Howdy Y'all - I ain't dead yet!

[gerleatherberman]

Oh, I've missed this place. A long series of unfortunate events in my life, including a failed business venture, have kept me away from any and all hobbies.
I miss all the good folks here and wanted to check in since I found some old emails asking if I were still alive.

Anyway, I was elated my old account and posts are still here. I've not sold a single multi-tool since I dropped off the map(added 20~ nice pieces since). I've even periodically added some additional pieces to keep up a bit. Even recently switching to a Leatherman ARC as a somewhat merger of my beloved Charge TTi(my beater was stolen, but have the minty early and later versions safely stowed) and Free P4 I carry at my office job. The loss of my right biceps and ruptured left Achilles made a carrier change absolutely necessary.
Loving the ARC so far and have a second one for the collection coming as well.

I can't wait to read about the latest offerings from Leatherman, Gerber, Victorinox (last addition for me there is the 1969 man on the Moon). As well as some neat budget models. The small Walther MT was the only budget tool I added recently. I ended up buying a mint EOD OG SuperTool as well in oxide. Gorgeous piece. I don't remember as much as I'd like too, but I want to check on and see how everyone is doing when I can. Life is still upside down and will not be as active as I want to be. Armbar and Armbar Cork I couldn't resist either. Haha

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well and would love to know how everyone is doing. I did see some members have passed away(RIP), so in the spirit of the community, I hope to read from members on their well-being and collection progress too.

Cheers to all all 

-Your old nutty multi-tool collector Gerleatherberman. 

[gerleatherberman]

Recent new EDC.
*Removes 2 hotos, because it seems the ARC is quite disliked.. lol
I love it.

[Grant Lamontagne]

First up man, I am glad to see you are still kicking!  We have all been wondering how you were doing and where you have been.  I am sorry to hear so much has been going on in your life that has been negative.

Oh, and this:

The loss of my right biceps and ruptured left Achilles made a carrier change absolutely necessary.

WTF man? 

That sounds horrific!  Is this a permanent thing?  Are you okay?  This sounds pretty freaking awful!

I mean, I also wonder if you suffered a head injury that is causing you to like the ARC, but hey, I guess that is somewhat reasonable.... 

Seriously man, I am sorry to hear about the business and the injuries etc, but I am glad to see you back where you belong.

Def

[gerleatherberman]

First up man, I am glad to see you are still kicking!  We have all been wondering how you were doing and where you have been.  I am sorry to hear so much has been going on in your life that has been negative.

Oh, and this:

WTF man? 

That sounds horrific!  Is this a permanent thing?  Are you okay?  This sounds pretty freaking awful!

I mean, I also wonder if you suffered a head injury that is causing you to like the ARC, but hey, I guess that is somewhat reasonable.... 

Seriously man, I am sorry to hear about the business and the injuries etc, but I am glad to see you back where you belong.

Def

Thank you very much, Grant! I spent a lot of time learning to use other muscle groups to get by, but ended up leaving restoration to be a System Analyst for the state. I get paid much more there than any other job I've had. The third failed biceps attachment led to removal of the biceps. But, I'm fine with it these days. Same with the ruptured Achilles. Those don't heal, but can be negated is learning to use other muscle groups. After removal I could curl 10lbs. Up to 40lbs now, and completely adjusted walking to not depend on the Achilles. The office job makes the ARC perfect, since SwissTools, SAKs, and anything fingernail driven down jive with the soft office fingernails ...lol
Head injury perhaps? But, I find zero fault in THAT specific environment for ARC. I was carrying a Free P4, but hated the file and never need a serrated blade. The bit holders and diamond file were well received upon beginning to use it. Having 6 bit kits, the P4 was kind of a waste. I know people were missing them, but just wasn't something I felt like doing. My user TTi was stolen at my restoration shop.

Much appreciated about the business fiasco and subsequent financial woes involved. However, it is nice to be back to somewhere I enjoy with good people as yourself and so many others.

I'm looking forward to posting 20+ hi brand additions(EOD BO ST for one) and some budget pieces at some point. Nice to see some of the groups I posted in frequently are still up and kicking (Mr. Pinchy for example). And oh my you've done a great job keeping the site looking and feeling great. When I get some time, a GLBM 2024/2025 post will be put together. Hopefully I can recall every model and version. lol

How has life been treating you, Grant? I'm hoping we'll, because your work keeping the site alive is phenomenal.

