I got a buddy who owns a little rock clothing / merch store and he was gifted a really nice leatherman one year. He isn't the "handy" type and had basically left the thing in the packaging for the better part of 5 years at his shop. One day I happened to be in the store and he was fidgeting around with some wire hanger rack using a combination of a butter knife and a pair of scissors. I saw him about to de-finger himself and asked him why he wasn't just using that leatherman he has under the register. He seemed really confused "whatsa leatherman?". I have no idea what he actually thought it was, he wouldn't tell me. But once I took it out of the package and gave him a quick breakdown of the various things it can do, it felt a bit like that scene in 2001: A space odyssey, what with the monkeys and the clubby thing. I said all that to say this: You, me, and the trees know what a leatherman is for. We have opinions on which are better or worse, we have theories on the good and bad knock offs. Hell, we prolly even have ideas to improve on the concept of a multitool. They are about as ubiquitous as dust bunnies in a shop. However, a whole shit ton of non-mouthbreathers out there have never even held one in their hands. IMHO the multitool is the BEST gift one can give to those beyond the bleeding knuckle brotherhood regardless of its provenance. Do yourself a favor and next time someone tells you that they "wish that they were handy around the house" go out to your truck and grab one of those leatherman / knockoffs you got in the back of the tool box and give them the rundown, then give them the tool. Give a man a fish, and he will be confused. Give a man a multitool, and you will never see an intact phillips head screw in his house again.
I was given one as a gift by an employer once and I thought it was cheesy until I realized at that very day something came up and I thought oh my gosh I have this multi-tool that I can just whip out from the trunk and I should be carrying it. Ever since then even maintenance man or repairmen they are always asking do you have a Phillips or a flathead do you have this or that and I'm always like you're the one that's supposed to be prepared but here you go here is my multi-tool! My Leatherman wingman.
Thanks for that. I'm going buy a couple and keep them for the next time someone says I wish I was as clever/handy as you. It all started with a Swiss army knife I got as a birthday present
I left my Leatherman in the Lakeside Motel in Wawa Ontario. I happened to be heading up that way exactly one year later, for the same job the next season. I was shooting the shit with the desk clerk, and low-and-behold, he was wearing it on his hip. I recognized it as mine because I hit it with a shot of hi-viz orange rustoleom. I let it be, as I had gotten a new one, and being that he liked it enough to wear it on his hip, and I liked it enough to forget it there, I felt it was better in his hands than mine.
I stayed it that old hotel 27 years ago! Big seaside looking cape-cod, white paint with green trim around the windows. Canadian flag right in the middle. Wow, crazy how you triggered that memory.
That was a nice thing to do for that person. On their wages, they don't get too many wins in life. They seemed damn proud to have it and finding another keeps him motivated to keep working there.
Started watching you when I was in high school . Looking at your shop and thinking how am I going to be in a spot where I can have that . Can’t be a full fledged man if you never Been fledged . I got my degree in ENGANERDING , found a wife made two beautiful girl . We just bought a house and I got my own empire dirt well dust for now . Thank you for the motivation and wise words .
Same, only I have a girl and two boys, collecting tools and grime, not quite an empire yet, more like a small state of dirt but still I can fix most things my mom and kids bring in..
@@arduinoversusevil2025 remember when I stumbled across you years ago was a Boltr about a bilge pump princess Auto special if I recall correctly was a junior in high school meself. Thanks for the content uncle bumblefuck.
Other channels: "okay, today we're going to show you how to put on tire chains. Watch how easy we make it look! " AvE: *demonstrates the genuine tire chain installation experience and doesn't edit out the cursing and struggling*
Leatherman, found in a trashcan outside of airports, meausems and courtrooms for the normal folks that consider them an every day tool. Man I have loved and lost a many myself.
I had jury duty and they made me toss my gerber shard in the garbage because it could be used to stab someone, but my truck key was twice as long and sharp...
I gave leathermen as gifts at Christmas for years, (preCovid) era. I bought them at my state surplus store where all the confiscated knives and multi tools were sent to from the local airport and court houses. I think I was buying them at 5.00 per tool and just cleaning them and touching up the blades. I was the favorite gift giver for about 5 years by giving these adult toys to family members!
The French didn't go to space There's space But they made citrons and Yeah pooja bicycle Plus car And Tour DE France And Armstrong did Deroids Is Eiffel tower smells like Is body odor cigarettes Cologne Bagget chocolate croissant
When I give someone something I want them to use the hell out of it, not put it up on a shelf because "it was a gift" if they do, I regret getting it for them.
The reason no one has the t handle for the chain cam is because over a 35 year career of log truck driver I kept every one I “found”. Side note: I hauled logs in SW Oregon in the 1980s for Leathermans dad Howard. Really nice guy.
After 25+ years in commercial refrigeration service, a Leatherman Tool is one tool I wold never ever be without. When you make 8-10 trips up and down a 30 foot ladder, the fewer tools you have to lug up with you is essential to efficiency. Love them so much I always made sure my daughters had one in the SHTF box of their cars. They do however extract their blood sacrifices from time to time and as I am sure you are aware, in order for a fix to be permanent, blood MUST be spilled.
Leatherman warranty is amazing. Some 25 years ago we’d gone to Lake Tahoe, and coming home we had snow cables on the tires on our Chrysler minivan, and something fouled up with them. They were so caked in frozen and we had to cut one off. Used the wire cutters on my Leatherman and actually had to back the tire over the handle to get enough force on it. It cut through the steel cable and we got it free, but bent the snot out of the old style Leatherman handles. But they sent me another! When you send your leatherman in, include the story of how ya broke it. They do love that.
Same with Victorinox. I inherited one, the red cover had popped off and one of the blades was broken. I sent it back to Victorinox USA, they sent me back a letter indicating that they could not repair it here, and gave me the choice of having them send it back to Switzerland for hand repair (if it was of sentimental value) or replacement with a new, current equivalent model.
@@user-yv8kd2jo2x I’ve posted it a couple of times, but unless you’re the husband and wife dentists from the Bay Area in the 90’s who were with us, not from me. Then again, like I told my wife… “Honey, you’re one in a billion! Of course, that means there’s 6 1/2 others of you walking around on the planet somewhere…” 🤣🤣🤣
My old man gave me the best advice when it comes to chains: Chains are great to carry for the extra weight, if you ever reach a point where your only option is to put them on or die, your better off just laying down and accepting your fate.
The warranty works a treat btw, got my scissors broken after trying to cut the lip of a soda can, got a brand new replacement, and it was one of the pricier models, have had it for 15 years now as an everyday carry, never dissapoints.
My dad used every. single. tool. as a pry bar. They were all broken, including the ends of the pliers. He sent it in, and they sent him a new one. He couldn't believe it.
I have two that've been etched with my work number. Use one untill it breaks, then send it in, asking for the same one back, which takes a bit longer, but well worth it. Rinse and repeat.
Yea absolutely no company has as good warranty as Leatherman, I broke the pliers off a 30yr old PST, sent it in expecting to get a "sorry this is out of warranty" but no it was a : "sorry we no longer stock this model, we can send it to the factory to get repaired or send you a newer model" and since I have another PST I just asked for the new one, got a Rebar and actually love it. I could go without the locking, but otherwise its great and have replaced my ST for most personal use.
Love the leatherman warranty. I have two PST that I abused and broke the flat head and blade tips off. They started to loosen up and rust so I sent one in and got a replacement model. If I can remember which toolbox i stashed the other one, I'd send that one in as well.
