Reviewing the Best Leatherman Multitools for 2020
If you’re a handyman or just an average Joe who had to do a quick repair around the house or car, there has probably been at least one occasion when you thought to yourself: “I wish I had a screwdriver.” Perhaps you’re a camper or an outdoor enthusiast who’s looking for a compact and convenient way to carry a bunch of tools he can use while out in the wild, such as a bottle opener, knife, wrench, etc.
Whatever the case may be, Leatherman multitools have proven to be one of the most popular additions to anyone’s pocket or toolbox. But with so many different multitools today, even within the range of Leatherman’s brand, picking the right one can take a fair amount of consideration. While your choice will come down to personal preference and the combination of tools you need, it’s a good idea to have a decent understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
Leatherman Wingman Multitool
This is one of the best tools from the Leatherman range. It’s designed using premium materials, and it’s the go-to for people needing a tool for projects around the home, at the campsite or on the job. It features 14 tools that can handle almost anything, including pliers, a knife, wire cutters, wire strippers, screwdrivers, scissors, bottle and can opener, package opener, ruler and a file. You can open the Wingman using one hand, and even use the tools that aren’t accessible from the out. It also features a locking blade that’s reliable for cutting with confidence. It’s lightweight, compact and comes with a removable pocket clip. On the downside, the ruler can only measure up to 1.5 inches and the blade is too short for my liking.
Leatherman Style CS
This Leatherman multi-tool contains 6 tools in one. It comes in a unique clip-on design, and it features a knife, a file, spring-action scissors, mini screwdriver and tweezers. The Leatherman Style CS fits in your pocket or clips onto your bag or pack for easy carrying. The knife is made using 420HC stainless steel, and just like the other Leatherman tools, it’s accompanied with a 25-year warranty. The overall construction of this Leatherman tool is strengthened using glass-filled nylon, which provides extra durability without adding too much weight. The handles are strong and ergonomic, allowing for convenient use without straining your hands.
Leatherman SkeletoolThe Skeletool is equipped with a combo knife, pliers, a bit driver and much more. It’s light enough to use as an EDC tool but strong enough to handle even the toughest of jobs. It also features a large exchangeable bit driver, bottle opener, carabiner, wire-cutters. Just like most other Leatherman tools, you can open it and use it with one hand, and the locking blade allows you to cut with confidence. All of this makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor tasks, and its clever design allows you to take on heaviness without snapping. Its body is made of steel and features 6061-T6 aluminium handle scales. It’s also equipped with a belt clip, but it doesn’t come with a sheath, so you might have to purchase one yourself. On the downside, some people claim it’s rather stiff.
Leatherman Wave Plus
The Wave Plus is an upgrade from the Leatherman Wave, and it includes replaceable wire cutters on top of 18 other tools, such as pliers, wire strippers, knives, saw, ruler, can opener, bottle opener, screwdriver, files, spring-action scissors. It’s made of well-polished and superb quality steel, and the hinges are tight but not binding. It’s somewhat compact, weighs about 5kg and its dimensions are 5 by 5 by 5 centimetres. It also comes with a sheath, and its outside contours are smooth and easy on your pockets. Compared to other Leatherman tools, it’s less portable, but it still can be taken anywhere without too much hassle.
Leatherman Rebar
The Rebar is inspired by Tim Leatherman’s original PST tool. It features all-locking tools, it’s construction is made of stainless steel entirely, and it includes removable wire and hard-wire cutters. It’s fitted with 17 tools, including knives, pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, bottle opener, can opener, file, saw, awl, ruler and electrical crimper. It’s optimised for strength and it’s one of the few 10cm Leatherman tools with replaceable wire and hard-wire cutters. It’s lightweight, compact and can handle just about any job. The Rebar is specifically designed for people who aren’t bothered about the frill that most other multipurpose tools feature. Its handle edges are quite thick, and you can access the pliers are easily accessible. It weighs only about 0.5kg, and it’s 10cm by 3.8cm by 2.5cm, making it one of the lightest and most portable multitools out there. The downsides to the Rebar is that it doesn’t feature scissors, spring-action pliers, and you’ll need both hands to work with it.
