Leatherman PST - Blast

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Jan 12, 2009
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Hi guys/gals, I have an original PST perhaps ~20-22 years old. Question when did Leatherman start putting date codes inside the handle? My PST has no date code.

Another question, I would like to retire my PST and the replacement that has the features and is most like the PST is the Blast. Does anyone have any opinions on this tool? I like that it has locking tools (which my PST does not) and has a file and saw.

I was looking the Wave but don't like the bit drivers and the screw drivers are too short :barf: (I know you can get an expander, but this does not appeal to me).

Any opinions on the Blast would be appreciated.

Thankyou;
Vinny
 
Thankyou Dantor! Will check my PST when I get home, but it looks like a mid 80's.

Also, thanks for you input on the Blast. I do have some concerns because many Amazon.com reviews, and some posts here, mentioned a problem with the locks breaking. I take it you've had no such problems.

Vinny
 
While I really do like the Blast you'll find it much thicker than your PST due to the extra tools and the Zytel inserts. I find myself more likely to carry my Fuse instead (but you'll perhaps miss the file). It's a real shame there isn't a direct descendent of the PST as I'm sure it would still be popular.

Another thing to be careful about is the pouch; the "leather" pouch you get with the Blast/Fuse is a POS compared to the lovely bit of leatherwork that you'll have with your PST. I really didn't think it could be that bad so I got "leather" pouch with my Blast and was instantly glad I had the Nylon pouch with my Fuse.
 
Gareth, thankyou for the info. If the Blast is a little thicker than my PST thats OK. I have held a Wave in my hand, is the Blast as thick as that?

I know what you mean regarding the nice leather sheath for the PST and have seen the newer ones (a co-worker has a Wave), they do not compare. Would be happy with the nylon though.

On another note, many here (and multitool.org) really like the Swiss Tool Spirit. No retailers around here though. My nearby Walmart has the Blast, but in those stupid clam packs. I would have to buy the Spirit on-line, but am hesitant without handling one. Any opinions on the Spirit "S"? This one has the tools and functions I'd think would be good for me (not interested in scissors in the spirit x).

Vinny
 
I'm afraid I don't have a Wave or Spirit to do a comparison with but here is the Blast, PST and Fuse end on showing the different thickness'.
DSCF1817.jpg


The other slight issue I have with the Blast (and Fuse) is that the legs don't close together nearly as much as the PST.
DSCF1822.jpg


If I'm sounding a little negative about these then please don't let me put you off, the Blast/Fuse have some real advantages over the PST as well. You don't get all the tools coming out at the same time; each is really easy to get at and smoothly locks into place. Oh yes, they both have locks.:thumbup: Also the Zytel inserts really do make a much more comfortable grip than the old sharp edges of the PST.

This is now the point where I tell all and admit that I much prefer the (sadly retired) Pulse to all of them.:o

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,11899.0.html

BTW if you want the file you might also think about the knifeless Fuse (it has a file in place of the blade) works well if you are in the habit of carrying a dedicated knife anyway.
 
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Man Gareth, some excellent information, again thankyou so much! The Blast is quite a bit thicker than the PST, hmm...

I will look more into the Spirit s as the Fuse has no file.

Dantor thankyou as well! The Spirit S is definitely on my radar.

Vinny
 
daamn, the Blast got a big ass! I never knew how thick it was compared. I've had my Blast for years, and still going strong. I used to have the Charge, which is similar to the Wave with the bit drives, which I was not too fond of.
 
I think the thing to remember is that PST stands for Pocket Survival Tool. It was supposed to be slim enough to drop in your pocket and be carried around. I don't think I could even consider that with the Blast, but at least I can bear down with it without having the sharp edges dig into my hands.

Different designs with different emphasis on what the priorities are.
 
taurn, thankyou for the info on the Blast. Good to know it's durable after reading the reviews on broken locks.

I agree the bit holders on the Charge and Wave don't appeal to me as well. Don't think the new Wave is an improvement over the old Wave (which one of my co-workers has). This is why I think I'd prefer the Blast over the Wave/Charge.

Problem around here is that I have no dealer that carry the Spirit S. Whereas many dealers have the Blast.

Vinny
 
Gareth UK said:
I think the thing to remember is that PST stands for Pocket Survival Tool. It was supposed to be slim enough to drop in your pocket and be carried around. I don't think I could even consider that with the Blast, but at least I can bear down with it without having the sharp edges dig into my hands.

Different designs with different emphasis on what the priorities are.
Click to expand...

My first multitool was a PST. For most uses the thin handle edges were no problem, and when I needed to squeeze extra hard on the pliers, a folded handkerchief padded my hand well enough. Anything that would defeat the hanky would usually be outside the tool's capability, anyway. Once, while in gorilla mode, I bent the handles. This taught me that the PST had its limits.

Eventually, when I transitioned to a Super Tool, which had the same issue, the old technique still worked, but when I applied extra force, the handles didn't bend. Still, I like the PST for its small size and light weight. Sometimes it sees pocket time, as when I travel to locations where locking blades are not street legal, or whenever I feel the need to lighten the load.

Yeah, I like the new stuff, a Charge is currently my EDC, but if Leatherman had continued on with the earlier products I would have been satisfied enough.

FWIW; recently I met a guy who owns and operates a successful dairy farm. Although he can afford anything that would suit his fancy, his 1980s PST is in its third (or fourth?) leather sheath, the others having worn out from frequent use. No matter what he is wearing for work or dress, the PST always hangs on his belt and he will carry nothing else.
 
Gareth and Snapchatz thankyou for the feedback. I agree the PST can be a little hard on the hand, but it is small and relatively light. Was hoping the Blast would be more of the same size but alas it is not. I will not give up on a file, this is why the fuse doen't do it for me.

Is there another tool that is more like the PST? Is the Spirit S the same size as the Blast or closer to the PST?

Thankyou;
Vinny
 
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Funnily I started with an Supertool and then got a PST years later, at the time the PST just felt so flimsy compared to my beloved Supertool. I've come back to the PST recently and feel a lot more forgiving towards it and really like the tool selection in such a compact unit.

For me though, if they sorted out the tool clumping, the Pulse is the zenith of LM design; great tool selection, pocketable size, comfortable grips, solid locks (that I happen to really like) and I could go on.:o
 
I bought a PST back in 2003 and carry it daily. I replaced the leather sheath with one of A.G. Russell's small black cordura sheaths, and couldn't be happier. Those Russell cordura sheaths are really durable, and are the perfect size for the PST.
 
I had a Blast. Still have it, actually, but it is in a drawer broken. You guessed it. Lock broke, and I was just using the can opener to open a can. Not really applying more pressure then you normally would on a can. I liked that it was a light tool, but the flex in the handles when using the screwdrivers never really made me feel to secure using it. I always thought it was going to break. It is as wide as the Newer Wave, so pocket carry, while doable since it is so light, would be cumbersome because of it's width. The individual tools themselves are very good. Just a very light use multitool. Like I said, if you take out a screwdriver, and close the handle, and then go to loosen a tight screw, those handles will flex like crazy.
 
Voltron, yep that's what I've been reading and was afraid of.

Thanks
Vinny
 
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