I don't know why, but "oh, there goes the tire finder" had me in stitches! I saw one of these on Laura Kampfs channel before, cool you got one too! Tom appreciates them getting used, and I am sure you can do exactly that
I have a 25th Anniversary edition nickel-plated Leatherman Wave (which looks just like this but without the removeable picks & lanyard) that I keep on my belt every day, and I use it all the time. Cut a 2" tree branch with the saw (bent the saw but that was 90% solved with some careful handwork), use the straight knife & scissors to open boxes & take the plastic wrap off bar stock at work, serrated knife even saved my ass when the boss decided to shower us with a grilled steak cookout and we only had plastic utensils in the break room. Went to the local stock car races one night where a bunch of guys challenged themselves to turn a used car lot find into a 4-banger racecar in one afternoon, and it was me and my trusty Wave what saved the day by picking bits of glass out of the windowframe when they knocked the back window out of the hatch over a dumpster & didn't have anything to clean it up. Also the teeny tiny screwdriver bit makes an excellent toothpick in a pinch. My only regret is sharpening the straight blade with one of those cheapo handheld kitchen knife sharpeners for the longest time (young and dumb, didn't know better, don't judge) and now the middle of it's all waller'd out & it doesn't hold an edge. I've long half-joked about asking Leatherman if they could send me a replacement blade, but reading some of the comments here it sounds like they might actually play ball with that idea.
Usually they wont send you a blade as it voids warrenty, i have replaced one with a fairly nice $12 blade off Amazon can't remember the steel they are kinda a pita to put back together, the only reason i haven't made a custom black tools in my charge tti with black oxide wave tools is because i know ill lose the warrenty, just send it in to them they will fix it and send it back
I'm pretty sure yours has the lanyard loop as well. It's hidden in one of the handles, you have to loosen the large screw holding the whole thing together for it to slip down from the scale. I think all "proper" leathermans have it, my surge sure does.
Quick tip for leatherman knives for finding the right blade without looking (I'm nearly embarrassed to say I didn't notice this for a year or two after getting my Surge): The back of the serrated blade has notches over the thumb-hole. That way you can finger the back of the blade behind your back and if you feel the notches you know it's the serrated, and if it feels smooth it's the smooth blade.
I work on cars and all sorts of machinery and when i don't have my leatherman it's like missing a thumb. I always have the wave model and have broke them a few times doing the wrong thing. Neat trick an old timer taught me, theres a wire stripping groove at the base of the can opener
I was flying from Abbotsford to Edmonton one time back in the late 2000s and I had a mini Leatherman on my key chain. When I tossed my keys in the plastic bucket, the security guy looked at me and said, "hey, you can't take that thing on the plane, it's got a knife on it." I looked at him quizzically and asked "and what exactly do you think I could do with it?" He replied "you could kill someone with it." I chuckled and said "that thing is about 2 inches long. I could kill someone with my bare hands a lot faster than I could with that silly little knife on there." He furrowed his brow and stated "you shouldn't joke around about that." I simply responded "I'm not joking." He failed to see the humour in it and made me leave it at the security office. I told him I would be getting it back when I returned a week later and I still have it to this day.
Geezzz, when I was a young fella. With a pressed cardboard suitcase. Flying from nowhere, to nowhere, western Canada. Had to punch a hole in the suitcase, for my rifle, to stick out. Even took granny’s shotgun to school, for pioneer (dress up) day. No one, ever thought to say anything.
That marlin spike is meant to be part of that paracord clip thing. It looks to have broken off. That's a carbide scribe mohs hardness somewhere between 8.5 and 9.0. Pretty awesome kit that.
USAF technical application center (Sacto 99s/9Ss, you know who you are...) forbade Leathermans, so I ground off the 'Leather' part and engraved LABMan into my favorite Portland-made hand tool. Worked a trick for my whole TOD adventure, even after getting stuck to the mega-magnet on the TIMS. BTW, it is still magnetized, and that's the way I like it!! Great channel, love the content, keep your pecker in a wrecker!!
@@tacomas9602 Great question, I don't know why. I think it was just to be stubborn, or something. Perhaps it was because my Leatherman was a personal tool and not issued by the USAF. Eventually, they gave in and issued 'official' USAF Leatherman tools, which I have one of as well, but I still preferred my LabMan.
In the nuclear powered navy, multi tools weren’t allowed because we had a procedure for everything. The procedure told us what tools were needed and a leatherman never made the list.
I carry on like that everyday and love it. I do industrial maintenance and use them for everything from opening electrical panel door that need a special key to open, wiring, sharpening other people's knife on the file, trimming my nails with the small scissors, opening my can of soup for lunch I have had on a forklift engine warming up to sawing Sheetrock. Love it! Fun video giving it the beans.
I cringed only about 10 times thinking that the blade/file/handle was going to snap but alas it didn't. That's a real damn cool tool and an even better gift. You sound like you're a bit down under. I hope that you're feeling better soon. Stay safe in the New Year.
AvE is smarter in one video than I’ll ever be in my whole life, but I know I can show him how to do one thing properly: putting on tire chains. Dear lord my fellow western Canadian, from a drilling rig mover that chains up every day for a living this was hard to watch at certain points, but still abundantly entertaining as per the usual. For the love of all that’s good please keep putting out content like this.
I have the Leatherman Charge TTi which is the fancier brother of this one (nearly identical tooll set) and it has served me well for over 10 years of aircraft mechanic work. I have broken it thrice, but the 25 year warranty is truly unconditional, and they have replaced or repaired it every time without issue.
@@MrMilarepa108 I've got one. The Charge TTi that is. It's nearly the same thing, but the design of the plyers is older (mine is I think 17 years old now). The knife on mine is 154CM steel instead of S30V, but the exact same shape. Instead of the micarta sides with the NASA logo it has cast and milled titanium sides. My cerrated knife has cutting hook on the tip. The belt loop wasn't on the side, it was interchangeable with the lanyard ring. And instead of the scissors it has a 3rd screw driver bit holder. I'd say they're pretty much on par, the Charge TTi was the top model at the time. Mine came with a holster and a set of screw driver bits. I've broken the tiny screw driver bit, lost and replaced one lanyard loop, and I've broken 2 belt loops (never replaced the 2nd). Otherwise it needs a cleaning. I EDC'd it for about 10 years with daily use.
@@ivo215 from all the stock models the TTi is definitely the one that I'd want, it's almost perfect. The one Tom had made is most coveted for its unique features and rarity. It's a luxury item.
What I've discovered with chains. Get them hooked, drive forward 20 feet at a snails pace, and you can grab a bunch more links and tension them. Farmer style is just the first link that's easy to hook, and let them float around the tire. They still do the job.
Always on my belt for the last 30 years. Well made tool. I have upgraded mine with other gadgets/pokie, drilly and hooky tools that fit into the driver holders. And a magnet.
I've carried a Leatherman Micra on my keychain for years. It has scissors where the pliers are on a big Leatherman, which is handy, and an assortment of the usual options. I also have a Swiss Microtool on there too, for pliers and different screwdrivers. I keep a big Leatherman in the car (too heavy for the purse) for just in case. For some reason, there are Leatherman tools in my many tool boxes. I also have an assortment of Swiss Army knives. What can I say..I love tools!
How's the saying go..... "There's a right tool for every job, and then there's the tool you have right now." Something to that affect! lol I've been there. Used a Tweezer as a flathead scredriver before. Hell, I used a Sawzall blade just a couple days ago as a flathead! :} However, in fairness, the tweezers was indeed a "out of desperation for lack of the right tool", whereas the reciprocating blade was actually "out of desperation because USING the right tool, fucked up the head"! If flatheaded screws/machine-screws were hardened like they were back in the 50s (I have a lot of my grandpa's old miscellaneous fasteners collections), they wouldn't be as frustrating as every flathead fastener made these days... _(although, I still absolutely hate flatheads lol)_
I've used the Leatherman charge for years. I think I'm on my fifth one. They usually come with a selection of bits torx, hex and pozi included. The greatest aftermarket part that you can get for them, is the bit holder extension. Which accommodates regular hexagonal bits as well as the thinner Leatherman bits. highly recommended, all though pretty pricy.
I broke the knife blade on mine, 15 or so years ago. I sent it in, with a note how my dad brought it back from Italy for me while he was in the airforce. I explained if the blade can't be replaced, please just send the tool back and I will figure something out cause it has so much sentimental value. They sent a new one next model up in the black oxide finish like mine, and my orignal back. Still cary it with my rifles and will never lose it. I love my Gerber.
