Leatherman make SAKs?!?

U

user24

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Nov 10, 2006
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This may not be new to you guys at all (it was published in September 2005), but I've seen little discussion anywhere about these;

Leatherman have introduced a range of 'traditional design' SAKs; check out equipped.org's review.

The first things that strike me is that they have a decent looking knife blade; thumb pin for one handed opening is useful. A clothing clip is a nice addition, but I'm not too taken with the range of tools available. It's interesting that they've shunned the ubiquitous corkscrew; perhaps they're trying to look more like a serious specialised tool than a generic multipurpose deal, I'm not sure. With a few extra tools (I know they have a combo edge option, but what about a proper woodsaw?), I could see myself getting one of these.

Anyway, your thoughts would be interesting; anyone got one of these? how does it stand up to a vic/wenger SAK?
 
I don't consider these LM knives to be SAKs ("Swiss Army Knives"). More like a traditional folder with a couple of tools added. They don't really float my boat.

cheers
 
yeah agreed, they're not SAKs in the truest sense, but if you want to get really picky, nothing beyond an ALOX soldier is a 'true' SAK.
What's the difference really between these tools and the mid-range victorinox models? Ok, Leatherman's aren't red and they have a slightly different design but does that really take them into a different category?
Agree that the Leathermans look much more like traditional folders; but surely that can only be a good thing?
 
These Leatherman knives aren't bad. I picked one up from Target about 6 months ago. Combo edge, philip's driver, flat head driver, clip/bottle opener, and a blade launcher. It's put together well. However, for the price it is nothing special. I think it cost me 40 or 50 bucks and the blade steel is just standard leatherman affair 440ish. It's also a tad heavy and thick for pocket carry. The blade launcher works pretty well once you get the hang of it, but for the money I could pick up a nice leatherman tool that would be several times over more useful.
Besides, a nice slim SAK with the basics paired with a leatherman multi-tool just seems to get the job done for me. Maybe throw in a nice folder, and i'm set. However, these leatherman knives just don't seem to fit in anywhere. Tool few tools to be super handy, too bulky for a pocket, too ho-hum of a knife blade to keep an edge.
All and all, a nice little knife that is well made. However, I just keep it at work as a back up/loaner or to play with the blade launcher:)

Jake
 
I have one of these (purchased at a discount on clearance) and it really doesn't impress me that much. I think the reason that no one talks much about them is because in all honesty they are just this side of junk. They are more like a 111 mm SAK (such as the One Handed Trekker) than a traditional SAK, only a lot more bulky - I disagree with Steely_Gunz that they are slim, espically the models with the bit holders. The blade launcher is more a gimmic than anything usefull as it doesn't work that well, but I do like the carabiner idea (copied from the Peter Whittaker collaborated Buck models). I don't think these will be a winner for Leatherman.

I would much rather have my OHT than one of these things.
 
i have seen these knives, and am interested by the design because i have often thought about a larger, more useful knife blade with a couple of more specific tools that i am more likely to need. i also like the idea of that bottle opener clip. i really like the look of their hunting knives, with the blade, and the seperate gut hook, but i don't know about the sharpening rod built into the knife... 440 steel is not that bad if you know how to thin out the edge and sharpen it (i find that the biggest problem with cheap knives are the really wide edge grinds)

i think i will wait a while to see how these hold up to the test of time.
 
You guys that are not happy bought the lower priced ones with 420 steel. Not 440. The top line are the 154CM and they are extremely nice knives.

I have hesistated to post about them until I finished out the year to give my thoughts, but I will say this...I use knives really hard. I own a lawn/landscape company and a knife gets daily hard use that most desk jockeys will never get into on a regular basis. The K502X and the K500 are by far tough as nails and held up extremely well to the abuse me and my guys put them through.

I wouldn't buy a 420 anything anymore, they can't handle it no matter what brand with what we do. But the 154CM has been the ticket.
 
Hi,

First, I admit to being a Leatherman nut (as well as a Vic nut - about 400 of those). I now have 16 of the new L'man knives. Some are just OK and some are really outstanding.

I think this drama is worth watching. Thus far, Leatherman has introduced the C-Series, the E-Series, the H-Series and the K-Series - What happened to A, B, D, F, G & I - Stay tuned.

As to their hunting knives, I only have the Klamath (thus far). Big knife - mine will ride in the day pack, not on my belt - gets cold in Maine during deer season and want my pants to stay up.

Cheers - Joe
 
gatch said:
I disagree with Steely_Gunz that they are slim, espically the models with the bit holders.
Click to expand...

Where did I say it was slim?:confused:

It's also a tad heavy and thick for pocket carry.
Click to expand...
However, these leatherman knives just don't seem to fit in anywhere. Tool few tools to be super handy, too bulky for a pocket, too ho-hum of a knife blade to keep an edge.
Click to expand...

I think that the bottom line is that these knives are OK. I think they are put together OK and they work OK. A nice little Leatherman collectable to play with. However, for the price of one of the high end ones, I could pick up my SAK of choice as well as a Spyderco for serious cutting. Both of them together would weigh less and pack slimmer.

Jake
 
gatch said:
I have one of these (purchased at a discount on clearance) and it really doesn't impress me that much. I think the reason that no one talks much about them is because in all honesty they are just this side of junk. They are more like a 111 mm SAK (such as the One Handed Trekker) than a traditional SAK, only a lot more bulky - I disagree with Steely_Gunz that they are slim, espically the models with the bit holders. The blade launcher is more a gimmic than anything usefull as it doesn't work that well, but I do like the carabiner idea (copied from the Peter Whittaker collaborated Buck models). I don't think these will be a winner for Leatherman.

I would much rather have my OHT than one of these things.
Click to expand...

Any of the Vic OH-series is more bang for the buck!!:thumbup:
 
I have been eyeing these out for some time. They are inexpensive. I have a rule, look, walk away, consider, compare, return and look again to see what I liked in a prospective purchase.

They show thought and consideration in design. They had a great solution that combines the function of a proper folder and multi tool.

Their manufacturing, ok, is not equal to their designs, particularly the entry models. They should be targeting a more serious, discerning portion of the cutlery market.



Still Santa has one on the way for my son.
 
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