Leatherman Review

About Leatherman

Ever struggle through a last-minute fix without the proper tools for the job, or is that just us? Luckily, Leatherman exists with a load of multi-tools covering everything you need when it comes to repairs and quick fix-its. 

Whether it’s for everyday work or on holiday (we all need that helping hand for camping and fishing), every Leatherman tool is designed to get the job done.

Featured in multiple articles by Forbes and The New York Times, this brand has almost 400k followers on their main and Canadian Instagram accounts. 

Loyal customers have favored this brand since they opened and through continuously introducing new products, they’ve remained one of the top multi-tool brands on the market.

This Leatherman review will give you everything you need to know about the company. From pros and cons to customer testimonials on popular products, by the end of this article, all of the details will be in place to determine whether or not it’s worth the buy.

Overview of Leatherman

Opened in 1983, Leatherman was born of Portland, Oregon roots that have stuck with them even today. 

Guided by the constant need for pliers, the founder Tim Leatherman (it’s his real name, we checked) created the perfect pocket multi-tool featuring not only standard knives and screwdrivers but also pliers that folded up ready for any moment.

Rejected by numerous companies for his design, Tim and his friend Steve Berliner decided to sell them on their own and within the first spring of business had hundreds of orders in place. Guess it goes to show how perseverance pays off.

The brand still runs out of Oregon with all pieces assembled in their hometown. Always nice to see when companies stay true to their roots. It’s a pro in our checklist, but what are some of the other top highlights to consider before going to buy?

Highlights

• Inventory full of multi-tools, knives, apparel, and more to keep you prepared for a variety of situations
• Maintained Oregon roots and hasn’t sold out to foreign companies
• Durable tools
• 25-year warranty
• Thousands of positive Leatherman reviews online
• Excellent and responsive customer service
• Discounts for military, first responders, teachers, and more
• Klarna payment plans available for manageable costs

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some products in this Leatherman review. Seeing as multi-tools are their origin and most popular items in stock, we’ll be focusing on those. 

This business does sell other products, so check out their additional categories online for a better picture of what this business offers up.

Leatherman Multi-Tools Review

Tightening up their line with pliers as the base of almost every multi-tool (we see you T4 model), this brand has stuck with their original design by offering up the tools you need for any time of day. 

We’re showing off some of the most popular products in the multi-tool line, but there are almost 50 products and kits listed online, so if these aren’t your dream tool, be sure to check out the rest of their stock online.

Leatherman Wave+ Review

Pretty and popular, the Leatherman Wave+ is a piece that fits every tool belt or pocket with ease.

This best-selling portable product fits 18 tools in its slim metal frame. A secure locking system keeps tools contained, with select accessible external options that let you use your tools without folding out the whole thing. 

Coming in at just 4 inches, this handheld piece comes in stainless steel and black options.

Comfortable sheathes accompany every purchase to provide a safe place to keep tools stored when not in use. Upgraded from the previous Leatherman Wave model, this tool now includes “replaceable wire cutters” with options for customization.

Currently offering free shipping, the Wave+ is available for $100.

Leatherman Coyote Skeletool Review

Keep things light with the Leatherman Coyote Skeletool, a 7-in-1 design with personalized artwork options.

Available in 4 colors of stainless steel, blue, green, and coyote tan, this Leatherman Skeletool is a cheaper option out of this brand’s extensive list. 

This sheath-less tool quickly folds up to protect all pieces and exposes a handy lanyard clip to keep it hanging at the ready at all times. One of the simpler multi-tools on this market, this hand-sized piece is perfect for those looking for a basic toolset to keep around the house.

Available for only $65, this compact kit is one you don’t want to miss.

Leatherman Skeletool CX Review

Joining the previous model, the Skeletool CX upgrades select aspects of this line for a heavy-duty use of standard tools.

Forget color options and stylizing to your personality, the Skeletool CX is a black and stainless-steel design that works for everyone. Sheathed in its black nylon case, this tool brings a premium new 154CM steel knife to the party to strengthen every cut. 

With only one hand, anyone can wield this $80 Leatherman multi-tool with ease, making it the perfect selection to give as a graduation gift to young adults about to move into the world on their own.

Leatherman Signal Review

Here’s our new favorite ode to the outdoors. The Leatherman Signal provides all the camping gear you need to survive the rough terrain of the wilderness.

Alongside the standard pliers that make up Leatherman tools, this compact piece contains “a Firestarter, hammer, one-handed blade, and an emergency whistle” as well as a variety of other selections to make up its list of 19 tools. 