My brother told me that at his plant the tools had to have locking knife blades for safety, and that he loved the Gerber because you could get the pliers out one handed. So I got one. I've gone through several multitools but the Gerber has lasted, though the pliers aren't something you can just whale on, they're decent if you respect their limitations. Only other negative is that you have to open the pliers to get to the locking knife blade. Love the idea that this Leatherman has a diamond file on it. The NASA part, that's just cool!
I have one of these but the problem with me is that I never end up using it because where ever I need tools, I’m usually near my tool cart next to my desk or in a shop filled with the correct tools. For me, it’s better as a camping tool but is very useful to have in my everyday pack just in case
Using that tool like that looked painful. I never do stuff like that (when people are looking). Please don't ask me how many flush cutters I go trough in a year.
For tractor chains you lay them, spikes up, behind the rear wheels. Tie a piece of rope with some slack between the two last chain links on the end near the tire. Lift the chain by the rope and hang it from the tire grooves about halfway up the tire, making sure to spread the chain over the tire. Drive slowly forwards until the chain is fully on the tire (tail end of the chain dangling about midway up the tire). If you did it right you now have the chain on about as tight as a nuns nasty, overlapping at the joint (rope keeps the first end up and on) so you can simply hook the joints and cut the rope off to finish the job. Almost no lifting and certainly no pulling or wiggling with the heavy ass chain necessary at all. Works for front wheels as well of course.
Someone gave me a Robertson for my leatherman. Definitely useful for electrical. I used to think people who had a leatherman were weird. My workplace gave me a Leatherman Wave... and my god has my life changed. I don't go anywhere without it. The wave is small enough you hardly know it's there in it's leather belt case, and the knives are super quick to pull out just like the one in the video.
That one you have is basically a wave with some extra doodads. I found out the hard way the wingman is the one you want. One knife big scissors, and spring loaded pliers.
I was attending a boiler training class last year and received a wingman for getting the question of the day correct. Well built and just the right size, it’s come in handy many times at work 👍
Hahaha love the video, first time watcher and I must say I feel like I have a long lost brother now. U talk and cuss and go off on things exactly like I do, it’s like watching a video of myself put tire chains on that I got drunk and forgot that I made!!! Love it 👍
I have one in my glove box, night stand, camping gear, edc, toolbox, bug out bag…No shortage of multi tools around here. Leatherman and Gerber mixture.
You can buy the full set of insert tools for Leatherman, I found my first set at Cabellas. I use the wood saw trimming my Apple trees. And just use the new Orange lock tight to keep the replaceable cutting jaws tight! I have broken my share of Leatherman’s and Gerber multi tools. And just like that File with the Edge teeth and diamond sharpening side, they are better thought out comparing to the Gerbers. Great to see you also have so much more fun putting on those tire chains. I’ve tried to get some for the front of my JD 2210 but it’s been found out that the clearance between the inside of the tire and rim to the final drive housing does not work and like so many engineard things, that are not to be worked on, the tie rod is a single $200+ Dollhairs chunk of wear out sooner than the last 200 kinda Steel, that makes the death wobble on some cars and trucks look tame! You’d think that they could sell more tie rod ends But Noooooo, they have charged us for green by being yellow on their parts! Hey I’m like you to know that any working contrivance is better than the non working or non existent ones! It is paramount to me to have Hydraulic assistances numerous times in one day, and go for weeks without!!! But when the need is there even major repairs or replacement can take a back seat to getting something done...
My wife bought me a Wave as a wedding gift 21 years ago. I lost it last year. Bummed, but I quickly replaced it. Indispensable tool, even when used sparsely. Tire chains. Oh the fun of installing tire chains. Much more interesting in the slop along a highway teetering over the ditch, but a heated shop is nice, too.
@binomalia Sometimes you need the proper tool, sometimes not - but I’ve been pleasantly surprised how often I use the Leatherman and the Swiss Army Knife.
For a moment I thought this was some kind of tie in to Laura Kampf's video from yesterday. Anyway I hope you find that tire finder, before the tire finder finds your tire. Well whatever, thanks for posting.
I prefer the new Leatherman with the blade accesable from the outside. I can even get it out one handed with my thumb. Knife is primarily used so thats a critical feature for me.
The locking mechanism (at 12.45) inside, which is the week spot goes, ask me how I know (about 25 times!) But I collect them and then send them back in bulk to save on shipping and Leatherman are brilliant on their warranty. Usually just straight up send brand new replacements. Also when the sharp blades been sharpened that many times it looks like a prison shank & they just replace. Love Em'!
I love the super tool. I've put mine through absolute hell from pry bar to hammer to punch to chisel to wire strippers/crimpers and they're still stout and my edc. They're broke in nice and proper for that butterfly knife action, too.
The shop made me the designated chain installer for almost 9 winters now. It's always in a slush puddle and held together by quick links because once summer comes they just get chucked in the corner.
I've carried a Leatherman Tool on my belt for decades. Except, of course, when I know I'm going somewhere where said preparedness is not a welcome thing. Then it gets left in the car, or at home. Sometimes, on a film shoot, a crewmate will ask if they can borrow it for a moment. I don't always lend it, but when I do, (because the job needs to be done) I stare them hard in the face before I hand it to them. I tell them that I am memorizing their face. I will get my Leatherman back. Sometimes that deters them from borrowing it. Knock on wood, I've had the same Wave multi-tool for a long time now. Not to say that I don't have spares.
I have a leatherman wave and I found out the hard way that its weak spot is the two tiny bits of metal on each handle that actually takes the full force of the 200 pound gorilla from the handle to the pliers and is, in fact, the only thing preventing said gorilla pinching and tearing up its hand...
This reminded me of when I installed snow chains on my snowblowerized lawn tractor. In my case the leatherman outskookumed the chain latch and metal zip ties were eventually employed.
I feel personally attacked watching this one 😅. Brings back way to many memories getting the tractors ready for winter. Especially contemplating the universe while you're doing it.
Wow! I see there have been lots of improvements since I found mine by the side of the road! I must say the needle nose plyers get used quite a bit around here! Good for pulling out those wild nose hairs!
Honestly, You are one of my favorite people on TH-cam! You’re fucking hilarious And you always tell it exactly as it is! Your bumblefuckery and since of humor Always make me laugh so hard!🤣 Another entertaining video as always, wishing you an amazing 2022!!
That model is more or less the same as the Charge, for anyone who wants a non-NASA branded one with basically the same selection of tools. I've had mine for about 10 years now and it's actually nice having a jack of all trades tool within arm's reach, even if it isn't as good as a proper set of needle nose or a proper set of scissors. It's still a handy little problem solver.
I've had a wave, rebar style, and super tool original and 300. Overall i like the rebar the best. Most pocket friendly out of all. Actually goes on sale(got mine for like 40usd). Same plier jaws as 300, i prefer the squared off jaws compared the rounded jaws on some of the other lethermans. Wish it had the bit driver. Knife is usable for boxes and other quick stuff. Have to open for access but there if needed. The rebar is just a mini super tool 300. If heading to a junkyard or screwing around in the shop, i grab the rebar. I like the waves file with the backside diamond file, the abrasive has held on better than any other diamond file or hone I've used. Has better knife placement than rebar or super tools. With the quick outside access, the knife could be a daily driver for someone who will also use it a pocket knife. Large Bit driver is neat. Small bit driver broke immediately.
The nasa branded one was “designed” by Tom Sachs around a Charge +. You can buy just a regular charge plus and it’s the same thing just without the logos.
@@landuneauto I just looked up where I could get one and figured out this Sachs guy is some sort "artist", but lo and behold, Etsy sellers are selling 3d-printed scales for various Leatherman products with the Nasa logo in the same style :D
MT - Since you haven't had the pleasure, note that AvE's vids haven't entirely exhibited how unflexible the tire chains can be if they have been left in a car trunk to gather moisture, then freeze up into an inert, rusty, frosty crumpled mess, rivaling the utility, hardness, and slightly resembling, the Rock of Gibraltar.
