Tool Review: Leatherman Micra.

Asssalamualaikum wbt  and greetings to all!

Hello Yeops and Yongs!  Thank you my readers for visiting my blog and for today’s content on the tool review, it will be  Leatherman Micra.  If you haven’t heard about this multitool maker, Leatherman , this is indeed a solid and practical tool.

I have a different models from Leatherman but today I’m just going to bring it up on Micra.

Simply said, it is has 10 features in this packed multitool but I’m not going to go to each and every one of them.  I’m just going to review 5  of the features that I commonly used and shares some practical and useful things with this tool.  (the other reason is that I don’t really have much time at hand as I got other errands to attend to..ha hah ha..)

1. Scissors.

There’s always situation where you find yourself with a bag of chips or a snack bar that is tempting and you wanted to have it opened nicely so that it would go bursting all over you or on the floor. wasted.  or that 3-in-1 coffee sachet that needs to be open right. this scissors is a useful one indeed.

snip snip and it is done. the other thing is I found out that the scissors is safe for kids ( aged 7 and above) to use.  If my kids wanted to borrow my multitool to open their snack  ( Jajan)  or chocolate snack, I would just remind them to use the scissors instead of the knife.

2. 420HC blade a.k.a the knife

Yes any multitool comes with a knife or blade included.  except for a certain TSA certified model which doesn’t have a blade with in.

What does 420HC means? It is referring to 420 stainless, high carbon , which is the material made for most hatchet, axe, knife.  high anti corrosion. For any descent knife that has a blade, high-carbon is one of the best materials that you could get.

I have this tool for nearly 6 years and when it came to me, I’m the second lucky owner. The blade is still clean and no sign of rust till today. Sharp and can be used as paper cutter. Most rafia strings, fishing nylon strings, sealed box package, it is easily opened with this knife.  It is sharp that, if you don’t have your shaving razor with you, you could use this as a replacement.  Please don’t use the blade to cut wires, it will severe the sharpness of the blade and getting a replacement blade will not be easy. To remove the dent on the eye blade, it will take more man-hours to do it, so use the correct tool for the job.

That being said, do remember to oil it well and remove any dirt, grease and grit. Use WD40 with this to make it shiny and unfolding the tool will be smooth.

but wait! take a look at the picture above. The blade’s bolster will  be blocked by the multitool second part  and it will prevent the cutting edge to cut your fingers. This multitool is already compact enough to put in the safety blade lock that will consume space . This feature allows you to safely use the knife without getting hurt. Being cut by a HC blade is an experience you will painfully remember. ( I will tell you all about this on a different post).

Safety is important whenever we handle any tool,  thank you Mr Leatherman for this safety feature!

3.  The flat head screwdriver. 

Flat head screwdrivers is a must have.  If you’re looking for other manufacturer’s tool , be sure this feature is included.

You need to change batteries for electronic stuff and the thing wouldn’t just pry open, search you pocket and there’s your flathead.

When I’m fixing around things around the house, I just carry this in my pocket and it will get some work done before I bring in the reinforcements..70% of the time this flathead screwdriver will do its job before the whole toolbox comes out from the store room.

4. Mini screwdriver with bottle opener…. 

another smaller cousin of the flathead is the mini screw driver that comes with a bottle opener.

When I purchased a bottled drink over the counter at the store, the cashier would ask if I need it opened? I told the cashier, no thank you and that puzzled look came upon their face.

 Why would this guy refused to have his bottled drink opened withcan opener?

It is because I have the bottle opener as one of the feature in this Micra.  Those puzzled look are priceless with your smug faced confidence that you know you have the cool tool to open it.

The small screwdriver comes in many ways for its usefulness. Several such situation, when repairing table clock or removing tough small screws or replacing pocket LED torchlight or even pushing the coin into the vending machine.

5.  Lanyard ring with a string 

Due to the  small size of this multitool, people with large hands will definitely face a challenge when it comes in handling this tool.  I think the manufacturer, Leatherman has already thought of this challenge and this is where the lanyard ring comes to the rescue.

you can’t help it but you need to attach a string or small lanyard to this keyring hole. When you handle this tool make sure the string loop goes around your other fingers or if it is big enough to circle around your wrist. so that if you drop this tool, at least it will be hanging nearby. When you reached for this in your coins pocket, the string will be useful for your to take it out.  I’ve tried attaching it to as key chain but I found out that with keys dangling at the ring, it is hard to use the screwdrivers as the bunch of keys keep dangling in its rotating way.

Summary:

There you go 5 features review of this multi packed tool and if you’re in Malaysia, you could get this around RM120 onwards from online trading portals such as Mudah

If you purchase it online at Leatherman’s website , it will be around USD25  All this excluding postage and handling.

• Good for new users ( loved by experienced users as well! )
• You don’t break your bank by buying the other bigger and expensive multitool (which end up in your drawer most of the time)  and “bior pape asalkan berghaye”  it is not really practical these days.
• This is a good start and you will have more adventures with it.
• Subconsciously once you’re used to it, you will carry it everywhere and will find useful ways to tinker things around you.
• If you’re travelling with airlines, make sure it goes into the checked luggage and NOT into the cabin luggage. Don’t even think about making smart arguments with the security airport officer when you’re caught with one of these.  ( Airport security did confiscate one of my small tools and I regret of not putting it in the checked luggage )
•  You have more promising adventures in the near future. InsyaAllah!

Do check out Leatherman’s website  for details and  look for Tool-tales for other users story with their tool.  Be inspired and mesmerized with the tales, nonetheless.

p.s Yeop is a calling common name for a male meanwhile Yong for female in Perak,  as in addressing guys and girls, ladies and gentlemen.