That’s right, 19 tools in one 4.5-inch grip. Easily foldable for safety and portability, this model clips onto any bag, ready to handle the elements as they come.

And if the number of tools didn’t sell you, the 7 color options definitely will. Customize it, contain it, and keep it handy for any outdoor needs.

The Leatherman Signal is available for $120.

Leatherman Raptor Rescue Review

Front line and medical professionals? The Leatherman Raptor Rescue was made for you.

This 5-inch design is built around a pair of foldable stainless-steel shears, with its 5 other elements all branching out from there. 

Including strap cutters, ring cutters, an oxygen tank wrench, carbide glass breaker, and a ruler, this multi-tool is handy for any shift or medical emergency. Choose from 6 colors to make the pair easily identifiable and stay prepared on the front line.

Attached with a lanyard loop or pocket clip, it’s not too difficult to keep this one on you at all times. For those not wanting to clip it straight on, this tool comes with a holster for storage.

Grab the Raptor Rescue for $80.

Leatherman Free P4 Review

Advance your gear by going all out with the Leatherman Free P4. Containing 21 tools, this is one for the books.

This model gives us all tools we didn’t know we needed in our everyday lives. From a package opener and awl to a prying tool and electric crimper, this model upgrades what the word multi-tool means and offers up a beast no one can beat. 

Only 4.25 inches long, this container masks the multitude of jobs it can do through its compact size.

Go big or go home with this model for $140.

Leatherman Wingman Review

Offering all the standard tools with a few extra surprises, the Leatherman Wingman is one of the top-selling models from this brand.

The perfect size for everyday use, this 14-tool model lightens up the load through its compact design. With three different screwdriver sizes amongst a myriad of other common tools, this piece is a good one to have in pocket for any sudden repairs. 

The Wingman is one of the shorter models at 3.8 inches, but it’s easily one of the most popular on the market for its size, tools, and $60 price tag.

Leatherman Surge 3 Review

Fold out an impressive collection with the Leatherman Surge 3. This upgraded model incorporates over 20 tools into its small design.

Ready for a doozy? This 21-tool set is sure to impress even those who don’t admire tools for their beauty. Available in stainless steel and black options, this model is here to knock away the competition in aesthetics, function, and more.

Forget keeping it all in the family, the Surge 3 offers new removable elements to make this model bigger and better than before. The latest addition? A diamond-coated file that will happily take on any wood or metal it meets.

At 4.5 inches, it’s a bit bigger than some others on this list, but the added features more than make up for it. We’ll happily take a bit more size for a tool that will handle any job without hesitation.

This impressive multi-tool is available for $130.

Leatherman Surge Set Review

We’ve saved the best for last and, while we admit this one isn’t quite as small as the predecessors, it’s well worth the added weight. The Leatherman Surge Set pushes past the expectations of a multi-tool to create a new world of possibilities.

Moving beyond the beauty of the Surge 3 itself, this set includes pieces no one knew they needed until now. In addition to the standard sheath accompaniment, this kit comes with a bit kit set and a ratchet driver to complete your tool kit in one easy go.

Starting with the bit kit (because we need to narrow it down before we get too excited), this set comes with over 20 double-ended bits. 

That means a total of 42 bits are available with this set to fit more sizes than you could ever need. Packaged in an easy holder, bits are sure to stay secured in place during travel or storage.

Moving to the ratchet driver, this piece locks in with ease and stays secured through use. Place any bit in the end and know it’ll stay tight through the magnetic holding system. 

With a locking system to secure forward, locked, and reverse turning, you’ll be working comfortably and quickly to finish the job.

This set does come at a heftier price, but for $204 we think it’s a reasonable cost for all the features included.

Who is Leatherman For? 

We can easily cross kids off the list for this one. We wouldn’t recommend them as a target market. Other than that, multi-tools are useful for anyone. 

While some of the heavy-duty models used for fishing, camping, and survival are more specialized, the standard everyday models are helpful to have at home.

Forget searching around for the screwdriver, pliers, or other tools in the garage and keep this handy little piece tucked away inside the house. Treat them well and they’ll happily last over a decade, helping tighten every screw with ease.

Comparison: Leatherman vs. Gerber Gear  

Titans of the multi-tool world, Leatherman and Gerber Gear tend to go head-to-head annually in a battle of the best. With the same Oregon origins, Gerber actually kicked off their business over 40 years prior, founded in 1939. 

Featuring a variety of multi-tools in both businesses, these brands are top-tier options for those into backpacking, fishing, camping, and any all-around fix-it jobs that need getting done.

