Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Topic Options
#170266 - 03/28/09 03:25 PM New minimalist Leatherman
BrianB Offline
Member

Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 99
I was just looking over the Leatherman site and the Freestyle/Freestyle CX caught my eye:

http://www.leatherman.com/multi-tools/pocket-tools/freestyle-cx.aspx

It looks like it's going to release in May. I'm thinking it'd be a nice tool to toss into a kit if you just want the pliers and a spare knife blade, and don't want the weight of a full-sized multitool.



Top
#170272 - 03/28/09 04:44 PM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: BrianB]
KenK Offline
"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2211
Loc: NE Wisconsin
That looks nice. I wonder what kind of lock it uses for the blade?

Also a little worried that those holes will get gunked up with food and such. Still, the low weight is amazing for a LM.

Top
#170273 - 03/28/09 06:11 PM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: KenK]
mike_m Offline
Stranger

Registered: 12/30/08
Posts: 11
Loc: MA
it appears to use the same locking mechanism as the skeletool. This seems to be just a scaled down version of the skeletool. For EDC, I would not trade the skeletool for this; the screwdriver bits and bottle opener get more use from me than the blade and pliers.

Top
#170274 - 03/28/09 06:33 PM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: mike_m]
Tom_L Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/19/07
Posts: 690
Looks nice but to me, even the Skeletool is a bit too basic. I guess I'd never trade it for my Wave. smile

Top
#170278 - 03/28/09 07:08 PM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: Tom_L]
BrianB Offline
Member

Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 99
Oh, it's no Wave replacement. I love my Wave. I wouldn't trade a Skeletool for it either, as the Skeletool has the same advantages with more functions. (In fact, I've kind of wondered what the point of this tool is when the Skeletool is already in the line up.)

On the other hand, it's a cool little gadget, so I figured I'd share. =)


Top
#170339 - 03/30/09 03:52 AM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: BrianB]
Paul810 Offline
Veteran

Registered: 03/02/03
Posts: 1428
Loc: NJ, USA
Basically, it's a one-handed liner lock knife combined with pliers that can be clipped to a pocket. In itself, I would say it's kind of lacking.

However, I think it would be awesome combined with a traditional SAK, as it addresses the things traditional SAKs tend to lack (locking one handed opening blade with a pocket clip, good pliers).

Top
#170340 - 03/30/09 04:42 AM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: Paul810]
Tom_L Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/19/07
Posts: 690
Quote:
However, I think it would be awesome combined with a traditional SAK, as it addresses the things traditional SAKs tend to lack (locking one handed opening blade with a pocket clip, good pliers).


Yes... But then again, it wouldn't be that practical because you'd need to carry both a SAK and a multitool. I reckon it would make more sense to carry the Wave instead. It has all the tools in one package, so less bulk and weight.

Anyway, I don't quite understand this fascination with "minimalist" multitools. Some of the newer models by Leatherman have really been watered down to the point where functionally, one would be better off with a plain SAK.

Is the negligibly reduced weight and size worth sacrificing all the tools that make the old Leathermans so useful? Looking at a Skeletool, I see a whole lot less bang for the buck compared to my Wave and it's basically the same size multitool. I won't even comment on that latest Leatherman. If you really want to go minimalist, why not just buy some decent pliers from the hardware store? I mean, you're going to get a lot better pliers than any possibly found in a multitool, at a fraction of the price.

Anyway, I guess I just prefer serious multitools packed with features. /End of rant... smile

Top
#170342 - 03/30/09 08:58 AM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: Tom_L]
Paul810 Offline
Veteran

Registered: 03/02/03
Posts: 1428
Loc: NJ, USA
Originally Posted By: Tom_L
Quote:
However, I think it would be awesome combined with a traditional SAK, as it addresses the things traditional SAKs tend to lack (locking one handed opening blade with a pocket clip, good pliers).


Yes... But then again, it wouldn't be that practical because you'd need to carry both a SAK and a multitool. I reckon it would make more sense to carry the Wave instead. It has all the tools in one package, so less bulk and weight.


It could have a few advantages:

-It allows you to tailor your tool selection to what you are doing.

-It gives you two separate blades, in case you loose one tool or need to loan one out, you've still got something.

I guess it depends upon what your needs and wants are.

In my case, I could see a use for this in my EDC. I usually don't carry a multitool anymore as part of my EDC, as I don't like the bulk and weight of the larger tools, like the Charge/Wave. Instead I opt to just carry a Benchmade 707 clipped to my pocket and a Swiss card Lite in my wallet. I could see myself replacing the 707 with this.

I wouldn't really loose anything over the 707, but I would gain a pair of pliers. Combined with the swiss card I would have a pretty substantial tool-selection, without the bulk of a larger multi-tool.

Top
#170347 - 03/30/09 02:06 PM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: Paul810]
GoatMan Offline
Member

Registered: 08/17/07
Posts: 119
Newer Leathermans are much bulkier and heavier than the original PST which was light and compact. Several versions have tried to fill the void though.

For use in the back country, I think the Freestyle CX may hit a sweet spot. For those wanting a quality folder with a locking blade as a backup to their fixed blade, but also have a hard time leaving pliers behind, can now have both in one package, without needing screwdrivers and files (again, think back packing). A saw would be a nice inclusion though.

Having pliers to hold pots over a fire, take the lid off a dutch oven, or fix a pack in the back country, is really handy. Having a good locking blade available on it as well in such a light and relatively thin (for a multi-tool) package, is really nice.

My .02.

Top
#170353 - 03/30/09 03:51 PM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: GoatMan]
mike_m Offline
Stranger

Registered: 12/30/08
Posts: 11
Loc: MA
another nice option with the skeletool and some of their knives is the built in carabiner. I have lost a couple of folders while hunting or fishing. I now clip the tool/knife onto belt loop/pack/waders, etc. to help reduce the risk of losing. The knives may be a good idea to clip on a pack somewhere and forget about and only use in case your primary is gone.

This new minamalist knife could certainly be useful where all you need is a knife and pliers, like backpacking as someone else mentioned. Like I said earlier, for everyday use, I find I use the screwdrivers more than anything else. I prefer the skeletool over a wave or one of the other tools because I like to carry it clipped in my pocket versus some type of tool sheath on my belt.

Top
#170417 - 03/31/09 09:05 PM Re: New minimalist Leatherman [Re: BrianB]
ironraven Offline
Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
Meh.

For the expense, I'd just stow a pair of needle nose pliers and a dedicated pocket knife if all I wanted was the pliers and a knife blade. I like my multi to have all the stuff in it.
_________________________
-IronRaven

When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.

Top
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >



Moderator:  Alan_Romania, Blast, cliff, Hikin_Jim 
November
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Who's Online
0 registered (), 720 Guests and 7 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Aaron_Guinn, israfaceVity, Explorer9, GallenR, Jeebo
5370 Registered Users
Newest Posts
Leather Work Gloves
by KenK
11/24/24 06:43 PM
Satellite texting via iPhone, 911 via Pixel
by Ren
11/05/24 03:30 PM
Emergency Toilets for Obese People
by adam2
11/04/24 06:59 PM
For your Halloween enjoyment
by brandtb
10/31/24 01:29 PM
Chronic Wasting Disease, How are people dealing?
by clearwater
10/30/24 05:41 PM
Things I Have Learned About Generators
by roberttheiii
10/29/24 07:32 PM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.