Leatherman Micra

[Major Overkill]

So, the Major just received the Leatherman Micra multitool that he ordered from the manufacturer. The Major considers his "classic" Leatherman - no bloody "Arc," "Wave," "Skeletool," or "Surge"* - to be an indispensable part of his work wardrobe, and has used it, in the same day, to fix a table, fix a computer, fix jewelry, + Garden. So, he figures the tiniest member of the Leatherman family is the perfect addition to his keyring.

And here it is.

As you can see, its "Micra" name is apt.

Yet, it has a nice compliment of tools.

Unfortunately, where the full-sized Leatherman has a pliers, the Micra has a scissors. Not to dismiss the utility of scissors, but the Major would prefer a pliers. And, much to his regret, Leatherman does not make a Micra with pliers.**

So, that leads to the question: is there a keyring-sized multitool along the lines of the non-existent Leatherman Micra with pliers? Ideally, I'd like one made in the USA, the way Leatherman tools are. I checked Gerber, and while most of their tools are made in the USA, their Dime multitool is made in China (that seems to be the law nowadays).

Any other thoughts?

Thx,
-MO

* Thank you, Scotty.

** The Major knew that the Micra came w/scissors, not pliers. And it's still quite useful as-is. But pliers would make it even more useful.

 

[Whiterook]

Leatherman makes one called the Squirt PS4. Pricey, though.

I've carried a Micra in my pocket for these past thirty years and it does come in handy.

 

[Multum in parvo]

I’m not really a fan of scissors but in a package as small as a Micra would pliers be even useable?

 

[Whiterook]

I've used the scissors to cut cable ties, although it dulls them quickly. Some like them for fishing line. The tweezers are great for picking up small screws and such. The small screw driver is small enough to tighten screws in glasses frames when out and about. It's a good tool.

 

[Stockman1107]

Leatherman Squirt - Had this on my keys for nearly 20 years, pliers are small, but they do come in handy.

 

[Legion]

Ideally, you might keep a small Swiss Army knife with scissors, and a Knipex mini pliers, which are awesome.

 

[brucered]

Ideally, you might keep a small Swiss Army knife with scissors, and a Knipex mini pliers, which are awesome.

View attachment 1914297

Last year I started replacing all my "Craftsman and Mastercraft" type pliers/cutters with Knipex, 1 or 2 at a time.. Top Notch tools.

 

[Major Overkill]

Leatherman makes one called the Squirt PS4. Pricey, though.

Not anymore. The Major checked. Will look on eBay, etc.

Would you recommend any similar products that can compare to Leatherman in quality?

I've carried a Micra in my pocket for these past thirty years and it does come in handy.

Good to know, thx. Is the Micra TSA-compliant?

-MO

 

[Major Overkill]

I’m not really a fan of scissors but in a package as small as a Micra would pliers be even useable?

As a computer guy, the Major had had tons of unexpected times that even a tiny needle nose pliers would be handy.

-MO

 

[Major Overkill]

Given that the only "real" option appears to be a used Squirt PS4, how do you feel the Gerber Dime and SOG PowerPint Mini compare to it?

While a used Leatherman may be the best option, the Major is curious whether its competitors measure up in utility or quality. And, note: he'll pay more for made-in-the-USA.*

-MO

* He's even done his level best to buy USA-made clothing. It's kind of a family thing, seeing as how his both paternal grandfather and that of his CO - aka his wife - were members of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. It's even possible that their fathers crossed paths at the same Pocono Mountain Unity House resort as children. Although, his father being about 6 years older than hers, it's unlikely that they'd have even noticed each other.

 

[maxman]

I love my Micra. It's a good 15 years old? I'm not actually sure but it's old enough to have come with the leather slip case. THey don't offer that anymore.
As for quality of the competition, I've had my share of Gerber and they hold up well. SOG has really trailed off in quality IMO in the last few years. I wouldn't waste the money on them.

 

[Major Overkill]

The Major just saw a Squirt PS4 listed for $33.99 on eBay, w/free shipping. Yes, used, and doesn't look especially pretty. But neither does his original Leatherman after all these years, and that doesn't hurt it in the slightest.

He's tempted to just pull the trigger.

-MO

 

[Whiterook]

There is a used one on Amazon for $150!

 

[Whiterook]

Not anymore. The Major checked. Will look on eBay, etc.

Would you recommend any similar products that can compare to Leatherman in quality?



Good to know, thx. Is the Micra TSA-compliant?

-MO

I doubt it is TSA compliant since it has a blade.

 

[Major Overkill]

I doubt it is TSA compliant since it has a blade.

The Major thought length of blade was a consideration as well.

-MO

 

[Major Overkill]

While the below isn't made in the US, it is made in Germany, a country that has more union participation & workers' rights.

Troika Reisegerat, Seven Function Pocket Tool with Carabiner

Shop for Troika REISEGERAT mini tool has the right answers for the challenges in your everyday life. The Troika Reisegerat needle-nose plier, side cutters, can-bottle opener, screwdriver, scissors and carabiner and key-loop in one. Promote your business Imprinted and Engraving Available. Buy...

troikaus.com

The Major wishes he'd seen this first. It both passes the "not made w/slave labor" test that Chinese-made products & has no knife, making it likely acceptable to the TSA.

Then again, given that TSA agents are known to make up the rules as thru go along, it'd probably be safer to put this in checked luggage anyway. That's the same reason the Major just brings a disposable razor rather than one of his safety razors if he's flying carry-on only. By the TSA rulebook, disassembled safety razors, sans blades, are fine. But your parti agent may or may not agree with that rule, & arguing with one is never a good idea.

-MO

 

[Major Overkill]

I doubt it is TSA compliant since it has a blade.

In theory, a blade as small as the Micra's is fine. But the TSA agent may decide otherwise, & their word is law.

-MO

 

[MA128]

* He's even done his level best to buy USA-made clothing. It's kind of a family thing, seeing as how his both paternal grandfather and that of his CO - aka his wife - were members of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. It's even possible that their fathers crossed paths at the same Pocono Mountain Unity House resort as children. Although, his father being about 6 years older than hers, it's unlikely that they'd have even noticed each other.

Same here in our mishpacha. Grandparents and various aunts/uncles included a tailor, a cutter, a furrier, a mill textile worker and several "rag trade" salespeople. I grew up across the street from an official with the ILGWU. This machine belonged to my wife's grandfather:

 

[Major Overkill]

Same here in our mishpacha. Grandparents and various aunts/uncles included a tailor, a cutter, a furrier, a mill textile worker and several "rag trade" salespeople. I grew up across the street from an official with the ILGWU. This machine belonged to my wife's grandfather:

It's remarkable how many American Jews today had grandfathers or grandmothers who worked in the garment industry. And I mean worked. We're talking about the factory workers, decidedly not the factory owners*. True fact: the women working at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory were immigrants, largely Italian + Jewish women. And the deaths from that completely avoidable fire were perhaps the single most significant spark that really got the labor union movement going in the US.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

-MO

* Ironically, the owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory were Jewish. I suspect that they were from an earlier wave of Jewish immigrants to the US. These earlier immigrants - largely German Jews, although more rarely of Spanish or Portuguese descent - often looked down on their Eastern European "relatives," seeing them as backwards + uncivilized in comparison to themselves. And, in all fairness, German Jews, even 1st generation immigrants, were typically far more educated than their Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish successors.

 

[MA128]

And how far we have come! The story continues in every generation with immigrants from all over the world. Despite our current problems, America is a wonderful country.