I bought a couple of these knives as gifts for friends, but before passing one of them along as a birthday present, I decided to give it a serious look. I have written a few similar posts before, after all. I've been a fan of Leatherman tools for years. I carry a Wave almost every day, and I started with a PST II over 20 years ago. Sometimes a simpler knife-based tool like a Swiss Army Knife is more suitable than a balisong pliers system, though. How does this stack up?
The box is pretty basic. The front just has an embossed pattern and a few simple blurbs. "Made in the USA," "Quick Access," and "25 Year Warranty." The back has marketing claiming "magnetic architecture" ensures smooth operation. On a more practical front, I can affirm tool access as shown is quite easy compared to a Swiss Army Knife thumb nick in the knife blade or tool.
Inside, the knife is cradled in a nice display with the embossed Leatherman name. There is also a card with basic safety and care instructions, but my photos did not turn out well. I did get a shot of all the tools fanned open, though!
What we have: knife, awl, bottle opener, pry tool, package opener, Phillips screwdriver, medium screwdriver, and extra-small screwdriver
The good: The mechanism is nice, and as I noted already, I like the easy-opening thumb ledge on each tool. The knife is on par with Buck and other good made-in-the-USA 420 stainless steel options. Ergonomics are pretty decent, too. It feels solid, but not obnoxiously heavy, with all the metal. This also locks open nicely with an easy-to-use lever to unlock them all.
The gripes: I personally prefer a knife-based tool to have the knife closer to the center instead of along the outside. I think the "package opener" is more of a gimmick than a real feature. I also paid a lot less than the $49.99 price on the Leatherman site. That's steep, especially when compared to what you can buy from Victorinox in that range, although tools don't really lock in those.
This is a nice tool with enough features but no overkill. I like locking blades instead of slip joint systems, and the overall build quality is fine. If you want a knife with a few extra options, and you find a sale, it's a good choice. On the other hand, a Swiss Army Knife can offer more features for less money if you like gadgets, and a pliers-based multi-tool from either Leatherman or Victorinox offers a lot more utility if you can pay the higher price.
Whether this is the right tool for you depends on your needs. Having a variety of screwdrivers is nice in the tech world. It's a good gift for someone who wants more than just a knife every now and then, and the awl has real wilderness applications. It might be a good first knife for a kid, too. Share your thoughts in the comments!