[gerleatherberman]

I hope there wasn't a cord struck mentioning I am using an ARC?
I find it to be a Free P4 with the stuff it always should have had(and not had - ex. Full length laser cut/diamond file for one of many  reasons). Expensive? Yes. Not gonna argue that point ..lol

Still have all my Victorinox, Gerber, SOG, etc, etc. Was fortunate to survive a failed business venture without selling off my MT babies. 

[Chako]

Welcome back. Very sorry to hear you have had a rough time of it. Nothing overly wrong with the ARC other than the price.

[gerleatherberman]

Welcome back. Very sorry to hear you have had a rough time of it. Nothing overly wrong with the ARC other than the price.

Thank you, sir Chako! 

You know better than I do that collecting means we sometimes have to forget the prices....lol
I'll have a NIB ARC($199 free ship - meaning I have $400 in the two - same price as a fixed blade Paracord handle Magnacut blade pocket knife from a decent maker{so is it actually THAT expensive?) coming for the collection. I see it this way. Everything the Free P4 Should have had, the ARC does. Since I need a diamond and laser cut file more than a serrated blade? Amazing. Since I want to use my bit kits(7+8 laying around), the ARC gives with better reach than the Wave/Surge/Charge/etc(with exception of the MUT reach).
Free P4 has junky thin short implements for $139. $199 for the exact load out I need? Yes please, take my money.

I still have a ton of fun with off brands and oddities like the Power grab SOG(very hard to get a good one). Having all three Paladins in minty condition was nice too.
And my Super tool holy grail landed in my hands for $25. Minty BO EOD ST(1994/1995 I think without checking).

I got the T1, T2, K4, Free P2, Free P4, and now the ARC.
I forgot how much I LOVE this hobby, and I know you've blown into about 2000+ tools now?

I'll be going over some new favorite Gerbers, SOGs, and many brands added. Only 20+~ added since the two models of LM pruning shears and all variants of the Pinchy. Or at least I think all.

Your collection was one that inspired me early on, and I never forget things like that. Never did get a mechanic toolbox as suggested though....lol
So they're all over in different cases.

How have you been, Chako? 


--------------—------
In the spirit of our hobby, I took this photo, to me shows how much Leatherman tried to make better and better tools for 40+ years. Of course my oldest PSTs are Japan, and the cherry example is the Japan stamped blade, with the non-stamp being quite worn, but one of my first collector's tools.

[SteveC]

Welcome home !   very glad to hear from you. You sound very positive even with the bad stuff you've gone through. Look forward to seeing more pictures of your new acquisitions 

[Chako]

I forget that Canadian prices are much higher than those in the United States. Doing well. Still have all of my toys and then some these days. I have outgrown those mechanic tool boxes. 

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=92372.0

[Barry Rowland]

It's great to have you back! 

[Antti Lammi]

Nice to have you back here.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yeah I have nothing against the ARC specifically, but the price is a bit insane for what it is.  Leatherman seems to have largely become (in my opinion at least) a fashion company and forgotten the importance of making a good tool- at least one at a reasonable price.

The ARC is just the latest in a line of overpriced tools that Leatherman can get away with because they are trendy, and the only thing worse than the price of new Leatherman tools is the price of the used ones.   

Discontinued tools are going for insane prices these days, enough to make me seriously consider liquidating my old Leathermans.  I have a few pre=-productions that I could probably retire on.  Yes, that's an exaggeration, but not as much as you think.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=92749.0

I don't think much of the Free series, the Garage offerings, the Half a PST, the Half a Wave or the various Fractions of Skeletools they have been offering lately, and certainly not for the prices they have been getting for them.  Yes, yes, I know I like the Freestyle, which is a half a Skeletool, but smaller fractions that that seem just silly. 

I feel like any other brand doing that and charging premium prices like that would be scoffed at mercilessly, but since it's Leatherman, it's all brilliant.   

But, that's my opinion, and there are lots of people out there that feel differently.  And, I'll bet Ben Rivera is driving a heck of a lot nicer car than me, so who am I to talk?

Def

[Poncho65]

  Great to see you back, buddy! Sorry to hear what you have been going through but good to see you are being positive as can be Can't wait to see what all you have gotten and hear about them

[gerleatherberman]

Welcome home !   very glad to hear from you. You sound very positive even with the bad stuff you've gone through. Look forward to seeing more pictures of your new acquisitions 

Thank you much, Steve! It was either let life devour me or get back out there. 

I'm also looking forward to seeing the pieces y'all have added too. In almost 5 years, I have assuredly lagged behind. But, have learned to enjoy looking, but more careful about what to spend money on(well, sort of..haha).

