I really like my multitool. For years I’ve carried a Leatherman Sidekick my spouse purchased me for Christmas. It’s grown boring in patches from hundreds of thumb swipes. I swear I’ve worn the imprint of my palm onto the instrument’s metallic. We’ve bonded, grow to be inseparable. Or at the very least we have been. Inside two days of receiving Leatherman’s new Free P2 multitool, the Sidekick has been relegated to the utility drawer.
The Free doesn’t actually do something the Sidekick doesn’t (aside from one cool factor, extra on that in a second). There aren’t any lasers or lighters or screens or any fancy new tech. The adjustments Leatherman baked into the instrument are delicate, however as a complete, they make a terrific, straightforward to hold instrument.
And the most effective half—you should use it one-handed. (Beneath is a sequence of flicking it open with one hand).
That’s to say, the instruments are accessible, together with the pliers, with out utilizing each palms. With sufficient observe, you would be observing a small, say, flathead screw it’s worthwhile to again out of a bit of kit you’re holding in a single hand, and, with the opposite, take away the Free out of your pocket, thumb open the screwdriver, and begin utilizing the instrument with out ever it. It’s straightforward and fairly intuitive, although it would take just a few tries to open and shut the pliers easily. When opening and shutting the handles, a satisfying haptic click on lets every thing is in place. One-handed use is one thing I didn’t understand I used to be lacking in multitools I’ve owned beforehand.
The important thing to the one-handed operation, and a giant leap in Leatherman development, is the usage of magnets. They maintain the handles collectively and preserve all of the small instruments in place. If you open the handles, you’re simply breaking the magnetic rigidity. Flicking open the handles like butterfly knife is feasible due to that rigidity. Snap your wrist, the strain releases, and the handles swing aside. If you open the instruments recessed within the deal with, it’s the identical easy motion. Somewhat than decide on the base of every instrument along with your fingernail, you’ll be able to roll your thumb over the bottom of the small instruments to lift them one after the other (although often a pair will come out). It’s simply simpler.
Thumb-operated instrument launch means no cut up fingernails making an attempt to pry the suckers free.
The P2 comes with 19 instruments, all of which you’d count on. The instrument I at all times use essentially the most in a multitool, the knife, is great. It’s serrated on the base, straight towards the purpose, and in addition flicks out simply with a thumb. Somewhat than miserable a slider to shut the knife, you simply push a small tab on the deal with to launch the magnet and shut the blade with out having to place your finger within the knife’s path. Secure, easy.
Leatherman says that every instrument itself has been redesigned, to the purpose that that is the largest refresh because the unique Leatherman debuted in 1975. Until you’re a critical Leatherman geek, I can’t think about you’d discover that. However what you’ll discover is how effectively the multitool as a complete features. Suits the hand completely, with the simplest operation of a multitool I’ve ever skilled.
The knife blade (2.75 inches) locks with a magnet, the discharge button is underneath my thumb. Push that, and the blade folds in with strain on its again, protecting your finger out of its path.
I in all probability wouldn’t exit and change a wonderfully functioning multitool with the Free—essentially the most succesful instrument is one you’re comfy with—however in case you’re already a brand new multitool, that is the one you need.
Dimensions: The P2 is four.25 inches when closed, is zero.61 inches thick and weighs 7.6 ounces. 19 instruments, together with wire cutters crimpers and strippers, a 2.75″ knife blade, can opener, a number of screwdrivers, pliers, ruler, axe, and file, amongst different instruments.
$120 • BUY
Multi multitool choices
Gerber is Leatherman’s primary competitor, at a a lot lower cost level. Their Suspension NXT Multitool is a stable alternative for a instrument set with all of the fundamentals in a practical bundle. $30
Leatherman’s Sign instrument is a normal multitool, however with a fireplace starter and security whistle included. Fairly cool. $120
The SOG Micro ToolClip is just three.9 inches lengthy, however packs a punch. $30
