Thank you MTO - Thoughts on Sidekick

[nuphoria]

Thanks to the generosity of our great forum, combined with Travis working super fast to send things off, I received my brand new Sidekick from across the pond today

Now, I'm not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth and pull out it's teeth, but I thought I'd share my initial thoughts about it!

I would like to pull one tooth - the main blade, and replace it with scissors (no surprise given my proclivities for them and our knife laws).

Other than that, I actually quite like it. I have read such mixed reviews about this one, I wasn't expecting too much, but it's not that bad a tool. It's obviously a little cheaper feeling than a Charge, and lighter of course, and the individual tools are stubby and not up to the quality of the top range models. They are still perfectly serviceable over all though, and I think for the price range you get quite a lot, including the fancy carabiner and pouch which seem to be a hit with users!

When the tool is closed, I think there are a couple of sharp edges from the internal tools which poke through, and if I was going to use this I would have to file them down. The other anomaly is the sprung pliers which I don't have on any other tools... I like this myself, and would probably find them quite useful.


So will I keep/use it?
It's not a collectable, it's not legal here and I don't think it could replace the pocket carry time of my Knifeless Fuse or KF4.

Don't know... we'll see... 


Only brief thoughts really, hardly a comprehensive review, but I felt it was the least I could do in return for winning the giveaway
Thanks again MTO

[Grant Lamontagne]

Ingrate! 

Seriously, I'm glad you've had a chance to play with it and didn't waste any money on a tool you aren't sure about. There have been a few tools I've spent good money on and wondered why.

Overall its not a bad tool. Its not great but it's not bad. The best part of the Sidekick in my opinion is the carabiner.

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[nuphoria]

The carabiner is pretty cool

As a rule I don't keep things which I have no intention of using, but is great to be able to play with them to find out!

If/when I trade or sell it, I shall do a little give away in return

[Grant Lamontagne]

That's not necessary Chrissy- it's your tool, it's up to you to do with it what you will.  There aren't any hard feelings here. 

Keep the carabiner though- it's probably my favorite tool from Leatherman in the last three or four years! 

Def

[Gareth]

Dibs if you fancy selling it.

seriously, it's a tool I'm curious about but haven't had a play with and the price over here is just a little too high to gamble with.  I'll look forward to seeing it at the meet-up.

[Scott Sanford]

The scissors issue is why I've got my eye on a Wingman rather than a Sidekick; I just don't use a saw that often.  (I've got a Charge TTi on my belt but I'm looking at the Sidekick.  Yes, this is like saying, "Oh, my Porche is great - but the SmartCar is so cute!")  The carabiner is a nifty little thing; they are sold separately, though I haven't talked myself into believing I need one yet.

[nuphoria]

Must purchases can be justified will a little time

[Grant Lamontagne]

The scissors issue is why I've got my eye on a Wingman rather than a Sidekick; I just don't use a saw that often.  (I've got a Charge TTi on my belt but I'm looking at the Sidekick.  Yes, this is like saying, "Oh, my Porche is great - but the SmartCar is so cute!")  The carabiner is a nifty little thing; they are sold separately, though I haven't talked myself into believing I need one yet.

To be honest, both tools have their perks- I prefer the scissors myself, but also the carabiner and package opener.  The Wingman and Sidekick are easily modded though, so it's possible to get the perfect combination- of course that means you have to buy one of each.

Def