Frustrated with discontinued tools....

[Demel]

  I got into multi's this last two years or so and now being fully involved with the mt and sak world I am realizing that there are a lot of tools that are discontinued that seem like great tools that are no longer available. For instance the Leatherman c33bx, fuse (luckily you can still find it) or victorinox salesman. I don't understand why some of these tools are "gone"  I really want a crater with a bit driver. But guess who doesn't offer it. LEATHERMAN. and I can't find this tool anywhere. Is anyone else frustrated by tools that can't have simply because they never knew they existed? I am fairly young. So I wasn't around when leatherman first stepped on the scene or when sog was made in the states. But it sucks that some really good tools will never be in my reach. Ok I'm done. Am I alone?

[Aloha]

I was when I first got started as well.  I was also annoyed at the asking price for these tools as well.  Patience and perseverance will pay off believe me.  I found mostly everything I was looking for in a relatively short time. 

Keep at it and you will obtain those "elusive" tools. 

[Demel]

Thanks for the encouragement. What was one of your long sought tools that you acquired? Ebay has come through a couple times but now that I'm honing in on my edc needs, I can't get what I need. For example: a rebar plus the bit kit and the crater knife will be a great combo for me. I have the removable bit adapter but  it would save me the extra step if I had  a crater with a bit driver. I'll be on the lookout.

[tosh]

Your post hit a chord with me, because that's exactly the reason I got started with MTs.
4yrs ago - apart from 4 Stan Shaw models (Sheffield's last little Mester - Master Cutler)
I owned a Vic Explorer, Wave and SwissTool. And that was it. The engineering quality of the Wave and Victorinox was such that I wanted to find out what else was available.........

Discovered MT'o and was "Saved" as they say!!
Like you, those early USA built MT's are just so addictive. But sadly no longer available new. What I realised very early on was that I was witnessing first hand the Multitool evolution. Yes,  yes... Leathermans PST wasn't the first MT, but it was a benchmark in the MT evolution, a turning point when the multitool switched from some hulking crude plier based monstrosity into a supremely elegant piece of useable, pocketable piece of engineering.....sublime!!

Bang!!! Like the Big Bang of evolution, what followed was incredible. Suddenly we have the big guns of USA knife makers rolling out their interpretations of the most effective multitool to own.
Schrade, Coleman, Buck, SOG, Gerber, Bear Jaws to name but a few of the most popular Knife makers came out with ideas that were simply amazing, heavy slabs of steel formed into tools and riveted together to make a very versatile  no nonsense all-in-one carry, go anywhere tool.

But then as far as I can tell, patents prevented makers from exploring new ideas. The multitool market became stagnated, some companies tried to reduce manufacturing costs by either selling rights or outsourcing production overseas...with disastrous consequences. The rest as they say is history.


It's gone!! What's left is nothing more than a very streamlined, cut-to-the-bone-most-bang-for-the-buck-minimal-production-costs Multitool.

Yet, for all their exotic coatings, endless gadgets and super super modern steels are these modern variants really anymore effective than those simple models that came out not 3 decades ago??

It's that very reason that I began collecting multitools. Incredible to have witnessed it all near the end (missed the first bit). What's left either become lost, used, locked away but we will never return to that golden era. World markets have changed, companies and their customers alike are much too savvy today.

It reminds me a little of my home City Sheffield. Once the world leaders in the cutlery trade.....but no more. I think those glorious years of frantic USA built multitools has gone or is going.

Grab what you can, that's my advice....

[Zed]

I never heard of the victorinox salesman before  so basically its a 84mm super tinker  wonder why they stopped making thst model 

[Chako]

No you are not alone Demel. I was sort of lucky in that I got into collecting in a good time when a lot of those older tools still could be had on eBay. I sure wish I had gotten into collecting sooner instead of the mid 2000s.

