Leatherman Supertool 300!

[jzmtl]

Ships in Sept., more info HERE

 

[PhantomPhoton]

What? No scissors?

 

[Radiophile]

Sweet! Replaceable/serviceable cutters -awesome! I'll probably wait until I find it at a really good price, but I'll be buying one. I've always liked the original Supertool and the Core is my favorite of the current models.

 

[Gadget Guy]

I can't wait to get one! :twothumbs Who cares about scissors?

 

[Streak]

:twothumbs Who cares about scissors?

I do!!
I emailed them about this and they said they will be following the design of the older Supertools ie. no scissors!!

I find that there is almost always a substitute for the other implements but never one for a pair of scissors! I'll stick with my Gerber suspension for now.

 

[Gadget Guy]

I do!!
I emailed them about this and they said they will be following the design of the older Supertools ie. no scissors!!

I find that there is almost always a substitute for the other implements but never one for a pair of scissors! I'll stick with my Gerber suspension for now.

I like that fact that they're keeping with a classic design, but I also understand that most people do need scissors. :thumbsup:

 

[SilentK]

I like that fact that they're keeping with a classic design, but I also understand that most people do need scissors. :thumbsup:

Well, on my leatherman TTi,i can use the knife, plain or serrated, to cut through any paper you can find. :nana: Just keep up with you knifes edge. alot of times on my TTi, i forget i have scissors. But anyway, i hate to say it, but i will end up getting this before another flashlight.

 

[davidt1]

I am boycotting leatherman. Most of their tools have 3 flat head and only one philips head. This is just dumb. Philips head screws are used for more often than flat head screws.

 

[znaps]

I am boycotting leatherman. Most of their tools have 3 flat head and only one philips head. This is just dumb. Philips head screws are used for more often than flat head screws.

I would join in boycotting Leatherman for this outrage, but my indignation is lessened a bit because at least 2 of the 3 superfluous screwdrivers have sometimes been useful to me.

Back in the Pleistocene Era when I started carrying a multitool (SAK knockoff), the opposite was true. Most screws that needed turned were slotted while Phillip heads were seldom encountered. Then, it was more common to regard a ph implement as excessive but tolerable because you might come across the odd use for it. Today, the situation is entirely reversed.

Of the three screwdrivers in my Leathermen, the large may never be used on a screw head, but is an indispensible pry bar. I have used mine countless times to open paint cans, lift wood staples and similar duties. In addition, I still find the occasional slotted screw head needing attention. A recent one, surprisingly enough, was in a Rolleiflex TLR medium format camera focussing mechanism that was freewheeling. The medium flat head driver fit like it was purpose designed, and I was able to tighten down without burring anything.

Although I don't remember using it on anything before or since, I like having a medium size driver in the tool set because I know damn well that if it were missing, that would have been the only thing needed to get out of a jam. There's an old saying often scribed onto Afghan fighting blades: "You may need me but once in your life and for this you must carry me all of your life."

So I guess the only grudge I have against Leatherman is for including the small flat head screwdriver, which fits nothing in my life. I can't boycott them just for that.

 

[GarageBoy]

I need to see this in person, can't stand how bad some of the stampings are

 

[znaps]

I need to see this in person, can't stand how bad some of the stampings are

I can't tell anything about that from the posted photo. What are you looking at?

 

[Guy's Dropper]

What makes this better than the Super tool 200?

 

[powernoodle]

Placing the blades on the inside rather than the outside of the handle (opposite of the Wave) makes no sense to me. It just adds more steps to the process every time you use the knife, serrated blade, file and saw. Open handle>extend blade>close handle>use blade>open handle>close blade>close handle. Yikes. With the Wave, you just open blade>use blade>close blade. Plus, the missing scissor makes this one a no go for me.

But its not like I need another dang multitool anyway.

 

[GarageBoy]

In general, I don't think too highly of the stampings on Leathermans. I mean they're okay, but compare it to the fit and finish of a Swiss Tool

 

[o0o]

What makes this better than the Super tool 200?

Agreed, I'm asking the same question.

I also wonder why the blades open only from the inside?

The Surge, Charge, and Wave are so much more handly with blades that open from the outside.

What exactly does the 300 do that the others don't????

 

[znaps]

What makes this better than the Super tool 200?

Agreed, I'm asking the same question.

I also wonder why the blades open only from the inside?

The Surge, Charge, and Wave are so much more handly with blades that open from the outside.

What exactly does the 300 do that the others don't????