As two of the best in business, it’s hard to know where to start when shopping. Do you go for a Leatherman Rebar or a Gerber Diesel? What’s the difference between the two brands anyway?

Despite similar tools and tricks, the brands have a few elements that differ:

• Warranty – Warranty is a big difference between the two, as Leatherman offers 25 years on every product, a policy that definitely gets the job done. 

Most multi-tools are designed for 10 to 15 years of solid work, so a policy of 25 years guarantees that and more. Gerber Gear, however, pushes Leatherman aside by offering a lifetime warranty on all products.

• Price – Price is always iffy when buying. We all want the deal, but don’t necessarily trust a cheaper product. Rest easy with these brands as their costs run along the same lines for all of their products.

Gerber Gear comes a bit cheaper than their competitor, but the difference is within the $50 range. If financial stress isn’t keeping you awake at night, then price probably won’t be as big an influence when it comes to this purchase.

• Manufacturing – While both brands originate from Oregon, Gerber Gear actually sold the company to a Finnish business, and products are now manufactured in China. 

Leatherman still assembles all products in Oregon, but many of their tools are imported from other countries. If an American build is the one you’re after, then Leatherman is as close to that as it gets.

• Website – We were going to compare products, but both of these brands offer the same lines so that wouldn’t really make a huge difference. 

Organization of the sites does sit differently. While Leatherman stylizes their website by product category, Gerber Gear offers by product as well as by use.

Categorized into Hunting, Fishing, Everyday, and more, this brand easily helps identify the tools needed for specific environments and jobs.

• Style – Aesthetics don’t necessarily mean much while out in the wilderness, but to show off to friends? It’s a whole other matter. This one goes to Leatherman for their sleek foldable designs.

We’re not saying Gerber Gear doesn’t do a good job when it comes to the appearance of their multi-tools, but Leatherman’s graceful folding of each kit is hard to compete with.

Preference really is key when it comes to any purchase. Many out there prefer one brand over the other for the feel, design, and tools available. These elements are definitely considerations before buying, but don’t let them limit the purchasing options.

Look around, get some research done (this Leatherman review is a good start!), and take time before making the final decision. Both brands will easily get the job done. 

Leatherman Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

We’re turning to the customers in this section to check out those verified purchase ratings. What better way to test just how well these products hold up in real life?

The brand website lists a Leatherman review page just for customers to comment. With over 18,700 ratings online, this company seems to please just about everyone. Their total rating online is 4.3/5-stars from those thousands of ratings, proving this brand can impress.

Read any Leatherman review listed and they’ll discuss just how durably these products were designed. Compact and sturdy, customers are quick to comment on how dependable these tools truly are.

One 5-star reviewer from the company site spoke about how the Surge had been a lifelong companion to them:

“I have had a Leatherman on my side for over 20 years, I lost my last one on a trip and had to get a new one. I re-purchased the Surge and I truly love it. The quality of their tools is superb. Someone had gotten me another brand and it just isn’t the same. It got put in the junk drawer as soon as I got my new Surge.”

A standard gift to loved ones (who doesn’t want their family or friends prepared for the worst?) these products will wear out their cases faster than their tools.

A gleeful customer was more than happy to talk about how useful their Leatherman product has been for them: 

“I have a Surge from 10 – 15 years ago and I wear it religiously everyday. It has never let me down. The case wore out eventually but that’s okay, the tool still works great. I bought a new Surge and love it since it has changeable cutters and bigger pliers plus many other great features.”

Leatherman’s website isn’t the only place to find top-tier ratings from customers – Amazon offers a number of their products and the reviews keep coming for each one. 

The Leatherman Wave Plus alone has almost 4,000 ratings and sits at 4.8/5-stars. The review section is full of loyal customers who praise this brand for their security and strong products.

One Wave Plus customer commented, “It’s a solid multitool from Leatherman that will be used by me for years and years to come. Buy one, keep it in the car or your desk or your toolbox. Thank Leatherman later for all the times it comes in handy.”

Other well-rated Leatherman’s products on Amazon have thousands of customers who want to share the good vibes:

• Leatherman Surge: 4.8/5-stars based on over 3,200 ratings
• Leatherman Wingman: 4.8/5 based on over 6,800 ratings
• Leatherman Sidekick: 4.8/5-stars based on almost 3,000 ratings
• Leatherman Raptor Response: 4.9/5-stars based on over 1,100 ratings
• Leatherman Micra: 4.8/5-stars based on over 3,600 ratings
• Leatherman Mut: 4.8/5-stars based on over 800 ratings
• Leatherman Squirt: 4.8/5-stars based on over 3,900 ratings

These are just a few of the top Leatherman products on Amazon, and they all come in strong with customers raving about the brand and product. 