[Demel]

Your post hit a chord with me, because that's exactly the reason I got started with MTs.
4yrs ago - apart from 4 Stan Shaw models (Sheffield's last little Mester - Master Cutler)
I owned a Vic Explorer, Wave and SwissTool. And that was it. The engineering quality of the Wave and Victorinox was such that I wanted to find out what else was available.........

Discovered MT'o and was "Saved" as they say!!
Like you, those early USA built MT's are just so addictive. But sadly no longer available new. What I realised very early on was that I was witnessing first hand the Multitool evolution. Yes,  yes... Leathermans PST wasn't the first MT, but it was a benchmark in the MT evolution, a turning point when the multitool switched from some hulking crude plier based monstrosity into a supremely elegant piece of useable, pocketable piece of engineering.....sublime!!

Bang!!! Like the Big Bang of evolution, what followed was incredible. Suddenly we have the big guns of USA knife makers rolling out their interpretations of the most effective multitool to own.
Schrade, Coleman, Buck, SOG, Gerber, Bear Jaws to name but a few of the most popular Knife makers came out with ideas that were simply amazing, heavy slabs of steel formed into tools and riveted together to make a very versatile  no nonsense all-in-one carry, go anywhere tool.

But then as far as I can tell, patents prevented makers from exploring new ideas. The multitool market became stagnated, some companies tried to reduce manufacturing costs by either selling rights or outsourcing production overseas...with disastrous consequences. The rest as they say is history.


It's gone!! What's left is nothing more than a very streamlined, cut-to-the-bone-most-bang-for-the-buck-minimal-production-costs Multitool.

Yet, for all their exotic coatings, endless gadgets and super super modern steels are these modern variants really anymore effective than those simple models that came out not 3 decades ago??

It's that very reason that I began collecting multitools. Incredible to have witnessed it all near the end (missed the first bit). What's left either become lost, used, locked away but we will never return to that golden era. World markets have changed, companies and their customers alike are much too savvy today.

It reminds me a little of my home City Sheffield. Once the world leaders in the cutlery trade.....but no more. I think those glorious years of frantic USA built multitools has gone or is going.

Grab what you can, that's my advice....

Thanks for the background. And I feel you may be right. Times are changing and although there is much diversity and innovation still happening you cannot replace the orginal built like a tank mts. But I do still really enjoy the tools I have now. The design behind most of them are really amazing. There may still be hope.

[Demel]

I never heard of the victorinox salesman before  so basically its a 84mm super tinker  wonder why they stopped making thst model 

A mini tinker is definately worthy. No idea why they stop priducing. I would love to get one in hand.

No you are not alone Demel. I was sort of lucky in that I got into collecting in a good time when a lot of those older tools still could be had on eBay. I sure wish I had gotten into collecting sooner instead of the mid 2000s.

Thanks chako. Are there any tools that have still eluded you?

[Chako]

Oh there are plenty of tools that I haven't managed to find as of yet. Happily enough for me, I have sort of reached my critical mass for a collection. I still add the few now and then, but I do not actively try to acquire everything. I must say however, it is a bit of a curse to not be American when it comes to MT collecting. It is amazing how much is on offer south of the border that just isn't available in Canada. Thus, my collection wouldn't be anywhere near what it is without quite a few American friends who were willing to send things up north. That is an aspect I wasn't quite comfortable with to be honest. I do not like to put anyone out of their way on my account. 

[Huntsman]

I do not like to put anyone out of their way on my account. 

Well Chako - You have put yourself 'out of your way' on our account with all those great posts and piccies - so 'we' (royal we) are just returning the favour!!

[Zed]

Although could be worse as could live in the uk as you cant buy bladed things on ebay,although you can buy a billhook or axe   

[gregozedobe]

I think collecting older MTs is like buying real estate - the best time to buy was some years ago.  I got only serious with my collecting a few years ago, but even in that short time I have noticed prices of in-demand MTs (eg very old PSTs) have gone up a lot, with many collectors bidding over the one tool.

