Lost Leatherman Charge Tti and Leatherman Surge

[InLibrisVitae]

I work at a rather large apartment complex (300 acres of land) as part of maintenance. The first proper multitool I'd ever had (the Leatherman Surge) was most likely picked up off the ground by some random resident. I bought the Charge Tti as a replacement, then exactly the same thing happened, even though I'd actually paid to engrave my name and phone number on the scale so that it would be easy to be a decent human being.

I have no idea what to do, since even though I can prove the tools are mine it's not like we can search every apartment to find them. I've thought about offering a reward for any information about them, but I feel as though people will have immediately recognized how much each individual tool is worth.

Has anyone else ever had this happen to them? It really sucks when people pick something up off the ground with your name on it and they still take it. I know it's my own fault that I lost them but I couldn't think of a way to track the multitools using bluetooth or some such thing. The best I could do is an engraving, but if the tool is stolen the engraving hardly matters.

If I were ever to get yet another replacement (which seems unlikely since I can't afford to constantly lose multitools costing hundreds of dollars) I would need some kind of way to ensure that it wouldn't be stolen. I wish this came standard, like a very tiny gps tracker chip or something within the body of the multitool so that you couldn't lose them so easily.

[smiller43147]

That really sucks.  Perhaps you should attach a lanyard to the MT and your belt so you can't leave it behind.
Another alternative is to buy something cheeper that you can better afford to loose.
Hope someone has a twinge of guilt and returns your tool(s).

[InLibrisVitae]

Thanks for the sympathy, I'm currently without a multitool and I miss it constantly. I thought about using a lanyard but concluded that it would get in the way. I suppose awkwardness would have been better than losing the tool though.

I've been missing the surge for months, so it's safe to say whoever took it is keeping it. I've only lost the charge for a week though, so there's still hope there.

Unfortunately, I've been cursed with snobbery when it comes to tools. I've had gerber multitools from walmart that sucked at everything, along with a whole bunch of cheap swiss army knife knockoffs. When I bought the surge, I figured it would be a "buy once, cry once" expenditure, but it looks like I'll be crying a lot more than once now.

[Aloha]

Bummer.  A lanyard would have been a good idea.  A clasp that can be easily undone when I use and reattached when put back. 

Were you carrying in a sheath? 

[InLibrisVitae]

I was, but stupidly put it back into my pocket instead of the sheath because I was in a rush. By the time I realized the sheath was empty I checked my pockets only to find everything but the multitool, which had likely slid out onto the ground where someone could easily see it and pick it up. We use golf carts to get around because of the properties size so it would only be too easy for the leatherman charge to slip onto the ground.

[nate j]

That is a bummer.

It may sound and even look odd, but I’ve long made a habit of patting my pockets when I walk out the door and periodically thereafter, to make sure I have all my stuff.  It’s second nature now, and has saved me a couple of times.  On the chance I do discover something missing, this usually means that not much time has elapsed, and that I can easily retrace my (limited) steps since the previous check to find whatever was lost.

[aicolainen]

This may sound a bit blunt, but stepping back and getting a different perspective is my way of looking at these sorts of setbacks; it's only a piece of metal. Worse things can happen. Way worse.

About tracking, I've given that some thought too. Nothing I know of is small enough to never get in the way, but the Apple airtags are close. If you're into that ecosystem.
There's a lot of 3. party accessories for the airtags, so you should be able to find a fob-thingy that will attach it to you lanyard ring and protect it from bumps and water ingress.

I've lost something like 5 Leathermans while working, and while it doesn't hit me economically as my employer pay for my tools, it can be very unpractical to complete your assignment without it, and if you're really unfortunate, it can be a disco'ed model that you really like.
Maybe there's a cultural difference, but employees aren't expected to bring their own tools to work around here. Of course it may depend a bit on your employer what you're allowed to acquire, but it's usually not an issue as long as the tools are relevant for the work you're carrying out. And I would assume that if a good multitool makes you more effective at your job, you should have a good argument toward your employer to fully or partially help you pay for a new Leatherman.

[Crunchie64]

I think all you can do is tell yourself “third time lucky” and buy a replacement.

An Airtag or similar might work in the sheath, then it’s just down to making sure you ALWAYS put it in the sheath when it’s not in your hand. Easier said than done, unfortunately.

