I know there are several self professed multi-tool junkies on here. Thought you might enjoy this review:

http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/18/preview-leatherman-freestyle/

It does not look sturdy,in keeping with with traditional models (wave)

well it's probably not bet your life on it sturdy. I love my wave, but if you want to throw it in your pocket, it is a bit on the heavy side. would be nice to have a super lightweight, yet full size model.

that thing's cool. where's it made?

It is cool and I like the 40$ price but the driver is like that really hot but trashy girl from school "born to strip". When you have a half philips and half straight it probably does a half a$$ed job.

I am much more interested in the Byrd multitool. I have wanted one since the first spyderwrench and now they are going to be about 60$. They will also have pliers ,good bits ,a crescent wrench and a good knife. The steel of the Byrd knives is a decent Chinese steel that is very similar to ATS-34. The newest blade mag has an article about the new Chinese steels.

just 5 .oz is impressive, and good for many. but I Love and will stick with my 8.8 .oz old style Supertool

edit: weight of LM ST is 8.8 not 9

the freestyle is a simpler version of the Skeletool and the Skeletool is simple enough! they are a basic, only a few tools MT. the screw driver bit on the freestyle is standard/phillips/combination and fixed in (on the Skeletool it is a removable bit and you can use standard bit accessories in it's place (plus it has a bit holder). and the handle on the freestyle is zytel/plastic not carbon fiber like on the CX Skeletool or solid metal on the regular Skeletool.

I have my wave and love it, after I got over my obsessive/compulsive issues. I have an original super tool which I have carried through Africa as well as a micra scissors which also has been through Africa with me. I would not leave for anywhere without my Leathermans! I wear my wave, every day.... On my belt, but I do not mind the weight.

yeah, the weight doesn't bother me. it's the bulge.

I like the looks of the Skeletool over the Freestyle. The bit driver adds a lot of versatility.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I bought my first Leatherman about a month ago (a Juice S2) when I was heading cross country in the U-haul. I thought it might be useful if things go bad. Things didn't go bad though. So I got the new place and have used it several times since. Despite being a relatively low tech Leatherman it's really pretty dang useful. Knife steel is not world class but I managed to get it hair popping sharp.