How about a Leatherman Micra with pliers?

I love my new Leatherman Micra just as it is, but it would be great if there was another version that came with pliers.

SOG offers the CrossCut (scissors-based) and CrossGrip (pliers-based).

Why can't/doesn't Leatherman offer a pliers-based version of the Micra?

I know about the Juice lineup, but those seem a little small to me; smaller than the Micra.

How about a Squirt P4? or MiniTool? They both have pliers and size comparable to micra?

Matt

I believe the MiniTool is comparable in size to the Micra. Isn't the Squirt P4 smaller?

Squirt - 2.25 inch 2 oz
Mini - 2.62 unch 4 oz
Micra - 2.50 inch 1.75 oz

Length when closed.

Matt

I had a Leatherman PST up to now.
Really a good tool. (except for the cheap blade ....)
Useful everyday.

But, in France, you absolutely need a corkscrew (see Chris K. thread on that subject <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )
So I recently bought a Juice C2.
Length, when closed : about 3.2" ; that's larger than the Micra ;

The only thing I used on the PST, which is not on the C2, is the ruler.
I don't care for the file (never used it in 10 years ...).


Alain

>>But, in France, you absolutely need a corkscrew <<

Some of us need one in the US, too... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I looked long and hard once for a good locking blade knife with a good corkscrew. Victorinox made a couple of longer-than-usual SAKs with locking main blades (a lot of play in the lock, but you can't have everything) with corkscrews- my favorite was the "picnicker" I think, but I also think it's discontinued. I bought two before they disappeared.

Laguiole has nice single-blade folding knives with corkscrews, but although the blade looks like it should lock, it doesn't.

I've reluctantly taken to carrying separate folding knife and cheap-but-lightweight "portable" corkscrew when travelling- the sort where the corkscrew cover becomes a T-handle. This frees up the choice of knife, but is far from an ideal corkscrew. We need for someone to come up with a good lockblade combined with a waiter's-style corkscrew with assist.

"with a waiter's-style corkscrew with assist. "

That's what the Juice C2 offers...
but no locked blade.

Alain

(before tinkering with knives, multi-tools, PSK, aso... I was often quarelling with my girlfriend, who was always looking for some device "with such and such features ...". "Women are never satisfied with what they get ....".... <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> )

Right- I saw that, on the CS4 and XE6, and may just pick one up. I have to look at them in person again, to see how large they really are, as I have a specific carry in mind. If they are small enough to be carried the way I currently carry a Micra (in addition to a locking folder), then I don't mind nearly so much that it doesn't lock.

I'm a bit skeptical about using such a short handle as a lever to remove corks, though- has anyone actually tried one of these? I know it will work as a t-handle corkscrew (brute force, basically), but I wonder if it works as what we in the US usually call a "waiter's corkscrew" (Laguiole type), where you lever the cork out. It's clearly intended to, but... it's very short.

Say, while we're on the subject, Frenchy, can you settle more than one argument I've heard as to how "Laguiole" should really be pronounced? I've heard some remarkable variations. :-)

Corkscrew : I have used my Juice C2 to open a bottle the other day, and the lever action worked very well.
Here is an extract of the user's guide, provided with the Juice :
"for easier removal of a cork, a notched assist is located at the end of the can/bottle opener. Open the assist completely. Twist the corkscrew into the cork, then position the assist so the notch rests on top edge of the bottle. You may have to adjust the depth of the corkscrew to achieve the ideal position."
OTOH, it's not a professional waiter corkscrew. But for an "amateur" usage it should do fine. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Laguiole knives : I don't like the way they look... purely a personal opinion.
Pronounced like if it was written LA-IOL : "LA" like the music note "LA", "I" like in "pIck" and "OL" like in "OLfaction".
Maybe you know the french painter MAILLOL. Check in a dictionnary that pronounciation, and replace the M by an L .... that should do it !

I don't like the Laguiole knife for his look and for its so-called "legend" (more a -good - marketing idea than anything else).
I prefer the design of (recent) Le Thiers.
Have a look at this picture of a custom Thiers ( I am the proud owner of this one <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />)
Is it not much handsomer than a Laguiole ????
YES, indeed !!!


Alain

DROOOOOOOOOL!

That is, indeed, a pretty knife! Where can one get them and how much do they cost?

Well, yes, it is a much prettier knife than any I've seen by Laguiole, and the design looks much more useful.

But... no corkscrew. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

If we're going to get beyond corkscrews into knives in general, this conversation could go on for years... and has, with some other friends. Not that I mind. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You evidently can find that "le Thiers" design with corkscrew.
But when I bought mines (yes, I have another one, with Damascus blade and ivory scales ...), that was at the very begining of this design and few models existed.
And I especially like the simplicity of the lines.
And I was not looking for a corkscrew (didn't drink much at the time ..... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

Now you can find this design in various models, including one wich looks like the CRKT Kiss (maybe I will get one ..... to add to my collection).


Alain

Well, I don't know about knives shops in the USA.

The "Le Thiers" design has been created a few years ago, by knifemakers from the french town THIERS, in order to counter the commercial succes of the Laguiole.

The previously pictured knife is a custom one, which, when I bought it a few years ago, was in the 350-400$ range.

The following one (picture from a knife magazine) was sold two years ago at about 30$, depending on the blade length. Industrialy produced.




But I definitly do like that design.
And looking again at it, I guess I will order one next week ..... or maybe two or three : one for my own collection and the others as Xmas gifts - better to think of these ahead of time <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.


Alain