Also note that he is putting them on a tractor. Cars have a variety of different types by different manufacturers so they work differently in the way they tighten up. I never seen that before with the half moon.
I have a first gen leatherman that my dad gave me as a gift with the original leather belt pouch from when he got his first leatherman (different ones) absolutely love that thing and use it damn near everyday
Never have used tire chains in Florida my whole life. Definitely harder to put on than I thought they would be. Glad I'll never have to worry about it. Fun to watch other people struggle though.
I worked 14 hours outside in 5°f(-15° in Communist) on New Years, replacing commerical boiler in double door exterior mechanical room, and I highly doubt astronauts can get those tools open but the pliers without taking their spacesuit gloves off
watching this is the reason i will continue to spin and cuss while contemplating chains and plowing an icy driveway. usually when i get going like this and making up cuss words, the wife will cautiously say honey you need some coffee...lol
I have a Leatherman Charge. The only part I haven't used is the blasting cap crimper. I used to build servers, and it had everything I needed. Just be careful if you use the seatbelt cutter to cut Ty-Wraps.
That phillips bits is not a #2, it's a number flapping everything. It is the single best phillips bit on the planet. I don't know what magician crafted it or how, but it's shape is seemingly ubiquitous and it works on very small laptop screws up to enormous ones that it has no business driving and looks frankly ridiculous in. Causes very little if any harm to the screw heads, unlike every other 'incorrect' screwdriver bit one may use in a pinch
"Tools that are made to do everything, are no F****** good at everything." FINALLY! Somebody said it. I remember helping my dad at an early age with working on his car and he used his Leatherman for most of the work. Sure it did the job, most of the time not very well, and sure as hell took forever.
Just got some flashbacks from my trip to Finnish Lapland during army training.. Putting snow chains to army trucks in -25c, pitch black darkness, rusty nuts, no proper tools of any kind, only thing to get your fingers warm was the engine smoke. Those 2 and a half weeks felt like they happened to someone else.
I was on the Leatherman train since I was a boy. Then I spoiled (or soiled) myself with a Swisstool and never looked back. From locksmithing to maintenance it's served me fine and it's seen some miles over some six or so years. The only thing I've busted on it was the awl. Tip came clean off ages ago, but it was still somewhat sharp so I kept on with that part. Little play, but still locks up nice and hasn't ever failed me. The knife on it is trash, I carry my own just for that reason. I use the knife on my multitools as a beater since they tend to be pretty low grade anyhow.
I suppose if I gifted someone a designer hammer, I would want them to hit stuff with it. If it was not up to being used in a whacking way, then maybe my present was on the junky side. Then again, if someone was using the schmancy hammer handle as a crow bar, my hole would pucker like it did watching most of this video. Ha @ the utter lack of reverence compared to another cool TH-cam video featuring this tool. I chortled. Holy shit you are hard on stuff!
@Bylan Daker nope! The indomitable Laura Kampf. It was a cool overview. It was there that I learned about Tom Sachs. I like his Mars Nikes. Bit of a shame that his gear is exclusively priced.
I have one made by Swiss Army that was a gift from a friend that got it as a retirement gift after 35 years as a steward on an ore carrier. I've had it for a little over 10 years now and use it almost every day multiple times and it is still in excellent shape. I love it. But then again, after seeing how much this Victorinox cost I'm not surprised. It's not cheap. I told him I found out how much it was and he was shocked, being a retirement gift he thought it was just a 30 dollar item they got in bulk, but being a chef he never really had a use for one. It's come to be one of those things that you just really appreciate.
I got 16 years on my Leatherman Wave, back when the locking mechanism for the inner tools still said "pat pend." If you look near the handle pivots of the pliers you see a cam that pushes spring loaded pins into the knife holes to lock them closed when the pliers are opened. Mine didn't come with a tire finder, but I tell you what, those little scissors are damn good for trimming nose hairs.
The rank order of multitools being used as deadly weapons must be down there with silly string or edible underwear. The victim could crawl to safety using only their buttcheeks in the time required for the assailant to choose and lock the desired edge into place.
Don't use it. Only 100 made, and only 25 of those were for sale. Just saying....lol
Don't use it?! Blasphemy!
He can get another one if he needs to. They're going for "only" $5000+ on eBay.
You just multiplied his joy of having used it by 20x.
Funny just saw Adam Savages video on it
Never A Straight Answer!
I got a buddy who owns a little rock clothing / merch store and he was gifted a really nice leatherman one year. He isn't the "handy" type and had basically left the thing in the packaging for the better part of 5 years at his shop. One day I happened to be in the store and he was fidgeting around with some wire hanger rack using a combination of a butter knife and a pair of scissors. I saw him about to de-finger himself and asked him why he wasn't just using that leatherman he has under the register. He seemed really confused "whatsa leatherman?". I have no idea what he actually thought it was, he wouldn't tell me. But once I took it out of the package and gave him a quick breakdown of the various things it can do, it felt a bit like that scene in 2001: A space odyssey, what with the monkeys and the clubby thing. I said all that to say this: You, me, and the trees know what a leatherman is for. We have opinions on which are better or worse, we have theories on the good and bad knock offs. Hell, we prolly even have ideas to improve on the concept of a multitool. They are about as ubiquitous as dust bunnies in a shop. However, a whole shit ton of non-mouthbreathers out there have never even held one in their hands. IMHO the multitool is the BEST gift one can give to those beyond the bleeding knuckle brotherhood regardless of its provenance. Do yourself a favor and next time someone tells you that they "wish that they were handy around the house" go out to your truck and grab one of those leatherman / knockoffs you got in the back of the tool box and give them the rundown, then give them the tool. Give a man a fish, and he will be confused. Give a man a multitool, and you will never see an intact phillips head screw in his house again.
Really well written. Thanks for the laughs.
I was given one as a gift by an employer once and I thought it was cheesy until I realized at that very day something came up and I thought oh my gosh I have this multi-tool that I can just whip out from the trunk and I should be carrying it.
Ever since then even maintenance man or repairmen they are always asking do you have a Phillips or a flathead do you have this or that and I'm always like you're the one that's supposed to be prepared but here you go here is my multi-tool! My Leatherman wingman.
I always give them as gifts. Everyone should own one...or 7.
Thanks for that. I'm going buy a couple and keep them for the next time someone says I wish I was as clever/handy as you.
It all started with a Swiss army knife I got as a birthday present
Hilarious
I left my Leatherman in the Lakeside Motel in Wawa Ontario. I happened to be heading up that way exactly one year later, for the same job the next season. I was shooting the shit with the desk clerk, and low-and-behold, he was wearing it on his hip. I recognized it as mine because I hit it with a shot of hi-viz orange rustoleom. I let it be, as I had gotten a new one, and being that he liked it enough to wear it on his hip, and I liked it enough to forget it there, I felt it was better in his hands than mine.
I stayed it that old hotel 27 years ago! Big seaside looking cape-cod, white paint with green trim around the windows. Canadian flag right in the middle. Wow, crazy how you triggered that memory.
That was a nice thing to do for that person. On their wages, they don't get too many wins in life. They seemed damn proud to have it and finding another keeps him motivated to keep working there.
This is one of the best stories I’ve read in the past year for sure
@@arduinoversusevil2025 did you also lose any fancy tools that night?
Small world
Started watching you when I was in high school . Looking at your shop and thinking how am I going to be in a spot where I can have that . Can’t be a full fledged man if you never Been fledged . I got my degree in ENGANERDING , found a wife made two beautiful girl . We just bought a house and I got my own empire dirt well dust for now . Thank you for the motivation and wise words .
That's unpossible. I've only been screwing around on camera fo... wait yeah that's preposterous.
Same, only I have a girl and two boys, collecting tools and grime, not quite an empire yet, more like a small state of dirt but still I can fix most things my mom and kids bring in..
@@arduinoversusevil2025 you’ve been bumblefuckin for a hot minute now old buddy 😂
@@arduinoversusevil2025 remember when I stumbled across you years ago was a Boltr about a bilge pump princess Auto special if I recall correctly was a junior in high school meself. Thanks for the content uncle bumblefuck.
