Customer Reviews

Leatherman 62010003G Mini-Tool

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Mini-Leatherman is simply a great tool! In addition to its other smaller tools, it has full size needle nose pliers similar to the original Leatherman. Yet its clever design allows the tool to be easily carried in your pocket so you'll have it when you need it. The Mini-Leatherman's fold up handles make the difference. Even when carried in a nylon case, it measures only about 2" x 3" x 7/8" overall. This is far smaller than other full sized "pocket" tools which are so long that realistically they can only be carried in a large belt case. Many people get tired of belt carried tools after only a few days and leave them home in a tool box!

In addition to the handy size, this is one rugged, well built tool. In over 10 years of use, mine has yet to show any wear. And the pivot joint of the pliers is as tight as when the tool was new -- impressive! Last, the steel Leatherman uses is not stainless in name only (as with some other brands). This stuff simply while not rust, and the blade steel is hard enough to hold an edge well.

If you don't need the scissors of the Leatherman Micra tool (because you always carry a well known Swiss knife!), and the Original Leatherman is too big, the Mini-Leatherman is perfect!

Other people who have reviewed this tool have already described its high quality, small size, and infinite coolness. I'd like to emphasize those points first and add my own comments on some of the minor "user interface" problems with the design.

As you can probably tell from the pictures, when the tool is closed the pliers are basically tucked neatly inside a rectangular box. The first pair of pivots allows the hollow handles to swing out to reveal the pliers--they lock in place and the pliers can be used in this way for light work. At this point each handle forms a U-shape with the open end facing out (obviously) which doesn't offer a very comfortable grip when squeezing tightly. The screwdriver and knife can be accessed at this point by folding them out; the tool can be closed with either tool exposed for a better grip. The interior of the U-shaped handle can also be folded out and they lock into position as full-sized needle-nozed pliers. The closed side of the U-shape faces out for a stronger grip.

One of the caveats of the tool is the position of the lanyard hole. I put a small keyring through the hole and found it takes a bit of finesse to get the keyring positioned correctly to allow the tool to close without binding on the keyring between the two handles. The hole is in the best possible location (I think) but it would have been nice if a ring was provided that was small enough not to bind (no ring is provided at all.)

The other thing that I found unnerving was getting the blade closed. It locks securely in place but there is no release button so it requires considerable force to close. This wouldn't be such a big deal except the blade is very sharp. In fact, not two minutes after having it out of the box did I cut myself doing just that.

There is an alternative, however. The second handle part for the pliers can be opened over the blade (as if you were using the pliers alone) and the sharp edge of the blade is now enclosed within the U-shaped handle. Closing the blade by opening the second handle first seems to be a good way to avoid cutting yourself.

I can't understand why this tool is the hardest to find Leatherman made. I look at every store display and it seems to never be there. Someone gave it to me as a gift and I quickly came to love the full size pliars and capable wire-cutters. All packed into a pretty small package. The other Leatherman tools are either too big or too small and useless.

The idea of a teeny, keyring-sized Leatherman is great! I snapped one up right away and started sticking it in my pocket for all those little handy problems that come up when you're far away from any regular tools (or even a larger multi-tool).

You know, like performing a quick tracheotomy on the bus. Or defusing a thermonuclear device someone found in a storage closet. Or trying to survive after a plane wreck on an island.

Ok, more like opening the case on a PC to add a sound card, trimming a hang nail, opening a bottle of beer, or opening a shrink-wrapped CD.

Well the idea was a great one, but I found the size of this tool too small to work with the flip-open Leatherman approach. The blade is too small for cutting most stuff, the pliers can't generate enough torque, and the tool selection too limited. Worst of all (and this is a problem I've had with other Leatherman products, though not some of their competition) its tricky to extract the right tool and I scraped up my finger tips several times catching them on the knife blade or sharp edges of the tool.

So its a great idea but doesn't quite work. I'd say, if small size is key, go for one of the more pocket-knife-like products. If features are key, it might be worth accepting a bit more bulk and getting one of the mid-sized pocket tools.

I'm on my 5th multi tool and my second Leatherman mini-tool. Because of its small size, I pack it everywhere I go -- at work they call me Fix-it Dave because it aids me in repairing almost any office equipment. When doing handyman stuff, the full size needle-nose pliers and the flat screw driver are great for electrical work. The needle-nose are sharp enough to dig splinters out of my hide. After years of use, I disfigured mine enough by melting the end and attempting to cut a hardened steel screw that it needs to be replaced. Hard to find, but worth the work. I almost ordered two to avoid the lag time in ordering. As long as Leatherman makes one, I'll own a mini-tool.

