June 2008
Ever Seen a "Delta" Leatherman?
I’m not sure what year I bought my first Leatherman tool, but it was a many years ago. I had seen an article that showed a tool that C.I.A. operatives had used years before which had a knife blade and several other useful implements on it and I wanted something like that for myself. Sometime later, at a knife and gun show, I saw something similar, but it didn’t look like much and it was expensive, so I passed on it. For a little background, I live near Fort Bragg Army Base in North Carolina and many neighboring businesses cater to the thousands of military personnel in the area.
One day, I was in a knife and gun shop just off post and spotted a Leatherman Tool display and asked the clerk about them. They had just come out, he said, and were very popular with the military. He showed it to me and let me thoroughly check it out. This was the original model. I think it was even before it had the PST designation. The store had the standard shiny stainless finish original model, but they also had a limited edition model that was identical, except that it was black and had a cap crimper in the nose of the pliers like today’s Leatherman Charge TTi. The store personnel called it the Delta model after the Delta Force anti-terrorism unit that operates out of Fort Bragg. Well, you can guess which one I had to have. That day I went home with a black Delta Leatherman and after leaving the store, I’ve never seen another one like it. I still have it and more than a half dozen other Leatherman tools that I’ve collected over the years. They have served me well and I’ve never broken one, but that original black one has seen the most use. It is really impressive to see the ingenuity and engineering that goes into a Leatherman design . . . especially the latest ones with the most tools. The way the parts fit together and function is amazing.
I learned long ago not to try to save money by buying a cheaper tool. It won’t do the job for long, if at all, and then you’ll be out of your money and still have to purchase a replacement. You might as well invest in the best from the start, and that is a Leatherman. Whenever I see someone with a Leatherman on his belt I know I am in the presence of someone who appreciates a quality product and doesn’t mind paying for it. If you are hesitating on buying a Leatherman tool because of price, compare that to the cost of a tank of gas in your SUV or a couple of dinners eating out or a round or two of golf, all of which will soon be gone along with your money. But purchase a Leatherman tool and it will be on your belt for years to come, ready to come to your rescue like these testimonial stories prove. If your money is tight, try this. At Christmas or Fathers Day or when you have a birthday coming up, tell those from whom you normally get a present that you want a Leatherman Tool, and ask them to pool their funds and get you one. Be sure to specify which model you want and you’ll be glad you did. I believe that almost everyone remembers the day and details of when they got their first Leatherman. I do and it has been about 25 years ago. Finally, I just want to say . . . GO FOR IT!!
Dennis M.
West End, NC
OK, you voyeur, you. Enough of reading other people's stories. It's time you told your own tale of gripping heroism or even just neat DIY'ism. We know there's a Shakespeare in you somewhere. Don't make us use the Steens to find it.