Leatherman Knives?

M

maverick3981

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Jun 26, 2009
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Any love for the Leatherman knives? We all know they make great multi-tools. I think their knives mostly made of 154cm would be great, i like the design of some of them. Any feedback?
 
I have one that I bought about 4 years ago. I don't remember the model number (I'm at work and can't access the knife) but it just has one blade and no tools. It's a liner lock with a little "flipper" mechanism on it. It has a little bit of blade play.

It was very inexpensive and I am surprised at how much I like the knife. The handle feels great in the hand and the pocket clip is nicely designed.

Aside from the minor blade play and the fact that I think the flipper is kind of silly, it's actually not a bad knife at all. I like it.

Edit: I looked it up and mine is a C300. 420HC blade steel and black nylon handle:
http://www.leatherman.com/product/c300/c301
 
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I have an Expanse e55, the steel is good ( can't put my finger on it, but the blade looks very much like Benchmade Mfg, how close are their factories?). Pretty good quality, a little bit of blade play, some gaps between the handle slabs and the frame and the lock doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Overall a good knife for the money and made in USA.
 
I've got a Leatherman Crater C33Tx. (the 'x' indicates combo blade)

http://www.leatherman.com/product/c33T/c33Tx

file_70_14.jpg


I quite like it. It has just a couple really basic tools. They snap firmly out, and don't tend to fold, since their center point is behind the pivot. The flat blade is nice and sharp, not rounded off like Victorinox. I like the nub on the back of the blade, I never use the thumb stud.

The carabiner/bottle opener is nice, and the fact that it opens with one hand is a nice touch. When I'm squatting and standing alternately, I clip it to a belt loop, and I don't have to worry about losing it. Or I can clip it to a D-ring on a bag. In my experience, the tactical folders with super tight wire clips tear up pants. So this one has a cheap, typical clip, but a great carabiner.

The carabiner also doubles as a bottle opener. Having a one-handed opening bottle opener is fun, too.

At two layers thick, it fills the hand better than a single layer knife, too.

I can't put my finger on why I don't carry this one more often. It is the perfect hybrid of a SAK and a small tactical folder. That blade's just a bit shorter than that of a Delica.

The only downside to it is that the insides of the handles have sharp edges. Be sure to break those with a bit of sand paper prior to using the nub on the back of the blade, or you'll slice your finger open. (like I did)

I called Leatherman to let them know about it. They wanted me to send it in. I didn't want to, as I'd already fixed it. I hope they paid attention.

I think Leatherman is a heck of a good all-around knife/tool company. They are full of innovation, and are constantly improving their offerings.
 
I have an e55b. I wish I had tried a plain ol 154 cm bladed knife. I carry a LM MT with driver and a SAK so the driver isn't needed by me and the carabiner stinks imo. Overall, the quality is good and the blade holds a decent edge. Even though it wasn't what I really wanted, I bought it on a forum (I don't think it was here) because it was really cheap. I have no experience with LMs newer 420HC blade. I guess they dropped the 154cm due to cost.
 
I have a a Crater C33. Nice knife and it has absolutely no bladeplay. A good knife for the money.
 
I had the Expanse E33. Good little knife...I abused the help out of it, inc. opening cans on a regular basis, but the little Leatherman just kept on going. I sold it later though, as I had other knives I preferred.
 
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