CORE!!!!

Grant Lamontagne · **on:** February 21, 2007, 01:45:59 AM

Well, I finally got one, thanks to a very generous member who took the time to grab me one at a recent clearout.

I'd probably be raving about how big this thing is if I hadn't gotten a Core a little while ago. Leatherman sure does like to make them big! Once again, the SwissTool seems almost pocketable by comparison, and at about 290 grams (10.25oz) it also outweighs the PowerLock. In fact, the only tools bigger/heavier are the AutoTool, the Surge and the Wenger SwissGrip. There might be more, but those are the only ones I have that are bigger.

Initially, I like it, but it is missing one important thing that I don;t think any multi should be without- scissors! In typical fashion it has several flathead screwdrivers (

), one or two of which I would gladly trade for the scissors they put in the PST II.

Of course, the neat thing about the drivers is that you could tighten a screw in another time zone with them. OK, that's an exageration, but these are looooong shanked bits. I have a loose doorknob that I will be tackling soon to see how well they actually work. Anyone who has never tried fixing or installing a doorknob has yet to learn what the term "pain in the butt" was coined for. You either need a bent screwdriver (a pain because you have to use two hands and takes a while) or you need a nice long shanked bit and some patience because of the weird angle.

I don't imagine the Core will handle that any better than any other multi, but it's different enough to be worth a shot!

Def

Mike · **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2007, 01:52:56 AM

I've been toying with the idea of picking up a Core myself. I like the fact that it has relatively normal screwdriver bits with the long shanks. But since I have a SwissTool RS and a new Spirit-S I'm not in a huge hurry. It's ok, I have scissors on my Rambler on my keychain.

mike

J-sews · **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2007, 01:55:26 AM

Congrats on your (S)core!!

hawkchucker · **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2007, 01:57:35 AM

I love the Kick and have been looking at getting the Core. Size really is not the issue. I mean I usually have my surge with me at all times, so It looks like I will have to now try the core! Thanks for making my wallet shrink more.

Any chances of putting scizzors on it? I mean can it be disasembled and tweeked to take a pair?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2007, 02:01:19 AM

It uses the same knurled screws that the "old" style Leathermans all used, so it's not completely out of the question toi swap some tools. Of course, the problem is that you need a donor tool to get the tools from, which kind of stinks as well.

Def

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2007, 02:06:47 AM

Sop far the Core seems like a decent tool, but there really doesn't seem to be anything that make sthis tool "stand out" from the others. It really does just strike me as a SuperTool with the new plier head design. That in itself is a good thing, as I really do like the new plier head design, but the rest of it is just blah. The long screwdrivers are nice, but again, nothing to write home about.

I am glad I got it, but I don't see it as really anything special, and I am now really glad that I didn't spend the $70 or so that is the MSRP. For the $30 or so I did get it for, it's very good, and I'd even consider going as high as maybe $50 on it. Much more than that and I could get into a better decked out tool.

Of course, you have to take this with a grain of salt too- I am comparing this to many other high end, large sized, premium tools. If this was my only tool, and I hadn't experiences the Surge, the SwissTool and the PowerLock, then I would probably think this was the best thing going.

It's a nice tool for what it is, and it is a contender with the other heavy duty tools, but I would like to see more in a tool than a hundred different ways to turn a screw.

Def

Mike · **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2007, 02:47:06 AM

Well, I think you just talked me out of getting a Core. Looks like I pretty much have what I need with my SwissTool RS and Spirit-S. My wallet thanks you.

J-sews · **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2007, 02:54:23 AM

Thanks a lot Def, there went our sales commission!

LatinoHeat · **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:11:42 AM

Everytime I look at the Core, and think about buying one, I realize my Blast is everything I need (and it has scissors!!!), and then I change my mind. Like you said, Def. There's just nothing special about it other then it's size.

Tom Munch · **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:37:26 AM

Quote from: Defender on February 21, 2007, 01:45:59 AM

I have a loose doorknob that I will be tackling soon to see how well they actually work. Anyone who has never tried fixing or installing a doorknob has yet to learn what the term "pain in the butt" was coined for. You either need a bent screwdriver (a pain because you have to use two hands and takes a while) or you need a nice long shanked bit and some patience because of the weird angle.