It doesn't do anything the others don't, nor should it. All subsequent models, ST 200, Core, ST 300, appear to be refinements of the original Super Tool, not really new models. I liked the original version, thought Leatherman got it right with the tool set, but was put off by the clumsy and potentially dangerous lock release system. It was no deal breaker, though. I carried one for years, relied on it for everything but scissors, which was provided by a Micra. I even got used to the lock release system, appreciating its simplicity, at least. The ST 200 release levers helped some, rolled edges on the handles made the pliers more comfortable to use, but that was offset by the placement of the levers, which were a nuisance when gripping the tool for anything other than pliers. The Core corrected that with much better release levers, plus larger blades and improved implements that didn't clump (although that never bothered me). If you have an earlier version ST/Core, there may be no good reason to "upgrade", but there are millions of people who are potential customers for what I consider the best no-nonsense multitool on the market.

 

[o0o]

It doesn't do anything the others don't, nor should it. All subsequent models, ST 200, Core, ST 300, appear to be refinements of the original Super Tool, not really new models. I liked the original version, thought Leatherman got it right with the tool set, but was put off by the clumsy and potentially dangerous lock release system. It was no deal breaker, though. I carried one for years, relied on it for everything but scissors, which was provided by a Micra. I even got used to the lock release system, appreciating its simplicity, at least. The ST 200 release levers helped some, rolled edges on the handles made the pliers more comfortable to use, but that was offset by the placement of the levers, which were a nuisance when gripping the tool for anything other than pliers. The Core corrected that with much better release levers, plus larger blades and improved implements that didn't clump (although that never bothered me). If you have an earlier version ST/Core, there may be no good reason to "upgrade", but there are millions of people who are potential customers for what I consider the best no-nonsense multitool on the market.

Okay, I'm still trying to figure out what reason there is to go to the Super Tool 300. For example, I have a Super Tool 200, plus the Surge, Wave, Charge, and Core.

The Super Tool 200 was great for its time, but the inner blades and less than ideal locking system has relegated it to a collection piece for me. I no longer use it to carry.

The Core now has a better locking system, but still has inner blades, so I rarely even use this model. I rarely carry this one anymore.

The Charge, Wave, and Surge all have a few outer blades, plus very good locking systems. I usually carry the Surge the most, followed by the Charge and then the Wave.

So... is the main advantage of the Super Tool 300 (or Core) mostly in strength and simplicity or something?

I certainly will probably get a Super Tool 300 to add to my collection, but I'm legitimately curious as to what its advantages will be.

 

[NeonLights]

I personally prefer inside blades/tools on my Leathermen, as I always carry a primary knife for my cutting tasks, and only use the blades on my LM tools for secondary tasks or if I need a serrated blade for cutting. The inside blades like on the older tools and still present on the Core (one of my newer favorites) makes a much slimmer, tidier package when closed, and I can't remember the last time I needed to whip out a blade on a LM tool quickly, so that having inside vs outside made any appreciable difference to me.

I'm just glad LM has chosen to make both kinds of tools, not just inside or outside opening tools only, as I can see the perceived need for outside vs inside, its great to have a choice. As for the Supertool 300 specifically, about the only advantage I see it having over my Core is the replaceable cutters, so I doubt I'll pick one up, I have too many LM tools already (more than 15, with another in transit as I type this).

 

[o0o]

I personally prefer inside blades/tools on my Leathermen, as I always carry a primary knife for my cutting tasks, and only use the blades on my LM tools for secondary tasks or if I need a serrated blade for cutting. The inside blades like on the older tools and still present on the Core (one of my newer favorites) makes a much slimmer, tidier package when closed, and I can't remember the last time I needed to whip out a blade on a LM tool quickly, so that having inside vs outside made any appreciable difference to me.

I'm just glad LM has chosen to make both kinds of tools, not just inside or outside opening tools only, as I can see the perceived need for outside vs inside, its great to have a choice. As for the Supertool 300 specifically, about the only advantage I see it having over my Core is the replaceable cutters, so I doubt I'll pick one up, I have too many LM tools already (more than 15, with another in transit as I type this).

Good points, NeonLights

I agree about the slimness advantage of the inside blades, and also that it is good that LM still gives us the choice.

 

[BentHeadTX]

I carried an original LM Supertool for 9 years, it worked well until...
The Charge Ti showed up and I deemed it worthy to buy. 5 years and optional bit kits and bit driver extension later, I don't cry for the Supertool.