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The Ultimate Leatherman?
numbski asks: "I have long been a fan of the Leatherman tool and its act-a-likes. I have never bought one, however. I keep looking for just the right one with the tools that I would actually use on a daily basis. Sure, the pliers, knives, phillips and standard screwdrivers are nice, but there's always been a few things lacking. A t-10 and t-15 torx (security torx preferred) for the Compaq systems that torment me, or how about a USB2 Flash Drive? Hex wrenches, or a socket tool that fits machine screws (in case the phillips has been stripped out)? What would you put on a Leatherman? Even better, seen anything that matches what I'm looking for?"
i work comm maintence for the usaf and i use my wave letherman almost daily...
but for what you are talking about...i have neither seen, nor heard of anything like that. i think your best bet would get a smal toolbox and go buy the tools you desire/require.
lethermans werent made for use in specialzed areas...they are just a general purpose tool that was designed for quick fixes. it was never intended to replace the quality or flexibility of a good set of tools.
Rather than having one "ultimate leatherman" as big and clunky as that humongous swiss army knife they make, what about a customizable one? Make it a little easier to take apart (I've had to do it, to switch out broken blades; it's annoying and it'd be a lot easier if the heads were hex or square) and then offer optional replacements and sets of replacements. That'd let people build ones that suit the jobs they need them for.
Tools aren't permitted through security--the list specifically states screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, but "not limited to."
Um, what was the question?
I've had a Leatherman Micra on my keychain for almost 5 years now. It's the best thing I have on this keychain next to the keys.
Get one of those and one of those quick release dual keyrings, remove the one ring and attach the Micra (or a Juice if you want pliers. Wish they had pliers that small when I bought mine) in its place to quick detach the tool from the ring, and it's all you'll ever need for most computers, even the compaq onen since those Compaq nuts have slots to accept a flathead screwdriver (outside of the security ones.)
Right now, I got a Micra and a Mag-Lite Solitare flashlight on my keyring. The only thing I wish would happen is that Maglite would make an LED Flashlight that took AAAA size to be even smaller, other than that It's the most portable all purpose toolkit you can use.
In Soviet Russia, Trojan exploits YOU!
Think Geek's Tool page has most of the things you want on a swiss army knife, or a leatherman tool. You just have to go look for it.
Kirby
The Mini-Tool is the ultimate Leatherman:
t ools/mini-tool/default.asp
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/retired-
Very compact when completely closed, yet you get a full sized pair of needlenose pliers when open. The size of the needlenose is perfect for most electronic applications.
I've been raiding various local independent tackle stores, bait houses, and gun shops and buying all that the have in stock.
So far I've got a dozen pair of Mini-Tools.
Now when you combine the Mini-Tool with a VICTORINOX WorkChamp you've got a lot of 'firepower' in just a couple of tools. I don't leave home without them.
"Oh drat these computers, they're so naughty and so complex, I could pinch them." --Marvin the Martian
One word, and that is Cybertool, the greatest Swiss Army knife ever made. T10, T15, phillips, flat, knives, saws, pin, toothpick, pen, there's nothing it doesn't have, besides a magnifying glass(they have one on the Camper but not the Cybertool where I'd think it would be more useful) and a USB drive.
When is the Leatherman going to include a fleshlight?
Might look funny strapped to your waist, though.
--- We are not in the 8th dimension. We are over New Jersey.
http://www.equipped.org/ has lots of detailed reviews of thiss sort of tool.
~~~~~ BigLig2? You mean there's another one of me?
A stiletto switchblade.
Every time I unpack boxes, I wish that I had a stiletto switchblade. To have one on a Leatherman tool that can do everything else I need would just kick ass.
-Turkey
I use the Sport 400 Multi-Plier daily. It's smaller and lighter than the original tool. I'm working outside during the summers between school and its invaluable for day to day work, i couldn't go without mine. I have the full-size version on my bunker gear (i'm a volunteer firefighter) and its easy enough to operate even with gloves on. Just my $0.02.
Are they afraid you're going to dismantle the plane over Nova Scotia?
Give me my freedom, and I'll take care of my own security, thank you.
Leatherman's ChargeXTi includes many of the OP's wants. There's also a bit kit available that adds a bunch of additional screwdriver bits, including more Torx drivers.
I spent a long time looking at all the options that were available (looking especially hard at the Gerber and Swisstool), and ended up with the ChargeXTi. It does what I need it to do, and is great for quick fixes where I don't want to bother getting my real tools.
That said, real tools are a must -- removing or installing more than a half-dozen screws with the Leatherman gets annoying pretty quickly, not to mention its bulk being a issue with any screws that are accessed via a tunnel or with bits of bracing in the way.