Leatherman Sydney Superfan Event

pietervn · **on:** November 17, 2018, 08:47:22 AM

G'Day,

Yip, the other Ozzie Superfan is me!!!

I will try to give you a run down of the event, my thoughts and finally the pics.

I met Hunstman outside just before it started, both bubbling with excitement, well I know I was!!!

Sydney had two events organised by Zen and Leatherman USA: The Tuesday was a free just rock-up event once you registered on-line for it. I registered for it, but did not go, it was the last day of a six day motorbike trip that we organised a few weeks in advance. I also put my name in for the Superfan event which was by invitation only. This event was on Wednesday evening with some speakers, an MC, a silent auction with the proceeds going to the Make a Wish foundation and Mr Tim Leatherman as the most important person. There were a mixture of staff both from the USA and Oz, distributors, press peoples, family and friends and the Superfans. Just from the invitation one got the impression that his was not going to be an ordinary event. Dress was smart casual with "canapé food stuff" a whisky tasting and proper drinks in glasses!!!

The venue was the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in the Circular Quay (where the famous Sydney Opera House is). It has a fantastic view over the harbour and the Opera house. Outside was the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas docked, one of the very big ships visiting Oz in summer and a very impressive indeed. The hall was decorated with ammo cases and there were tools everywhere that one could play with. A few benches and high chairs around old barrels that doubled as tables. Most of us were standing to get a better view of the screens and Tim. The table we were standing at had the heritage PST and Micra. It was the first time that I saw them in person. The brown pouches were there too and they looked fantastic.

Tim was in the crowd before all the official stuff started talking to who walked up to him. Hunstman suggested that we go and talk to him while he was "free". We ended up getting about 10 minutes of his time. We introduced ourselves and started talking about tools and other stuff. Tim carries a Charge Ti which also happens to be my favourite tool. I took the one with the coloured handles which brought a smile to Tim. He had a good look over the tool and then compared dates and I explained that I have some backups too... I also showed him my PST II which is my sentimental favourite. Opening the tool he saw the PE PST blade and asked a few questions around that. I explained that I prefer the PE blade for daily use (fruit preparation for lunch). I then asked him about the Crunch, it is a tool I really like and keep on my bike. He explained how the tool was designed which was very interesting. Gohard made some pouches specially for my PST II and his PST II. Tim liked the pouches too... I am a big fan of Gohard's pouches, the ones he made for these were plain un-tanned leather. We wanted Tim to sign the pouches with a branding tool that I took with but that did not happen. We took a few photo's and left as there was a growing crowd wanting to chat to him. Soon after that the speeches started. The MC said some stuff, then David from Zen (the Ozzie distributor) said some stuff and then It was Tim's turn. There was also an ambassador from the Make a Wish foundation telling us her story. That was very moving and emotional.

Through all this food and drinks were served.

After a short break the Made of Mettle documentary was shown which I found quite moving. It talks about Tim, how the PST evolved and finally a get together with the speakers in the documentary. If you have not seen it yet, have a look, it is available on-line.

This was most of the formal stuff. Tim left the podium and went to the signing table. A long cue formed rather quickly, luckily Huntsman and I were quite close to the front. It was about 30 min before I saw Tim again. He signed my Charge and PST II and also Gohard's PST II. We got a few pictures taken by one of the Zen guys - Thanks Mate!!! We stayed for another 30min or so then collected our goody bag and left around 22:00.

I was on a HIGH for a long time. It was a fantastic evening. Tim has been one of my all time heroes and a person I really wanted to meet. When I got the email that I was in the Superfan event, my heart skipped a few beats. I re-read it to make sure it was legit and went to bed a very happy boy!!! I thoroughly enjoyed the event. The fact that I could have a few minutes to talk to Tim about tools and my passion for them was priceless. And, you know what Tim is really interested in our stories. There are much "bigger" stories that mine, but that does not matter. I was exhausted when I got home. The next day I had a good look at the tools again just to make sure the signatures are still there. I also opened the goody bag. Us Superfans got a different bag with a Micra included with the stickers, cap and Leatherman booklet. They are all in the pictures.

So where from here? My PST II is now officially retired. I am going to make a display box that I am putting the PST in together with an enlarged photo of Tim and I. I may also add the Micra and make space for the Charge one day. That will only be used on special occasions. If you ever get the chance to meet Tim, grab it, you will not be disappointed.

A few thank you's should be said too:
Tim Leatherman - you are a legend!!!
The guys from Zen in Oz, Evan and Marcello especially for the invite and taking pictures.
Huntsman for spending a FANTASTIC evening together. It will not be the last, we still have lots more tool and bike stuff to talk about.
Leatherman USA: this was a top event!!!

And now I will leave you with the pics. The inside ones are not to crisp, sorry about that...

Cheers,

Pete

pietervn · **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:48:44 AM

Tim and I
Tim signing the tools

pietervn · **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:50:02 AM

More Pics

pietervn · **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:51:30 AM

Signed Tools!!!

pietervn · **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:52:18 AM

More Tools

pietervn · **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:53:13 AM

Goody Bag

pietervn · **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:54:20 AM

Leatherman booklet and silent auction details

pietervn · **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:55:25 AM

All together
Oops I nearly forgot the little pin too.

That's all folks.

Pete

Huntsman · **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2018, 10:03:35 AM

Great write up PV - Thanks for taking the time -
As you can tell folks - It was awesome
Oh and spot the MTo T-shirt !!

Ditto on all the thanks

Look forward to hanging out with you some more

Dutch_Tooler · **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2018, 10:10:14 AM

Very nice, seems you two have had a good time there

RF52 · **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2018, 11:38:33 AM

Quote from: Dutch_Tooler on November 17, 2018, 10:10:14 AM

Very nice, seems you two have had a good time there

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

Syncop8r · **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2018, 12:10:41 PM

ThePeacent · **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2018, 05:28:18 PM

great! Seems like you had a very good time, and like everyone else I know of, you found Tim to be a very nice, friendly and down to earth man who listens to his fans.

dressed like that, you two look very alike too!

Poncho65 · **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2018, 05:52:19 PM

Awesome write up Peter

I think it was cool two of our members got to have a meetup and then meet the Man himself

Looks like an awesome time and thanks for taking the time to write it and making the pics

SteveC · **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2018, 08:33:36 PM

MTFool · **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2018, 02:52:45 AM

AWESOME, story Looks like all of y'all had a great time.

pietervn · **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2018, 04:25:30 AM

Thanks for the comments guys!

Top-Gear-24 · **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2018, 11:24:17 AM

Quote from: Poncho65 on November 17, 2018, 05:52:19 PM

Awesome write up Peter I think it was cool two of our members got to have a meetup and then meet the Man himself

Looks like an awesome time and thanks for taking the time to write it and making the pics

+1

It was a double meetup

.

When I met Tim there was no other MTO member in sight, since Nick (="Mechanickal"= the other Belgian MTO member) wasn't there ...

.
(I know there are other Belgian members out there, but they're doing a great job hiding themselves ...

).

Anyway, meeting Tim is a great experience and it always makes for great topics and pics when an MTO member gets to meet him, thanks for sharing it here

.