NEWS FLASH: Decker recommends "survival" gear.

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(laughing)

Taking a break from quibbling over economic issues, I want to recommend the Leatherman "Wave" multi-purpose tool. For the record, I am not a paid spokesperson and have no financial interest in the company.

Reading an earlier post, I jumped over to Equipped.com. They have a short article on the "Wave."

http://www.equipped.com/wave.htm

I was very fond of my original Leatherman, but I lost it during an extended hunting trip in Montana. I received the "Wave" last Christmas. The "Wave" is a significant improvement on a great product... simply the best multi-purpose tool on the market. I would not part with mine without a struggle.

If I continue to gush, I will sound like a commercial. Regular readers know that I approach matters in a common sense fashion. (Or was it that they think I am evil and must be destroyed). (laughter)

Either way, check the link.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), April 30, 1999

Answers

"Regular readers know that I approach matters in a common sense fashion."

Yes and always modest about it too.

-- Mr. Gee-Shucks (Regular@Just.Noticing), April 30, 1999.


YUP!!!Almost turned in my original Gerber for one. They ARE nice.

c

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), April 30, 1999.


I own and have used 7 different varieties of "pocket tool". I too carried one of the origonal Leatherman tools for years. The Wave is a nice tool.

The Craftsman tool (I think it is made by Rigid) edges out the Wave, IMNTHO. This entire question is what I generally referr to as a Ford-Chevy question. I revolves around personal choice. The Craftsman tool will take more abuse than the Leatherman.

I'm known far and wide (among those who will admit to being my friends) as a gadget freak. I guess that's because I actually use the things pretty regularly.

One of the best deals to come out lately is a M4 Serber Toll. This little sucker is 1 inch by 2 inches and a little over .25 inch thick and attachedsto a keyring. Serber has had out like this for several years that only had a 1 flat and 1 phillips tip on the end of the handles. It was OK. But this new one, the M4, has a full compliment of tools in the handle just like the big boys, and it's only around $20 bucks street price.

I bought one a couple of months ago to test it out and have not found it wanting. Notice: you are NOT going to overhaul any diesel truck engines with any of these pocket tools, but they are extrodaniraly handle to do a multitude of tasks.

NO one sholuld be without one.

You can even get a passable import model at WalMart etc for about $10. The full sized top quality models start at about $50 and run to over $100.

-Greybear

-- Got Tools?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), April 30, 1999.


All these whizbang little doitall tools are hell on thumbnails!

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), April 30, 1999.

---I like the little tools as well, but for much less money, and only a fraction more weight, you can get a pair of locking needlenose pliers, an adjustable wrench, and a screwdriver that stores different bits in the handle. Your knife should be a real knife, I always carry a shortbladed fixed blade, a folding pocket knife, and the aforementioned tools in my vest pockets, with a small rubber armored flashlight. I worked with too many guys who whipped out their leathermans to do something, and then went back to the toolbox to get a real tool. Just keep the adjustable, screwdriver and pliers with a big rubber band around them. This is for folks stockpiling or preparing a bugoutbag on a budget. The three main tools, of good quality if you check brands, can be had in most pawnshops for about 5 greenspans, as opposed to the 50-100 greenspans for the multi tool deals. Just an alternative.......in fact, for a lot of folks, a small fanny pack for town cruising can be a miniature bugout bag itself. Many interesting and useful items can be fit into one.

-- zog (zog@avana.net), April 30, 1999.


Schraeder.

Better grip, better "feel" for the tools, locking screwdriver, punch, awl, etc. Good access, relatively cheap - less than 45.00 at Home Depot. Leather case. Plier (of course), but also saw blade, knife blade, straight + phillips screwdriver, bunch of other stuff.

Works well when in the stands and anything from a drum to a tuba to a instrument case breaks right before half time. helps to fix the door back at school too, or some body's trailer on the way home.

It is too bulky for routine wear at the office though. The little keychain plier is okay - but can tear up your pocket if you sit on them all day.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), April 30, 1999.


Zog - you're right: for real repairs, get real tools. But for portable, "need a quick fix right now" jobs - get a good quality multi-tool. I've tried to el-cheapo 8.00-10.00 dollar ones, wouldn't recommend ever getting one again. You see them sometimes in the gas card credit bill statements.

Mr Decker - I think we're disagreeing again, but Ford & Chevy - different opinions, different onions.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), April 30, 1999.


I have a soft "plumber's bag" with a good mix of real hand tools, although I do not carry it with me all day. The "Wave" rides nicely and saves a walk to the pick up every now and then. I have a Gerber folding knife, but the steel seems a bit softer than some other types like Buck. It sharpens easily, but dulls a bit faster.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 03, 1999.


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