 

[gerleatherberman]

I forget that Canadian prices are much higher than those in the United States. Doing well. Still have all of my toys and then some these days. I have outgrown those mechanic tool boxes. 

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=92372.0

It is a shame they squeeze our Aussie and Canadian allies so hard.

I do imagine there is always a point plastic containers just become a requirement. For sheaths and boxes, I have so many stored away. 

Still can't find more of those 30s watchmaker cabinets. That small case holds a LOT of tools. lol

[gerleatherberman]

It's great to have you back!

Many thanks, Barry! Nice to be back. 

[gerleatherberman]

Nice to have you back here.

Thank you much, Antti! Very happy to step foot back in a welcoming and fun environment.

[gerleatherberman]

Yeah I have nothing against the ARC specifically, but the price is a bit insane for what it is.  Leatherman seems to have largely become (in my opinion at least) a fashion company and forgotten the importance of making a good tool- at least one at a reasonable price.

The ARC is just the latest in a line of overpriced tools that Leatherman can get away with because they are trendy, and the only thing worse than the price of new Leatherman tools is the price of the used ones.   

Discontinued tools are going for insane prices these days, enough to make me seriously consider liquidating my old Leathermans.  I have a few pre=-productions that I could probably retire on.  Yes, that's an exaggeration, but not as much as you think.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=92749.0

I don't think much of the Free series, the Garage offerings, the Half a PST, the Half a Wave or the various Fractions of Skeletools they have been offering lately, and certainly not for the prices they have been getting for them.  Yes, yes, I know I like the Freestyle, which is a half a Skeletool, but smaller fractions that that seem just silly. 

I feel like any other brand doing that and charging premium prices like that would be scoffed at mercilessly, but since it's Leatherman, it's all brilliant.   

But, that's my opinion, and there are lots of people out there that feel differently.  And, I'll bet Ben Rivera is driving a heck of a lot nicer car than me, so who am I to talk?

Def

I tend to agree. The ARC sold me, because it has everything I wanted in the P4, and none of the crap I hated(useless file and no but holder doohickey).

My Surge is still the only tool I ever felt was perfect for my old job. It is excessive for an office environment. Heck, so is the ARC. 

I was blown away at the collector market. And SOO glad I kept my pruners and oddities. Even the SOG Paladin trio I have is now ridiculous. The Camo TTI and stuff like it were good investments, except I'll probably never sell any. Wouldn't be able to get another easily. I used to think $50 for a collector piece was high, then $150. Now? Some are $400. That is just too much, even with my new systems analyst job.

There are ones I'd like to still add, but they are over the line in the sand I made. But, fun having stuff like the first run Pinchy, 600, unmarked Japan PST, EOD BO ST, Angler, MOTM SAK, Multi tool.org Pioneer (had to throw that in. Haha).
I don't really remember everything in the hoard....ermm... collection. Yes... collection. I did pull out and remembered I have a lot of USA Kutmaster/Tough Tools in a tackle box. Including slip joints. I'm sure you have much rarer models,  but I'm happy everyone has/likes what they have, including myself.
Life humbled me quite a bit too the last four years+.
Unless you need the money, hold onto those tools!
My mint trail rider is one people have offered to buy frequently, but just know I'd never get another if sold. Though, if someone is tired of collecting and maintaining, I support dropping pieces that no longer interest oneself.

  to collecting and having some cool pieces! 

[Farmer X]

I don't think I interacted much with you, if any at all, but it's good to see you return! Like you, I traveled a rough stretch of road recently. Things are now looking up for both of us!

[gerleatherberman]

I don't think I interacted much with you, if any at all, but it's good to see you return! Like you, I traveled a rough stretch of road recently. Things are now looking up for both of us!

Pleased to make your acquaintance, Farmer X! 

Life is strange, and it took a while to quit blaming myself for mistakes and just realize the best I could do was dig my way out. Slowly, yet surely, most people can dig out of a bad way. Wouldn't tell anyone to try making life hard just to try digging out. lol

Good thing we have the multi tools and Swiss army knives to help with the physical work. 

When I joined here, I was fresh off the heels of 10+ years with a Gerber Multiplier(Mr. Pinchy) and a SAK Explorer with wildly reshaped tools from a job up North.
How about yourself? Any carry preference? I'm a bit undecided with so many choices since joining. 

[Farmer X]

Pleased to make your acquaintance, Farmer X!

Likewise!

I carry an ST300 at work. It has handled a lot of jobs when I've been too hurried or lazy to grab a dedicated tool. Knowing it's always on my belt and at the ready gives me peace of mind. The stainless model will soon be joined by one in black oxide.