Def

I have just the thing for you - the Wiha Orbit Phillips Tip Pivot Driver

http://www.wihatools.com/311orbit.htm

SoDak · **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2007, 04:17:24 AM

The thing I like about the core is that leatherman didn't try to make it stand out from others. What I mean is that instead of having wiz bang features (the wave's eyeglass screwdriver anyone?) it just has good solid implements instead.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:39:08 AM

Tom- I have seen a bunch of gizmos like that in the past but I really don't do enough doorknobs to make it worthwhile to buy a specialized tool.

Mike- I'm glad we saved you some money that you can spend on other tools that fit your needs better! Don't worry, we'll get our commission out of you yet!

I'm going to carry the Core for the next few days and see what I think of it- bear in mind these are all just my initial impressions, and those can quickly change in the field.

Def

J-sews · **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2007, 02:01:25 PM

Quote from: SoDak on February 21, 2007, 04:17:24 AM

The thing I like about the core is that leatherman didn't try to make it stand out from others. What I mean is that instead of having wiz bang features (the wave's eyeglass screwdriver anyone?) it just has good solid implements instead.

You guys remember my sausage-fingered brother-in-laws don't you? Both are plumbers/construction workers, and both now carry Cores. They checked out the competition, but weren't swayed. Unlike myself, they don't give a hoot about "clever engineering" or combining several features into one blade. They wanted a heavy duty no-nonsense tool. And while other tools fit that description also, what tipped the balance in favor of the Core (for them) was the ability to access the large blades using big oily fingers with no fingernails.

Splat · **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2007, 01:36:36 AM

Quote from: J-sews on February 21, 2007, 02:01:25 PM

And while other tools fit that description also, what tipped the balance in favor of the Core (for them) was the ability to access the large blades using big oily fingers with no fingernails.

These damn ham-hands of mine...that must be my reason I like the Core, too!

Actually, I like the Core because of what Def is espousing. The tools work. No fiddling around with one device in it because it's been designed to be 3 different uses. For someone like me who's always working on computers or running cable thru walls it does everything I ask of it. The only gripe is the lack of scissors. I may try to grab a damaged Leatherman off Ebay just for the scissors and then add them to my Core. Overall, I feel it's a solid tool.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2007, 02:16:19 AM

I wasn't actually griping about it not being anything special... I just said that it didn't seem to have anything out of the ordinary. That's not a good or bad thing, just a fact.

One thing I am not fond of, and this might just be my tool, but it is kind of loose. When I flip it open, which it does well, some of the tools come out as well. This is not a good thing, as the bigger tools tend to be the ones that come out, and that includes the blades and saws. As I learned from my old PST II, this can be very damaging to one's hands and wrist.

Also, the pancake style sheath feels solid, but is really bulky- I think I'd prefer a rectangular style sheath like on the Surge.

Cheviot · **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:11:49 PM

Yeah that sheath is a joke, I use a LM Charge nylon sheath its a squeeze but it fits.

Rob

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:26:24 PM

Yeah- it does seem unecessarily bulky.... Maybe I'll try to get a Surge style sheath from Leatherman, or talk to Eric at On Scene Tactical about getting a nice kydex rig made. I can honestly say that I really felt the extra bulk on this one while carrying it yesterday, and I am usually quite comfortable with large tools and bulky sheaths after edc'ing my Wenger SwissGrip for a few years. This one was quite noticeable, and for a tool that isn't any bigger than a SuperTool (not much anyway) and smaller than a Surge, I found it "got in the way" a little too often.

Def

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2007, 01:59:55 AM

Well I have been carrying the Core for a few days now and I have to say that I do like it. I miss the scissors and the sheath is bulky but those aren't major issues really. Since I usually have a SAK with me as well, and most of them have scissors that fills the gap there, and the sheath is something that is easily cured by just getting a different sheath.

One other problem that isn't so easily remedied is the looseness. If this tool was second hand I could understand this, but when I flick it open, the blades and saws come out of the handle. I dunno if this is typical of the Core, or if it's just mine, but I can honsetly say it is potentially quite dangerous since the blade on the handle you are holding when you flick it also comes out, something my old PST II didn't even do. If one wasn't paying attention, one could possibly lop off the end of one's finger.

As you can see from the pics, when opened from one side, the serrated blade extended all the way out and locked open, while the plain edge opened enough to catch the end of a finger. When opened from the other handle, the serrated blade came out enough to take the end off a finger.

Anyone else have this problem or is mine in need of an adjustment?

