Leatherman Sheaths/Pouches Leather or Nylon

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Nick1000

Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
47
Just recently purchased a leather sheath for my sidekick. Before i was carrying it my back right pocket and started to see lint build up and slight rust from "moisture". Bought the leather sheath simply because of the snap closure and i hate velcro. Whats your opinion?
 
Leather all the way. I have my Wave riding in a leather sheath now, and have a spare on the sidelines waiting to be put in service should the first one fail.
 
My Pulse lived in its stock leather sheath for its entire life, the sheath looks like hell, but does the job. I have had velcro sheaths open up unannounced, but I've always felt the snap pop the few times it has. what would be awesome is a leather sheath with a buttoned belt flap or some other method that allowed both belt and MOLLE carry, that would be perfect for my current setup. although I'm liking the way the maxped single sheath feels. there is no way that velcro is coming off without anyone knowing!
 
feel like if one was to make a leather molle....either it would be too much bulk, or a weaker leather. Just my thoughts. totally agree with ya on maxpedition though, great brand just leatherman sheath's prices are uncomparable
 
I like the looks and feel of leather better than nylon, but leather may contain acidic tannins which can cause steel, brass, and other metals to corrode. If you keep an eye on the tool and immediately clean off any appearance of corrosion, it should be okay. The problem will be worse in a humid environment. I'm lazy, and my house stays humid, so I usually make do with trouble-free nylon sheaths.
 
Never had a single problem with my leather LM sheaths corroding the steel, and they've never been in anything other than leather. I doubt highly that LM would use chrome tanned leather in their sheaths. They'd have a huge problem if they did.
 
I like the leather sheath that came with my Charge TTi. The one that came with my ST300 is crap though. It's just a really poor design with a very narrow top flap that allows the tool to slide out right past it. It worked fine for about 6 months and then within the last two weeks the tool has fallen out of it 3 times. Even with the top flap still buttoned shut. The first time I thought I lost it for sure but found it the next morning in the back yard. I've been constantly having to check my hip throughout my work day to make sure it's still in the sheath. I ordered a Maxped single sheath this weekend. Can't wait for it to get here. If you get a Super Tool 300, I strongly suggest you go with the MOLLE sheath. I'm going to be looking into getting some kydex for it the Maxped sheath ends up being too bulky.
 
great feedback from everyone so far. Looks like the majority votes towards leather as do I. My only concerns I have for my new leather sheath for my Sidekick is the belt loop being too big for a small width belt. Which would result in some give and slide. Also the retention on the snap closure.
 
I had one of the old style waves with a leather sheath that I ended up giving to a friend going on a cross country bike trip. Had it since... I want to say 2004. Maybe 2003. That leather sheath was beat to hell but in working condition. It was triple stitched and the snap never ripped out from fatigued leather though I thought it was on it's last legs. That snap was tight and will definitely rip out rather than fail to stay closed. Within the last month I purchased a new wave. I think the new wave has some big improvements on the old one but the new sheath isn't so great. That's not to say it's cheap but the nylon does feel like it will wear out faster. The Velcro is, well, Velcro. It's going to get crap stuck in it and the Velcro will eventually "string" and become a mess. That being said, you can connect a bit kit to it and not to the leather one. Personally I plan to get a leather one.

My old one did eventually develop a little rust spotting after a few years. Just on the outside covers and easy enough to sand off. I live in a fairly wet place (Portland) and overall I think the leather performed great.
 
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I much prefer leather, and as others have said, I really don't like the velcro on the nylon sheath. That said, I typically use a nylon sheath for the Blast that I EDC because it has the hole in the bottom that allows me to carry it with the pliers out as well as a small pouch that I use to carry a Gerber Shard. None of my leather sheaths have those features, but maybe the ones they make now do.
 
leatherman now has a leather nylon combo, basically all the extra pockets of the nylon with the snap closure like leather.
 
Ordered my leather sheath Thursday and still not here! Change of topic slightly but what's your opinion on the customer service of Leatherman? I'm simply comparing Kershaws service to leatherman with regards to shipping products. Kershaw has seemed to be much faster. Leatherman told me 14 business days. Does that seem too long for a sheath??
 
Nick1000 said:
Ordered my leather sheath Thursday and still not here! Change of topic slightly but what's your opinion on the customer service of Leatherman? I'm simply comparing Kershaws service to leatherman with regards to shipping products. Kershaw has seemed to be much faster. Leatherman told me 14 business days. Does that seem too long for a sheath??
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Depends on where the sheath is shipping from and how much the shipping charge was. They also might pad the expected wait time for any delays. I've heard nothing but good things from leathermans customer service although I have also heard that unlike some manufacturers they will not cover stupid and will tell people no if they did something insane like leaving it in a fire.

I live in Portland where leatherman is based and have had first hand accounts from people who did "walk ins" for warranty issues and left with a new tool. I do not know if this still happens.
 
I've got the nylon victorinox pouch for my cybertool 41, and while the velcro can pull open if I rub up against something, I suppose I could take it off and rivet in a snap or magnetic snap closure.
 
I ditched the leather sheathes for mine. I carry nothing but nylon anymore. Special Operations Equipment makes a damned good sheath for multi tools. They have a pretty good warranty. I've had my current sheath for about 9 years and haven't had any issues so far. It doesn't use Velcro for closure, instead it is fastened with a fastex clip. Spec-Ops also has a sheath that I used for awhile until the gf stole it for her blast.

Sorry, didn't see that you'd already ordered a leather sheath till now.

In my experience, I believe Leatherman's customer service to be some of the best out there. I've received free bits from then when I've broken mine(my fault). I had broken my Super Tool 200 on my first tour of Iraq. When I returned home for leave my Dad sent it to Leatherman for repair. Instead I was sent the original(fixed), a brand new tool and my Dad was sent a tool. I was also sent a letter thanking me for my service. I fully endorse Leatherman.
 
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Murphnuge said:
Special Operations Equipment makes a damned good sheath for multi tools. They have a pretty good warranty. I've had my current sheath for about 9 years and haven't had any issues so far. It doesn't use Velcro for closure, instead it is fastened with a fastex clip.
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Murphnuge:
If you have a minute or so to PM me, I'd love to know more about this one. Many thanks.
 
I have leather and nylon sheaths for the mid/full size Leathermans. They are both excellent. If you prefer nylon but object to velcro, Victorinox makes a top notch nylon sheath with a snap that fits the mid size Leathermans perfectly.
 
I vote leather but I absolutely hate the sheaths leathermans come in. I'm using an 10ish year old SOG case with my wave.
 
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