I don't own a Leatherman, but I'm looking to get a Charge for myself and a Juice for my wife. As I was looking at the smaller tools, I thought that a smaller one for myself might be a nice addition for times when the Charge might be too obtrusive.

As I was comparing different features of the smaller tools, I got to thinking, what is the point of the cork screw?

I can understand that SAK's originated in a part of the world where wine drinking is ingrained into the culture and that maybe in a time of military conflict a nice bottle of wine would be comforting to someone from those cultures.

But in 21st century America, is the cork screw really that useful?

What else might it be used for instead of opening a bottle of wine?

Maybe it's because I don't care for wine, but some of the tools I was interested in, I won't buy because of the cork screw. Perhaps I'm stubborn, or perhaps I just don't get it, but I don't see how I would ever use it.

Am I missing other applications? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

One good thing about a corkscrew is that it holds the very useful eyeglass screwdriver that comes with some Victorinox models and can also be bought separately aftermarket. Here's a pic of one:

Otherwise, I highly recommend that you consider taking up wine drinking if for no other reason but as a survival strategy...

<img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think only one of the Juices and the long dead Flair have had the corkscrew. They are there because people ask for them.

If you think the cork screw is silly, you should have seen the Flair's pate spreader and pickle fork. What people can't live without....

i don't know about the strength of leatherman's corkscrews, but i have personally watched my father (of average weight) screw the corkscrew of his SAK into a wooden overhead beam and then hang by the knife. now you're prepared for when the floor suddenly floods with acid! jokes aside, i can imagine similar uses that would be quite practical, such as hauling a large piece of wood that you can't get a grip on.

I was at my first Burning Man, my first day there, and the temperature was 107. I was lying under my shade, misting myself and trying to convince myself this wasn't the disaster it seemed, when a cute 20-or-so woman walked up and said, "Pardon me, did you bring your garlic press? We forgot ours!"

"God in heaven," I thought first. "How can she be out in this heat?" My next thought was, "I don't have a garlic press at _home_. What th' heck is this place all about?"

So, yes -- get the corkscrew. It may be that you never need it, but you will be surprised how often someone will need to borrow yours. I always carry a corkscrew and my own cup at Burning Man. It's not just survival. It's civilized sheltering in place.

ORS,

I bought my wife a Juice. She ended up wanting a Wave instead. She now has both. I suggest you get her a Wave. I'm not sure the Charge is any real advantage over the Wave. The 154CM steel is harder but is a PIA to sharpen. I have the Charge and I think I would like the Wave better.

Whats a Burning man? (apart from the obvious answer)

Kinda like Woodstock.

Official site: http://www.burningman.com/
Our personal site: http://www.cieux.com/bm/bmtoc.html

It's not for everyone.

Welcome to the world of trying to find the perfect multi tool. I'll put money on it to say you will never find it.
As I found when I started with SAK's you keep pulling the implements out until you find something close to do the job.
I've used the end of my corkscrew as a pin punch, to adjust watch bands, to drive into plastic for grip and even to open bottles of wine <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Having the right tool for the job is always the best way to go, but multi tools specialise by giving you something that might work. So the more range on the tool the more things you can do by improvising when the time arises.