[InLibrisVitae]

That is a bummer.

It may sound and even look odd, but I’ve long made a habit of patting my pockets when I walk out the door and periodically thereafter, to make sure I have all my stuff.  It’s second nature now, and has saved me a couple of times.  On the chance I do discover something missing, this usually means that not much time has elapsed, and that I can easily retrace my (limited) steps since the previous check to find whatever was lost.

I did do that, but only after enough time had elapsed that retracing my steps would be difficult.

I wouldn't care how odd it looked if it could save me from losing an expensive tool.

[InLibrisVitae]

This may sound a bit blunt, but stepping back and getting a different perspective is my way of looking at these sorts of setbacks; it's only a piece of metal. Worse things can happen. Way worse.

About tracking, I've given that some thought too. Nothing I know of is small enough to never get in the way, but the Apple airtags are close. If you're into that ecosystem.
There's a lot of 3. party accessories for the airtags, so you should be able to find a fob-thingy that will attach it to you lanyard ring and protect it from bumps and water ingress.

I've lost something like 5 Leathermans while working, and while it doesn't hit me economically as my employer pay for my tools, it can be very unpractical to complete your assignment without it, and if you're really unfortunate, it can be a disco'ed model that you really like.
Maybe there's a cultural difference, but employees aren't expected to bring their own tools to work around here. Of course it may depend a bit on your employer what you're allowed to acquire, but it's usually not an issue as long as the tools are relevant for the work you're carrying out. And I would assume that if a good multitool makes you more effective at your job, you should have a good argument toward your employer to fully or partially help you pay for a new Leatherman.

You're right, it is only a minor setback in the grand scheme of things. It sucks because I spent 14 hours of my life that I'll never get back working to pay for it…

The apple airtags would be ideal if they worked with other things besides IOS, but sadly they don't. I'm a tinkerer so I dislike IOS in general, preferring arch linux, rooted android, and other OSes designed for maximum user control.

It's cool that your employer pays for your tools, mine certainly doesn't. Sometimes we can get tools that belong to the company, but we never get tools from the company that we could actually keep. 

A number of years ago some maintenance supervisor used a company credit card to buy thousands of dollars worth of tools, than promptly quit and crossed state lines. This has led to ridiculously strict budgets, such that even if I were to explain how a tool would be useful I wouldn't be able to get it without begging the higher ups for it.

[InLibrisVitae]

I think all you can do is tell yourself “third time lucky” and buy a replacement.

An Airtag or similar might work in the sheath, then it’s just down to making sure you ALWAYS put it in the sheath when it’s not in your hand. Easier said than done, unfortunately.

I'm not likely to lose the sheath, since it used to be on my belt 24/7. If I do get a replacement I'll have to check the sheath constantly to make sure the tool is still there.

[Aloha]

I'm thinking creating the habit of putting the tool back into the sheath will be a good thing to practice.  Some tools have pocket clips and while clipped tools can wiggle free its better than nothing.  The lanyard loop plus lanyard for the Charge is to my mind the best option.  A length of cord attached to you and then to the tool long enough to use the tool.  This would make it very hard to loose the tool.

What ever you decide to do I hope it works out.  Its a shame even with your name and phone number on the tool likely is gone for good.  I once dropped my BO Wave in the grass and had a hard time finding it.  I no longer use BO tools for work and always make time to re-sheath my tools.

Best to you.     

[Farmer X]

I've only managed to lose one knife or multi in over 30 years of carrying them. It was a Kershaw Chive that was clipped to the pocket of my U.S. Navy coveralls. The slick material plus slick handles made loss much more likely. That's one reason I'm not a big fan of pocket clips.

Unfortunately, I can't offer any help with the tools that have gone missing, but I do hope they'll make their way back to their rightful owner. I would agree that constantly checking one's pockets and sheaths is a good idea. InLibrisVitae would also do well to attach a lanyard to the next Leatherman. They really can help with preventing loss of, or damage to, expensive tools.

[tosh]

I feel your pain
Personally I’d rather something break than lose it knowing someone got themselves a free tool. That hurts me more than paying for the replacement.
I remember losing £60 (3x folded £20’s) out of a jacket pocket. It put me in a foul mood for days afterwards 

Life goes on, some you win some you lose.