How to Pick Out a Leatherman Pocket Knife
24th Oct 2020
The Leatherman brand is all about versatility and utility. They merge form and limitless function in packages probably more concise than we’ve ever seen before. Victorinox is another huge player on this front, but when it comes to packing tools into a neat little package, Leatherman is a big contender.
If you want a dependable tool to keep by your side for EDC that has more tools than you will probably ever need, Leatherman is a reliable bet. They may be known more for their multitools than they are for their knives, but they actually offer a lot of different and unique little tools to suit a variety of tastes. You can actually pick up a folding multitool or a more conventional looking Leatherman pocket knife from out of our lineup, and here’s how to do it.
Figure out Why You Need It
It all comes down to what you need and why. Are you looking for a little blade for EDC with a few extra tools attached to it to make it more useful? Do you need a folding multitool that will take up basically no space on your belt? Are you looking for a multitool with 20 or more tools packed into one that will help you overcome just about anything you come across?
Also consider the viability of the tools you need. You might need a wire stripper and a pair of pliers more than you need a set of screwdriver bits, but the converse might also be true. A blade with a serrated edge might be more useful to you than a plain edge.
There are too many considerations for us to take on your behalf. It is up to you to figure out what tools you need most and why. However, we’ve taken the liberty of picking out some of the highlights from our collection which we believe represent a fair cross-section of different needs. If you want a Leaterman pocket knife, there’s a good chance your preferred model will be in the ranks below.
Leatherman Free T2 8-1 Multi Tool
This is one of the more conventionally styled pocket knives in our collection of Leatherman tools. Parading around under the guise of a little folding pocket knife, however is a ton of functionality.
It’s barely two inches long closed, but it comes with more than just a tiny 420HC knife blade. It also packs a pry tool, an awl, a bottle opener, a package opener and several screwdrivers into it’s little frame. It’s also made predominantly from steel and GFN (glass-filled nylon) so it’s a darn tough little knife.
Who should carry it : Anyone looking for a reliable tool to keep in their front pocket that can be pulled out right quick in order to open up a box or tighten a screw. It’s an EDC knife but a lot of capability, but it’s also very small. This is not meant to replace your other knives but to serve as a supplement. Use it where you need it, but know its limitations.
Leatherman Free K2 8-1 Multi Tool
This is another extremely handy little knife that is not unlike the pocket knife mentioned above. It is, however, a bit larger and therefore more capable when faced with certain chores that the knife above would not be able to tackle with as much facility.
This is also another Leatherman pocket knife that actually looks like a folding knife. As you will see, many of the other tools on this list appear more like folding pliers (because they are) than like a knife.
This knife comes with a 420HC blade and a suite of tools that closely mimics the little pocket knife above, only this one is just a little bit larger, making it more comfortable to hold and to use. It also comes with an integrated pocket clip, which makes it easy to carry.
Who should carry it: Anyone who is looking for a pocket knife that is styling like an actual pocket knife will love this knife. It’s just about the size of most average EDC pocket knives out there, and its 3.3 inch blade hits the sweet spot between too small and getting too large - it’s just right. Also, it’s sheepsfoot profile will stand up very well to tough work.
Leatherman Skeletool CX Multitool
This tool is a slight divergence from the look of a classic folding pocket knife but not a full departure, as it still contains a full size blade that stands out as a feature and is not an afterthought. It also doesn’t take a backseat to any of this tool’s other components.
At four inches long and 5 ounces, this is a hefty multitool with a tough blade worked into the design. In addition to the stainless steel blade, it also has a pair of pliers, wire cutters, a number of screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a replaceable pocket clip. It also comes with storage for the driver bits, too, as well as a nylon sheath.
Who should carry it : Someone who still needs a tough blade but could benefit from the use of a more expanded portfolio of tools. Actually, since this models folds up fully - the pliers fold up too - it’s a great space saving feature for anyone who needs a tough tool but can’t carve out a lot of space.
Leatherman Black Stainless Rebar 17 Tool Multitool
Made of dependable stainless steel with a black oxide finish, this is a functional tool that looks pretty slick as well. Easy on the eyes and helpful in the hand, so to speak.
It comes not only with a pair of pliers and wire cutters, but with a saw, awl, ruler, can opener and a number of screwdrivers among its many tools. It has 17 in all, as the name would suggest.
