Why no love for the Sidekick/Wingman

[Deerman]

Looking around here looking at picking up a first leatherman, why is there no love for the Wingman/sidekick..............no clubs?

I think I'm leaning toward a model with a pocket clip and just noticed that these two don't seem popular.
Leaning toward a BO Wave and adding a pocket clip.  Are there any other models that don't come standard with a pocket clip that are as easy to add a clip to?
Thanks

[SteveC]

Welcome Deerman   

Sideclip  and  Wingman are fine for an entry level light duty multi tool. They are a bit lacking in the tool dept. Screwdrivers are not quite up to the job although the phillips isn't terrible. The spring loaded plier also aren't everybody's cup of tea.

NiteIze makes a clip that can be added pretty easily to the Rebar and Supertools. The BO Wave would be a great choice and much better than either the SC or WM.

[ReamerPunch]

There are a lot I dislike about the Wingman, but the major issue for me would be ergonomics. It is very uncomfortable in the hand.

[BadMechanic]

Out of the 12+ models I have, sidekick is my least favorite. I still use it and carry it but not my favorite. Basic tools, spring loaded handles make it troublesome using 1 handed.

Most of the tools, like my Rev (which I love), arent good for heavy use. They work better than nothing, but if I had a choice it wouldnt be #1.

[powernoodle]

The Sidekick and Wingman have also gone up in price since their release, making them less attractive relative to the more spendy Leatherman MTs.  But they are decent MTs, and I keep them in Mrs. Powernoodle and Powernoodle Jr.s' vehicles.

[Poncho65]

I have both but there are so many other LMs out there that are way better choices

The BO Wave being a very good choice 

Also mentioned above is how much higher they are from their original prices I would never buy one for the price they are now I think I gave $29.99 for my Wingman back around 2015 at Home Depot

Also, welcome to   

[powernoodle]

Yeah, on Amazon right now the Wingman is $59, the Rebar is $69 and the ST300 is $79 (which appears to be a sale).  So for not much more coinage, you are getting quiet a lot more MT.

[Poncho65]

  with the noodle of power

[Chako]

Not to mention Leatherman's worst advertisement campaign ever...and yes, this does beat the bionic lobster for the Leatherman Wave...which is a far superior tool over the Sidekick and Wingman..

The Wingman is so annoying. I think I just instantly hated it for so many Bro references. 



BIONIC LOBSTER was once an average, ordinary lobster. Until he lost his right claw and replaced it with a Leatherman Wave multi-tool. Thus, he became the handiest lobster alive.
 


I have also noticed the price increase.

[Alan K.]

I have to voice the contrary opinion. I have a sidekick and I really like it. It was not my first Leatherman because I considered it entry level and I thought I had already surpassed that point in my collecting.  It showed up with a bunch of other tools when I won an auction so I decided to try it.  The saw is good the one hand opening blade is good and the rest of the tools are more than adequate even if they are not heavy duty.  The spring loaded pliers are great for sewing when you're working on heavy material such as leather and you have to pull the needle through over and over again. It saves some hand fatigue.  I paired my Leatherman Sidekick with a Victorinox Mountaineer so I have scissors and a very good file and other tools without too much overlap between the two of them. It's a good, lightweight combo.

[RF52]

with Alan
I kind of like my Sidekick, just not the wirecutters.
Of course my Rebar, Wave and Charge are better tools, but the Sidekick is not too bad and if you can find it on sale it could be worth picking up

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

[ReamerPunch]

The best thing about my Wingman was that it made me buy a Rebar.
And the package opener. Which is now in my Rebar.

[dks]

I am sure many people own both and are happy.
Probably more than those that own the more expensive LMs.

It is entry level, so designed as a first and in many cases only multitool, Not the most exciting thing.

As pointed out it is not cheap, especially out of the US, and also this being an enthusiast forum members tend to get more excited with  and own/use the higher end LMs or the more exciting ones. Most interest seems to be about Supertools, Wave, Surge, Rebar.

[greenbear]

My first Leatherman was a Wingman.  I gave it away after I bought my first full size tool. 

I really rated it and, to some extent, preferred it to the larger tool.  The only downside, (for me) was tool clumping, but that was to the end of the world by any means 

[tango44]

REV, SIDEKICK, WINGMAN low quality tools at high prices!
If you want and entry level tool I will try the Ozark Trail Multiforce that have a good quality and variety of useful tools.
If you can go to a Swisstool spirit and never llok back!

[SteveC]

REV, SIDEKICK, WINGMAN low quality tools at high prices!
If you want and entry level tool I will try the Ozark Trail Multiforce that have a good quality and variety of useful tools.
If you can go to a Swisstool spirit and never llok back!

Or a Rebar since it is a better tool than the Spirit 

[Gareth]

I'm a modest fan of the Sidekick.  I did a bit of a review on it a few years ago: https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,61492.msg1140710.html#msg1140710

[cody6268]

At one point, they were cheaper than anything in the catalog--until recently, all three were under $40 at all stores in my area. Now it's something close to $60. You can get a Rebar for $40 on eBay, Waves often sell new for the $60 price. I got my 2017 Wave around the time the Wave+ came out clearance-priced at my Lowes for $35. Pocket clip was purchased for like $5 from Leatherman, meaning it can be carried like the Sidekick, but with way more tools.

I'm thinking about getting a Sidekick for my camping gear that will stay in there--should I pass and just get a used Wave? 

[BadMechanic]

At one point, they were cheaper than anything in the catalog--until recently, all three were under $40 at all stores in my area. Now it's something close to $60. You can get a Rebar for $40 on eBay, Waves often sell new for the $60 price. I got my 2017 Wave around the time the Wave+ came out clearance-priced at my Lowes for $35. Pocket clip was purchased for like $5 from Leatherman, meaning it can be carried like the Sidekick, but with way more tools.

I'm thinking about getting a Sidekick for my camping gear that will stay in there--should I pass and just get a used Wave?

Having both, used wave. Hell, I will even say a new rebar is a better choice. I carry a Rev or Sidekick as a secondary MT. Normally have a Surge, Wave, ST or Rebar as primary. Just keep your eye out here, I feel like I stole some of the LMs in the marketplace. 

[AndyS]

I agree with Alan too! I also enjoy my Sidekick! 

Things I like: OHO blade and saw, spring loaded pliers, overall size, pocket clip, torx screws are easy to remove for modding 

Things I don’t like: the anvil style cutters on the pliers, the file, the serrated blade

If you are in the market for the smaller sized LMs, I would also really consider the Skeletool - I just really didn’t like the way the bit holder felt in my palm.

[Happy Gilmore]

At one point, they were cheaper than anything in the catalog--until recently, all three were under $40 at all stores in my area. Now it's something close to $60. You can get a Rebar for $40 on eBay, Waves often sell new for the $60 price. I got my 2017 Wave around the time the Wave+ came out clearance-priced at my Lowes for $35. Pocket clip was purchased for like $5 from Leatherman, meaning it can be carried like the Sidekick, but with way more tools.

I'm thinking about getting a Sidekick for my camping gear that will stay in there--should I pass and just get a used Wave?

This^ I don't have an issue with them, especially the sidekick which I think is far far better. But the price...$60 is rediculous. It went up $20 which basically means it competes with Used Waves and in many cases is more expensive than a Rebar...The quality of the tool is way way behind that of the wave or Rebar, there is no fair comparison.