That doesn't mean there aren't good buys out there still, you just have to look harder and longer to find them.  As Aloha007 says:  "Patience and perseverance will pay off".  Certainly the internet has opened up a lot more opportunities for both buyers and sellers.  I still find some great rarities these days (just not as often as I used to).

One thing you could possibly do is focus on some of the less popular MTs.  These are often much cheaper and easier to win than more well known brands.  As an example I have done much better with collecting version 1 Gerbers Multi-Pliers (Mr Pinchy) than version 1 Leatherman PSTs, and I usually don't have a lot of competition for promotional Zippo(Case) Fixxits.  I have also had a good run buying the wacky Stanley watch/clock tools (some of these are really, really weird, and I like weird MTs).

[SteveC]

I was when I first got started as well.  I was also annoyed at the asking price for these tools as well.  Patience and perseverance will pay off believe me.  I found mostly everything I was looking for in a relatively short time. 

Keep at it and you will obtain those "elusive" tools.

+1

[ToolJoe]

I'd say keep an eye on Ebay for one. It might take awhile but i'm sure one will pop up at some point.

[Aloha]

Thanks for the encouragement. What was one of your long sought tools that you acquired? Ebay has come through a couple times but now that I'm honing in on my edc needs, I can't get what I need. For example: a rebar plus the bit kit and the crater knife will be a great combo for me. I have the removable bit adapter but  it would save me the extra step if I had  a crater with a bit driver. I'll be on the lookout.

There were several that seemed to be scarce when I was actively looking.  I must first also confess I'm a frugal collector as well.  I mostly stick to my budget on the tools I want.  That being said the ST200 SS CC was one of the hardest to locate.  I also had a hell of a time finding an affordable Juice Pro at the time.  It did feel good to finally get those two I seemed to have searched for months.       

I was out bid on several tools and sniped many so alls fair.  The hunting was addictive so sticking with what I'm comfortable paying made it harder.  When I did budge I over paid but it was part of the excitement in the wee seconds of an auction.   

Members here are more than helpful so reach out from time to time.  There are still a few tools that I passively look for, BO Mini, Juice SX old version, BO/Camo Charge, Camo Surge and few more of these very expensive tools.

I did recently score a Kershaw A100 that I thought I'd never afford.  I scored some great OC Red Alox, a Ribbed Cadet 2, a 84mm Golfer w/o LNF which were all within my budget.     

   

[Kampfer]

You are not alone buddy, be patient, keep eyes open and keep wallet full, you will find what you are looking for.

All the firearms in my collection are discontinuted nearly one hundred years ago, yet I was able to obtain them.

I am not sure why those we think are good MT were dropped off production, most likely due to poor sales number.

[leathermon]

Woops, disregard

[anditsgone]

Nothing lasts for ever. But what it hate is when the newer model is worse than the previous. For example. I find that the Rebar isn't as good as the Blast which was the predecessor.

The lack of scissors and the tools like the knife, file and saw weren't as good designed as the rebar. Thinner and the cut out holes in the rebar tools where a disaster. Those are the things that frustrate me.

If you dont have anything good to change, then don't change anything at all 

[sLaughterMed]

Nothing lasts for ever. But what it hate is when the newer model is worse than the previous. For example. I find that the Rebar isn't as good as the Blast which was the predecessor.

The lack of scissors and the tools like the knife, file and saw weren't as good designed as the rebar. Thinner and the cut out holes in the rebar tools where a disaster. Those are the things that frustrate me.

If you dont have anything good to change, then don't change anything at all 

I actually dissagree, I think the Rebar was a major improvement over the Blast, at least for me. For starters, the Rebar is thinner than Blast, which may not matter to sheath carry folk, but for those like me, where everything goes in the pocket, it makes a huge difference. Also, I love having a serrated blade, and prefer that over scissors, as I carry a Climber and a dedicated folder often. I love the new wirecutters, even though they compromise the bolt grabbers a bit.

Can't argue with the holes in the saw and file though. Can't have everything!