22 comments · 98% upvoted · source · other discussions
I kind of don't see the point of Leatherman tools without the pliers. The new locking mechanism is cool, but their selection of secondary tools, and the quality of the worst of them is pretty damn questionable.
This one has no useless tools, which was my criteria for picking it up. The larger Free P series have a useless ruler and one too many flatheads, for instance. With working scissors this one would have been perfect.
The Leatherman looks to chunky and a lot of wasted space in it
If you mean the plastic filler, that's not solid. It's just a thin layer separating from the reverse side tools. Around the hinges it has the nice effect of removing nooks that accumulate gunk.
It looks much worse than it is.
Nice scales, what are those?
Also, the explorer is definitely going to be my next purchase
Titanium scales from AliExpress. Posted about them last week.
Found your post but can’t find the ones like yours with the victorinox shield
I think they scrub those out of the pictures to avoid takedowns. The solid scales have it, but the striped ones don’t. I got both sets of scales. Best to ask the seller before ordering though.
[deleted]
Yeah, it cuts paper but not plastic. I don't think Leatherman knows how to make scissors, because this has been my experience with every Leatherman I've handled.
It's got 300% more freedom tho
Nothing and I mean NOTHING beats a Wenger Evo S52
I have the S557. No sawblade, but has a very useful Philips and a useless wrench instead. But I also got the Free T2 and it's easily my favourite now. Limited toolset, but everything is so accessible and usable.
S557
The lack of Philips can is baffling but if you flatten the end of the file to the same width as the driver on the classic SD it is just as workable (same stock) and with the saw it makes for the smallest, lightest ultralight travel/backpacking tool with EVERY function I have yet found.
Others I have tried to have pliers/scissors/blade/drivers/etc:
LM Sidekick and Vic Classic SD - a sound option.
Vic Walker and Gerber Suspension NXT - cheapest and surprisingly able though Gerber is hard on the hands but easy to pick up if you land someplace or have things confiscated.
LM Style PS and Ruike LD43 Trekker Multi Tool - good if you want a bigger one hand opening blade and emergency focus both tools can dangle on carabiners so are good if you're rafting/climbing doing more extreme but leisure type adventure travel.
Vic Outrider and Knipex Cobra XS - better all round can get a lot of work processed but 2 items that are bigger/heavier/more space more expensive, hard to get and harder to replace.
There is something to be said for a S557 and a folding all metal silky saw if you go bush/back country though the Delémont/Wenger models really are the premium premiums for the red scaled vics!
Based on some of the reviews, it seems that the one-hand opening of the blade almost isn't...
In the same way that I am often opening the One-Handed Trekker with two hands, I would think that I would do the same for the T4
So I wonder if the advantage of the one hand opening blade on the T4 isn't that big of an advantage in the long run.
jackerhack [OP] 3 points · Sep 2020
It’s a little stiff because it’s meant to not open accidentally, but it’s definitely possible one handed. I’ve spent all day trying and found the position it’s held at makes a difference.
[deleted] 1 points · Sep 2020
I had the same experience with the Leatherman Skeletool KBX. It's not easy to open one-handed. I spent a couple of days trying different positions - one way that works is if I hold the handle closer to the "pommel" end (not a pommel, but you get the idea)...
and another way is if I hold the handle perpendicular to my thumb.
Both ways require a significant readjustment in the hand after I get the blade open one handed. so it's almost not even worth it. So that raises the thought in my mind that the T4 isn't worth it just for a OHO blade when compared to a SAK. That's what's stopping me from springing for it myself.
Xxcokmaster42069xX 1 points · Mar 2021
A lot of things are definitely possible to open one handed, like 3/4 of the SOG line up and a lot of Leatherman's pre-existing.
PCMM7 3 points · Feb 2021
At least it doesn't remind you to groom your nails when you need a tool XD
CorbintheScrapper 2 points · Jul 2022
To open the Trekker/Soldier OHT actually stick your thumb in the hole opening with a push towards your thumb nail OR use your finger index finger like a "spyderco flick" method.
One of the two should work for you hand/knife ratio.
[deleted] 2 points · Jul 2022
I can barely slow roll the OHT and I'll amputate my finger if I try to spydie flick it! Of the two, a slow roll is easier... But not ideal.
CorbintheScrapper 1 points · Jul 2022
True - when I say spyderco "flick" I mean the method but much like the thumb opening it is more a roll than a flick.