History: PST

The PST AKA (Pocket Survival Tool), stamped Leatherman Tool was developed by Tim Leatherman and is the first tool that came from the company way back in 1983. This tool changed the multitool world into what you see today. It came with 14 different functions in a 4 inch package and at the time to have a set of pliers in that small of a package was a big deal. Discontinued in 2004 the PST was manufactured for a total of 21 years.

Black Oxide PST

Stainless steel cap crimper PST

Black oxide cap crimper PST

10th Anniversary gold PST

PST with an improved plier head

Jaws

• Needlenose/Regular Pliers with Wire Cutters and Hard-wire notch (hard wire notch was only on models from 1996 on).

Handles/Frame

• Stainless steel.

Blades and Tools

Blade Characteristics

• The PST had 3 different knife distinct blade types over the years. First version had a drop point, second version was a saber point clip point and the last was a clip point.
• None of the tools locked and had tool clumping. Over a 21 year period most of the tools evolved in one way or another and became more refined as the years went on.
• All tools had a highly polished finish (some variations of the file had more of a matte finish)

Locking Mechanism

• None.

Sheath

• The black leather sheath that came with the PST originally is almost as iconic as the PST itself. It is a rectangular sheath with a snap button flap and Leatherman is written in gold lettering on the front that fit the tool perfect. Over the 21 years it was manufactured however there were many sheaths created for the PST. A black nylon pancake type sheath, a camo pancake type sheath and many others.

Dimensions

• Length open = 6.22 inches/15.8cm
• Length closed = 4 inches/10 cm
• Width closed = 1 inch/2.54 cm
• Thickness = 7/16 inch/1.27 cm
• Weight = 5 oz | 142 g

Versions

• Had many variations but the tool itself remained essentially the same throughout it's 21 year production. Some of the early models had rivets instead of the normal knurled screw fasteners, those models with rivets were made in Japan.

Variations

• The PST was produced in both stainless steel and black oxide. There were also cap crimper models in the stainless steel and black oxide as well. There was also a golden 10th Anniversary edition PST.

Background

• The first Leatherman multitool. Introduced in 1983. Made in USA and Japan(at one point). Discontinued in 2004. Longest run of any Leatherman thus far.

Related Tools

• There are a several tools related to the PST. First off is the PST II, next is the Mini-Tool, next is it's big brother the Super Tool, the wacky Flair, the Pulse is sort of a mix of the PST and the PST II and the first Leatherman with a clip the Sideclip is also a close cousin to the PST. The Rebar is the tool that is suppose to be the replacement for the PST in this generation of tools. I guess technically all Leathermans descended from this tool.

More Info

• Leatherman PST chronology project - in the Multitool.org forums
• Lets look at the PST, PSTII, Sideclip, Flair, Pulse, and Rebar. - in the Multitool.org forums
• The PST Review at Multitool.org
• PST ad from the mid 1980's
• PST ad from the mid 1990's
• The PST manuel
• The PST manuel form the 1980's
• The PST on Leatherman website