When I'm off the clock, I always have an Alox Bantam on me or within easy reach. Ditto a small SAK equipped with scissors. Sometimes I'll drop an Opinel in my pocket as well. And while my wood saw usage has diminished, I still keep several SAKs and PB multis so equipped within easy reach. The wood saw gives more function with next to no additional bulk or weight.

[gerleatherberman]

Likewise!

I carry an ST300 at work. It has handled a lot of jobs when I've been too hurried or lazy to grab a dedicated tool. Knowing it's always on my belt and at the ready gives me peace of mind. The stainless model will soon be joined by one in black oxide.

When I'm off the clock, I always have an Alox Bantam on me or within easy reach. Ditto a small SAK equipped with scissors. Sometimes I'll drop an Opinel in my pocket as well. And while my wood saw usage has diminished, I still keep several SAKs and PB multis so equipped within easy reach. The wood saw gives more function with next to no additional bulk or weight.

Oh yeah, the 300 is a beast of a tool. Carried one for a long time restoring antique furniture. Then carried a Surge. The Surge probably got more abuse than any other tool I've ever owned. Nothing the 300 couldn't handle though.

I bought a Handyman at one point and then someone let me know it was discontinued and I only use tools I have two of. One for the hoard....errmm ..... collection and one to use. Biggest SAK I have is the XLT. Smallest is the basic nail care one(forget model), but the MiniChamp is one I enjoyed during a challenge week. Also discontinued as far as I know. Ughh, so many tools I like are discontinued. The Schrade Tough Tools, earlier US ones, are a favorite, but alas discontinued.

Here is why I can't decide half the time. lol
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=80454.msg1864038#msg1864038

Not a massive collection compared to many members, but quite a bit considering how little I earned back then. 

[Farmer X]

That's some heck of a collection! As far as I know, Victorinox is still cranking out MiniChamps. I may just search for the Tough Tool and see if any are out there at somewhat same prices.

[ReamerPunch]

 
Welcome back! I have often thought about what happed to you and other members who have gone quiet. It's so nice to hear from you, although things sound rough. At least you are adjusting to your new life.

Have you seen all the off-brand goodness lately? 
I'm loving the new Roxon Flex, and I'll get a Roxon Companion when it's out. 
I haven't gotten into the Leatherman Free range. It might be time...

[charlie fox]

Welcome back! I'm sure you'll find it the same enabling bunch of crazies you've come to know, love and remember

[pfrsantos]

Great to see you back, buddy! Sorry to hear what you have been going through but good to see you are being positive as can be Can't wait to see what all you have gotten and hear about them

+1

Stay strong, buddy! Glad to have you back!

 

[gerleatherberman]

That's some heck of a collection! As far as I know, Victorinox is still cranking out MiniChamps. I may just search for the Tough Tool and see if any are out there at somewhat same prices.

Many thank! I may just pick another MiniChamp up. I baby a tool unless I have two. 

The toughtool is a true collector's piece. Make sure it has USA on it. Lots of poor quality China clones floating about sadly. Like anything I guess.

[gerleatherberman]

Welcome back! I have often thought about what happed to you and other members who have gone quiet. It's so nice to hear from you, although things sound rough. At least you are adjusting to your new life.

Have you seen all the off-brand goodness lately? 
I'm loving the new Roxon Flex, and I'll get a Roxon Companion when it's out. 
I haven't gotten into the Leatherman Free range. It might be time...

Thank you kindly, ReamerPunch!

I have seen Roxon stepped their game up big time. I might grab their latest ones, because they don't appear to be copies, but true uniquely useless tools!

I like the the Free range, but cost is steep. 

So far I have the T2, T4, P2, P4, and K4. Is the ARC considered one having been renamed? Guess so. The K4 is a masterpiece piece. I will be buying another at some point to carry. The ARC, IMO, is what the P4 should have been. Darn Magnacut fixed blades cost a fortune alone.

Hope you and yours are doing well, and it is so nice to be enjoying these again. 

[gerleatherberman]

Welcome back! I'm sure you'll find it the same enabling bunch of crazies you've come to know, love and remember

Many thanks, Charlie! I may be one of the crazies. 

I was buying 3-4 tools a week at one point 
Still have them all and plenty of posts needing to be made.

[gerleatherberman]

+1

Stay strong, buddy! Glad to have you back!

 

Thank you much, pfrsantos! It was rude not to check in with the group on my part, but an very happy to be welcomed back. Life throws bowling balls at us sometimes. Just glad I didn't end up needing to sell any toys....ermm...tools. Haha
Hope you're doing alright as well!