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Leatherman Tread Review

us Offline David Bowen

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Leatherman Tread Review
on: February 17, 2017, 02:07:52 PM
Leatherman Tread Review

Multitools comes in a vast variety of shapes and sizes and certainly have had a lot of changes to them since the first Leatherman was issued. In spite of all those changes the general look and functionality hasn't deviated much. Tools are usually clumped into two categories; Swiss Army style or plier based which is what most people associate with.



On Sept. 11th the people of the world saw a face of terrorism that it hadn't seen before and it has forever changed people's perception of everyday objects.  Even though the terrorists used simple boxcutters, knives and multitools have been scrutinized and frowned upon in social circles. The people who carry knives and tools are given an image by the media and its made carrying them difficult.





Because of this public perception, taking a knife or tool into places such as Disney World has been somewhat difficult. I have been there on multiple occasions since 2001 and usually carry something small and non-threatening. As of this year Disney has begun using metal detectors at its entrances and even though they allow knives under 3 inches in I would hate to be turned away because of carrying my favorite pocket tool.

Ben Rivera; President of Leatherman tool group went on a family trip to Disneyland and was stopped at the gate for carrying his Skeletool. He was unwilling to give the tool up to security so they made him take it back to his hotel room. Ben knew there had to be another way to carry another multitool with him that would be accepted by security. Upon returning to work Ben used his engineering skills and his team  designed what would end up being the Tread. At first he started with a bike chain and the idea evolved from there.



The Leatherman Tread features roughly 29 different tools ranging from slot, phillips, hex and a 1/4 inch driver. There is even a scribe tool along with a cutting hook and sim card removal tool.  There's quite a bit packed into a small area with this unique tool. The tool comes assembled out of the box with all the tools attached. To fix the tool to your particular wrist size you can remove links via the screws on the side of the tool.



No special tool is required to remove the screws, a simple penny is the correct size to unscrew them and make the adjustments. When removing links from the tool it's important to decide what you won't need on a daily basis and stick with the more common drivers. Most of the links are 1/2 inch with only one link being 1/4 inch. Adjustments can be tricky making the tool either too tight or too lose on your wrist. I have adjusted mine depending on the season, I can have the tool much closer to my wrist in the winter than in the summer.



So what tools does this man jewelry; I mean multitool have? Here is a rundown of what's included:



The Tread does a great job about packing all of this into such a small area. Overall the tool is not too heavy considering the size and functionality. I would definitely compare it to any large watch that is made of stainless.

Using the tools on the Tread can be awkward at times and meant for quick fix or something to turn too when there are not real tools available. Taking the Tread off your wrist you grip the body of the Tread in your hand length wise and use it as torque to turn the screw your working on. The drivers themselves are not very long and will only work on screws that are not really recessed. I found this tool to be really handy when I have a regular plier based tool on me. I use the Treat to hold a screw while using the pliers to hold the bolt on the other side.



Another great feature of the Tread is its constructed of 17-6 stainless steel. Being a long time Leatherman owner I have run into some corrosion issues due to my sweat. The stainless used in the Tread is very corrosion resistant and should withstand sweat and other everyday mishaps.



Having wore the Tread now for several months the reactions I get out of the tool from people is priceless. They find it either really cleaver or they think I'm into 50 shades of grey type stuff. Overall perception is good though, they all find it non threatening and useful.





The Tread for me is a double edged sword; the functionality and utility is there even though the tool can be a little awkward to use. I really love the idea and for your average Joe who wants a tool and a bracelet at the same time it could be the tool for them. For real dire hard tool users like myself this tool feels underwhelming but not underappreciated. Any trips I am going on that involve me needing to carry a tool and I'm restricted from doing so, I will defiantly rely on the Tread as my saving grace.

Pros:  Lots of utility in a small package
           Not heavy on the wrist
           High corrosion resistance

Cons:  Awkward usage
            No minor size adjustments possible
           



Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk



us Offline ducttapetech

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #1 on: February 17, 2017, 02:24:42 PM
Nicely done!
Nate

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us Offline David Bowen

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #2 on: February 17, 2017, 02:41:54 PM
Nicely done!
Thanks!  The Tread gets a lot of bashing on the Internet when you look for reviews of it. It's not a bad tool, it's just a different kind of tool. I appreciate the engineering and work that went into designing it and hope Leatherman has some more ideas like this in the future.  Multitools have become cookie cutter in a way and folks need to shake it up and bit and break the mold.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk



us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #3 on: March 13, 2017, 05:45:26 AM
Great review David :cheers: I don't make it into the review forum as much as I use to and have missed a few gems as of late :tu:

I had a Tread but I don't wear anything like that ever so I ended up parting ways with it :whistle: It was very well made and I could see it coming in handy if a person had it on them :like:


ca Offline mekcanix

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #4 on: June 12, 2017, 03:09:05 PM
Nice Review.
I am a Maintenance guy/ Millwright I got one from my Boss as a "reward" for making a very difficult time line ( my Boss saw me gawking at it at a MRO show) I unfortunately got the black one, the finish is not really holding up well so I am not wearing it as much. But I will admit that the tool designs work, and I do use it as a multi tool the allen keys are what i use most believe it or not. I am very happy with it.
Millwright on a mission


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #5 on: June 12, 2017, 03:42:48 PM
 :D
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Esse Quam Videri


wales Offline magentus

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #6 on: June 12, 2017, 04:34:28 PM
So they're giving them away free with 4 punnets of strawberries now?  :facepalm:
'Use the force Harry' - Gandalf


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #7 on: June 13, 2017, 12:36:33 AM
The strawberries are delicious btw and tore the top of the Tread box open and began to open the plastic contraption the bracelet was in but stopped short.

