Which tools are "must haves" for a Leatherman fan?

[Rich_SD]

I recently purchased a PST because I have never owned one and it's Leatherman's original multitool.  While I'm waiting for it to arrive, I was wondering if there are any other "must have" tools that every Leatherman fan should own.  I'm primarily thinking of discontinued tools, but the question applies to any tool.

[Aloha]

Flair.  Its such a neat tool.  I also think any with the rocker locks.  Sideclip.  Not disco'd but MUT, Crunch, and Signal.  I think any OG Juice are nice. 

[Rich_SD]

Flair.  Its such a neat tool.

I have my eye on the Flair, but the price on eBay is a bit steep.   I'll keep looking 

[McStitchy]

I'd ho by gut feeling. Have a look at the wiki pages and explore what models are there or have been.
Any one that makes you feel curios and exited might be a candidate (you know what I mean?). Everyone has different opinions, and that's good.

Except if you are a collector, then you might need to get them all.

Lucky hunting 

[Top-Gear-24]

Since you already own a PST, I would say a Flair, Sideclip and/or Crunch.

An Original Supertool is also nice, as is an original Wave.  One (or more) of the Kick, Fuse and Blast series is also nice.

As for modern tools, I would say a MUT (if you can, one with the original Titanium pocket clip, not the new ones), and a Free P4 (a tool that is loved by some as much as it is hated by others is always a contender to become a Classic in my opinion  ) .

[Poncho65]

You, my friend, are starting on a journey much like many of us did in the beginning 

I really like all the old school tools best and that is a good place to start Next you will start with some of the newer models and then.... and then.... well you get the picture

No one has mentioned a  !!!MINI!!! tool yet They are awesome and compact, plus very cool designwise as well

[Rich_SD]

What makes the Sideclip special?

Also, I know the value of an item is just what someone is willing to pay, but is there a "current value" list for discontinued tools?  I checked completed sales on eBay, and the prices are all over the place.

[Rich_SD]

No one has mentioned a  !!!MINI!!! tool yet They are awesome and compact, plus very cool designwise as well

This one was at the top of my list before posting this.  At about $150 for one in great shape, I decided to look around first.

[SteveC]

OG Supertool, ST200, Pulse, Mini, Sideclip, OG Wave Crunch PATpend. model

BLast Fuse Kick Core

Then you can start adding BO models of each 

[Top-Gear-24]

What makes the Sideclip special?

Also, I know the value of an item is just what someone is willing to pay, but is there a "current value" list for discontinued tools?  I checked completed sales on eBay, and the prices are all over the place.

What makes the Sideclip special...?

Nothing actually,  and at the same time,  everything (I know, I'm not much help  ).

Let's say, for me, the Sideclip is all about how it feels, the stone wash finish, the excellent quality from the old days, and how it feels clipped in your pocket.

And the value on these old tools? Whatever you are willing to pay for one, I've let tools pass because they were too expensive for my liking, and found them later for 1/4th of the price (but there are also the ones you never see again... choices  ).

But the hunt for a great deal on one of the tools on your "wanted list" is 90% the fun in collecting, in my opinion.

P.S.: as Poncho said, the Mini (how could I forget the mini... (edit: I see you already know about the Mini  ).

[Poncho65]

This one was at the top of my list before posting this.  At about $150 for one in great shape, I decided to look around first.

If you are patient you can get one for much less  but  the deals for them are getting farther and few in between

[hsherzfeld]

I would make a strong case for the original Wave. I consider it to be the pinnacle of the old school Leatherman line (and Leatherman basically said as much in their description of it on their website).

To me it represents the point at which Leatherman branched out into outside-accessible tools. With out it, I don't think we would have gotten the Charge series, certainly not the newer Wave, the Surge, or the Sidekick/Wingman/Rev. In fact, until the Free series, there were basically two tool configurations: PST-style (all tools inside) and Wave-style (some tools outside-accessible).

Plus, you can find a decent used OG wave on Ebay for about 60-75% the price of a new Wave+ and far less than any new Charge.

Bear in mind that I was born in '95 and didn't gain purchasing power till the early 2010's, so I don't really have any nostalgia for pre-2000s Leatherman tools.

[Chako]

Best of luck on your journey. When I started collecting Leatherman, I seriously thought I would only need 4 or 5. I was wrong.

[Rich_SD]

I would make a strong case for the original Wave. I consider it to be the pinnacle of the old school Leatherman line (and Leatherman basically said as much in their description of it on their website).

I'm checking it out right now.  Does it really have 4 flathead screwdrivers, or is one of those for something else like a bit connector?

[hsherzfeld]

I'm checking it out right now.  Does it really have 4 flathead screwdrivers, or is one of those for something else like a bit connector?

Yeah...it has four flatheads. They went a little crazy with it. It's easy enough to turn one of them into an awl/punch, albeit for light duty because they're fairly thin.

But are you buying to collect, to use, or for both?

[SurgeUk]

Best of luck on your journey. When I started collecting Leatherman, I seriously thought I would only need 4 or 5. I was wrong.

Not by much though Chako, I believe you now have 6 or 7 

[Rich_SD]

But are you buying to collect, to use, or for both?

