Leatherman Knives

timsclips

timsclips

Joined
Nov 27, 2007
Messages
610
I have had the original model Leatherman tool for fifteen years now. I was looking over the line of lockback knives and combo tools they offer and I would like to hear what folks here think of them especially compared to the swiss army comparable models.
 
I have handled a few. Don't remember which ones. They weren't very comfortable in my hand. Fit and finish is good, but I wouldn't choose them for my edc. I carry a Leatherman Wave and have had no desire for a folder since.
 
From my very limited experience with them (handling a couple of them), I would say that fit and finish are good, and that they were reasonably comfortable. Also, they offer a number of features that are just kind of cool as far as knives go (such as the screwdriver bits).

However, they seemed to me to be quite bulky, far more bulky than I would ever consider carrying for the fairly limited features they offer. That is, if I'm going to carry a tool for all the miscellaneous things it's got, I'm going to want it to be an efficient use of space. The Wave/Charge/etc. models fit this criterion. Leatherman's knife line does not. Another downside of the knives seems to be high susceptibility to corrosion. At least, my friend's model had rust spots; I can't say for sure what conditions he uses his knife in, but I can't imagine they're that harsh.

Ultimately, my recommendation would be to carry a Leatherman multi-tool (such as a Wave) as well as a dedicated knife (Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, etc., etc.). If the two-tool carry thing isn't your cup of tea, then I would say to pick just one multi-tool and go with that. And if that's the case, I'd go with a model that has a premium steel (e.g., 154CM) for its primary blade. The Charge gets my first choice for filling such a spot (preferably Ti, XTi, or TTi, but AL or ALX would work as well). But if you want something a bit lighter, and perhaps more stripped down to the basics, like the knife line is, I'd recommend the Skeletool. Not sure if that one's out yet, or if not, when it will be released, but it would be worth checking out. From the looks of it, I'd easily go with the Skeletool over one of the models in the knife line.

Sorry if that was a little lengthy. Hopefully some of it is helpful.

Oh, and before I finish, a quick word of comparison to SAK: Ergos to me have felt fine for both, same for fit and finish. I feel like the SAK will be less prone to rust (provided you're not talking about one of the more premium Leathermans). Also, I think there are more tool options for the SAK than for the Leatherman, but I haven't checked recently to verify that. My recommendation for the Charge or Skeletool stands, though. But if neither of those appeals to you, then yes, I would go with a SAK.

Just my $0.02.
 
Just came across a good deal----if there's a Scheel's store near you go check it out.

Picked up a Leatherman k500x(no tools---only a blade(154CM) and carabiner) for $29.99----normally priced at $59.99--------liked it so much for a basic tool--I went and picked up another.

For $60 I wouldn't touch it---much better knives and deals out there----but for $30 its a good basic tool that you can clip to your pack or just leave in the car.
 
I used to EDC the single blade liner lock. The flipper function was neat- very fun to play with and fast opening when practiced. Overall the knives are pretty good quality. However, the blade steel spots VERY easily- even if proper care is taken of it. I paid $12.50 for mine on sale at Target. I would never pay full price for one.
 
I had the Leatherman knife with the screwdrivers and carabiner and it was very nice but it is very bulky. I do miss it sometimes.
 
I own both the h502 and the e303, the 502 is solid and built like a tank. Can't carry it any other way than sheath....well there is the carabiner. Size wise the Charge has it beat. Just got the 303, it's nice but the knife tends to open at the most unoportune time. Have not cut myself yet, but I am keeping my eye on it! :D Quality on both is decent, same with thier tools. If you are apt to use pliers alot go with the tools, the knives are good for someone who needs just screwdrivers.

David
 
I have a c304 that I really dig! The carabiner is cool and the blade is very easy to maintain in the field. The 420 you can sharpen on just about anything (rock, sidewalk, etc). I trust it a bit more than a SAK with the blade having a liner lock that seems solid thus far, and having used the drivers for maintenance jobs they work great. Not sure I would use them on a frozen screw or the like. It's really a handy tool and with the carabiner I just hang it off my ruck or on a belt loop and it's good to go. If you can find one on sale, it's worth a look!

Matador-
 
At work the multi-tool rules and just to be honest the "breaker" is the pliers. There were a couple of the lockbacks floating around but the pliers were missed. They seemed like a good work knife ... ... ... but those darn pliers ...
 
The Juice models seem very well made and are more compact. The S2 is even light enough for pocket carry. I like the CS2 better, but you definitely know it's in your pocket.

I also have one of the earlier SuperTool models that is 15+ years old and is still in perfect working order and no rust - just some scratches and some minor wear. I also have a Wave(approx. 7 yrs old and so far it has been as good as the original SuperTool.

However, the Leatherman I like best is the Juice CS2. Don't have any of their knives as they simply don't appeal to me. The Juice line is similar to SAKs, but with pliers! Check 'em out. :)
 
The model I handled was well built, but bulky for the features it had, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, carabiner and blade. Seemed like it could probably handle fairly heavy use as a screwdriver, more than a typical SAK. But I generally have to agree with mp510. A simple SAK Tinker is more pocketable, with nicer extra features overall. And cheaper, too.
 
i love my C301. The unique flipper feature is really really nice. the knife is very smooth, a lot smoother than my other production knives (some are three times as expensive). The handle is really comfortable too.

and $20 to boot.
 
Let It Bleed said:
However, the Leatherman I like best is the Juice CS2. Don't have any of their knives as they simply don't appeal to me. The Juice line is similar to SAKs, but with pliers! Check 'em out. :)
Click to expand...

Do you mean CS4? My current EDC is one of those, and working out really well. Odd thing is, I wasn't interested until a blowout sale price made it too good to pass up. Until then, I was well satisfied with one or another SAK model. Gradually, however, I grew to depend on the pliers, and now the Juice is mostly what I carry, along with a Rambler for the nail file, tooth pick, etc..

mp510 said:
A 2-layer SAK would probably be a much more practical choice.
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That's what I thought until I started carrying the CS4. Vic products are more elegant, but the Juice is good enough for all SAK duties, plus provides pliers superior to any comparably sized Swiss offering. I wish Vic made something like it, but as of now, the Juice is in a category of one.
 
Do you mean CS4?
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Yes, sorry 'bout that. :o

I recently got a 2008 catalog and am intrigued by the Skeletools. It states available in November 2007, but I haven't seen one. Now that I know about them, I will keep my eye out so I can check 'em out. I have my doubts about utility as it has a bit driver instead of any screwdrivers. If it's not on the tool, I don't see the point. However, I may be missing something (e.g. if the bits are contained in the tool somewhere).
 
omaha-beenglockin said:
Just came across a good deal----if there's a Scheel's store near you go check it out.

Picked up a Leatherman k500x(no tools---only a blade(154CM) and carabiner) for $29.99----normally priced at $59.99--------liked it so much for a basic tool--I went and picked up another.
Click to expand...

Just a note for anyone else in the Omaha area, unless they have more in back, they're now sold out of these. I snagged the last two for me and a friend a few minutes ago.

Thanks for the tip! For $30, it's definitely a decent knife and a very good deal.
 
Just saw the C300 Knife at a TJMax for $17, also had the supertool for $35. Wound up buying a SAK, Sportsman II at Big Lot for $7, fits in the pocket very nicely.
 
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