I find this tool handy for the small jobs, cut this, tighten that, etc. The pliers are good enough that they've been the essential get-me-outta-this-jam tool on several occasions. Since this is the small Leatherman, this is the one I have on hand or can find in a hurry. Around the house, I find myself going to the bedroom dressing table or my pocket for this rather than reaching into the toolbox most of the time something needs a fix or a tweak.

This is my second Leatherman Mini-Tool, and the first one was a gift. To be honest, if it hadn't been given to me I probably wouldn't have bought it based on its appearance, simply because of its size. Don't be fooled, though. Its size is both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on what you use it for.

For me, after a long period of sitting in the glove compartment, the Leatherman Mini-Tool became a great companion for fly fishing. It easily clips to a zinger, and is so light you don't really know it's there, particularly if you don't fold the handles all the way open.

The needlenose pliers are great for getting hooks out of hungry fish mouths, and clipping excess line. If pressed, the little foldout knife can clean a fish, although I wouldn't want to get all that stuff into the Mini-Tool's inner workings.

The downside is small, and a non-issue if you're not asking the Mini-Tool to be a replacement for more heavy-duty pliers. For starters, if you do fold the plier handles all the way open, and have to apply a lot of pressure, the handle-edges will dig into your hands. Second, this thing is so small when folded up, it's easy to misplace. Remember, this is the second one I've owned. However, that takes me back to another positive - the Leatherman Mini-Tool is inexpensive enough that replacing it via Amazon wasn't a tough decision.

Just lost my Leatherman "Micra", the one with the scissors. Saw this one and find it as nice if not better than the "Micra". I was using the small scissors for light occassional pruning in the yard and can still prune with the small wire cutters on the pliers, but I also now have a small and substantial pliers..

Keeping the big leatherman's on you is a hassle. The Micra model does not have the key tool: Pliers. This little baby has it all. Small enough for your pocket, featured enough for any task. And, for the price, this is the best value leatherman has to offer.

First: Mine came with a split ring. But it was tucked inside the instructions and the registration card stuff. Not obvious. I do agree it has a tendency to get pinned in the hinge but its not difficult to avoid this. You just have to nick it in place as you close it. Which makes me think I may remove it as I'm not hanging it on my keychain.

Second, The instructions are somewhat confusing. It mentions opening the handle extension to get at the blades. That's so wrong as to cause me to write Leatherman directly. You want to open the handle extensions to _CLOSE_ the blade. Not open it.

Also it would have been better if the photo showed the handle extensions locked out in place. Then you could see that you really have a full size leatherman. I put it up next to my Pulse(tm) and its the same size! (Same pliers head) The Pulse has more tools and costs more but it doesn't fold down into as small a package. Which btw is about 2x wider that of the Micra, but the same length.

Field tests on the can opener, well it works but its not as easy as the military field can opener. You know the one, that incrediable easy to use, super simple two pieces of steel on a hinge or the next best the swiss army version. But the can of olives was successfully opened and dinner was saved.

Field tests on the bottle opener. Better than the dual purpose bottle opener/can opener as it doesn't puncture the bottle top. But its less easy to use than the best Leatherman opener which is on the locking pliers and the micra. Works though, you just have to remember to not try to use the can opener instead as they look almost identical. If you find yourself trying to left hand open a bottle, you've probably got the can opener out. (It won't work.)

I got this Mini-tool thinking that there are times I want a set of good pliers with me but I don't want to wear a belt sheath to carry them and the Pulse(tm) et.al. is too large a lump in my pocket. This set of pliers fits the bill. And they are so much better than the squirt pliers (P4) that it defies imagination why you would buy those.

Minus: No philps screw driver. (But my Micra has a 1/2 philips head) No sizzors, (micra has those) File is small for real work, blade is also really too short for real work. (about 1 inch long)

Plus: ok bottle and ok can opener. Great pliers, with the handles extended the surface is smooth against your palm. File nearly locks in place as does the blade.

In comparison if you are looking for "pocket" pliers, you might consider the Leatherman C2, its a little longer, about the same width, but has corkscrew, Or the S2 which has the sizzors. But definitely skip the squirt P4. But these are still a neat little package of pliers.