Ok, so my answer might make some of you collectors cringe a little.  I want to buy new or like-new tools, but I plan on carrying and using them.    I understand that I'll be devaluing them, but I want any blemishes on a tool to be from me and not a stranger.   

[hsherzfeld]

Ok, so my answer might make some of you collectors cringe a little.  I want to buy new or like-new tools, but I plan on carrying and using them.    I understand that I'll be devaluing them, but I want any blemishes on a tool to be from me and not a stranger.

Good for you! Leatherman made their tools for people to use. Each blemish and scratch adds to a tool's story.

[Chako]

That is going to be an expensive proposition.

[Poncho65]

Ok, so my answer might make some of you collectors cringe a little.  I want to buy new or like-new tools, but I plan on carrying and using them.    I understand that I'll be devaluing them, but I want any blemishes on a tool to be from me and not a stranger.

I buy new and used (old tools and new ones) and use them Most collectors here are also users (we do have a few that are more collector than user though )

I will say that a few of the more rare ones I have might not see any hard use but I enjoy them and that is what everyone should strive for No reason to collect if you don't enjoy it  So if you want to use a new tool that is old, then that is great

[SteveC]

 

[Rich_SD]

That is going to be an expensive proposition.

I think my comfort zone price is around $150.  I see a lot of tools suggested here that are in new condition for around that price, so I think I'm ok.   I just need to spread out the purchases so my wife doesn't give me unapproving looks. haha

[DavisNikolov]

Can't speak for the discontinued because I'm afraid to dip my toe in that yet 
But from the current models I'd say must haves are Wave with the additional pocket clip and ST300. Optionally their siblings Rebar and Surge.

[hsherzfeld]

I think my comfort zone price is around $150.  I see a lot of tools suggested here that are in new condition for around that price, so I think I'm ok.

Wow! Yeah, you shouldn't have any trouble finding great examples if you're willing to go that high.

[Syncop8r]

MUST have: PST, Wave

Nice to have: Depends what you're into.
If you're into interesting things: Crunch, Mini, OHT, Signal/MUT
If you want good users: ST300, Surge, Rebar (I'm not saying the interesting ones above aren't good users)

By no means a complete list...

[Poncho65]

Wow! Yeah, you shouldn't have any trouble finding great examples if you're willing to go that high.

Yeah I have never paid that for any tool or even close to that for that matter

[hsherzfeld]

MUST have: PST, Wave

Nice to have: Depends what you're into.
If you're into interesting things: Crunch, Mini, OHT, Signal/MUT
If you want good users: ST300, Surge, Rebar (I'm not saying the interesting ones above aren't good users)

By no means a complete list...

The PST and Wave are the two most iconic Leatherman multitools. They're no-brainers for a Leatherman collection. After that, just figure out what looks interesting to YOU. Browse the owners' club threads until you feel an attraction to a tool. That's what made me get a Blast.

[Poncho65]

The PST and Wave are the two most iconic Leatherman multitools. They're no-brainers for a Leatherman collection. After that, just figure out what looks interesting to YOU. Browse the owners' club threads until you feel an attraction to a tool. That's what made me get a Blast.

I did that and have nearly 1 of all of them now

 

[Chako]

Agreed. If you want to use some rare Leathermans...have at it I say. I am both a user and collector. I have a nice rotation of Leatherman tools that I have bought duplicates for use when I need them.

I have a Core with Monarch flashlight, a Charge AL, a MUT, a second generation Wave, and a knifeless Fuse.

If you are looking for some good Leatherman hallmarks to get you started. I have tried to group them in families that could be a focus in your lineup.

1. Pulse/Supertool 200 (Unique locking mechanism)
2. Flair (So unique that is amazes all that Leatherman actually produced it)
3. Sideclip (Unique construction)
4. Mini Tool (Interesting concept that was never duplicated other than in the darkest dankest bowels of China)
5. MUT/Signal/Skeletool/Style CS/Style PS (Interesting family that adds a carabiner)
6. Squirt E4/ES4 (Unique in that it has electrician pliers)
7. Wave/Surge/Charge (Same design, probably the best family functionality wise - The newer + gives you replaceable cutters)
8. Z Rex/Raptor (Emergency focused Leatherman and thus are a bit unique)
9. Core/Kick/Fuse/Blast (This family have Zytel lined handles for comfort)
10. Genus/Hybrid/Vista (If you are looking for the weird or esoteric, these are all shear based Leatherman tools)
11. Pocket Tools such as the Grind, Piranha, etc (The Brewzer is the most common and cheapest, but Leatherman produced a whole slew of these pocket tools that center around outdoor sports such as surfing, skateboarding, skating, etc.)
12. SuperTool/SuperTool 200/ SuperTool 300 - 300M/ Core/ Surge (These are Leatherman heavy hitters)
13. OHT (Basically a Gerber ripoff, but is also unique to everything else Leatherman has produced)
14. Juice (Any of these will do, all of them are unique enough to be significant)

[Chako]

Poncho65. It is amazing how that happens...which is the real meaning behind my expensive endeavour comment above.