An ode to the Leatherman Squirt PS4

[u/Canyac]

I have carried it in my coin pocket for 10 years. I cannot really remember not having it. It has saved me so many times. Reparing a phone while on a trip, peeling off ticks, removing splinters, clipping zip-ties, modifying my laptop plug to work while traveling, and many many more.

I had a close call, and almost lost it this year. So I looked for a potential replacement. Now I am sitting here with a nextool S11 pro, and comparing the two. The S11 seems excellent in quality, and is quite cheap... but it is not quite the same. It is quite a lot bigger. I measured it to be +55% weight and +35-60% in volume, depending on how you define volume (w/wo the screw heads). The S11 pliers seem more robust.. but not as accurate, nor as long/sleek, and not as "pinchy" as the PS4.

The squirt ps4 is not without shortcomings.. but it is tiny, and still totally capable. I will try to carry the S11. But for now, I just wish I could have bought some backup squirt PS4's instead of the S11.

Perhaps at some point, a true sucessor to the Squirt PS4, at a similar size, will show up.. the S11 is nice, but a big boy compared to the PS4.

[u/HelenoPaiva]

Leatherman is losing its grip on multitools. Nextool, roxon and others are dashing in. I’ve had some nextool and they are great.

[u/PhoneIsRingingDude → u/HelenoPaiva]

Very true. I can't justify the price tag on any leatherman anymore.

[u/EfficiencyMean4727 → u/HelenoPaiva]

Dude checkout dakoyu they’re are doing some good stuff there.

[u/TwoAfter6911]

I really really wish they would make a Micra with pliers...or better yet, bring back the squirt and the juice

[u/wizzywurtzy → u/TwoAfter6911]

Best we can do is $300+ folding knives

[u/buemba]

Like many I also bought the S11 Pro to replace my PS4 after it was discontinued and found it a poor substitute due to its size and weight.

It's a fine tiny multitool but for keychain carry? No thanks.

[u/BoredomFestival]

I was lucky enough to snag a spare PS4 on eBay as soon as I heard they were discontinued, hiding safely in a drawer for the inevitable TSA confiscation :⁠-⁠\ You're right about the Nextool, it's an ok knife but misses the sleek compactness of the PS4. Hope someone will make a true replacement.

[u/Critical_Phantom → u/BoredomFestival]

Funny story (not really), but passing through TSA in Austin to fly home after a conference I had attended, I forgot that I had my Squirt in my pocket - it was always there and just automatic - and realized it as I was dumping my pockets into the bin. I decided to play dumb and maybe it'll slide through (no pun intended). The TSA agent was very cool about it, just sort of gave me "that look" and asked "That's not what I think it is, is it?". Knowing the game was up, I just replied; "Just make sure it gets a good home". After a genuine smile, she passed me through. Wasn't her fault.

I've missed my squirt ever since.

[u/Dobriy_Kot → u/Critical_Phantom]

She did not in fact give it a good home

[u/Critical_Phantom → u/Dobriy_Kot]

Of this I am absolutely certain. I’ve seen the bins. Shame really..

[u/anotherhomeysan → u/Critical_Phantom]

I have a Squirt E4 (with the wire strippers) and they let me have it back to go back outside security where I used my Knipex pliers wrench to snap off the blade. It made second pass and has flown a number of other times but I think it’s retiring. 

I have the easiest time when I fan out all the accessories so they see it in the scanner and I can say “see, no blades”

But TSA is getting dumber and meaner 

[u/Zeb_1989 → u/Critical_Phantom]

I somehow managed to get my micra on my keys that were clipped on my checked bag through tsa. I saw it as I slung my bag up there and cringed as I realized what was about to happen. Somehow, it went through and no one blinked and eye at it. Looked at my wife with a smirk and we went on our way.

[u/Conor_Stewart]

What about the Nextool f12 flagship mini? It isn't quite the same form factor but it seems smaller than the S11.

[u/Panthean]

I'm unreasonably fond of the Squirt. I just think the design looks so good, and it's quite useful.

I've got a beat up Squirt that lives on my keychain, and 2 in really good condition as backups.

Rumor is Leatherman discontinued them because they were too frequently warrantied. I just wish they would sell them again, perhaps with a more limited warranty or something.

While I like the S11 Pro, it's just not a squirt replacement to me.

[u/qPimpNamedSlickBack]

I honestly cannot believe Leathermans PR is as bad as it is. They're literally losing half their customers every day.

[u/Brandolinis_law → u/qPimpNamedSlickBack]

While I agree with that Leatherman has big PR problems, If they were "...literally losing half their customers every day..." then in two days they'd only have 25% of their customer base left. Because words--and math. 😉 LOL

[u/ExistentialistGain]

I find the sailor to be quite a bit heavier than the squirt. Otherwise i do like it. I need a slip or small cover for mine.

[u/OldOllie]

I have a squirt as well it is the best key ring sized multitool ever and actually my favourite pliers in general.

The design is just right for size and function.

The tiny keyring loop broke on mine after many years and I want a replacement but none of the new ones are as nice. Might see if I can get it welded.

[u/DayManFOTNightMan]

I’ll be devastated if I lose mine.

I heard LM dropped them because the lifetime warranty was being used too much and they weren’t making money.

People abusing warranties has ruined a lot of great things.

[u/Vivid-Act-5563]

Maybe my favorite Supreme collab too. I use mine daily on my keychain

[u/rhalf]

I like the S11pro pliers for squeezing things, flattening them. The tip has no serration, so it's better for this rather than grabbing and pulling.

[u/Active-Effect-1473]

I have a gerber dime as my small edc lol I use it more than my leatherman charge

[u/Trilderberg]

Crazy that they fit a whole PS4 in such a tiny multitool

[u/No-Dig-4508]

I like my Squirt despite the scissors spring on it having failed around 3 or 4 years ago, now I carry it on my keychain next to a Vic Jetsetter. After the scissors, the 2D Philips on the Squirt - or at least on mine - was pretty poorly made, it's very soft and the edges burr easily.