Also got my own empire of dirt!
Other channels: "okay, today we're going to show you how to put on tire chains. Watch how easy we make it look! "
AvE: *demonstrates the genuine tire chain installation experience and doesn't edit out the cursing and struggling*
Leatherman, found in a trashcan outside of airports, meausems and courtrooms for the normal folks that consider them an every day tool. Man I have loved and lost a many myself.
I had jury duty and they made me toss my gerber shard in the garbage because it could be used to stab someone, but my truck key was twice as long and sharp...
Glad I'm not the only one who's done this...lol
I gave leathermen as gifts at Christmas for years, (preCovid) era. I bought them at my state surplus store where all the confiscated knives and multi tools were sent to from the local airport and court houses. I think I was buying them at 5.00 per tool and just cleaning them and touching up the blades. I was the favorite gift giver for about 5 years by giving these adult toys to family members!
I gotta find me one of those trashcan! Need this awesome tool
@@briangarrow448 oh boy, brilliant idea, cheers for the heads up
I've never learned so much French in such a short time...this channel is educational.
Thanks always AVE
not french brother *quebecois* it’s the upgraded version
And German, and....
@@user-rd5nc1nb9f More like a custom brew :) ! Mais c'est pas mal non plus !
Normandie :)
The French didn't go to space There's space But they made citrons and Yeah pooja bicycle Plus car And Tour DE France And Armstrong did Deroids Is Eiffel tower smells like Is body odor cigarettes Cologne Bagget chocolate croissant
1000 dollhair limited edition gift, and you go full nelson on it.. absolutely loved it. Im sure the gifter was equally pleased..
🤣🤣🤣
One sold on EBay today for $5000.00....
When I give someone something I want them to use the hell out of it, not put it up on a shelf because "it was a gift" if they do, I regret getting it for them.
The reason no one has the t handle for the chain cam is because over a 35 year career of log truck driver I kept every one I “found”. Side note: I hauled logs in SW Oregon in the 1980s for Leathermans dad Howard. Really nice guy.
What's the internal body temperature of a freshly killed Tauntaun?
Luke-warm.
After 25+ years in commercial refrigeration service, a Leatherman Tool is one tool I wold never ever be without. When you make 8-10 trips up and down a 30 foot ladder, the fewer tools you have to lug up with you is essential to efficiency. Love them so much I always made sure my daughters had one in the SHTF box of their cars. They do however extract their blood sacrifices from time to time and as I am sure you are aware, in order for a fix to be permanent, blood MUST be spilled.
Alright you've convinced me. I'm buying one lol
Leatherman warranty is amazing. Some 25 years ago we’d gone to Lake Tahoe, and coming home we had snow cables on the tires on our Chrysler minivan, and something fouled up with them. They were so caked in frozen and we had to cut one off.
Used the wire cutters on my Leatherman and actually had to back the tire over the handle to get enough force on it. It cut through the steel cable and we got it free, but bent the snot out of the old style Leatherman handles. But they sent me another!
When you send your leatherman in, include the story of how ya broke it. They do love that.
If it's a discontinued model, they'll give you one of equal or greater value. 👍
Same with Victorinox. I inherited one, the red cover had popped off and one of the blades was broken. I sent it back to Victorinox USA, they sent me back a letter indicating that they could not repair it here, and gave me the choice of having them send it back to Switzerland for hand repair (if it was of sentimental value) or replacement with a new, current equivalent model.
Have I heard your story somewhere else 🤔
@@user-yv8kd2jo2x I’ve posted it a couple of times, but unless you’re the husband and wife dentists from the Bay Area in the 90’s who were with us, not from me.
Then again, like I told my wife… “Honey, you’re one in a billion! Of course, that means there’s 6 1/2 others of you walking around on the planet somewhere…” 🤣🤣🤣
Yeah don't send it in. You're not gonna get it back. 😅
My old man gave me the best advice when it comes to chains: Chains are great to carry for the extra weight, if you ever reach a point where your only option is to put them on or die, your better off just laying down and accepting your fate.
Rofl. Your old man was a smart cookie, props to him.👍
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only guy out there with a decent mechanical attitude, but still struggles with tire chains 😅
The warranty works a treat btw, got my scissors broken after trying to cut the lip of a soda can, got a brand new replacement, and it was one of the pricier models, have had it for 15 years now as an everyday carry, never dissapoints.
My dad used every. single. tool. as a pry bar. They were all broken, including the ends of the pliers. He sent it in, and they sent him a new one. He couldn't believe it.
I have two that've been etched with my work number. Use one untill it breaks, then send it in, asking for the same one back, which takes a bit longer, but well worth it. Rinse and repeat.
Yea absolutely no company has as good warranty as Leatherman, I broke the pliers off a 30yr old PST, sent it in expecting to get a "sorry this is out of warranty" but no it was a : "sorry we no longer stock this model, we can send it to the factory to get repaired or send you a newer model" and since I have another PST I just asked for the new one, got a Rebar and actually love it. I could go without the locking, but otherwise its great and have replaced my ST for most personal use.
Love the leatherman warranty. I have two PST that I abused and broke the flat head and blade tips off. They started to loosen up and rust so I sent one in and got a replacement model. If I can remember which toolbox i stashed the other one, I'd send that one in as well.
I don't know why, but "oh, there goes the tire finder" had me in stitches!
I saw one of these on Laura Kampfs channel before, cool you got one too! Tom appreciates them getting used, and I am sure you can do exactly that
I have a 25th Anniversary edition nickel-plated Leatherman Wave (which looks just like this but without the removeable picks & lanyard) that I keep on my belt every day, and I use it all the time. Cut a 2" tree branch with the saw (bent the saw but that was 90% solved with some careful handwork), use the straight knife & scissors to open boxes & take the plastic wrap off bar stock at work, serrated knife even saved my ass when the boss decided to shower us with a grilled steak cookout and we only had plastic utensils in the break room. Went to the local stock car races one night where a bunch of guys challenged themselves to turn a used car lot find into a 4-banger racecar in one afternoon, and it was me and my trusty Wave what saved the day by picking bits of glass out of the windowframe when they knocked the back window out of the hatch over a dumpster & didn't have anything to clean it up. Also the teeny tiny screwdriver bit makes an excellent toothpick in a pinch.
My only regret is sharpening the straight blade with one of those cheapo handheld kitchen knife sharpeners for the longest time (young and dumb, didn't know better, don't judge) and now the middle of it's all waller'd out & it doesn't hold an edge. I've long half-joked about asking Leatherman if they could send me a replacement blade, but reading some of the comments here it sounds like they might actually play ball with that idea.
Colors match the name. Found another iRacer hiding in here.
It never hurts to ask. I've had Kershaw, CRKT, Streamlight and Ruger send me replacement parts at no cost to myself.
Usually they wont send you a blade as it voids warrenty, i have replaced one with a fairly nice $12 blade off Amazon can't remember the steel they are kinda a pita to put back together, the only reason i haven't made a custom black tools in my charge tti with black oxide wave tools is because i know ill lose the warrenty, just send it in to them they will fix it and send it back
I'm pretty sure yours has the lanyard loop as well. It's hidden in one of the handles, you have to loosen the large screw holding the whole thing together for it to slip down from the scale. I think all "proper" leathermans have it, my surge sure does.
Ah the ceramic vagina, good for neither pleasure nor tool sharpening.
Quick tip for leatherman knives for finding the right blade without looking (I'm nearly embarrassed to say I didn't notice this for a year or two after getting my Surge): The back of the serrated blade has notches over the thumb-hole. That way you can finger the back of the blade behind your back and if you feel the notches you know it's the serrated, and if it feels smooth it's the smooth blade.
Although if you've got it on a pocket clip you can know which one comes to hand when it comes out your pocket
I work on cars and all sorts of machinery and when i don't have my leatherman it's like missing a thumb. I always have the wave model and have broke them a few times doing the wrong thing. Neat trick an old timer taught me, theres a wire stripping groove at the base of the can opener
Nice tip! Thanks!