Before we forget, it has not one knife blade but two, one straight edge and another serrated knife, which is good news for anyone who needs more than just a straight edge for rough cutting tasks - this is helpful despite the fact that it also contains a saw in its design.
Who should carry it : Anyone who needs more utility than can be captured from the multitool above. Actually, anyone who needs a serrated knife will benefit from this design as well. Some materials are more easily worked with a serrated blade and this tool will shine in those situations. Well, it won’t shine, because it has a black oxide coating, but you get the picture.
With a three inch blade that puts it on par with some of the other multitools already mentioned in this list, this is a multi tool that still brings a lot to the table in the form of the knife in its design.
In addition to a number of tools worked into it that already come with the other multitools we have investigated, this interesting one comes with some unique offerings that have not been seen yet in this list. For example, it has Torx and Hex wrenches along with an electrical crimper, a bolt override tool, a carbon scraper, a cleaning rod with an adapter, and a pin punch, along with some other cool picks.
Who should carry it : Two things come to mind when looking at this awesome little tool; electrical work and shooting. Electricians would probably get a lot of utility out of this, but it would also make a great range tool. Not only can be used (along with brushes, patches, jags and solvents) to clean a gun, but the pin punch and wrenches that come with it can make disassembly and reassembly a snap, relatively speaking.
Leatherman Heavy Duty Surge 21-in-1 Black Oxide
Here’s a tool that is really starting to get away from the traditional lines that you might envision along with the words Leatherman pocket knife. If it does so, however, it only does so with the aim of bringing a long a ton of tools - and thus, utility - in the wake.
Even so, it comes along with a 3.1 in black oxide coated stainless steel blade that will not bat an eye when you put it to work, along with a ton of other tools. It has a number of drivers, bottle and can openers, an awl, two blades (one is serrated), and two files, one of which is diamond coated for really heavy work.
Who should carry it : It’s hard to limit a tool like this to one or two cohorts of people. Craftsmen will love this thing, mechanics will love this thing, backpackers and campers will love it too. Supposedly, anyone who needs a large number of tools on hand at any given point will find a home for this multitool in their pack or pocket.
Leatherman Signal (19 Tool Multi Tool)
Like the Leatherman Mut Multitool mentioned previously, this is a very unique multitool that understands its target user. In addition to the obviously included pliers, wire cutters and knives, this Leatherman pocket knife has a few things up its sleeve that are extremely useful - if only to a special set of users.
This Leatherman has been designed with exceeding thoughtfulness, including a hammer, a whistle, and most importantly, a ferrocerium rod along with a diamond coated sharpener. You might be thinking - how can you sharpen the blade on this thing with a sharpener that is also attached to it? Well, keep reading about who should use it to learn more.
Who should carry it : It’s the sharpener and the ferro rod that really define this tool. Campers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts should carry this. The sharpener on this is not meant for its own knife - it’s meant for your other knife. By the way, the whistle will be useful for signalling in the woods, and the ferro rod can save your life and give you a fire if you ever get caught out in the cold - but of course, outdoorsmen will understand.
Let’s take a break from overdrive and get back to the simple things that matter. Consider this situation - you don’t need a Leatherman to solve all of the problems of the day, and space is at a premium. What you need is a little tool to call on as a backup, and the Leatherman Micra will work just fine for that.
This little tool is only two and a half inches closed, but it comes with a blade, a set of bits and drivers, scissors, a ruler, a nail file, tweezers and a bottle opener. All of this comes in a little package that could easily fit into an already overstuffed pocket. It’s the very image of a utilitarian little tool you can call upon in an instant when you need a little something to help out close at hand.
Who should carry it : Basically, anyone. It’s small and affordable enough to throw into your pack or pocket as a backup or an afterthought, so it’s not something you’ll have to worry about. You should rely on it as your only tool, but then again, if it is your only tool, you’ll be glad you have it.
Call Us If You Have Questions
These are only a few of the Leatherman pocket knives and tools that we offer here in our collection at White Mountain Knives. There are many more besides them in our collection, but we do believe that if you need one, for the most part, your needs will be met by one of these.
Then again, if they aren’t then you should make it a point to get in touch with us. We have excellent vendor relationships, including with Leatherman, and if you know of a model that you would like, then all you have to do is reach out to us and we’ll try to source it for you. Send us an email at whitemountainknives@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to see another Leatherman than the ones we display on our website.