I don't know why I bought it  :facepalm:.  Ok I know  :whistle:.  I think I'll move it on to someone who will actually wear it. 

Off to the trade/sale boars. 
Esse Quam Videri


wales Offline magentus

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #8 on: June 13, 2017, 10:21:28 AM
The strawberries are delicious btw and tore the top of the Tread box open and began to open the plastic contraption the bracelet was in but stopped short.

I don't know why I bought it  :facepalm:.  Ok I know  :whistle:.  I think I'll move it on to someone who will actually wear it. 

Off to the trade/sale boars.
I'd be interested to know the ratio of buyers who regret the purchase as soon as they get the Tread home and decide to move it on as if it never happened, versus those who are happy with it and actually wear it. No judgement here BTW - horses for courses.  :cheers:
'Use the force Harry' - Gandalf


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #9 on: June 13, 2017, 03:28:54 PM
Funny enough the guy I got it from bought it then immediately regretted it.  He carries old school LMs and has since he's carried a MT. 

I saw them on Amazon for $130ish which I where I think he got it.  He knew I had talked about getting one so he made me an offer.  I did have every intention of giving it a wear but I don't wear jewelry  :facepalm:.  I do wear a watch but when I got home and tore the top of the box open in excitement and began to tear open the plastic I stopped short.  I realized immediately that while I'd wear it for a day or so I don't wear jewelry.  Last thing I had on my wrist other than a watch was  a string with a little medallion.  It couldn't have weighed more than a gram or 2. 

Maybe I'll hang onto it for a bit before I tear open the plastic.  In all fairness I haven't even put it on. 

 
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Esse Quam Videri


wales Offline magentus

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #10 on: June 13, 2017, 03:41:22 PM
Funny enough the guy I got it from bought it then immediately regretted it.  He carries old school LMs and has since he's carried a MT. 

I saw them on Amazon for $130ish which I where I think he got it.  He knew I had talked about getting one so he made me an offer.  I did have every intention of giving it a wear but I don't wear jewelry  :facepalm:.  I do wear a watch but when I got home and tore the top of the box open in excitement and began to tear open the plastic I stopped short.  I realized immediately that while I'd wear it for a day or so I don't wear jewelry.  Last thing I had on my wrist other than a watch was  a string with a little medallion.  It couldn't have weighed more than a gram or 2. 

Maybe I'll hang onto it for a bit before I tear open the plastic.  In all fairness I haven't even put it on.
If you bought another one you could put them together and wear them as an awesome headband.
« Last Edit: June 13, 2017, 03:45:32 PM by magentus »
'Use the force Harry' - Gandalf


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #11 on: June 13, 2017, 03:52:11 PM
Great idea.  Waist chain  :think:  Anklet  :whistle:
Esse Quam Videri


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #12 on: June 14, 2017, 12:31:52 PM
Funny enough the guy I got it from bought it then immediately regretted it.  He carries old school LMs and has since he's carried a MT. 

I saw them on Amazon for $130ish which I where I think he got it.  He knew I had talked about getting one so he made me an offer.  I did have every intention of giving it a wear but I don't wear jewelry  :facepalm:.  I do wear a watch but when I got home and tore the top of the box open in excitement and began to tear open the plastic I stopped short.  I realized immediately that while I'd wear it for a day or so I don't wear jewelry.  Last thing I had on my wrist other than a watch was  a string with a little medallion.  It couldn't have weighed more than a gram or 2. 

Maybe I'll hang onto it for a bit before I tear open the plastic.  In all fairness I haven't even put it on.
If you bought another one you could put them together and wear them as an awesome headband.

That'll be the headband for Rambo 17, he'll throw it at someone and cut them into chunks


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #13 on: June 18, 2017, 11:59:33 PM
I bought another one  :rofl:  The guy I got the first one from sold me his after immediately regretting buying it.  I saw his friend today who bought his apparently around the same time.  This guy opened his and wore it but after the novelty wore off he regretted it.  I decided to take it off his wrist  :facepalm:

EDIT.  I removed 2 links to make it fit my wrist.  I'll wear it a bit and see how I like it.  We'll see how it goes. 
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« Last Edit: June 19, 2017, 12:01:43 AM by Aloha007 »
Esse Quam Videri


wales Offline magentus

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #14 on: June 19, 2017, 04:30:44 PM
 :facepalm: So how many do you have now? 2 or 3?

Do you have a compulsive nature we can help you with Aloha?  :D
'Use the force Harry' - Gandalf


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Leatherman Tread Review
Reply #15 on: June 19, 2017, 04:41:55 PM
:facepalm: So how many do you have now? 2 or 3?

Do you have a compulsive nature we can help you with Aloha?  :D

 :rofl:

I have 2 but one is up for sale now.  I won't be buying another. 
 
Esse Quam Videri


 

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