Best Wave user tip is that the serrated blade has three groves on the back so you can tell which blade it is before opening.
I was flying from Abbotsford to Edmonton one time back in the late 2000s and I had a mini Leatherman on my key chain. When I tossed my keys in the plastic bucket, the security guy looked at me and said, "hey, you can't take that thing on the plane, it's got a knife on it." I looked at him quizzically and asked "and what exactly do you think I could do with it?" He replied "you could kill someone with it." I chuckled and said "that thing is about 2 inches long. I could kill someone with my bare hands a lot faster than I could with that silly little knife on there." He furrowed his brow and stated "you shouldn't joke around about that." I simply responded "I'm not joking." He failed to see the humour in it and made me leave it at the security office. I told him I would be getting it back when I returned a week later and I still have it to this day.
I despise this kind of stuff. The absurdity isn't funny anymore.
Geezzz, when I was a young fella. With a pressed cardboard suitcase. Flying from nowhere, to nowhere, western Canada. Had to punch a hole in the suitcase, for my rifle, to stick out. Even took granny’s shotgun to school, for pioneer (dress up) day. No one, ever thought to say anything.
@@Patrick-857 lĺ8m888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
That marlin spike is meant to be part of that paracord clip thing. It looks to have broken off. That's a carbide scribe mohs hardness somewhere between 8.5 and 9.0. Pretty awesome kit that.
its a tire-detector
@@mcboomsauce7922 For detecting tires in space. Captain Kirk was never without his.
For 750$ it better be nice
USAF technical application center (Sacto 99s/9Ss, you know who you are...) forbade Leathermans, so I ground off the 'Leather' part and engraved LABMan into my favorite Portland-made hand tool. Worked a trick for my whole TOD adventure, even after getting stuck to the mega-magnet on the TIMS. BTW, it is still magnetized, and that's the way I like it!! Great channel, love the content, keep your pecker in a wrecker!!
Blast from the past. 99104 here (84’-87’). Mostly at DET460 and some at TOD. 👍👍👍
Why did they forbid em
@@tacomas9602 Great question, I don't know why. I think it was just to be stubborn, or something. Perhaps it was because my Leatherman was a personal tool and not issued by the USAF. Eventually, they gave in and issued 'official' USAF Leatherman tools, which I have one of as well, but I still preferred my LabMan.
In the nuclear powered navy, multi tools weren’t allowed because we had a procedure for everything. The procedure told us what tools were needed and a leatherman never made the list.
@@tacomas9602 they're never the best tool for a job
I carry on like that everyday and love it. I do industrial maintenance and use them for everything from opening electrical panel door that need a special key to open, wiring, sharpening other people's knife on the file, trimming my nails with the small scissors, opening my can of soup for lunch I have had on a forklift engine warming up to sawing Sheetrock. Love it! Fun video giving it the beans.
The cutting hook on the Leatherman fishing blades work great for cutting zip ties
No one carries on like AvE carries on.
The scuttlebutt is that they had to make the wire cutters replaceable so leatherman didn’t have to warranty them anymore.
With stories of people reversing their van onto the handles to cut a tire chain, I wouldn't be surprised
The pliers slop is why I always liked the SOG tools, gear driven pliers that don't pivot independently of the handles
Ahhh, the Tom Sachs edition! Very cool piece, very rare too.
5K for that?! Damn
I cringed only about 10 times thinking that the blade/file/handle was going to snap but alas it didn't. That's a real damn cool tool and an even better gift. You sound like you're a bit down under. I hope that you're feeling better soon. Stay safe in the New Year.
@@morganspencer-churchill2136 only if he’s farting around
That tool is 750$!!!
Yeah, but he broke the scribe before he even knew what it was.
@@morganspencer-churchill2136
Fair dinkum
@@O5FS And a limited run of 100(well for 2021 at least)
I was stop at the airport as well. TSA said I couldn’t take my Leatherman on the plane. I said “ how about if I buy him a ticket?”
AvE is smarter in one video than I’ll ever be in my whole life, but I know I can show him how to do one thing properly: putting on tire chains. Dear lord my fellow western Canadian, from a drilling rig mover that chains up every day for a living this was hard to watch at certain points, but still abundantly entertaining as per the usual. For the love of all that’s good please keep putting out content like this.
I have the Leatherman Charge TTi which is the fancier brother of this one (nearly identical tooll set) and it has served me well for over 10 years of aircraft mechanic work. I have broken it thrice, but the 25 year warranty is truly unconditional, and they have replaced or repaired it every time without issue.
I'm fairly certain that there is no fancier Leatherman than the 100 NASA ones.
@@MrMilarepa108 I've got one. The Charge TTi that is. It's nearly the same thing, but the design of the plyers is older (mine is I think 17 years old now). The knife on mine is 154CM steel instead of S30V, but the exact same shape. Instead of the micarta sides with the NASA logo it has cast and milled titanium sides. My cerrated knife has cutting hook on the tip. The belt loop wasn't on the side, it was interchangeable with the lanyard ring. And instead of the scissors it has a 3rd screw driver bit holder. I'd say they're pretty much on par, the Charge TTi was the top model at the time. Mine came with a holster and a set of screw driver bits. I've broken the tiny screw driver bit, lost and replaced one lanyard loop, and I've broken 2 belt loops (never replaced the 2nd). Otherwise it needs a cleaning. I EDC'd it for about 10 years with daily use.
If she can’t be fixed with a leatherman wave she’s AOG
@@MrMilarepa108 That's a piece of some fancy art exhibition, not some super cool nasa approved tool, though.
@@ivo215 from all the stock models the TTi is definitely the one that I'd want, it's almost perfect. The one Tom had made is most coveted for its unique features and rarity. It's a luxury item.
What I've discovered with chains. Get them hooked, drive forward 20 feet at a snails pace, and you can grab a bunch more links and tension them.
Farmer style is just the first link that's easy to hook, and let them float around the tire. They still do the job.
If you're extra lazy then a single loop of chain will also work, at least once per revolution
Always on my belt for the last 30 years. Well made tool.
I have upgraded mine with other gadgets/pokie, drilly and hooky tools that fit into the driver holders. And a magnet.
I've carried a Leatherman Micra on my keychain for years. It has scissors where the pliers are on a big Leatherman, which is handy, and an assortment of the usual options. I also have a Swiss Microtool on there too, for pliers and different screwdrivers. I keep a big Leatherman in the car (too heavy for the purse) for just in case. For some reason, there are Leatherman tools in my many tool boxes. I also have an assortment of Swiss Army knives. What can I say..I love tools!
Tightening the chains reminds me of this one time I saw my brother using a cake spatula to tighten the screw on a frypan.
How's the saying go..... "There's a right tool for every job, and then there's the tool you have right now."
Something to that affect! lol
I've been there. Used a Tweezer as a flathead scredriver before. Hell, I used a Sawzall blade just a couple days ago as a flathead! :}
However, in fairness, the tweezers was indeed a "out of desperation for lack of the right tool", whereas the reciprocating blade was actually "out of desperation because USING the right tool, fucked up the head"! If flatheaded screws/machine-screws were hardened like they were back in the 50s (I have a lot of my grandpa's old miscellaneous fasteners collections), they wouldn't be as frustrating as every flathead fastener made these days... _(although, I still absolutely hate flatheads lol)_
that was very nice of john deere to let you put chains on your tractor
You have shown exactly my experience with tire chains every time I need em.
Love this channel! Happy 2022!
I've used the Leatherman charge for years. I think I'm on my fifth one.
They usually come with a selection of bits torx, hex and pozi included.
The greatest aftermarket part that you can get for them, is the bit holder extension.
Which accommodates regular hexagonal bits as well as the thinner Leatherman bits.
highly recommended, all though pretty pricy.
I agree. The bit set and extension shaft is pretty awesome, very handy to have on your hip so you don't have to run out to the truck.
I love my Gerber.. Been carrying the same one for about 4 years straight now.. Never leave home without it..
