Why don't Leatherman folders get much love around here?

T

TKM

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Nov 3, 2010
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I mean, even in other sub-forums, it's kind of rare to bump into any threads about any of these knives. Leatherman has a nice line-up in two kinds of steel with tools, aside the locking main blade, that go from a carabiner to a bit-driver or 3D Philips drivers.

Once I heard that people didn't like them cause they're neither a good blade nor a full-size muiltitool. I do like them.

A couple years ago, I went in this little Hunting store and they a few Leatherman Knives on sale, so I got one and was actually the only folder I used for the last two years. Nice handles, fast opening, nice locking mechanism, mine had a very useful Carabiner/Bottle opener, the only downside was Leatherman's 420 HC, it was just so hard to resharpen.

So what do you guys think, Like them? Hate them? Didn't know they exist?
 
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I own tons of folders, but never felt compelled to purchase a Leatherman knife. Though I have never had my hands on one, they just fly below my radar and don't really do it for me. They just look like those cheapy folders that you can buy at the Stop-n-Rob for $3.00, though I don't doubt that they are decent knives. I do like Leatherman multitools though.
 
Their folders are different, probably too different. The foldable carabiner is not useful for EDC, and the added thickness makes it even less suitable for the role. Blade length for most of them (2.6") is awkward; it's longer than 2.5" so it can't be carried in federal buildings, yet it's far shorter than the next limit (3").

The 'biner can be useful outdoors, but for that role longer blades (3.5" and above) are better.

See, there's nothing wrong with Leatherman folders, it's just that they don't fit nicely into the common roles.
 
My biggest problem with them (and yes, I own a couple) is that they're so damned thick in the handles that they're actually less comfortable to carry in a pocket than the Ti-Charge that I EDC (which I don't even really notice anymore). This relegates them to carrying on the belt in a sheath, which is something I just won't do anymore as it not only announces to every sheep under the sun that you have a knife but also invariably gets hung up on stuff or is in my way when I sit down. Their construction is fairly solid and I have no complaints with the HT they do on 154CM, but they don't see the light of day very often. Actually, one of them is currently in my truck's glove compartment.
 
I have a Crater C33. It's a nice knife, with a comfortable handle and the blade has no blade play, but it is a bit short though. After carrying it for about a week, I've thrown it in a day pack so I always carry a backup blade with me when I go hiking. For those who just want an affordable knife of good quality, I think the Leatherman knives are a good option.
 
I had a E33 Expanse with 154CM blade.

The knife was ok and it held up quite well to everything i threw at it. The design didnt appeal that much to me, and i never used the carabiner/bottle opener for anything, so i sold it.

The design didnt do anything for me though. It looked quite cheap in my opinion, but it did what it had to do.
 
I know Leatherman's 420 HC is harder to sharpen than the one on Gerber, not to mention Buck, but what about their 154 CM?
 
i have two Leathermans and the heat treat on the knives in both SUCKS. The edge keeps on rolling and chipping from cutting open mail. The fact that it is hard to sharpen is another indication of a bad heat treat because it would be fairly easy to sharpen if the heat treat was good on a 420 blade. I'm actually planning on requenching and tempering my Leatherman knives.
 
TKM said:
I know Leatherman's 420 HC is harder to sharpen than the one on Gerber, not to mention Buck, but what about their 154 CM?
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:confused: Do they actually have such a reputation as difficult to sharpen? First I heard of it. In 15 years with a number of different Leathermen, I have never had a problem sharpening their 420 HC blades.

No experience with Leatherman 154CM, though.
 
I haven't found it any harder or easier than any other 154CM. Of course, I don't find sharpening hard, period. ;)
 
I really liked the idea of the Leatherman folders. Handled them all at the factory store.

What turned me off were the excessive thickness, the plastic, and tip-down carry. Either the Skeletool or the Juice make much better pocket companions, and are nearly as good as knives. That's why my combo is a proper, dedicated knife (either tip-up folder or a small fixed blade) and a Juice S2.
 
Hi,

The Leatherman folders are a bit different. I have a few of them and like some better than others.

I really like the tool selection and hope one day we'll see one with pliers and scissors.

I haven't had any problem keeping them sharp using the Spyderco Sharpmaker.

Best - Joe
 
lolgm213 said:
The fact that it is hard to sharpen is another indication of a bad heat treat because it would be fairly easy to sharpen if the heat treat was good on a 420 blade.
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Never thought about that till now, but actually heat treatment is what makes Buck's 420 superior to others.
 
I really like the Expanse-serie. Nice steel, superfast opening, no play and it feels quite strong. A nice edc that won´t scare people.
 
I've found Leatherman's 420HC to be perfectly good stuff, and can't tell much difference between theirs and Buck's respected stuff. I'm particularly fond of their serration pattern, and wish they did a full serrated blade.

I bought their simplest knife a while back when they began closing out the design. Combo edge, not particularly novel knife for the most part, though the small details show some unusual things, and perhaps some over-engineering. But it's been a solid, reliable knife and gets regular carry time.
 
I have a Leatherman c301, combo-edge, with the 'bladelauncher'. It's a decent user; seems to be pretty well built, my only complaint is that the liner lock travels fully to the other side of the blade tang, but it still locks up tight though. I only bought it because it was a package deal with another tool. Some of their other models look interesting, but they're way down on my list right now.

I have several other knives in EDC rotation, so this one gets no carry time.

~Chris
 
orca8589 said:
I have a Leatherman c301, combo-edge, with the 'bladelauncher'. It's a decent user; seems to be pretty well built, my only complaint is that the liner lock travels fully to the other side of the blade tang, but it still locks up tight though. ~Chris
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Last week I got a c300 (the plain-edge version of yours), since I bought in Mexico it was incredibly overpriced, something like 45 USD, but it was the only quality folder they had in the store for less than a 100!.

Brought it along for the weekend on a kayaking-camping trip, got a lot of use cutting rope and tape mainly, and it sure got wet since I had it strapped to my PFD. I even used it for throwing at some piece of wood just for fun. It doesn't show rust at all, didn't chip and it held up pretty well (probably better than my previous c33Lx) however it did dull, and it took quite a while and a lot of tools to sharpen it back to a nice level.

Based on your comments, I wish I had bought the serrated version, hopefully next time.
 
TKM said:
Based on your comments, I wish I had bought the serrated version, hopefully next time.
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You should allow your email in your profile. ;)

If you want my c301, it's yours. I never carry it, mainly because the clip is only a tip-down configuration. (I prefer tip-up.) Email me your address and I'll get it out to you whenever you get back.

~Chris
 
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