I didn't warn you Really any of the LM multis are a good choice the other brands also have a lot going for them as well

[jdailey4206966]

Cant go wrong with a good Wave or Charge . I got my pocket clip today, and I carry it with me everywhere in my front pocket. I has a file, and just about everything you need. I can't tell how many times a day I use mine.

[Hoghead]

Where are my manners? Welcome to the fun.

Please let us know what you decide.

[I'm Still Bison]

Welcome to the forums! We're here to do what we do best..help you spend your money   The Spirit is available as the Spirit S which has a plain edge blade in addition to the serrated blade,but sacrifices the scissors,there's also another Spirit version due soon which replaces the serrated blade with a plain edge blade,and keeps the scissors

[duckman1975]

I think for me the charge in the best multitool for your needs, its only very, very, slightly heaveir and bigger than the juice series, but gives so much more for its excess wieght and size.
And Welcome to the forum woofer  I started with a leatherman charge and a victorinox explorer a few month ago, now I added a Surge, Swisstool, crunch and coming up a juice cs4 and a squirt courtesy of the Boss Def 
I'm sure the number of your tools will grow too 

[Leatherman123]

Welcome to the forum! I think that a LM Blast would be a great MT for you. It is not much heavier than your PST and you get a lot of tools you didn't have with your PST.. ( scissors, small bit driver for glasses and electronics, wood saw, locking tools, and even decently comfortable handles.. Or, you could go with a New Wave which would be my personal choice.. I really like the one hand opening blades.. The Blast and Wave are very similar.. If you buy a Blast and decide to get the removable bit driver it comes with a leather or nylon Wave sheath that will fit your Blast, removable bit driver with 6 bits, and  it has two side pockets for accessories such as pens, flashlights, and the like.. You really couldn't go wrong with either of them.. Hope this helps!

Oh, I forgot to mention that the removable bit driver accepts hex bits too!  

[woofer]

I think the Blast could very well suit my needs, but I ended up placing an order for a Wave + bit set just to be able to cover all my bases. Chances are I'll end up grabbing a couple tools for different locations, so the toolset can only get bigger as my budget allows.

[Carthas]

Hello woofer and welcome to the forums.

I think that you will be very happy with the new wave. One thing you may want to invest in is a Leatherman Bit extender. It will help if you need to give the screwdriver some extra reach if you need it. Apart from that, grats on your purchase

[jdailey4206966]

You will be happy with your new Wave!! Had mine for a month and one word...incredible!! I need to buy a bit kit when i get some money too. My small screwdriver bit broke yesterday, and i emailed them about it, and I am having another one sent to me at no cost!!

Fair warning though! The pliers will be stiff at first, just put some wd-40 or some 3n1 oil on them every other day, and you will feel them come loose pretty quick.

[Benner]

You will be happy with your new Wave!! Had mine for a month and one word...incredible!! I need to buy a bit kit when i get some money too. My small screwdriver bit broke yesterday, and i emailed them about it, and I am having another one sent to me at no cost!!

LM really do know how to look after their customers don't they. 

[jdailey4206966]

You will be happy with your new Wave!! Had mine for a month and one word...incredible!! I need to buy a bit kit when i get some money too. My small screwdriver bit broke yesterday, and i emailed them about it, and I am having another one sent to me at no cost!!

LM really do know how to look after their customers don't they. 

Amen!!! Customer for life!

[woofer]

You will be happy with your new Wave!! Had mine for a month and one word...incredible!! I need to buy a bit kit when i get some money too. My small screwdriver bit broke yesterday, and i emailed them about it, and I am having another one sent to me at no cost!!

Fair warning though! The pliers will be stiff at first, just put some wd-40 or some 3n1 oil on them every other day, and you will feel them come loose pretty quick.

I'm a big fan of keeping my tools well-maintained, and probably go wayyy overboard in that respect. I just picked up a Micra from a guy off craigslist with a keychain AAA battery maglite for $15 (not a bad deal imo), and it was in great shape but for some sticky joints and a lightly nicked flathead. Thus I gave it my standard cleanup:
I WD-40ed the hell out of every surface joint nook and cranny, swabbed it all down with makeshift mini-q-tip (tweezers with bits of cotton swab on the end) into all the crevices. Grabbed some WD-40 soaked thread and and worked through all the joints. Sprayed it down with some alcohol/mineral oil based electric shaver lubricant and worked all the tools for a couple minutes til they moved independently and freely. A quick filing from my PST (somehow it seems both right and wrong to maintain one leatherman with another) and the flathead looks brand new. Now I just have to wonder how long this Micra will last...

By the way, I find that WD-40 alone is an excellent cleaning solution, but horrible lubricant. Even though the entire tool feels greasy, the tools tend to clump up more and rotate far less freely. Bleh.

[Poncho65]

I don't believe that you will be a bit disappointed in the New Wave I love mine I have the bit kit and removable clip/lanyard ring and they are all great as well

[Smitty44]

Welcome to the forums again,and it look like you read and lessoned real well,you picked probably the two best sellers that LM makes,the Wave and the Micra,hope to hear more about what you think of them after you  get them broke in.

[AndyTiedye]

The Spirit covers a number of my needs, but the lack of a full length plain edge knife sinks the entire tool for me.

Spirit S  (has a normal blade in addtion to the serrated one, no scissors)  or the new "L" (plain-edge Wharncliffe).

[jdailey4206966]

Please let us know when you recieve your Wave!! Amazing product and solid feel!! I don't think you will be disappointed at all!!

[woofer]

Just an update: I received my Wave in the mail today, and I'm quite happy with it. Got it thoroughly oiled and worked in, the tools aren't quite so tight anymore (they were on the verge of cracking my nails just out of the box). The blades are quite nice and sharp, nice to be able to one hand them. The pliers are quite solid, and the fat pivot makes me quite comfortable with clamping down heavily and torquing the heck out of it. I also ordered the bit kit and I've already put 1/3 of them to good use while painting and clean up my garage today. It's got a nice feel to it, light but not flimsy, a very solid build. The sheath is simultaneously useful and useless - While it can theoretically hold one piece of the bit kit, it's too tight to pull it out of the sheath one-handed. Without the bit kit in the sheath, it's quite a nice fit. I've actually found that it's possible to stick the Wave in the sheath opened and inverted (plier head down) much like the Juice in the pictures I've seen. Thus far it's absolutely superior to my PST in every aspect, and it's likely to see frequent use as I begin a big home improvement project.

The one thing I (oddly enough) wish for is that it had a second redundant flathead that I could abuse as a pry bar to open up paint cans and other metal tins...

[Leatherman123]

So, how is the New Wave holding up?