If you’re not convinced by this Leatherman review, just glance at the numbers listed on these products and they’ll be sure to sell this company better than we ever could.

Focusing on the customer service aspects, TrustPilot rates this company at 3.9/5-stars based on only 22 ratings. While the numbers aren’t great to pull from for a true rating, some of the reviews offer good insight into company operations. 

Despite having grown to be one of the top brands in the multi-tool business, this company really focuses on putting customers first.

This testimonial in particular really speaks to how the brand goes the extra mile. The tool had sentimental value and the owner didn’t want it replaced, so Leatherman did a full tune-up on it: 

“Not only did they replace the serrated knife, they changed the standard blade, the diamond file, the saw, put new screwdriver bits in, even the eyeglasses bit was replaced, and to top it off they changed the pliers for the new style pliers with removable cutters, same chassis and scissors though so retained its sentimental value.”

Going above and beyond for their customers to create pieces that not only work but mean something is this company’s mission. It’s refreshing to read from customers that they not only meet the goal but exceed it through their practices.

Is Leatherman Worth It?

This Leatherman review will happily claim that this brand is worth the money. While it’s slightly higher in price than competing brands, their quality service and sturdy products more than make up for the few extra dollars spent. 

Lasting well over 10 years of constant work, this company makes an effort to put the customer first and keep product quality at an all high.

If you’re in need of a multi-tool (which, in our opinion, everyone needs at least one), then this brand is a safe and easy buy that will last a lifetime.

Leatherman Promotions & Discounts 

Leatherman is generous when it comes to working discounts. While public promotions pop up constantly through the year, a constant 40% discount is available for select professions. 

We’re listing them out, so take a look through and if you’re in a certain category, make sure to get that deal before buying:

• Military
• Medical
• First Responders
• Teachers
• Students

Where to Buy Leatherman

Has this Leatherman review convinced you to buy? These multi-tools can be found on the brand website at leatherman.com. For those looking to order or pop into a physical store for pick up, check out the available retail partners:

• Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• Canadian Tire
• House of Knives
• MEC
• Walmart
• Amazon

FAQ

Where is Leatherman made? 

All Leatherman tools are proudly made in Portland, Oregon. This US company began and expanded in their hometown, keeping their roots in mind during their company’s growth. 

All tools are tested prior to sales with trips to the Pacific South to ensure every new product will work no matter the environment at hand.

What is Leatherman’s Shipping Policy?

Whether you’ve added a fancy Leatherman Rev to the wish list or simply looking for all the info before making a purchase, it’s good to know how company shipping operates. Leatherman works through three optioned shipping services with a flat rate for each:

• Standard (3-12 business days): $6
• Expedited (2-3 business days): $15
• Express (1-2 business days): $25

Don’t worry about tracking concerns, order status can be accessed on Leatherman’s website. Follow every update after the delivery is sent out and get ready for a multi-tool to fix that common everyday struggle.

Leatherman ships to a total of 8 countries in North America and Europe. For the full list, go to their website and check out the shipping destinations available. If your location isn’t listed, check local stores as their products are sold in over 90 countries worldwide.

What is Leatherman’s Return Policy?

Returns are a process we all like to know about before buying. Just in case, right? Well, this brand gives you 30-days after purchase to decide if the product is a good fit.

In most cases, return shipping fees are up to the customer, but if the return is due to a faulty or damaged product, Leatherman not only refunds original shipping prices but also pays for the return. 

Just be sure to note that custom and engraved items can’t be sent back, so make sure you’re confident with that one before checking out.

Should an item get damaged, don’t freak out about losing out on any money. The Leatherman warranty lasts 25-years after purchase. That should keep you going for a while.

Once customer service has been contacted about the wish for a refund, all that’s needed is:

1. Original packaging
2. Packing slip
3. Product being returned

That’s it! Customer service will provide the return address, so just ship it off and wait for that refund to appear in the original account.

How to Contact Leatherman

Need some one-on-one time with the company after reading through this Leatherman review? No problem as this brand has not only one, but two phone numbers and an email to get in touch. Phone hours are 6 am to 5 pm PT, so double-check hours before making that call:

• Phone: 503-253-7826
• Toll Number: 800-847-8665
• Email: [email protected]

---

Check out similar brands you might like:

Hart Tools

Slice

Bulk Office Supply

ban.do