I broke the knife blade on mine, 15 or so years ago. I sent it in, with a note how my dad brought it back from Italy for me while he was in the airforce. I explained if the blade can't be replaced, please just send the tool back and I will figure something out cause it has so much sentimental value. They sent a new one next model up in the black oxide finish like mine, and my orignal back. Still cary it with my rifles and will never lose it. I love my Gerber.
I too love my Gerber tool, brother.
Been carrying a Gerber 400 compact for 16+ years. Not the same one mind you
My brother told me that at his plant the tools had to have locking knife blades for safety, and that he loved the Gerber because you could get the pliers out one handed. So I got one. I've gone through several multitools but the Gerber has lasted, though the pliers aren't something you can just whale on, they're decent if you respect their limitations. Only other negative is that you have to open the pliers to get to the locking knife blade.
Love the idea that this Leatherman has a diamond file on it. The NASA part, that's just cool!
I'm on my second Leatherman Surge , most used tool I've owned , on my hip right now. Great Vid
"bit of a factory wow to 'er"
-man who used file to tighten tire chains
I have one of these but the problem with me is that I never end up using it because where ever I need tools, I’m usually near my tool cart next to my desk or in a shop filled with the correct tools. For me, it’s better as a camping tool but is very useful to have in my everyday pack just in case
I do believe that spike is the carbide scribe and is supposed to be attached to that fob thing.
The "yellow matches my eyes " had me crying.
First vid of your's I've seen and I'm an INSTANT fan!!!
Using that tool like that looked painful. I never do stuff like that (when people are looking). Please don't ask me how many flush cutters I go trough in a year.
For tractor chains you lay them, spikes up, behind the rear wheels. Tie a piece of rope with some slack between the two last chain links on the end near the tire. Lift the chain by the rope and hang it from the tire grooves about halfway up the tire, making sure to spread the chain over the tire. Drive slowly forwards until the chain is fully on the tire (tail end of the chain dangling about midway up the tire). If you did it right you now have the chain on about as tight as a nuns nasty, overlapping at the joint (rope keeps the first end up and on) so you can simply hook the joints and cut the rope off to finish the job. Almost no lifting and certainly no pulling or wiggling with the heavy ass chain necessary at all. Works for front wheels as well of course.
Warranty is top notch on those Leatherman's. Sent mine in for repair and they just sent me a whole new one as a replacement. amazing!
Someone gave me a Robertson for my leatherman. Definitely useful for electrical. I used to think people who had a leatherman were weird. My workplace gave me a Leatherman Wave... and my god has my life changed. I don't go anywhere without it. The wave is small enough you hardly know it's there in it's leather belt case, and the knives are super quick to pull out just like the one in the video.
That one you have is basically a wave with some extra doodads. I found out the hard way the wingman is the one you want. One knife big scissors, and spring loaded pliers.
I was attending a boiler training class last year and received a wingman for getting the question of the day correct. Well built and just the right size, it’s come in handy many times at work 👍
As a log truck driver that puts chains on 2-4 times a day, i had a stroke watching this.
Hahaha love the video, first time watcher and I must say I feel like I have a long lost brother now. U talk and cuss and go off on things exactly like I do, it’s like watching a video of myself put tire chains on that I got drunk and forgot that I made!!! Love it 👍
🤣sti d'caliss de tabarnac!!! You made my day, thats pretty much how felt my afternoon! Cheers!
I have one in my glove box, night stand, camping gear, edc, toolbox, bug out bag…No shortage of multi tools around here. Leatherman and Gerber mixture.
You can buy the full set of insert tools for Leatherman, I found my first set at Cabellas.
I use the wood saw trimming my Apple trees.
And just use the new Orange lock tight to keep the replaceable cutting jaws tight!
I have broken my share of Leatherman’s and Gerber multi tools.
And just like that File with the Edge teeth and diamond sharpening side, they are better thought out comparing to the Gerbers.
Great to see you also have so much more fun putting on those tire chains. I’ve tried to get some for the front of my JD 2210 but it’s been found out that the clearance between the inside of the tire and rim to the final drive housing does not work and like so many engineard things, that are not to be worked on, the tie rod is a single $200+ Dollhairs chunk of wear out sooner than the last 200 kinda Steel, that makes the death wobble on some cars and trucks look tame!
You’d think that they could sell more tie rod ends But Noooooo, they have charged us for green by being yellow on their parts! Hey I’m like you to know that any working contrivance is better than the non working or non existent ones! It is paramount to me to have Hydraulic assistances numerous times in one day, and go for weeks without!!! But when the need is there even major repairs or replacement can take a back seat to getting something done...
That guttural french mumble cursing at 8:10 summoned demons in my garage
My wife bought me a Wave as a wedding gift 21 years ago. I lost it last year. Bummed, but I quickly replaced it. Indispensable tool, even when used sparsely.
Tire chains. Oh the fun of installing tire chains. Much more interesting in the slop along a highway teetering over the ditch, but a heated shop is nice, too.
Speaking from experience, never be tempted by the cheaper immitation Leathermans.
The locking mech in those is super unreliable....and painful.
Yep
@@charleebunch6637 Si
@binomalia Sometimes you need the proper tool, sometimes not - but I’ve been pleasantly surprised how often I use the Leatherman and the Swiss Army Knife.
For a moment I thought this was some kind of tie in to Laura Kampf's video from yesterday. Anyway I hope you find that tire finder, before the tire finder finds your tire.
Well whatever, thanks for posting.
I feel so much better now after seeing your workbench now I know I'm not alone
"Serrated knife for ropes and... Tough German bread" got me wheezing
I prefer the new Leatherman with the blade accesable from the outside. I can even get it out one handed with my thumb. Knife is primarily used so thats a critical feature for me.
When I saw Laura kampf with one i i thought "why didn't AvE get one" guess i don't need to wonder anymore.
*saw not seen
@@Smegma_pirate knife not saw
@@WeighedWilson lol yurp
@@Smegma_pirate yep you are correct.
I got the titanium handled version. By far my favorite knife ever. Just gets it's done every time
The locking mechanism (at 12.45) inside, which is the week spot goes, ask me how I know (about 25 times!) But I collect them and then send them back in bulk to save on shipping and Leatherman are brilliant on their warranty. Usually just straight up send brand new replacements. Also when the sharp blades been sharpened that many times it looks like a prison shank & they just replace. Love Em'!
I've been sold on the leatherman super tool 300 for the past 10 years but always looking for another one to add to the tool box of no return.
I used a Supertool 300 for a long time, finally picked up a Surge with a bit kit. A bit more fiddly but infinitely more useful.
I love the super tool. I've put mine through absolute hell from pry bar to hammer to punch to chisel to wire strippers/crimpers and they're still stout and my edc. They're broke in nice and proper for that butterfly knife action, too.
The shop made me the designated chain installer for almost 9 winters now. It's always in a slush puddle and held together by quick links because once summer comes they just get chucked in the corner.
Watching you struggling with those snow chains reminds me of how much I love living where it never snows.
I've carried a Leatherman Tool on my belt for decades. Except, of course, when I know I'm going somewhere where said preparedness is not a welcome thing. Then it gets left in the car, or at home. Sometimes, on a film shoot, a crewmate will ask if they can borrow it for a moment. I don't always lend it, but when I do, (because the job needs to be done) I stare them hard in the face before I hand it to them. I tell them that I am memorizing their face. I will get my Leatherman back. Sometimes that deters them from borrowing it. Knock on wood, I've had the same Wave multi-tool for a long time now. Not to say that I don't have spares.
Ahh dang that’s too close to home, I lost two leathermen as a traveling tech to the tsa, Bless there souls!!
I have a leatherman wave and I found out the hard way that its weak spot is the two tiny bits of metal on each handle that actually takes the full force of the 200 pound gorilla from the handle to the pliers and is, in fact, the only thing preventing said gorilla pinching and tearing up its hand...
Can't say I've ever been more entertained by somebody putting chains on a tire.
This reminded me of when I installed snow chains on my snowblowerized lawn tractor. In my case the leatherman outskookumed the chain latch and metal zip ties were eventually employed.