Def

J-sews · **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2007, 02:10:14 AM

Mine is just right; not too tight, not too loose.
I bought it brand new, and have not carried it very much. Too soon to say whether mine will loosen up with age.

Splat · **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2007, 03:54:52 AM

Mine doesn't do that at all. Bought mine new. Maybe with time and usage it'll get like that but now it's not doing that. Have you tried tightening it up a little?

supratentorial · **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2007, 06:20:02 AM

Quote from: Defender on February 21, 2007, 02:06:47 AM

Sop far the Core seems like a decent tool, but there really doesn't seem to be anything that make sthis tool "stand out" from the others. It really does just strike me as a SuperTool with the new plier head design. That in itself is a good thing, as I really do like the new plier head design, but the rest of it is just blah. The long screwdrivers are nice, but again, nothing to write home about.

According to the Leatherman website:
“Core® is one solid tool for your toughest jobs. Leatherman's latest 4.5" tool has powerful new pliers, longer blades, and easy-to-use locks. Core is the first Leatherman to feature hollow-ground screwdrivers in the standard sizes professionals use. Comfortable handles are rounded to give you a firm grip."

"The first Leatherman to feature hollow-ground screwdrivers in the standard sizes professionals use" makes this tool stand out from the others.

When the original Leatherman tool hit stores I was reluctant to buy one. It was a jack of all trades but a master of none. When Leatherman tools became popular, I feared the birth of a new breed of Galoot (definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galoot ) armed with multi-tools, stripping every bolt and screw in their way. And while there are certainly Neanderthals among us, the form and function of Leatherman tools have significantly improved over the years. The Core's drivers are one of these significant improvements.

A good driver will be sized and shaped to have maximal surface area contact with fasteners of an appropriate size. When torque is applied to a driver, a poorly fitted driver or a driver with rounded edges is more likely to slip and damage the fastener.

Quote from: Defender on February 24, 2007, 01:59:55 AM

As you can see from the pics, when opened from one side, the serrated blade extended all the way out and locked open, while the plain edge opened enough to catch the end of a finger. When opened from the other handle, the serrated blade came out enough to take the end off a finger. Anyone else have this problem or is mine in need of an adjustment?

My Core doesn’t have that problem (atleast not yet). That reminds me of the ceremonial kill-a-ma-jig from Futurama.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2007, 11:52:45 AM

A Futurama episode I haven't seen... interesting!

Def

Cheviot · **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2007, 05:47:09 PM

Def,

I've had my Core for a few months now as an EDC and to get any of the blades to open even slightly when flicking open the pliers one-handed takes quite a bit of effort?

Rob.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2007, 06:09:08 PM

Nope, that's just the regular "elbow grease" required to open it. And less and it won't open all the way, and the blades still come out.

Def

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2007, 03:53:49 PM

I made a boo boo- that episode of Futurama is "Fear of a Bot Planet" and not only have I seen it, but I have it on DVD... just been a while since I watched that episode!

Def

Alpha Niner Niner Smith · **Reply #25 on:** March 04, 2007, 02:58:01 AM

My troops were all issued Cores because I feel they are the best tools for the money for serious use. I've never seen one do that so you may want to talk to Leatherman about it.

supratentorial · **Reply #26 on:** March 25, 2007, 07:53:28 AM

Quote from: Tom Munch on February 21, 2007, 03:37:26 AM

I have just the thing for you - the Wiha Orbit Phillips Tip Pivot Driver

I bought the set from Chadstoolbox.com using google checkout $10 off $10 google checkout coupon (coupon is posted on the Chadstoolbox.com website)--ended up costing around $10.51 including Priority mail shipping. The Phillips heads are really tiny and I was a bit skeptical but they work great. I went around tightening all the door handles in the house the day I got them!

Tom Munch · **Reply #27 on:** March 25, 2007, 01:57:14 PM

Cool! I'll have to get me an Orbit too.

Tom

Raukodur · **Reply #28 on:** March 25, 2007, 02:02:45 PM

that orbital stuff sounds good, sound slike something that multitools need since due to their bulk, and their size, they often get in the way of being able to tighten or loosen a screw while holding the bit parallel to the screw head, if you could have a slight degree of rotation, it would work much better.

J-sews · **Reply #29 on:** March 25, 2007, 02:08:54 PM

Howcome they make the bit so stubby? Seems like it would be more useful if the phillips point stuck out away from the orbit ball a little ways. Maybe I'm missing something?

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