In thing

There is great beauty, as any engineer will tell you, in pure functionality. And with the Leatherman PST II, a stainless steel "tool" designed by American Tim Leatherman, for once, you're forced to agree.

Like the Swiss Army Knife, the Leatherman bristles with various DIY bobbins (pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, blades etc), but, for once, the European has to concede to the American model in terms of style. Before you ask, it's not just the plaything of male gadget fetishists - my girlfriend put me on to the joys of the knife. Leatherman PST II pounds 54.95, Snow and Rock 01932 569569.