Peg leaves his tire chains all year. Be more like Peg.
they say you should practice putting chains on when you dont need them.... i have some in my trunk with instructions. i will find out when i need them
I feel personally attacked watching this one 😅. Brings back way to many memories getting the tractors ready for winter. Especially contemplating the universe while you're doing it.
Great gift! You never know how much you need one, until you start using one. Ty AvE.
Wow! I see there have been lots of improvements since I found mine by the side of the road! I must say the needle nose plyers get used quite a bit around here! Good for pulling out those wild nose hairs!
Honestly, You are one of my favorite people on TH-cam! You’re fucking hilarious And you always tell it exactly as it is! Your bumblefuckery and since of humor Always make me laugh so hard!🤣 Another entertaining video as always, wishing you an amazing 2022!!
Never laughed so hard watching a TH-cam video, I’m now subscribed!
So much fun watching the video. Never put chains on tires but I definitely have great insight. Thanks...
insight now
That model is more or less the same as the Charge, for anyone who wants a non-NASA branded one with basically the same selection of tools. I've had mine for about 10 years now and it's actually nice having a jack of all trades tool within arm's reach, even if it isn't as good as a proper set of needle nose or a proper set of scissors. It's still a handy little problem solver.
I would have called it a Wave, can be hard to tell.
I've had a wave, rebar style, and super tool original and 300.
Overall i like the rebar the best. Most pocket friendly out of all. Actually goes on sale(got mine for like 40usd). Same plier jaws as 300, i prefer the squared off jaws compared the rounded jaws on some of the other lethermans. Wish it had the bit driver. Knife is usable for boxes and other quick stuff. Have to open for access but there if needed. The rebar is just a mini super tool 300.
If heading to a junkyard or screwing around in the shop, i grab the rebar.
I like the waves file with the backside diamond file, the abrasive has held on better than any other diamond file or hone I've used. Has better knife placement than rebar or super tools. With the quick outside access, the knife could be a daily driver for someone who will also use it a pocket knife. Large Bit driver is neat. Small bit driver broke immediately.
The nasa branded one was “designed” by Tom Sachs around a Charge +. You can buy just a regular charge plus and it’s the same thing just without the logos.
@@landuneauto I just looked up where I could get one and figured out this Sachs guy is some sort "artist", but lo and behold, Etsy sellers are selling 3d-printed scales for various Leatherman products with the Nasa logo in the same style :D
@@PinataOblongata I wonder if they'll print me ones with "Von Brauns rocket team" on them?
I’m from Arizona. I’ve never seen snow chains in real life. Seems just as miserable putting them on as getting caught without them.
MT - Since you haven't had the pleasure, note that AvE's vids haven't entirely exhibited how unflexible the tire chains can be if they have been left in a car trunk to gather moisture, then freeze up into an inert, rusty, frosty crumpled mess, rivaling the utility, hardness, and slightly resembling, the Rock of Gibraltar.
Also note that he is putting them on a tractor. Cars have a variety of different types by different manufacturers so they work differently in the way they tighten up. I never seen that before with the half moon.
I have a first gen leatherman that my dad gave me as a gift with the original leather belt pouch from when he got his first leatherman (different ones) absolutely love that thing and use it damn near everyday
Never have used tire chains in Florida my whole life. Definitely harder to put on than I thought they would be. Glad I'll never have to worry about it. Fun to watch other people struggle though.
Order up a set and put em on! It’ll be a fun conversation with the highway patrol, and the rest of us need a good ‘Florida Man’ headline!
Happy new year Ave. Hope everyone is staying safe and taking care
Happy New Year Ryan!
@@arduinoversusevil2025 hey you wouldn't believe what two of these are going for new on Ebay.
@@johnstuckaiii Doesn't matter, 'cause mine's priceless!
@@arduinoversusevil2025 agreed! Use it and enjoy it!!! Nothing like that kind of value.
I worked 14 hours outside in 5°f(-15° in Communist) on New Years, replacing commerical boiler in double door exterior mechanical room, and I highly doubt astronauts can get those tools open but the pliers without taking their spacesuit gloves off
Considering outer space is minus -455°F, i would imagine that's not as comfortable trying to get the tire chains on.
They won't need to. The moon car needs no tire chains.
watching this is the reason i will continue to spin and cuss while contemplating chains and plowing an icy driveway.
usually when i get going like this and making up cuss words, the wife will cautiously say honey you need some coffee...lol
I have a Leatherman Charge. The only part I haven't used is the blasting cap crimper. I used to build servers, and it had everything I needed. Just be careful if you use the seatbelt cutter to cut Ty-Wraps.
That phillips bits is not a #2, it's a number flapping everything. It is the single best phillips bit on the planet. I don't know what magician crafted it or how, but it's shape is seemingly ubiquitous and it works on very small laptop screws up to enormous ones that it has no business driving and looks frankly ridiculous in. Causes very little if any harm to the screw heads, unlike every other 'incorrect' screwdriver bit one may use in a pinch
I've always been so impressed by it! Defies physics that bit. Like losing a family member when it falls out and is lost and gone forever
the one on the original wave, non interchangeable is even more magic. never wears out either.
Who’s the lucky bastard with serial number 69?
Nice!
"Tools that are made to do everything, are no F****** good at everything."
FINALLY! Somebody said it. I remember helping my dad at an early age with working on his car and he used his Leatherman for most of the work. Sure it did the job, most of the time not very well, and sure as hell took forever.
Just got some flashbacks from my trip to Finnish Lapland during army training.. Putting snow chains to army trucks in -25c, pitch black darkness, rusty nuts, no proper tools of any kind, only thing to get your fingers warm was the engine smoke. Those 2 and a half weeks felt like they happened to someone else.
I was on the Leatherman train since I was a boy. Then I spoiled (or soiled) myself with a Swisstool and never looked back. From locksmithing to maintenance it's served me fine and it's seen some miles over some six or so years. The only thing I've busted on it was the awl. Tip came clean off ages ago, but it was still somewhat sharp so I kept on with that part. Little play, but still locks up nice and hasn't ever failed me. The knife on it is trash, I carry my own just for that reason. I use the knife on my multitools as a beater since they tend to be pretty low grade anyhow.
I suppose if I gifted someone a designer hammer, I would want them to hit stuff with it. If it was not up to being used in a whacking way, then maybe my present was on the junky side. Then again, if someone was using the schmancy hammer handle as a crow bar, my hole would pucker like it did watching most of this video. Ha @ the utter lack of reverence compared to another cool TH-cam video featuring this tool. I chortled. Holy shit you are hard on stuff!
Are you talking about Adam Savages video on Tested?
@Bylan Daker nope! The indomitable Laura Kampf. It was a cool overview. It was there that I learned about Tom Sachs. I like his Mars Nikes. Bit of a shame that his gear is exclusively priced.
I have one made by Swiss Army that was a gift from a friend that got it as a retirement gift after 35 years as a steward on an ore carrier. I've had it for a little over 10 years now and use it almost every day multiple times and it is still in excellent shape. I love it. But then again, after seeing how much this Victorinox cost I'm not surprised. It's not cheap. I told him I found out how much it was and he was shocked, being a retirement gift he thought it was just a 30 dollar item they got in bulk, but being a chef he never really had a use for one. It's come to be one of those things that you just really appreciate.
Watching you struggle to do this in a warm, dry, shop makes me feel much better about how I did in the freezing cold and snow a week ago.
I got 16 years on my Leatherman Wave, back when the locking mechanism for the inner tools still said "pat pend." If you look near the handle pivots of the pliers you see a cam that pushes spring loaded pins into the knife holes to lock them closed when the pliers are opened. Mine didn't come with a tire finder, but I tell you what, those little scissors are damn good for trimming nose hairs.
Yep. My Wave is circa '05, gets used every day.
The rank order of multitools being used as deadly weapons must be down there with silly string or edible underwear. The victim could crawl to safety using only their buttcheeks in the time required for the assailant to choose and lock the desired edge into place.
Hands down best channel on TH-cam